If you’re looking for a new art piece to decorate your walls and enhance your living space or just appreciate art, please join us!
Cuba to Cardiff Art Exhibit and Presentation.
Sunday August 22nd 2010 from 4:00pm-6:00pm
Local Focus Photography Studio
230 Birmingham Drive, Cardiff CA 92007
Hi Everyone!
Let me introduce myself. I’m Becky, the Studio Manager for Local Focus Photography located in the heart of Cardiff California. I’m here for you! Please contact me with any questions you have about our services. Whether it’s about; Family Photos, Event Photography, Business Portraits (Head Shots), Real Estate Listing Photos, Product Photography, Pet Photography, etc. I’d love to help you out. If you are a past customer or future customer, I’d love to meet you, click here to contact me. Also, I’m the one in charge of the events for Local Focus Photography so please stay tuned as I will be sharing some of the fun events we have in store for you.
Thanks for listing! Talk soon!
Becky
Local Focus Photography Studio Manager
I just recently did a fun photoshoot at the studio and it occurred to me just how fun it is to add a prop to mix. In this case I had my buddy Gonzo bring his welding goggles for a funshop I was hosting at The Light Loft. I had seen him working in his backyard with them and instantly I wanted to take a picture. The results were super fun. I think props serve a couple purposes. One is the obvious, which is that they just add that little something extra to the shot. Two is that it gives the subject something to actually use to help them go outside of their comfort zone (and Gonzo’s comfort zone is already pretty broad). Behind the goggles, Gonzo could act anyway he likes…almost like he is “in character” and what that character does is completely up to him. So the next time that you are in front of a camera or behind one, consider adding a prop to the mix and I think you will be surprised with how fun the shooting will become.
More than ever, I have been receiving the awkward…almost skeptical look out of the corner of people’s eyes when I say, “business is great…different, but great.” Most respond with a long list of reasons as to why I am LUCKY to be in the photography business because other types of businesses (which includes theirs of course) are really struggling. All right, so there is some truth to what they say to me and to quote Samuel Goldwyn, “the harder I work, the luckier I get!”
I have decided to take this opportunity to talk about what I have been doing differently to not only survive…but to prosper in this “down market.” This blog was initially intended for other photographers who are looking for new ways to promote themselves, but it applies to almost anyone.
The irony is that what I have been doing differently than other photographers in my field is the same thing I have done since I started my company. I am a part of a Business Networking Group called BNI. As my business has grown, so has my marketing strategies…and yet I still have not found a more simple and effective way to promote myself than to meet with other business professionals on a weekly basis. The idea is rather simple: I do my best to help their businesses grow…and they return the favor. One major factor to making this work is to find the right group…because let’s be honest, I am not going to go out of my way to promote someone I don’t trust (and visa versa). There are all kinds of networking opportunities around you and networking groups like BNI effectively train you to get the most out of them all.
Many new photographers assume that “if only I had a great website or better equipment, my sales would surely go up.” For the aspiring photographer, however, the paradox is that in order to have a great website, they need to have great images…and in order to have great images they need to have great photo shoots. And unless they are willing (and can afford) to just shoot things for free in order to build their portfolio, initial sales comes before everything else (including top of the line equipment). My initial sales came exclusively from the networking group I joined years ago.
More than ever, business is all about building relationships. It takes time and a lot of work, but in this period of economic uncertainty do you think I regret going the extra mile to build lasting relationships with my business partners (from all fields, including other photographers) and their referrals? Hell no…it’s the best investment I ever made in my company! I am certain that as long as I keep building those relationships, the dividends will continue to pay off with unparalleled opportunity. My relationships are the reason I am still doing well when others are struggling. The best part is that all you need to get started is a business card and firm handshake!
Check out these sites for some good sales/networking information:
www.BNI.com
www.gitomer.com
www.mortgageproconsulting.com
These are not photography sites…and that is exactly why I mention them. They all have a wealth of free information that will help you become better networkers.
With the economy shifting every day, the only option we seem to have is to evolve and shift with it. For many businessmen and businesswomen that means creating or completely revamping their marketing strategies and a large part of that marketing strategy is having a decent photo of themselves. This is especially true for those in sales positions…and if you own your own business you are in a sales position whether you realize it or not. The interesting thing, however, is that the mass majority does not put much stock in the importance of a good headshot. My question to you is, how effective is your headshot?
Whether it is in business or personal life, most of you work very hard to create a good first impression. Everything from the way you dress to the firmness of your handshake to what cologne or perfume you wear…it all serves a similar purpose. A headshot is an extension of that first impression and in some cases it is the only impression (at least visually) that someone may have of you and your respective business. Your goal as businessperson, and my goal as a photographer, should be to make sure your headshot is congruent with the way you portray yourself to your current and potential clients. That is assuming, of course, that you are already putting in the effort to make those first impressions count…good luck with that if you aren’t; because, I can assure you that your competition is!
So let’s discuss what makes a good headshot great? Beyond all other factors, the key to an effective headshot is YOU. It does not matter how amazing a photographer is…or how much photoshopping is done after the shoot. If you don’t see the value in a good photo of yourself and or you hate the thought of having your picture taken, you will absolutely fulfill your own thoughts and end up with a bad shot. Granted, a good photographer may be able to come up with something better than what you expected, but your goal should be more than just “better than bad.” Trust me when I tell you, everyone has a great shot in him or her…and the most common thing that gets in the way is someone’s mindset.
Once my clients are committed to getting a great shot of themselves, the process can begin. We can work together to get a shot that is harmonious with who they really are and what they are selling. They have done their homework and have determined what they want to get out of their photos. They show up comfortable, confident, and prepared…and so do I. They are less focused on what everyone else is doing in their industry and more focused on what they want to portray. All of a sudden we are both shooting with intention and our intention is the same…to get the best and most effective shot possible. The result is that we end up with a photo that they love (yes you can love a headshot) and are proud to put on all of their marketing material.
They have a photo that says 1,000 words…and yes, they are all good words.
Here are 5 things you should consider BEFORE you have your photo taken:
