Photo Success

Tools for growing a photography business

August 2019 Lighting Mastermind is up…

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Diversity…a buzzword you hear all the time. It plays into my business considering the variety of photography sessions that flow into my life.

For me it’s not a buzzword or an ideology, but a reality.

You may have heard me say my photography business is like a Swiss Army knife. This business model is a reality because I need to, well, make money.

This is not a hobby. It’s a business.

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The “Golden Griddle” effect and other obvious reasons why businesses succeed in spite of a crap product…

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I’m on fire.

Last week I wrote about the Books & Beans Effect, and the “Anvil Effect”, and other obvious reasons why businesses fail.  

These, as mentioned, are influences that I’ve observed over the years. And am now sharing my infinite wisdom with you, my eager and passionate friends in photography & business.  

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“If I get a Leica will my pictures look like yours?”

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Some things never change. One thing that hasn’t for me is my love of lenses.
Maybe I was impressed when I was 18 by my then college photography professor, Karl, who was from Germany, had a thick accent and scared the hell out of everyone with his booming voice and tall presence.
He would photograph grizzly bears, racing cars and motorcycles with his Leica 35MM camera and his images we’re stunning.

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“Your brand will evolve organically”

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My daughter, Danielle (that’s her above), a 23 year old third year graphic design student, and an ambitious one at that (she just published a book- LAUNCH DATE AUGUST...), on her days off, sometimes obsesses over her ‘brand’ and the future of her graphic design career and business.
She gets inspired. And writes down thoughts, ideas and, of course, goals. I taught her well.
Yesterday, Sunday, was such a day. She rattled on about the many ideas, inspirations and feedback she was getting from other accomplished designers. She actually contacts these people and asks for advice. Smart. Brave.
I reminded her that she need not really worry about her brand so much. Not now anyways. The ‘brand’, so to speak, will evolve organically as her skills, experiences and more importantly,  her market makes itself known.
This, like in any business, isn’t obvious at first. You start with a great idea. You build. You launch. And then see if people bite. No market, no business.
I used the Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak example. They had some great ideas (ya think?) on what and how a computer should be built.
They didn’t get together and obsess of the logo nor the name…..yet. That came shortly after they had some traction. Sales. Activity in the marketplace.

They could have called it Banana for all I care. Me thinks the market would have still showed up.

The substance of what makes a business run and what makes it great isn’t on the surface – you know, design, image, logo.
The true substance is much deeper. In the grueling, disciplined sweat, pain, blood and turmoil. The going to battle to get your product launched.

That’s where you find meaning and brand. But first, you need to go to war. And find your place in the market.
Yours in success and in photography,
Rob
“If you want to be a profitable and successful photographer, then study profitable and successful photographers.”

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4 Star Friday May 10, 2019

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Friday May 10, 2019 Where is spring?
It’s May 10th and we’re freezing up here! Still. Thankfully the snow is almost all gone. This is a fact of life when living, working up in Northern Ontario. Last weekend James Hodgins and I hit the road at 6:00AM and drove to Montreal to attend the annual PPOC convention, mainly to connect with friends and check out the trade show. We had  a blast!

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4STAR Friday May 4th, 2019

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Happy spring….sort of. It actually snowed here yesterday. Not kidding. I’m looking forward to all sorts of activities and good times this spring, our bi-annual Fairy Day being one of them. Fairies, families, head shots and weddings….
The view from my kitchen window below!
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Why I bought nine pairs of socks and the marketing lessons observed…

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I swear I’ll never pay full price for a shirt, or suit, again. Why?

Two reasons. One, when I shoot weddings I am hard on my clothes (see image above for proof). So, I buy cheaper suits, shirts and vests that tend to last a year, maybe two.

You know, throwaway. When on a wedding I’ll roll around on the road, grass or climb overpasses to create fun cool images with cool angles.
My clothes suffer.
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