these videos are hilarious but morbidly true...
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Photo 101: 4 weeks in November!
It's back! Photography Workshops, this time packaged just a bit differently. As I looked back on the past couple of years of workshops there was one thing I really wanted to change--I want to give my students MORE opportunity to practice what they have learned with me. Our workshops are a blast! But it's a bit of a crash course all at once so it's easy to reach 'information overload'. That made me re-think our format. This year, we are spreading it out--4 weeks in November, one night a week-- which gives you a chance to go home and do what we learned in class. We are definitely keeping the hands-on approach, only now you will have a chance to practice and then come back and ask MORE questions! Oh, and this year's class includes a complimentary photo session for you, your kids, or your family, or give it as a gift :)
We have a limited amount of space in our studio so the first ten students to reserve your seat with payment will be named the lucky ducks! No, actually, I am the lucky duck, because I get to be creative with you!
Here are some comments from past Mosaic Workshop students:
"Alyssa, you are an excellent teacher. This was FABULOUS!! I appreciated the way you took genuine interest in each question and desired to see us learn."
"This was a great learning experience! I learned so much and loved the hands on learning."
"I absolutely LOVED the hand-outs."
"Thank you for sharing all your insight--This was a priceless class."
"I liked how we learned a concept and then practiced it right away. You made all the photography terms really easy to understand."
"Thank you so much for all the take-home resources and individual investment. I learned so much and am so glad I got to be a part of this!"
"I learned so much about my camera by doing the hands on exercises. And I loved how organized everything was!"
We have a limited amount of space in our studio so the first ten students to reserve your seat with payment will be named the lucky ducks! No, actually, I am the lucky duck, because I get to be creative with you!
Here are some comments from past Mosaic Workshop students:
"Alyssa, you are an excellent teacher. This was FABULOUS!! I appreciated the way you took genuine interest in each question and desired to see us learn."
"This was a great learning experience! I learned so much and loved the hands on learning."
"I absolutely LOVED the hand-outs."
"Thank you for sharing all your insight--This was a priceless class."
"I liked how we learned a concept and then practiced it right away. You made all the photography terms really easy to understand."
"Thank you so much for all the take-home resources and individual investment. I learned so much and am so glad I got to be a part of this!"
"I learned so much about my camera by doing the hands on exercises. And I loved how organized everything was!"
Sunday, August 1, 2010
A MUST READ
I tweeted about this a while back when a pro photog friend of mine made me aware of this article. It is an absolute must read for anyone in the photography or visual arts field.
http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/12/how-should-i-price-my-photography-words-of-advice-from-jodie-otte/ It really hammers home the balance of doing what you love as a photographer but keeping family first--a fine balance that is so determined by knowing your numbers and having great biz skills. It's so crazy how $125K of sales equals $45K of take-home pay. And when you think about the hours you have spent, if you don't have a handle on the numbers, you'd be better off working somewhere for minimum wage.
http://www.mcpactions.com/
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Cameras
Where do I start if I want to invest in a good camera with manual options??
I started with the Canon Rebel--way back when one of the first models was $1500, 6 MP, and not nearly as technological as today's Rebels. That was a perfect start for me.
A full frame camera is a must, but you don't have to start there. When I switched to full-frame I saw a huge difference. So if you are thinking of doing any camera shopping you might want to look for a FX Format CMOS Sensor which means it's full frame, rather than DX Format CMOS Sensor. Full frame sensors have better image quality, and are especially awesome when it comes to high ISO performance. Full frame sensors also allow you to do more when it comes to wide-angle work.
From what I have heard the Sony Cybershots are awesome. A pro photog that I follow, MeRa Koh is sponsored by them and loves their stuff. Check out her photo tips here:
Where to shop for gear? Check out B and H Photo Video or Adorama.
I started with the Canon Rebel--way back when one of the first models was $1500, 6 MP, and not nearly as technological as today's Rebels. That was a perfect start for me.
A full frame camera is a must, but you don't have to start there. When I switched to full-frame I saw a huge difference. So if you are thinking of doing any camera shopping you might want to look for a FX Format CMOS Sensor which means it's full frame, rather than DX Format CMOS Sensor. Full frame sensors have better image quality, and are especially awesome when it comes to high ISO performance. Full frame sensors also allow you to do more when it comes to wide-angle work.
From what I have heard the Sony Cybershots are awesome. A pro photog that I follow, MeRa Koh is sponsored by them and loves their stuff. Check out her photo tips here:
Where to shop for gear? Check out B and H Photo Video or Adorama.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Photography as a Career and Salary...
Photography is a wonderful career if that is what God has designed you for. It is an over-saturated field as technology is ever available to the masses...which is why many people think they can jump into it a blissfully become established & successful. However, most do not realize that a successful photography business (meaning you make more than $10/hr and can pay all your business bills/taxes/insurance/professiojnal fees) is 90% business & 10% art/skill.
Regarding income, a person can have a comfortable income from photography with the right business/marketing/bookkeeping skills but statistics say photographers get paid less than teachers, so I can't stress the importance of the right business-minded foundation. $100K in sales can very quickly turn into $20K of take home pay and represent an insane amount of hours (like 60 hr work-weeks)--enough to drive your friends and family out of your life--if you aren't careful to develop and stick to a strategic business plan and workflow.
The cost of a photography business is often under estimated too. Ever changing technology allows us to do so much but not without a price: a photographer can drop $5K in a heartbeat just to upgrade software and gear that is less than a couple years old. Yikes! Gear, software, lighting equipment, background, props, professional dues, web hosting, presentation and projection equipment and software, professional training, packaging materials, electricity and water, rent, insurance.... these things aren't free.
I don't mean to share doom and gloom. Just want to paint a more realistic picture. It's not all daisies and roses, but nothing is...nothing good comes without hard-work and sacrifice. So again, do your homework, and ease into it until you are confident that this career is the best fit for you!
Regarding income, a person can have a comfortable income from photography with the right business/marketing/bookkeeping skills but statistics say photographers get paid less than teachers, so I can't stress the importance of the right business-minded foundation. $100K in sales can very quickly turn into $20K of take home pay and represent an insane amount of hours (like 60 hr work-weeks)--enough to drive your friends and family out of your life--if you aren't careful to develop and stick to a strategic business plan and workflow.
The cost of a photography business is often under estimated too. Ever changing technology allows us to do so much but not without a price: a photographer can drop $5K in a heartbeat just to upgrade software and gear that is less than a couple years old. Yikes! Gear, software, lighting equipment, background, props, professional dues, web hosting, presentation and projection equipment and software, professional training, packaging materials, electricity and water, rent, insurance.... these things aren't free.
I don't mean to share doom and gloom. Just want to paint a more realistic picture. It's not all daisies and roses, but nothing is...nothing good comes without hard-work and sacrifice. So again, do your homework, and ease into it until you are confident that this career is the best fit for you!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Photography Interview
Recently, I was interviewed by a local high school student as a part of research she was doing about careers. Here is a re-cap of our conversation:
What made you interested in becoming a photographer? GROWING UP MY MOM WAS ALWAYS TAKING PHOTOS. SHE GAVE ME MY FIRST CAMERA WHEN I WAS PROBABLY 5 OR SO AND ALWAYS SUPPLIED ME WITH FILM. SO I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TAKING PICTURES. THEN MY BROTHER GAVE ME HIS CANON AE-1 (A MANUAL CAMERA) WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL SO I GOT TO PLAY WITH THAT. I TOOK A PHOTOGRAPHY/DARKROOM CLASS IN HIGH SCHOOL AS WELL AND STARTED WORKING GIGS WITH SOME LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS. ONCE IN COLLEGE I TOOK MORE PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHIC DESIGN CLASSES AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ASKED ME TO PHOTOGRAPH THEIR WEDDINGS OR SENIOR PICS SO I JUST KEPT TAKING PHOTOS :)
What college did you attend, and for how long? Major? I ATTENDED MSUM MY FRESHMAN YEAR AND THEN WENT TO BIBLE COLLEGE FOR TWO YEARS WHERE I STUDIED HEALTH AND NUTRITION BUT HAD LOTS OF PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES (WEDDINGS AND SENIORS). THEN I CAME BACK TO MSUM FOR 3 YEARS AND DECLARED A GRAPHIC DESIGN MAJOR WITH A STUDIO EMPHASIS IN PHOTOGRAPHY. MY LAST YEAR I SWITCHED TO ART EDUCATION AND GRADUATED WITH A DOUBLE EMPHASES IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHIC DESIGN.
What does your daily schedule as a photographer look like? EVERY DAY IS SO DIFFERENT! I GENERALLY TRY TO STICK TO A ROUTINE, BUT FIND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE SINCE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL AREAS OF THE BUSINESS. IN A GIVEN WEEK, MY TASKS INCLUDE BOOKKEEPING, ANSWERING AND RETURNING CALLS AND EMAILS, BLOGGING, PHOTOGRAPHING, EDITING, DESIGNING, CREATING SLIDESHOWS, FILLING ORDERS, PACKAGING ORDERS, DELIVERING ORDERS, BACKING UP WORK, MARKETING, NETWORKING WITH OTHER VENDORS, AND MEETING WITH POTENTIAL CLIENTS.
Is being a photographer time-consuming? EXTREMELY! STATISTICS SHOW THAT 95% OF PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESSES FAIL. I BELIEVE THAT IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE ARE MANY TASKS TO JUGGLE IN A PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS AND 80% OF BEING A SUCCESSFUL PHOTOGRAPHER IS DUE TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PERSON. YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO FIND YOUR CLIENTS, HOW TO BUILD RELATIONSHIP AND LOYALTY WITH THEM, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHERE EVERY PENNY YOU MAKE IS SPENT AND HOW EACH CENT IS EARNED. AND ALL OF THIS TAKES TIME! MOST PHOTOGRAPHERS MAKE LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE, AND IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ACCOUNTING FOR ALL THE TIME THEY INVEST IN THEIR BUSINESS AND CONSIDERING THAT WHEN THEY PRICE THEIR WORK. TAKING PHOTOS IS EASY AND DOESN'T TAKE A LOT OF TIME, BUT THE HOUR IT TAKES TO PREP YOUR GEAR BEFORE A SHOOT AND SET UP, THE HOUR OF TRANSIT, THE 3 HOURS YOU SPENT ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR CLIENT BEFORE AND AFTER THE SESSION, THE TWO HOURS OF EDITING, THE 30 MINUTES OF BLOGGING, THE HOUR OF TOUCHING UP THE IMAGES AND FILLING ORDERS AND FINALLY THE HOUR IT TAKES TO PACKAGE AND SHIP OR DELIVER THE PRODUCT ADDS UP QUICKLY AND FILLS YOUR DAY FAST. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, ONE JOB HAS TAKEN 10 HOURS OF YOUR TIME AND IF YOU ARE CHARGING $100 FOR A SESSION, YOU MADE LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE BECAUSE 35% OF THAT $100 GOES TO UNCLE SAM FOR TAXES, AND HALF OF WHAT'S LEFT COVERS YOUR GENERAL EXPENSES OF RUNNING A BUSINESS. SO THE SHORT OF IT IS THIS: YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT OF YOUR TIME WORTH IT!
Would you have rather chosen a different route looking back?
SOME DAYS, YES, BUT MOST DAYS NO. THE THING ABOUT RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND BEING A PHOTOGRAPHER IS THAT YOU ARE CONSTANTLY LEARNING AND ADAPTING. TECHNOLOGY CHANGES, YOUR FAMILY SITUATION CHANGES, THE ECONOMY CHANGES, TRENDS CHANGE, SO YOU HAVE TO CHANGE TOO. IT'S NOT LIKE WORKING AT STARBUCKS WHERE A VANILLA LATTE IS ALWAYS A VANILLA LATTE, ALWAYS MADE THE SAME WAY. EVERYTHING I DO AS A PHOTOGRAPHER IS CUSTOM MADE, CUSTOM DESIGNED, EVERY SHOOT IS DIFFERENT. THIS MAKES MY JOB A LOT OF FUN, BUT IT ALSO MAKES IT CHALLENGING. SO THERE ARE DEFINITELY DAYS I WISH I WAS A BARISTA AT STARBUCKS, BUT MOST DAYS I ENJOY THE CHALLENGE OF BEING INNOVATIVE AND CHANGING WITH THE TIMES.
What are the ups of being a photographer?
THE MOST REWARDING THING IS THE RELATIONSHIPS I GET TO BUILD AND THE EXPERIENCES I GET TO WITNESS AND DOCUMENT. MY JOB IS SO IMPORTANT! AND I AM REMINDED OF THAT WHEN I HEAR OF A FAMILY MEMBER THAT PASSED AWAY THAT I PHOTOGRAPHED, OR SEE A CHILD OR YOUNG ADULT YEARS LATER AND AM AWED AT HOW THEY HAVE GROWN AND CHANGED. THE MOMENT YOU CAPTURE AN IMAGE IT IS VALUABLE, BUT TWENTY YEARS LATER WHEN A COUPLE IS SITTING WITH THEIR CHILD SHOWING THEM THEIR WEDDING IMAGES, OR TWENTY YEARS LATER WHEN THAT NEWBORN IS NOW AN ADULT--THAT'S WHEN YOUR WORK BECOMES PRICELESS. I AM HONORED TO DOCUMENT INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR LIVES.
Downs?
IT'S A CONSTANT CHALLENGE, ALWAYS A JUGGLING ACT. THE HARDEST PART FOR ME IS TO NOT LET IT CONSUME ME. (AT TIMES I THINK MY HUSBAND HAS FELT LIKE MY COMPUTER WAS A CLOSER COMPANION THAN HIM.) IT IS WAY TOO EASY TO FORFEIT YOUR OWN LIFE AND FAMILY TIME, IRONICALLY TO CAPTURE THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
Personally, what is your favorite part? I LOVE THE CREATIVITY, DESIGN, AND AESTHETICS THAT GO INTO A SHOOT. AND EVEN MORE I LOVE EXPERIENCING THAT WITH OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS WHETHER SHOOTING A JOB TOGETHER, TEACHING PHOTOGRAPHY, OR ATTENDING A WORKSHOP WITH OTHER ARTISTS.
What made you interested in becoming a photographer? GROWING UP MY MOM WAS ALWAYS TAKING PHOTOS. SHE GAVE ME MY FIRST CAMERA WHEN I WAS PROBABLY 5 OR SO AND ALWAYS SUPPLIED ME WITH FILM. SO I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TAKING PICTURES. THEN MY BROTHER GAVE ME HIS CANON AE-1 (A MANUAL CAMERA) WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL SO I GOT TO PLAY WITH THAT. I TOOK A PHOTOGRAPHY/DARKROOM CLASS IN HIGH SCHOOL AS WELL AND STARTED WORKING GIGS WITH SOME LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS. ONCE IN COLLEGE I TOOK MORE PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHIC DESIGN CLASSES AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ASKED ME TO PHOTOGRAPH THEIR WEDDINGS OR SENIOR PICS SO I JUST KEPT TAKING PHOTOS :)
What college did you attend, and for how long? Major? I ATTENDED MSUM MY FRESHMAN YEAR AND THEN WENT TO BIBLE COLLEGE FOR TWO YEARS WHERE I STUDIED HEALTH AND NUTRITION BUT HAD LOTS OF PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES (WEDDINGS AND SENIORS). THEN I CAME BACK TO MSUM FOR 3 YEARS AND DECLARED A GRAPHIC DESIGN MAJOR WITH A STUDIO EMPHASIS IN PHOTOGRAPHY. MY LAST YEAR I SWITCHED TO ART EDUCATION AND GRADUATED WITH A DOUBLE EMPHASES IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHIC DESIGN.
What does your daily schedule as a photographer look like? EVERY DAY IS SO DIFFERENT! I GENERALLY TRY TO STICK TO A ROUTINE, BUT FIND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE SINCE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL AREAS OF THE BUSINESS. IN A GIVEN WEEK, MY TASKS INCLUDE BOOKKEEPING, ANSWERING AND RETURNING CALLS AND EMAILS, BLOGGING, PHOTOGRAPHING, EDITING, DESIGNING, CREATING SLIDESHOWS, FILLING ORDERS, PACKAGING ORDERS, DELIVERING ORDERS, BACKING UP WORK, MARKETING, NETWORKING WITH OTHER VENDORS, AND MEETING WITH POTENTIAL CLIENTS.
Is being a photographer time-consuming? EXTREMELY! STATISTICS SHOW THAT 95% OF PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESSES FAIL. I BELIEVE THAT IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE ARE MANY TASKS TO JUGGLE IN A PHOTOGRAPHY BUSINESS AND 80% OF BEING A SUCCESSFUL PHOTOGRAPHER IS DUE TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PERSON. YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO FIND YOUR CLIENTS, HOW TO BUILD RELATIONSHIP AND LOYALTY WITH THEM, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHERE EVERY PENNY YOU MAKE IS SPENT AND HOW EACH CENT IS EARNED. AND ALL OF THIS TAKES TIME! MOST PHOTOGRAPHERS MAKE LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE, AND IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ACCOUNTING FOR ALL THE TIME THEY INVEST IN THEIR BUSINESS AND CONSIDERING THAT WHEN THEY PRICE THEIR WORK. TAKING PHOTOS IS EASY AND DOESN'T TAKE A LOT OF TIME, BUT THE HOUR IT TAKES TO PREP YOUR GEAR BEFORE A SHOOT AND SET UP, THE HOUR OF TRANSIT, THE 3 HOURS YOU SPENT ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR CLIENT BEFORE AND AFTER THE SESSION, THE TWO HOURS OF EDITING, THE 30 MINUTES OF BLOGGING, THE HOUR OF TOUCHING UP THE IMAGES AND FILLING ORDERS AND FINALLY THE HOUR IT TAKES TO PACKAGE AND SHIP OR DELIVER THE PRODUCT ADDS UP QUICKLY AND FILLS YOUR DAY FAST. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, ONE JOB HAS TAKEN 10 HOURS OF YOUR TIME AND IF YOU ARE CHARGING $100 FOR A SESSION, YOU MADE LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE BECAUSE 35% OF THAT $100 GOES TO UNCLE SAM FOR TAXES, AND HALF OF WHAT'S LEFT COVERS YOUR GENERAL EXPENSES OF RUNNING A BUSINESS. SO THE SHORT OF IT IS THIS: YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT OF YOUR TIME WORTH IT!
Would you have rather chosen a different route looking back?
SOME DAYS, YES, BUT MOST DAYS NO. THE THING ABOUT RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND BEING A PHOTOGRAPHER IS THAT YOU ARE CONSTANTLY LEARNING AND ADAPTING. TECHNOLOGY CHANGES, YOUR FAMILY SITUATION CHANGES, THE ECONOMY CHANGES, TRENDS CHANGE, SO YOU HAVE TO CHANGE TOO. IT'S NOT LIKE WORKING AT STARBUCKS WHERE A VANILLA LATTE IS ALWAYS A VANILLA LATTE, ALWAYS MADE THE SAME WAY. EVERYTHING I DO AS A PHOTOGRAPHER IS CUSTOM MADE, CUSTOM DESIGNED, EVERY SHOOT IS DIFFERENT. THIS MAKES MY JOB A LOT OF FUN, BUT IT ALSO MAKES IT CHALLENGING. SO THERE ARE DEFINITELY DAYS I WISH I WAS A BARISTA AT STARBUCKS, BUT MOST DAYS I ENJOY THE CHALLENGE OF BEING INNOVATIVE AND CHANGING WITH THE TIMES.
What are the ups of being a photographer?
THE MOST REWARDING THING IS THE RELATIONSHIPS I GET TO BUILD AND THE EXPERIENCES I GET TO WITNESS AND DOCUMENT. MY JOB IS SO IMPORTANT! AND I AM REMINDED OF THAT WHEN I HEAR OF A FAMILY MEMBER THAT PASSED AWAY THAT I PHOTOGRAPHED, OR SEE A CHILD OR YOUNG ADULT YEARS LATER AND AM AWED AT HOW THEY HAVE GROWN AND CHANGED. THE MOMENT YOU CAPTURE AN IMAGE IT IS VALUABLE, BUT TWENTY YEARS LATER WHEN A COUPLE IS SITTING WITH THEIR CHILD SHOWING THEM THEIR WEDDING IMAGES, OR TWENTY YEARS LATER WHEN THAT NEWBORN IS NOW AN ADULT--THAT'S WHEN YOUR WORK BECOMES PRICELESS. I AM HONORED TO DOCUMENT INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR LIVES.
Downs?
IT'S A CONSTANT CHALLENGE, ALWAYS A JUGGLING ACT. THE HARDEST PART FOR ME IS TO NOT LET IT CONSUME ME. (AT TIMES I THINK MY HUSBAND HAS FELT LIKE MY COMPUTER WAS A CLOSER COMPANION THAN HIM.) IT IS WAY TOO EASY TO FORFEIT YOUR OWN LIFE AND FAMILY TIME, IRONICALLY TO CAPTURE THE LIVES OF OTHERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
Personally, what is your favorite part? I LOVE THE CREATIVITY, DESIGN, AND AESTHETICS THAT GO INTO A SHOOT. AND EVEN MORE I LOVE EXPERIENCING THAT WITH OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS WHETHER SHOOTING A JOB TOGETHER, TEACHING PHOTOGRAPHY, OR ATTENDING A WORKSHOP WITH OTHER ARTISTS.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Contracts, Deposits, and Dates, Oh My!
I have been asked before about contracts and deposits and what to do if your client changes their date or backs out of an agreement, etc.
Well, my first answer is have a plan! Have a plan for everything--if you (or a loved one) gets sick, if they change the date, if they change their date, if they get sick, etc. And a plan is no good, if you don't have it in WRITING!! A Contract is necessary to keep your business running and to be sure you and your client are on the same page.
Professional organizations like PPA or WPPI give examples of contracts and releases, so check with them!
Deposits: A higher deposit gives to a more professional appearance and motivates your client to be committed to you and that date. They will be less likely to change dates on you so that you won't be out a bunch of jobs that could have been booked on the date(s) you reserved for them. It's important that they understand that you need to be compensated for reserving a date, because it is unlikely that you will be able to book other jobs if they back out last minute.
The legal stuff isn't always the most fun, but it is SOOOOO important. So do your homework, have a plan, and write it down.
Well, my first answer is have a plan! Have a plan for everything--if you (or a loved one) gets sick, if they change the date, if they change their date, if they get sick, etc. And a plan is no good, if you don't have it in WRITING!! A Contract is necessary to keep your business running and to be sure you and your client are on the same page.
Professional organizations like PPA or WPPI give examples of contracts and releases, so check with them!
Deposits: A higher deposit gives to a more professional appearance and motivates your client to be committed to you and that date. They will be less likely to change dates on you so that you won't be out a bunch of jobs that could have been booked on the date(s) you reserved for them. It's important that they understand that you need to be compensated for reserving a date, because it is unlikely that you will be able to book other jobs if they back out last minute.
The legal stuff isn't always the most fun, but it is SOOOOO important. So do your homework, have a plan, and write it down.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Fall Mosaic Photography Workshop Recap!
Here's a fun little video showcasing the work of our students last weekend at our "Conquering your Camera and Increasing Creativity" workshop. We have one more workshop left this year for those of you who are at a more intermediate level. (Check out the Workshops section on our www.mosaicphotography.net/blog Blog under INFO for more details.)
Monday, September 14, 2009
Encounter
This is a sweet event that I get to cover as a "giving back" sort of project. It's a sweet event with an amazing purpose, so I love donating my time to help these guys out. Enjoy these images of past Encounter Nights!
Free Marketing Conference with Sarah Petty and more Amazing Photographers!
Hey fellow Photogs! In just two weeks, I’m participating in the world’s largest FREE photography educational event. Hands down, it’s the can’t miss event of the year. And it’s FREE!
I’ve joined my friend Sarah Petty and 14 other photography marketing gurus to bring this unbelievable event to you at no charge.
Not only that, you don’t have to leave home or your studio to attend this two-day, 16 hour extravaganza.
Click here to register!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Photography Workshops!
I am so excited for our upcoming workshops--in two weeks we will have our first one--our INTRO TO PHOTOSHOP class! This is going to be fun! See the post below if you are interested or zip me an email (alyssaflaten@mosaicphotography.net) or ring me (701.200.8110)
Friday, August 21, 2009
FALL WORKSHOPS!
Hurray! As my wedding season slows down, our fall workshop season will begin with one workshop in September, one in October, and one in November!! I LOVE teaching! I love the contagious environment of a shmattering of minds and creative perspectives! This fall we will be focusing again on learning how to use our Digital SLRS, Storytelling and Composition, Photoshop basics, and for those with a grip on the Creative and Manual operations of your camera, we will be offering intermediate photography class where we will explore night photography, video light, motion, and exposure compensation (high-key and low-key imagery). Space is limited, because we like to keep our workshop numbers small so we have the best environment for learning and creativity, so please contact me at alyssaflaten@mosaicphotography.net with your questions or call 701.200.8110 to register!
Here are some comments from past Mosaic Workshop students:
"Alyssa, you are an excellent teacher. This was FABULOUS!! I appreciated the way you took genuine interest in each question and desired to see us learn."
"This was a great learning experience! I learned so much and loved the hands on learning."
"I absolutely LOVED the hand-outs."
"Thank you for sharing all your insight--This was a priceless class."
"I liked how we learned a concept and then practiced it right away. You made all the photography terms really easy to
understand."
"Thank you so much for all the take-home resources and individual investment. I learned so much and am so glad I got to be
a part of this!"
"I learned so much about my camera by doing the hands on exercises. And I loved how organized everything was!"
Below is more information, which you can also find on the Workshops part of our Mosaic Photography Blog (www.mosaicphotography.net/blog).
Here are some comments from past Mosaic Workshop students:
"Alyssa, you are an excellent teacher. This was FABULOUS!! I appreciated the way you took genuine interest in each question and desired to see us learn."
"This was a great learning experience! I learned so much and loved the hands on learning."
"I absolutely LOVED the hand-outs."
"Thank you for sharing all your insight--This was a priceless class."
"I liked how we learned a concept and then practiced it right away. You made all the photography terms really easy to
understand."
"Thank you so much for all the take-home resources and individual investment. I learned so much and am so glad I got to be
a part of this!"
"I learned so much about my camera by doing the hands on exercises. And I loved how organized everything was!"
Below is more information, which you can also find on the Workshops part of our Mosaic Photography Blog (www.mosaicphotography.net/blog).
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Updates...
Hello Friends, I must apologize for my lack of presence on this blog. My goal is to post once a week, but with the busiest summer of my life, I have had a difficult time finding time to post. We are finally in a "slower" season, with only 1-2 weddings a weekend, rather than 2-3.
Another reason for my lack of presence is that I am needing to rest in every spare moment (which is rare these days) because Scott and I are expecting our first little one! I am 4 months pregnant!
Here is a photo of Baby Flaten at 11 weeks! Enjoy!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
A Super Duper Great Workshop that I'd Recommend...
Ann Monteith's Guerrilla Management
Can you afford to wait until 2010
to increase your bottom line?
Register NOW for Last 2009 Workshop!
September 11-14, 2009 - Deep Creek Lake, MD
Since 1998, over 700 studio owners have attended Ann Monteith's Guerrilla Management Workshops, and it's no coincidence that many of the top-earning studio owners in the country are Guerrilla Management graduates. Unique in the industry, these intensive 4-day workshops are designed to achieve three objectives:
*
To help photographers make more money.
*
To allow photographers to achieve more leisure time for themselves and their families.
*
To help photographers take control of the present and future direction of their businesses.
Workshops are limited to 15 studios to assure plenty of personal attention by instructors Ann Monteith and Judy Grann. Workshop content and processes are strictly real-world and results-oriented to pay big dividends for attendees: Our surveys have shown that within a year of attending a Guerrilla Management Workshop, participants earn at least 55% more net take-home income. As a result, their businesses -- and their lives -- improved significantly. And they continue to improve year after year.
Sign up NOW and Receive these bonuses:
*
Ann's new book: The Professional Photographer's Guide to Marketing Success
*
A $100 Gift Card good for attendance at a 2010 Marathon Strategic Marketing Plan and Design Workshop
*
A complete set of Ann's marketing materials for her new Persnickety Pet Portraits business
To learn more about this profit-producing workshop, click here to go to the workshop website. You'll learn what we do at the workshop, why we get such good results, what graduates have to say about their experience, and so much more.
To register, call 1-800-842-2349.
Outside of the US, call 1-717-867-2135.
PLEASE NOTE: Workshop seats will fill up VERY quickly.
So call immediately to register, or you'll miss out.
Ann Monteith's Guerrilla Management
MORE INFO HERE
Can you afford to wait until 2010
to increase your bottom line?
Register NOW for Last 2009 Workshop!
September 11-14, 2009 - Deep Creek Lake, MD
Since 1998, over 700 studio owners have attended Ann Monteith's Guerrilla Management Workshops, and it's no coincidence that many of the top-earning studio owners in the country are Guerrilla Management graduates. Unique in the industry, these intensive 4-day workshops are designed to achieve three objectives:
*
To help photographers make more money.
*
To allow photographers to achieve more leisure time for themselves and their families.
*
To help photographers take control of the present and future direction of their businesses.
Workshops are limited to 15 studios to assure plenty of personal attention by instructors Ann Monteith and Judy Grann. Workshop content and processes are strictly real-world and results-oriented to pay big dividends for attendees: Our surveys have shown that within a year of attending a Guerrilla Management Workshop, participants earn at least 55% more net take-home income. As a result, their businesses -- and their lives -- improved significantly. And they continue to improve year after year.
Sign up NOW and Receive these bonuses:
*
Ann's new book: The Professional Photographer's Guide to Marketing Success
*
A $100 Gift Card good for attendance at a 2010 Marathon Strategic Marketing Plan and Design Workshop
*
A complete set of Ann's marketing materials for her new Persnickety Pet Portraits business
To learn more about this profit-producing workshop, click here to go to the workshop website. You'll learn what we do at the workshop, why we get such good results, what graduates have to say about their experience, and so much more.
