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How to get from incompetent to competent….

June 6, 2017 By Robert Provencher Leave a Comment

The substance of what makes a business run and what makes it great isn’t on the surface (design, image etc etc).

The true substance is much deeper. IN the grueling, disciplined sweat. pain, blood and turmoil……PLUS,  a few secret ingredients.

I’ll get to those in a second.

First, take my story as example…

I had acquired by some weird twist of fate a beautiful large home studio.

I was terribly wet behind the ears and as green as grass when it came to running a pro photography studio.

I did however have big dreams, hopes and ambitions. And, in the grand scheme of things, knew enough about taking decent photographs to get me started in my own business…barely…and…largely because I had the balls to get out there and do it.

I had several years as a darkroom techie….almost one year managing a chain like studio and….better yet….

…several years photographing schools….which did more for my self-confidence than anything else.

And I was only 25.

I had a ways to go. I knew little about management, accounting, selling and all those essentials.

I did my best. I took a night course at our local college on running a small bid’ness…

I asked my landlord, the dude who gave my this amazing opportunity, for some tips on setting up the books and all thing accounting.

The key = I asked for help. This attitude got me far in life.

I hate bookkeeping with a passion and eventually did what I feel most photographers should do…

I farmed it out.

Paid a lady $50.00 a month to come in. On busier months, she’d want more. I paid her whatever she wanted.

It meant I was getting busier.

But I was glad not to be doing the books…yeessshhhh.

In studio management, it occurred to me years later how incompetent I was in this area once I married my wife and she and I started working together.

She as manager, me as photographer and marketing director. Two essential jobs I loved!

We were now competent. A team. And the studio skyrocketed!

This whole idea came to light a few years ago when I booked Maggie Habieda as a speaker for the Inferno workshop.

Maggie, as I was dealing with her, when it came to payments and anything non essential, had me communicate with her studio manager, Ian Cuthbert.

Everything was run very professional. She delegated.

I noticed this and thought, one of the reasons she is so successful is because she brought someone like Ian into the picture to help her studio grow.

And grown it has!

She not only was the most popular and energetic speaker, she showed us how she grew her studio in a matter of a few years.

Amazing story. Great news when so many are saying the days of the full time studio are numbered.

Phhhoeeeyy! Don’t believe it for a second.

Just because there are hot dog and lemonade stands popping up all over doesn’t mean there isn’t a market for something better.

People want gourmet and fine dining.

It’s a huge market.

And that’s the market I cater to. As well as many successful photographers I know who are crushing it. Photographers like Maggie.

Remember a while back I said:

“I asked for help. This attitude got me far in life….”

Newbie or old timer, we all need to ask questions, learn, and seek out deep, meaningful answers.

And who you ask is important. You don’t want bad advice or opinions. Everyone’s got ’em.

You want real, solid information from qualified photographers like Maggie.

Wish I had a Maggie way back when. We can all access Maggie and her super powers in the photography forum HERE.

Maggie at the inferno 2013 HERE

Maggie at the Inferno 2014 HERE

The journey to competence starts by asking the right questions and asking the right people.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

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

Filed Under: WrapUp Tagged With: make money with photography, mastermind marketing, NoBs Photo Success, Pet Photography Tips, photo coach, photo lighting tips, photography business, photography competition, photography forum, photography marketing

The “Anvil Effect” in business success…

February 23, 2017 By Robert Provencher Leave a Comment

I love, love, love a good rock and roll story.

One rock and roll story, or shall I say, failure, really stands out for me.

The story of Anvil, a heavy metal 80’s band from Toronto that “almost” made it big.

You may have seen the documentary a few years ago. It starts out showing the leader of the band, now middle aged, heading to work, early morning, mid winter, for a caterer at schools. Grunt work, meager pay.

The guy’s barely eecking out a living. And yet they’ve played for tens of thousands and recorded many, many albums.

It’s an excellent doc.

Why? You gotta ask yourself, why?

The answer is so painfully obvious I’m shocked most can’t see it. It’s very. very simple.

I’ve polled dozens of friends who’ve seen the doc. Not a one has guessed the answer I am about to reveal to you.

Here it is: Their music ain’t that good.

That’s it, that’s all. Have a listen, you’ll see. I mean, you’ll hear.

Always, always, always start with a good product. Not perfect, but good.

Whether you’re selling yourself, your photography, your music, your services, have a half decent product or more.

Half a dozen dudes showing up at a concert ain’t enough to pay the bills.

That’s one of the reasons why we run the Bull Pen print competitions. To give you a chance to put yourself (gulp!) out there and let your work be scrutinized.

At least you’ll know where you stand.

TONIGHT….we’re hosting our monthly Bull Pen print critique with Maggie Habieda, Ian Cuthbert and yours truly as your judges.

We have a few spots left if you’d like to enter or simply register, watch, and learn

Get good…join us….

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Filed Under: WrapUp Tagged With: mastermind marketing, NoBs Photo Success, photo coach, photography business, photography competition, photography forum, photography marketing

The problem with prosperity and creativity…

February 22, 2017 By Robert Provencher Leave a Comment

It’s not that money is evil. Or “hard earned”. Nor is it reflected in the cultural
and family messages you grew up with.

*root of all evil
*doesn’t grow on trees
*the rich keep getting richer etc etc etc

Same with creativity. We box ourselves into a limited belief system.

It’s known, safe. Comfortable. We pay the ultimate price, ourselves, for the safety it brings us.

The fact is, the box we built around ourselves is nothing more than an illusion.

Once you walk to the edge of the box you discover it’s not a wall after all.
But a curtain.

And once you start searching for where the curtain opens, then, and only then do you start
your journey.

You wake up the hero within yourself once you find the opening and you take a peek inside.

The only thing holding us back is fear of the unknown. Fear of the dragons we’ll awaken when the curtain rises.

Because the cave is very dark. And in it lies the truth about ourselves.

I know from experience. And I see so many others sitting in their seats, afraid to go up to
the curtain to take a peek inside.

Join me tomorrow night as we take a peek.
http://photosuccess.com/bull-pen

The problem isn’t that money is evil. The problem with creativity isn’t that you aren’t creative,
and others are.

The problem could be that you haven’t started your journey. Yet. It’s personal. Think about it.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Filed Under: WrapUp Tagged With: mastermind marketing, NoBs Photo Success, photo coach, photography business, photography competition, photography forum, photography marketing

“Reality is a b*tch!”…

November 10, 2016 By Robert Provencher Leave a Comment

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Friends in photography,

Imagine going to the bank to make a meager deposit from your photography sales.

And the teller looks at your total, looks up at you and sez:
“Reality is a bitch, ain’t it”.

That would be funny.

:)….I digress.

This reality points to a common behavior among photographers, specifically newbies.

I had it too, way, way back when.

Of what do I speaketh?

The misguided, disillusioned, fallacious, erroneous belief that
we’re right. We can do no harm. Create no crap with our cameras.

Everyone else is wrong.

More specifically, our photography, our photography skills
is righteous, excellent and  immune to criticism…since…after all, we’re so dam good.

And we “know” so much, until reality hits us square in the face.

Ever had this? Be honest…..

Let me explain some more. This behavior is common among not only newbs,
who for the most part can be excused since they know not what they speak of.

They’re merely protecting their thin and vulnerable egos.

But the crusty old pro who becomes a curmudgeon in his or her (way more often a him)
photographic ways since, well, as with the newbs, they know ssssooooo much.

As if knowledge, photographic knowledge is the bomb and end all be all.

I’ve said it a million times. And I’m saying it again.

The only vote that counts, is your clients.

And your clients vote with their wallets.

Newbs don’t have this, since, well, they ain’t got no clients.

Indeed they have comfort friends and family who will boost their egos.
And give them flakebook likes galore.

But the real ambitious, dedicated, serious and focused among them
know that the best opinion comes from those who are in the trenches.

When they don’t hear what they want to hear about their photography skills,
they rant, moan, complain and whine.

The real student (even old curmudgeons can and should be students) knows
how to take it and grow.

The real student not only delivers top notch photography but knows how to sell
and market.

Gasp!! Two words that make most gag. Selling and marketing.

But, you gotta do what you gotta do. Assuming you want to make money with your a camera
and run a legit bidness.

A great place to start, in my oh so humble yet laser sharp focused and accurate opinion, is with the advanced training series I created for my members.

It includes deep, deep learnings from such notables as Judy Cormier, Argentina Leyva, Vanessa Joy, Kirsten Lewis, Fuzzy Duenkel, Marilyn Sholin, Margeret Bryant, Maggie Habieda…..to mention but a few accomplished photogs.

And we’re scratching the surface here. There’s so much more.

If you’re already a member, you know where to find those presentations.
They’re in there,
ready for you to devour.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Filed Under: WrapUp Tagged With: lighting tutorials, NoBs Photo Success, photo coach, photography business, photography forum, photography marketing

Photography…in it for the therapy and the money

October 24, 2016 By Robert Provencher Leave a Comment

freudI teach a photography 101 class at the local library.

Started this community based volunteer gig about 3 years ago, on a whim.

Turns out, I really like teaching it.
Who’d a thunk?

I think what’s working for me in it, underlined by the fact that I have decades of being in the trenches with this photography thing, is that I decided to teach based on what I thought would make sense.

And I tell the students this. (By the way, it’s not a beginners class. It’s promoted for serious amateurs only.)

I tell this, day one, minute one, I want to help them see light and learn to paint with it.

Not some equipment-centric academic vomit. I want to help them see, really see, and create a style unique to them.

Photography isn’t about the cameras and lenses and all the other crap.
He who has the most toys wins. Enough already.

It’s about tapping into that passion and creating. The camera part is easy. Don’t fool yourself.

And you know what? It’s working. So far. Yes, I’m still adjusting, tweaking and modifying my curriculum.
But that’s part of the plan, isn’t it? Change. For the better.

One of the first things I bring up is “why”?
Why are you into photography?

Fair query me thinks. And it got me thinking about why I’m into it. I mean, I wanted to be a sailor once.

Even bought, and sold (the same year) a sailboat. I love playing guitar. Motorcycles.
Pick an obsession. Why photography?

Why has photography been the one solid consistent event and truth in my life?

As I pondered, a little voice said to me: “Because it’s therapy. And the money’s good.”

🙂

It’s why I bring my camera everywhere. Walks, concerts, trips, events, gatherings, launches etc etc etc….

I tell my students they ought to get a decent point and shoot camera too. So they get to always be shooting.
(Cell phones don’t count…they lack intention)

All that, and the business side too. I guess photography is an obsession which makes me feel good about myself and pays the bills. I’m ok with that.

Guess that’s why I never liked the ego part. The bullshitty side.

And I love not only teaching serious amateurs. I have this thing about the business side.
“Pros”, those who want to actually make some dough.

Whatever your reason for being into photography is ok with me. Knowing why is valuable too.

The business side, read about that HERE

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Filed Under: WrapUp Tagged With: NoBs Photo Success, photo coach, photography business, photography marketing, photography webinar

Friday Wrap Up, July 1, 2016

July 4, 2016 By Gabriella Wright Leave a Comment

 

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CANADA - CIRCA 1950s: Reproduction of an antique photo shows girl and boy posing with Christmas gifts in his hands

 

WEEKLY WRAP UP July 1, 2016

From the NoBs Photosuccess Inner Circle Members forum

 


Mastermind Meeting and Accountability Call In… Members Only

goalsetting400x200
Join us. Bring your biggest, baddest, most pressing issues, struggles…
Some topics I’ll be discussing:
*headtrash….what’s holding you back? Is it time to “take out the garbage”
and clear the way for success
*facing fears….we all got em. We’re all victims to fears, big and small, real
or imagined. Identify them before you can clean ’em out
*Mid year goals…where are you? check in time halfway through the year
*Sales strategies updates and techniques for optimum results
*Affiliation and community non-profit strategies….what are you doing in
your studio and what can you be doing to gain maximum publicity and
branding with your local non-profits…
and more……

REGISTER


The Lawman and Van Gogh
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My Unclebrotherinlaw Duane is a retired lawman here in Georgia and one
of his favorite TV programs is Longmire, a modern western about an
Wyoming sheriff and his exploits with friends and enemies.

Read more


Frontline With John Wirick
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Join us July 11, 2016 @9pm.  Register here


Fast, Easy, and Realistic Art Paintings in Photoshop with Bill Guy 

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He’s back…. July 18, 2016 @9pm
Our very own photoshop guru Bill Guy with an exciting new presentation
on creating stunning, realistic artistic creations in photoshop.
REGISTER


$85 Bulk USB Sale

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This makes me so angry that I want to reach through
the internet and choke this person and I’m not usually
like that. This person is offering all of the digital files from
a 2 hour session in the park on a USB for $85.  I do not want
to hear that she will go broke doing this and fade away because
her business is not sustainable. Nor do I know how to approach
and educate her because I DO WANT HER TO GO BROKE AND
DISAPPEAR.  Yes, not very charitable I know.
But this is a rant and I needed someone to listen.

Read More


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Yours in Photography and all things NoBs,

Gabi Wright

Filed Under: WrapUp Tagged With: digital painting, NoBs Photo Success, photography forum, photography marketing, photography webinar

Wrap Up June 17, 2016

June 20, 2016 By Gabriella Wright Leave a Comment

 

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CANADA - CIRCA 1950s: Reproduction of an antique photo shows girl and boy posing with Christmas gifts in his hands

 

WEEKLY WRAP UP June 17, 2016

From the NoBs Photosuccess Inner Circle Members forum

 


Marketing Mastermind and Accountability June Replay

marketingmastermind

Watch


Lighting Mastermind June 21 with special guest
Fuzzy Duenkel

Fuzzysmall

Come join us for the webinar! You’ll find the link in the blue box at the top of the forum.


Cool Video from Chase Jarvis, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Seth Godin
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Rob’s been watching these and has nothing but great things to say about it.
Click to see more.


One Light Commercial Photography… Use The Right Lens!

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We were hired to photograph some quick and easy menu items at a local
restaurant in Costa Rica. I always try and keep it simple, low budget and fast.
Most of these types of shoots are small biz, mom and pop operations. 
Read more


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Yours in Photography and all things NoBs,

Gabi Wright

Filed Under: WrapUp Tagged With: commercial photography, Fuzzy Duenkel, mastermind marketing, NoBs Photo Success, photo lighting tips, photography marketing, photography webinar

Friday Wrap Up, June 10, 2016

June 11, 2016 By Gabriella Wright Leave a Comment

 

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CANADA - CIRCA 1950s: Reproduction of an antique photo shows girl and boy posing with Christmas gifts in his hands

 

WEEKLY WRAP UP June 10, 2016

From the NoBs Photosuccess Inner Circle Members forum

Fairy Day Spring 2016

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Rob posted some images and a video on his fairy 2016 workflow.. (he’s always modifying, changing things up…  🙂

https://photosuccess.com/forums/fairy-portrait-success/fairy-day-spring-2016/

I love this!  I have been trying on my own to figure out how to have “contest events” that would make
the studio money while promoting a good cause and I’ve done many Google Searches but
haven’t fond much other than Facebook style contests.  – April D.
WATCH


Marketing Mastermind and Accountability Webinar June 15, 2016

marketingmastermind

Join us on June 15, 2016 at 9pm for the Marketing Mastermind
and Accountability webinar.

Click here to get the link.

 


The Beauty Project with Judy Cormier

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This is a webinar from late last year – worth checking out because
Judy’s done the heavy lifting and gives to us that valuable information
on setting up and running a glamour photography business.
READ


Wizard of Light Podcast June 2016
robsmall

Rants and raves from Rob in the June 2016 Wizard of Light podcast .


From my favorite song, American Signs
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Here’s a cool HDR image from Bill Guy, the Photoshop
Guy. Follow this thread to stay in the loop for a potential
webinar on HDR with Bill.


 Video: Paint and Texture On Prom Portraits
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Watch to learn more about Rob’s process.  


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Yours in Photography and all things NoBs,

Gabi Wright

Filed Under: WrapUp Tagged With: digital painting, mastermind marketing, NoBs Photo Success, photography business, photography forum, photography marketing, photography webinar

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