Posts Tagged ‘photography business’

Four Steps to Becoming a Successful and Prosperous Photographer

$85,000.00 in one month in portrait sales?

But hearing success stories from actual studio owners, running real business
in real towns and cities, making real sales, every day, all year long,
with real breathing clients, toe-to-toe, belly-to-belly sales, cumulatively
month after month, year after year, is a  good thing.

 

Money is not evil. There are evil people, but no evil money.

 

It's important to get over the icky feelings we have about money.
I say, grow up, and get a prosperity consciousness.

 

Easy to do? NO! I struggled for years and years with all the negative
programming that I grew up with, heard at the top of the stairs as a child
and from our culture. You know what I'm talking about.

 

The key here is to get responsible about money, recognize it not as
a negative thing, but as frozen energy, an idea, a possibility.

 

I think those who react with vehemence towards money
have serious internal issues. And are fear based, not prosperity consciousness
based. Money, like many things in life, is a responsibility. The more you have,
the greater the responsibility. Or, as I like to think, responsibility is a challenge to grow
and become a better person.

 

Put money and profits into your consciousness and learn where you
might have road blocks. This is not easy for many of us.

 

 

I have two books you could read. One, Earn What You Deserve

by Jerrold Mundis. This book changed my life years ago.

 

And two, The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles. A free download
that you could also acquire as an audio. I've read this book several times,
and have listened to the audio CD three times so far. Worth a serious
study.

 

Finally, I want to share with you a quick list that might make
some, or most of you squirm. From the book mentioned above,
Earn What You Deserve, is a list that I personally had printed out
and posted in a laminated plastic on my bedroom mirror, to remind me.

 

I had this in front of me for about ten years. And it's something I truly
believe is indicative of actual symptoms of poverty consciousness.

 

Do you see yourself on this list? If so, you make want to retool, rethink
and reprogram yourself for prosperity. If not, and you're doing great, kudos to
you my friend for joining the ranks.

Underearners are:
*ARE USUALLY IN DEBT
*HAVE LITTLE SAVINGS, FEW ASSETS
*OFTEN IN FINANCIAL CRISIS
*FEEL STRESS, PAIN AND FEAR OVER MONEY
*DO UNPAID WORK: VOLUNTEER, CHARITY or SHOWCASE WORK
*HAVE A VAGUE IDEA OF WHAT THEIR EXPENSES ARE
*BELIEVE MONEY WILL SOLVE ALL THEIR PROBLEMS

 

Some final thoughts to prosper by:

*Do not debt
*Do not take work that pays you less
*Do not say no to money
 

Listen, being poor won't help the poor. Being prosperous will.

Yours in photography,

Robert Provencher

So, I created this video reply, and posted some comments from one of
my photography manuals that I wrote a few years back on Publicity for
Professional Photographers….

CLICK ON IMAGE

First off, print competitions are rarely a reflection of the real
business world of running a studio. It is a universe unto itself and
the rules are unique. Think about other competitions in other
areas such as the academy awards or dog shows or figure
skating or karate tournaments or horse shows or whatever,
where the guidelines are based on unrealistic and sometimes
bizarre views, and the only thing that matters is how technically
correct the presentation is.

If a hunting breed takes top ribbon at a dog show, does that
mean he'll do well in the field under realistic conditions? No
guarantee. If a photographer pulls off many first place ribbons,
does that guarantee him or her business, success, satisfied
clients, or great looking photographs under realistic
circumstances? Not a chance.

The rules in competition can seem very odd, strict and a true
antidote to creativity, however, they are set up with solid
intentions and you will benefit immensely if you go in with the
right mindset. But recognize them for what they are: an aspect of
your photography career that ought to be given your utmost
attention, but not the end all be all.

You can't take ribbons to the bank or have them create clients for
you. But you can get some media attention and this, (besides the
great training you will receive photographically, and the fact
that you will be tempered by the critiques and "toughened" up
by the mean old judges when they score your prints less than
what your babies deserve…) and media is a great way to position
yourself as a respected artist in your community.

