Photo Success

A Place to Grow

How to win at print competitions…

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Entering competitions of all kinds has it’s fair share of politics and BS…
(think dog shows, horse shows, child beauty pageants etc etc…)

However, in print competitions, there are some VERY legitimate reasons why entering is good for your souls and bottom line.

Winner dog

Here’s  a quick list:
*it’s scary….especially when you first start out. You’re putting yourself “out there”
*it hurts…the ‘ol ego. Your images may not go as planned….KEY: swallow your pride, learn. No pain, no gain.
*it opens up new doors for creativity…trust me on this one.
*it makes more money…since you’re growing as an artist, and ultimately creating
better images for your clients, you’ll improve your ‘bidnez

There’s more. One of my all time favorite photographers Michael Ayers gave us a presentation last year on how to successfully enter and win print shows.

I also  created a whole chapter on winning and entering print shows in my Secrets to Publicity manual.

These are in the forum for members.

Micheal Ayers presentation.

Robz Publicity manual.

AND, don’t forget, in TWO days we’re having another Bull Pen Print Show….

ALL are welcome to enter and/or register to watch.

DETAILS HERE

Hope to see you and your images there!

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Who are you? What do you have? Why should I care?

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People do business with people they know, like and trust.

It’s that simple.

Your challenge? Create your brand as a photographer known in YOUR community that folks can trust.

Not one based on best price. Not one based on “best equipment”….etc etc

Trust. Trust that you’ll deliver the goods.

Create offers that make sense, and shamelessly put them out there. Shy photographers have skinny kids and small bank accounts.

Create a personality, a smile, and a presence that elevates your brand, enhances the trust and creates a bond with clients.

Whether you like it, agree with it or not,  it doesn’t MATTER.

THEY will judge you, consciously or subconsciously, based on these criteria.

“Should I trust this person? Who are they? What are they selling me? Why should I give a hoot?”

Start there.

And if you’re struggling with creating images that people want, here’s a solution for you:

This Thursday, February 23rd at 9:00PM EST we’re hosting another Bull Pen Print Critique.

Three world class, battle scarred, experienced photographers will give you no-holds-barred feedback. With plenty of love and respect mind you. But honest.

We have limited spots for entries and unlimited room for anyone who wants to attend and simply watch and learn

Details on entering and registering are here.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Why you’re not going to succeed in the “new thing” before you stop doing the old thing…

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How many photographers are going through a huge transition in their photography business, or in their personal lives, right now?

I bet just about every hand went up. Or, your nodding your head ‘yup’….

There’s no real reason to ask this question.

I’m just askin’…

Truth is, we’re always in flux. Changing.

And in this industry there has been more change in the last five years than any other industry I know of.

Except maybe the DVD rental industry. Yea, that one went through HUGE transitions.

But we’re not selling an outdated service like DVD’s, are we?
Or, are we?

I’m going to put this out there: YOU might be going through your own major transitions… or you know that you, or your business NEEDS to go through one very soon.

So, how do you jump the chasm over to the other side without falling into the deep, dark abyss?

Here’s how you’re NOT going to do it…

1) You’re not going to do it by picking the wrong battles.
Let me explain.

I know a photographer who insists on selling files only, mainly using online marketing. They are stuck in that mindset. Will-Not-Budge.

So I won’t beat my head against the brick wall trying to help her. She’s trying to play whack-a-mole in a dead end market.

Photographers like her decide to fight what they should have stopped fighting long ago.

Now they’re working ten times harder to get and keep the same number of clients.

With less pay. Ugh!

2) You’re not going to do it by making “main-stream” marketing decisions. IE Getting more equipment, attending another workshop with some big name celeb marquee photographer….Trying some new SEO hack. Getting a new logo design. Attending another trade show or bridal show. bla bla bla….you know what I mean.

You must completely change the way you see your customers and how you serve them.
You must reframe your entire mindset.

You won’t get the strategies you need from reading the most popular
business books or another workshop either.

You need to go deep far deeper. Inside.

3) You’re not going to do it by adding. Or pushing harder when you’re selling DVDs and everyone is running home to watch Netflix.

You must subtract. “Oh hey, I’ve got a new routine. I found a new expert to follow….”

Moving the deck chairs on the Titanic.

You’re just marching harder and faster.

In the wrong direction.

This one may be hard to swallow. And it should be obvious. It’s a scary one.

But you’re not going to succeed in the “new thing” before you stop doing the old thing.

You’ll have to shed baby!

You’ll have to fire.

Mostly, you need to be very, very honest with yourself

You’ll have to swim to the bottom of the lake to kill Grendel’s mother before you can arise as a conqueror.

How, you ask?

I’ve said it a million times. Few listen.

It all starts with you.

I’ve seen it too often. I know it to be rock solid truth. There’s something inside that holds us back.

The solution is hard. For a rare few, it’s easy. But for most, our egos, our pride, and mainly, our fears keep us enslaved in our own creation, our own prisons,  or own web…a prison.

I speak from experience. From my own life.

I like listening to people who been there, done that, and know from hard fought battles. I don’t like sugar coating, talking BS or other academic vomit.

Yesterday we had another mastermind with Danny Rabalais. I’ve known this guy for many years. Seen him go from a small time, part time studio owner to someone who during their busy season employ up to 25 employees.

Stories like his open up doors, ideas and inspire.

The replay is in the forum, where members have online access to a thousand+ high quality presentations.

If you want access to me, and other kick-butt teachers and leaders, join us (it’s peanuts).

If you want  the Gold version of me, I do have some one-on-one coaching spots available.
Be warned…..Check it out.

To your success in life and in photography,
Rob Provencher

What do you do when you lack self-confidence…my advice, with a little help from Mr.Peale…

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My own experience bears this out: you can achieve almost anything you feel you can achieve
in life – even if you don’t have much faith in your own abilities.

Abilities and skills you can acquire. Confidence, courage, well, that’s another story.

Lack of self-confidence, “is one of the great problems besetting people today.” according to Norman Vincent Peale.

And that was like, what, 80 years ago he said that? Has much changed? Me thinks not.

He makes reference to a survey of college students indicating that for 75 percent of them, confidence
was the thing most lacking in their life.

No one knows this more than I do. No one was more afraid, lost and burdened with the stress of life than I.

Recently over supper with friends we were recounting our early 20’s (we’re all in our 50’s now,
healthier, wealthier and wiser…)

I told our friends about how petrified I was when I was 21.

Working full time in a darkroom.

Loving it, good at it. But ready for change and ready to start a new job photographing school photos for a
large national company.

That first year shooting was horrible. I was in a constant state of panic. Anxious and petrified.

I had anxiety attacks that were unrelenting.

This went on, full bore, for a whole year. Ugh….awful time it was.

It took me one whole year of photographing hundreds and thousands of students to finally,
FINALLY get a handle on it.

In the second year I started to get a sense a confidence. I started a new skill set in those early years.
But I still had a long way to go. I was still anxiety ridden. Just not as much.

“Imagine if you would have been stuck in that prison the rest of your life?” was a comment someone told me.

“Yes, ugh!! I always look back at those years and wonder what would have happened had I let the fears and anxieties rule me.

Rule my destiny.

What if I would have embraced it and made it my closest friend, my dearest ally?

What problems would have and could have arose? What medications would I have chosen to eventually fight that
battle?”

Crazy stuff when I think about it.

“The blows of life, the accumulation of difficulties, the multiplication of problems tend to sap
energy and leave you spent and discouraged,” Peale says.

In such situations, “it is easy to lose track of your abilities and powers” – but by re-appraising your personal assets, you can convince yourself that “you are less defeated than you think you are.”

Part of me is glad I went through all those times. They made me who I am today.

But I persisted. I did not let myself get defeated.

Easy? Not for a second. Worth it? What do you think?

I grew because I persisted. I faced the fears and moved ahead in spite of them. I created goals.

I studied and fed my mind a constant flow of books, seminars and new ideas. I pushed hard.

I fought the demons that tried so hard to rule me.

And you can too. Be true to yourself.

Be fearless my friend.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

His dedication and passion is testament to his success.

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I met Danny back in 2008 -ish?

He made his way up from California to attend our 5 day workshop at Niagara School of Imaging,
St Catharines, Ontario.

