Photo Success

A Place to Grow

Award winning noodie pic of my daughter…

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She was barely 1.5 years old.

Way before she developed a sense of dignity and shame.

When, as you may recall when you were young, running around with nothing on, not even a diaper, felt freer than a bird…

We were out on a Sunday family drive…and ended up hours away from home.

Stopped for a break by a cool old church in a tiny little village…

I had my camera and some black and white film.

Always shooting. I bring a camera with me always, everywhere.

I strip my babies close off and tell her to go check out the church……she runs to the huge wooden doors and tries to open them.

That was the moment I wanted. I grabbed a few exposures of the exposed little one, and eventually entered it into competition.

I titled it “Knocking on heaven’s door”.

It won a ribbon. Whoohoo…

There are two big lessons for you. One, always be shooting, even if you only bring a point and shoot camera with you.
School is never out for the pro.

It’s a good thing to constantly hone your skills.

And two, awards don’t amount to a hill of beans unless you like collecting trophies and ribbons.

Seriously. That was a “grab shot”.

Does not reflect what I create, for profit, day to day, in my photography business.

Fun, yes. Great to get recognition and feathers for my cap from my peers. Yea….all good.
But all ego based….

Sure, there is some publicity value in awards.

But it is miniscule when compared to the true power of publicity and what it can do for you and your photography business.

Publicity is the very root of branding and market position. It’s HUGE….

I created and gave an intensive presentation on this topic and created an extensive report on publicity as well.

It is yours, and so is the equivalent of the library of congress on marketing for photographers, in my marketing system I created.

I can show you how to maximize publicity for maximum profits and maximum long term growth and market position…..

The raw, uncensored naked truth to running a profitable photography business…..exposed. No Bull…

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

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

“Everyone’s jaw dropped when Brian DeMint said this…”

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Everyone’s jaw dropped.

Shawn Von Ins had just called out Brian DeMint during one of Brian’s live presentations just a few years ago.

Brian was chatting about some historical art trivia thingie.
And Shawn, being somewhat of a walking trivia ninja, corrected Brian.

Brian, without a seconds delay blurted: “Oh, kiss my *ss” to Shawn….sorta tongue in cheek-ish…

Nevertheless…Everyone’s jaw dropped..and then  we all laughed.

You had to be there. It was all in good fun. But mostly it was Brian.
Sometimes, no, most times, there is little to no filter between what’s brewing in his brain and his mouth.

Good thing most of what he says is genius level good stuff.

“Yea, that was edgy. He’s doesn’t hold back, does he? But I kinda like the guy….one of my favorite speakers…” is a phrase I’d hear over and over about Brian.

Funny thing is, when Brian assesses images during the Creative Cross training events, he tends to use a tad higher level of discretion….while offering up some serious kick-butt insights into the images he evaluates.

Go figure. It works, in a paradoxical kinda way.

And Brian is back. Join us….but be warned.
Let Brian review YOUR images.

Creative Cross Training with Brian DeMint. NOTE: Open to the first 15 submissions.

May 17th, 9:00PM EST with Brian De Mint print assessment and critique.

Image analysis and artistic evaluation only the way Brian can,
Insightful, sometimes bizarre, always instructional viewpoint.

NOTE:This is LIMITED TO 15 SUBMISSIONS….first come, first served.

HOW?
*Send me  your files at 1800 pixels wide, JPEG only.
*Avoid logos and names on the images.
*Email to rob@wizardoflight.com Less

All replays from previous Creative Cross Training events are in the forum for members.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

What do women really want…? And other deep questions…

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AN email query….
“Hello! I am really enjoying your marketing webinars and the emails that I receive.
I was wondering, as I have seen this is a few different videos…. How do you go about
obtaining leads? Like in one you said to get the address of the family who just had a baby…
where do I get that info? Or how about upcoming Seniors? Do I contact the schools?
I have been trying to figure this out and was hoping you can help! Thank You so much! Kerra”

That is an huge question.

You might as well be asking:

*is there a God that made God?
*is the universe infinite and yet expanding if so, why?
*what do women really want….

Some wise words coming your way…This is key.

Get this and you’re on your way.

Think about most of the businesses most of us go to.

Restaurants, dry cleaners, massage therapists, gas stations, butchers and candle stick makers….you get the point.

Where do these folks get their leads from? Let’s assume you’re one. A lead, right?

Why do you go to a certain restaurant all the time?

Simple….because you like them! Their product. Their service…you are….wait for it…A repeat client.

So, the obvious answer is, repeat clients.

The best place to get leads, numero uno, can’t beat it for reliability and eagerness to do business with you again and again (unless of course you screw it up big time, so don’t do that…) is ….drum rollllll….

PAST CLIENTS.

Okay, okay, I hear you. You ain’t got any clients yet. Cuz’ you’re brand new.

Fine. Let’s start there. You’ll get some clients soon enough.

It’s review time. Use the force and stick with me. This is a marketing MBA all wrapped in in one little nugget email.

How to start a business 101. Any business.

Photographers not excluded (I don’t care how much you know, how long you been around or how cool your camera is…we’re no better, no  different, no more mysterious)..

Here it is…3 easy steps
1-Have a good product (YOUR MESSAGE)
2-Create an offer (YOUR MESSAGE WITH A PRETTY BOW THAT MAKES YOUR PROSPECT SALIVATE WITH DESIRE)
3-Pitch that offer to a group of people likely to respond to it. (YOUR TARGET MARKET)

Easy? Do that over and over and over…rinse…repeat.

Listen, if you’re stuck in number two, go back to number one. It’s that simple.
Stuck in number three? Same thing, go back one.

We complicate things.

If you have a crappy offer, maybe you have a crappy product.

If you don’t know who to target your offer to, then you likely  don’t have a great offer.

The offer determines the market. The product determines the offer.

It all connects and dances together in perfect poetic harmony. Like two Jedi’s fighting with light sabers…..

Get it?

Okay, I don’t want to drag this out. This is, like I mentioned, a HUGE question.

I talk about this and write about this ALL the time in the forum and on the mastermind calls.
Your mission? Become a marketing maniac.

Do that and your training is complete….almost..

At least, you’re on your way to understanding what it takes in the real world to grow a profitable business.

Not a pretend business. A real one.

Stay frosty and keep training my padawan….

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

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

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.”

“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.”

What do you do when you lack self-confidence…

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Norman Vincent Peale said it best. Short, sweet, inspiring and to the point:

*Decide exactly what it is you want.
*Make it a primary goal.Make it big. Make it important.
*Establish a series of yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily objectives to achieve that goal.
*Fight the urge to give up along the way. This is easiest when you have clarity.

My own experience bears this out: you can achieve almost anything you want in life – even if you don’t have much faith in your own abilities.

Lack of self-confidence, Peale said, “is one of the great problems besetting people today.”

(And that was like way back in the days of old, when everything was still in black and white.
Nothing much has changed…besides color. Yes, they invented color.)

He makes reference to a survey of college students indicating that for 75 percent of them, confidence was the thing most lacking in their life.

No one know this more than I do. No one was more afraid, lost and burdened with the stress of life than I.

Just last night over supper with friends we were recounting our early 20’s.
(we’re all in our 50’s now, healthier, wealthier and wiser… so we think)

I told our friends about how petrified I was when I was 21. Working full time in a darkroom.

Loving it, good at it. But ready for change and ready to start a new job photographing school photos for a large national company.

That first year shooting was horrible. I was in a constant state of panic it seemed. I had anxiety attacks that were unrelenting.

When asked how long that went on for, I answered: “A whole year.”

It took me one whole year of photographing hundreds and thousands of students to finally, FINALLY get a handle on it.

In the second year I started to get a sense a confidence. I started a new skill set in those early years.
But I had a long way to go.

“Imagine if you would have been stuck in that prison the rest of your life?” was a comment.

“Yes, I know that! I always look back at those years and wonder what would have happened had I let the fears and anxieties rule me. Rule my destiny. What if I would have embraced it and made it my closest friend, my dearest ally? What problems would have and could have arose? What medications would I have chosen to eventually fight that battle?”

Crazy stuff when I think about it.

“The blows of life, the accumulation of difficulties, the multiplication of problems tend to sap energy
and leave you spent and discouraged,” Peale says.

In such situations, “it is easy to lose track of your abilities and powers” – but by re-appraising your personal assets, you can convince yourself that “you are less defeated than you think you are.”

Part of me is glad I went through all those times.

They made me who I am now.  I persisted. I did not let myself get defeated.

Easy? Not for a second. Worth it? What do you think?

I grew because I persisted. I faced the fears and moved ahead in spite of them. I created goals.

I studied and fed my mind a constant flow of books, seminars and new ideas. I pushed hard.

I fought the demons that tried so hard to rule me.

And you can too. Be true to yourself.

Be fearless my friend.

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

P.S. Let me help fight the demons.

“What makes you tick?”

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Years ago, way back when I was a young laddie buck of only 27 yrs old, I attended my first ever photography seminar.

It blew me away.

Completely floored me.

I had no idea such a thing existed. Where someone, an accomplished photographer, would get up and only talk about photography.

And what makes them successful.

How they do what they do?

And what makes them tick? I wanted to know so bad.

Curiosity is a powerful ally.

Since that life altering day I have not lost the drive, the passion and the searching out of other successful photographers…

And I ask the proverbial question: “What makes you tick?”

It’s like I’m 27 all over again. But I’m 58. Nothing much changes.

Good thing.

Being curious and searching, non stop, for answers, is one of the MAIN reasons I still have my mojo working for me.

Join us, as Chad Pennington, a wedding photographer from New York chats with us about what makes him tick.

REPLAY HERE

Get inspired….

Yours in photography and success,
Robert Provencher

Too much fluff in your photography education?

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ANNOUNCING: A special presentation with Warne Noyce…..keep reading.

Two years ago I purchased a one hour long photoshop tutorial.

I think I paid around eighty bucks or so.

After I watched it, I thought to myself:
“Self, this could have been distilled to 15 minutes easy.”

Fact is, I would have paid the same amount if it were only 15 minutes long.
To me, it’s a better value. I get to save 45 minutes.

It happens. I think many who sell educational stuff tend to “pad” their products with fluff and filler.

The fact is, just because something weighs more, doesn’t make it more valuable. In fact, oftentimes the opposite is true.

Especially if you’re like me, and you love learning, being inspired and picking up new strategies on workflow, marketing and all things to do with growing your photography business.

The biggest filler I see is when the presenter focuses on the settings, techniques and minutia.

For many this has a huge appeal. It sounds legit. It looks real. But it ain’t.

(you know the guy. He’s the one in the seminar or webinar who asks “which camera did you use???”…or lens….or file type…as if those are the reasons for success)

We somehow equate knowing everything with real world application.

Let me give you one for instance. Facebook ads. I bought a program that rambled on and on and on, on using facebook ads. It was a great tool for insomnia.

I watched the entire thing, and realized…..”just get out there and try something. Run an ad. Measure results, adjust, tweak, and test again.”

Rinse. Repeat.

And I did. And I use FB ads all the time.

One of my favorite ways to grow is by watching, learning from other photographers with REAL, legit, in the trenches experience.

You know, real. NOT fake. Not academia. Not OLD, outdated news. Not big name marquee name speakers.

Current, small town folks, where they actually made moolah recently, and continue to, today.

Like Warne and Paula Noyce. Two of my favorites. I’ve had Warne on several coaching calls and this guy never stops amazing me.

He beat cancer, was forced to move to a new town and start new 6 years ago. All new. As in, from scartch, don’t know a soul new.  To a town where they said he would never sell senior sessions. They said a whole bunch of stuff he couldn’t/shouldn’t do.

Do it anyways he did.

And now, he completely and totally dominates.

I ask myself: “How’d he do that? I want what he’s got. Give me some of that mojo.”

And that my friend is how I like to learn. From those who have the passion, the push, the streets smarts to do what guys like Warne did.

Everything else seems to pale in comparison. Fluff and filler.

Some photographers complain about how bad things are. Meanwhile, others are too busy getting out their and making their mojo work for them.
Some photographers complain about their location.

Not Warne and Paula.

In a town of less than 20,000 they proved to me and the rest of the world, that with drive, passion, the right products and an eternal optimism, you can make it work.

They are so busy shooting seniors they’re schedule allows for no more. Plus families, weddings, boudoir, babies and a slew of publicity promotions.

They all work like a finely tuned machine.

Warne will be chatting with us, this Thursday, January 26th at 8:00PM EST…..
REPLAYS HERE for members

Replay downloads, as well as all past marketing and lighting downloads are in the forum for members.
Not a member? Join us HERE