To register, call 1-800-842-2349.
Outside of the US, call 1-717-867-2135.
PLEASE NOTE: Workshop seats will fill up VERY quickly.
So call immediately to register, or you'll miss out.
Ann Monteith's Guerrilla Management
MORE INFO HERE
Friday, July 24, 2009
Facebook and 3rd Party Images...
Protecting your images is important. Check out this article from a friend of mine about protecting your images on facebook.
This is what facebook says about your images: "Facebook occasionally pairs advertisements with relevant social actions from a user's friends to create Facebook Ads. Facebook Ads make advertisements more interesting and more tailored to you and your friends. These respect all privacy rules. You may opt out of appearing in your friends' Facebook Ads below."
Anyone else know about this? Or have some helpful advice to pass on?
This is what facebook says about your images: "Facebook occasionally pairs advertisements with relevant social actions from a user's friends to create Facebook Ads. Facebook Ads make advertisements more interesting and more tailored to you and your friends. These respect all privacy rules. You may opt out of appearing in your friends' Facebook Ads below."
Anyone else know about this? Or have some helpful advice to pass on?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Self-Employment Myths...
It's funny what a dose of reality can do to our dreams and ambitions of running our own business. I didn't really understand what I was getting into when I started my little side business over 5 years ago. But learning and embracing reality is a part of the adventure as you learn to effectively carry out your dreams as a self-employed artist.
I have enjoyed Michael Gerber's "E-Myth" and encourage you to take a look at this article--The Self-Employment Myth.
More often than not, when aspiring photographers ask me for a piece of advice regarding getting into the business, the first thing that comes to mind is "Don't...unless you are willing to work your butt off, and make huge sacrifices--like no weekends to yourself, missing out on your friends' and families historic moments like weddings and reunions, being 'on-call' 24/7, unpredictable income, and a job that you don't ever leave; or like Dave Ramsey says: "Living like no one else today, so you can live like no one else tomorrow."
On the up side, the hard work pays off! The moments when teary-eyed mothers, and ecstatic brides cannot put into words the joy and gratitude they have because of the visual story you created are so rewarding. Or the times when loved ones pass, but their memory is captured forever in your work, or the days you can turn your attention to care for someone more important than the work at hand, are days that the privilege of being a photographer overwhelm me. Or the people I get to meet and the places I've seen, the experiences I've documented--it's priceless and worth every ounce of energy.
I have enjoyed Michael Gerber's "E-Myth" and encourage you to take a look at this article--The Self-Employment Myth.
More often than not, when aspiring photographers ask me for a piece of advice regarding getting into the business, the first thing that comes to mind is "Don't...unless you are willing to work your butt off, and make huge sacrifices--like no weekends to yourself, missing out on your friends' and families historic moments like weddings and reunions, being 'on-call' 24/7, unpredictable income, and a job that you don't ever leave; or like Dave Ramsey says: "Living like no one else today, so you can live like no one else tomorrow."
On the up side, the hard work pays off! The moments when teary-eyed mothers, and ecstatic brides cannot put into words the joy and gratitude they have because of the visual story you created are so rewarding. Or the times when loved ones pass, but their memory is captured forever in your work, or the days you can turn your attention to care for someone more important than the work at hand, are days that the privilege of being a photographer overwhelm me. Or the people I get to meet and the places I've seen, the experiences I've documented--it's priceless and worth every ounce of energy.
Monday, June 15, 2009
A Wild Wedding
I am a huge fan of Kevin Kubota (one of the top 10 wedding photographers in 2007) ever since he took me under his wing for a week two years ago as I had the opportunity to work under him for a week in Bend, Oregon. Needless to say, I follow his blog, and just had to share this slideshow with you of one of his recent weddings. You'll see from the photos how unique, creative, and fun this couple was--definitely a photographer's dream couple. Check it out here
Friday, June 12, 2009
Gearing up
Well, we're up getting ready for another double header weekend--that is, 2 weddings in one weekend. I so love being an artist, and want to share with you an excerpt from this morning's journal entry. "'Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them.' (Romans 12:6) It's so refreshing to remember where our creativity and talent comes from, to be able to place my gifts in the loving hands of Father God and just enjoy the day."
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