Photo Success

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Predictable behavior patterns with photographers who are highly successful….

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There’s a consistent, almost predictable behavior pattern with many photographers who are successful.

I’ve noticed this many years ago.

I also noticed it in myself, and have attributed this set of behaviors to my own success.

These behaviors might propel you to stratospheric heights if you apply them in your life and in your photography business.

The BIG question…..“why don’t most apply and take advantage of these behaviors?”

Your guess is as good as mine, but if there’s one simple word that could possibly explain it. That word is attitude.

Sounds old fashioned, but some things never change.

The list of behaviors is timeless.

Let’s look:

#1-Successful photographers are always hungry for knowledge.

They know that in this field, staying on top, staying fresh in our photography and in our marketing is vital.

Successful photographers never whine about speakers who are selling stuff at conventions.

They know that the information most speakers have is valuable, and you can take that photographer home with you by investing in their education materials.

(I have shelves and boxes filled with educational materials.)

Losers have big egos that get in the way or cause them to get creative in the excuse department.

#2- Successful photographers are not afraid of criticism. And I don’t mean evil, mean spirited criticism.

Or sour grapes, knee jerk jealous comments from losers who have no place in offering input.

But valuable critiques from photographers who are qualified to help.

The photographer who bravely submits their work, their goals, their challenges for review benefit in a big way.

This is one way to stay young, vibrant and alive. But you must be open.

A closed minded photographer is nothing more than a fool.

And a fool is losing out.

Don’t be a fool.

#3- Successful photographers are never too proud to take on jobs that are “below” them.
Especially when starting out.

Not every job is a passion filled experience. But every job contributes to your financial and skills growth. It’s all opportunity when we have the right mindset.

Chase the opportunity and bring your passion with you.

I take on loads of little, dinky jobs. Warne Noyce shoots dance schools. Ansel Adams shot school pictures.

As a matter of fact, Ansel is quoted as saying that he learned more from the “bread and butter” photography than anything else.

Al Gilbert shot passports when I last spoke with him. And he was nearing 80 yrs old. And is still considered on of the best photographers in North America.

Don’t be too proud to take on jobs.

Unless of course you have little time because you’re way too busy. Or your ego won’t let you. Stay humble. Be modest.

Many small jobs, be they donations to community causes or small time gigs, will keep you active, learning, and earning.

#4- Successful photographers are not quitters. I know, some people realize it’s not for them.

Or, they get offered a “real job” and opt for the security and golden handcuffs.

But successful photographers who are very, very serious about making it don’t quit.

And they don’t start and stop all the time, jumping from one piece of equipment to another, one forum to another, one logo to another, never truly committing to their personal drive and passion.

It takes guts and commitment. It’s that simple. Your level of desire must rise above, way above your pain threshold and your inner weakness that makes you give in to the pain.

Let me repeat that…..your level of desire to succeed must be way, way bigger than the pain, fear and desire to quit.

#5- Successful photographers chose good role models and mimic their work through practice.
We all have role models. Those who produce work that truly inspires us to want to reach great heights.

Musicians have them too. They all talk about the music they listened to in their formative years and how it inspired them.

Laura P, a member of No Bs Photo Success,  asked me while ago about taking one of those home study photography courses.

You know, the one from New York… I told her not to bother.

Instead, get out there and shoot, shoot, shoot.

What will happen is this: Not only will she be getting technical mastery over her gear and adding to her ability to “see the light”, but in time inspiration will seep into her life and she will begin to find direction, purpose and focus on the style of photographer she is evolving into.

And part of that is finding other successful photographers that inspire her. It’s all part of the journey.

Be open. Be true to your journey and let others inspire you.

Throw it away, and your throwing away part of your journey.

I SUFFER for my craft. I demand perfection from myself. I don’t always get it, but I demand it nevertheless.

It’s why I teach and preach and try to reach out to other photographers who have the same passion and drive as I do.

I love teaching, because I learn as much as the student.

I put on more webinars, workshops and tutorials each month than anyone out there.

Why?

I luv learning…it’s that simple.

If I hated it, why would I do it?

Luving it is a big enough why for me….hopefully you too.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Get the EXTRA push

How to make $450. an hour in your photography business….

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I ain’t braggin’…..seriously.

(It ain’t braggin’ if you done it! And I done it…)

Trying to make a point and trying to help you out. Keep reading.

We make about $450.00 bucks an hour when we shoot a typical fairy day promo
(more or less, likely more….)…
….I pay the government their due and give my wife the rest.

This, BTW, excludes the spin-off-name-recognition-boost-future-gigs-as-a-result effect.

A halo effect, so to speak. Please, understand what I just wrote in that last sentence.

What’s cool is, this is a fairly reliable model.

I’ve used it for other promos such as family day, and other fund raising gigs.

The big, BIG days of high sales, higher volumes are, IMO, over.

Very much like the days of a rock band pushing out a new album pay day ain’t the same either.

Party’s over folks. Many, many industries have changed. And we gotta change too.

Musicians need to hit the road and play live gigs. Connect with their audience.
Build slow, and build strong.

Same with us’em photography studio owners. It’s working out for me and our studio.
I think I figured this out.

But I need to maintain a steady focus, steadfast marketing and adjust my expectations.

The old saying: “Photography is like a unicycle, stop peddling and you fall off” is truer today
than ever before.

My version, if you want to succeed and make money in photography, is:
“Marketing in your photography business is like a unicycle, stop peddling, and you kill your business- you go bankrupt”

Having the right mindset is key. Both as a photographic craftsman and business person.

These days, you can’t have one without the other. Unless photography is a hobby and you’re happy with that.

Otherwise, marketing more than ever, matters.

What’s your plan? I know I have mine….and I share it with other like minded photographers.

It’s what I do….besides running a successful photo studio.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

“I’m in 4K-HD-720p-3D-HDR-ADHD mode….”

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Trends come and go.

I ask myself, whenever a new trend pops up from the most recent
pop photo fad, these questions:

*Will it make me money?
*Will it help my photography business grow?
*Will it in some way enhance the service I provide to my clients?
*and in turn improve their experience with our photo studio?
*which will in turn bring in more profits?

It was in that spirit that I jokingly replied to a question from my daughter, and her boyfriend,
while we were out on a photo excursion last week….(I forget the question, matters not….)….:

I replied: “I’m in 4K-HD-720p-3D-HDR-ADHD mode….”

Laughs all around.

The implication being, when in such and such a mode, or when using such
and such a technique, or piece of equipment, your images will look sssooooo much better.

Photography fundamentals, like business fundamentals, don’t really change much.

I teach a Photography 101 class for serious amateurs locally, and I drive this point home
over and over….”We’re painting with light.”

Learn to see the light, the tones and composition. Never mind the other stuff.

The same ideas, my friend, applies to business.

You don’t need to find some 4K-HD-720p-3D-HDR-ADHD mode for your marketing. There ain’t none.

The same rules apply, have applied for centuries and likely will for many more.

Photography marketing, all marketing, all industries, is about targeting a market.
A hungry crowd, so to speak.

Create a message, a package, an offer, a pitch, a brand, a something that makes their mouths water.

And deliver that message. Sell the dam thing.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S. Dollar for  dollar, pound for pound, you won’t find more real-life, from the trenches content than the NoBs Photo Success™ Inner Circle Members Forum. No Hype. No fluff. No egos. No prima-donnas.

Lessons from the horse whisperer….

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My daughter had a horse.That’s her above, with Flash.

We bought it for her after she had been riding and taking lessons for three years. Lucky kid.

It’s a passion of hers. At least she’s not into hockey and hauling my sorry butt out to games and practices at 5:00AM like so many hockey parents.

I’ve been reading books on horses and one of the most fascinating persons out there is Monte Roberts, the guy who they loosely based the character on in the movie “The Horse Whisperer”.

Amazing man and amazing life. The book is called “The Man Who Talks to Horses”. I highly recommend it.

In the book there are three very powerful success lessons. I kept going back to these three over and over and would like to share them with you right now.

Lesson #1: When Monte Roberts was younger his father entered him in all kinds of horse competitions. He even bought a train rail car that they would load him, his horses, and a chaperon/tutor onto and then attach to the main locomotive and travel all over California competing, and mostly winning much needed cash prizes.

At these events they would also put on seminars. This would give them a little extra cash and help pay the bills. Monte talked openly about the true key to success when all the young riders would enter the pen where they were to have the seminar. They were all smiling and bright eyed, eager to learn. This frustrated Monte in a way.

You sorta get the sense that he felt like a fraud.

Why? Because, as he describes in the book, a seminar wasn’t going to teach them much of anything. He goes on to explain that the reason he won so many competitions was real simple, and it wasn’t because of any particular knowledge or skills he possessed.

The fact is he worked at it. A lot.

Up every morning, working with horses from about 6:00 AM all day until way past sunset. He rode horses day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year. That, in his opinion, was the true “secret” to his success. Simple uh?

Lesson #2: Monte Roberts was in his early twenties, married, three young babies and living in a old decrepit house on a ranch where he was trying to build his dream. He was frustrated and hungry, barely surviving month to month.

Someone suggested he go and work for a particular person who was highly respected in the horse world. He took this advice and called the guy.

This person told him it would cost Monte a fee and he’d have to feed himself, house himself and take care of all his own expenses and he fully expected Monte to act on his advice that was to be dispensed to him at the end of his stay. Monte agreed and worked his butt off for about 4 weeks for this guy.

Now remember, this guy was going to charge Monte a fee for this opportunity. He asked Monte a lot of questions and at the end he sat down with Monte for his final analysis and reckoning.

He told Monte that he thought Monte had some skills but needed some more work.

He also told Monte that when he returned he was to call one of his only three clients that he was training to come by and pick up his horse the next day because the horse was “un-trainable”.

This freaked out Monte. He only had three paying clients.

This would mean a drop in income by one third. He was already starving and barely making ends meet. But he promised to act on the guys advice.

He then gave him a bill for something around $4,000.00 or $6,000.00 dollars. Told him he could pay him whenever. Remember, this was in the early fifties.

That was a lot of money.

Whoa! What a hard lesson to swallow.

As soon as Monte got back he did what he promised. He called the client with the un-trainable horse and “fired” the horse. The guy yelled at him and hung up. Monte was freakin! What was he doing?

Two weeks later he gets a call from someone else who had a horse that needed training. The guys who Monte fired referred Monte. He recommended Monte because, as he said “he’s the most honest horse trainer I’ve ever met”.

And that was the start of his good fortune and the foundations for his success. He eventually paid off the entire bill by the way.

What’s the lesson Monte Roberts learned?

And you could too?

First off it wasn’t below him to go seek the help of a “master”. A coach. (By the way the cost/effort/hardships he incurred was a microscopic, teenie eenie weenie percentage of the long term effect it had on his life and his destiny.)

Secondly, it took faith and nerves of steel to call his client and fire him. This alone was worth the cost of admission. This alone gave him guts, courage and “brass balls.” Life long skills that are essential in business.

Lesson #3: Although this one happened more recently it has it’s roots when Monte Roberts was young and still in grade school. A teacher gave a project to all the kids.

They had to write out their long term goals and descriptions of what they will be doing when they were older and on their own. Seems Monte had grand visions of a huge horse ranch and many horses.

The teacher gave Monte an “F” with the remarks to be “a little more realistic”.

Monte’s mom told Monte to make no-never mind, so Monte handed the project back, as is.

Years later this same teacher, now retired and quite elderly but still mobile, showed up at Monte’s ranch with a tour bus load of seniors.

He had called weeks prior and made arrangements. When they all got off the bus the teacher made an announcement to everyone.

He introduced the crowd to Monte and said that Monte had taught him a very valuable lesson about never underestimating another person’s dreams and hopes.

Rob

You can tap into a goldmine of photography tips over at the worlds greatest online photography forum, NoBs PhotoSuccess if you really want to ramp up your work and marketing.

The worst thing about being a professional photographer….

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Friends in photography,

I wish I could say there is a “worst” part.

I thought about some of the struggles I’ve had over the last 35 years in my career
as a portrait and wedding photographer, but in all honesty, the struggles, the challenges, everything,
including managing people, industry changes, accounting, sales, marketing, on and on, are all part of the game,
any game, in any business.

And they helped make me who I am as a person, an artist and a business owner.

It’s a business, to me. I embrace it all.

So when someone says: “There’s no money..” Well, that may be true for you.

Not I.

And if it were, it’s more of a personal, business and marketing challenge, not a photography challenge.

My attitude matters.

So I could list a long list of things that are worst.

But I can’t.

I love my job, my business.

Everything about it rocks.

And I say that now because I have wisdom, street smarts and enough business savvy.

If you insisted I answer, it would be a short list of things I find worst:

* trying to teach the younger generation. There seems to be a pervasive
attitude of it’s easy, you’re old (even though I make a decent living
and have the energy of a 25 yr old) and entitlement.

* fear of losing my gear, getting it stolen or ruined by the salt air when in Costa Rica
(we spend 3 months there every year and shoot commercial, families, weddings…)

Really. That’s about it.

Yes, it’s hard. But all business is hard, no matter the industry.

In photography we’ve had to completely reinvent. BUT, the basic, core
business fundamentals stayed the same.

I love the challenge. The uncertainty. There is NO security.

That is a complete lie. Illusion.

The only security I have is in my ability to create goals that I believe I can achieve.

That my friend is not something others can duplicate. It’s my super power.

What’s yours?

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S. One of the things I love about this industry is the constant learning, learning from others
and the challenges.

It’s why I run the monthly Bull Pen print shows….Join me, and Maggie and Ian, our December 21 judges….

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Also, sharing stories, ideas and struggles with other photographers is one of my favorite things.

On December 19th, 8:00PM I am interviewing Kirk Saint in another Frontline presentation…..

…for members HERE.

Everyday is like Friday!

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Friends in photography,

I bumped into an acquaintance a few days ago while at StarBucks dosing up on caffeine.

His name is Al. He’s an amazing dude, full of life, full of enthusiasm.
We chatted for about 30 minutes.

His biz card had his smiling face, name, website and tagline: “I love life”.

Very appropriate. You’d agree, I’m sure, if you met him.
This guy loves life.

He owns a local bar/restaurant/family oriented pool hall.

He loves what he does.

When his two boys, way back about 15 yrs ago, got into hockey
he called it quits on his pro pool career and focused 100% on his family, and his business.

He tells me he was ranked in the top 20 snooker players.

He’s 52. He looks 35.

When you look at this guy, when you look at life and society and think
to yourself “what does it all mean”, I can’t help but wonder if this guy
doesn’t hold some of the answers.

He’s the embodiment of solid, timeless principles. Perhaps one of the reasons
I feel connected to him and these principles, is I have some of them too.

I hope so. This dude is cool, in a Buddha like, zen way. Very genuine, centered,
non-ego way.

Gotta dig it. I do.

One of the convos we dug into was the idea that every day was like Friday.
We both agreed on that idea.

You know, that whole idea that society hangs onto with desperation and hope….

Monday…ugh! Get through Tuesday, and then “hump day”, Wednesday….Thursday!….almost there!
Friday….yeaaaaa…we made it….relief. The weekend.

He says: “Every day is like Friday to me…” as he smiles a big genuine grin.

You know he means it.

I told him how in my life, in my business, Monday was always my favorite day.
I ain’t sh*tting you. (this became true for me after I sobered up in January 1991 and got my sh*t together)

I always loved Mondays….Why? I love what I do. After a busy week, and taking Sunday off,
Monday’s I always felt invigorated, alive, focused.

Monday was like Friday. Every day is like Friday.

This, to me, is the core fundamental pursuit of any business. Never mind everything else.

Build on these principles and you build a solid foundation. Screw the equipment, file types,
whatever love affair you have with your computer brand, whichever celeb photographer you put on a pedestal…
…yada yada yada….

When you pursue health, wealth and happiness and everyday is a Friday….or a Monday….
you made it.

It’s holistic in a sense. It’s what I believe we all ought to push for and pursue.

It’s a worthy goal, above and beyond all the photography marketing and the technical stuff.

And it’s a great feeling, a  great place to be…..

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Sell people stuff they want…

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Friends in photography,

One of the problems with selling, besides the many flawed perceptions so many of us have
about selling, and how we define it.

It is the idea that selling is something we do to people, something against their will.

The ultimate form of manipulation, so to speak.

Sounds evil, don’t it.

Well, that’s because it is. That definition is evil.

The solution? Simple. Redefine it. Sell people stuff they want.

Why sell ice to people living in the Artic when what they might really want
is a space heater.

The same goes for photographers who run a photography business.

Whether you’re selling family portraits, baby portraits, wedding photography or scenic art
photography….The big question is:
“Do people want it?”

And if not, why? (this is the hard part, where our flaws and failures reveal themselves)…

You need to ask compelling questions, such as:

  • is it me?
  • is it my work?
  • can it be repackaged into a more attractive deal?
  • maybe people simply don’t want it?

By the way, you can’t really ask them what they want most times. Since they
don’t really know most times. Steve Jobs knew this.

The real innovation and the core marketing mojo is in the creative energy
and innovation that goes into creating offers and pitches to a target market.

Yup. We’re talking marketing. Again.

Marketing IS everything. I keep saying that. ‘Cuz it’s true.

And most of the best marketing comes from the bold, the creative brave ones
willing to get out there and fail.

Not the ones looking for a safe, sound, tried and true strategy. Not least of which is something
they read about and are simply copying from another.

I have no problem with “swiping” ideas and being inspired by other photographers.

I dare say, this is essential.

But outright wholesale copying reeks of bland, empty and shallow.

This my friend is a journey. All businesses are journeys. Journeys where we
learn, grow, slay dragons and hopefully prosper on many levels.

It’s why I’m here. Living the dream.

Join me….we’ll slay some dragons…..

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Why “entitlement” is marketing poison in your photography business…

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Friends in photography,

Entitlement thinking stinks. It corrupts and ruins.

Ever see those catch tags:
“Since 1972” or similar.

As if it means something. Maybe it did at one time. But not anymore….things move too fast.

Being in business a long time does not earn you the right
to keep on getting business.

You’re in business. Earning the right to be so is a never-ending effort.

You have to prove your worth every day.

And it’s an effort worthy of all your best intentions, talents and skills.

All.

Success is your duty, your responsibility. Take it on. It’s fun!

You might say it’s a marketing thing. I certainly believe it is.

Marketing is everything and never stops.

Entitlement is one of the most poisonous forms of thinking.

Complacency breeds stagnation. Clients clue in faster and easier than
ever before.

The solution?…..

*have goals,deep, meaningful, passionate goals….this resonates throughout your life and business
*activity…be busy with marketing, networking, showing your care….showing up is important
*caring…show you care…
*pushing…c’mon man, get your shoulders behind the wheel and push!
*growing…take on personal growth like your head is on fire….self-improvement, in it’s many forms
will percolate upwards and throughout your life
*networking…get out in your community and get some real face time with everyone.

And finally….be grateful. Gratitude is powerful.

If you want to start the great decline in your photography business, then assume
you deserve to have business.

You’ll wither and die. Entitled thinking is lazy, uninspired and childish.

Sorry to sound like a downer, but sometimes I gotta point these things out.

Now get out there. And remember, photography is like a unicycle…stop peddling, and you fall off.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

The fairy effect?

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Friends in photography,

so, last month we shot about 58 fairies…..it’s becoming a thing.

A big thing. And profitable no less…..

I was explaining to some friends last night how a photography studio
needs to adapt with the changing times….and do events like Fairy Day…

I asked them if they remembered all the BIG studios we had in our area. Not so long ago.

Now, all gone. All of them. I seem to be the last man standing so to speak.

Not bragging. It ain’t no special thing. It’s just marketing.

Let’s call it the Fairy Effect….

We also had another promotion with the local Montessori school. A fundraiser.

The way I figure it, if folks pay to send their kids to school, they fit nicely
in our marketing demographics.

Choose wisely.

So, this one little girl came in for fairy day…and she also goes to Montessori.

I know, because I ask them what school. I also ask what they were for Halloween, what their
favorite movie (Frozen!) is and what sports they’re into. Plus if they have  a boyfriend….:)..

I converse non-stop and connect.

So, this one girl, sweet as pie, as most of them are, came in  week later with her family.

Mom, Dad, brother, for our Montessori family fundraiser we had going on.

This was NOT the same girl. During the family session, total badass.

I was baffled. Told Tina that it must have been the “fairy effect”. Little girls
seem to go into some strange mellowed out fairy mode during the fairy sessions.

I don’t know how else to explain it.

But in the end, who cares?  I know that fairy sessions work. They’re popular.

And marketing, really pushing the marketing, such as working with local private schools,
and never, ever sitting on our laurels is essential for on going, long term success.

I brought up my Montessori and Fairy Day gigs in the recent Marketing Mastermind meetings….

Members can access all replays, and news on upcoming meetings, here.

We have these every month, of course. Because it’s essential.

Very, very essential. Join us….

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher