10 Things to Do During the Recesssion !

Here is a list of 10 things you can consider doing during this recession. I know it is tough and hard on alot of people right now, and watching the news is not exactly encouraging either. But try thinking of it this way... if you were just the same as last year right now... would you possible have the time to make some changes in your life that may benefit you for years to come ?

10 Things You Can Do During the Recession

1. Attend one of the many professional development workshops to upgrade your skill set.
2. Start a blog if you have not and if you already have a blog, maybe it is time to make some changes or improvements on it or blog more consistantly
3. Take a Business course focusing just on internet marketing and Viral marketing
4. Start making a habit to read busines blogs by some of the top Bloggers and Internet marketers out there.
5. Upgrade the look of your Website !
6. Re-brand your company
7. Add a new product line or even learn a new product line now and master it so when the recession ends you will be ready to showcase it.
8. Team up with a group of photographers to share and work on your skill sets.
9. Team up with a another photographer and share studio space and costs. (ie. printing...)
10. Just Be Thankful..... as "this too shall pass".

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NEW: Pocket Wizards New TTL Flash Triggers !

Ok guys and gals,

If you haven't seen these amazing little things yet, the check out this vid. I am so blown away by the Technology that we have today ! You know I am gonna be in line at IE2009 Vendors from Beau Photo to buy me a set of these ! I think the coolest part of these new flash triggers is the ability to utilize the full range of shutter speeds with their Hyper Sync Speed mode. Can't wait to get my hands on one.

Rockie

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Did you know your Canon 30D can do this !

Notte Sento (English subtitles) from napdan on Vimeo.


So... a fellow photographer I know, Bandele, posted this great video today about a short romantic movie of a girl who misses her train to Milan and is set to wait overnight in Rome until Dawn.

What blew my mind about this short story was how it was made from 4500 + photographs shot on a canon 30D ! Thats right !!!! A canon freakin 30D !!!!!!!!!!

Folks this goes to show that there really is no limit as to what we can do as photographers if only we would think "out of the box".

Have a watch and let me know what you all think.

Cheers.

Rockie

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INSTRUCTORS: Jed and Vicki Taufer - Contemporary Portraits / Marketing

Image Explorations is so proud to introduce to you Jed and Vicki Taufer !

Jed and Vicki are NEW INSTRUCTORS at IE2009.

Together these 2 make an unbelievable pair in the industry. Not only do they have a 7000 sq/feet studio at hand but they have one diverse portfolio and market. Join them as they discuss with you how to get from "Basement to Boutique".

Here is a little bio of them and what their course is all about !

Jed and Vicki Taufer started V Gallery in the basement of their first house and in just a few years they had a 4,000 square foot studio, 8 employees and speaking engagements all over the world.

How did they do it? What went right? What went wrong?

Join them as they cover the answers to these questions and much more. The Taufers don't believe you need a huge space for a great studio. Find out how to make the most of your space no matter where it is or how much square footage you have.

They'll cover hiring employees, delegating responsibilities and avoiding micromanagement by setting up workflow systems. They'll also cover shooting, lighting and posing as well as marketing, sales and photoshop tips and tricks. Learn how to use the space you have or how to plan for the studio you want. "Basement to Boutique" is a comprehensive class that covers all the bases.

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10 Things you could do better today

Chris Brogen posted this a while back. I love it. Why? Because it is short and sweet and straight to the point.

When life gets busy for us, really we have only have 2 options.

1. Stay status quo
2. Make changes and better our life
   

(more on this in my next post about HABITS)

So have a look at the list below that Chris posted. Are there at least 1 that you can focus on in the coming next moth to better your life and your busines ?

Rockie

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10 Things You Could Do Better Today

1. Improve your response time to requests.
2. Improve the brevity and simplicity of your email correspondence.
3. Connect with five new people and seven existing colleagues or friends each day.
4. Inspect your business process cycle from start to finish for improvements.
5. Rethink your approach to helping others succeed.
6. Increase the amount of times you connect others together to build new relationships.
7. Resolve three pieces of unfinished business, no matter how painful.
8. Live closer to your goals and your main points of focus, and less by reaction.
9. Take time to thank the people who make your life possible.
10. Rest and unplug.

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Success is linked to 10,000 hours !

One of my fav reads this winter has been this book called "Outliers" by Malcom Gladwell.

In essence, this book is about Success, and people who have become successful. But what makes this book different from all the others is how Malcom brings it down to 3 main components that all successful people have in common.

Once of the main common denominators with all successful people has been 10,000 hours. It seems that everyone who has become successful in their craft, skill or career, has committed to over 10,000 hours in their field. In fact Malcom mentions how Bill Gates and the Beatles even invested themselves in well over 10,000 hours.

So here is the just of the story I am telling.

We often view success and failure from a view of what I did right or wrong.

What if it is merely the fact that you have not finished your 10,000 hours ?

When I think of all the successful people in the world right now, I find it hard to think that they had gotten to where they are merely by accident or because they were just so gifted. I think the fact that they invested and worked hard at their craft and skill helped in getting them there.

So as a photographer, where are you right now ?

Are you one who has finished his/her 10,000 hours and if so, are you maybe ready for a "swing change" much like Tiger Woods, and take your game to another level ?

Get this book and have a break. It will not only inspire you but give you much food for thought during this time where the economy is rough.

Peace,

Rockie

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Greg and Lesa Daniel (Carriage Trade / Advanced Portrait Instructor)

Have you ever wondered how you could create a single image from your session and turn it into a master piece, and then print it in to a large Canvas wall portrait and charge a good value for it ?
Well, if you have, this class is for you !


Meet Greg and Lesa Daniel.

Greg and Lesa are a dynamic duo who teach the art of Fine Art Portraiture at Image Explorations. Just one look at their work should convince you to take this class. I was blessed in being able to meet them in person last year at Texas School and then at Image Explorations 2008. There are very few that I know of who really have the masters touch in this area,which I think is becoming a lost art, yet it is an art that can create a long lasting photographic career and a profitable one. If you have a vision for such a career as a photographer, then look no further as Greg and Lesa will show you how to have this kind of life.

Have a look at their course description below and view their images. I know you will come away both blessed and Thankful that you took their course.

Rockie

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The Anatomy of a Successful Portrait Artist

Let Greg and Lesa show you the anatomy of their highly successful studio. You will discover the secrets of how to expect and get what you and your clients want from each session. The topics which will be covered are:

• Creating a Desire to own your products through a marketing strategy that will bring in the right clients.
• Building Relationships to understand your clients’ vision.
• Executing the Vision by producing outstanding photography ultimately fitting your brand and product line.
• Satisfying Their Need with an emotional presentation culminating an experience that will produce a sell had visualized!
  
  

Greg and Lesa will show you how to create images for the subject out of the interaction of your imagination and their personality. Greg believes to make images that are truly creative you need to get beyond your heart, and with technical mastery enable you to create an emotion, a feeling with your images. In this class you’ll learn the artistry and relationships of portrait photography. Greg says, “Good photography is technique, outstanding photography is transcendent”. They will inspire you and tell you what it takes to market your work at the highest level.

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