Photo Success

A Place to Grow

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

By Leave a Comment

_dsc0220Friends 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

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

By 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

Photography…in it for the therapy and the money

By 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

Open a virtual can of marketing whoopass…

By Leave a Comment

This week is the calm before the storm.

Miniature workers opening a can. Color tone tuned macro photo.

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

“Your pics are crap, what are you going to do about it?”

By Leave a Comment

BUll PenHe sheepishly showed me his images from a recent shoot.

I said: “They’re crap.”

He wasn’t surprised. Relieved I’d say.
Someone finally is telling him the truth.

The first thing you should know about this conversation is that I would never talk to just
anyone that way.

Come right out and say things like “crap”. As if…..:)…You never know who’s feelingz
will be hurt so bad they may never speak to me again, or  never recover from the hurtz.

But this dude was different.
I knew him as one of my more committed, eager and brave students.

Key words: committed, eager and brave.

As a matter of fact, I knew he appreciated it. The more honesty, the better.

“Enter your prints in the upcoming BullPen” I told him.

“It was supposed to be this Thursday, but because of scheduling conflicts, we postponed it until next Thursday, October 27th…and you’re invited. We got room left, for now.”

I explained how you not only get valuable feedback from yours truly, but two other world class
photographers Judy Cormier and James Hodgins.

“And, AND, you can win some cash!”

Being open to feedback, taking it in stride and using that info to improve, is, by far, the BEST
strategy for becoming a better photographer.

The best. I stand by that.

“So, what are you going to do about your crappy images?” I urged him on.

“I’m on it. Done….I do want to get better….”

And I told him where to find the information on entering his images.

The next Bull Pen here

Even if you don’t want to enter, you can still register for the live webinar and still learn tons!

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S. To access thousands of marketing, lighting
and business building strategies for photographers,
join us.

Two rrreeaalllyyy big shows this week…..

By Leave a Comment

edsullivan

Friends in photography,

We have two big rrreeaaallllyyy BIG shows this week…FIRST ONE……yup, tomorrow night!

Tuesday, October 18th, members only mastermind marketing meeting.

Join us again for our monthly marketing and accountability
call.

We’ll discuss the struggles, successes, wishes, hopes and
aspirations in running a professional photography business.

Real info, real strategies, from real photographers….

Special guest James Hodgins will be joining us to chat about
selling, leaving money on the table and getting it right when getting
paid.

Members login and go here for registration links.

Non members….easy peasy….for $19.97 CA you can have total access HERE.

Also, don’t forget this Thursday, the October 2016 Bull Pen print show. We still have room for your submissions.

You’ll get some serious kick-*ss print critique and honest, valuable, solid strategies on improving your photography. PLUS, you can win some hard cold cash….

But ya can’t get there unless you submit your images.

Go here for info on how to do enter the Bull Pen

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

“Is there snot all over my face?” and other profound marketing questions…

By Leave a Comment

I was running towards the finish line.
Almost there. My first ever marathon. Yea!

My legs were sore, not yet giving up on me, but they were threatening to.

They started acting up about the 15KM mark into this 21 KM half-marathon.

But alas, I can see the finish line!

Even though I was slightly nervous the day before, thinking I may have bite off more than I could chew, I reached my goal.

Not an overwhelming success, but I made it. Well, almost there.

Not far to go as I rounded the corner, heading into the last stretch, people on either side cheering me on. They love me!

I felt a presence behind me, as one often does in these races, where you run with about 600 other runners.

The sound of feet hitting the pavement behind me, although an alien feeling to me until today, is something that helps urge me onwards.

Like a gazelle being stalked by a Cheetah.

I look over my shoulder, there is a young guy, looking like he’s running for the Olympic trials.

This guy was cruising. And working hard! Very focused. He zoomed right by me and headed to the finish. He was the first place runner in the 10 KM run…

I sauntered over the finish, feeling very good that I had accomplished what I set out to accomplish.

As I ran over the finish line, someone handed me my medal. Nice.

Another lady handed me a bottle of water. I stopped running and walked slowly, stretching my rubberized and stiff legs out.

About 20 feet away I saw the young runner who passed me, and a TV camera. Someone was about to interview him. Cool! Maybe we was running some sort of Olympic trial.

I heard him say in a worried tone, as he stood there panting, and covered with sweat:
“Is there snot all over my face?”

I had to smile, chuckle and share that with you. And it inspired me to write about it.

