“Where should we go for lunch with John?” I asked James.
“That panini place downtown…”
“Ok, see you there..”
Had lunch last week with James and John. I’ve known them both for at least two decades, both still full time photographers.
Not just dudes with cameras and tech. But real, legit photographers still making a living, hard cold cash, in their respective fields photographers.
James Hodgins (many of you know him- one of the best lighting masterminds with James is in the forum for members HERE) is a niche photographer well known and respected in the industrial and mining niche.
John, a grad photographer, who is loved and respected so much at the local university they are building him a studio to shoot out of. No more temporary class room studios for this guy.
How cool is that?
Yes, they do need him to shoot the occasional gig for the school. But he always gets paid. Sweet deal.
Can you still make a living running a professional photography business? Granted, it’s not as easy as it used to be, with everyone a photographer nowadays.
But possible, yes. More than ever marketing plays a key role. And choosing the right market. (which is really a marketing thing when you think about it)
You create a market that is virtually impenetrable by outside competition, you end up working in a vacuum.
Choose wisely and cherish, nurture and work your niche.
It’s too valuable to take chances on.
Whenever we get together we have a blast. The conversation centers around friendly gossip, local happenings, how awesome our wives are and mainly on making money.
Me likey.
Truth be told, John is a bit of a recluse. He may hurt me for talking about him in this email. He keeps to himself, his business and his wife & two adult kids.
But he’s a good guy, successful and we are simpatico.
It’s a rare thing these days to hang with real photographers. Not to disrespect photographers who are into the craft for the passion and love. I get that. Totally.
But for guys like me, it’s refreshing to hang with those whose lives depend on bringing home the proverbial bacon with our cameras and our skills.
It’s why I love hosting marketing masterminds online. I think it’s the coolest thing ever to be able to login, and chat with other successful photographers from all over the world.
Sharing and brainstorming quality marketing and success strategies.
Couldn’t do that 20 years ago. You had to fly, drive or crawl to an event.
Pay a ton of dough and sit through the crowded convention hall with hundreds of other sweaty photographers.
🙂
Last week I had a meeting, sans panini, with Ohio photographer Paul Floyd. Paul talked many ideas and also about his recent 16 page senior mailed to 3,000 homes. Crazy, I know. Old school.
But it works. Paul’s presentation is HERE for members. (Among hundreds of other replays.)
Join us, won’t you? The paninis are warm and tasty.
Robert N. Provencher – Your Master Coach Marketer
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”
