Photo Success

A Place to Grow

Living the Dream….

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I just got back from an amazing 3 day event in downtown L.A.

I know, sounds cool don’t it…“Downtown L.A….”…

Me and my fancy trips to the land of Hollywood and movie stars.

Truth is, I didn’t get to see much since I spent most of the time indoors at this amazing theatre, listening and participating in the “Voice Of Success” event with Roger Love.

When I booked this deal I had no idea what I was getting into. I was invited, and decided on a whim “why not? let’s do it”.

Up until then I had no idea who Roger Love was. Zip.

No regrets. For someone like me who’s the proverbial info junkie with an insatiable appetite for all things to do with business growth, communication and marketing, this was just what I needed.

Who knew. I didn’t.

I do now. I have more, much more to say about Roger Love, and the power of voice and how it applies to your life, your business, your relationships, and even if you want to be a better singer, pro, or amateur blues player like me, your voice plays a much, much bigger role than I ever imagined.

I am a convert and fan. Who knew.

Again, more on that later.

Each morning myself and two new-found friends walked about 20 minutes from our shared AirBnB condo to the theatre.

I was stunned to see so many tents, tents under underpasses, tucked away, everywhere.

My friend Tracy from Houston, who I had just met and was now my room mate told me a short parable about a homeless dude, who, when asked how he got there, answered:

“I kept giving my bricks away until I had none left.”

Whoa. True or not, there is a huge lesson in that.

You need to build your own house, hold on to your bricks. In other words, take care of YOURSELF first, before your start saving everyone else.

Extreme altruism if just as bad, or worse then extreme greed.

If you have a dream, your dream, you won’t see it become reality, you won’t see doors opening up and opportunities magically flow into your live by GIVING AWAY all your bricks.

I’ve said it a million times…success starts with you. It’s an inside job. And you need to start small, with the tiniest inkling of whatever idea you have, and ACT on it, doing whatever you can, with whatever you have available.

Do it all. Including starting to save your bricks.

I talk about this idea and more in my Wealth Attraction Strategies for photographers (One of my favorite webinars where I reveal how I changed my mindset from poverty to prosperity.) and the Follow Your Dreams Goal Setting presentation.

Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”

Join us…Content, Coaching & Community

Are you a photo seminar junkie?

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Are you addicted to information?
(The way I and others are addicted to coffee?)
I’ve am self-confessed info-junkie . (I’ve given away or thrown out more information, courses, binders and cassettes-in-binders than most people will consume in their lifetimes….)
One thing that clearly stands out for me is what works, and what doesn’t work when drinking mountains of information.
I was reminded of this topic the other day when superdroog Thomas Cooke emails me a most awesumtastic letter…he states:

“I’ve been around the block a few times (over 30years in business), and I belong to several newsletters and forums thirsting for knowledge and innovative ways of achieving my goals. By far, NoBS Photo Success  forum wins hands down with content and follow thru. Just your email blasts (even if it’s a mini sales letter) are timely, informative and consistent.
Keep up the great work Rob and thank you!!
Tom Cooke”
Thomas Cooke Photography Inc
Whoa!
Thanks for the kudos and head swell.
I have, admittedly,  taken this serious addiction of mine and dun a few things with it, namely the forum. That, and my photography business.
This addiction is more a blessing than a curse. I can’t explain it any other way. BUT, I can say this. It has helped my in my photography business more than anything else.
The information, direction and inspiration I have received over the years is beyond description.
For instance, just within the last 30 days, I had:
And we’re scratching the surface.

By the way, Tina and I are teaching a 5 day course at Great Lakes Institute of Photography at the stunning Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs this May 20-24, 2018.
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”

Join us…Content, Coaching & Community

“We’re gonna need more order forms…”

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So, my wife and I created this new product. It’s based on the whole fairy brand that our studio has become known for. We call it “Ice Fairies”.

It turns out it was a huge hit. I booked my first Ice Fairy day in January, when others told me I would not get any bookings because it was right after Christmas…but alas, they were wrong.

As a matter of fact, the orders were rolling in and as I running through the sales sessions it occurred to me that we’re gonna need more order forms. (I couldn’t help but think of the scene in Jaws where the dude sez: “We’re gonna need a bigger boat.”)

Classic. And what a good problem to have.

When it comes to creating new products for your photography studio, or, for expanding in new niches like dance photography and such, it takes certain specific steps. You don’t just do this overnight.

I will be touching on this idea in an upcoming webinar dedicated to the whole fairy brand soon, very soon. More to come.

Maria Sampaio knows this. She ran a mermaid special  in January as well and createdsales averaging $1926.02 per session. That’s insane!

READ MORE ON MARIA’S INSANE SALES IN THIS BLOG POST

Maria will be joining us soon for an overview webinar on how she creates her crazy sales results.

