The right light

By Jane Gaboury
October 2019 issue Business

How clients see youHas it ever happened that after you’ve finished a photographic work some delightful detail revealed itself that you hadn’t even known was there? Like a deeply submerged thought you hadn’t yet given voice to, some aspect needed to bubble to the surface. So it is with the written word, I find. With nearly every issue of the magazine, there comes a time in our production cycle where I’m excited and slightly surprised to see a theme arise that had somehow escaped my... Continue Reading >

Make technology work for you and your clients

By Jeff Kent
October 2019 issue Business

In photography, the technology gap has closed between professionals, enthusiasts, and the general public. Gone are the days when photographers could set themselves apart by owning and knowing how to operate the most advanced camera equipment. To remain viable entrepreneurs today, professional photographers must differentiate themselves through their professionalism. Creating effective business systems is part of that differentiation.Crystal Washington is a technology strategist and futurist... Continue Reading >

Branding: Be the opposite of normal

By Jeff Kent
September 2019 issue Business

Before he was the Man in the Yellow Tux, Jesse Cole worked for a college summer baseball team in Gastonia, North Carolina. It was one of the worst baseball organizations in the country: About 200 fans showed up at each game, the team had $268 in the bank, and the organization was losing more than $100,000 a year.Cole thought hard about the business he was in. Was it baseball? No, not really. More than baseball, per se, people wanted to be entertained. And that’s where Cole and the team had... Continue Reading >

The products clients want from photographers

September 2019 issue Business

When a client comes to you for a family, child, or pet portrait session, what products are they open to purchasing? Unsurprisingly, digital files are top of mind, according to a PPA consumer research study. But printed images in all their various forms aren’t far behind. Video, on the other hand, might be a tougher sell.© Professional Photographers of America Continue Reading >

Research: Regardless of their age, consumers want prints

August 2019 issue Business

Consumers of all ages value printed photographs. While popular culture stereotypes may have you believing that millennials are only interested in digital photographs, research by PPA shows they want to buy printed photographs just as much as older clients do. In fact, there was no significant difference between millennial (born 1981-1996), Generation X (born 1965-1980), and baby boomer (born 1946-1964) consumers in their desire to purchase prints after a session with a professional... Continue Reading >

President’s message: Celebrate your freedom

By Audrey Wancket, M.Photog.Cr., CPP
July 2019 issue Business

© Gregory DanielJuly 4 celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which gave us certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As Americans we not only have the right to dream, but we have the right to establish our professional independence—to build a business that reflects our individual interests and values.Starting a business involves risk, responsibility, and unexpected limitations. But if you seek knowledge in the right places,... Continue Reading >

Master time management with Andrew Mellen

6.24.2019 Business

You Have Time, You Need PrioritiesIf you're ready to master time management, Andrew Mellen, “The Most Organized Man in America,” has some tips to get you on the right track. It's not about working more hours; it's about managing your priorities.In the video "You Have Time, You Need Priorities," he delves into a number of topics photographers will relate to:What makes some people so more productive than others? (Hint: It's not the number of hours they work.) There are simple,... Continue Reading >

Study: 45 percent of Americans plan to purchase photography

June 2019 issue Business

How's this for good news: Consumer research commisioned by PPA finds that 45 percent of American adults plan to purchase professional photography in the next 12 months. While most of those 100 million-plus people don't represent your target market, there is still a world of opportunity for selling all kinds of images. Here's the breakdown of what consumers expect to buy. © Professional Photographers of AmericaNote: Total does not equal 100 percent due to multiple responses.Sources:... Continue Reading >

Certified professional photographer credential speaks volumes

By Julia Boyd
June 2019 issue Business

If there’s a single credential that’s nearly universally understood by consumers as a professional stamp of approval, it’s certification. Certification exists across many industries and professions—accounting, medicine, and education, among others. While they may not have an appreciation for the specific criteria that must be met for certification in any given market segment, the public instinctively understands that certification connotes competence. They know that an individual who... Continue Reading >