Photo Success

A Place to Grow

“I must create what others can’t…”

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Ron emails me…

“Hey there Rob, I just want to say how thankful I am to get an email from you guys every single week on all things for photography. …..this last email you sent with this quote, “I believe life is a never ending classroom”.

Man let me tell you that just jumped off the page at me. I wish, wish I had the desire to learn in high school like the desire I have to learn now.

I feel like a sponge just absorbing as much information as I can and filtering it through what my goals in this life are.

I have entered into the bullpen an image for critique by the panel and found it very cringing and beneficial information that after the initial sting caused me to really think about being more intentional with my Photography.

I don’t enter all the time but I watch and learn as often as you have them. Here in Massachusetts it is very saturated with photographers. Everyone and their brother is a photographer in this area.

I do feel like there is enough families and clients to go around but I’m learning to do things to separate myself from the crowd. Things like and most important marketing! Second product, the product that the client sees and receives must be better and different than everyone else’s.

I learned this a few years ago,  “I must create what others can’t” in order to separate myself from the crowd. Thank you for willingly share your welcome hour and failures on a weekly basis.
Thank you, Ron from Massachusetts.”

Thanks Ron….
Couple things….first off, yyeeaa! Life is a never ending classroom. Stop peddling, you fall off.
And rust away.

Who wants that? I don’t.

I too lacked the desire to learn when I was younger. Being the proverbial late bloomer, I didn’t know any better.
Better late than never I say.

I refuse to let it get me down, since regret only leads down the wrong path. No regrets. Everything happens for  a reason.

The problem with learning is, yea, sometimes it stings. And it’s hard. Much easier to take the road most traveled.

Your observation: “Here in Massachusetts it is very saturated with photographers…” Is not unique to your area.

This is the way it is EVERYWHERE….All over the great big world. I’ve said this a million times, and I’ll say it again…photographers have had it easy…..’till now, of course.

We can no longer sit back on our butts and expect business to roll in. The same has happened with musicians.
You gotta get out and play as many gigs as you can. No one owes you ANYTHING…
I don’t care how TALENTED, or GOOD you are.

The money is out there. Go get it.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Why I like to brush my teeth and take a leak at the same time…

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I always said that if I were a kid nowadays I’d be on some ADHD regiment.

Instead, back in the day, the teachers accused me relentlessly of being “on the moon”.

And that was that. Deal with it kiddo. Sometimes they’d make fun of me.
Whatever. What doesn’t kill me….

The other day I was heading out, and I admit this may be more information than you care to know, but yes, I was taking a leak and brushing my teeth at the same time.

Admit it, you’ve done it. We’ve all done it. All genders, all personality types. Stop judging.

It reminded me of how I like having many balls up in the air at once. Learning to deal with being on the moon has forced me to take my energy and funnel it into positive and creative productivity.

This is reflected in one of my all time favorite quotes by Napolean Hill. One that I read when I was 20 years old and to this day still resonates so much truth:

“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”

I love this. Times a million. Think of it this way.

I do:

NO matter what the situation, problem, task at hand…ask:
“What can I learn from this?”

“What lessons are there? What new ideas?”

And take notes. Swimming in the seas of regret or fear will lead you down a dark miserable path.

You get to choose.

For me, I feel like I am on a mission. I have goals, plans, creative projects to get on. So much to do.
So little time…

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S. I like being mentored by successful photographers who are also on a mission.
Fuzzy Duenkel, Kirsten Lewis, Margaret Habieda, Argentina Leyva, Margaret Bryant, and so many more…
Members can access the complete list in my Advanced Training series HERE

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

The problem with photography today…

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I can tell you exactly what the problem with photography is in today’s day and age.

It’s simple really.

Everyone thinks it’s all about the equipment. Or awards. Or flakebook likes.

It’s the everyday mindset of the everyday person. Even cell phones are considered good cameras. And rightfully so. They are. Very, very good.

Have you seen the IPhone ads at the movies? Last week my wife and I were settling in to watch “Beauty and The Beast” and after the epic IPhone promo played I turned to her and said: “Welcome to the future of photography.”

Fact is, the future is already here.

Knowing this, your mission, should you choose it, is to creatively and with innovation find ways to market a product and service that completely contravenes and goes against this mindset.

Run it like a business.

One that when your client or prospect sees your offer, says:

“Oh, I get it! Those are amazing. I could never get that with my Iphone or the new Canon Rebel my nephew just bought at CostCo….”

To run a successful photography business takes:

  • up to five years, maybe more. It’s not a one day garage sale
  • the right person. Not everyone is cut out to brave the cold and fight the forces when it comes to being in business for yourself
  • know publicity…both on the organic one on one word-of-mouth level all the way up to big media
  • know how to sell with confidence. Who you are is vital. Your core essence transmits this truth like
    a radio beacon. Cherish it. Work it.
  • know how to create amazing photographs that when clients sees them they know it’s NOT THE SAME.
  • They know it’s more than just having a good camera. And they want them.
  • marketing savvy and innovation. Not industry wide copy cat marketing. I’ll say it for the tenth millionth time….“Marketing Is Everything”
  • create offers and pitches that get clients calling
  • build market position..or call it branding…or top-of-mind marketing…whatever you call it, it ain’t a new thing. Been around since forever. It’s basically what they, the masses, in general, think of YOU and your  photography business.

And I’m only scratching the surface. There’s more, much more.

And if you want to know how I created, built and continue to maintain a solid photography studio business in my small blue collar community, I have put together a ton of information for you…

There’s a LOT of information here. And I warn you, it’s not for the faint of heart.

But only for the truly dedicated.

Are you dedicated?

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

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

The glass wall…

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A bunch of scientists tried an experiment.

They took a large aquarium and divided it in half with a sheet of glass.
Then they filled both sides of the aquarium with fish.

The fish on both sides bumped into the sheet of glass.

They learned over time that the sheet was an impassable barrier and they stayed away.

Then the scientists removed the sheet of glass.
And the fish could swim anywhere they wanted to.

But swim anywhere they didn’t.

They had been programmed.

As it is with fish, it’s the same with us.

Too often we are one of three things….

1-Where we’re at now
2-Where we want to be
3-The glass wall

What pisses most of us off, and me too, is that the wall is translucent: we can see through to the other side, imagining how much better our lives could be, if only we were strong enough, smart enough, bold enough.

And so we live out our days swimming slow circles, resigned.

You swear the wall is a foot thick and bulletproof, but in truth it’s wafer thin.
All you need to do is turn your head and move forward, swimming slowly towards what you desire.

The wall dissolves as soon as you put your nose in.

Why?

Because the wall is an illusion. And we bought into it, ahem, hook, line and sinker.
It’s a mind thing.

Do you want to do great things?

Then you have to think, dream and act on great things. And decide, for yourself, today, not tomorrow, that the time is now.

Not tomorrow. Today. Tomorrow is an illusion. Today is where the magic happens.

Your body, health, your photography, your business, your studio..whatever…all of it can be opened up at any given minute. Just swim into the wall.

Everything is always hanging in the balance.

You are always just one choice away. But choose you must.
Or, swim in circles.

It’s up to you.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

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

Keeping customers is success, loosing customers is failure…

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Your best target market is a repeat client.

Selling to them is easiest. They know you, know your product and have clearly
defined expectations.

Unless of course you screw this up. Don’t mess this part up.

Getting a new client is the tough part. Keeping them should be a cinch.

Lose them and you haven’t really created a client. Back to square one. Master that first.

The opportunity for you shows up when you know where you need to go with your marketing in order to get a client. (offers, widgets, products, promotions etc etc…)

Even messing up creates opportunity.

And once you get one ( a customer), keep them in your circle….email list, thank you cards, phone calls even.

Show them love.

Let’s not forget mailing old school home delivered studio newsletters. (in a world where few would bother with this strategy it really stands out and is effective)

Avoid apathy, which is the number one reason why a customer leaves a business. Show them love…..and offers. Over and over…. Communication is the key.

You have their addresses, you have history with them, you have permission to contact.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S. Last month 26 brave souls entered images into our monthly Bull Pen print show…This month we’re running the Bulls again…..Join us….we need 26 more brave souls.

It’s on this Thursday, Arpil27th at 9:00PM EST

“People who don’t kiss ass are never invited back.”

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I was chatting with Robin Spencer about professional photography
associations. (he tells me to mention his name…he’s shameless that way…)

I don’t belong to one anymore. Been about 6 years since I quit in protestation of their high fees vs value in return.
(I really had a hard time trying to justify the costs to new members)

I do love attending association events however, mainly to hang out with my droogs and people.

Love me some trade show too. My most favorite part of any photographic gathering.

I tell Robin…: “ya know, if someone asked me to join again, show some love, there’s a good chance I just might. You’d think, right? Hit up past members, especially ones like me who are still running legit operations. The association seems to be swollen with wannabees and part-timers. Nothing wrong with that. But they could all benefit with as many full time studio owners.”

He sez in his Robin Spencer in-your-face kinda way: “People who don’t kiss ass are never invited back.”

I thought about this comment. I agree in a sense. He could be right. The status quo doesn’t like being held accountable.

But maybe it’s more than that. Even though the ones who don’t kissass never get invited back, because like me they tend to point out the obvious shortcomings of a big bloated inefficient organization like a professional photography association.

Maybe it’s simpler. Who knows. It could be that they’re a big bloated inefficient organization.
Nothing more.

Either way, it’s an interesting thought. And the fact is, when it comes to hearing from them….crickets…chirp, chirp….

I know if I were in charge of one, I’d start by slashing and burning inefficiencies, cutting out excess fat and expenses, and ramping up the education for members.
( BTW I’m not throwing my hat in the ring and pitching politics….so don’t go nominating anyone!..:)…)

I’d increase value, lower fees, haul out the guillotine and lop off a few heads….and I’d start a campaign to get new members, and old members back.

It’s a funny thing. You rarely, if ever, see any membership drives.

Truth is, in one sense we don’t really need associations. Personally I think their days are numbered.

I hope I’m wrong. Because getting in person face time with others in my field is very important to me.

And we all know why associations are playing a smaller role year after year….
It’s the interweb thingie and the fact that the entire industry is in a continuous and shrinking state of ebb.

Which means marketing, brass balls, courage, selling and networking matter more than anything else in our studios.

Getting education, good quality education has been relegated to other sources, all promoted online, and webinars.

Speaking about webinars, tomorrow night I’m hosting one with Travis Gadsby on:
“Maximizing your online presence with software that does the heavy lifting – Facebook and Website optimizing”

I did a rough count and I think I’ve hosted over 700 webinars since 2008. Maybe more. Why?

I love learning.
We’re either progressing or regressing.

Pick one. For me, the proverbial info junkie, I’d rather more forward.

It’s why I do what I do. Join us tomorrow night.

Hope to see you there!

And this weekend at the PPOC in Ottawa…yes, I’ll be there with my main
droog and co-founder of noBs photosuccess James Hodgins.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

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

Are hot girls ruining the industry?

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There’s a ton of talent out there.

Musicians, comics, artists and photographers.

Most of it goes away. Much of it is inert. Never revealed, put into action and given a place. A purpose.

The way I see it, if you have a talent, you don’t really have it unless you use it.

Put it out there. Give it a voice. Use it to make a difference.

It’s useless otherwise, unless it merely hits you with a mild ego boosting dopamine hit when your mommy proudly points out how ‘talented’ you are. Or someone on Facebook likes your images.

Better yet, they make a vapious compliment.
(Never trust your mom- she loves you too much for your own good. Likewise, never really
trust flakebook comments either)

This is pervasive in the industry of photography….
mainly, weddings, babies, families…and, well, hot girls.

Hot girls are ruining the industry. You know the story. Many go out, get a new Canon Rebel,
grab a hot girl, photograph her, and voila!

Photographer! Instant portfolio of hot girliness.

It’s easy to get derailed from what really matters. From real talent. Talent that plays a legit
role in the world, and continues to serve.

And make money. Yes, turn a profit.

It ain’t a business unless it’s making money.

Unless, of course, you’re just starting out and still learning marketing, selling, and getting established in your community as the GO TO photographer. But that’s just a phase.

Meanwhile, your business cards, your fancy well made website….even your stunning images of hot girls….and all those stunning images of children in fields with mucho sun flare…..
all of it……a ruse.

A lie. It’s all meaningless and temporary.

I was chatting with a well known, well established photographer last week who tells me the average
turn around for photographers is 1.5 years. And he may be  a little optimistic.

What matters most? Clients. Clients who pay, and return year after year.

Take that idea, and scale it up. Multiply it. And you got a business.

A reason and a place for your talents. Awards are meaningless. Accolades and praise
from family, friends, fiends and peers too. All meaningless.

Your cameras, lenses, computers and facebook fans and likes….all…meaningless.

Unless you put it all into action and build a business.

Now go forth ye friends and foes….and build. Keep it real.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

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