I’m anxious to hear what she has to say. She truly is the “Bruce Lee” of selling. She admits, it’s her superpower. We can all learn.

And she definitely goes against the grain and goes against industry norms. She’s a renegade if there ever was one.

Speaking of renegades, Warne Noyce needs a special mention and his webinar tonight on dance school success. Again, in an industry, time and place where everyone said it couldn’t be done, he done it.

The information is right there guys! All you need to do is reach out and grab it!
Join us……………

Wanna dance?….and make some sales with dance school photography….

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Two webinars, two photographers, two systems for dance photography sales and success. If you were around last month we had Nancy Tillberg join us with her take on dance school photography she calls “Boutique Volume…”

Her system is meticulous and tight, and it works. She goes against the grain on what many would think is the “right” way to do volume…let alone boutique volume. But then again, she’s a retired forensic photographer…she can see things the rest of us mere mortals can’t.

If you’re a member of noBs photosuccess™ you can watch the REPLAY HERE

And there’s Warne Noyce and Paula Moon who started their studio a few years ago in a town where no one knew them. They quickly grew because of smart and innovative marketing. AND, their dance school business sky-rocketed.
We had Warne on a webinar. REPLAY HERE for members.
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”

Join us…Content, Coaching & Community

If you haven’t claimed a title, what are you waiting for?

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One of the most powerful photography marketing lessons I learned years ago I learned from the great Dan Kennedy.

Who learned it from Robert Ringer, best selling author of “Winning Through Intimidation” and “Looking Out For Number One” to name a few of big hits in the self-improvement and business world books he’s authored.

The idea is this….and it’s called the LeapFrop Theory, and it plays out:

“Proclaim yourself to be above others in your field, leapfrog over them, and eliminate your competition by simply refusing to acknowledge it.”

I can’t even begin to tell you how profitable this strategy is.

But, I will say this:

When it comes down to two or more people battling it out for positioning, the one who’s often perceived as “best” is the often the one who claims the title.

The only caveat is, it has to be based in truth. You gotta bring the goods to the game. It ain’t braggin’ either, if you can do it.

You have to actually be prepared to be above the pack.

Assume the posture of someone at that new level. This introduces another of Ringer’s ideas, the posture theory. This theory states:

“It’s not what you say or  do that counts, but what your posture is when you say or do it.”

Example from my photography studio marketing life. Decades ago I started mailing newsletters. And, I was also newly minted as the “official photographer for our local professional theatre AND our local symphony.

I didn’t get paid for these gigs, but no one knew that. I’m still working for them.

They bring credibility and positive affiliation. And free seasons tickets, ads in programs and the chance to put on gallery style displays in the lobby of these esteemed venues.

I would always make sure to add content into my newsletters, based on these affiliations. They made me look good. By affiliation.

I claimed these titles because they helped boost my studio brand. The power of affiliation dovetails nicely into the leapfrog theory. There’s almost a hidden, sub-conscious message.

It goes something like this:
“If they hired him to be their official photographer, he MUST be good.”

Know what I mean? But you gotta claim it. It’s a marketing thing.
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer

“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”

Join us…Content, Coaching & Community

“How Maria Created An Average Sale of $1926.02 on all of her10 $47.00 portrait sessions…

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I don’t care how good you are, how solid your marketing is, how great your photography rocks…if you can’t SELL, if the till ain’t ringing up nice sums at the end of the day…you ain’t got a business. You got a hobby.

Do you want to RAMP UP your selling skills? Selling is NOT something you’re born with. It’s something you learn, get better at and master.

If there’s one skill you NEED in order to succeed in business, it’s selling. And I know few who have their selling game ramped up to the highest level like Maria does.

I use this exact same strategy that Maria has created. Make a low cost offer(not rock bottom, but low-ish) and make it irresistible. Then, sell. It’s that simple.

Keep reading what Maria sez:

“I see posts about not making money OR even worse, people saying that “these photographers are charging nothing how can they survive???” PLEASE understand that “low entry cost” DOES NOT MEAN – low cost at all! I had another photographer message me and say “how dare you offer a session and free 5×7 for $49!!!!!!” and I said, WHY??????
LISTEN: I ran a mermaid and fairy event on the same day. I opened 10 appts. It was an easy fun day. EASY.

Beautiful little girls and fun. I set up sales appts for all 10 and finished the last one just now. I set a goal of a $1200 sales average on all 10, knowing there would be a low and a high and a bunch in between. I have GREAT sales skills. . . so I did my thing.

It’s about HOW YOU ADVERTISE< HOW YOU PHOTOGRAPH< WHAT YOU SHOW< HOW YOU TALK, HOW YOU SELL AND HOW YOU TREAT YOUR CLIENTS. THE END RESULT?

Better than I expected. Sales Average on all 10 appts? $1926.02 – and by the way do you know how many images I retouch before they see them? ZERO. 🙂 AND THERE IS NO MINIMUM ORDER. They can choose to walk away with a 5×7 and NO they do not see a pricelist before hand either.

I decided I am going to offer a class at my studio….. Show up and you will learn EXACTLY how to sell out an event at low cost and get results like this. Everything from SET UP of the set, HOW to shoot it, HOW to show it, HOW to sell it, how to retouch it FAST and HOW TO MAKE MONEY. Interested? PM me your info and email and I will send out information. You will get your money back from this class 10 fold in one event. My set ups are easy and cheap. I do mermaids, fairies and more.
You want to make money??? Contact me :)….”

HERE: studiom@studiom.ms

I’ll let the numbers speak for themselves. I have several replays and presentations in the No Bs Photo Success™ forum. 

Yours in sales success,

Robert Provencher

File this one under “mind blown”….

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Did you know that when you first meet someone they know more about you in 45 seconds than what you say, wear or how you act?

True…all true….and this idea applies directly to your photography marketing. Keep reading…

We project more about ourselves, about our confidence, about our “success” barometer than anything else.

Try as you might, you can’t escape this.

When you meet a new client for the first time, the first questions that pop into their little ‘ol pea brains are questions like:

*How much do they make?
*How old are they?
*Should I trust this person?

And the big ONE!

“Should I respect them.”

You can’t control this any other way, other than by having a deeply ingrained success foundation. This will, in turn, emit success rays, and they pick it up like a radar picks up a lighthouse in thick fog.

No one emits success better than Maggie. She “radiates” success and magnanimous radiance form her every pore.

If anyone’s walking on sunshine, it’s her.

She happens to run a high end studio in one of the wealthiest areas in North America…Oakville, Ontario.

Good match. I’m not saying we all need to be in a high end photography studio situation.

I don’t care if you’re shooting sports, dance schools, fairies, families, weddings or whatever.

It matters not.

What matters is what you believe DEEP, WAY DEEP down inside.

Maggie lets it shine through in her studio, her marketing, her publicity and every piece that she shares with her clients.

And it comes through in pricing. Her basic session fees start at $800.00. And she doesn’t sell small prints. Only large art piece one-of-a-kind canvases. Starting at around $5,000.00.

What does this radiate? Quality. Everything she says, acts, moves, and radiates says quality. Through and through.

Maggie and I created a four part series HERE. She’s very, very open and passionate about
sharing her information with other photographers.

All I can say is: “mind blown”. Success is truly an inside job. It ALL starts inside each and everyone of us.

Check it out HERE and see how Maggie achieves high success and is known as the very best in her area. We can all learn.

Learn from the best, see you on the inside.
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer

“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”

Join us…Content, Coaching & Community

Photography lighting tip: When “idiot” lighting works….

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Photography lighting tips from the trenches

Some of the best photography lighting is also some of the most basic lighting.

Two lights, one on either side, both with the same, or near same output. Wash the subject with light.
Kinda flat, kinda boring….

We used to call this idiot lighting. Maybe we still do, as offensive as that sounds.
The truth is, there’s a time and place for it. And I use it often enough.

The key is to know when and where. For me, I use it when I need properly exposed images and I have very little time, and the lighting and scene available is tricky. A wedding is a great example. Or, in a small location shooting families at a house.

Likewise, when I’m shooting a large family, I don’t want to fuss, just get the job done, done right, I will use this lighting.

To rely on this lighting and only this lighting is very limiting however. I suppose this is where and when “idiot” applies. Being able to create portraits using a main and good use of shadows is key to being diverse and creative.

Here’s an example I will be showing in an upcoming  Lighting Mastermind
(LIGHTING MASTERMIND REPLAYS ARE HERE FOR MEMBERS)….from a  fall in-home session:

Two lights, small softboxes each  a Nikon SB800 set to manual, same output. Also set to optical slave, a flash on camera with a weak output, bounced, to fire these flashes.
The results…..Sony A7Rii 16-35 lens set to 35mm. f4 ISO400 1/60th second on a tripod.
And some fun shots of the kids…same lighting all throughout this session:

I will also use this lighting outdoors, during a wedding, especially for the formal portraits with the family.

These shots are there to document the family, and I often have little time.

Same exact lighting as above. We’re in open shade, but there was not enough area to light everyone evenly so I set up my two softboxes.
Sony A7Rii 85MM Batis lens at f4 ISO 100. Weak fill flash on camera to fire the two softboxes.


You can see the two main lights showing up in the specular catch lights.

Knowing when to use this lighting for your photography and best results is key. When I am on location I always bring enough, more than enough gear, to make sure if I need to set up this lighting I can do it. I need to stress the importance of not relying on this lighting exclusively for your photography. You risk creating images that are stale and predictable.

To be fair, there are some photo industries and photography markets where this lighting will work all the time, say for example, sporting tournament and the like or similar higher volume demands.

Yours in lighting,
Rob

“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”