Photography with a different angle

Have you every looked at you images and wonder how can I update the style? One quick way is to change your angle. Next wedding that you photograph, see if you can shoot some images from a higher viewpoint; a balcony or up on an elevated area can alter the look of any image and provide a fresh viewpoint. Lets look at a dance floor during the reception, if you have an elevated viewpoint; the subject is instantly separated from the other on the dance floor. By modifying simple points of interest, your photography will always keep updating itself.

Providing new ideas to your photography business and information on how to start a photography business. Stay up to date with our photography newsletter which provides tips on your photography studio.

Video adds consumer awareness to your photography business website

Does your photography business website use video? The next web surf, see how many times video is displayed for you to watch.

Share with your visitors an inside view of a portrait session. Explain to them what you're doing in a portrait session. This allows your future client to feel more comfortable with your photography studio, prior to visiting. One item that you can have on a video is clothing awareness and how it affects the final framed enlarged prints. Show them what it would be like to be in a plaid, flowery print or polka dot shirts versus a solid color By showing them the difference it creates a confident awareness and importance of correct clothing selection. This would allow or your portrait client to arrive at the portrait session ready to be photographed in the proper attire. That would only enhance their photograph further.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Modernize your photography studio’s website without the expenditure

Time passes quickly and what was new is now aged and dated. How is your photography business website? Keeping your site updated is an important process in running your photography studio. While it is nice to have a photography site up showing off your work, if not updated, this site becomes stale. Website face-lifts are a great way to provide an easy update. If you want a rapid way to modernize without a huge expenditure, photography business template websites and photography studio template websites are quick to modify and very inexpensive.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Take advantage of today’s technology using online sales with your photography business.

Is technology missing in your photography sales? Do you have a way to create photographic print sales 24/7? Time to take a look at ways that increase your print sales from each portrait or wedding your studio photographs.

Online sales are not new, they have been around for many years, but the ease of using photography print systems have changed. With a quick upload of your prints files, you could have your clients, family members and friends purchasing prints and enlargements today.

Several systems are in place today for great photographic print and enlargement sales experiences. Pictage and Collages.net are easy to understand and simple for your clients to navigate. Some systems even send out reminder emails about prints and specials. Some labs like Millers and Burrell offer systems that enhance your current photography studio business. Take a few moments and see if adding online photography print sales could increase profit to your bottom line quickly.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Nikon's Newest Digital SLR Arrives With A Host Of New Features Aimed At Professional Photographers

After decades as the undisputed leader of the market for professional 35mm cameras, Nikon finds itself in an unfamiliar position in the digital age. Canon so dominates the professional market today, particularly when it comes to photojournalism, that it recently tweaked Nikon’s nose with an advertising campaign about its triumph. Now the companies are renewing the fight. On Thursday, Nikon is introducing two cameras that it hopes will help it regain its old position. And last week, Canon promoted a new camera with a 21-megapixel sensor, more than twice the resolution of typical digital single-lens reflex cameras for consumers. “It’s always been a competitive field, but digital stepped it up a notch,” said David C. Lee, senior vice president of Nikon USA.

The new Nikon D3 is the first camera from the company with a full-size sensor. Well, almost full-size. One side of the frame is 0.1mm short. The sensor has 12.7 megapixels, which is not exceptional. Its light sensitivity, however, is another matter. The camera’s maximum ISO setting is 25,600, about 64 times what was commonly regarded as high-speed film. Unlike Canon’s full-frame cameras, the D3 is intended mainly for photojournalists and can take 9 pictures a second. Indeed, Canon said that its new super-high-resolution EOS 1DS Mark III camera, which is full-frame format, is intended for photographers who formerly used larger-format film cameras like the Hasselblad. Lee said that professionals’ camera choices influence consumer tastes. Price is less of a concern for pros, making these cameras more profitable. The Nikon D3 will sell for $5,000, and the Canon Mark III will cost $8,000; both cameras ship in November. Neither camera comes with a lens.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Photography Website Update - Give Your Studio A Facelift

Your website is an important piece of your business should have a very professional appearance. Many photographers are tech savvy with their ability to produce well-designed, well-navigated photography studio websites.

If you don't have the capability or time for doing a website design for your own studio, looking at website templates may be an option for you. Website templates are ready-made professionally designed websites for the Internet that provide a high-quality web presence and easy to modify with your content. Templates are available in standard HTML language of design, as well as popular flash format to display your web content and photography portfolio. Templates will have the some limitations of the expansion, but for the cost, offer a great solution to many studios. These templates are fully customizable, and available for immediate download.

Designs usually have layered Photoshop files for easy customization, as well as HTML layouts, so that you can open them in your favorite Web program like Dreamweaver or FrontPage. You don't have to wait for your web designer to start from scratch on your design.

As studio owners, we have many responsibilities to worry about and our specialty should be our photography. Here's a resource that you can check out the latest in photography website designs and see the catalogue of professionally designed templates.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

How To Overcome Your Fear Of Becoming A Six Figure Success

When you decided to become a photographer, what process did you go through? Did you establish goals for yourself? Did you commit yourself to the business with all your heart, knowing you would find success?

How's it going?

If things haven't turned out quite the way you thought they would, you're not alone. I talk to photographers every day that set out to create an extraordinary business, and fall short somewhere along the way.

The reason we fall short is we build up false fears in our minds, which ultimately stop us from achieving our desires. In fact, through my years of helping photographers, I've discovered 5 fears that most business owners have at some point in their career.

1. Fear of failure.
Sometimes it's easier NOT to do something than risk it all. Unfortunately, that's why most people never achieve their dreams. It's scary to have people around you say, "I told you so". It's easier to have the dreams deep down inside, and never share or acknowledge them. But failure can be a good thing. Think back to your childhood. How many things did you attempt for the first time? Failure doesn't enter our minds until we're heading into adulthood, and then it hits with a vengeance. Put aside your fears, and give it a try.

2. Fear I might lose money.
Many photographers start their businesses on a shoestring budget. I know; I've been there too. And it's easy to play head games with the little money you do have: How can I put an ad in this magazine if I don't know what results I will get? As a small business owner, you will lose money. You'll make choices that don't give you the results you were hoping for. But it will give you one thing - an education. Being in business for yourself allows you to do, see and experience things most people never see. Get in there and lose a little - you may be surprised at how much you gain.

3. Fear of the unknown.
This is the fear of not knowing what comes next, or how to approach the next situation. If you're building a business for the first time, every day brings something new to your plate. And if you've never experienced any of this before, it can be a little overwhelming. The best piece of advice you can receive is from another business owner who has achieved what you desire. Especially if you don't have family or friends operating their own businesses, it's important to remember that you can find mentors that can provide you with direction and step-by-step plans.

4. Fear of losing the people around me.
Take a look at the five people around you that you spend the most time with. How do they feel about your business venture? If they are cheering you on, congratulations. But if they aren't, are you afraid you may lose them if your business succeeds? Our circle of friends changes year after year. If your friends don't support your dreams and desires, it may be time to increase your circle and choose a few optimistic peers that will help you achieve business success.

5. Fear of losing my freedom.
What if success comes through the door - rapidly? What if you no longer have time to have lunch dates during the week, or meet for long dinners with friends? Only you can decide what's most important to your life. Giving up freedom in some areas may allow you to build freedom in others. Instead of time off on the weekends, maybe you'll build up your bank account. Or instead of overnight camping trips, maybe you'll take weeklong cruises. Freedom is truly what you determine it to be.

Do you see yourself in at least one of these fears? Every successful businessperson I've coached has lived through at least one of these fears. And if you haven't, it may be time to open your eyes up wider to your own life, and taking a closer look within.

If you do see yourself facing one of these fears, use these three steps as a way to reenergize your life.

Step One - Acknowledge the fear. Why are you holding this fear close to you?

Step Two - Analyze the fear. Begin building a list of possible outcomes. If you fear you'll lose money, the worst that can happen may be bankruptcy. But the best may be amazing sales.

Step Three - Overcome the fear. Once you have your list in hand, use it to work through your fears. Take baby steps if you need to. But concentrate on taking small steps to tackle your fears.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Taking the first steps to digital photography business

Digital photography can be a fantastic way to run a photography studio Digital cameras can be purchased for as little as $500 used on ebay.com, or you can go with the top-of-the-line pay upwards of over $20,000. Anyway you look at it, the digital revolution is here and has totally changed the way studios run today. Photographing your business or your images on Digital is just the first part of actually producing an image.

Workflow is one of the most important pieces to ensure that you have all the pieces to have. Once the images are taken from the camera. You need to download them to your computer or some other storage media. If your images need to be modified, manipulated or adjusted for color, exposure and sharpness or minor corrections, a good software programs such as Adobe Photoshop is essential. My recommendation is that you always work off of a copy of your original file and never the original. If you make a mistake, the original file is still intact, and much easier to go back to.

Many photographers, just download the specifically images to a computer or media source without backing up their original files. This can be a costly mistake if your media fails. My suggestion is to always back up a copy, whether it's on a media such as a CD-ROM, DVD or to other storage device. Ensure that if your hard drive or storage media happens to fail do you still have a copy to go back to will give you extra insurance. Label and organize your DVD or storage backups for easy reference. The next step is storage of images on the web for your clients to view. Many labs have a variety of storage devices that will automatically categorize your images and allow your clients to purchase them directly from the website. Create an easy and convenient way for your client to see the images, as well as purchase the images will help your photography workflow. It also allows your lab, a way to print the images from the client’s orders, which is a great trade for the studio and a lab. Other sources would be that you supply your own web hosting, take orders and relay that information over to someone who can print your images for your clients, whether it's a professional lab, a local photo shop or even places like a Costco. Many of these locations have the ability to upload the images directly to the Web and select to pick up the images directly at their location or have them shipped to your address to be an easy. There are many choices for you to run your studio efficiently using digital photography. But the most important thing to think about is your workflow. Make it easy for you and simple for your client, and everyone will be happy.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Photography Business - What Does A Directory Mean To You?

Directories are the connecting point between sellers and buyers. If you ever want points of contact for a particular product or service, finding a specialized directory should be your first stop. Think about when you go to the mall and are looking for a particular store. You head for the nearest directory because it can provide you with quick information.

Another major directory that people use almost daily is the phone book. Whether you are trying to find an old friend, or a plumber to fix a broken pipe, it's the first place many people turn to.

Online, a directory provides an additional benefit. By being in a directory, you have the opportunity to get your information in front of more buyers simply by being on the list. But if your website is also linked and connected to it, you have an immediate advertisement (often for free) that directs people back into your site. More on this article>>

Growing Your Photography Business

What is the easiest way to increase your sales/profits? Increasing your business boils down to three fundamentals.

Most traditional photography studios have known for years that there are three essential ways of growing your business:

1. Create fresh ways of bringing new clients into your business.

2. Increase the average dollar amount each customer spends.

3. Increase the frequency with which you do business with each customer.

If you are building a strong photography business, this translates into:

1. Create new marketing techniques to bring in more people for photography sessions.

2. Increase the amount of product your client is purchasing from you at each photo session. This may include packaging products together to create larger sales.

3. Increase the number of times each of your customers have a portrait session. Creativity is king here. You must focus on creating sessions that your clients want to be included.

Serving small niche markets is easier to grow your business. Create seasonal photo sessions that are limited items. Go beyond the traditional Santa Clause and Easter bunny scenes. Instead think of things that are unique and individual to you and your business. Offer quality products and services that people can’t find anywhere else, and they will create a bond that will last throughout the years.

For more information on how to grow a photography business or how to start a photography business, please visit our indepth website.

7 Items Every Photographer’s Website Should Have

7 Items Every Photographer’s Website Should Have

A Gallery of Images

People visit a photographer’s website to see images. Don’t disappoint. Your gallery should show more than a dozen images. Let them spend hours on your site! At our high point, we had over 20,000 images online. And many people would spend hours going through every single one of them.

Contact Information

I spend a lot of time on other peoples’ sites. And I find a lot of business owners are so worried about spam, they leave off contact information in their fears. Guess what? People can’t contact you if they don’t know how. Fill out forms are great, and are the first step for contact. Give a phone number – some people prefer to call. Give an address – your prospects would love to know what city your in, and where your studio is. Give an email – you can make it a non-clickable graphic.

Content

A portfolio isn’t enough. It’s nice looking at a dozen images, but who are you? What’s your style? How did you decide to become a photographer? What’s the story behind your business? In person, you build a relationship with your prospect. The same thing has to occur online. Content is what sells your business.

Sales Techniques

Your website is more than a portfolio; it’s a sales tool. Think of how you sell in person, and use those same features online. Your website should be growing and changing all the time.

Proper Navigation

If you’ve ever been “stuck” in a website, you know navigation is so important. If you move to a page, it better be easy to move around and back out. Think like your customer. If that’s hard to do, bring a customer in and ask them what they think.

Ordering System

Professional labs and other online services have made it very easy to sell your images online. Connect to one of these services, and use this as an option for your clients. If you’re worried about upfront sales, use it as a bonus after the initial sale is complete.

Marketing

Your website is more than a portfolio; it’s a marketing tool. With over 6 billion web pages online, how will yours compete with the others? It takes marketing. Just like you wouldn’t sit at home without doing any marketing waiting for the phone to ring, you can’t sit at home without marketing your website waiting for the contacts. You have to use online marketing techniques to get noticed.

Check this site for additional articles on digital photography wedding business and starting a photography business

How linked is your Photography Website?

Having a well designed website is important to attract potential clients but is it well linked? Links into your site are vital to ensure that search engines like google, yahoo and msn display your site under search criteria. By increasing quality link to a photography website, your ranks will increase and the site will list higher and higher in the results. Why is this important? Well, think about it in very simple terms. If your site is popular (many quality link pointed into your site) then search engines look at the website as a valid informational portal and present within the results. If you photography website has little to no linkage, search engines see no reason to display it.

Quality links are from reliable sources of similar content. If you are selling wedding photography then you would want links from other studios, wedding reception sites, wedding coordinators and wedding services.

VirtualPhotographyStudio.com allows studios to add their photography businesses to a directory of other studios. This in turn will add another quality link into your site.

The goal is to have your site show more when potential clients access searches. By working with a strategy that will enhance linkage of your studio's site on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, you will start to see increase in how your photography website displays in the search engine results.

Wedding Photographers see a very busy day

What an incredible past week this nation and world has seen! For the United States, the celebration of our independence on July 4th and Earth Day on 07/07/07.

We were out of the country during the July 4th celebration but still enjoyed it. This holiday is one of my favorite holidays.

On July 7, 07, many photographers were crazy busy photographing what was one of the most popular days for weddings. I don’t think that there were many photographers out of work on this special day.

Another item that was celebrated around the world was live earth day. Artists spanned the globe hosting concerts in a 24 hour marathon event that has never been seen. For more information on live earth and what you can do to help protect our environment, we have included a link - Live Earth

I hope everyone had a wonderful celebration on safe holiday.

Perfect Aim: Hit The Bull's-eye!

Perfect Aim: Hit The Bull's-eye!
How often have you worked throughout the week, worked hard at everything you've done, and yet you still feel as if you haven't accomplished anything within your business? It's not that your unproductive, it's a simple case of not having set the right priorities. Priorities determine what will bring success into your life, and what will keep you where you are today. In order to move in a new direction, you have to set the right priorities.

Success is achieved by having focus and concentration. You must have your target clearly in place. You must concentrate on aiming straight for the middle, have the proper follow through, and hit the target directly in the center. The ability to set clear priorities is what will help you achieve that bull's-eye time and time again. Anything else will just be wasted effort.

So as we move throughout our day, we often set priorities that might not be truly necessary for us to achieve success. We often prioritize by the way we feel, or what we're comfortable with. Prioritizing based on achieving success is much more different than prioritizing based on comfort zones. When you begin setting up what it takes to achieve a goal, certain priorities will become apparent for a successful outcome. Your job is to learn to weed through your priorities, and only perform those tasks that will truly move you into a new direction. You need to learn to set your comfort levels aside, and perform the tasks that will move you towards your goal. Goals cannot be reached if you don't take the action necessary to achieve them. And as you begin delving into new areas, your comfort levels will expand, and you will be willing to take on new responsibilities. You will begin setting priorities that do make a difference!

Update your wedding photography website with templates

Now is the perfect time to update your current wedding photography look and website. With the ease of pre-made website templates any photography business can change the studios look quickly. Imagine any visitor on your wedding photography site and the next day there is a completely updated website. It can be that easy. The cost of some photography website templates can be under $25 and unique website designs will increase the cost to $500 to $1000. If you have an Internet presence then it should be your goal to show your clients how professional your wedding photography studio is. Take a look at just a few of the offering that we found at thetemplatecafe.com

Blog resources for your photography business

Blogging is fun, great to show of your latest images and easy to do. For those who would like resources on blogs and blog programs, we have worked on a list to help:

• Bitty - Bitty Browser helps you keep track of your favorite Web stuff by enabling navigable windows directly within your favorite sites — it's like Picture-in-Picture for the Web. http://bitty.com/


• Blogburst - BlogBurst bloggers who are getting picked up by some of the world’s most popular media sites. http://www.blogburst.com/


• Blogcode - Start a blog site and locate similar blogs. http://www.blogcode.com/


• Bloggersnap - BloggerSnap is a little tool which allows your visitors to easily post on your blog or website a snapshot taken with their webcam. http://www.bloggersnap.com/


• Bloggoggle - A customized directory of blogging professionals, bloggoggle helps you bring true expert resources into focus. http://www.bloggoggle.com/


• Blogs - blo.gs lets you keep an eye on your favorite weblogs via the web and email. http://blo.gs/


• Cocomment - coComment keeps track of all the online conversations you're following in one convenient place, and informs you whenever something is added to a conversation. http://www.cocomment.com/


• Feedblitz - RSS, Blogs, XML, readers and aggregators can be confusing. Adding email services to your blog isn't. Email RSS feed and blog subscriptions powered by FeedBlitz. http://www.feedblitz.com/


• Freevlog - Set up free video blog and show your stuff. http://www.freevlog.org/


• Measuremap - Measure Map helps you understand what people do at your blog, and what influence you are having on the world. Blog site stats. http://measuremap.com/


• Structuredblogging - Structured Blogging is all about giving bloggers the tools to create and syndicate structured information, such as reviews and events. http://structuredblogging.org/


• Blogniscient - Categorize and rank blog articles and blogs in real time, providing up-to-date information on the hottest blog entries. http://www.blogniscient.com/
  

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

How To Promote A Photography Business

It takes more than handing out a few business cards to bring in enough business to create a successful studio. It takes commitment and a plan. In this article, discover ways of promoting your photography business.

Are you chasing every customer with a few bucks to spare? Or are you getting "rich in your niche"?

Starting out in photography, we tried many types of photography. In fact, I speak with photographers every day that take a lot of jobs they don't necessarily want or advertise for - but they bring in a few extra dollars. How can you turn away a client willing to spend a few dollars in your studio?

Becoming a jack-of-all-trades is not what's best for your business. Instead, focusing in on what you love best with photography will make you well known for your specialty. Think about which photographer has a better chance of getting known:

Continue reading >

Is your Studio listed in our Photography Directory?

Selecting a Professional Photographer to capture an important event like a wedding, high school senior graduation portrait, a business portrait or a baby’s first photographic image can be a huge task. A studio that can create perfect exposures using a digital cameras’ shutter, aperture, photographic lights and props to capture a perfect expression. Using tools of the trade, from a light meter to a studio flash strobe, a photographer who captures an expression in a latent image on a negative filmstrip. VirtualPhotographyStudio.com has cultivated a very large list of studios in your area that will help in your professional photographer choice.

Are you in the photography directory?

Photography Business - Employee Appearance – Representing Your Studio

As a photography business owner, you are representing your studio and company at all times. So are your employees! And employees often send the message louder and clearer of who and what your company stands for because they are dealing with your clients more than you are.

As I was waiting for a plane last week, I witnessed an employee loading packages on to a plane. As they fell off the cart, he would kick them over and over again, trying to get them in to the plane with his foot. What image is this giving people who are watching him? I can tell you that as a client of that airline, I was grateful I carried on my luggage!

So how can you make sure that you and your employees give the appearance of a strong and vibrant photography company? First, establish what your studio’s values are. Every photography studio needs to establish its core beliefs, and then build their entire photography business principle around that belief. Employee manuals should be written in such a way as to provide the knowledge necessary to define the core values of the company, and what is acceptable behavior under all circumstances.

Consider the following ideas when establishing and setting up your studio’s policies.

· How do you want to appear to your client?

· Who is your target client, and what do they expect?

· How does your client dress? What stores do they frequent? What interests do they have?

· How do you want each client greeted? In person? On the phone?

· How are problems and customer complaints handled?

· What is exceptable behavior from your employees? Dress code?

· Provide each employee with a copy of the policy manual. Go over each section and provide follow up sessions as needed.

Remember that nothing is cast in stone, so continually make changes as needed. When you discover areas that are unclear, create clarification. When you discover areas that don’t exist, create them. And when you discover areas that have too much control, don’t be afraid to loosen up, and allow room for creativity.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

What Photography Field Should I Specialize In?

I recently saw a photographer advertising her business, and it made me laugh.

The ad was like a variety of other ads I've seen, but what caught my eye was her area of specialty. She specialized in: babies, families, seniors, commercial, model portfolios, weddings, events and sports photography.

Is that really specializing? How can you ever hope to be good at all of those types of photography, and make a name for yourself in any one of those fields?

Specializing means choosing one niche area, and becoming the best you can be. Certain fields can work together, but it still involves highly focusing on what you do best.

Take for instance a wedding photographer. If you specialize in wedding photography, you can spend the majority of your time looking for wedding clients. You can network with other wedding professionals. And you can show off your expertise as a wedding vendor to the local media. People will associate you with weddings, and you will be the local authority on wedding photography....more on this article....

Photography Business - Why I Love Junk Mail

I sent out a postcard campaign a little while ago. Recently I had one returned with A LOT of comments on it - all with the basic message of "please take me off your list".

While I never let people like this bring me down, I happily took this person off of my mailing list and went about my day.

But it got me to thinking about this poor business owner, and all of the knowledge he'll never receive.

You see, when you receive "junk mail", don't stand over the trash can and throw it all away. Instead take a look at it, and see which pieces motivate you to take action. What's good about each piece? What's bad?

Then keep a file and place the good and the bad each in its own folder. (Or if you're like me, it's own plastic tub.) Then when I'm in need for a new idea, I head to my tub and start sorting through my "good" file. I can always find a piece or two that motivates me to create my own campaign.

In fact, that's how I created the last campaign I sent!

Too bad one business owner will never be successful, and use the free tools that come his way every day.

Software to help you get things done faster...

Several people had referred this software to me, so I finally headed over to their site and watched the demo. Wow. I was sold. So we picked up the software last night, and I can see this is going to have a huge impact on the way that I write, and how much I get done. If you write a lot, check this out.

http://www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking/

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Gary Fong WhaleTail - Creative Lighting using on camera flash Photography

Producing quality lighting within your photography is key to increased sales. While it is not always advantageous to setup studio light and umbrellas or a softbox that would instantly gain better, softer light, searching for other solutions might help.

On camera flash allow an instant light source for your subject, but the results can be a less than appealing. Many images might provide acceptable results; the majority share the same results, dark background and flat lighting on the subject. While capturing events, I found that bounced flash provided excellent results by increasing light surrounding areas of the portrait and added softness between highlights and shadows. Using a straight bare bulb flash provided soft even light but distance to the subject was extraordinarily restricted. In researching alternative way to use on camera flash, I ran into some interesting attachments that Gary Fong offered. I have known Gary for well over a decade and he has continued to bring new and inventive products to market. His latest, called the Gary Fong WhaleTail, is an attachment to your on camera flash. This WhaleTale Diffuser and WhaleTale Reporter are great accessories to use for more flattering light.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Quote and Billing Software for the Photography Studio

Creating bids for photography jobs has always been challenging. What will all of the expenditure associated with a particular situation total? If changes are made, how easy will adjusting the quote be? Blinkbid has taken care of all of this. With an straightforward to use interface, Blinkbid quickly modify changes and relays a new pricing arrangement. “A key feature built into Blinkbid is the ability to calculate the potential profit on a job.

Information is one of the most important aspects of estimating for creative professionals, yet it has been one mostly ignored by existing programs. Blinkbid calculates the expected profit at the estimate level, allowing users to make an informed decision before accepting a job.” – listed information from their site.

Calculate fees, crew, rentals, cameras, prints and much more. Blinkbid allows you to flow your estimate straight into invoice format for quick, precise billing.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Photography business sales for tomorrow’s customers.

Photography business sales for tomorrow’s customers.

Are you running your photography business into the ground by creating a quick sale for your work or are you planting seeds for future growth? Just like in the spring, you need to nurture the seeds planted with water, fertilizer and sunshine to see the fruit of your labors.

How does this affect your photography business? Well pretty simple. If you are in the new wedding trend of “churn and burn” photography and only care about shooting the event and handing over your original files and images on a dvd, then you are just planting the seed. You will never see any additional sales from this event. Albums, frames, large wall prints…additional sales are removed. When the client has the original image files, they will share them, print small meaning-less prints and your studio becomes separated from the art.

This trend is eroding your photography studio’s bottom line!

By adding a little fertilizer and sunshine we can add growth. Photography is an art and should be sold as such. Add your style and design! Frame the print or create a collage of images that tell a story. We are not meant to hold the image hostage but want to allow our professional reputation to stand for quality. Think about it the next time a potential client asks you to capture an event and sell the original files. Your sales will suffer and your extended marketing will be lost. I can remember countless times that I received calls from potential clients that viewed an image displayed at a past client’ home.

Don’t sell yourself short…think future…think growth!

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Adobe CS3 Shipped Today

Adobe shipped the new CS3 today! This great software package includes Dreamweaver, Flash, InDesign, Photoshop Extended and Illustrator.

These packages are an amazing value for the creative professional.

Check out the Adobe website for all the latest information.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Photography Website Facelift?

Your website is an important piece of your business should have a very professional appearance. Many photographers are tech savvy with their ability to produce well-designed, well-navigated photography studio websites.

If you don't have the capability or time for doing a website design for your own studio, looking at website templates may be an option for you. Website templates are ready-made professionally designed websites for the Internet that provide a high-quality web presence and easy to modify with your content. Templates are available in standard HTML language of design, as well as popular flash format to display your web content and photography portfolio. Templates will have the some limitations of the expansion, but for the cost, offer a great solution to many studios. These templates are fully customizable, and available for immediate download.

Designs usually have layered Photoshop files for easy customization, as well as HTML layouts, so that you can open them in your favorite Web program like Dreamweaver or FrontPage. You don't have to wait for your web designer to start from scratch on your design.

As studio owners, we have many responsibilities to worry about and our specialty should be our photography. Here's a resource that you can check out the latest in photography website designs and see the catalogue of professionally designed templates.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Wedding Photography - Be Prepared With A Checklist

Photographing weddings can be rewarding, challenging and stressful all the same time. While most events conclude with little fanfare, some precautions should be taken to prevent disaster. After photographing weddings and high-end social events for over 18 years, few surprises followed me. I was very prepared. My equipment (which included cameras, lenses, flashes, memory cards and battery packs) needed to be in great working order. With every wedding I wanted to have a pre-wedding checklist on my equipment. To ensure my inventory was complete and in them great working order.

Just like a pilot about to take off for a long journey, they have a checklist to follow. There are so many items to worry about; a checklist is imperative to ensure success. My pre-wedding list included every piece of equipment needed for the job and if service was needed to be completed.

One important check for me was to ensure that my camera body’s internal clocks were synchronized with each other. Imagine what a headache it would be to reconstruct images taken at the same event, on two separate cameras and the order and out of sync. For example, using two cameras during the bridal procession taken from you and your assistant. Every image was perfect, sharp and exposed correctly. Perfect, but you discover that your clocks were out of sync. After the event you return to your studio and download your masterpieces into a common folder on your computer, sorted by date or time and realize that the timestamp was not correct. Every file would be off! What a headache it would be to correct this. All of these issues could be avoided by one simple task. This new task is listed on your new checklist.

We had a pre-event checklist to ensure that everything was set up correctly. This is how my checklist was born to cover every aspect of the event and, every piece of equipment. All listed inventory was included; each camera body, each lens and ensure that all of the memory cards were accounted for and formatted prior to the event. Battery packs are charged and ready. Flashes and sync cords are in working order. Cameras opened and checked for dust and stray hairs. Yes, I once had a dust particles show up during a wedding and produced a white line in the many images, which created lots of additional Photoshop work for me.

The key to creating a worry free event is to have all your tools in place in the checklist is imperative. Let your next event to become profitable easy workflow and uneventful, through good planning.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

7 Items Every Photographer’s Website Should Have

A Gallery of Images

People visit a photographer’s website to see images. Don’t disappoint. Your gallery should show more than a dozen images. Let them spend hours on your site! At our high point, we had over 20,000 images online. And many people would spend hours going through every single one of them.

Contact Information

I spend a lot of time on other peoples’ sites. And I find a lot of business owners are so worried about spam, they leave off contact information in their fears. Guess what? People can’t contact you if they don’t know how. Fill out forms are great, and are the first step for contact. Give a phone number – some people prefer to call. Give an address – your prospects would love to know what city your in, and where your studio is. Give an email – you can make it a non-clickable graphic.

Content

A portfolio isn’t enough. It’s nice looking at a dozen images, but who are you? What’s your style? How did you decide to become a photographer? What’s the story behind your business? In person, you build a relationship with your prospect. The same thing has to occur online. Content is what sells your business.

Sales Techniques

Your website is more than a portfolio; it’s a sales tool. Think of how you sell in person, and use those same features online. Your website should be growing and changing all the time.

Proper Navigation

If you’ve ever been “stuck” in a website, you know navigation is so important. If you move to a page, it better be easy to move around and back out. Think like your customer. If that’s hard to do, bring a customer in and ask them what they think.

Ordering System

Professional labs and other online services have made it very easy to sell your images online. Connect to one of these services, and use this as an option for your clients. If you’re worried about upfront sales, use it as a bonus after the initial sale is complete.

Marketing

Your website is more than a portfolio; it’s a marketing tool. With over 6 billion web pages online, how will yours compete with the others? It takes marketing. Just like you wouldn’t sit at home without doing any marketing waiting for the phone to ring, you can’t sit at home without marketing your website waiting for the contacts. You have to use online marketing techniques to get noticed.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

How is your Photography Business Email Etiquette

E-mail is now common place in the photography business world, and yet it’s surprising on how little people know and understand its ability. What works in an email? And what doesn’t?

• Provide a proper subject line, one that will make a person want to open your email. With all of the known viruses plaguing emails, people will more often then not delete an email if they are unsure what it’s about.
  
• Do not make your email downloadable. Provide an email that explains what you are sending, and then use attachments. Again, with viruses plaguing emails, people will not open up a document if they are unsure of what it is.


• Keep your email short and to the point.


• Provide name, addresses, email address, web site addresses, and phone numbers. Nothing is more frustrating than wanting to contact someone for more information, and not knowing how.


• Hyperlink all web addresses for ease to the reader.


• Check all links before sending the email. If you are unsure of what you are sending, send it to yourself first, check all hyperlinks, and then send to your client.


• Check spelling! If you can’t figure out to spell check in your email program, type up your email in Word, spell check, than copy and paste the message back in your email program.


• Do not use all capital letters. So much is written on this subject, and yet I still get emails that are capitalized. Capitalized phrases are the same as screaming – you don’t want to be screaming at a potential client.


• Do not include images in your email. Instead, direct them back to your web site for more detail descriptions.


• If you are going to be emailing people on a regular basis, get permission. Simply put a clause at the bottom of the email that gives them a way of taking themselves off of your list. You do not want an irate customer if you can avoid it!

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

How To Mark Up And Price Your Portrait Photographs

The best photographer in the world will fail if he or she doesn’t learn how to price with the ultimate profit in mind.

Occasionally I will put one of my paid reports on this site as an extra special bonus for you. This is one of those reports. I wrote a Pricing Guideline report, and currently sell it on my parent site, www.VisionOfSuccess.com. To view this report, click on Pricing Guideline.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Photography Business - Competition or Collaboration

Photography Business - Competition or Collaboration

Most people go into business, and hide all of their ideas from their competition. They may join industry related groups, but they keep their core ideas and concepts hidden and well protected. After you've been in business a while, you soon discover that there is more business out there than is humanly possible to cover with one business. Instead, it's much more exciting to join up with other businesses, and combine efforts to create a truly exciting business. Competition holds you down. Collaboration lets you fly higher than the stars. Just today I spoke with what some may consider to be my competitor. However, he is focusing his efforts in a completely different direction. But he offers some side products that would combine with mine, and offer incredible tools to our clients. Instead of looking at him as competition, I'm now piecing part of his products with mine, and providing us both with increased sales potential. Win/win for both businesses. How can you link up with your competition, and provide incredible services for your clients?

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Marketing your photography business

Marketing On The Internet Who would have ever imagined a couple of years ago that a new wave of marketing was emerging on the professional photographer. When we were first introduced to the Internet, a world of possibilities opened up to us. The Internet has so much to offer for such a small price. We jumped on for the ride of our lives!

To begin creating your own home page, you must first choose your domain name. Domain names are your address - this will be how your clients find you. Your domain name should be short and concise and relate specifically to you and your business, such as www.xyzstudio.com. Because a domain name is your address, you should use it like your address and post it everywhere: brochures, business cards, letters, advertisements. Don’t hide your Web address within the text of your letters or brochures. Post it as a stand alone similar to your phone number. Also, remember to give your Web address out to telephone inquiries. You give out your studio’s address and directions on how to find you. Why not tell them how to find you on the Web!

As you build your Web site, remember people use the Internet to research anything and everything, at a time that is convenient for them. Therefore, the most useful thing you can give them is information. Imagine your Web site from your clients perspective - what would you look for? Because photography is visual, your Web site can be a wonderful tool to show them what you do best - photograph. Prospective clients can view your portfolio at their leisure, and can contact you through e-mail when they are interested in talking with you more.

You can also use your Web site for your current clients by putting together small portfolios from each wedding. This will allow your clients to view their photographs in a matter of days, and will build their excitement for when they come in to make their final selections. It will also build excitement with friends and family who may not have otherwise viewed your photography. Once you begin marketing your Web address, you must be willing to maintain your Web site on a continual basis.

People often browse Web sites over and over again if they know you change your site often. Change entices them to visit on a regular basis, and may help them to make the decision to contact you for more information. One important feature that you should build into your Web site is a link to ask for more information, either through your e-mail or a fill-in-the-blank form. This will allow potential clients to quickly ask for more information when they are interested in your services. Then check regularly to see if you have messages.

The Internet provides information quickly. The quicker you respond to any inquiries, the more impressed your clients will be. Finally, have fun with your Web site. If it’s fun to design, it will be fun to view. People enjoy being entertained as they gain the knowledge they are looking for. Imagine how easy your initial consultation will be if they are excited about you and your photographs before they have even met with you!

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

New Photography Site I'm Contributing To

Exciting news! I'm a new contributing expert for Rat Race Rebellion! As a photographer with 20 years of experience, they've decided to make me their expert on starting a photography business. I have an incredible profile up:

http://www.ratracerebellion.com/EC_photographer.htm

And starting in April I will be moderating the bulletin board on photography. I'm excited to be a part of this growing community!

Lori

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Photography Business Create Your Time-Option Plan

List all of your products and/or services down on a piece of paper. Then rank them according to how much of your total business each product/service represents to your business.

Choose your top selling products and services, and find ways of making them into time-option sales. Find ways of creating unique monthly clubs. Find services that will benefit the purchaser by buying several instead of one. Then package them up in attractive ways that will allow the buyer to save money by purchasing it in bulk. Reward your client by offering better deals in package plans, and reward yourself by increasing your sales within your business. Win/win for everyone!

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Find Wedding Photography Competitions Secrets

Photo Competitions Photo Competitions - One way of building up your business is by competing in competitions, and using your awards for PR within your client and potential client target market.

Awards make your name more valuable. It proves you have the talent to bring in better clients and better profits through higher valued photographs. Begin by entering award competitions. Many different organizations offer photo competitions.

Awards make your name more valuable. It proves you have the talent to bring in better clients and better profits through higher valued photographs. Begin by entering award competitions. Many different organizations offer photo competitions.

Start with these:

• WPPI PPA As you win awards, make sure you create press releases, and send them to your PR list:


• Local newspapers Trade journal and publications Your venders and suppliers Post them on your website


• Send postcards or newsletters to your client database

Winning awards are important, but only if you use them to further the advancement of your business.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Project Your Photography Studio Into The Future

Project Yourself Into The Future
Everyone I have talked to is saying the same thing - things are tough out there! People just aren't spending their hard earned dollars on anything at the moment. Go into any store or restaurant. It's quiet. People are staying around their homes. Doing things with their families that don't cost a lot of money. I'm there, and you probably are too. So what can we do to get through these tough times? Plan for the future!

Nothing lasts forever. We won't be in this current situation for a long period of time. We will change. We will change as people, and our businesses and what we buy will change. Everything will change. So what can you do today? Focus on where we will be tomorrow. With each passing day come new opportunities. Your goal as a marketer is to foresee those trends, and change your life and your business to match the direction of the trends? What are people looking for in their products and services?

Take travel for instance. People aren't traveling around the country as much as they were a couple of years ago. But people still want vacations - they are just more nervous of leaving "home". So consider putting together mini-vacations for people right in your own area. A hotel can partner up with a number of businesses to create a spectacular "mini-vacation". Consider putting together a 2-night stay in a suite for 2, plus 2 theater tickets, restaurant certificates, a gift basket with luxurious treats from several local shops, spa certificate. You get the idea. Put together incredible deals for the people in your local market, and create a memorable experience - one they will refer to the people they know from out of town as well. The key to surviving downturns is to change who you are focusing your sales on. A lot of times, your client of today is completely different than your client from 2 years ago. Don't lose sight that they can change. Learn how to refocus - and to survive and prosper!

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Wedding Photography Business Marketing Plans

Finding ways of growing your wedding photography business can become a difficult task at times. Competition is extreme within the wedding photography studio business and profit margins can become very thin. We have found a way for a studio to grow into a very profitable and well known in the industry. The goal is to market your way to the top! We have put together multiple marketing plans, including wedding photography business, that will help a struggling studio and grow sales quickly.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

CraigsList to generate Photography Business Leads

If not, you may be missing out on a potential lead generation tool.

People use the Internet for everything. In fact, I've recently learned of two people that have used places like CraigsList.com to not only look for work, but to also look for clients.

CraigsList.com is a directory that is broken down by location, and by industry/area of interest. Let me show you how it works.

First, start out by clicking on your location. CraigsList.com has USA and International options. Once you're at your selected location, you'll find a variety of categories. Click around and see what's available. From my own research, I know most postings for photographers end up under the "services" section, and the category "creative".

Find the services section, and click on the "creative" link. This will take you to postings made under this category.

Browse through some of the postings, and see what people are writing. As I'm writing this, there are offers for web design, writing and editing, and photography.

Keep in mind that anyone can post. You can create a post selling your photography services. Or you can create a post asking for bids on services.

Let me show you how it can work. A friend recently needed a business portrait, and posted a "Wanted" ad on CraigsList.com. Within one day, she had several contacts offering photography services. She chose one and had a professional portrait created near her office. She was very happy with the results.

This is a very simple system, yet the potential is amazing. CraigsList.com is the 7th most popular site online. With all of that traffic, shouldn't you be giving it a try?

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Create A Photography Business Checklist To Help Start Your Dream Photography Business

Create A Photography Business Checklist To Help Start Your Dream Photography Business If you’ve been thinking of starting your own business for some time now, the easiest way to get started is to begin with a photography business checklist. This list will provide you with the details of what it takes to get started, and give you a something that makes the tasks seem more doable.

So, if you’re ready to move forward in photography, where do you start? What are the most important steps to consider when starting a photography business?

1. Start by defining the type of photography you choose to offer your clients. Everyone has a different reason for becoming involved in photography. Some love working with babies and children. Some prefer working on location with families and pets. Some love commercial work, and making products come alive. Some find passion in creating wedding photography.

While many photographers choose multiple specialties, keep in mind that any one of these can make a lucrative career. The more passion you have in your chosen line of photography, the easier it is to promote your work, and get known within your specialty.

2. Establish your business identity. Once you decide on your specialty, use that specialty to identify your name and your brand. While some photography studios are named after the business owner, others use a more generic name. A name is a personal choice. But above all, make sure your name speaks to your desired clientele.

3. Decide what resources you need for your business. Do you need a commercial location for a studio? Will you work out of your home? What type of camera equipment will you need? While a start-up business shouldn’t invest in extravagant equipment, you should purchase enough equipment to sufficiently do your job, and to have backup equipment available at all sessions.

4. Decide what vendors you will be using for your business. A photography studio needs a variety of services, including a professional photography lab, album companies, framing companies, office supplies, and production supplies.

An easy way to find many of these vendors is to attend a photography expo. There are many local, regional, national and international expos available to the professional photographer, including Professional Photographers of America, and Wedding & Portrait Photographers International. And sign up for newsletters at places like VirtualPhotographyStudio.com to stay on top of some of the newest and most exciting trends.

5. Join professional organizations to network with like-minded individuals. There are a variety of professional photographer organizations. It’s also important to join organizations in your community, such as entrepreneur groups, networking groups, and chamber of commerce’s. All can provide you with invaluable resources.

6. Market your business to prospective clients. Every business needs customers to survive. Top priority for any new business is to bring in new clients not only to establish yourself as a business, but also to begin making a profit for your business.

7. Add your own goals to your photography business checklist. Provide specific goals that will help you realize your dream. Add things like ‘quit full time job in October’ to help motivate you to take action on your ideas.

Helping your photography business, how to start a photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Photography Business - Tweak Your Way To Success

It's not always about making massive change to your photography business. Sometimes it's about tweaking the little things that can have a profound impact. Have you ever looked at someone else's business, and wondered how they gained so much success? Did they find one key to unlock the magic door?

Chances are they learned the art of tweaking. Tweaking is the ability to look at what you have, and fine-tune it. It doesn't involve colossal changes. It just takes the good in your business, and makes it better. If you've been failing in your marketing, or just can't pull in the business like you use to, chances are its because you haven't mastered the art of tweaking.

A person with a website carrying the same look and message for two years in a row is a great example. This business owner put up a site simply to have information out online, without realizing it could be pulling in business for him every day of the week.

Find out what's working, and making slight changes to make it better. It's like a chef who keeps adding one new ingredient to perfect the recipe. Or the scientist who mixes different ratios of chemicals to produce a new reaction. They don't start over from scratch. They change one tiny portion, and try it again. And again.

Marketing your photography business can be a lot more fun once you master the art of tweaking.

Where does your business stand today? Are you brand new, starting with your first client? Or maybe you've been at it a year, but still can't make it your full time venture. Or maybe you make a comfortable living with your photography, but you want to see how far you can go.
All of these are perfect examples of businesses that can master tweaking, and go to the next level with their businesses.

Tweaking involves taking what you are already doing, and making minor adjustments to make it even better. If you suddenly make massive change, you won't be able to determine what the impact is. Instead, change one portion of your business planning, and see what happens.

• If you send out 1,000 postcards a month, what would happen if you increased it to 2,000?
• What would happen if you changed your offer on those 1,000 postcards?
• What would happen if you targeted different people with those 1,000 postcards?
• What would happen if you changed the wording of those 1,000 postcards?

The list could go on and on. But the point is you make a small change, and see how it impacts your business. If business goes away, you know you made a bad change. If you increase your sales, you change was good.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

5 Steps Your Photography Business Needs To Make

What's the difference between an average photography business and a highly successful one? It's the way the photography business owner approaches their daily business tasks.

An average business owner will approach the day, and let things happen. She'll react to email and phone messages, and let the day unfold before her.

A highly successful photography business owner will take charge of her day, and spend her time doing the right things for her business. Here's five ways you can begin making a change in your business life, and create more success.

1. Create a plan. Every photography business needs to know the direction its heading. Create several types of plans to keep you on track: a lifetime plan to understand where your photography business is ultimately heading; a yearly plan to determine your action steps for the year; and a monthly plan to make sure you are reaching your goals.

2. Evaluate. Just because you have a plan doesn't mean you can't change. Evaluate continually what you're doing, and how it will ultimately impact your long term goals. If you need to make changes, do it.

3. Create a plan. A yearly plan will keep you on track, but daily goals will ensure your success. Always ask yourself if you are doing the best possible thing to help you reach your goals.

4. Take action. Planning is important. But planning isn't enough. You have to take action on your plans, and put them into place.

5. Follow through. Make sure your business is always in motion. Do you have the proper goals? Are you reaching them? Are you getting in new clients? Are you profitable?

Find your weaknesses, and put more action into place. You'll soon discover that you've your goals quickly, and are ready to take on new challenges!

Why are awards programs so important to a photographers resume?

Why are awards programs so important to a photographers resume?

Does winning an award make you
a better photographer? Maybe.

Does having a stack of awards make you look better to your prospects and clients?
Maybe.

So why should you concentrate of getting awards?

Because awards make you feel better about yourself, and ultimately impact
the way you do business.

First, lets look at how an award can make you a better photographer.

Image judging contests can occur in one of two ways: either at a seminar/expo,
where you can sit in on the judging, or at the business without contact with
the image takers.

The best is where you can sit in on the judging, and learn what the top photographers
are looking for in a photograph. There you can learn a wealth of information
on how the elite photographers look at images, and how they judge. While judging
is always subjective (it depends on what the judges like), they also look for
certain qualities over and over again. That’s the information you can
use to change your photography.

Judges will show you how they judge, what they are looking for, and how to
make a photograph better. They teach things like composition, lighting, and
structure. They help you understand why a photograph is award winning quality,
and how to improve an image in the future.

One of the things I discovered early on is judges often like photographs that
your clients will never buy. It’s just a difference of opinion. Make
sure you photograph for both perspectives if you feel you have an award winning
location and subject.

Second, does being an award winning photographer help you get more clients?

An award is a starting point. It adds to the checklist in a clients mind,
and can possibly be a deciding factor for certain clients. But usually it isn’t
a sole reason for someone choosing a photographer.

People like choosing photographers for a variety of reasons. They usually
fall in love with one of your images, and want a duplicate image for their
wall. They like the way you display your artwork, and are looking for something
similar.

Being an award winning photography simply adds another reason for choosing
you. Also understand that winning multiple awards over time will also look
better for you then winning one or two.

If they see you are constantly entering contests, and winning various prizes,
they will know you are working at becoming an expert in the field of photography.
Which looks better to you?

• Winner of the 2002 Photographer of the Year Award
• Winner of the 1999 Photographer of the Year Award
• Winner of the 2001 Best Album Award
• Winner of the 2002 Photography Studio of the Year Award
• Winner of the 2003 Best Family Portrait Award
• Winner of the 2004 Best Children’s Photographer Award
• Winner of the 2005 Best Photography Website Award

Obviously the second. It shows consistency. It shows this photographer is
concentrating on his passion, and wants to show his ability. He’s developing
his own expertise within the industry, and sharing his love of photography
with the world.

Which is what your ultimate goal is with winning awards. Your goal is to WOW
your customer, and showcase your talents in many ways. When a prospect enters
your website, or receives an information kit in the mail from you, being able
to WOW them will set you apart from your competition.

As an example, I know of one speaker who has spoken at hundreds of seminars
and expos over the years. When someone asks for information on his speaking,
he doesn’t mail a brochure. Instead, he mails them a box of thank you
letters – the kind of box 500 sheets of paper comes in. You can imagine
the impact on an event producer when they start reading 500 thank you testimonials!
Needless to say, he usually gets the speaking gig.

You can do the same with your photography. Imagine the impact of mailing a
customer an information kit filled with testimonies, press releases, articles
about you from leading magazines, and award sheets. Wouldn’t this set
you apart from your competition?

Who do you think they will choose as their photographer

Print the article - 25 Ways To Generate Leads For Your Photography Business Today

25 Ways To Generate Leads For Your Photography Business Today

1. Submit your stock images to one of the many online stock agencies such as IStockPhoto. Stock companies allow you to build a bio page, and list links to other sites and information. Use this to selectively promote yourself to people that enjoy your work.

2. Send a press release to your local paper submitting a story idea. Newspapers, television, and radio shows are always on the lookout for a good storyline. Provide them with a story that's relevant to the season, and makes for good news.

3. Visit a local networking group and offer to photograph the group for the website. Many of today's networking groups have a website to promote their services. Adding photographs provide a personal touch, and will allow you to capture attention as a photographer.

4. Send out letters to your past clients with a new promotion. Your best client is a past client. Make them an offer they can't refuse.

5. Visit a local chamber of commerce and sign up for the next networking group. Your chamber of commerce offers a variety of groups for you to network with. Choose a few groups and visit them to make a handful of new connections.

6. Find a complementary business willing to hang samples in their offices. Provide them several framed images at no cost. Because these images will potentially hand in the office for many months, make sure you use your best work, and provide top quality in both mounting and framing.

7. Post a comment on an online message board. Make sure you provide a link back to your website, yet don't blatantly sell your services. Provide good quality content, and show you know your industry well.

8. Call three prospects and promote your business. Think back over the past couple of weeks to the connections you've made. Choose the three that have the best possibility of becoming a client, and connect with them over the phone.

9. Create flyers and hand them out at a networking event. Make your flyer short and to the point. The purpose should be to make them connect with you, either by brining in a coupon, or visiting your website for more information.

10. Write an article for one of your association newsletters. Most trade publications have a shortage of quality material. Offer an article to use, and use it to educate your association members.

11. Add more content to your website. Websites are meant to change and grow. Make adding content to your website a weekly task.

12. Run a contest. Whether you set up a cutest baby contest, or offer a toys for tots promotion, get your customers involved in your business.

13. Take out a classified ad in a trade publication. The least expensive method of advertising in a print publication is in the classifieds. Try out a new promotion, or use it to gain leads.

14. Join a social networking website. Social networking groups exist both online and locally. Try one online, and expand your business beyond your local area.

15. Participate in an online forum or chatroom. Thousands of forums exist on any subject you can imagine. Find a place where potential clients visit regularly, and chat away.

16. Make a magnetic sign for your car. From a simple magnetic door sign, to an entire car wrap, make your vehicle a moving advertisement.

17. Call in to a radio talk show. Dozens of radio stations exist both locally and online that reach your potential customer base. Create a message, and start talking.
 
18. Have a photo party, and get several clients together in one location to try something new. Instead of having one portrait sitting per day, this would guarantee you several. And getting friends together would help your sales increase because of the excitement.

19. Create shirts and caps with your logo and website information. Instead of wearing a big companies logo, create your own. Make sure your family and employees all have a few too.

20. Set up a booth at a local fair or expo. There are expos for every target audience. Find one that matches your demographics, and find some new clients.

21. Volunteer for a community project or non-profit fundraiser. It's always fun to get involved. This puts you in contact with other business owners that may be able to promote you – and allows you to give back at the same time.

22. Offer to teach a photography class at a local school or recreation center. Many people have the desire to take better photographs. Create a class that shows the basics in a fun way.

23. Teach a class at your local library. Whether alone or with a complementary business, your local library can provide you with a room, resources to advertise the class, and a whole new potential customer base.

24. Create a portrait special at a local toy store. Kids love toys. What better place to capture quality portraits with a natural expression.

25. Set up a special, limited edition weekend. Use a local landmark as your background: snow days in the park, sand castles on the beach, and holiday magic in the city are just a few examples. Be creative.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Bringing In Sales Even During The Slow Times

Every business has it. It's called the cyclical slow time. It may last for a month or even several months. But as a business owner, turning this time period into as short of a period as possible will help you become a stronger business.

As a business owner, you can either bring in new prospects and turn them into new clients, or you can sell to your existing client base and bring in repeat business. During your slow times, concentrate on getting repeat business from your existing client base.

Some times of the year are just easier to sell to a new client. Lets take senior portraiture for a moment. The following years' seniors start thinking about their final year of school and begin planning in May. Their schools hold fairs and begin giving them direction on everything there is to do. It's natural to plan your own photography mailings around this time frame.

If you're a studio specializing in portraits, particularly the senior market, you're busy time is predictably May through December. Come January, things start slowing down, and by the springtime, you may be wondering how to pay the bills.

Instead of spending the early months of the year planning for the new senior market, concentrate on the seniors that are about to graduate, and on your other existing clients. Your current clients know you, have worked with you, and understand your business. Create special promotions just for them. Things like:

• Selling additional wallets for friends, family and graduation announcements
• Additional portrait packages
• Cap and gown images
• Family portrait before the senior goes off to college
• Family portraiture of past clients (if you've been doing seniors for a number of years, some of your clients may be getting married, or even having babies)
• Instead of trying to bring in new clients during your slow time, concentrate on building options for your existing client base. They know you and have worked with you before.
• They are a much easier sell – so sell to those that love what you do!

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Photography Website color selection tools

Creating a website for you photography business is very important and producing proper colors within the design should be well thought out. We found a great resource for selecting color. Color wheels have been used for a long time but they are much easier to use today.

Check out this resource: http://visibone.com/colorlab/ , which lets you choose from the 216 color browser-safe palette. This has limits but is a great place to start.

We also found a 4096 color wheel located at: http://www.ficml.org/jemimap/style/color/wheel.html and has a cool hovering tool that allows you select colors and then shades. For quicker results, we also found an online color scheme program that helps select complementary colors. You can find this very handy in you wedding photography website designs or when you need to create a portrait photography business website.

Check out this tool at: http://stylephreak.frogrun.com/cm.php and let us know which one you like best.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.

Photographers Directory for your Photography Studio

Directories are the connecting point between sellers and buyers. If you ever want points of contact for a particular product or service, finding a specialized directory should be your first stop. Think about when you go to the mall and are looking for a particular store. You head for the nearest directory because it can provide you with quick information.

Another major directory that people use almost daily is the phone book. Whether you are trying to find an old friend, or a plumber to fix a broken pipe, it's the first place many people turn to.

Online, a directory provides an additional benefit. By being in a directory, you have the opportunity to get your information in front of more buyers simply by being on the list. But if your website is also linked and connected to it, you have an immediate advertisement (often for free) that directs people back into your site.

Our goal with our VirtualPhotographyStudio site is to help you become better at the business side of photography. And part of that is to help you find new clients so you can grow your business! Which is why we created our Photographers Directory when we first started out on this journey.

Are you in our directory? The easiest way to find out is to click over and take a look at your State. If you're not there, it's an easy process to add your business into the directory.

Do you know of any other photographer that would benefit from having a listing? Forward them this message and invite them to add their own information.

Helping your photography business, how to start a digital wedding photography business and wedding photography business visit virtualphotographystudio.com and keep up-to-date with all of the photography happenings via our free newsletter.