What May happen In 50 Years....

What May Not Happen In 50 years.....

While looking at my feed in my smartphone, as many of us do occupy with the technology which surround us, I came a cross an image posted by a fellow photographer Brian Joseph Calabrese 

This may be a truly beat on subject for those of us who own a professional photography business with a 'Print Your Images" and not a 'Shoot & Burn' mentality or model.  For some a great educational read and perhaps, not such joy for others.

But, in all truth.... I know that my clients already know my reasons for NOT shooting and placing all images in an USB [I have not delivered a DVD with images in a very long-long time] to just be printed at some random retail print service "At the Corner of Happy and Healthy" - No offense 'Walgreens'

My theory for not delivering ALL images in a storage device proves in the fact that these may never get printed.  There is a sense of ownership when you have ALL your images, but also there is something about the feeling of accomplishment, when your images are printed and delivered to you, by your professional photographer!

Although, in the past I may have lost potential clients to my strong belief in printing images. I rest in the comfort of knowing that one of my many responsibilities to ALL my clients as their Professional Photographer is to deliver Professionally Created Captures that will be printed/preserved by using professional labs and not that 'retail printer - At the Corner of Happy and Healthy"

That said, my lab partners offer prints that will last 100 years in a typical home display and 200 years in dark storage - Meaning that your kids and your kids' children {the upcoming generations} will enjoy these memories... Therefore protecting your INVESTMENT!

You made it this far... Great!!! Now, food for THOUGHT:

- How long ago, all PC's and Laptops had CD/DVD burners?? 

Now, think about this too -  Most of the major brands are developing PC, tables, iPads, and laptops with only USB ports or NONE at all! So, only the prints will make it to your hand assuring you of great moments when they are printed.

However, I do offer delivery options on the most loved images from their sessions via USB or downloads with perfect resolution for e-mail/screen-savers, social media. I also deliver a few images in an APPs for their smart devices. Making it fun to enjoy visually, and then the prints are delivered to them at home.

The process in framing and placing images in albums is still practiced, in these cases I offer my clients a great discount when they order their prints in already framed products or BULK printing for their albums and lastly, I offer album design!

I love that most people still want to preserve memories in albums and such!

Please ENJOY creating memories and PRINT all captures - Even the ones in your devices! You will never get these memories back and they are so important!

Protect your investment, obtain prints from your photographer, as professional we guarantee our products. I bet your retail " At the Corner of Happy and Healthy" cannot!

RE-BLOG | The Top 8 Essentials for a Successful 2015!

ATTENTION

This is a RE-BLOG - and by no means MY work.  It is great to share their great work with other photographers. All Materials belong to Zack & Jody © 2014-2015

______________________________________________________

The Top 8 Essentials for a Successful 2015!

BY ZACH & JODY | DEC 30, 2014 | BUSINESS, MARKETING, MISC | 10 COMMENTS

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we create them.“

- Einstein

A friend of ours had the best year ever in his business, ever.

The reason for it was talked about on this blog by the Business Insider. That post is about the top tips Andrew Carnegie used to become one of the wealthiest men of all time and was documented in the book by Napoleon Hill “Think and Grow Rich.”

We used the exact same tips back in 2007 and it completely rocked our business and set us up for an amazing 2008!

We want to share with you our top 8 tips that took us from making $4,000 profit in 2007, to making 100 grand in 2008! These are the same tips that we now use each and every year that have helped us continually build our business and make it better time and again.

If you choose to use these simple tips, you will have a better business in 2015, so only read on if that is what you want!

1. Define your purpose.

Hill says to, “Create a plan of action and start working toward it immediately.” The way we did that was to create a vision statement for our business. We wanted to “impact couple’s marriages through photography that is relationally based, with a focus on marriage, not just their wedding day.”

Having a defined purpose (or vision) gives you a reason to get up and work at it every day. When you are working toward something that is bigger than yourself, you have purpose in your life. Now you need a Mission, or a “how” and that is where you start to create an action plan and start working toward it NOW!


2. CREATE A “MASTER-MIND ALLIANCE.”

Contact and work with people “who have what you haven’t,” Hill says.

Create a small, tight network of people that are doing what you want to do is what catapulted our business just when we needed it. We found wedding planners, photographers and a few brides that were doing the gigs we wanted (not the ones we had at the time), and demonstrated value to them.

We gave them every reason to refer us and our business exploded and we were booking like crazy. Someone already has a network, and YOU need that network.


3. GO THE EXTRA MILE


“Doing more than you have to do is the only thing that justifies raises or promotions, and puts people under an obligation to you,” writes Hill.

Use this in every aspect of every single thing you do for anyone, ever. When you do, those people will feel reciprocity and will want to do something in return for you. They will want to refer you, help you, or buy your products and services.

4. INDULGE YOUR IMAGINATION.

Dare to think beyond what’s already been done.



When we changed our business model in late 2007, I remember looking at the top 5 wedding photographers in the country and deciding we would do what they were doing, only better.

You have to allow yourself to think big, and believe big if you want big things to happen. You are what you believe so don’t think small.

5. EXERT ENTHUSIASM.

A positive attitude sets you up for success and wins the respect of others.

The more positive we thought about situations, the more those situations worked out for our good. The way you choose to think will determine the outcome of your circumstances. (Tweet this out!)


6. Concentrate your effort.

Don’t become distracted from the most important task you are currently facing.



Focus + Intensity + Time creates Momentum according to best-selling author Dave Ramsey. You need to concentrate your business, your effort, and your time into to doing what matters most and close out all other distractions.When we did this in 2007 it gave us powerful momentum that took our small city by storm. It gave the perception that we were everywhere and that made us more valuable. You can’t do that if you are not concentrating your efforts in one direction.


7. PROFIT FROM ADVERSITY.

Remember that “there is an equivalent benefit for every setback,” Hill writes.



We all fail, and we have had plenty of set-backs in our career. Use those set-backs and as opportunity to learn, adjust and more forward with more knowledge than you had before.


8. PRACTICE “APPLIED FAITH.”

Believe in yourself and your purpose so fully that you act with complete confidence.



If you don’t believe yourself, than your clients won’t either. A lack of confidence is very apparent to everyone around you and when you don’t think you are good enough, then everyone starts to believe it. Guess what? You ARE good enough. Hear that from us. Hear that you are good enough and that you CAN do this. Don’t listen to anyone else that says otherwise.



Your Chance To Respond!

Which one of these 8 Tips do you need to do the most? Start the Conversation by making a comment and let us know!We know that you are going to have an amazing 2015 and we will see you after the first of the year!!!

This is a RE-BLOG - and by no means MY work.  It is great to share their great work with other photographers. All Materials belong to Zack & Jody © 2014-2015

My Best Wishes For You!

My Best Wishes For You!

A little something to get you started...



Perhaps a bit long... But, this e-mail evoked the stimulation of emotions such as "New Year’s Resolutions"

It has become a tradition that sometimes I like to hold on to, here are a few pieces for everyone to appreciate. I try to every year select out a few things to work on and keep that list in my Tiffany Blue Book by my bedside.

2014 has finally come to an end and I recently looked at my little book and I did pretty well with my 2014 goals {Both business wise and personal}

Oh, now... This year, I've had a few challenges - it is harder coming up with a new set of daring matters that will be part on my 2015 plan. However, I enjoy doing these and here is quick questionnaire that perhaps may assist you decide on your resolutions for 2015.

Let's see...

Here are my New Year’s Resolutions for 2015

Bad habits I’m going to break:
Start my days earlier, and attain a normal schedule - I definitely need more rest!


Where do I want to travel:
DO my normal US route - But, I want to conquer new places.


I will make a better effort at:
- Creating more availability to help more in my community.
- Develop a program locally to provide printed memories to those who cannot afford to have my services such as less fortunate individuals.{ Charitable work}


What Project to finish:
- My Bridal Sketches and other illustrations
- My Sketch table - Canvas painting studio set up

What I want to do more of:
- Offer Educational Opportunities to beginner photographers
- More YOGA and walk more often.


Food-wise, what would I do:
Prepare in advance... So, I can eat better and frequently


What to wear:
Although, I have always been the pony tailed with jeans gal, I will attempt to be more-formal, more often


Work/Business Wise
Indulge in creativity for my clients and myself while continuing to grow and assist conventions/workshops , continue to inspire other and meet new clients as well as to continue developing my Commercial Division!

So, there it is.... Now it is your turn...

What are your plans and resolutions for 2014?

Color Casting On Images - Important Educational BIT!

 

Photo credit courtesy from © Peter West Carey

Today's BLOG - is about COLOR CASTING - Why? You will see...


Let's begin by the definition of Color casting - Color Cast is a tint of a particular color, usually unwanted, which affects the whole of a photographic image evenly.

I am fortunate enough to be trusted to review portfolios and work by others, and endless times I have ran across images that have this issue.

Many of the technical aspects and techniques that allow photographers grow with their skill is education, their knowledge of managing their White Balance settings assertively and knowing when and how to avoid these color castings from appearing.

Clients, they may not notice - However, a trained eye will.

When you offer 'professional' services and in fact you are charging for these services, you must keep in mind that striving for a professional outcome in your images, re-enforces not only the factor of running a professional business, but also the matter of delivering images that are in fact handled with extreme knowledge and skill.

That being said, it is a good practice to pay close attention to these details, it will set you apart from the rest, not mentioning your images will take off with grand speed.

Examples of color casting may be: white wedding dresses - has a hue or hint of blue... Reds that reflect in some skin as well as green on light {white shirts} clothing... etc

So, the reason for my blog today is that only to raise awareness, so that gorgeous, professional images are delivered with exquisite quality. Oh, and do not worry... I have in the past been a victim of this color casting, but you learn - and move ON So, Do not fret- Time, skill and practice will allow YOU to avoid that pesky detail from happening! Learning is endless....

Hope this invites some to entertain the thought of learning how to use their White Balance accordingly and carefully use some great techniques during post processing... :)

Someday you will say: Hey - I am glad I learned more about this!

Hoping this helps a few...

allie miller
Enjoy these links from DPS

http://digital-photography-school.com/why-is-the-snow-in-my-pictures-so-blue

http://digital-photography-school.com/introduction-to-white-balance

http://digital-photography-school.com/precise-color-cast-correction-with-gray-fill-layers
∞