Danny was a full time police officer. He, and his wife Dianne, ran a
studio/frame shop. He was always busy, working full time, and then
tending to his “second job” running the studio after hours and on
weekends.

His dedication and passion is testament to his success.

Things only got better.

A few years ago Danny retired from the force. It seems he was waiting for this moment
so he could hit the ground running and really make a go in his studio.

Which he did. Where he gets the energy from, who knows. This guy has more
energy than a 19 year old.

When most folks are happy basking in the glorious cozy blanket of pension-dom,
Danny and Dianne only just got started.

Now they have 6 fulltime employees and 14+ during peak season.

Danny will be updating us in the next mastermind presentation. We’ve
had him speak in previous webinars, and at our live events.

His story, his advice and his passion makes for great inspiration for all
photographers, both established and aspiring.

This is the kind of stuff I like to tap into. Real, legit success
from real legit business owners who master in photography.

No bull…..

MEMBERS: Join us this Thursday, February 16th, 12:00PM EST (that’s noon…not midnight!)
…..REGISTER HERE:

The replay, as usual, will be in the forum.

Not a member and and want in? It’s only twenty bucks to have access to this
meeting and hundreds upon hundreds of other high quality presentations.
(leave when you want)

Access here.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Light Painting with John Hartman

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I’ve done hundreds of interviews and webinars over the last 15 or so years. The vast majority were top notch, relevant information on lighting, posing, marketing and over all general success when running a professional photography business.

Last night’s webinar with John Hartman was no exception.

I’d even go so far as to say it was exceptional. It had all the right ingredients…a relevant and timely topic that revealed a photographic strategy creating excellent results, a well rounded and informed speaker and questions from the attendees that seemed to flow. So much so I was tempted to ask John if he “planted” some of them.:)

Regardless, the Light Painting presentation with John Hartman was just what the doctor ordered. This is not an “easy” technique.  But the results speak for themselves.

It’s refreshing to see the craft lifted into the realm of art, quality and technique.

Miles above from the “plug and play” mentality that has been so pervasive in the industry these days of “HDR”, “fix it in RAW”, photoshop actions, lightroom presets, frequency separation blending bla bla bla….and other art psychosis inducing plugins.

John’s workshop page and list or resources for photographers

The replay is in the forum Login and wacth HERE

Not a member? Check it out.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

The creation of images with a serious competitive edge…

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I teach a photography 101 class in our local library.

No pay, loads of fun and keeps me humble. Sorta.

I push the idea that we’re “painting with light”.

And really do my best to get my students to understand light, exposure
and composition before anything else.

Before getting into lenses, camera settings, file types and all things “academia”.

We’re painting with light.

On the topic of painting with light, John Hartman has taken the whole concept to a whole new level.

What John creates is mind blowing. Some LED lights, a steady tripod and many exposures,
combined with photoshop wizardry make for some stunning, high impact images.

Is this the future of photography?

Who knows. But it definitely has a place with photographers who appreciate high level
craftsmanship and the creation of images with a serious competitive edge.

Tomorrow night, Feb 7/2017 at 9:00PM EST I am hosting an online presentation with John and all are welcome.

This webinar is over. See previous post for replay info.

Check out the images John creates HERE.

I’m sure you’ll agree this is stunning. Join us.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S. The Bull Pen is on, Feb 23rd, 2017 Enter your images for feedback and the chance to win cash.

P.P.S. Last week I had Chad Pennington in a special presentation….mindblown…..the replay is in the forum.

P.P.P.S. We also had Bill Guy the photoshop guy do a special presentation on Adobe Lightroom…the replay HERE.

“What makes you tick?”

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Years ago, way back when I was a young laddie buck of only 27 yrs old, I attended my first ever photography seminar.

It blew me away.

Completely floored me.

I had no idea such a thing existed. Where someone, an accomplished photographer, would get up and only talk about photography.

And what makes them successful.

How they do what they do?

And what makes them tick? I wanted to know so bad.

Curiosity is a powerful ally.

Since that life altering day I have not lost the drive, the passion and the searching out of other successful photographers…

And I ask the proverbial question: “What makes you tick?”

It’s like I’m 27 all over again. But I’m 58. Nothing much changes.

Good thing.

Being curious and searching, non stop, for answers, is one of the MAIN reasons I still have my mojo working for me.

Join us, as Chad Pennington, a wedding photographer from New York chats with us about what makes him tick.

REPLAY HERE

Get inspired….

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

“Such a video would be worth gold bullion…”

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“Such a video would be worth gold bullion…”

So sez my droog and member of noBs photosuccess Ron Hare.

Me thinks he exaggerates, a tad, using medieval sounding words like “bullion”.

Of what does he speak? I posted an image of my daughter that I called the Ice Queen….

And Ron was itching to know how I did what I did.

When commenting on being a member, Ron added:…“a video about how you created this of your daughter would be worth many membership years alone.”

Doth my kind sir exaggerate? Maybe not. Depends.

The content is there. A virtual vault from top notch experts in their respective fields of photography…..

All you gotta do is go get it. It’s there.

In that spirit I created a three part series just for Ron, and all other members of noBs Photosuccess.

Member? Login, go here and watch….(Each section is short, to the point…none of that non-stop filler and babble you often hear in photoshop tutorials.)

Not  a member?

C’mon…it’s like cheaper than dirt, but worth more than gold….SEE FOR YOURSELF

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

The rainbow neon colored cannabis leaf wife beater shirt marketing strategy….

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I’m in Costa Rica, sunny hot days, monkeys and birds everywhere.

In a small beach town called Tamarindo, which attracts swarms of tourists, surfers, hippies and retired folk looking to get away from the cold, cold north.

Life is good, indeed.

The other day while walking home I noticed in the window in one of the funky little clothing stores, one of the ugliest pieces of men’s clothing…ever.

It was a black, ‘muscle shirt’, with multicolored neon bright cannabis leafs all over it.

My first thought was: “Who’d buy a wife beater shirt?”

Then I realized I was wearing one. But not like that one of course.

I swore I’d never wear a “muscle” shirt, but gave in two years ago.

Too warm down here, too dam comfortable.

But black, with bright fluorescent neon weed leafs all over it? Ugh!

And fishnet see through mesh fabric no less. Double ugh!!

But if you’re gonna wear them, at least have some class. Some style.

And this one! U*G*L*Y…..nothing less.

Which made me think….“I bet this is a marketing strategy. Designed to grab your attention.”

This store is known for funky cool stylized, offbeat, retro selection of young hip clothing.

Why not highlight this abomination?!

For effect, no less. No doubt. It grabs your attention.

Grabbing your attention is one of the foundations of good marketing.
Done right, of course.

One of the very best marketing strategies for photographers is the display. You know, in a mall, a store, restaurant, instagram, facebook….all are displays in a sense.

We put our work out there, for all to see. To “grab” attention. Over and over.

And it seems this strategy favors the bold. Certainly worked for me.

Here’s my short list of display ideas:

*In our studio we have an 8’x12′ billboard on the side of our building, facing one of the busiest streets in our city.
*Business cards
*ALL social media….daily posts
*website blogging
*store front…(my two large windows are covered each with display images-the kind you can’t see in, but can see out- perforated is the term used I believe)
*sales room…high impact large display images and well appointed decor…impact!
*mall/tradeshows/art shows…any and all displays at events in your city….old school, very, very effective

Some free,  some paid, all effective attention grabbing publicity. One of my favorite marketing strategies and a must for any photography studio.

Be shameless, brave, bold….like a multicolored neon cannabis leaf encrusted muscle shirt on display.

I talk about this at length in my marketing manuals I’ve created (3 so far), in the monthly marketing mastermind  meetings I run.

By far, as a photographer, you need to grab their attention. They ain’t gonna come looking for you.

Last night during our marketing mastermind with special guest Warne Noyce, he showed us an image he created right in his front yard, in the water. (he lives in the boonies on a beautiful lake.)

The image was of a high school senior in her prom dress, in the water, with a huge giant moon on the horizon, reflected in the water. (0bviously added, but very effective)

Would anyone want that style of shot? Maybe some, maybe not.

An image with impact that draws them in. Pushing his brand of uniqueness and style.

Like a black see through mesh neon cannabis leaf encrusted wife beater shirt.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S. Members can watch the repaly of last nights presentation with Warne here.

P.P.S. My entire collection of marketing manuals, replays and meetings are ALL part
of your membership.