Online Solution for Photographers

It’s refreshing to see a photographer out there making things happen.  We just got a great call from a photographer stirring up some business.

After a little research, she found a few local Facebook pages with poorly done profile pictures.  She spent a morning taking shots of the local businesses, and then presented her photos to the businesses with her iPhone, although she wishes she had an iPad.

Almost every business used her photo as their profile picture.  Her watermark was on the bottom, and she left a few cards with each business owner.  Although she only started this a few months ago, she already sees strong results.

Another photographer went out on a limb and tried something new. He does graduation portraits, and saw a pretty steep decline over the last few years in orders. To try something new, he put his images into “Archive” state immediately using his MorePhotos shopping cart. He charged $10 for access to the images, which included a $20 gift certificate. Of course, almost everyone paid the $10 to see the images, and with just a little skin in the game, most of those people make a purchase. His sales doubled from last year, making the event super profitable once again.

At a recent trade show in Chicago, this shoe shiner didn’t take no for an answer. He ran beside us for an entire block until we stopped for just a second to figure out which way to to turn, ignoring our countless no thank-yous followed by NOs. Ivan said no very sternly but when he looked down, one shoe was already halfway done. A couple bucks earned. I really wanted to hire this guy to work at our booth.

As markets evolve, it often pays off to take risk and try new things. Nobody knows exactly what will have the best payout, but if your are relentless like the shoe shiner, you will learn your market and make a few bucks in the process.

What are your image rights as a pro photographer after posting to Facebook?

Unfortunately, not much. There is a false sense of control over images posted to Facebook. Many people don’t know there is a download button under each photo which can be used without the original content owner’s permission or knowledge. If you don’t want someone downloading or otherwise using your photo, it doesn’t belong on Facebook. Remember, its primary purpose is to share photos and stories with your friends and family.

A large frustration comes from educated photographers who know that Facebook is arguably a fantastic marketing tool, but in exchange for using it they must sell their soul (or at least give up exclusive rights to the images posted).

We recommend the following advice when pro photographers post images to Facebook

1. Post a url on fb (not actual image) to link to the images on your own website. This does NOT give fb nor anyone else rights to use your images.
2. Use www.MorePhotosApp.com to share images on fb. This app was created for photographers to protect images shared to fb. Images actually go to the MorePhotos App servers, not Facebook, and therefore the photographer retains full rights to images posted. There is no download button (unless of course they purchase the digital image from you), an auto watermark option is available, and photographers can post up to 1 GB of images for no monthly fee.
3. Only post watermarked images that are already purchased. This way you know you already have money for that photo and now you are just gaining marketing attention.
4. Know that once posted to Facebook, you have very limited control over the image. Its not the way we want it, its just the way it is.

In the words of business blogger Seth Godin, “Once it’s free (such as Facebook), you’re not the customer any more, you’re the product.”

Your professional images are valuable, treat them as such. Facebook is not evil and you don’t have to delete your account. Just use common sense before you post and you can gain valuable marketing exposure without losing image rights.

What is your photography specialty? What do you do so awesome that makes people feel so great when you create their images?

If I had to guess for you, I’d say it has something to do with your passionate customer service, attention to detail and the brand you create every day. Great brands don’t just happen, they are crafted every single day. Passionate customer service is about smashing expectations so much that people talk about it.

What this boils down to is that your time is valuable. What you do when you are “On the clock” should be as focused on your niche as possible. If you spend 8 hours a day behind the computer editing, who is taking care of your clients and building your brand?

There often a guilt trip associated with outsourcing, but if it allows you to run your business better, take care of your clients better and help your make more money, you should feel great about it.

All nighters are for naive college kids. Here are some ways to outsource:

• Online Sales can be directed to one of our integrated labs (you decide per order)
• Album Design by rebooku or Zookbinders
• Image retouch by Pro Image Editors (MorePhotos clients receive discount)
• Marathon Press can really help with your branding, they have tons of services

Ask.

Ok, it is a little more involved than that, but not much. The key is to make it easy for your clients to help you out. If they can write a review or two in a couple of minutes , they are likely to do it.

Be sure to have a few places set up for them to write reviews, then send your clients an email after their portraits or events.  Email is key because the links are hyper-linked, requiring only a click. The letter could look something like this:

Hey “Awesome Client”

I just created some online profiles and really need your help.
If you’re super happy with the work we did for you, please consider writing an online review for my studio.
This will help other people in search of great images.

Below are a few places where we are listed. Please pick one or two a write a quick review.
Yelp,  Google, Yahoo, ETC, ETC, ETC

It only takes a few minutes, and Karma is a wonderful thing.

You Rock, we can’t wait to get you back in the studio!
Zack Wessels, Photographer

Whether you plan to attend your local state shows or the national trade shows such as WPPI, Imaging USA, or Pro Photo Expo, time is running out to find, schedule, and attend photography trade shows. We know this is your time to relax, so what is the big deal anyway? Well here are 8 big reasons to pack your bags, or a least go for a drive.

1. Get Motivated. Let’s face it, we all get burned out. There is nothing like being surrounded by success to motivate yourself to try new things and get excited again about what you do.

2. Talk to Peers. What are they up to? How are they making money? You mean there are other people out there like me, that can share my hate with Pinterest? etc. etc.

3. Low Cost. Nothing is free, but typically you go to warmer places, get discounted hotels and food, and the whole thing is an educational write off.

4. Industry Strength. The photography industry is going through some quickly changing times. How do we keep it healthy? Work together. Remember the Milk campaigns? That wasn’t one photographer purchasing ads, that was the industry working together.

5. Member Benefits. Equipment insurance, discounts on drive recovery services, legal representation if someone steals your images.

6. Fun. Parties, reasons to do crazy stuff with your images, parties, food, dancing, early mornings, late nights, its just fun.

7. Education. Almost too obvious to mention, but the classes are often taught by renowned photographers with a proven success track they are ready to share.

8. Survival. With all of the above said benefits, you will do better. A motivated you with more education, better ideas, with more contacts to bounce ideas off of, your photography company WILL DO BETTER.

If you are going to earn the income you deserve for your hard work and creativity, we must act now. We must educate ourselves and the public. We must stick together, and we must support each other and the companies that support your organization.

See you at the next show!