Who is Don Giannatti?

Please join me in my congratulating Don Giannatti, creative mentor and coach, as this year's recipient of the Tiffinbox Award.

I recall attending one of Don's first lighting workshops in Boston and kept in touch as he evolved and began offering his advice to other emerging photographers online.

Don is the consummate photographer/teacher, who gently coaxes you into being a better photographer and a better business person. He is relentless in sharing his opinion and delivers them as a matter of fact because he has the experience to back it all up. In addition to being a photographer, at one time Don also owned a design agency that worked with a variety of corporate and editorial clients. He brings all of his knowledge, distills it and delivers it to students through his websites Lighting Essentials and Project52.

In his own words:

I have been a commercial photographer since 1974, and have worked with advertising agencies and design firms all over the world. I have had studios in LA, Chicago, and Phoenix.

In the decades of my career I have shot fashion and beauty, product, industrial and corporate, and currently I make portraits and environmental images.

Project 52 Pro System is my flagship online learning center where I work with small groups of photographers, and I offer one-on-one mentorships.

I have taught at CreativeLIVE, and other online education platforms, and written 6 books on photography.

My belief in the power of photography and the creativity of photographers to wield that power makes my job the best in the world.

Example Of Don's Advice

Don's YouTube channel is one of my favorites. He doesn't mince words. He lays it out like any good teacher should. The advice is for us to take or leave behind. Here are two gems:

Don's Sample Portfolio

How Can I Learn From Donald Giannatti?

I've already mentioned Don's YouTube channel. But you should also follow Don on Instagram. He is a huge proponent of having a visually rich social media channel and likes what Instagram has to offer. Do pay attention to his advice on how to use Instagram, though.

Don is also a three-time book author. Yes, I do recommend his books.

If you are an emerging commercial photographer, you need to sign up for Project52. Interested in his other workshops or lighting tutorials? Bookmark Lighting Essentials.

Don's courses on CreativeLive are extremely popular. Here is one on product photography. And here's the first one he called Lighting Essentials.

The next course I want to enroll in? Don's environmental portraiture class.

Recognizing Past Tiffinbox Award Winners

Now in its 8th year, the Tiffinbox Award is now an annual tradition on August 23rd. Please visit and celebrate the previous awardees at the following links:

David DuChemin

Spencer Lum

Jamie Swanson

Jenika McDavitt

Neil van Neikerk

Megan DiPiero

David Anthony Williams

Do Me A Favor Please!

Did you learn something new or were you inspired by this post? Please share it with your photographer friends. Copy + paste the link and send your colleagues an email and tell them why they should check out this post or any of the other posts on Tiffinbox. I appreciate your help in spreading the word!

Tiffinbox Award Winner

Every year on this day, for the past six years, I've announced The Annual Tiffinbox Award winner. The headline makes no secret of who I have chosen to recognize this year; my dear friend and mentor, David Anthony Williams.

Congratulations, David!

I first encountered David through a wedding photography forum called DWF. His posts were informative, inspiring and often hilarious. His warm personality shone through those posts and when he announced he was offering a workshop in New England, I jumped at the chance to sign up.

I still remember that workshop in Rhode Island vividly. It was perfectly structured and thoroughly engaging. Everyone left the “Almost Alone” three-day workshop feeling like they had learned something truly useful and special. I know I had.

Speaking At Conferences

David then came back to the area and spoke at a Mystic Seminars event, in Groton, Connecticut. One of the things he expressed during that presentation left a lasting impression on me. He essentially distilled a successful photograph to two major elements: light and life. With example after example, and story after story, David deftly guided the audience through an emotional and memorable journey.

Most recently, I invited David to speak at the Connecticut Professional Photographer's Association annual convention. Not one to simply fly in and deliver a presentation he had done before, David chose to present something totally new and untested. Just as soon as he landed, we spirited off to Michael's and Joann's to buy props and fabrics for his presentation. Of course, none of it made sense to me at that time, but when it all came together, it was a huge hit for all those who were in attendance.

David is also generous with his time outside the confines of a stage or dais. Just as the CTPPA convention was wrapping up, I approached David and indicated I needed 10-15 minutes of his time to discuss my family portrait photography business. He gave me an hour without once looking at his watch.

