Photo Success

A Place to Grow

Are “phantom” pains dragging you down?

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A little while ago I learned a new word: `fauxcellarm“

It means a phantom cell phone vibration in your leg when you`re not even carrying your cell phone.

Kinda like the phantom pain people get who lost a limb. And they feel either pain or the actual limb, even though it`s not there.

I thought it was cute and funny. Made me smile.

This, by the way, is a scientific fact. It`s how the brain works because of neurons and pathways that have been traveled since forever.

I read all about that in a book I just finished called: `The Brain That Changes Itself`. Great read! I highly recommend it.

This all made me think about success and getting ahead in business. It seems that we struggle when certain habits get in the way. Bad habits. Habits that create the wrong mindset.

Habits that are like the phantom pain effect, but to us they are real.
So, we let them control us.

Let me explain. Couple quick examples.

You go out and buy a ton of photography gear, and photography marketing stuff. You struggle, you get some success. But you hit a wall.

Or, something really bad happens. Anything. Name it. We all experience it…..bad decisions, rejection, debt, burn out….on and on…no one is immune. Trust me.

And these experiences live in our brains as if they were real. Well, frankly, they were real. But `were`is the operative word here.

We give them life because we don`t know any better. It`s hard to reprogram those pathways. To reset, re boot and get on the right path.

The only way I know of that has any hope of working is outside influence. A coach. A mastermind.

It`s one of the best ways to progress and move beyond those phantom pains.. And it`s why I run so many mastermind meetings. It’s the truest source of change and inspiration for success and prosperity in photography.

If you need to re set, re focus, re program your brain for success,
consider joining  me….details are HERE.

If you’re already a member, as usual, the replays are all in the forum (login first) HERE.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

I see it everyday. Photographers giving away their work for free. Or super cheap.

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Listen, it’s what being in business is all about, making money.

Profits. Dinero. Buckaroos. Cash. Shekkles.

You should get that clear and straight in your mind, heart and soul. And realize that making money is okay!

I see it everyday. Photographers giving away their work for free. Or super cheap. Or they shoot nothing because they are stuck in planning mode.

Agonizing over their studio “brand”. Trying to get it just right before they bust out into the market. Trying to get their images perfected.

Only one thing matters…will people buy your photography? That, my friend, is the core essence of every business.

Clients voting with their wallets.

I think many have a hard time with this for several reasons….ego being one.

Hey, if feels great to gain recognition when we create some amazing images and everyone rants and raves on about them…usually on flakebook. It’s a boost when they look at us and say…wow! amazing….! hit “like”…dopamine rush.

The truth is, they are prone to say these nice things because you gave them stuff for free. Let’s not forget that ugly truth. It’s human nature. It’s called reciprocation.

Also, because deep down inside, we have issues with asking for money, and doing all the right activities we need to do to successfully grow our photography business.

In business we need to act, move, ask for the sale….move, move, move….no delays. No procrastination. Ready Shoot Aim.

I admit I am someone who works fast. I like throwing hand grenades into the room and figure things out later.

Not for the faint of heart. If you like stability, or structure, and ‘security’, then you ought to stick with the 9 to 5 life.

But if you seriously want to be in business, then you need to act like a business person. Grow up. Grow a pair.

I know some of you have NO ISSUES with this topic. But, if you’re a reflection of the everyday mindset of most people, you do have issues. Guilt. Troubles. Emotional turmoil around making money.

I too struggled for many, many years. And do you know what I realized?

Here it is….my short list of key realizations to do with making money…

*Money is nothing more than frozen energy. We decide where to send it. Money has no conscious
*I need to make a lot of it to survive in business
*I need to have annual goals based on yearly income
*I need to plan
*Money is a tool. A good tool. I can use money for good and for a better life
*Debt is really, really bad…..especially credit card debt. Fix this one as fat as you can.
*I need to have savings. Loads of savings. Not a little. But a lot. Most don’t. I do.
*There is financial crisis without enough money. Who needs that stress?
*I no longer do unpaid work. Those who have a perpetual “under earning” mindset do. (it makes them feel good.Broke, but good. A false, short lived good)
*When I don’t have money, I find enablers. People who I feel good around. Comfort friends.
*I had false beliefs about money. I no longer do. It took a while. But I got there, (in truth, it’s a non-stop struggle. Old voices come back to haunt and try and drag me down. I am better at fighting these)
*I realize that money will not cure all my problems.
*Money is good

There’s more. But that’s enough for now. I bet many of you can relate to a few of those items.

Think prosperous thoughts….get to the money and start growing your business,

The fact is, most of us are frozen in fear.

You don’t have to be. You can make the difference in your life by feeding your mind,
your heart and soul information and education.

It’s the place to start…and then the right ideas, innovations, and courage will move into your life…..are you ready?

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S. I gave a presentation called “Wealth Attraction Strategies for Photographers” (members click the link) a few years ago. It’s one of the most valuable and relevant topics.

P.P.S. Not a member and want instant access? It’s peanuts to join. Quick whenever you want, hassle free. DETAILS HERE

“I don’t want, nor care to shoot 700+ sessions a year”…here’s why.

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Morgan calls me on my BS…sorta:

“Hi Rob, I love your emails that you send out, but I don’t know how you find time to write them and engage with the public. Just imagine if you spent all that time on your business instead of helping the rest of us!!

In any case, thanks again … I thoroughly enjoy getting them.

On a side note, do you have an archive or blog somewhere where we can go and read your “old” emails?
I’m sure there are plenty of nuggets in your stash if this is the case 🙂 Kind regards, Morgan”

My reply:

“Thanks Morgan, great question. Calling me on what might be my own BS…

Here’s my answer…..when I was super busy in my studio, not so many years back,
I shot about 700+ sessions a year, plus weddings.

And I was at my most productive.

And, I wrote the most. Manuals, posing guides, articles, plus a published book (no longer available) called:
“Exposed: The uncensored truth behind running a profitable photography studio”

It’s like the old saying: “Want something to get done? Ask a busy person.”

Besides, I like writing. Always seemed to have an affinity for it. It comes easy. I read a lot, research, and do many webinars.

The ideas flow. I write them down. Take notes. And archive many, many ideas for future emails. Right now, in my email account, I have no less than 18 emails ready to tap and send.

I don’t watch TeeVee. I try hard to avoid Flakebook and other time and soul sucking activities.

I have regular meetings with my wife and studio business partner/ manager. This is important.
We strategize, implement and plan.

This point is valid, and don’t think I haven’t thought about this, often:

“Just imagine if you spent all that time on your business instead of helping the rest of us!!…”

How very true. But, here’s the thing. I have purposely slowed down my studio marketing over the years.

I don’t want, nor care to to shoot 700+ sessions a year. 100-150 is fine by me. Less is more.

I’ve considered spending more time to the studio marketing, but alas, it might just work, and I’ll be back at square one.

I’m 58 now. I can still out-run, out-shoot, out-market most half my age. Life is good. I feel like I am taking on the grizzled old master position in life. Spreading my wisdom to the younger generation. If they want it, if they listen.

And, I want to do other things as well. I motorcycle, play guitar, teach photography 101, and have some cool travel plans in the books.

Again, I like writing. It’s  a creative process. Many think it’s some odd talent. It’s not. It takes practice is all. It’s easy. All you need to do is write like you talk. I’m doing that right now.

I do have an archive….and I had hundreds of high quality posts, all of which go lost only last week. Dam virus. it was all at wizardoflight.com

What I’m doing is moving the best from that now defunct site, over to a much safer, and my current site:
HERE
Expect more categories, photoshop tutorials, photography marketing articles and more…all searchable….soon.”

I like spending more time writing, helping others, coaching and overall putting out some butt-kicking useful info….

It’s what I do. And where I am at this time in my life…no bull.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Dollar for dollar, pound for pound, you won’t find more real-life, from the
trenches content than the NoBs Photo Success™ Inner Circle Members
Forum. No Hype. No fluff. No egos. No prima-donnas.

It takes a lot more than what most people think it takes to succeed in their own photography business…

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“The link between clarity and energy, stamina, resilience, ability to influence and inspire
and ultimately make things work out to your benefit is profound.”

Here’s a situation I hear occasionally with photographers……

“Rob, I’m in trouble, I have few sessions, no sales and little income. I need to make money like yesterday. Help!!!”

HHHhhhmmmm…not sure, but you must think I’m a miracle man or something.

Look, you basically have 3 choices:

1. You can bend over, put your head firmly between your legs and
kiss your butt goodbye.

This is what a lot of photographers are doing.

(And it’s kind of a shame…)

2. Get a time machine and go back a few years when you KNEW you
should have been preparing for something like this to happen.

What?

Can’t find a time machine?

Not even on eBay?

Then, here’s the 3rd option I’d recommend:

3. Start building a targeted list of clients and prospects, and stay in touch with them with cool offers, often, monthly, with emails, studio newsletters, displays in stores and other affiliations.

Yeah, like yesterday.

Don’t POOPOO this advice.

Do it! Marketing is everything.

What kind of photographic services and promotions and programs you ask?

That’s entirely up to you, well, sorta….if you decide you want to offer scenics and awesome sunsets, maybe some pictures of old buildings or logs in swamps, you might hear nothing in response to your offers.

But if you offer pictures that people want….you know, family portraits, baby images and babies first year programs, fairy portraits, senior portraits, wedding images…are you getting the picture?

It’s mainly about them and their families. And events in the life and times of their families.

Give them what they want.

Create offers that people drool over, and sign up for, and do this over, and over, and over, week after week, month after month, year after year…
….and do as much publicity and networking and displaying until your fingers bleed (well, your finger won’t ‘bleed’, but you get the metaphor..)

You didn’t think this was going to be easy was it?

I know few business’s that are. Come to think of it. I know of none that are.

And to make matters worse, they aren’t even consistently reliable. Who knows what the future brings?

Tell me you didn’t think that all you had to do was take really nice photographs and everything would fall into place?

Tell me you didn’t think that. Did you?

Relentless follow up is KEY, baby….it’s a lot of time, and hard work.

And also, stay away from distractions.

Turn off the TV. Flakebook.

And quit listening to hype. Time to focus.

Build a business… and show it love every day…get to work. And next time…

Dig your well BEFORE you’re thirsty. It takes work to get to that point.

What I teach is NOT a magic pill.

If you want clarity, I might be able to help. But you’ve got to be committed to yourself and to treating your photography business, well, like a business.

Not a dream, a fantasy, an ego-fest feel-warm-and fuzzy-all-over-good-time, one time event.

A business. That’s what it is…. Get over it and get on with it.

It takes a lot more than what most people think it takes to succeed in their own photography business.

I know. I been at it much, much longer than most have been driving. And it’s still working out for me.

And for a bunch more photographers who know that hard work, dedication, a willingness to go above the call of duty….

Being in business is by far the toughest thing I have ever done. But, where there’s pain, there’s pleasure….right?

One can’t exist without the other.

But who’s willing to work through the pain. Are you?

Marketing is everything,
Robert Provencher

Join me.

Is your marketing speeding up the process in which they discover you have a “crappy” product?

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My wife Tina was in ground school, taking her pilots license a few years ago.
Yup, she wanted to fly planes.

She was going be a pilot.

Go figure. (I told her I had no intentions of flying with her.)

She eventually came to her senses, did the math (being the sensible accountant that she is), and decided to pack it in.

What was she thinking?

Flying is cool, I’ll admit. I’d rather leave the flying to others.

And in many ways it’s similar to running a business.

Let me explain….a plane has two wings. Both essential for lift and control.

Metaphorically, your business has two wings. Both also essential.
Take one off, and you got a hobby.

To make profits, to make your plane fly high into the stratosphere, you need to have a balance between your core products and services and……marketing and sales.

Take one away, or, make one smaller, heavier, lighter….well, you get the point….balance is key.

Focus too much on the marketing, less on the product, and you’re speeding up the process in which the marketplace finds out you have a crappy product.

Likewise, focus too much on the product, say, technical and artistic mastery, well, yes, you might gain the love, attention and accolades from your peers in the industry and associations….

…but you risk having little to no shekkles in the bank account, like an abandoned ghost town.

Having a killer product isn’t enough. Having killer marketing isn’t enough.

You need BOTH. Like an airplane.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S.Marketing is everything. I’ve created many manuals, videos, presentations and masterminds focusing
in on the importance of marketing for members of noBsphotosuccess inner circle forum (login first) HERE

Not a member? Check it out.

I’ve noticed in my life of 38 years as a photographer there are phases, changes, ups and downs,….

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A photographer emails me, in response to this post.

“Rob, what you say resonates with me so much, I thought I should tell you. I guess I am burnt out. I probably don’t need to pay someone to tell me this honest truth. For the past few years I have been taking every class, trying new things  to see if anything “sparks” my interest, classes on everything from social media to Facebook, but nothing has helped to get me motivated again.

I am pulled in every direction! One minute it’s Dog photography, then it’s Boudoir, then it’s Sue Bryce! Yikes.

I was so busy building a new website, getting knowledge , learning new genres, that I forgot to look up and realize it’s all just BUSY work.
I am no farther ahead and sinking into debt paying for this 1000 sq ft studio that no one comes to! I know I hate working alone, but can’t hire anyone. This is a bottomless pit.

So here I am…..maybe it’s just time to let it go. I have changed, but I  am just tired of trying to keep up. Over whelmed by all the “new” stuff you have to do to try and attract clients.

I hope I don’t sound whiney. I am grateful for all my good years and great clients and lucky to be in a situation that I can retire if I want
to. Just seems a shame to go out so down.

I know you’re not a therapist, so don’t feel a need to respond unless you want to. Just feels good to tell someone how I feel.

I appreciate your honesty and have been reading your emails for many years……keep up the good work! There are many people out there listening….”

MY REPLY….

….”thanks for your comments.

Here’s my off the top of my head quick thoughts:

*I’ve noticed in  my life of 38 years as a photographer there are phases, changes, ups and downs, swings and photographic existential crisis’s (you’re having one now). I’ve had many. You’re not alone.

