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Welcome to the Mind Your Own Business Podcast! Today we chat with commercial and portrait photographer Bobbi Lane! We discuss: How Bobbi got her start in photography How she constantly changes with technology to make her business more enjoyable. Why practice is so important in her business The latest trends photographers struggle with The element of preparing for each and every photo shoot The concept of practicing creativity, as opposed for waiting for it to strike The importance of knowing how to run your business, and how that can set you apart Why it's important to put yourself in your client's shoes during a photo session The role of people skills when dealing with clients The toughest portrait she's ever had to shoot Advice for new photographers who want to start their own photography business You can find Bobbi at: BobbiLane.com BobbiandLeesphotoadventures.com Have suggestions on future topics you want us to cover? Email us: Skip Cohen: skip@mei500.com Chamira Young: chamira@photofocus.com Share This Podcast! Please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes.
Welcome to the Mind Your Own Business Podcast! Today we chat with family portrait photographer Michele Celentano! We discuss: How Michele got started with her career The importance of education in every photographer's career The role empathy plays when interacting with client The role psychology plays during a portrait session The best types of workshops photographers can take to strengthen their skillset Why every photographer needs a "backup skillset" to better serve unexpected requests from their clients Why it's important to always be curious and willing to explore outside of your genre The areas many photographers struggle with How we can improve the photography industry as a whole Advice for photographers who want to break into portrait photography Check out Michele's Family Posing program at FamilyPosing.com You can find Michele at: MicheleCelentano.com: Michele's portfolio website Instagram: @michelecelentanophotographer Facebook Group: Family Posing with Michele Celentano Have suggestions on future topics you want us to cover? Email us: Skip Cohen: skip@mei500.com Chamira Young: chamira@photofocus.com Share This Podcast! Please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes.
Welcome to the Mind Your Own Business Podcast! Today we chat with portrait photographer Brent Watkins! We discuss: How Brent got started as a photographer The importance of staying up-to-date on the latest techniques despite being in business for decades The importance of giving your client a great experience during their photo session Seeing things through your client's eyes Trusting your own pricing, and being able to expertly (and honestly!) guide your client during sales sessions Realizing that you are in the business of selling MORE than prints. You're selling the experience as well. Maintaining contact and being accessible to your clients Being genuine with your clients The importance of education, and how it's the key to longevity The key difference between successful photographers and photographer that constantly struggle with their businesses Pricing tips that can make or break your business Determining who your ideal clients are The best advice Brent received, and how it changed his business Check it out! The Ohio PPA's convention is coming up March 23-24, 2019. Learn more here. You can find Brent at: Sylvart.com: Brent's portfolio website Twitter and Facebook: @BrentWatkins Have suggestions on future topics you want us to cover? Email us: Skip Cohen: skip@mei500.com Chamira Young: chamira@photofocus.com Share This Podcast! Please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes.
Welcome to the Mind Your Own Business Podcast! Today we chat with photographer Karen Kuehn! We discuss: How Karen got her start in photography Challenges of being a female in the industry The role of relationship building, asking for help How much things have changed in the industry Tips on working quickly with difficult clients The extremes of two lifestyles (farm girl in New Mexico vs chaos in New York modern) Finding sustainability Personal projects making a difference Staying relevant in the industry Working with teams and being an asset for your clients Putting the work in and building a sustainable business Advice for listeners wanting to get their start in photo or video while staying true to themselves The importance of making a difference in your community You can find Karen at: Karenkuehn.com: Karen’s portfolio website Have suggestions on future topics you want us to cover? Email us: Skip Cohen: skip@mei500.com Chamira Young: chamira@photofocus.com Share This Podcast! Please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes.
Welcome to the Mind Your Own Business Podcast! Today we chat with advertising photographer Nick Vedros. We discuss: How Nick got his start in photography How he capitalized on a rare opportunity to get his work out to the public Pushing the envelope on creativity and relationships Designing his career around the lifestyle that he wanted Working with an ad agency How the work of Gary Larson and Norman Rockwell influenced his work The role of storytelling in his body of work How Nick incorporates fun into his photo concepts The process of building a "super studio" and built a name nationally Building relationships with advertising companies Nick's advice for photographers who want to break into advertising photography How to look for openings in the market you can capitalize on You can find Nick at: Vedros.com: Nick's portfolio site @vedros on Instagram @Vedrosphotography on Facebook Have suggestions on future topics you want us to cover? Email us: Skip Cohen: skip@mei500.com Chamira Young: chamira@photofocus.com Share This Podcast! Please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes.
Welcome to the Mind Your Own Business Podcast! Today we chat about your holiday marketing plan, as well as planning tips for the year ahead. We discuss: Christmas cards: Always use a photo you've taken, and always include your logo and studio information as well. In addition to it being a product you can sell to your clients. Christmas cards (or even gift baskets!) are a great way to recognize vendors that support you. A holiday open house: An open house is a great way to recognize your past clients, and it can be done even if you don't have a studio. Rent a space if you need to. Have fun with it! Utilize your blog: Post holiday tips, along with events in your community. Teach your clients to take better photos through workshops. It may seem counterintuitive, but teaching your clients how to take better photos of their families actually helps you stand out as THE photo expert in the circle of influence. Partner with organizations in your community. Start planning for the year ahead which organizations you want to work with next year. Cause-related marketing is powerful. Figuring out tradeshows and conventions you're planning on going to. Now is the time to start planning which conventions you want to go to next year. Conventions are a great a time to open up new opportunities, and even scout out new equipment. Arrange to have meet up with people for meals beforehand. Know what booths you want to hit. Have a followup strategy after the event, such as a "nice to meet you" email, or even a thank you card. Select "marketing partners" for 2019: Reach out to businesses that shares your audience. Refer work to each other. Put together a booklet of recommended vendors. For example, if you're a wedding photographer, that would be dress makers, florists, caterers, event halls, bakeries. The key is to make friends with these folks and be helpful to them. It's all about building relationships! Have suggestions on future topics you want us to cover? Email us: Skip Cohen: skip@mei500.com Chamira Young: chamira@photofocus.com Share This Podcast! Please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes.
Welcome to the Mind Your Own Business Podcast! Today we chat with wedding photographers David Scruggs and Jill Smith about several things that define a photographer as a professional, so that you not only rarely miss those important moments in a subject's life, but NEVER compromise on the quality of an image: Listen, listen, listen - your role when capturing memories is to know and understand your client. That can only come with listening to them and building a relationship based on understanding their needs. You have to see the world through their eyes. Never compromise your skill set - Being a photographer is about meeting your client's needs and having the skills to photograph at any time, regardless of the degree of difficulty. Of course there will be times when something that comes up that's simply over your head, but that doesn't change the importance of a never-ending quest for your own education. Backup gear - When you least expect it, something is going to go wrong with your gear. Normal wear and tear, a dropped camera body or lens, a piece of equipment stolen - NEVER be without backup gear for those "just in case" moments. Always be on time - Your clients trust you to be where you're supposed to be and always on time. And, even if you arrive just a few minutes late, you've created stress that wasn't necessary. Keep your promises - NEVER make a promise you can't keep. Build a relationship - In any business, but especially photography, it's important to build an ongoing relationship both leading up to an event and especially afterwards. Your success is about your ability to build trust. Exceed expectations - Remember - "There are no traffic jams along the extra mile!" Roger Staubach Love your career choice and show your passion for capturing memories - You can't capture images that tug at people's heartstrings if your own heart isn't in it! Recognize the need for change - Whether it's your own style or simply tracking consumer trends, being a pro is about adapting and being able to stay relevant to consumer demands. Support your associates and the industry - While this is outside the client/photographer relationship, a strong network can also help you through some of the most difficult challenges. Be involved in your local guild or association. Be helpful to other photographers and you'll find they'll also be there for you. Things come up that just aren't planned, but working together there's nothing you can't accomplish. Have fun and be fun to work with - "Fun" is one of those words so often lost in business today. Building trust, capturing memories and being an outstanding artist has a core focus on loving what you do. Everybody has a bad day now and then, but being a professional photographer is about loving people and seeing the world through their eyes and often heart. You can find David and Jill at: OneSoulPhotography.com Have suggestions on future topics you want us to cover? Email us: Skip Cohen: skip@mei500.com Chamira Young: chamira@photofocus.com Share This Podcast! Please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes.
Welcome to the Mind Your Own Business Podcast! Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Please, post a review on iTunes. All images copyright Scott Bourne Photography Today we chat with photographer, author, educator, Olympus visionary and President of Skylum, Scott Bourne about the following topics: Staying cutting edge in your technique, as well as how you run your business Fine-tuning your skillset The importance of education The impact your About Page can have Personal and business growth, and how it occurs outside of your comfort zone Re-evaluating your business processes The role that listening to other's opinions can have in how you run your photography business How to find inspiration when you feel "clogged" or uninspired Scott's personal tips for being productive when time is limited Scott's top recommendation for learning how to sell Which do you need first, a client or a camera? Scott answers this question The benefits of getting involved in your community organizations The one thing that never changes in marketing Exciting upcoming news with Skylum The importance of loving what you do, and how it drives your business forward You can find Scott at: Skylum.com: Cutting edge photography editing software ScottBourne.com: Check out Scott's work FB and Twitter @scottbourne Instagram: @bourne.scott Have suggestions on future topics you want us to cover? Email us: Skip Cohen: skip@mei500.com Chamira Young: chamira@photofocus.com Share This Podcast! Please share this podcast with your friends and subscribe via iTunes.
The first Mind Your Own Business Podcast features Paul Carroll, one half of the Funky Fashion Frolics team. Having grown their fashion and style blog grow to over 33,000 followers the last couple of years have been a whirlwind for the trendsetting duo who were also crowned Meath Style Award Winners earlier this year. And the key to their ever-expanding business is keeping it real!