Photo Marketing Mentor

As we wrap up 2009 and usher in not only the beginning of a new year, but a new decade I thought it would be informative to share with you my Top 10 Predictions for Pro Photographers for 2010! As you read through them see how you can implement any of my tips into your business in the new year.

1. Diversifying Income Models – The paid shoot or stock will not be the only ways photographers will generate income in 2010. I believe we will see more professional photographers taking on leadership roles for the community via teaching, writing, creating programs, speaking and sharing their expertise in group or classroom settings not only with aspiring photographers but with their peers.

2. Embracing New Technologies – As print continues to becomes more costly in addition to global consciousness toward environmental issues more photographers are going to embrace portable digital platforms for content delivery like iPhone applications for example. The name of the game will be downloadable easy to access forms of communication. We will also see a trend towards monetizing these emerging mediums.

3. Video Will Continue To Have A Greater Impact – This was inevitable, impatient clients and prospects don’t want to wade through page galleries on websites any longer. The “deliver it now mentality” will continue to dominate. Viewers desire shorter snippets of information with greater impact and video fits the bill perfectly. Condensed and customized galleries of images with motion and audio will continue to dominate in 2010 allowing prospects to “sample” what photographers have to offer before investing time digging through web galleries.

4. Giving Back – One thing I am seeing (and pleasantly so) is photographers generosity and growing desire to contribute their gifts with the world. The recent Help-Portrait event spearheaded by celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart proved that. With over 7000 photographers world-wide volunteering to lend their talents and support to worthy causes. Philanthropy is where it’s at in 2010!

5. More Transparency – As the world becomes increasing jaded especially in the areas of commerce, consumers are demanding to know more about who they are doing business with, especially online. So the days of the flash driven website featuring a poorly written one paragraph bio page model is dead. That’s actually a great thing! Now with video (see trend #3) photographers (who are natural visual story tellers) will become more visible and share themselves as well as their work on their blogs and websites. I believe we begin seeing more informercial style videos featuring interviews with the photographer as well as client testimonials.

6. Social Media Will Become More Targeted – Yes Twitter, Facebook and the rest will still dominate how we communicate with each other and our audience. But I predict that we will see much more emphasis on tightly focused niche markets. The days of “friending and following” everyone is drawing to a close. Social media is maturing, it’s no longer “let’s see how many friends can I accumulate model” that we’ve seen over the last couple of years. For photographers who choose to use social media for marketing have learned that every “friend and follow” is not necessarily an ideal prospect. In other words, Targeting, Targeting, Targeting is key. I predict we will see more discernment in how we use social media.

7. Photographers Will Embrace Their Inner Leader – This goes back to the prediction #1 but the days of the obscure but talented artist/technician is no longer viable. If the recession has taught us anything “the predictable” is no longer the case. Especially as we continue to see sales dwindle in areas of commercial/editorial, stock and private commissions. In the new decade photographers who step up as leaders either through educational and/or philanthropic activities will become stand-outs in their community and standouts will always capture the attention of buyers. Talent alone and technical proficiency is no longer enough.

8. Systems Will Take Greater Precedence – It’s a common fact that successful people have habitual and organized ways of doing things that ensure their continued success. One of the benefits of this recession is that we have more time on our hands. Thereby, photographers who use this time to clear out, eliminate and then systemize their operations will experience more growth in their business in 2010. In addition photographers who take a more entrepreneurial/CEO position in their business instead of relying solely on photographic skill will thrive as well, thereby creating new employment opportunities for their community.

9. Team Building – Continuing from point number 8, we are going to see photographers embrace their inner entrepreneur and begin to create organizations around their business. One key to creating a successful enterprise is building a team. The “I must do everything myself” mentality is dying. Because of the recession the talent pool has grown exponentially. Former secretaries, office managers, agency reps and marketing assistants who need work will make great assistants. So I predict that we will more pro-photographers cultivating teams to help them organize and grow their organizations.

10. Photographers As Conscious Entrepreneurs – We have entered the age of conscious awareness. If this economic meltdown has taught us anything is that nothing is promised us. The business we had yesterday could be wiped out over night. So with that said I predict that we see photographers dig deeper not only in their business but with themselves personally as well as professionally. More photographers will be asking the questions, “Am I shooting what I really want to be shooting?”, “Who am I reaching, how is my vision impacting the world and how am I reaching the audience who wants what I have to offer?”

I predict that we will see more photographers not only in the coming year but decade doing more inner work in order to have a greater impact on their outer world.

Share on Facebook

Today’s professional photographer has many details and concerns in running their business, so it’s not uncommon to become overwhelmed and run out of the one thing you need the most, Time!

I’d like you to take a moment and think about all the tasks you have to perform daily in your business: sending out invoices, filiing taxes, setting up client appointments, doing post production, team assembly, website and blog updates, sending out your portfolio to art directors, marketing. It’s enough to overwhelm anyone. Don’t you agree?

So with all of these tasks that you ‘must’ take care of, you still have to be creative for your clients and excute the work they need and are paying you for.

Many photographers mistakenly assume that finding an agent will at least take care of the marketing component of their business. But, the problem is that not every photographer looking for a agent will actually find one and even then, an agent only wants to partner with photographers who have an established marketing system in place.

So where does that leave you when you’re already overwhelmed and in need of attracting new business? Well that’s exactly what we discussed on this special teleseminar. On this call I revealed:

• The 7 areas where photographers need help the most.
• I uncovered the 3 areas where photographers get stuck.
• And finally I revealed the #1 most after solution by professional photographers take will care of everything practically with no effort on your part.
• As a Bonus I unveiled my new Done For U Marketing program that you invited listeners take advantage of. Won’t you join them?

The replay of the recording is available here ==> Click on the link to listen.

If the player is not visible you can download the file at the link provided above

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Done For U Marketing Teleseminar Replay

If you are ready to advantage of my offer for a “Complimentary 30 Minute Strategy Session” email at: rodney@photo-marketing-mentor and we will contact you to set up your “no obligation” appointment.

I look forward to helping you succeed in your photography business,

Rodney
PS: After you listen to the replay please feel free to leave comments. I’d like to hear your thoughts

Share on Facebook

To find out how you can get involved visit the website

http://www.help-portrait.com to view other stories and become inspired to do the same in your community!

Share on Facebook

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Recently I held a teleseminar where I told my participants that if they want to succeed not only in their photography career but in life they need to step and play a bigger game. What do I mean by “play a bigger game?”

What I mean is that anytime in life where you want to have an impact you have to step up, you must show up regardless of whether you have the training, all the tools, all the knowledge, all the contacts, whether or not you’re in the physical shape you want to be in or driving the car you want to drive etc, etc.

The first step to playing a bigger game is to first “get in the game”. So many times we think that we’re in the game just because we “show up”. And that’s true to an extent but it’s the same as playing full out. Showing up is the first step, but that’s not what I’m talking about here. No, what I’m referring to is taking the time to see what areas, what causes, what actions you could take and commit to that would put you out there in a big way. Let me give you an example.

Recently I had the honor of participating in an a global event called Help-Portrait. Help Portrait is an organization where photographers around the world for one day offers free professional grade portraits to people in need. The one day event was promoted to churches, local community centers and out reach groups in each of the cites where the event was hosted.

As a result people came out many of whom have never had a professional portrait made of the themselves. The energy created by this event was nothing short of extraordinary and everyone could feel it.

I especially felt it because I realized that at the same time we were here in Los Angeles changing lives I knew that my fellow artists were doing the same in cites Paris, Sydney, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Nashville and other cites around the planet. I have to tell you the experience filled my heart with such pride and joy that I and many of the other photographers in attendance can’t wait until the next event.

This is a prime example of playing a bigger game. Getting outside of your comfort zone, doing something that transcends your temporary needs, to be in service to someone else and using your gifts to me epitomizes what I mean by playing a bigger game.

So I ask you, what are you doing right here, where you are? How are you going beyond mere showing up? Whose lives are you touching by your gift and your passion for photography? How many transformations are you witnessing because you stepped up and out?

Think about it for a moment as we conclude 2009. Regardless if this past year was one of your best -or- one of the most challenging, think about whose lives you touched with your work?

Who looked at your images or listened to the words you shared and was inspired? Who re-discovered a renewed since of themselves, thought bigger and better of themselves because of the gifts you shared. That was the thought that came to me.

The joy that came from this event was a mutual exchange of giving both for the photographer and the recipient. The receiver of the portrait had to step up in order to allow themselves the experience of letting someone look at them in new way.

And the photographers had the opportunity to get out their heads for a while, put aside their worries and concerns and “hold space” for the people who showed up. Many of whom were obviously uncomfortable, uncertain and perhaps a little leery of the experience in the beginning.

At the end the day everyone left feeling better about themselves. The receiver now has a memento they could share with family and friends many of whom they had long since lost contact with. They felt special and left feeling like superstars. I’m sure after seeing their portraits for the first time many felt like they too could play a bigger game.

The bottom line if you commit to using your gifts to help someone become better in their lives, you do the same for yourself. It’s karmic and everybody wins.

I’ll leave you this, as we enter 2010 as you create your goals for the next year commit to doing the thing or things that you we’re most afraid of this year. Write them down, tell someone (so there is accountability) and then do them. It’s the quickest way to play a bigger game.

If you need help, support or just an accountability buddy I’m here, feel free to contact me.

Let’s make 2010 rock!

Share on Facebook

I just discovered this today and felt so good about it that I had to share it. This is a great example of photographers using their gifts to give back not only this holiday season but all year long.

Please visit the website to learn more and see how you can help.

Share on Facebook

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Recently I had a conversation with a photographer friend and colleague who was complaining about how frustrated he was about the lack of success he was experienced this year in his career.

I offered my usual pep talk, discussing various marketing techniques that he could try, like developing his platform, editing his book to represent the kind of work he wanted to attract, establishing his own unique voice, putting together a blog, networking more with the centers of influence etc, etc.

I found during our conversation that everything I suggested was being responded too with a “yes, but!” reply. I listened as he lamented about how he doesn’t have time blog, he’s too shy to call galleries, he doesn’t have time to market himself. And he wonders why 2009 was less than stellar.

Knowing him and work style I responded with, “well if you have to time update your Facebook profile three or four times a day, you can do a blog post, pick up the phone and call some galleries, research contests you could enter”, I replied.

Then there was a moment a silence (I could tell he was thinking about what I suggesting) but in the words that followed the “yes buts” started up again. I have to admit I was becoming quite frustrated with all of this because it’s always the same conversation.

My friend truly is an amazing photographer but he’s so caught up in “fairy tales” about what it’s going to require to market himself and his work that’s he’s shutting down all possibilities.

So I allowed him another few moments of endless excuses and fairy tales one of which included (just going out and finding an agent) to do the marketing that I had had enough so I immediately responded by asking him a question. I asked, “Joe, what do you want?” And, what do you believe that a magical agent is going to do that you haven’t done?

His response, “Get my work into galleries”. I said, “Okay, well if you want to get into the gallery arena what have you done on your own to get yourself started in that direction?” To which his reply was sending out blind emails to galleries with links to his website.

Thereby hoping and relying on the gallery owner to read his email, go to his website, decide if they love his work enough to then call him to come in and discuss representation. Do you see what I mean by “fairy tales”?

I know that anything is possible but the chances of success with this formula is slim to nil. As a matter of fact my friend has sent this email to about fifteen galleries and he’s gotten fifteen “sorry, we’re not interested”. Do see how unrealistic this form of “marketing” is?

So I asked him if he had made any attempts to talk to gallery owners in person, calling to schedule appointments, perhaps offering a coffee or lunch date to actually get his physical work in front of decision makers. His response was of course, no.

I asked why not, he replied “I don’t like rejection”. Now we’re at the core of what is going on. Listen, it is no surprise that as artists we hate rejection, no one likes being rejected, being told no, I’m not interested hurts, it’s uncomfortable, but it’s not devastating. Let me repeat that, when an agent, gallery owner, client or anyone who you perceive can help advance your career doesn’t respond to your work for whatever reason it can hurt, but it is not devastating.

If you believe in yourself and in your work no amount of no’s is going to stop you, why? Because you will have a purpose about what you’re doing. You know your visual value, you know what you have to offer and you won’t waste time telling yourself stories about what is your truth. You will put yourself out there and tell your truth regardless of what anybody says. And when you’re rejected, and notice I didn’t say “if” you’re rejected you will come from that rejection back quicker and stronger.

It’s like a muscle, the more the exercise it, the stronger it becomes.

I want to give you an exercise, take a pad of paper and a pen, get away from the computer and spend sometime getting clear about what you really want. Write it down. Do you want more commercial clients, what kind of clients? Do you want to be represented by galleries, how do you want to book to look? What lifestyle do you want? As a matter of fact I would ask this question first and match the opportunities that come your way to the lifestyle you desire.

Write out your ideal day. If you can have anything what would your ideal day look like, where would you live, where would you work, what would you shoot, who would you work with? You get the idea. And I’ll tell you something this is an exercise you should do at least once a year if not a couple of times a year.

The ideal day exercise will help you to get clear quicker than anything. Once you’re clear then you’ll be able to attract opportunities that match your deepest desire. So for example my friend realizing that he wanted to be in galleries, that’s his ideal.

Now with my help I was able to guide him into developing a game plan and his first steps towards making his dream a reality. He no longer has to hold on to the fairy tale about the elusive agent holding the key to his success because an agent may not the best choice for him right now.

He needs face time, he needs feedback from real live people (not just email) in addition he needs to strengthen his rejection muscle so he move forward without fear consistently, without telling himself stories.

I’ll close this article with a saying that another close personal friend shared with me and I love it because it will help to neutralize rejection and it’s stinging effects, the saying goes, “Some will, Some won’t, Who cares? Someone’s waiting!”

Share on Facebook