Photo Success

A Place to Grow

Release the hounds…

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Big dogs scare me. Little dogs not so much. This family of dogs above I shot last week. The big brother, Jethro, weighs in at about 160 LBS. The littler pup, angel, barely weighs in at 8 lbs.

A true mixed breed family. And a lot of fun to photograph.

I learned a lot on shooting dogz from Margaret Bryant, one of the best dog and pet photographers around today.

We ran a four part series called “Dogs and The Business of Pet Photography- How to start, grow and maintain a profitable portrait niche business photographing dogs.”

In it Margaret poured her heart out. There’s a lot more to creating portraits with personality than meets the eye. And I got a ways to go!

Whenever I photograph a family I insist they bring the family dog. To me, and to everyone who owns a family pet, their beloved dog IS a member of the family.

And we can create some cool portraits. IN studio or on location.

It really helps to have someone like Margaret and her years of talent and experience to help guide me along the way.

Go here for more info on Margaret’s program.

Another one of my attempts from last fall:

Yours in success in photography,
Rob Provencher

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Have you ever experienced phantom phone syndrome?

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We live in interesting times…

I was workflowing yesterday and listening to a youtube presentation by Bonin Bough, a well known digital marketer.

Check it out…he sez:

*Have you ever experienced phantom phone syndrome? When you think your phone is vibrating. But it wasn’t. Messaging, it appears, is as addictive as cocaine

*What is the last thing you looked at before going to bed? Your partner or your cell phone? Everyone sez phone.

*Average age for a kid to get a cell phone? 12

*Radical transparency. Everyone can see you, what you are, what you’re up to, all the time.

*When kids go to college, the never ending, constant conversation does not stop. You know what they are doing now.

*80% of newborns have their pics up on social media within the hour

*People are lying to their friends so they can go to the bathroom ans check out Instagram

Love it. Or hate it. We can use these trends to our advantage.

I use Hootsuite for my photography business.

The key is to use social media effectively.

Yours in photography and success,

Robert Provencher

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

How to create sales with your photography in the 4 figure+ range…

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Been perusing the information shared last Thursday in the webinar with Maria Sampaio.

This happens to me when I attend a great event or a really good movie with a great story or even when indulging in a great meal….yummmmm.

It percolates, resonates and stays with me. I get ideas, flashbacks, creative insights….all stemming from the original source.

I can taste it days later.

Maria was with us to discuss her selling strategies used in her studio. And she has a winning system. one of the BEST I’ve seen.

And system is the key word. When you hit upon a structure that works, it becomes the go to “system”.

Selling is not immune. Systems are valuable. I’ve been using them for decades.

She shared with us the key steps used and the dialogue spoken, step-by-step.
That, plus she showed us her price list book (part of her sales process), which I thought genius.

PLUS, a whole bunch more. Including one of the coolest, most effective SEO strategies for ranking high in google searches.

Nothing, was held back. I’ve posted the replay and included the script, samples of her menu and more in the forum.

HERE for members.

Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer

P.S. Not a member? JOIN US HERE

You still have me at “insane sales”…

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A few notes and links on yesterday’s amazing marketing mastermind meeting with Maria Sampaio

It was part ONE of the Secrets to Sales Success for photographers.

And it was pure dynamite.

OK, so I’ve known Maria for over ten years. She’s a firecracker.

From last fall:
“I am extremely passionate about this industry and would love to do a webinar!

The studio has really changed in the last two years , I blame my divorce and all the hardships I endured.
It’s actually a really interesting, devastatingly awful story with really GREAT results…

I’ve had some insane sales this year, I’ve become more low volume than ever (although holy crap it doesn’t feel like it right now!) and my sales are pretty incredible.
Many many sales this year in the 8-12k range…I restructured almost everything this past year…What a ride. I’d love to do a webinar… thanks Rob!”

You had me at insane sales. Now here’s someone who’s advice I want to listen to.

And you can too…

THAT REPLAY

Yesterday’s replay

SOME HIGHLIGHTS from yesterday:
*Maria not only explained her entire sales process, she also revealed one of the BEST google SEO strategies

*She uses a “system”, with products and a really cool 4 STEP price list that elevates her way above the ordinary

The entire meeting was 1.5 hours long and is a MUST watch for any serious photographer.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S. There’s more, much more in the forum, and more to come….not a member?

Light painting with John Hartman

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Above image is my first attempt at light painting.

Flawed, yes. But I’m learning.
And I didn’t even take the John Hartman light painting workshop…..yet.

I plan on attending one of his workshops. Because this is one of the coolest photography techniques I have ever encountered.

This guy is onto something. You may recall last winter I interviewed John in one of our Mastermind Meetings.

The replay is in the forum HERE

I learned enough just from that webinar to make me dangerous. This, in my oh so humble, yet accurate opinion, is one of the most legit and valid photographic strategies available.

It separates the sunset shooters from the real light painters.

John just announced some new dates for five new workshops….maybe coming to a town near you?

CHECK IT OUT

And don’t forget (in 2 days) Thursday, Aug 17th, 10:00AM EST we’re starting our first in the Secrets to Sales Success series. DETAILS HERE

School is never out for the pro.
yours in success and in photography

Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer

Is classical portraiture dead?…or, “dream big and chase after big hairy audacious goals….”

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A couple years ago we held a series on marketing, shooting and photoshop workflow strategies with Oakville photographer Maggie Habieda.

I love this lady. So much passion, ambition, ballz (metaphorically speaking) and the willingness to chase after great big hairy audacious goals in a day and age when most are either throwing in the towel or crawling back into their caves.

Maggie shared many real, true to life ideas on building a successful photography business and some stunning insights into her story and her studio.

This lady has some serious brass b*lls! We can all learn. And learn we did. There’s so much more I can’t even begin to tell you in this email.

One item we chatted about before and during the presentation was the fact that her style is very classic and I mentioned how classic portraiture, well done, will never go out of style.

Maggie told me she only uses two main drops…a black one and a white one.
That’s it, that’s all.

She talked about how she went crazy, as we all do, using all the actions, and all the props and all the backgrounds, until eventually she created her own unique style that was true to herself.

And quit chasing.

And her style rocks. Her success and growth is testament to that.

Maggie started her dream, her ambitions and desires from the heart. She is a true success story and one that exemplifies what it seriously takes to dream, implement and realize your own photography business.

In a few weeks Maggie is joining us in a new series I started called:
The Secrets to Sales Success in Photography.

All members of noBs photosuccess inner circle members forum get access. All members ALSO have access to the original series:

How to start, market and network a high end portrait studio….
Advanced Training Series with Maggie Habieda

Click anywhere on that line above for direct members access.
(If you haven’t watched this series you’re seriously missing out)

Not a member? It’s insanely cheap.

I’m out of my mind for giving everyone access for a mere twenty bucks. CHECK IT OUT

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S. I have Maria Sampao in the books for our FIRST in the series on Sales Success Secrets. We’re trying to nail down a time….Stay tuned for that email. It’ll be last minute.

Lighting is infinitely complex, and crazy simple, all at once.

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It took me a long time in my photography career to “get” lighting.

As in, really get it. Not just understand the technical side of exposure, basic portrait ratios and camera settings.

Something deeper. Something intuitive, eloquent, masterful.

I still don’t really “get” it. Even though I do sorta get it. I do feel a much higher level of confidence with lighting. Took me long enough.

But I seek higher levels of lighting application. That subtle “je-ne-sais-quoi”.

One thing is certain….in portrait photography having control over your lighting and creating images that sell based on your lighting abilities can make all the difference in whether or not your create a steady demand for your photography.

Have you ever looked at a beautiful portrait of a high school senior, or a family, or children and babies, and it just screams quality?

It is instantly something you wish you would have taken. Or, wished you knew how to replicate that “look”?

A masterful portrait starts with masterful lighting. You won’t get away with basic 101 lighting techniques.

Creating high impact portraits means applying high impact lighting strategies.

It’s why I roped in the likes of Fuzzy Duenkel, Brian DeMint, Maggie Habieda, Judy Cormier, Maria Sampao and many, many more.

Including yours truly. Every month I dedicate one of two mastermind meetings to lighting.

Sharing, brainstorming and strategyzing what works in my studio, my photography gigs (all paid of course….not academic fluff)

It’s all in the forum. And it’s cheaper than a cup-of-joe a day to get access.

Join me on my never ending quest.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Walking a fine line between sanity and the abyss…

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There’s a reason why I love self-help so much.

I walk a fine line between sanity and falling into the deep abyss of who knows what.

I don’t want to find out what’s down there.

For me, it takes on going work. Self help and on going learning, support, family and growth.

I know. I ain’t normal.

But who is?

Most of us are hiding behind walls of consumerism, toys, big houses, big trucks and big distractions.

Our true inner, authentic selves buried under a wet blanket of distractions and mind-numbing entertainment.

As Jung says: Embrace the shadow. Slay the dragons. This is where the journey begins. And where courage matters most.

Self-help takes on many, many variations and steps (for all the nay-sayers and haters out there). Too many, since there are so many people
with so many personalities.

One variation I love is connecting, talking, sharing and masterminding ideas with others in whatever respective field one is manifesting creatively.

Not just opinions and complaints. But actual stories of struggles and successes.

It’s why I started interviewing other photographers over 19 years ago. And put the replays in the forum for members.

It helps keep me sane. And I learn a ton!

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

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

“Never play for your peers…”

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Was listening to Joe Rogan talk about becoming successful as a stand up comic.

He says it starts with an “ember”. A fire, passion, which drives us to work hard. You know, the “D” word….discipline.

But one thing he warned about and I found most interesting is the idea behind playing for your peers.

In other words, creating jokes that other comedians “get”.

The problem he states, besides this ruining any real chances at success, is most folks don’t get the jokes.

Are jazz musicians the same? Me thinks so.

You don’t see arenas packed with crowds to hear the best jazz bands.
Do you? Lady Gaga, yes. Jazz, no. (think small clubs filled with smoke and arrogance)

Gaga plays to her audience. A comedian who speaks to their audience and makes them laugh has a chance at success.

“It’s very problematic to play for the comedians. Because comedians like weird shit…”
Sez Joe….

I can say the same thing about photographers and photography. Call me a capitalist profiteering swine, but whenever I see ANY kind of photography with impact, I ask myself:
“Yes, but can it make money??”

Is there a game plan?

Or is it simply appealing to our peers. Depends, I guess, what you want to achieve.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

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

Is money evil?

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Is money Evil?

How do you feel about money?

Money isn’t everything, but all too often is viewed upon with scorn, negativity and skewed perceptions.

I personally struggled with this all my life, but am working on it everyday.
It’s an uphill battle.

We run businesses, and therefore we must have goals and plans, right? Of course.
NO plans, no directions. No ‘map’.

When you know what you want, you get what you want. This is the first step in marketing your photography business.

You also need to know how much you want to make.

I heard someone say: “I want enough to pay the bills an cover expenses.”
Uh? Can you be a little more vague please?

The fact is, you need to embrace money as an essential tool. Money isn’t evil.

Evil people do evil things with money. But not you, or I.

We expand our lives because of it and have a balanced, centered inner game.

I talk about what changed and what worked for me in a webinar from a few years ago.

How I got OK with making money.

If you don’t reconcile this struggle it won’t go away. Hate, resentment, anger or life’s unjust struggles won’t justify, fix or balance out the inequities of life.

Embrace the struggle. Be good with money. And make some. Lots of it. It’s ok.

Still relevant, timeless and valid.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

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