Posts Tagged ‘portrait photography marketing’
Get clear, get focused, and get going….the only path to photographic success….
Profitablestudio.com newsletter video on goal setting for photographers.
Testimonial to photography success
I luv it when I get emails like this…..
"Hi there Rob,
I have just received the latest Profitable Studio Newsletter and I have to say thank you. Somehow your newsletters are always about the things that are happening here with me right at the time they are happening. Last month you were talking about fairies and having enough interest to do more than one day…so you are going to. I have exactly the same thing going on here, we booked out 2 days within days of doing our first ever fairy sessions – looks like we may even do 3 days at this rate, I am still having people ask to be put on the pre-register list for our February Fairy Day.
This latest newsletter has struck a chord as well. I have read the SOGR (because you recommended it) and will read Earn What You Deserve as well. I have also recently read the E-Myth, Sleeping Your Way to the Top (not what it sounds) by Ben Angel as well as being a member of NoBS, Profitable Studio, SPU, PSH and Six Figure Photographer. All of these resources have been motivational, inspirational and played a huge part in what my business has become and will be in the future.
My story goes like this. I was a horse photographer for years and didn’t feel like a photographer..really. I wanted a challenge, I wanted to do more and that’s when I found NoBS and realised just how little I knew. In April last year I did my last horse event and in May (about 7 months after becoming a member of NoBS) I kicked off my re-incarnation as a baby, children and family photographer – with zero clients! I worked part time 8 hours a week at a panel beating shop which generated enough income to keep the bills paid. Fast forward to the last 3 months. In October this year, my little studio (which consisted of me only, until a couple of weeks ago) did over $11000 in sales. November was just over $10000. These are figures that just a few months ago, I could never have dreamed of. My Santa’s Workshop sessions alone generated $9945 during that period. I held Santa’s Workshop last year and did 20 sessions over 2 days. In July this year, I mentioned Santa in the Newsletter and booked out 2 days @ 15 sessions per day, I went on to book another 2 days for a total of 60 sessions (137 children) over 4 days – wild!!! I could have booked 7 days easily had I been physically capable of doing more – I knew I couldn’t turn any more around prior to Christmas with all the other stuff (baby’s, children, maternity, families) as well. I am still getting enquiry about Santa’s Workshop – amazing!
My BFY program continues to grow with over 40 babies been/going through and forward bookings for several not born yet. My word of mouth referrals bring in new clients every week. Fairies are selling like hotcakes and I am getting more and more requests for maternity, Platinum Baby, Families and children all the time. I am growing out of my double garage studio and I have had to outsource some of my editing and very recently have put a casual employee on to assist with the admin tasks.
When I was a horse photographer $56000 for a year was good! I have done just on $40000 in the past 5 months…
Why am I telling you all this? Well, I wanted to say thank you. From the bottom of my heart – thank you! While I am only at the beginning of my journey and I still have so much to learn about photography techniques, marketing, business, myself and so many other things – I have you and everybody at NoBS to thank for the education, skills, mindset that I have gained in such a short time. I have no doubt that had I not found NoBS and the other educational sites that NoBS has led me to, I would not be doing what I am today. Just two years ago, I was undergoing counselling for depression!
I am only average. But, it goes to show, that if you are determined to expand your knowledge, put your ego aside and realise how bad you are, commit to learning and be prepared to work towards the things you want – even average joe’s can achieve their goals. You have said so many times MOVE! And the universe, cosmos whatever it is that you believe in will move with/for you – that is so very true. When you think you can, when you truly believe you can, and set your mind to it, things really do fall into place. I still have a long way to go to become as good a photographer as I want to be and to build my business to what I see for it in the future, but I am definitely on my way.
My next plan is to make it all the way from Australia to Inferno – depending on how busy I am that is! So until I can thank you in person, I will thank you again here. Thank you!
Warm regards,
Alicia Birch"
Four Steps to Becoming a Successful and Prosperous Photographer
Four Steps to Becoming a Successful and Prosperous Photographer
$85,000.00 in one month in portrait sales?
or soul development unless he/she has plenty of money,
for to unfold the soul and to de-velop talent he/she must
have many things to use, and he cannot have these
things unless he has money to buy them with.
A person develops in mind, soul, and body by making
use of things, and society is so organized that people must
have money in order to become the possessor of things.
Therefore, the basis of all advancement must
be the science of getting rich."
~WALLACE D WATTLES~
$85,000.00 in one month in portrait sales?
in one month last summer. $85,000.00. That's good news!
portrait studio. Well established, yes. Successful, yes. And they create awesome work, in a
medium sized city.
amounts, considering I am the one and only shooter. Upwards to $40,000.00 in one month,
on the low end around $18,000.00.
mom and pop studios in our city, and he was telling me they had a great
December and brought in $65,000.00. I was impressed, inspired,
and felt fortunate that he would, bragging or not, share this with me.
when I hear other photographers quote good times in actual amounts. And it
ain't braggin' if you can do it.
is still crushing it in their own photography business. It can, and
is being done.
professional photography associations there was always a rule to never talk
pricing, sales or throw dollar amounts around. Somewhere some lawyers
advised against it, in case there was risk of "price fixing".
of their deal killing advice. That aside, I think the real truth is we used
that as an excuse because truth be told, we simply are not comfortable
talking about money.
made up of wannabees.Who knows? Right?
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.
I say, grow up, and get a prosperity consciousness.
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.
a negative thing, but as frozen energy, an idea, a possibility.
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.
might have road blocks. This is not easy for many of us.
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.
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.
believe is indicative of actual symptoms of poverty consciousness.
and reprogram yourself for prosperity. If not, and you're doing great, kudos to
you my friend for joining the ranks.
*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
*Do not take work that pays you less
*Do not say no to money
Should you enter print competitions? If so, why? Here’s some insight for you..
Should you enter print competitions? If so, why? Here's some insight for you..
one of your subscribers. I have a quick question for you. Recently I entered a
small photo contest and there were many beautiful images so I was not
feeling bad at all that I did not win any.
them though…lol…) and I thought hmm… "Somebody said winning a photo
contest is essential for our photography business but if you try to shoot your
photos as the juror recommended… I am wondering such images would sell
as a portraiture…" because seriously I totally got what the juror likes and
dislikes. He does not like photoshop processed images and that was one of
the reasons why I did not win. He also does not like images do not have any
contexts or real impact…
what their jurors usually like? And do I really need to win any kind of photo
contest to have a great photography business? Any kind of comments will be
greatly appreciated!
my photography manuals that I wrote a few years back on Publicity for
Professional Photographers….
CLICK ON IMAGE
HOW TO CREATE
KICK-BUTT
IMAGES FOR PRINT COMPETITION
That was a bonus section in my publicity manual titled:
INSIDER SECRETS
How to Get A Million Dollars In
FREE Publicity For Your
Portrait & Wedding Studio
That manual, by the way, is free, amongst many other, for all members of
my photography forum, No Bs Photo Success(TM)
competitions. Throughout the years I've won my fair
share of ribbons and plaques and have a wall plastered with
them. I received a lot of publicity and here's what I've discovered
works in print competition…
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.
You may also notice and get baffled by some prints, wondering
what the judges saw in them. Don't get too hung on those and
be inspired by the ones you like and have an affinity for. Educate
yourself. Go to as many print judging events as you possibly can
and stick around for the print critiques and judges comments…
yours in photography, Robert Provencher
Fewer Than 5% Of The Photographers Share These Behaviors For Success
"Success is not so much what we have as it is what we are."
Fewer Than 5% Of The Photographers Share These
Behaviors For Success…
Success means different things to different people. But, success for everyone,
for all photographers, means reaching personal goals. As it should be.
photography, our bank accounts and our overall lives.
clear, precise and actionable goals for themselves, their families
and their studios.
goals for me, and acted on them with passion, conviction
and certainty; combined with a heavy dose of commitment,
then, and only then did I experience change like never before.
true potential. What a ride!
Then line up and join the 95% crowd who are happy playing it safe,
cocooned and protected against any pain, struggles or difficulties
achieving any worthwhile goals.
struggle. It's from the anxiety filled journey where we are tested
and tempered for success. This is where true success comes from.
Let's talk about the four qualities needed in case you want more clarity.
- Positive attitude.Yes…and don't roll your eyes. Your attitude will determine
how far you get. Seriously. Any crapstorm that is thrown at you can and should be
viewed as positive events that get stored into your back pocket
for future reference. They aren't the end of the world events, as 95% of the
folks out there think. They are gold. Your attitude will be your shield. - Goal-Oriented. Yes, again. Know what you want. And write it
down. Simple? Know what you want. Easy enough. Know it, practice it
and apply it puts YOU in the 5% group. - Self-Motivated. Don't look outside for motivation. And never, ever, never
blame, or use any excuse. Ever. My guess is self-motivation is one
of the hardest qualities to acquire. Simply knowing that made me work
extra hard at fighting the forces that wanted to rip every ounce of self
motivation from my heart and soul. - Continuing and on going personal growth. This is a big one for me. My
own personal value reflects this. I believe we are put on this earth to learn
and grow. Even Trump still reads success books. Love him or hate him, he is
in the 5% group with many others who seek out and constantly maintain
a steady diet of personal growth literature, experiences and events.
The Future You can purposely be planned and created by you.
certain factors. And certain thoughts. Certain actions you take.
taking on marketing I challenged myself with education and honing my skills.
I took many workshops on photography. And, one of the best things for me
was to tackle one of the biggest fears of all, public speaking.
than I could ever measure.
I was motivated to succeed. And, the fruits of my labor paid off.
is one if the busiest studios in our city.
bigger, better person. More creative too. More masterful at my craft.
about so far in this newsletter. And in the decisions I make insofar as how I
use my time. My time, to me, is better spent doing things that keep me
in the 5% group.
yours in photography, Robert Provencher
Success Lessons From Successful Comedians
"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to
excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor."
~Vince Lombardi~
I just read three books in a row on three very successful
comedians. Tina Fey: "Bossy Pants", Russell Peters: "Call Me Russell"
and George Carling: "Last Words".
I'd like to share some observations with you from two of these books.
We'll save Tina for another newsletter.
Firstly, let me tell you that I personally love reading
autobiographies.There is something about being able to get
inside the mind, heart and soul of another, see the world
through their eyes, and hear, in their voice and experience,
their journeys to success. And their struggles. This, to me,
keeps it real.
I noticed that success, in retrospect, isn't something that
is planned nor arbitrary. There seems to be a common denominator
in almost all circumstances.
Take George Carling for example. Grew up in New York. He was
a bad ass, so to speak. Smoked weed, hung out with questionable
characters. These experiences shaped his eventual "style". I'm not
advocating smoking up or hanging with the wrong folks. I'm merely pointing
out that George did what he wanted to do. In a sense he was true to himself.
And this attitude paid off when he, and his duo comedian partner moved to
Hollywood when they were in their early twenties. They worked together
as radio jocks and created a comedy routine that was gaining some ground.
Almost on a whim they packed up and moved to California to hit the big times.
Now, here's the clincher. The nugget of gold. The common denominator.
When they moved there, they were committed and focused. They knew what they
wanted, even though there were no reason to believe they had a hope in hell.
They could have taken part time jobs to get by. They didn't.They refused to be distracted.
They stay focused, and mostly, they remained certain. Convinced.
And it paid off. One opportunity opened the doors to second opportunity
to a third, on and on.
Their focus unwavering. In spite of the weed, and whatever else they were
into. George eventually went on his own and made it big. So big, as you know,
and love him or hate him, he's known as one of the greatest comedic minds of all time.
His mind and his way with words remained sharp to his last days, and consistently in step
with social observations, making us laugh, squirm, occasionally react in disgust.
Nothing was sacred with George.
In Russell Peters' book, he made some very key success points that I underlined
while reading and am going to share with you.
Russell coincidentally bumped into George Carling years ago, in Toronto,
on Yonge St. Weird, but true. A random encounter that changed his life. This
happened years before Russell made it big.
I'll summarize and get to the main point. Russell saw that it was George, ditched
his friends and walked George back to his hotel. He was, admittedly, star struck,
since George had been a hero to Russell and someone he admired.
George was really nice to the kid, and Russell never forgot his advice to the young
and unknown comic. Here's what he told Russell:
"Get on stage as much as possible, wherever you could. It doesn't matter when, how,
where, just get up and try it. If you're at a bar, and the bands on break, ask the
manager if you can take the stage for a couple minutes…"
Russell continued: "he put into my head that night, at such a young age,
that comedy was a craft, that it is something you could actually get good
better at with practice."
I love that. It reminds me of what I've been saying for years. That photography,
and marketing, and, well, happiness, are all skillsets. It appears to be talent
to your audience and external observer. But what they don't see is the hours and days and months
of grueling hard work and practice. And this, in my opinion, also applies to being happy.
To quote Abraham Lincoln:
"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
I even have been recommending bringing a point and shoot
camera with you everywhere, so you're always playing photography.
Practicing.
It's where the rubber hits the road and if you can apply
that idea, and, as George says: "get on the stage and practice…"
at every opportunity, you will rise above the average. This, I'd like
to add, takes brass balls. Metaphorically speaking, of course.
Also known as supreme confidence.
There are many more experiences, anecdotes and success
principles I could dig out of these reads, but it's important to know
that the message is the same. Work hard, have guts, apply yourself
above and beyond, find your voice and move towards your vision.
I find these stories very inspiring. Inspiration is to me is
like fuel is to my car. It keeps me going. I need a constant diet of
inspiration to rise above my own inner limitations, inner excuse making
and any other possible self imposed road blocks.
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
I still don’t rake leaves
as a cue to work harder and push farther.
both chuckle. It was two guys, both with leaf blowers, at the ends of their front yards, blowing leaves towards each other. It just looked funny. A collision course for sure.
I think they're dumb. I said: "just rake the freakin leaves, it'll actually be quicker."
And I don\t do yard maintenance of any kind.I wrote about this a few years
ago and dug it up. I think this is such an important message it's worth a read. Again.
by Michael Gerber. Good read.
yours in photography,
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
Why I luv learnin’
“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
