Take this...and run with it!

 

I wanted to share this little story because I felt that this was rather important to where I would like to be someday.  First I would like you to consider people like...

 

-Martha Stewart

-Steve Jobs

-Rachel Ray

......the list goes on!

 

I recently had a friend in Northwest Arkansas that took the bull by the horns, and decided to go into business for herself. She had been in about 5 or 6 months so far, and seems to be doing alright, so I began to look and what she was doing and what she wasn't doing. So me being the inquisitive person that I am, I started to do some research on how to really "get yourself" out there. The most important thing here to remember is 

 

NEVER GIVE UP!

 

So many people now days are so quick to throw in the towel without giving a fighting chance.  Starting you own business it hard- the internet is littered with people that coulda, shoulda, woulda!  

My point is this...there are endless amounts of information available at your finger tips both from those that have succeeded and those that have failed. So rather than to discuss what I would do, I would rather discuss what I want to see.

 

 

I look at endless photography pages and posts every day, that simply go unused . What I want to see are people that can interact. 

1.  I would rather not see a Facebook post where a photographer asks "what kind of technique" their clients would like to see, and never takes the opportunity to discuss this in more detail.  If it is one thing that I learned in my 20+ years in retail, you  ALWAYS follow-up with your client.
2. I would like to see someone post to Twitter more than once every few weeks.   If for no other reason than to share an article or a quote that they found interesting.  I'm really not too interested in following someone on Twitter that hasn't posted since April of 2013.  It's like going shopping with your wife as she goes into the dressing room and asked you to watch her purse... and you just blindly stare at it patiently waiting for it do something!
3. I wanna see someone who dislikes Twitter so much that they share it with everyone, and then goes over to Pinterst....and pins it!
4. I would like to see (if you are a business owner and me the client) what new products you have, a new technique you are using, what your day is like, and most important...."do you drink coffee?"
5. I tend to steer clear of photographers that continuously post "sneak peaks", all that tells me is that you do GREAT work, and you're are still in business.

 

Again, this is just for thought, but there are just so many resources that are available now and that never seem to be used. 

 

Bikes, Blues, and BBQ

 

These are just a few of the ol' Intagram pictures from last year.  I went for the first time in 2012, and I can most definitely say that I am stoked for this year......And if memory serves me right, it's just a few weeks away! Instagram works good, but I would really love to get my lens on some of this stuff!

 

 

Come prepared

I spoke with this young lady a week or so before I took these.  I simply told her that if she had anything extra, and ideas, or any props to bring them along and we would put our ideas to good use.   First, I would like to say they I always encourage any clients to look around and see what it out there.  I tell then that if there is any sentimental piece and/or prop that they are more than welcome to bring it with them, and we would incorporate it. I always come to a shoot with ideas, but I see nothing wrong with having a client bring their ideas as well!  I would also like to say that this young lady brought and entire sack full of goodies that she wanted to use, and we did our best to put then to work.  She  politely showed me her collection of pins from Pinterest on her smartphone, and was more than willing to try some new things.  At any rate, I was pleasantly impressed with what she had brought to the table, and I think she walked away with everything in a shoot that she was looking for. 

I think it is rather important to encourage clients to help in the process to ensure that they receive the experience that they are looking for.  Two minds are better than one right? 

OH YES.....Congratulations to this couple on the new addition! ....I believe this is #4 for them!