Photography - Page 45

Mike Marques And The “I Am A MoSaic” Project

March 8, 2014 by Seshu | Editor & Publisher

MS Awareness Week 2014 is from March 3 to March 9th this year. The timing couldn't be more perfect for me to speak with West Hartford, Connecticut photographer, Mike Marques about his long-term project, photographing people in and around Connecticut who are battling multiple sclerosis.

Marques' three-year project, a collaboration with National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Connecticut Chapter is called “I Am A MoSaic.” Here is a small selection of images from that impressive project:

Here is my interview with Mike Marques' about “I Am A MoSaic” project:

Learn about why Mike Marques began the project, how he collaborated with a national organization, hear what it took to connect with his subjects and finally discover how he chose to celebrate their lives.

Mike Marques inspires me and I hope he inspires you as well.

Zack Arias Launches DEDPXL And OneLight v2.0

March 4, 2014 by Seshu | Editor & Publisher

As a photographer, Zack Arias is a name you must know. He is a photographer, teacher and author who is known for his candid take on the state of this industry that we all love. Every time I have come across him – as a public speaker at a conference or randomly on the streets of a city – I am always left in awe of his humility and his generosity towards photographers.

Several years back when Zack was on the road, visiting city after city teaching his simple approach to off-camera lighting to photographers who were either confused or scared of their strobes, I managed to attend first his workshop in Boston and then later in New York City. These were the famous OneLight Workshops that I may have referred to here on this blog from time to time. I can honestly say that Zach was one of the first people to demystify off-camera lighting for me. If you went to his workshops let hear a collective “Amen” below in the comments because I think only you folks know what I am talking about.

Instead of dreading my Nikon SB-900's, I embrace them, play with them and treat them as toys. I keep making creative mistakes and learn from them. It's really the very foundation of Zack's teaching, I believe. Now, my memory is fading so forgive me if I get my facts all tangled up. Either the workshops came first or his OneLight DVD came first, but having experienced both, I felt I was in lighting heaven. Again, if you attended a workshop and own version 1.0 of the OneLight DVD, please comment below. I want to know who you are.

Zack just announced a new project called DEDPXL that I want you to look at if you are serious about embracing off-camera lighting.

Zack also announced OneLight 2.0 (though this time it will only be available as a download). Check out the intro video below for it. From what I can tell, DEDPXL is both a store and a school. The first assignment and all those that will focus not so much on technique but in guiding you to see better. If you are serious about constantly improving your photography, I would take Zack up on this monthly assignment and join the Flickr group to post your images.

The video is 7 hours long! I thought version 1.0 of the OneLight DVD was exceptionally produced and I am willing to bet this new version is going to rock your socks off. [I do not make a dime for saying so … just passing on a resource you shouldn't miss.]

Right now, OneLight 2.0 is available for pre-order at the crazy low price of $50. I recall the original DVD costing $150 or so and was still a great deal. So, if you are looking for a great resource to learn off-camera lighting, THIS IS IT. The full video download will be available on March 31st or soon after.

So, you are probably wondering if I am going to buy the new version of OneLight. Is that your question? You bet I will because with me, the learning never stops. How about you?

What You Need To Know Beyond The Looming Obamacare Deadline

February 19, 2014 by Seshu | Editor & Publisher

UPDATE: Open Show NY just announced a 2nd presentation, on March 6th at the Bronx Documentary Center, 7 – 8.30 pm. Register here for it.

If you are a freelance photographer or an independent photography studio you need to know that the deadline to sign up for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) is March 31st of this year.

According to Radhika Chalasani, a photojournalist based in New York City, not very many photographers have taken the initiative to sign up for the health insurance plans. She cites a variety of reasons for the procrastination. Check out our recent discussion below:

Radhika mentioned how Open Show NY with ASMP-NY, South Asian Journalist's Association and Asian American Writer's Workshop is coordinating a special information session for photographers on February 25th.

If you are in the vicinity of the Asian American Writer's Workshop – 110-112 W. 27th Street, #600, New York, NY 10001 – it would behoove you to go and learn the facts about health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, find about your health insurance options and filter out the dissonance about this highly politicized topic.

This Photoshelter sponsored session will be led by insurance navigator Renata Marinaro from 6.30 to 8.30 pm. Seating is limited so you must register for this free event.

It sounds like a wonderful opportunity to learn about Obamacare and how it will affect your health insurance costs for you and your family.

A Mini-Guide To Launching Your High School Senior Rep Program

February 16, 2014 by Mark Stall

It's not too early to be thinking about planning a Senior Rep Program for 2014. So here's some details you should be considering to be prepared. Doesn't matter the size of your senior pool, but the larger the graduating class, the better. Your goal is to identify and get as many applicants interested in being your rep as possible.