Stick with me….keep reading…

* you need to focus. Tune EVERYTHING ELSE OUT.

* you also need to take a break. Go somewhere for 2 weeks…one week? do nothing. OR, take ONE FULL DAY off a week. nothing. no social media, no electronics. books, yes. (not business) writing is encouraged…so is mediating and …er, yoga? or any exercise

*realize you are looking for the answer OUT THERE. It’s normal. We all do it. The goal is to get back to basics, focus on YOUR skills, YOUR
passions, YOUR goals, YOUR dreams.

*but first, you need to know what YOU want. No looking out there.

*you’re young yet :)..(smart, dedicated, business-minded and creative photographers have longevity…some work into their 80’s!)…. you’re smart, and your work is very, very good. Very. (I checked it out) Don’t despair…..

*nothing else matters except tapping into that inner voice, inner passion, inner drive…nothing.

Which leads me to some steps for you…

Only do these when you’re relaxed, confident, rested and somewhat inspired/optimistic: (do this alone…and it triggers emotions, cool. If you cry, let it out baby!!)

1- where do you see yourself in 3 years? paint that picture in your imagination. WRITE IT OUT! no censoring. no Sue Bryce, no Rob, no one but you. Paint it…

2- what dangers, issues, road blocks are in the way? (all….addictions, debts, bad habits, crappy relationships, broken lenses, 3 legged dog, failing eyes etc etc)

3- what strengths, opportunities, powers, assets do you have rightnow? ( I know one…you’re work is very good. and two, you’re older,
hence, wiser…think yoda)

Bonus ask: what ten marketing things are you doing right now?

(responding to my email, AND doing the steps I suggest, are AL marketing..since it’s self improvement, and that falls under marketing.)

So there you have it. This person, in my oh so humble yet accurate assessment is looking in the wrong direction. Outwards vs inwards.

And comparing….ugh. This is always a killer.

And yes, I am a therapist. Of sorts. I’ve actually helped many people move into new directions in their lives. Some have given up booze, bad relationships and debt….etc etc etc….

All messes that need to be cleared up and firstly, made aware of.

I am like a marketing therapist I suppose. To me, marketing is everything.

And marketing involves the individual. Fix the individual, and you start fixing the business.

Of course, maybe don’t like hearing this. It’s too painful to look inwards.

The pain is bigger than the ultimate sweet savory experience of success down the road.

But you can’t get their without the hard work and honesty.

And looking inwards.

3 ways to access me:

Good- Free newsletter email sign up…

Better- Join my forum…coaching and content.

Best- One on one coaching…
Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

What do you do when you have a weak message?

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What do you do when you have a weak message?

Message, meaning, offer. Pitch….call it “brand” if you like.

Either way, you gotta have a strong enough message that resonates, gets peepz off their hineys to call your photography studio.

Or say really nice things about you. Or both,

When your message is weak, you need to get a stronger message. A “bigger boat”, as they say in the movies.

One based on some, one or all of the following….:

*your personality
*your core product
*your delivery
*your service
*promotions
*packaging and bundling

Not:
*a new lens
*new software
*new lights
*new workflow
*new clothes
*new tattoo

There’s more. This being a short list, off the top of my head.

Your core message (call it brand, or part of your brand), your core “pitch”, service, product needs to resonate with your core market.

No market, no sales. No business.

Of course none of this may apply to you. If you’re a hobbyist, love shooting for the fun of shooting and therapy, different story.

I get that. It’s legit.

But if you love photography AND making money…as in, growing a business…then: Marketing is everything.

This then becomes a marketing thing. Embrace it…..

Stay real my friend, stay focused.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S. Join me for some epic marketing content…..
“Ideal for the community based wedding and portrait photographer who wants to grow a profitable and successful business with weddings, babies, families, commercial…using only the best marketing strategies available today.”

JOIN ME

Podcast with James, Judy and Rob….Feb 2017

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We had another one of our podcast with James, Judy and yours truly, Rob

Since I host these random ramblings, I brings questions to help guide the direction.

One of the queries was: “What would you tell your 22 year old self?”

Assuming we could go back in time. This is a very powerful question. It helps you to refocus your priorities for the present.

And it’s good for others to hear.

If your hardup enough to actually suffer though one of our podcasts, the part where Judy talks about her struggles with weight, some of the side effects, and how it has now, ultimately, created a completely new re-invention….

…..not only in her photography business direction, but in how she shoots.

It’s all there.

Meantime, ask yourself the question…..“What would I tell my 22 year old self if I could go back in time?”

If you’re a member of the noBs Inner circle forum, post your answer here.

This question is truly powerful. Why? Because it allows you to tap into one of the most powerful
tools you have available….your imagination.

And gives you the seeds of progress….IDEAS.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher