Photo Success

Tools for growing a photography business

That time I got fired from the photography studio…

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When I wore a younger mans suit and had more balls than brains, I couldn’t manage a studio if my life depended on it, so I got fired.  

This was way back. Early 80’s. 24 yrs old and somehow managed to land a position managing a national franchise type photo studio.  

(I had a killer resume that impressed someone. They literally hired me over the phone, no more questions asked. The one question they shoulda asked was: “Can you clean?”)  


This job I took just prior to starting my own studio. I had little idea what I was doing, but I did learn a lot, because I read their manual. It was loaded with great studio management information. Like finding the McDonald’s management binder and then starting your own. Gold!

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Witch hunt?

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Sticks and stones…you know the rest. The modern day witch hunt, the Twitter mob and such killed that simple idea and decided, or we let it happen (for now) the idea that anyone can be ‘offended’ and remove the person, or persons, the source of their offense.

Too often this happens when people are successful. Especially in business. Dan Kennedy said it years ago before being hyper-offended became so acceptable and popular: “When you start making money, you become a target.”

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Coffee tastes better at 5:00AM

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So, I did it. I actually did it and I kinda sorta love it now. It’s actually a thing.

And I waited at least 30 days to make sure it’s a thing, before I jump the gun and y’all start thinking I’m full of it.
Of what do I speak? Simple….getting up at 5:00AM.


Now before you quit on me, hear me out.


The first thing you need to know is this: I am the consummate night owl. Always have been, and I thought I always would be forever and ever.
I am NOT going to try and convince you that YOU need to do the same.

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“Marketing is fun, once you get it…”

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“Marketing is fun, once you get it…”

This line that James quipped keeps buzzing around in my head from last February’s Marketing Mastermind when James Hodgins joined me in this epic event.

There is a lot of truth to it, and hard to express to many small business owners, photographers included.

Thinking and acting in terms of strategy, is the BIG mind switch.

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4 Star Friday May 10, 2019

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Friday May 10, 2019 Where is spring?
It’s May 10th and we’re freezing up here! Still. Thankfully the snow is almost all gone. This is a fact of life when living, working up in Northern Ontario. Last weekend James Hodgins and I hit the road at 6:00AM and drove to Montreal to attend the annual PPOC convention, mainly to connect with friends and check out the trade show. We had  a blast!

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Why you need to be a wolverine in the photography industry…

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Why you need to be a wolverine in the photography industry.
Assuming you want to make money. Otherwise, this email may not be relevant to you.


Things have changed in this industry in the last few decades. If you’ve been around long enough, you know EXACTLY what I’m talking about.


If not, stay with me and pay attention. History ALWAYS repeats itself.


Photographers kinda had it easy. Get a camera, biz cards, if you were half-decent you’d have half a chance at building a long term business. We were a rare breed of magicians and wizards with magical powers.

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Why I bought nine pairs of socks and the marketing lessons observed…

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I swear I’ll never pay full price for a shirt, or suit, again. Why?

Two reasons. One, when I shoot weddings I am hard on my clothes (see image above for proof). So, I buy cheaper suits, shirts and vests that tend to last a year, maybe two.

You know, throwaway. When on a wedding I’ll roll around on the road, grass or climb overpasses to create fun cool images with cool angles.
My clothes suffer.
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