Suppose you are planning a vacation to a rare and exotic land…an uncharted territory, so to speak.  You have never been there before…

What would you do?

You chart your course… you grab a piece of paper and chart your course of action…

You research weather and maps, and create an action plan for your killer vacation.

Plan Executed…

Weather Beautiful…

Smooth Sailing…

Facebook sings the praises of your amazing adventures and you have created and executed your dazzling vacation in image, time and anecdotal information.

The reason you created this plan for your recent adventure is the VERY SAME REASON you create a Business Plan for your new photography business. The creation of this plan is the first step toward your business success; but let’s not mince words, the creation of this plan will likely take more time than launching your business, and is (in all reality) more important than anything you do during the life of your business…   That stated, you must approach each stage of creating your business plan with the utmost thought and care to ensure your business’ success.

Photography is an artist’s work, technically challenging… and the “business” part of a photography career is the part that challenges us all.  Creating a business plan for an artistic business is an incredibly challenging as the services you are offering are qualitative not quantitative. One needs to be VERY discerning when forming the descriptions of services he/she intends to offer to his/her ideal client.

Our e-book (and member’s only) blog series takes you step by step through creating a business plan for your new or existing photography business, and you may even purchase a “fill in” template to help you through the process.  Stay Tuned!

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The Complete SEO work*  for your word press website…  you answer three easy questions and SIU does the rest… all in fewer than three business days!

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Our E-Book and fill-in photography business plan template will be live and FOR SALE SOON!

Please read our post all about it… here!

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Other Articles:

• Tips for Choosing Your Omaha Photographer
• A Handbook for 2011
• Daddy and Me
• I don’t think I will ever get over…
• These beautiful brothers…
• Roman and Allison + One = Three
• Building a Great Pricing Model :: Part 2
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• being a photographer is… s
• I would love to get married here…

Coming Soon!

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Other Articles:

• Tips for Choosing Your Omaha Photographer
• A Handbook for 2011
• The Red Door :: Omaha Senior Photographer
• I don’t think I will ever get over…
• These beautiful brothers…
• My Thoughts about Destination Weddings!
• It’s Black Friday, Baby…All Week Long | International Photographer
• Roman and Allison + One = Three
• Building a Great Pricing Model :: Part 2
• being a photographer is…

Coming Soon!

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Other Articles:

• Tips for Choosing Your Omaha Photographer
• I don’t think I will ever get over…
• These beautiful brothers…
• Roman and Allison + One = Three
• The Red Door :: Omaha Senior Photographer
• being a photographer is…
• A Handbook for 2011
• Heirloom Albums
• My Thoughts about Destination Weddings!
• Another Gallery-Wrapped Wall Collection…

but seriously, folks how many of you out there are bartering for NOTHING in RETURN (in all reality)?

STOP IT!

Doing so degrades the industry, your name, your brand — oh how the list goes on.  And just as your “business” has expenses, so does “that “model‘s” business.”  Your camera didn’t come free of charge and neither should the images you create for a model.

Right or wrong, I blogged about my frustrations with the ever growing number of inquiries re: modeling portfolios. — or FREE modeling portfolios.

If you aren’t getting business, engaging in shooting for free with sub-par models likely won’t get you anywhere — to grow, you need great models as well as incredible photographic integrity.  Models that are incredible work with incredible photographers for a reason.  They can identify and seek out quality imagery.

If you need images for your portfolio, mentor sessions or seminars may be a way to go about it (yes you need to invest in those too), and there are other ways, too; but shooting for free very rarely gets you anywhere but feeling abused and taken advantage of.

So many images out of these “free” sessions I see going up on Facebook are really bad, and for many reasons.

1. the model lacked skill (very evidently)
2. there was a lack of hair and makeup skill
3. the photography was just plain bad
4. the photography was “okay” but the post processing was “beginner” and not overly legit.
5. there was little attention paid to clothing choices, location, light, etc.
6. etc.
7. etc.

And the worst thing I see about all these sessions is that they are labeled as “FREE” or in exchange for portfolio images, Sally allowed me to photograph her, etc.   Please.. all that means is you got ABUSED and USED.

Don’t shoot for free… those willing to invest in YOU will also invest in quality hair and make-up and pay special attention to great clothing choices for the event.  In short… the images will rock if you allow them to.

Believe in yourself and your clients will believe in you as well.

Over and out!

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This video has been floating around the inter-web and many have posted it as a warning to clients, prospective clients and brides in general.

What if one posted it as a warning to “photographers.”

Some have stated (or commented) on YouTube about the fact that the photographer didn’t have sufficient gear.  I would concur (tenfold); however, I would boldly assert that the gear mentioned isn’t sufficient to be photographing portraits either.   Some may disagree with me; however, a kit lens and/or a variable aperture lens just doesn’t seem to get the job done.

Think about these questions.

1. What is a kit lens?
2. What is a “fixed” aperture lens?
3. What is a variable aperture lens?
4. What is an f-stop?

These are just a few questions…questions one should be able to answer swiftly and correctly.

If you cannot successfully answer them, you shouldn’t be photographing for free, as a side job, or for a living.  One of the three isn’t better or worse than another.   They are inherently equal.

Being the bold gal that I am… I would continue to assert that the amount this photographer charged (knowing little about the coverage) was insufficient for wedding coverage.  ANY wedding coverage.

This is what we do know:

She photographed ATLEAST (if not more) than:

• formals
• the ceremony

She provided PRINTED proofs.  There were TWO photographers.

If you are a photographer serving the wedding industry, are you clear on your business costs?  Clear on your project costs, and clear on what you SHOULD be charging to BREAK EVEN on your gigs?

Did you know it is OKAY to want to earn money in this business, and further more OKAY to earn money for your time, talent and your expenses.

Did you know that if you are not charging enough to provide professional quality prints for your clients you are doing your business, your clients and the industry a disservice?

Many talented photographers do mentoring to help young photographers with pricing and business infrastructure.  Before you continue to shortchange yourself, invest the money in hiring help in this arena.  Choose a mentor with a successful business, and worry more about infrastructure than about shooting.

Build the framework of your business, then fill it up with more knowledge and information about your craft.

My 2 cents…

Related articles:

• How do you build a great pricing model? :: Part 1
• Building a great pricing model? :: Part 2
• Coaching and Mentoring from Sloan Images

So excited to have some incredible feedback!  Raizy and I has a mini mentor session a few weeks ago, and less than a week after our interaction, this message came into the inbox.

Hi Christina,

I wanted to let you know that I booked two sessions!!  (A third is likely, but I haven’t heard back from her yet.) I just finished drafting the [correspondence] you suggested I write, and I’m excited to send it out.

Thank YOU, Christina!  I couldn’t have gotten here without you.

Again, I owe you big time!

Raizy

Congratulations, Raizy! Go get’em, Girl!

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Check out our Mentor Sessions HERE!

If someone else shot your headshot… issue credit and a link… Would you expect the same of your clients?

Seriously, folks.  we are professionals, and consistenly complain about those who are inconsiderate of our art, our work and our time.  Don’t be that guy!

If you had your head shot created by another professional, kindly list credit and a link to their work.  It is that simple.

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