I posted the sales link to Salesographer on Facebook a few days ago and one photographer who took me up on it said this:

Hi Seshu, I followed your link to Salesographer. Bought it and really like his straight forward approach to pricing and sales!

You are probably wondering what Salesographer is all about. Fair question!

“Salesographer is a pricing and profit-boosting sales strategy for photographers lacking the cash flow mojo. You will learn pure, not-from-concentrate sales & pricing education that will take you step-by-step on how to price, present, and sell your photography, without feeling like a salesman.”

Yep, that's straight from the Salesographer website. I couldn't say it any more simply so I figured I would just quote from it.

This guide and set of step-by-step helpful videos were initially produced by Spencer Boerup (who went on to become the genius behind MagMod). Chris and Adrienne Scott, the folks behind the incredible Preveal iPad application bought Salesographer a few months ago from Spencer, as it complements their original mission to empower wedding and portrait photographers make a sustainable living through tools, applications and now resources.

One photographer asked me: “Have you used this Seshu? Did it change your business dramatically?”

Again, a fair question. Whether Salesographer is $74 (as it will be till April 28th, Monday evening) or $349, when it was first offered by Spencer, one absolutely needs to know whether a product, service or resource is going to help our bottom line.

So here is my response to that photographer:

“Yes, I have used it. I have adapted a great many of the steps included in this guide to make it my own process. In my experience, there is no cookie-cutter solution out there. One absolutely must adapt it one's unique business condition. What Salesographer does is give you a great foundation to begin to do just that. Also, I wouldn't be promoting it if I didn't believe strongly in this resource for photographers.”

My recommendation? Buy it before Monday and save some money. Read the guide. Watch the videos. Take notes. Put it all into action and then make a decision. If you are actively working as a photographer, you shouldn't have any trouble seeing whether this works for you or not. The Scotts are also offering a 30-day money back guarantee.

When you buy Salesographer now you'll receive:

90 minutes of video education

an e-book guide

access to a private community to discuss the teachings

a $50 gift card from ProDPI (the best printing lab I know)

a custom pricing sheet

a sales & order form that you can customize and use with your clients

a consultation form that you can customize and use with your clients

All this for $74? I think that's an incredible deal that you can't afford to pass up.

Give it a shot before April 28th because I know you are a savvy photographer who seizes opportunities like this to run your business.

If you have any questions, please holler below. I am happy to answer them to the best of my ability or ask Chris Scott to chime in. How does that sound to you?

Rachel Brenke's The Law Tog has helped scores of photographers to get legally legitimate. If you were working without a contract, she can hook you up. If you have a legal question about delivering files or photographing minors, she always has a ready answer on her popular blog.

Recently I had an issue where some of my content from this blog suddenly appeared on another site. I had not given the other website my approval to copy and paste my content. So, I approached Rachel and asked her what I should do about it. She gave me two solutions: 1) try and contact the other blogger and ask that the content be taken down and 2) to check out Google's DMCA website, which essentially allows a copyright holder to complain about an offending website. I did both and voilá, the content on the other site disappeared!

I spoke with Rachel about the importance of contracts for photographers. Here is that discussion:

Today, Rachel is doing two things that you should pay attention to:

1) She is relaunching her online course, BizRevamp for photographers.

In it she'll cover these and other important topics in this well-regarded course:

How to set up a legal photo biz so they can stay legal and protect your assets.

A simple system to manage and file your taxes the right way.

The minimum insurance coverage your photo biz needs to give them peace of mind!

How to get a solid contract with no holes that covers you!

Website and social media quick-fixes that get you the inquires and new clients you’re losing out on right now!

A streamlined WORKFLOW that minimizes stress and maximizes your money-making potential!

How to generate more cash (even if you aren’t into in-person sales)!

How to create your custom business plan to finally reach your goals!

Enrollment will occur April 10-15th, 2014 (that's starting today folks!)
Pricing: $479 pay in full by Paypal or credit card OR $89/month for 7 months payment plan by credit card.

I would enroll in this now!

Rachel is generously giving away one valuable seat to this online workshop (she takes only a limited number of people each time). If you want to win, tell me why you want to win and how this course is likely going to help you. Please have a valid and active website address and include your email. If you don't include your email address there is no way for me to contact you to let you know you won. Winner picked on the 15th, at 5 pm EST. Only the winner will be notified!

2) Rachel will be presenting on CreativeLive (for free) about balancing work, family and photography. You should check it out too!

When I was in high school, I rather grudgingly went to summer band camp. Don't laugh, but I was instrumental (no pun intended) in leading our marching band to local championships by playing the … cymbals.

Yep, that was me crashing my cymbals in front of my face, sometimes catching a bit of my lip. Sometimes, I had to carry those heavy cymbals and march backwards, holding them up so that the snare-drummers had their shot at hitting it. Sometimes they missed the cymbals and they hit my fingers instead. It was painful. It wasn't fun and I didn't look forward to it at all.

But every April, I would need to sign up if I wanted to be a part of the marching band (and I didn't after the novelty wore off) and so I did. I was following a script given to me. As a teenager, I resisted and looking back, I was a cranky mess. I didn't want any part of it because it simply wasn't fun.

How many of us have businesses like that – that are simply not fun anymore? Do you think your business requires you to lock-step with what your competition is doing? How many of you have forgotten the real reasons why you picked up a camera and decided one day to make photography not just a hobby but a profession? How many of you dear readers remember the look on the face of your first clients who simply LOVED you and your work? Now, wasn't that fun? Wouldn't you like to experience that again and again and again?

I know deep down that one need not work in isolation. So much of our work as photographers depends on connecting and creating relationships with a slew of different people who are now an integral part of our lives. Still, we often hold these people off at arm's length, afraid of letting them into our lives and perceiving that you would be intruding in theirs. Imagine how much stronger your bonds with them could be if you get to know them?

How would you like to rekindle that feeling for what you do … again? Is there a way for you to fall in love again with your business, make it truly your own and become a part of a community of go-givers?

I say, YES, there is. That way is through Brand Camp.

This is an event that Kristen Kalp of Brand Camp Blog, with a whole host of presenters, is coordinating for 4 days – May 27 to May 30th. But Kristen is front-loading that actual camp (think cabins and s'mores and even a Ferris wheel) in May by providing valuable master classes that not only lay the groundwork to the full camp experience but also help you in making money and paying for the camp before you arrive!

And yes, I am going. I feel like this is going to be a very good thing for my business and me. Will you join me at Brand Camp?

I spoke with Kristen Kalp recently and this is what she had to say about what you can expect at Brand Camp:

I also spoke with Brand Camp presenters Anna Kunnecke and Josh Solar.

Brand Camp registration closes on April 4th (that's this Friday). Again, why go? Because you are worthy and you are tired of going to yet another cold photography convention. If you have been to one, you know and you know that there has to be better. That better is Brand Camp.

As a fellow Tiffinboxer (I just came up with that), I urge you to join me. I look forward to working with you, seeing you grow as a photographer who loves your business and even more than that, blossom into a compassionate human being.

Yes, it's possible. Just join Brand Camp before April 4th. You with me?

Here's a list of presenters who won't just present and disappear but will hang out with you and chat with you about you and your photography business (how different is that from the usual run-of-the-mill conferences?):

Bob Goff, Jenny Shih, Jesh de Rox, Brian Andreas, Kendrick Shope, Josh Solar, Jonathan Canlas, Anna Kunnecke, Katie O'Farrell, Michelle Waters, Nicole Polk, Jenika McDavitt, Jeanette Leblanc, Michelle Cormack.

I am excited to share how I made the decision to open my studio. It has been a positive experience for me and I am grateful for the response it is receiving from both new and existing clients.

I had run my business, Yellowhale Photography, for many years as an on-location photographer focused on high end, boutique portraiture. I was very proud of what I had accomplished and the growth that my business had made in that time, but as I approached my 10 year anniversary, I found myself considering the ways in which I wanted my business to grow.

I began making lists, evaluating what has worked for me in the past and what I wanted Yellowhale to become. I thought about what I needed to do to create the business I envisioned. It wasn’t long before I realized that having a physical studio space was key to achieving my goals. By concentrating my sessions to one locale, I could make them more accessible for a broader spectrum of clients and ultimately enhance the service for my existing clientele.

I was able to find a gorgeous space with lots of natural light on the main street in our city. I am so happy with it! Because I am in the center of town, I have greater opportunities to network with other local businesses. In addition to the reception and studio space, there is another room which I can use for meetings and workshops. I can even open it up to guest speakers for interesting cross promotional events. Having a physical space allows me to become a part of the community and invites passers by to come in and learn more about what I do.

One of the surprising benefits of the foot traffic is the local business people requesting sessions for a modern headshot. Between work and social media, everyone needs a presentable, image of themselves that they can feel confident in. Having a studio makes it convenient for these clients to come in and have their portrait taken during a quick break throughout the day.

The majority of my work, however, is focused upon family and newborn sessions. New parents have so much to adjust to in the first few weeks baby is home and having to clean the house in preparation for a photo session just adds to their stress. I am finding having a studio is a blessing for these clients. It benefits my young families as well. Let’s face it, families are busy! By having a studio for them to come to, they are able to enjoy their session with their children in a relaxed environment which ultimately results in beautiful images.

The reception area is filled with examples of my work displayed on huge canvases, in custom frames and wall galleries. Having the physical product on display for my clients is essential to selling. My motto is: seeing is believing, believing is buying.

An added bonus of the studio is that I now have the space to display the full range of albums from my other business, the Dream Album Co. . Our product line has expanded in recent years and having the space to have it all on display for my clients to view is exciting. We also now have the space to have a dedicated shipping and supply room which streamlines our businesses.

On a more personal note, one of the things I am most thrilled about is the ability the studio provides for me to explore creatively. I now have a space where I can play with various off-camera lighting options and with the way the natural light falls in our all-white space. I find myself consistently inspired to experiment here.

Making the decision to invest in a studio can be a difficult one. You are required to completely change the way you do business. However, for me, establishing a studio allowed Yellowhale Photography to grow in the ways I had envisioned and I am excited by all the unexpected opportunities it has created along the way. I am looking forward to celebrating our future anniversaries here!

If I could offer advice to anyone thinking about opening their own studio, the following five things would top my list:

1) Don’t rush the process. Take your time finding your perfect space. If you are uncertain if a studio is right for you, consider sharing studio space with a complimentary business. Another alternative is to establish a meeting space for your sales sessions. Having a smaller scale space allows you the time to grow your business and add to your confidence and security before establishing your studio.

2) Resist the temptation settle. Find a space that is right for you. Make sure the location, the light and the layout all work for your needs. Holding out allows you time to build your savings until you know you have found the perfect spot. Settling for a space to satisfy your desire to run a studio can easily cost you more in the long run.

3) Having a substantial savings is your safety net. Six months salary and operating costs are a minumum, but a year is so much. The moment you sign the lease, you are responsible for your rent & utilities whether you are ready to open your doors or waiting for the renovations to be complete. Having money in the bank also protects you in months where you may not be working due to unexpected illness or injury.

4) Create a support team to surround you. Figure out who/what you need to best support you in your business so you can create a consistent revenue stream. It may be in the form of a team of people (think of an editor, session co-ordinator, salespeople, or housekeeper as examples) or services (child care, a dog walker or grocery delivery to name a few). Having a solid support behind you will allow you the freedom and peace of mind to make your business a success and enjoy your time when you are home.

5) Create a beautiful space for yourself, but allow it room to evolve and grow with you. You will want everything to be perfect for your opening, but remember as you settle in to your space, you will be adding to it. Just as your home has evolved with you over the years, so will your studio.

Opening a studio is a commitment that can make or break your business. Grow into it rather than jumping into it. Before you even look for a studio, ensure you already have the consistent income to cover your daily operating expenses plus what you would need to pay for rent and insurance.

When you can afford to open the best studio, that is the time to open the studio. Do not open a studio and then hope for the best.