David's Portfolio

David is an artist in the truest sense. He isn't afraid to try new things and pivot. He is a student of history – ask him about Richard Avedon or David Bailey, or even the masters from the Renaissance – he knows them all and refers to them like one would speak of good friends. I trust you will see their influences in this small sample of David's august portfolio.

Learning From David

There is nothing like learning from David Williams directly. Remember that workshop in Rhode Island I talked about above? Well, several years later, I attended his workshop again in Niantic, Connecticut. Then followed that up by listening to him speak at a few different conferences.

David is Australian, but lives in Toronto, Canada now and travels to different parts of the world to conduct those memorable workshops. I urge you to make the time, find the resources and drop all excuses to go and learn from David. You'll definitely be a much better photographer because of it. Once you learn to pay attention to light and expression, your photographs will make a far greater impact for your clients and ultimately for your photography business.

Past Tiffinbox Award Winners

Here are the links to the past winners of The Annual Tiffinbox Award:

David DuChemin

Spencer Lum

Jamie Swanson

Jenika McDavitt

Neil van Neikerk

Megan DiPiero

Who will it be next year?

In The Beginning

Some six years ago, when I began playing with the idea of recognizing a photographer every year who was also a naturally gifted teacher, I had my doubts about how long I could keep it going.

While on the one hand it gives me an opportunity to highlight my birthday (yes I was born on August 23rd), it was infinitely more important to pay homage to those who consistently and generously give their time and skill as mentors to budding photographers.

Why? Well because things change. The industry definitely changes. Sometimes for the better and sometimes things can go south.

But people who at their core are committed to both photography and teaching do not. At least, that's been my experience. They truly love what they do and do both extremely well.

Tiffinbox Award Winner

This year's awardee is Megan DiPiero. She is based in Fort Myers, Florida. The first inklings of choosing her to receive The Annual Tiffinbox Award came to me several months ago as I was poring through her Facebook forum called Rise To The Top!

You see, her heart and mind are into photography, teaching, writing and workshops. At one point, I had to ask her if she was planning to write a book because her Facebook posts were so long and packed with useful, actionable information.

What I love the most about her posts is that her advice is the result of things she has tried for her own business first. There aren't any “maybe this will work” scenarios. Her confidence drills through, and her writing style is evocative. It's easy to sit up and take notice of her work as a mentor to so many photographers.

When it comes to marketing, sales or pricing, I tip my hat to Megan DiPiero. Her research is solid and so is her delivery in a workshop setting. I can say that because I was one of her students. If you ever get an opportunity to learn from her, don't miss it!

A Couple Of Questions For Megan

1) What are the major topics that have resonated with your audience?

Megan: I’m obsessed with teaching photographers how to succeed as world-class micro-enterprise business owners. Luxury pricing and sales, high-touch marketing, networking, and rave-worthy customer service are just a few of the hot topics we cover in our workshops and Facebook group posts. I love how we are connecting professional photographers across the globe– building community and support as we dream big and achieve big together.

2) Can you tell us in a few sentences about WHY it is so important for you to teach?

Megan: I can’t help but teach. I just adore it! On my days off, I’ll often wake up before the sun and flesh out a detailed mentor post to share what I’ve learned and what’s been successful for my business. The more I give, the more that comes back to me. Being a role model for others, pushes me to bring my best self to all I do. I love seeing other people put my practices into action and see their business grow as a result.

Megan DiPiero's Portfolio

Take a moment to look at her portrait work. Stunning right? Megan is finely tuned to her craft and is highly regarded in her field for the quality work she produces for her clients.

Megan's Mission

This quote from Megan sums up nicely what she truly stands for:

I want photographers to know their worth. I want to show photographers how to charge big so that they can live their dream of being successful, profitable artists. I want to share what I know that has made me successful. I want to encourage people to try new things and decide what works for them. I want clients to understand that they are beautiful, fabulous, and loved! I want professional photographers of all genres (particularly portrait and wedding pros) to see that they too can offer luxury and incredible service AND be rewarded for sharing these gifts!

Megan, congratulations … but more than that, thank you for what you do.

Learning From Megan

Help me applaud Megan DiPiero's work in our photography industry. Step up and comment below. Or, better yet, sign up to be a part of her Facebook group, Rise To The Top! with Megan DiPiero, if you are a professional photographer or emerging pro.

“Boutique Sales Success,” is a workshop that Megan will be launching in the very near future. Interested students can request info by emailing her here – info@megandipiero.com. Be sure to join the Facebook group for ongoing free education and workshop specials.

Past Tiffinbox Award Winners

Here are the links to the past winners of The Annual Tiffinbox Award:

David DuChemin

Spencer Lum

Jamie Swanson

Jenika McDavitt

Neil van Neikerk

Who will it be next year?

On or close to my birthday, every year for the last four years, I have recognized and tipped my hat to a photographer-teacher in the industry who makes a significant impact on people's life.

The first four awardees of the Annual Tiffinbox Award are: David duChemin, Spencer Lum, Jamie Swanson and Jenika McDavitt.

This year, I am thrilled to announce the 5th Annual Tiffinbox Award goes to Neil van Niekerk, a South African photographer, teacher, author and speaker who now calls New Jersey home.

Neil publishes two blogs, One Perfect Moment and Tangents, a blog I recommend every photographer bookmark. It is through this latter blog that I learned that Neil also offered workshops on off-camera lighting. If memory serves me right, I have attended at least two of his workshops as a student. If you are starting to make the move from natural light photography to flash photography, Neil's workshops are a must. The day is usually long because he patiently goes over all that you will need to know about using your strobes off or on your camera.

Neil knows his stuff so well that he has written four books on the topic of lighting (see above) and is frequently invited to speak about lighting at conferences and industry gatherings across the US and beyond.

(if you were wondering, yes, that's a real tiffinbox you are seeing on the right there)

Here are some of my favorite blog posts by Neil van Niekerk over the years:

Dragging The Shutter
Black Foamie Thing
Flash and Ambient Light
Using Exposure Compensations vs. Manual Exposure

Please visit and bookmark Neil's websites, buy and read his books and enroll in his workshops. I guarantee you will be a better photographer. You can also follow Neil on Twitter and Facebook.

For the last three years, I've announced and honored three truly amazing photographers who are also remarkable teachers. The previous Tiffinbox Award winners are: David duChemin, Spencer Lum and Jamie Swanson.

This year is no different. I've followed and learned from Jenika McDavitt's wonderful blog, Psychology for Photographers, as have thousands of you. Her blog posts are one reason I chose her to win this year's Annual Tiffinbox Award. If you don't know about her blog, I urge you to go check it out now. Yes, right now.

Ok, now that you are back … I have to tell you the other reasons Jenika rocks it hard in this tough business.

She has distinguished herself by creating two amazing resources for photographers – Irresistible Words (for those of us who dread writing copy for our websites or blogs) and From Portfolio to Profit Engine: How to Build an Absolutely Irresistible Photography Website (Jenika walks you through the very best way to set up your website to make it useful and attractive for your clients). Jenika has bundled them both so you can buy them together.

When I conveyed my desire to honor her, Jenika immediately offered to give all of you something special in return. I truly love her generosity. So, starting at 12 pm today through 11.59 am on Monday, August 25th, you can save $30 by using the following code: TBOX30. Just click the affiliate links in this post please.

The one other resource that made me money right away was Jenika's “How Clients Make Decisions about Money” – I highly recommend this free resource because it gives you the ability to put her advice into action very quickly to see whether or not the changes make a difference. Trust me when I tell you, that when I presented my clients with a new pricing guide based on Jenika's recommendation, my numbers went up! She not only shows you how, but tells you why her advice works.

Here are some of my favorite blog posts by Jenika on her website, Psychology for Photographers:

How To Get Anyone To Keep Reading

7 Non-Money Reasons To Price Your Photography Profitably

The 7-Minute Website Writing Makeover

How To Get People To Hire YOU, Even If You Charge More

And, there are so many more articles on her site that one day I told Jenika that I could spend a few weeks just reading her blog. As I said, Jenika's teaching is useful, timely and wholly result-oriented.

I guarantee you will get something out of her website that makes absolute sense to you and your photography business. Go ahead and bookmark Psychology for Photographers today!