The main things you must determine are:

1. Whatever program you design must be best for you otherwise it will fail.

2. Determine a target area for your photography.

3. Know and understand your competition.

After you've designed and refined a rep program for your photography and schools, you'll need a contract specific to your program. Unless the program is well planned and implemented it could do more harm than good. You'll find yourself making mistakes and wasting money instead of making progress.

The following tips will help you to plan a successful rep program designed to your specifics. Remember, the program must motivate your reps to want to succeed otherwise it's a fail.

1. Photographers love to give free photo packages to their reps, but that's just not enough motivation. They want a good reason to do what you need teem to do.

2. Always do something besides money as an incentive. Stats show reps are more motivated by something fun like parties or going to a fun venue. How about personalized smartphone cases or personal supply of M&M's!

3. More is better! You need at least 1 rep for 100 students.

4. Heed this warning! An ordinary girl pampered with make-up to look like a model will surpass a “supermodel” any day. That before – after shot on your site will return more money then the most popular girls.

5. Don't forget a few male reps in the mix. They appeal to both girls and guys.

6. All your social media outlets are to be used to the max! Both by the studio and your reps. Plan a coordinated attack.

7. All your reps and better customers MUST use your logo on all their profiles online. No exception.

8. Keep close track of every rep to be certain they're doing what you need them to and DO NOT hesitate to send them on their way if they aren't performing to their fullest ability! This is a major issue to keep track.

Experience has proven that rewarding your reps with just photos will not produce the best results. Rather, simple rewards that improve and increase as the reps referrals improve but best to never reach your full package. You must realize that your reps are really clients with special benefits! You provide them with a variety of perks but you can still expect a decent profit from them not counting the referrals they bring to your studio. You must realize that free packages only lead to senior reps motivated by ”free deals” and that's all. You're truly seeking reps that will appreciate the honor of your relationship. That you will treat them very specially and involve them in special activities through their senior year.

5 Ways Jeffrey Shaw Will Fast Track Your Photography Business To Success

February 12, 2014 by Seshu | Editor & Publisher

We all want our photography businesses humming with happy clients, right? (let's nod in agreement) Often, though, we don't know how to get from where we are to where we want to be in our businesses. That's fine. It's a learning process and it takes time. Imagine, though, if in addition to your own effort (hey, elbow grease is always required in photography) you had someone guide you through five ways that will fast track your photography business to success? Won't that be fun? Won't that be a little bit easier? Won't that save you time? Won't that help you make more money and quickly? For me, it's a yes to all those questions.

I routinely look to my peers to see what they are doing, not so much so that I copy them, but to learn and adapt some of their steps to my own method of working and delivering photography to my clients. I just came to know about this wonderful series of workshops that my friend Jeffrey Shaw is hosting for photographers.

Jeffrey is a photographer with a 30-year track record of success, an author, a speaker, a teacher and a mentor to many in his mastermind courses.

Several months ago, I met Jeffrey and was blown away by his approach to business. I also knew instantly that he is a gifted teacher. His philosophy and methodology were in synch to how I wanted to pursue my photography business in Connecticut.

So, when Jeffrey has a course or even presenting a webinar, I tend to sit up and plug in to listen to what he has to say. The workshop series Jeffrey has just launched cover the following topics:

Remote Sales – February 12th, from 1 pm to 3 pm EST
Auction System – February 19th, from 1pm to 3 pm EST
Touch Points – February 26th, from 1 pm to 3 pm EST
Perfect Clients – March 12th, from 1 pm to 3 pm EST
Features vs. Benefits – March 19th, from 1 pm to 3 pm EST

The workshops are individually $75 each or you can buy and check them all out for $300.

I spoke with Jeffrey a few days ago and here is our chat about the workshops he is offering:

So, you are probably wondering whether you should jump in and register. I get that. I am exactly where you are. Lots of options out there, but for quality education one would have to travel, book a hotel, spend a few days away from the family and then come back home to deal with that imploding email inbox. I've been there and done that and I won't do that again. I prefer being able to learn on my time, from the comfort of my own home where I can quickly put into practice the kinds of things Jeffrey is set to teach me/us. More importantly, what makes Jeffrey's workshops so enticing to me is that I know they are filled to the brim with incredible value. Just knowing Jeffrey and how he has over-delivered in the past makes me very confident in recommending this series of workshops to you.

Here is your chance to have Jeffrey fast track your photography business to success in 2014. Do you want in?

The first one is set for today, at 1 pm. Join me.