Photography contests have the same structures that are
prevalent in many other fields. Namely, a panel of judges. This is
always the wild card in the equation but if you follow some basic
strategies you can do well.

Is it wrong to shoot images for competition? Absolutely not!
Collect images and samples from books and magazines an
websites. Creatively borrow them and try to duplicate the ideas.

yours in photography, Robert Provencher

"Success is not so much what we have as it is what we are."

Success means different things to different people. But, success for everyone,
for all photographers, means reaching personal goals. As it should be.

Look at this illustration:

yours in photography, Robert Provencher

yours in photography,

Robert Provencher

We're having a party and you're invited!
November 18,19 and 20 in Nashville
are the dates to show up for success in photography

“What one can be, one must be.”
~Abraham Maslow~

I luv learnin…you wouldn’t have figured that
about me since I was asleep throughout all my formal
schooling….including grade school, high school and
even the two failed attempts at college.

Somewhere in my early twenties it clicked for me.
An insatiable hunger and never ending thirst for knowledge.

I always said I was a late bloomer, and frankly, I don’t give
a dam. As long as I am on the path of knowledge. All sorts
of learnin. Formal, casual, peers…it doesn’t matter.

As long as I am seeking, the answers always seem to come into my
life. I guess knowing the right questions to ask is 99% of the battle
won.

What I discovered early on was success, motivational and self-help
books. I was like: “where has this stuff been all my life??!!”

I really needed and was open to those topics. Then in my mid thirties when I
got married, family and all, my marketing education was in full swing.

Nowadays I am soaking in more of the same, with a heavy slant towards
living a purposeful life.

When I was starting out in photography, as a studio owner,
say around 28 years of age, I discovered photography associations
and all the great workshops available. I attended them all! I loved
and mimicked guys like Steve Rudd, Marty Rickard and more.

Some highlights for me was attending an all day lighting workshop
presented by Dean Collins. It took me years to absorb and understand his stuff. It blew me away and changed me.

But it was worth it! Every second, every nugget.

I attribute much of my success to my self-education. I have boxes and boxes
of archived books, taped and manuals. My office is wall to wall
books. And I still go to workshops.

I love learning from those much younger than I. Even guys who
are just starting out, are full of enthusiasm and creating cool new
techniques. I never want to get stale or think I know it all.

That would be the beginning of the end of me. It’s how I
stay relevant and creative. And it’s right there, right
under our noses. All we got to do is reach out and grab it.

Being a good student is half the battle.

I recall a few years ago walking into a seminar at a national
convention to hear Sandy Puc speak for the first time. I had heard of her, somewhat.

And I told myself I wasn’t spending any more money on educational materials.

It was enough that I flew two thousand miles to be there. Paid for
hotels and all those expenses, and already had blown the budget on educational goodies.

I walked out of her seminar with $500. less in my pocket and Sandy
$500. richer. I bought all that she had. Worth every penny.

Why? This girl was too legit. Her story, her passion, her techniques,
everything about her resonated no-nonsense truth. Her message to me:
“this is exactly what you do to succeed.” truly spoke to me.

I had to take her home with me, so to speak. She’s was also so eager
to share her knowledge.

And some of the younger dudes, like Warne Noyce, who creates some
of the coolest, best images I had ever seen, I can learn from.

And get this, Warne has only been at it for less than five years.
Am I going to be offended by that? Am I going to let my ego take
over, my pride rule my heart and say: “this guy, this hot shot, who does
he think he is? He hasn’t earned his stripes. What can he possibly
teach me? I know more in my baby finger than he knows total”

What can I learn from him? If I am open I can learn how to succeed,
that’s what I can learn. If I am pigheaded, I am doomed. Fail.

The key here is to know ones priorities. Understand where the true
path to success is at. Seriously. Learning is the KEY!

Being stubborn, making excuses, taking the path
of least resistance or looking for the “easy button”
are roads to frustration and financial lack.

Follow your bliss, as Joseph Campbell coined
the ever popular phrase. Follow your heart, follow
your passions, and follow others who have been there,
have exciting ideas on lighting, posing, marketing, and success.

This is where dreams become reality and lives are transformed.

Both Sandy and Warne will be presenting extended workshops
at this years Inferno. I sincerely hope to see you there. I’ll be there,
and would love to chat, break bread, have a coffee, or a conversation in the
back of the room after the seminar. It’s all there. All you gotta do is show up.

http://infernoworkshop.com/

yours in photography,
Robert Provencher

We’re having a party and you’re invited!
November 18,19 and 20 in Nashville
are the dates to show up for success in photography

Many times people ask me for advice on how to get ahead

in their photography business.

Over the years I have noticed a few common consistencies and principles

at work. Principles that in my opinion say a lot about the person,

and, if you peeled back a few layers you’d realize these were a major

reasons why these folks were successful…

While others struggle.

The big one is this: They were willing to go beyond. Go the extra mile.

Stretch over and beyond what their comfort level would normally hold them back

on.

This is a very small percentage by the way. So my big question to you

is: Do you want to stick with the massess and keep doing what your doing?

OR…

Do you want to grow, expand, prosper and live out the rest of your life

doing what you’re passionate about?

Here’s a quick story that illustrates what I am saying. Bear with me, this is a good one.

When my daughter was very young, like many kids she was learning to swim at the local

pool. She was fearful, hanging onto the sides. Afraid to let go and swim into deeper

waters even though she only had a few feet to swim to to get to the “other side” where her

instructor was waiting.

One day, I was watching her. She’d let go of the side, and quickly grab onto it again, fearful.

She did this over and over again, let go, quickly grab on.

Then FINALLY, she let go and swam the five feet to her instructor. She did it!

Let me ask you this: Did she have a new set of skills to boost her confidence? No, she

didn’t. She never swam on her own before that time.

What did she have? The only thing I could figure was she had faith. Faith in herself,

mixed in with a dose of courage. Sometimes that’s the order of things. You know where you

want to go, and you need to have faith that you will pull together the skills to make it happen.

Too many of us hang onto the sides. Where it’s safe.

A small percentage let go and learn to swim on their own. Do you want to be in that

small select group? It is a minority. Because not everyone wants to let go.

The other area that I noticed that defines the successful is an insatiable hunger

and thirst for knowledge. That’s something I can certainly relate to.

The problem is, for many of us, our fears, or, our egos stop us dead in our

tracks and we don’t even open up the doors to knowledge. Learning and growing is where

it’s at and it’s what I discovered years ago…

And I can honestly say it was a major contributor to my success. And continues to be.

I guess that’s why I am so eager and willing to help others. People tell me time and time

again they are amazed at how open and willing I am to help.

It’s in my DNA. One thing I know for certain, many will not even act

or take advantage. Sad, but true.

But you don’t have to be part of that group. Join me and see for yourself

why the events I put together are truly some of the best in the industry. No holds barred.

I truly believe in what I am doing, and I think it shows. If you come out to my next event

in November, the Inferno 3 Day Workshop, which I am putting on with my good friends

over at Photography SchoolHouse, you’ll experience a cross section of speakers and

presenters all hand-selected by me, because they are photographers who have figured out

what it takes to succeed, and like me, are willing to share the wealth.

Think about it. But don’t wait too long. The time is sooner than you think.

Yours in success and photography,

Robert Provencher

http://infernoworkshop.com/

“If at first you don’t succeed, you’re running about average.”
~M.H. Alderson~

yours in photography,

“Exertion makes weak people strong, sloth makes strong people
weak.” ~Socrates~

In this recent photography marketing newsletter, I received this response
email from Simone….:

“….omg this is soo true.

can I put in a really good topic suggestion in which personally i need help in myself.

I would love to know how to deal with so-called photographers who think they know it all but their work is worse than mine

i.e quality and composition..mainly composition and they get ten times more work than I do and I have also been in the industry 2 more years than they have.

It kinda hurts me..I work so hard to get where I am today and then these random GWC comes along.

I just can’t cope with big-headed guys who think they know everything and think they can have a full-time job in photography

yet I can’t.

I do beleive there are many people in my situation.  I know I could be jealous that they get work

but I don’t understand how they can get work and I can’t and their work is a lot worse of mine.

I would so love your opinion on what you think. Simone.”

Simone, thanks for the comments and your ideas. Let me address each of
your observations and give you and my readers a complete and honest
(would I give this any other way) analysis.

What I have to say I feel is very key and very important to anyone
in business or anyone who wants to grow and expand.

Life is all about growth. Expanding, and becoming the best
and most productive person you were meant to be. And in business
we have an excellent vehicle and opportunity to become the best
we were meant to be. At least we should be passionate and filled
with conviction about what were doing, in order to tap into
these passions. Business is an outlet. A form of expression.

I assume you, and most other so called photographers are also
passionate about photography and business.

Your first point:

“I would love to know how to deal with so-called photographers who think
they know it all but their work is worse than mine
i.e quality and composition..mainly composition and they get ten times more
work than I do and I have also been in the industry 2 more years than they
have…”

You are stating four things here:

*they think they know it all

*their work is worse than yours
*they get ten times more business

*you’ve been around longer

See it?

Are you sure they think they know it all? Usually people
who think they know it all manifest this in some way, AND,
we all know, they really know squat.

They are all talk.

But, you say they get ten times the work,
AND, with an inferior product. (or at least not as good as yours)

So, they must know something. Since, they are out there
doing it, making something happen. No?

Do you see where I’m going with this? The key could
be you. Maybe it’s something you’re doing, or, not doing.
There is a built in contradiction.

Listen, one of the best, most poignant words of advice I ever
heard in business was from my mentor, Dan Kennedy. And this
point is relevant right here and now. Here it is:
“The key to success in business is by becoming completely immune
to criticism.”

I’d like to add to that that one of the worst forms of
criticism is our very own. Self-criticism. Much of what you say about what the
other photographers are like could be coming from you. But let me
give you the benefit of the doubt, and assume they are acting like
they know everything yada yada…..I still say: “Who cares?”

You shouldn’t.  Become immune and stay centered and focused
only on what you are trying to achieve. Everything else is a waste of energy
and may seem like sour grapes to the outsider.

The fact that you’ve been around longer is irrelevant as well. If they
are getting ten times the work, there has to be a reason. Their must be!

After all, they’re getting the work.  Doesn’t matter who’s better. People
buy for reasons we often aren’t aware of. I always said that marketing is the key.
What is it they are doing? Something has to be working in their advantage.

I also have been saying for years that it takes much more than just being good.
Long gone are the days when one could open a photography studio up, hang a
sign, get some gear and a business card and business would come. Business
will not come to you, no matter how good you are or how long you been in business.

That’s arrogance and laziness. One has to have goals that are clear, passion filled,
exciting and worth shooting for. And then act on them. Again, and again.

In my opinion, the best way to deal with those photogs is to ignore them
and focus only on what you do best. And have a clear plan and the willingness
to act on those plans.

For me, my personal experience has been to out-work, out-market, out-perform
and out-produce the competition. I am willing to go the extra mile.

When you do this, you feel good about yourself. You don’t waste much time

on what others are doing, unless you see them doing something right.

It’s all about what Gene Landrum talks about in his books on
success and power, namely, having a “Locus of Control”.

“Individuals with a high internal locus of control believe that events result primarily

from their own behavior and actions. Those with a high external locus of control
believe that powerful others, fate, or chance primarily determine events.

Those with a high internal locus of control have better control of their behavior,
tend to exhibit more political behaviors, and are more likely to attempt to influence
other people than those with a high external (or low internal respectively) locus of
control. Those with a high internal locus of control are more likely to assume that
their efforts will be successful. They are more active in seeking information and
knowledge concerning their situation.”

There’s more to it than that, but the key to remember is in that last paragraph.

yours in photography,

Robert Provencher

P.S. Read past issues of photography marketing gold HERE