Stop sabotaging your photography sales

By Jeff Kent
April 2019 issue Business

Fear. It’s a prevalent theme in professional photography, and an all too common refrain among photographers discussing the fundamental problems that drag down their businesses. Fear of rejection. Fear of following your true creative inspiration. Fear of charging what you’re worth. Fear of being able to sell your art. For creative professionals trying to make a living producing art on demand, fear can creep into many areas of the creative and business processes.© Jeff Dachowski Jeff... Continue Reading >

Want clients? Create a unique value proposition

April 2019 issue Business

A unique value proposition is what separates you from your competitors in consumers’ minds. This critical business asset explains what you offer that’s distinct, and it becomes the heart of your consistent and cohesive marketing messaging. A great value proposition is clear, concise, and specific. Examples: Uber offers uber convenience; Dollar Shave Club gives you a great shave for a few bucks a month; Tortuga Backpacks let you bring everything you need without checking a bag.Some food... Continue Reading >

4 steps to diffusing anger

March 2019 issue Business

We're often caught of guard when we have to respond to someone who's angry, which could be a disgruntled client, an unhappy employee, or even a family member. Whether they're silently stewing or screaming out loud, the first step as the recipient of anger is to calm ourselves so we can engage our best listening skills with an air of patience and curiosity. Clear a path for construction communication by following these steps.Source: "Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are... Continue Reading >

Caroll Michels: Advice on prospering as an artist

By Jeff Kent
March 2019 issue Business

Caroll Michels began her career as an artist. Working primarily in New York, with some projects in Europe, she found a foothold in public art and landed several prominent museum exhibitions. As her career progressed and projects got bigger, she found herself spending 85 percent of her time doing administrative work, and only about 15 percent on creative expression.Tired of the grind, she shifted gears to focus on helping other artists navigate the world of professional art. She formed an... Continue Reading >

Risky Business: Building success on calculated risk

By Jeff Kent
February 2019 issue Business

Megan DiPiero, Cr.Photog., CPP, knows a thing or two about risk. In fact, you could say she owes much of her success to a willingness to take calculated risks.DiPiero started her Fort Myers, Florida, business as a shoot-and-burn portrait photographer charging what she guessed consumers would pay. Very quickly, she discovered she wasn’t making enough money to justify all the time she devoted to work, and she was getting burned out fast. “I decided that if I’m going to do this, I’m... Continue Reading >

Befriending fear: Harness what scares you

By Eric Minton
January 2019 issue Business

He sounds like a slouch. He hangs around Judi Holler’s home and, well, everywhere she goes, for that matter. Cares for her and keeps her safe but wants her under his thumb, demanding that she vacuum or do laundry when she should be working. And check out his name: Fear. She should dump the guy, right? No way. Working with fear has become integral to Holler’s professional success.We’re not talking about an actual physical dude, of course. Fear is the metaphysical psychosis that occupies... Continue Reading >