photography

The Canadian Tenors Performing at the Smith Center Las Vegas

August 23, 2012 By admin

The Tenors (The Canadian Tenors) perform songs from their new album and film a new PBS special at The Smith Center in Las Vega

The concert was recorded in the breathtaking 2,050 seat Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center for an upcoming PBS special and live concert DVD.

The Tenors have traveled the world for the past four years. From Johannesburg to Shanghai, London to Los Angeles, they have inspired millions of music lovers with their rich harmonies, addictive charm and powerful songs. They have performed for world leaders and many celebrities including an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show with Celine Dion. Most recently, The Tenors performed in London, England for Queen Elizabeth II. Now they’re back with a dazzling new show prior to the launch of their new album.

The Tenors performed all new music from their, yet to be released, sophomore album Lead With Your Heart. The foursome invited some of their friends as special guests to share the stage for this unforgettable performance.

We had the opportunity to be the exclusive photographers for this unforgettable event. ENJOY!

Photographers Provide a Positive Solution

May 15, 2012 By admin

[by Thomas Werner]

During difficult economic times it is easy to become frustrated as you work to hold onto existing clients while growing and changing your business. Do your best not to let your frustration enter into your work or your conversations, the end result will only be detrimental to yourself and your business.

Clients choose photographers, videographers, editors and artists based not only on their ability to problem solve and deliver an outcome that meets their needs, but to do so in a manner that is as problem free as possible. Personal vision, creative ability, pre and post production, professionalism, good business practices, experience, and technical acumen are integral, but they are just part of the problem solving package that we bring to the table as creative entities. Remember that the person hiring you also works for someone else. Their job may depend on not only on the quality of work that you deliver but also the manner in which you create and deliver it.

The next time that a client emails, calls, texts, facebooks, tweets, or invites you to a meeting, take a minute, clear your head, remove your emotions, and focus on the visual and production issues that the client is bringing to the table. Let them know how your unique skill set will solve their problem in the manner that best fits their needs. Then ask yourself how you can do so while making the project and everyone’s life as problem free as possible, while being paid fairly.

The challenges of a shifting a business climate can be frustrating. Don’t let manifestations of your frustration be your downfall. Remember, we are not entitled to success, we have to earn it, and working with your clients in a positive manner is one of the keys to that success.

via Strictly Business.

Take a Risk! Photographer Rep.

May 14, 2012 By admin

[by Selina Maitreya]

Years ago I was an agent, and repped a top photographer in Boston. I was in my game going on 40 portfolio appointments a month. Early on in the process I got very frustrated as ad’s would quickly look through my talent’s portfolio, flipping pages fast. I was usually in and out in 15 minutes.

One day after yet another quick meeting with a prospect that netted little connection and even less attention to the portfolio I left the office. I immediately turned around and went right back in. I plopped myself into a chair, and proceeded to ask my contact every question I’d ever wanted to ask. He was kind and helpful and from that very rocky beginning a new process for in-person visits was birthed. It’s one I share with my 1 on 1 clients every day. Its honest, impactful, service oriented and very quickly creates connection.

It also requires a bit of bravery, has been described as “out of the box” and I guarantee you, may make you stop and think twice. BUT…if you utilize this idea and make it your own, I guarantee you your appointments will last longer, you will gain more understanding of your client and their needs and you will make more of a connection with your contact.

When you call for your appointment communicate to your contact that you are interested in seeing them as you’d like to talk about what a valuable relationship with a photographer looks like to them, and that you’d like to discuss their photo needs and show them your work. When you are in their office, start by reminding them that you know that valuable relationships with photographers look different to different people and that you would like to know what value looks like to them.

Be sincere. You should want to know the answer to this question. You cant provide good service to your clients if you don’t know what that looks like to them.

If this process sounds like a stretch for you…stretch. Give it a try. In today’s competitive world, excellent service speaks volumes. My clients report that when they start their appointments this way, clients open up to them, they learn a lot and by the time they are sharing their work, contacts are engaged. They leave knowing much more about their clients, and their clients know that they truly care about them as well.

via Strictly Business.

Lunch on Me, a photographer’s approach to getting a meeting

May 11, 2012 By admin

[by Kevin Lock]

A successful photographer told me a long time ago that “keeping existing clients is so much easier than finding new ones.” I would add that keeping existing clients is much more important than finding new ones.

One way that I ensure repeat business from my clients is to make them feel special. I do this at every opportunity. Especially with my local clients. Why the local clients? Beside the obvious geographical reason, we share a community. For me that is San Diego. I know San Diego, and I like to share it with them.

I find out about events that my clients would most likely attend and I appear from time to time to mingle and give them a gentle reminder that I care about the things they care about and if I am not there working I am there having fun just as they are. It is kind of like sending a promo but a little more personal. Now this doesn’t necessarily quantify as a sit down ‘meeting,’ but it is is a meeting all the same. And at these events I often make more formal appointments either in person or by following up the next day with a ‘nice seeing you’ email.

My goal is to make clients really good clients and in the process develop not just a working relationship but a friendship. Once my client becomes a good client, I take it to the next level by getting involved with them socially. I offer to take them to lunch. Of course you have to be able to sense when it is appropriate and when it is not appropriate and read your client carefully. Perhaps you have a client that you don’t want to take to lunch ( I have a few ), or if you are single and they happen to be married, and you are of the opposite sex, well the last thing you want to do is have your client think you are hitting on them. Exercise caution and use your best judgement.

I like to take my good clients to lunch every 3 or 4 months. I am not pushy. I don’t hit them up every week. I often will send them an email asking if they were aware of a new restaurant or a spot that has been featured in the local paper/reader, and let them know I was thinking about checking it out. Just asking for their opinion of a place (that they might not have even had a chance to try or know about) can lead to a lunch ‘date.’ I keep it open and ask them to check their calendar and let me know when it would be convenient for them.

Amazingly clients often become friends over lunch.

via Strictly Business.

Qualities of a Workhorse Mailing List

May 7, 2012 By admin

[by Charles Gupton]

The foundation for building a workhorse client contact list is formulating a good idea of the different ways you plan to use the list — and the simplest method of grouping the names so that they can be easily sorted.

I’ve found it’s very easy to over-think and over-complicate the process of organizing a contact list. The options range from placing names on index cards at a cost of a few dollars — to a customer relationship management system costing thousands. It’s far better to start with a simple solution that you can use rather than waiting until you have the perfect solution. The act of doing it will bring the clarity you need.

My contact list provides information for three primary functions: sending emailers and newsletters, mailing postcards, and making phone calls for more personal connections. You also need to have a regular, systematic plan for keeping your list updated. It can be embarrassing to have a potential client find you’ve been sending emails to an address that’s not been actively used for two years.

For simplicity, I currently divide my list into three basic categories:

Influential Buyers – People who have the means and influence to make the buying decisions when photography services are needed. I call these folks most frequently to keep a consistent connection with them.

Influential Non-Buyers – People who wield great influence in deciding who may get hired but don’t actually do the hiring or generally work with the artists who are hired.

Business Referrers – Business connections who either don’t have the means or need for my services but are willing and usually enthusiastic advocates for my work.

My contact list used to be divided and sub-divided by various industries, job titles, etc. But I spent more time putzing around with the lists than I did staying in contact with the people on the lists. My current system isn’t perfect, but now it works when I work it.

via Strictly Business.