So, in honour of my first ever half-marathon and the young runner  Olympian hopeful with snot all over his face, lessons on marketing your photography studio from the world of marathon running:

-*Lesson #1- Train hard. Yes, you all know this. Too many wannabees and hopefuls in photography think they have what it takes simply because they have some skills and a camera. Just because you know how to run, doesn’t mean you’re ready for a marathon. Study, train, practice and hone your skills. Especially your marketing skills, the most important skill for success.

-*Lesson #2- Give it all you got, and if you fail, learn. I admit I was nervous going into this. In retrospect, nervous for no real reason. I was up to the task. But I didn’t let the nerves slow me down or stop me. So what, I thought, if I couldn’t make it. I’ll learn from it. But, this is not an excuse for not giving it all you got. 100% in!

-*Lesson 3- Let outside forces inspire you and move you forward. When I hear footsteps behind me, I start running faster. It’s a competitive thing. It inspires and reminds me that others are running along as well. In business, we need to keep track of what the market trends are and innovate our own. If you stay old, rusty and stale, you’re doomed. More importantly and tied into this truth is staying plugged into what our clients want.

-*Lesson #4– Focus on your intentions and goal. It’s sometimes hard to stay focused on what we want to achieve. Too many, and too often, we only see what’s going on around us and react. This happens when we don’t have a personal goal vision and aim. Everything starts with you and where you want to go. Sadly, this is not something most of us learn in life or are exposed to. It’s all about being responsible for our own lives, passions, dreams and ambitions.

-*Lesson #5- Make sure you’re face isn’t covered in snot…being able to communicate is very, very important. If you’re face has boogers hanging from it, that’s all people will remember of you. So clean up. Play the game. Metaphorically, this means to put your best face forward.

In marketing, innovating and creating products, pitches and offers, in what your studio looks, smells and sounds like when clients show up for a shoot or to order images. It means selling yourself, putting your best foot forward, during sales sessions, during shoots, during any networking event in your town or city….on and on…..get it?

I could add to that any other “messes” in your life, be they physical, mental or emotional… all messes are bad for you. And they will drag you down like dead weight while floating in the ocean….

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S. Don’t forget, there’s a boatload of presentations on lighting, marketing, photoshop HERE

You had me at “insane sales.”

By Leave a Comment

bioFriends in photography,

A recent email from one of my subscribers….

“Hi Rob, I have really enjoyed your webinars in the past!  I am still on your list although I am not a member, so I am now curious about who this Maria is that is speaking on Sept 22?”

Being in business, obsessed about the marketing of photography and being successful is a top priority for me.

Knowledge, the right knowledge, at the right time, in the right hands can be a very powerful thing.

It can change destinies.

So, I keep pushing, and digging, and bringing many, many of these, and similar presentations to the game.

I also believe in a few basic principles when seeking knowledge:
* ideas are like hinges, they can open big doors
* you never know what is going to flick the lights on, so I keep looking
* you become who you hang out with

Here’s how the webinars work. I run them for members of noBsphotosuccess.

And it costs a measly $19.97 CA a month. (plus a one time $97.00 sign up fee) Peanuts, considering the entire goldmine is accessible when you join. And you can quit anytime.

I should be charging many times more. Seriously.

Again, it’s only twenty bucks a month. Less if you’re in the good ‘ol USA since it’s in Canadian buckaroos.

OK, so I’ve known Maria Sampaio for about ten years. She’s a firecracker.

I remember when she purchased a bowling alley and converted it into a studio. I seen her struggle. I seen her succeed.

She won a bunch of awards recently for her work, which was stunning by the way.

So I emailed her, asked if she’d be willing to share her mojo with us.

She replied:

“I am extremely passionate about this industry and would love to do a webinar!

The studio has really changed in the last two years , I blame my divorce and all the hardships I endured. It’s actually a really interesting, devastatingly awful story with really GREAT results…

I’ve had some insane sales this year, I’ve become more low volume than ever (although holy crap it doesn’t feel like it right now!) and my sales are pretty incredible. Many many sales this year in the 8-12k range…. I restructured almost everything this past year…. What a ride. I’d love to do a webinar ? thanks Rob!”

You had me at insane sales.

Now here’s someone who’s advice I want to listen to.

And you can too….

Join us HERE

Maria will be joining on on Thursday, Sept 22 1:00PM EST, with the replay available for members…

If you’re already a member, click here after you login for access:

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher