photography forum

“I took a class like that and was more confused then when I walked in”…

November 14, 2016 By Robert Provencher Leave a Comment

Friends in photography,
I just finished teaching a 101 photography course through our local library.

This is my fourth time doing this.

Why, you ask, would I do this? I don’t know.
When I was asked 2 years ago my instant reaction was: “No thanks.”

Then for some reason I hesitated, thought about it, and answered:
“OK, I’ll do it. But it has to be for serious amateurs only. Not rank beginners.”

And so we were off.

I had a blast. So I kept doing it.

Teaching photography, with my own little twisted and bizarrio take on it.

Let me explain. I tell the class that I am not going to teach them an academic by the manual class where they will hear me explain all the camera functions and all the shooting scenarios.

Most of which they will never, ever use again.

If they want to hear that, they’ll get it from the local college
or camera store.

And someone invariably always shakes their head up and down in agreement with me.
They know what I’m talking about. They been there.

“I took a class like that and was more confused then when I walked in” is what I hear.

I created some strong feelings about how to teach photography by volunteering to this community service.

Had I not, I wouldn’t have known what I now know. Cool.

That’s part of what made it fun. And I was developing my voice, so to speak.

What I also like was the fact that the attendance was near perfect, and so was the homework assignments.

This, to me, showed it was working. They were on fire baby!

I really pushed them into the deep end. I pushed them to “see the light”. I pushed them to focus on composition, lighting and impact.

Everything else would fall into place I told them. Learn to “see” and create your own inner style, voice and artistic expression.

I would tell them over and over we’re “painting with light”

Which is what photo-graphy means. Photo=light Graphy=painting

What a concept. I also brought my passion to the game. I showed everyone how I constantly am shooting.

I love photography. I called the course “Love of Photography”…hhhmmmmm.

I have tens of thousands of images from my life, travels, events where I always bring my camera.

Why not? I love photography. It’s not a job. It’s a passion.

And I share my passion.

It’s who I am. What I do. Why I share and teach and try my best to help others.

It’s also why I run a monthly lighting mastermind for my members of noBs photosuccess Inc ™

Where we talk lighting. I analyze, critique, coach others….and I show many, many lighting scenarios, and explanation, from my photography studio.

This my friend is not text book stuff. This is from actual sessions, paid or publicity, where I get dirty and grimy and have to fight through a gauntlet of evil forces always trying to take me down.

Including my own headtrash. But more on that later.

Get clear. Get focused…..
Members can join us on our MasterMind presentations or watch all the replays, of course, which get posted in the forum….
HERE

Not a member? No problem…JOIN US HERE.
Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

“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

How to be the “go to” photographer in your area.

November 9, 2016 By Robert Provencher Leave a Comment

Friends in photography,

Got no business? Then, you need a business plan.

Maybe you had one ten, or twenty years ago.

Or, you’re just starting out.

You need a business plan. And then you need to implement.

Are you speeding up the process in which your bank account gets drained?

November 3, 2016 By Robert Provencher Leave a Comment

Friends in photography,

When you have a great marketing plan, and you implement, but you have a crappy photographic product, you’re simply speeding up the process, the time in which the market place discovers how crappy you are.

That simple.

Likewise, if you have a great product, superior, best of the best top shelf, and you have no marketing, you’re speeding up the process in which your bank account gets drained.

No money honey.

The goal, obviously, is to deliver a product, a service, that folks will want.

And, then ramp up the marketing game.
And take their money.

Some photogs are very, very good with their cameras. And yet they have the erroneous belief that because they are good the market will find them, and delivery buckets of cash to show how much they appreciate them.

D-uh. Maybe on another planet.

Here on earth, where we need to shake the money tree to make dollars fall to the ground,
marketing is everything.

Everything. Unless it’s a just a hobby, then that’s different. I’m ok with that.
But we’re talking about business here. Stay with me.

Back to creating a great product, one that folks want.

I do see a ton of crap out there. A ton! I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.

Maybe you’re guilty of delivering crap too. Sometimes? Knowing this is valuable.

Let’s be honest. It’s the only way to get ahead.

If you’re not happy with your work, hold off on the marketing. For now.

Focus on getting better. Get goalz. Get serious and get focused.

And getting better requires honesty. Of course, the best place for honesty is the marketplace where they get to vote with their wallets.

Another great place to find honesty is feedback from real, legit professional photographers who are in the war zone everyday slugging it out, toe-to-toe, belly-to-belly with real paying clients.

It’s one of the reasons why we run a monthly bull pen contest. And why I run a photography forum.

Not a forum where everyone gets together and gloats, bloats and braggz about how good they are.

A place where you get to post images for feedback. Or, share your success stories with others.
No bull. Little ego.

Those things get in the way.

But it’s hard working on yourself. It hurtz. I got so butt hurt the first time I entered my prints into competition I thought I was doomed.

Of course, I thought my images were the bomb. Hence the problem. Me.

Once I got over that, and kept working on me, and my big ‘ol ego, things got better.

Much better. As in ninja grade better.

Be a ninja…..Print competition dates and replays

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Ninja training HERE

“For some, things come easy in life…”

November 1, 2016 By Robert Provencher Leave a Comment

“For some, things come easy in life…”

So sez my buddy Mike to me last week as we chatted about
the challenges of running a photo studio. Mike runs his own studio, busy guy. Crushing it.

His comment stuck with me. Haunted me actually.

I emailed him a few days later, I had to share my thoughts. I thought he was being
a little whiney.

“Mike, I don’t agree with your observations.” I told him.

“Life is hard, period. For everyone. We all have to deal with challenges. Especially
when you decide to start your own business. This is above average living, with the potential for above average results.”

You see, what I think he’s doing is making observations from others around him
and false assumptions based on those observations.

We all do it. We assume. Every one else is happier, richer, more together, successfuller, awesomer, healthier, sexier, richer bla bla bla.

It’s a human thing.

And at it’s core the truth behind the dark side of social media….where comparison, false assumptions, virtue signaling, blaming, accusing, gloating and all things evil about being human truly manifest at epic levels.

It’s a bullshit story we tell ourselves about others. Total crap. Hey, we’re human. It’s a human weakness.

The key? Go inwards. Work on yourself more than your business.

Recognize that when you go beast mode, that when you live dangerous, you get challenges that others don’t even come close to experiencing in their insulated worlds.

Not even close.

The more risks you take in life, the greater the rewards. But, the greater the challenges,

You win more. Get scared more. Live more.

They, on the other hand, can’t even begin to understand what you’re going through. Yea, yea, they start to throw darts, and try to take you down. That happens when people don’t understand.

They get scared. Scared of you. Stay the course. It’s a personal game. Keep it personal and
don’t take it personal.

It’s all an illusion. Success is an inside job. And it never gets easier. When you embrace that truth you become more resilient, adaptable, creative and challenged.

These are qualities I cherish.

Besides, what if some things were easier for others.

So?

Who cares? Does it matter? Matter to you? You have two choices, whine about it like a 3yr old or go full beast more on yourself and on your business.

One of the reasons I started helping photographers is because I recognize this.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Million dollar eyes…

October 27, 2016 By Robert Provencher Leave a Comment

Ugh, ugh, double ugh….

I need to start wearing prescription glasses. Ugh.

Not only that, but they’re gonna cost $800.00

I started getting headaches last spring. Bad ones.

I thought I had a festering brain tumor.

Serious. I did. I didn’t know what the hell was going on.

Turns out= eye strain. Causes pain in the brain. Ouch.

I was very relieved when I found out the cause of this pain in my head.

Very relieved. Sure beats going head to head with a festering tumor.
Happy days.

It’s amazing how one’s perspective changes from what I thought (wearing glasses) to be a royal pain in the butt to a life enhancing change.

And I thought about my eyes. And how much money they’ve made me over the years.

Me thinks they deserve an $800.00 pair of glasses. And a toast to their greatness!

Millions. Literally, my eyes, and my right index finger, and my brain, all combined, have produced massive amounts of images and therefor, cash.

Of course let’s not forget about marketing, and the business building side of things.

We all know without the economic realities driving the engine, I wouldn’t have worked my eyes so hard creating so many images.

I love my eyes. My million dollar eyes. I’ll keep em around for awhile. And keep shooting.

Yea, they’re older now. Well worn. But they still work. Like a finely tuned engine with many miles.
Humming along.

I’ll keep investing in their well being and proper maintenance. They are the gateway to my talents, my abilities.

Got to invest in the right tools, yes no? If you also want to invest in the right tools for a successful, profitable, vibrant, long term photography business, I can help you.

And it won’t cost you $800.00 either. Way less. Way. Like, less then .66cts a day.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

“Don’t let the door hit your butt on the way out….”

October 25, 2016 By Robert Provencher Leave a Comment

My wife, she who manages our studio and totally rocks at it, tells me
about a certain call the other day.

You see, we were booking fairy sessions…the calls were pouring in.
(we have two such fairy day promos coming up in our studio…filling up nicely I might add)

When someone calls to book, we always, always, always get payment.

Always. Everything is prepaid. The core offer, session dealio.
Which is a mere $97.00.

Ain’t that much really, few complain, and those that do…who needs em.

So, one lady calls, and Tina starts explaining to her the basic deal and payment…

Here’s that lady’s reply….“Oh, never mind….”

And hangs up.

Alrightee then….don’t let the door hit your butt on the way out.

Getting paid mostly removes this component from promotions and the daily running
of the studio.

Selina, a friend, asks me the other day in regards to
an upcoming event: “We need a filter in place…”

She was referring to a way to not have certain unwelcome persons
attend.

“Simple” I told her. “Here’s the filter. Everyone pays to attend.”

Opening up your wallet opens up your heart. You, your clients, everyone, when making a financial commitment, transcends to a new level.

It’s one of the best ways to manage your clients expectations.

Now, some struggle with this. They have an aversion to asking for money.

Tina would call this bad management. I might call it fear.

Others would rightfully argue: “No choice, you gotta get over it!”

Whatever it is (it’s fear, let’s call it what it is), learning to confidently ask for the sale is a skill.

And skills can be learned, practiced, honed and mastered.

I sorta kind touch on this in one of my favorite presentations called: “Wealth attraction strategies for photographers” which is in the members area.

I value this content so much and argue for it relentlessly. It’s too important.

Changed my life it did. Here’s the direct link (login first).

You have to have confidence, focus and certainty to make money. Otherwise,
you won’t have a filter in place and all kinds of corruption, bad decisions and crap clients
will infest your bid’ness.

It’s also the core reason why we run so many presentations from so many high end
photographers who successfully run their own studios. Learn from the best.

And of course, there’s the monthly mastermind meetings. All this, designed to help you.
Coach you. No matter where you’re at.

But you gotta watch, read, listen, attend and commit. 95% of success is showing up.

If you want to learn how to remain stoic, focused, warrior like fortitude, then join us.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Open a virtual can of marketing whoopass…

October 21, 2016 By Robert Provencher Leave a Comment

This week is the calm before the storm.

Some weeks the storm never ends. “Make hay while the sun
shines” I always say.

And the fall is excellent hay making time.

Last week we ran a special….11 high quality family sessions booked in one day.
Spaced 30 minutes apart. All prepaid. Everyone showed up. The weather was ideal! (phew)

Same promotional concept as our fairy day. Which we have two booked this fall, each crammed with sessions. (over 50 so far)

That storm is brewing and hits landfall next week. Good times.

So, listen, I ain’t bragging. That’s not good for the soul. Besides, why would I?

What would it achieve?

Seriously, what would it get me?….a brief dopamine hit of
“lookee me and my big fat ego” bravado?

I’ll leave that for those who like bragging on flakebook about the smallest and most mundane
achievement, real or imagined.

I’ll tell you what I do care about….: helping others. Others who want to help themselves. That makes me feel good.

I crack open a virtual can of marketing whoopass on anyone who is sensible, committed, obsessed with growing a photography business. Young and old. Newbs and oldtimers alike.

“You’re so lucky” someone told me. No I’m not. It took me 35 years of working at it to be able to book 11 sessions in one day, plus all the other bookings. Dam phone never stops ringing.

Didn’t just happen because I got “lucky”.

Marketing is everything. Everything. And that includes working on yourself.

“Yea, yea, the industry is dead, and guys like you are just making money
teaching others”….fuckyou.

Efff you and your lame ass sorry whiney excuse making sad sack excuse of a windbag life.
Get a life while you’re at it.

Truth is, if I didn’t help others, I’d have even more time to grow my studio.
On it’s own, right now, it’s doing very well indeed. For that I am grateful.

The market is abundant with opportunity. But not for the average. The average stay on the shores and does not venture out where the fishing is good.

The obsessed, the passionate, the ambitious do.

In our last marketing mastermind I shared all about my recent and on going marketing promos. If you were there, kudos! If not, and you’re a member…GOWATCHTHEREPLAY.

Not a member? But you’re obsessed?

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher