I am a mom, wife, photographer, friend, playground gossip, and wine lover, though the order changes on any given day. I will add that I do all of these things with one hand, because the other always has my trusty chai tea latte…yes, I am quite the juggler.  Priorities people.

I am a self taught photographer who had this really crazy idea dream notion that I could take pictures of people and give them some physical lasting memories that would make them happy.  And you know what?!  It’s working!!!  And it doesn’t feel like work {although my thighs and a$$ beg to differ sometimes since squatting while shooting is currently my only form of exercise}.  Sigh…I love me a passionate hobby.

Know what else I love?  I mean, besides my offspring and handsome hubs?  Cheesy things like reading, travelling, and drinking wine with friends.  I’ll give you two guesses which ones I don’t do anymore since previously mentioned offspring were born {insert raised eyebrow here}.

All kidding aside, I also love being inspired by, learning, and networking with awesome colleagues like yourself.  I know I am fortunate for every day that I am able to do what I love. I’m beyond thrilled to be a part of the Rock My Photography family, and I hope you enjoy my little bit of cyberspace called ‘Oh, Snap! by Jen Davis’.

Feel free to drop by at any of the following…

Web/Blog:  http://photographybyjendavis.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/photographybyjendavis

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/jambedda

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/jambedda

Email:  jen@photographybyjendavis.com

Colorvale Photoshop Actions For Photographers - Speed up your editing time and create amazing photographs with these digital tools

What kind of photography goodies do you have in your bag?

I always bring two bags to every shoot—my Kelly Moore holds all of my prime lenses, and my Epiphanie holds all of my zoom lenses.  So here’s my list of what I can’t do without:

• Kelly Moore Hobo Bag
• Epiphanie Lyric Bag
• Canon 5D Mark III
• Canon 5D Mark II
• 85mm 1.2
• 50mm 1.2
• 135mm 2.0
• 70-200 2.8
• 16-35 2.8
• 24-105 4.0
• Black Rapid RS-W1 Women’s Strap
• LensPen
• Many extra batteries
• 16 GB CF memory cards (3)
• Expodisc
• Tether Cord
• White Balance Card (2×3)
• Lip Gloss/Color (Can NEVER have too many when dealing with seniors!)
• 42” Impact Collapsible 5-in-1 Round Reflector  (Ok, ok.  These things technically don’t fit in my bag!)
• 42”x72” Impact Collapsible 5-in-1 Oval Reflector
• 3-Step Ladder

Let’s make it interesting and say if you only had one camera and one lens what would you pick out of all your equipment?

That’s easy!  For sure it would be my 5D Mark III, and my 85 1.2.  This lens is so versatile, and sometimes feels absolutely magical to me.  I love the creamy bokeh it gives me when shooting up close, and in a pinch, I can pull way back and get full body shots, too!  It is such a great over-all portrait lens!

Out of all of those fun gadgets you have, what do you find you cannot work without?

The best gadgety thing I ever bought was my Black Rapid Strap!  When I first started out I was using a hand strap that some other photographers had recommended.  However, it was inconvenient if I needed the use of my hands, and I could never shake that nervous feeling that I was going to drop my camera and it was going to shatter into a million pieces.  Then another photographer friend showed me her Black Rapid Strap and I was sold!  It is fabulous to be able to drop my camera at my side so I can demonstrate how I want a senior to pose, and then just reach around and grab it from behind me again.  I couldn’t function without it!

What equipment do you own that is necessary to have for your work but you don’t use often?

I would say my gray card.  It’s nice to have, but typically, I shoot in Kelvin or use my Expodisc for white balance.

Out of all the equipment purchases you have made, what could you go without?

Even though I love it, I could probably do without my 135 2.0 lens.  It produces such gorgeous, dreamy bokeh, but I could substitute the 70-200 2.8, if I had to.  I will say that the 135 is a whole lot lighter than the 70-200 though!  I get a workout using that Big Kahuna!

What non-photography related items are a MUST bring to every shoot?

• Lip color, lip color, and lip color!  For senior girls, it is a must.  We probably reapply every half hour or so because it just wears off.  I usually put the senior’s mom on “lip gloss duty”!
• Hair spray comes in a close second, especially on windy days.
• H2O or some other form of hydration.  I’m still always surprised how thirsty we get during a photoshoot.  We usually swing through McDonald’s for water, iced tea, or pop on our way to the first location.  J

Where can we find you (website, Facebook links or any other)

www.susiemoorephoto.com

http://www.facebook.com/SusieMoorePhoto

http://pinterest.com/susiemoore/

Colorvale Photoshop Actions For Photographers – Speed up your editing time and create amazing photographs with these digital tools

That’s a hard decision, but let me try to help!

By:  Jenna Michelle of Jenna Michelle Photography

There is always a heated debate about prices changing in the new year. You have your 2012 pricing that clients love (okay, that they are willing to pay), but your expenses, talent, or availability for sessions has changed.  2012 pricing is no longer working for YOU, but you need to find a way to balance your business needs with what your clients want.  So, something has to give.  There are a few options to consider:  increase your prices because costs and/or value have changed or decrease your costs so that your prices can stay the same.  Whichever you choose, find ways to make these changes more palatable by manipulating perceived value.  Let’s look at ways to review your old pricing and revamp for the new year, strategies to help you achieve one (or both) of the options above.

First, it is always a good idea to evaluate your cost of doing business for the new year.

Take a look at last year’s expenses; have any of those changed?  For example, has your professional printer increased their prices?  If they have, you should consider adjusting YOUR prices accordingly.

Is there any new equipment that you purchased at the end of 2012, maybe to take advantage of tax deductions?  You may want to include this in your cost of doing business for 2013.  This will help you bring in enough profit to “pay off” this expense.

Don’t forget your time.  The amount of time you spend on each client is definitely a “cost” in running your business.  Time is money.  It is important to evaluate how much your time is worth.  Generally, the more experience you gain in any given trade, the more valuable your time is.  Has your skill level increased?  Do you believe you deserve a raise?  If so, give yourself one!

Revisit your business goals and ask yourself, “Do my pricing, packages, and product offerings reflect these goals?”

What are your main goals this year?  To increase your number of clients, decrease your time commitment to the business for more family time, spend more time with each individual client…?  Ask yourself what these goals mean for your pricing.  If you want to increase your number of clients, you may want to find some way to re-arrange your budget so that you can afford to offer specials multiple times this year.  This is a good way to entice potential clients to make that decision to book their session with you.

What do you want your clients to take away from their session with you? Do you want them to experience their session in your very own studio?  Those marble walls are going to cost some money… In all seriousness, the cost of upkeep on a studio will definitely change your prices.  Some photographers want their clients to feel like they received a one-of-a-kind personalized experience and thus offer pre-consultations or in-person ordering sessions.  This will change your time commitment and thus increase the cost to your client.

What products do you want your clients to have?  My business goal for this year is for each of my clients to receive something tangible.  This means that I will not hand out JUST digital files anymore!  I have changed my packages so that they all include print credit AND digital files because let’s be real, digital files are like lollipops at the doctor’s office, everybody wants them!  The funny part about this whole thing is that my clients think they are getting MORE (when in reality they are paying the same amount as if they ordered à la carte, it is just presented differently).  One of my clients recently thanked me for being so generous and giving them a print credit to order products!  Why, you are welcome!

Consider reorganizing your business in a way that will help with costs and increase profits.  This is one of the best ways to alter your business for the new year if you DO NOT want your clients to bear the burden of business changes.

Like I said earlier, time is money.  So, find ways to be more efficient. Watch your editing patterns and create actions (if you use Photoshop) to expedite your post processing.  I found myself spending a lot of time manually adding my watermark to photos.  I quickly made an action that does that with one click of a button and it has saved me so much time!  I cannot believe how many people still do everything manually.  DO YOURSELF A FAVOR.  USE ACTIONS!  You do not have to spend the time making them yourself; you can also buy them from wonderful people such as Stacie Jensen.  Consider batch editing; edit multiple photos at a time.   Sometimes, especially for big events, I will apply actions or general edits to multiple photos and then quickly go to each individual photo to do finalizations.

Do the “Panda Express”.  I’m not sure if any of you eat at Panda Express, but I LOVE their orange chicken.  Yum, yum, yum.  What I noticed about Panda Express is that their prices don’t really change much, but what DOES change are the sizes of their containers.  The trick: it’s not very noticeable (and the only reason I noticed it is because I am a nerd and measured the containers).  You pay the same amount for your orange chicken, but you get a little bit less.  Panda express is making bank and orange chicken lovers are still happy.  So what do I mean when I say, “Do the Panda Express”?  Make small changes that clients probably won’t notice, but may save you a lot.  Have you considered decreasing the amount of photos you edit or provide, say from 30 to 25?  This can save you time (which is money, DUH), costs for an online proofing gallery, or maybe even a bit of time at the session itself.  This is definitely a strategy that can be employed to combat increased cost without increasing prices.

Take a second look at your products and vendors.  Are there opportunities for you to save money?  I recently switched to branded USB drives from personalized CDs and I am saving about 80% per client!  I have heard of other photographers switching their business cards, online proofing, or even professional printers.  The possibilities are endless.  Take the time to do the research for yourself.

Consider changes you can make to your business that will increase your product sales.  I have heard of many photographers switching from online proofing galleries to one-on-one ordering sessions.  With apps like Preveal or Shoot & Sell, you can show clients what their products would look like on walls ahead of time, increasing the likelihood of large product sales!

Colorvale Photoshop Actions For Photographers - Speed up your editing time and create amazing photographs with these digital tools

]]> http://www.rockmyphotography.com/pricing-increases-in-the-new-year-making-everyone-happy-or-trying/feed/ 3 http://www.rockmyphotography.com/2012-advancing-your-skills-photography-career/ http://www.rockmyphotography.com/2012-advancing-your-skills-photography-career/#comments Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:09:35 +0000 Stacie Jensen http://www.rockmyphotography.com/?p=4872

We had an awesome year here at Rock My Photography and worked hard to ensure we had amazing content and tips to help you advance your skills & photography career.  Here is a list of the top 40 viewed articles.

It is important to note that this work was not possible without a few of our amazing writers this year.  Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to share your knowledge of photography!

• So you want to learn how to shoot manual …
• What It’s Like To Be A Photographers Husband … and Bag Boy!
• Getting Your Business Name Out There
• 5 Reasons You Should Require A Retainer/Deposit
• Learn about Photoshop, Elements, Lightroom, Why You Shouldn’t Resize Photos & More
• Tips For Photographing Children
• How To Change The Resolution? What does resolution really mean?
• Marketing to High School Seniors
• Tips on photographing high school seniors – Part 1: the ladies
• Tips For Having A Second Shooter During A Wedding
• It’s All About The Bling – How To Shoot Wedding Rings
• Free Wedding Marketing Ideas
• Wedding Photography Preparation
• What Lenses Are Good For Wedding Photography?
• Wedding Photography – “The Little Details”
• Photography Pricing – How to make a profitable pricing plan for your business
• Understanding Back Button Focus
• Tips for the Perfect Newborn Session
• 10 Tips on a successful in-home family photo session
• How To Balance Family & Business
• How to get children to participate and laugh naturally in a photo session
• A List Of Our Favorite Photographer’s Resources
• What To Do If Your Images Are Gone From Your Disc
• 24 Photographer MUST HAVES!
• Fighting the feelings of leaving photography behind
• Posing & Technique
• Posing & Technique Part 2
• The Ultimate Photography Business Checklist
• Indoor Shooting Techniques
• Gaining Confidence As A Photographer
• Making the Leap from Mom’tog to Paid Photographer
• Shooting Wide-Open & When - Creating bokeh
• Get Your A$$ Off Auto
• Bare Naked Photographer – Learning to not compare yourself to others
• Photography Contracts Are  A Must
• Helping clients prepare for a session
• Wedding Photography – List of things to remember
• 10 Things You Need To Start A Photography Business
• How To Write A Good “About Me”
• The Journey To A Successful Business

Colorvale Photoshop Actions For Photographers - Speed up your editing time and create amazing photographs with these digital tools

(pppssss … these are not “Paid” reviews, we do them because we believe in them)

You know when you open a package that you have been excitedly waiting for and you are Ba-Lown-A-Way (with exclamation marks !!!!!) That is the way I felt when opening my package from The Pink Dandelion.  I was just thrilled!!  I immediately ran to my computer so I could email them to say that I had received it and couldn’t wait to spread the word about their company!!  You go girl, you rocked it out and you are going to be a very successful company in this industry!   Heather, the owner, has been so amazing with letting me bounce ideas off of her about other products I would love to have and she has just taken it past the point of perfectness (sneak peek of my other product coming tomorrow!)

The quality – wowsers!  amazing!  I adored each and every detail of this CD case but more than that, I love the quality of it!  I am very excited to say that this is my new packaging for all CD’s.  Better yet, I also heard from a little birdy that she will be making these for thumb drives as well, since future computers will be without a CD drive.

You and your clients will be pleasantly surprised and happy with this package of love sent to you by The Pink Dandelion

Colorvale Photoshop Actions For Photographers - Speed up your editing time and create amazing photographs with these digital tools

Should You Get Yourself An Assistant?

Let my husband tell you why you should!

by Kurt Jensen, Husband to Stacie Jensen, COO, and Bag Boy

Like everyone returning to work on Monday morning, I get a barrage of people generically asking what I did over the weekend.  Most of the time I end up answering that I was a bag boy for my wife while she was doing a photo shoot.  This is always met with snickers and a few jokes which I take in stride and laugh along with.  It is a simple answer to a question asked by someone who doesn’t really care for a real answer.  The fact is that I really am Stacie Jensen’s bag boy.  During the week I run Operations for a large automotive supply company.  Two drastically different jobs but when whittled down to the base elements they are amazingly the same.

During the week I have multiple plants around the globe that I provide direction to multiple topics from Sales strategies, to Operating systems, Quality control, and Just in Time delivery.  All important activities but at the same time I recognize that my ultimate job is to block and tackle issues so that the people actually making the money can settle in and get their jobs done and be as efficient as possible.

When I join my wife as her assistant (Bag Boy), my most important task is the same as above.  I ensure that Stacie can exercise her talents without even thinking about the minutia of things that need to happen in order for her to make it an amazing shoot for her clients.  If you have a Bag Boy with you on your shoots, you may be interested in comparing what I have found to be successful.  If you don’t, I am going to suggest that you get one so that you can focus on doing your job as efficiently as possible.

The Pep Talk

I am notorious for giving Stacie a good old fashion locker room pregame pep talk.  It has become ritual.  We always laugh about it and I try to be creative each time.  It loosens her up with a good laugh before going into what is always the unknown of a photo shoot.

You Are The Scout

Always get to the location of your shoot early so that you can scout out the unique.  Stacie has trained me well to be on constant lookout for the “next great spot”.  Collectively we look at location and identify those areas that match the client and have the wow factor.  Two sets of eyes identifying locations is always better than one.

Get The Contract Signed

As soon as introductions are over, I am in charge of making sure the contract is signed and collecting the money.  Stacie needs to start her job of making the client feel comfortable and so she goes to work on whoever looks like they might need the most loosening up and I get the paperwork signed.  She doesn’t pull the trigger on the camera until I give her the nod that the paperwork is signed.

The Master Of Equipment

Getting the equipment together.  Before each shoot we talk about what lenses she is going to use and then I just use my head to grab all the other essentials.  I do not want her to have to worry about a thing other than the camera in her hand and getting the next shot.  She will always shoot with her 85mm 1.4 and I will make sure I have whatever else may be needed.  Generally a wide angle lens and sometimes a macro.  I always carry a large diffuser to make sure that the sun is not an issue.  If it is I transform into a human diffuser stand and I will spend the shoot making sure the light is not an issue.  In my pockets I always have back up disks, Tylenol, water, and lip gloss (for her).

Anticipate!

My job is to anticipate so I watch and listen to her talk and move.  I can almost always pick up on her cues of what she may need next.  I don’t want to be asked, I want to be seamless.  If all is going well I scout for the next possible location.  She is too busy and gets too into her shoots so I start looking and occasionally suggesting areas that I may have seen.  There are natural breaks in her shooting that allow for a quick moment to suggest.  Stacie is very vocal and in control on a shoot so I try to provide timely suggestion to keep her rolling.

Watch The Clock

I am the time keeper.  Stacie gets so into what she is doing that she would stay all day if she is enjoying her shoot.  I keep her on pace.

The Hand-Off

If there is an equipment change I ensure she gets a lens with caps off and we have an exchange that can only be compared to the passing of a baton in a 400 meter relay.  Super smooth.  She hands me a lens I hand her a lens and get out.  I ensure that caps go right back on the lens she handed me.  No worries of dirt or readiness to go right back on the camera if needed.

The Pack Mule

I always keep my eyes open for the needs of the clients and my wife.  Most shoots I look like a pack mule as I carry shoes, purses, coats, and sundry other items from one shooting location to the next.  If we are walking across a street I ensure it is done safely, if kids are climbing in a tree, I make sure they don’t fall.  Again, making sure that those doing the work and those being photographed are able to just do their jobs of looking good, shooting good, and being relaxed.

Closing Out The Session

At the end of a shoot I make sure everyone gets all of their personnel effects back.  Stacie talks to the clients and gives them the generalities of where their client gallery will be and all the other fun closing comments.  While she is doing this I put all of the equipment safely away.  We say our thank yous and our goodbyes.

Be Their Biggest Fan

On the way home we discuss what went well and what we could have done better.  I tell her how awesome she did and that I am sure she got the shots she was looking for, she always does.

Should You Get Your Own Bag Boy?

Now I am not saying that everyone needs to rope their significant other into the ultimate assistant.  I am not saying that you need to run out and immediately hire an assistant to go to each shoot.  I am saying that if you can show up with a well trained assistant, every event will go smoother and you will be more relaxed and able to do your job without distraction.  It could be an older child, a close friend, or maybe even a high school student taking a photography class.  There are endless options.

Every photographer needs to be able to show up to a shoot with a plan to make their clients feel like they are the most important clients that you have ever taken a photo of.  When they walk away with a great experience they are more likely to come back, and to tell friends how great it was.  Lets face it, unless you are shooting a wedding or engagement shoot there will be clients that come to the shoot feeling nervous, uncomfortable, and probably like they got dragged to the shoot by a zealous mother or wife.  If you are consumed with all of the administrative items when you show up to the shoot, they are getting exactly what they feared, a boring business transaction.  Stacie is a dynamic personality and she can reel in the biggest skeptic and have them believing they are models before the shoot even gets moving.  Her ability to focus on relationships and a fun experience allows her to get great shots of comfortable happy clients.  She gets to be excited and bubbly and have fun and I deflect all of the boring administrative stuff.  This allows her to Rock her Photography.

Hopefully these few thoughts will help some of you to train a “Bag Boy” that has the vision to provide you what you need to make your life easy so you can concentrate on doing your job.  Creating art.

Shameless Plug

You should check out the amazing photography tools that my wife creates for people just like you! She’s not just a photographer but also a creator of some amazing stuff to make your job faster and more efficient.  www.colorvaleactions.com (actions.presets.biz tools.)

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What made you decide you wanted to be a photographer?

It was really my kids.  I wanted to have great pictures of them as they were growing up. After getting my first DSLR, I pretty much became obsessed with photography. I had finally found an outlet for my creativity that kept my interest, and I loved the endless possibilities.

How would you describe your photography style?

Simple and soulful.  I am not a ‘prop’ person…and really like to keep my imagery focused on the person.  I try to capture the essence of people through the camera, and love using the eyes of the subject to do that.

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How do you get your clients to relax and feel natural around you? 

I basically tell them at the beginning of the session exactly what to expect, what I am going to do, etc.  I walk them through everything, including posing…telling them exactly how to move or place their hands, so that they don’t even have to think about it.

Are you Canon or Nikon?

Nikon.

What are three things you wish you would have known when starting your own business? 

1) That success was not going to happen overnight

2) That I still had a lot to learn

3) That I shouldn’t compare myself to other photographers.

What do you find is the best way to promote your photography business?

Facebook…especially for High School Seniors.

What is your most favorite photo you have ever taken and why?

I have 2 close up shots of my daughter that I love, for several reasons…including the way they showcase her amazing eyes.  I have this one in as a canvas in my home.

What’s your favorite lens?

My 85mm 1.4G.  I always haul all my lenses to my photo shoots, thinking that I will actually use them…but I never end up taking my 85 off.  I just love it.  Lately I have been experimenting a bit more with my 70-200mm 2.8, but keep gravitating back to the 85mm.

What tip would you give aspiring photographers? 

Really take the time to get comfortable in manual mode!   But mainly, be patient…. And don’t ever stop trying and learning new things.  I am 100% self taught, and still learn something new every day.

Where can we find you?

Facebook.  Don’t have a lot of time for much else!

Colorvale Photoshop Actions For Photographers - Speed up your editing time and create amazing photographs with these digital tools

Your eye will not be able to determine that a photograph is 200 resolution on a 16×20 image because you will be standing farther away than you would for a 300 resolution 8×10.  Does that make sense?  If not, think about this … a sign off the expressway is a resolution of 10! Yep, that’s it, 10!  The reason for this is you do not need more pixels per inch (resolution) due to the fact that you are so far away.

Below is a sample of the largest print size you can get out of a particular pixel size at 300 PPI, which is controlled by what your camera can output.  Remember that if that print size were to change then the resolution (ppi) would also.  They, the print size & resolution, are attached at the hip.

What does this mean?

Do not obsess about resolution!  It is forever changing!  Depending on the size of the print, the resolution number will change. Again, and I know I have said it probably too many times already, the resolution is an equation between print size (inches) and how many pixels your camera outputs.  You can not control the resolution.  Every camera drops in the resolution differently, this isn’t because one is better than the other.  If your camera drops in a 72 dpi, it still has the same exact number of pixels than if you changed it to a 300 resolution.  You are actually changing NOTHING!  The only thing that “looks” different is the inches on your ruler around the photo.  A 72dpi is a larger print size than a 300 and that is because you can fit 72 pixels into each inch and make the print larger, rather than concentrate the pixels into 300 per inch making the print size smaller.  Remember though, it doesn’t matter if you lose resolution on a larger print because you are standing farther away.  And frankly, there is NOTHING you can do about it, since you can’t add more pixels than your camera gives you!  Yes, as a standard many print companies ask for you to start at the 300 when uploading, and some printers do not put emphasis on this at all if you have a large enough file to begin with.  For example if you send a 72 resolution (ppi) 59×39 photo to a printer to be printed at 8×10 you are well over 300 resolution because it will concentrate all those extra pixels into a smaller area.

Here are the facts:

• The amount of pixels your camera gives you are controlled by the camera, not you.
• Resolution is controlled by a math equation .  Equation is:  Resolution = how many pixels you can concentrate into one square inch of particular print size.
• Resolution number changes for every print size because of the above equation.
• You can fit a higher resolution into a smaller print size because the number of pixels your camera has is then concentrated into a smaller amount of inches.
• You do not need to stress over resolution because it not something you control or can keep constant.  (300 res can’t be given for every print size, it’s mathematically impossible.  You can only fit 300 pixels into a square inch of one particular print size, unless you are adding fake pixels.)
• DPI is not a term for photographers and it isn’t about resolution.  DPI means dots per inch and its a term for printing companies and their presses.
• Resolution is otherwise known as PPI which means Pixels Per Inch (yep, that silly math equation I referred to 10 thousand times in this article.  Sick of hearing it yet?)
• Resizing your image degrades your pixels.  It takes pixels away, making it impossible to get a better quality because when you lose pixels you lose concentration of pixels per inch (resolution).
• Changing the resolution to 300 will only tell you what the maximum print size can be for 300 PPI (pixels per inch).  It doesn’t magically allow you to print any size at that resolution.
• Changing the resolution to 300 is fine to do but remember you must uncheck resampling.  (guide below) The reason for this is you can NOT add more pixels than you camera already gave you.  They would be ghost pixels and create a pixellated effect.  If it’s not there to begin with you can’t add it.  Having photoshop invent pixels is not a great idea if you are looking for quality.
• If you change the print width or height it will automatically change the resolution number, this being because they are related (that math equation again)
• Many printers ask you to deliver the photo at 300 resolution.  This is simply just for standards sake, when you use their ROES system and choose a print size the resolution will automatically change for that image because it will either concentrate the pixels because you are making the image smaller or give you less resolution because you are printing a larger photograph, which will not matter because you will stand farther from the photograph (remember the expressway sign?)
• Larger the resolution number = smaller print size
• Smaller the resolution number = larger the print size

I shoot with a Nikon D3s, it automatically uploads as a 240 resolution. I never have needed to change this to 300 when sending to a professional printer. However, if I wanted the peace of mind I could adjust this to 300. Though it will NOT change the quality of the photograph since resolution number has no effect on how many pixels your image has.

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If you prefer to change your resolution to 300 it is VERY important to uncheck “Resample Image”. Resolution number is dependent upon your camera’s pixels and the print size (how many pixels you can fit into a square inch = resolution) so if you had resampling checked it would just add FAKE pixels and you do NOT want this!

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Notice that if I have “Resampling Image” checked the print size stays the same but my pixels increase, making ghost pixels. This means that photoshop adds imaginary pixels. This will provide a lower quality image as there is no way to add REAL world pixels after the fact.

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Colorvale Photoshop Actions For Photographers - Speed up your editing time and create amazing photographs with these digital tools

What kind of photography goodies do you have in your bag?

By Stephanie Newbold, Featured Writer for Rock My Photography and Owner of Stephanie Newbold Photography

In an environment where we seem to be drowning in photographers, getting an edge in your high school senior portrait market can be hard. It seems like everyone’s a photographer these days, whether they’ve got a fancy new DSLR camera, or they’re just wicked good with their iPhones.  Being able to create a technically sound, nicely composed photograph is important, but let’s face it – these days, many of our seniors’ classmates can do just that.  In fact, I recently spoke to a photography class at a local high school and some of those kids were good. Really good.

One of the questions I get asked a lot is “how do you market to seniors?” Lots of factors play into this, but first, it’s important to understand the difference between advertising and marketing. Advertising is simply a means of communication that is designed to elicit an action, like when you bought space in the yearbook to promote your studio.  Marketing is a little more intangible – it’s what we use to seek out, identify and attract our target clients. It’s like your brand – it’s something that is present in everything you do to promote your business.

Being successful with high school senior clients can be an entirely different ball game than working with families, children and babies. The teen demographic doesn’t typically respond well to hard-sell marketing. So, how do you convince the high school seniors in your market that they want you to shoot their senior session? While I don’t have any ground breaking new tricks on how to create marketing magic for you, here are a couple of easy tips to help reach the high school seniors in your market and create some buzz for your business.

Senior Reps. High school kids love to go where the masses are. If they see their friends’ amazing photos, well, they’re going to want some too.  Having a senior rep program can bring great visibility to your studio. When you make the senior rep experience fun, exciting, and enjoyable, your reps will tell all of their friends how awesome you are.  If you offer great images and a unique, fun, portrait experience, you’ll have seniors that are excited about your work. And they’ll tell their friends, who’ll tell their friends, and pretty soon you’ll have a calendar full of senior portrait sessions. Note: Finding the right incentives for your senior reps is important, too. Take some time to get to know them and find out what works and what doesn’t. I noticed a big change when I started calling my reps a Senior Model Team. What teen girl doesn’t want to be a model? I’ve even had a couple of class of 2014 girls calling me already, asking how they can be on next year’s model team. A simple thing, but it worked wonders!

Talk is cheap. Really, it is. In fact, it’s free. Get your seniors talking about you! I work really hard to build relationships with each of my senior clients, I try to offer them a unique and personalized senior portrait experience that they don’t get with the yearbook photo guy, and that keeps them talking to their friends about how much fun they had.  This generates a little buzz about my business, and results in one of the best and cheapest forms of marketing out there: word of mouth.  Note: As I booked my last opening for 2012, I realized that all but two of my senior sessions were bookings that came from word of mouth advertising, either from buzz created by my senior model team or referrals from existing clients. Awesome, yes?

Get Social. Today’s seniors are totally tech savvy and you’ll need to step up your game in order to connect with them.  Even though their parents may be big on talking to you on the phone or sending you an email, your seniors are more likely to connect with you through Facebook and Twitter, or they’ll simply text you.  You need to be where they are, and that means using Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to market your message. Having a social media and online presence will help create (free) buzz marketing, especially if you have your senior reps promoting you, too.  Note: I posted a senior sneak peek on Instagram and had 17 “likes” and one comment. My senior client posted the same sneak peek on her Instagram page and had 73 “likes”. 73! That’s a whole lot of positive exposure to my target market!

Be different. Marketing is your way of communicating your style, your products, your personality (basically, your total brand image) to your clients and potential clients. If you’re doing what everyone else is doing, what makes you different? You need to convey why clients should come to YOU instead of the mega studio in town, so be sure your marketing conveys your personality and your business’s unique personality. Note: I deliver custom designed cookies to my clients, made in the same colors and crowned heart shape as my logo. It’s special, it’s different, and it’s totally identifiable with my brand. And I don’t know a teenager who doesn’t like cookies!

Be real. Don’t hide behind your brand or your website. Teens tend to be loyal to brands they identify with, but they usually want more than just beautiful images. They expect authentic personalities and want a connection with a real person, not a Contact Me form.  Creating Facebook pages, Pinterest boards and Instagram profiles that are fun, attention getting, and a little bit personal works better than mass mailing 500 generic post cards.  Teens are usually looking to give their business to someone who’s about more than just trying to seal the deal on a sale, so be sure to be real (be you) when you’re marketing to them! Note: I create style, hair and makeup Pinterest boards that I share with my seniors. It’s a great way to connect with them, and a great way to convey the personalized, custom style of photography I’m marketing!

Package Makes Perfect.  Remember above, when I said that marketing is something that is present in everything you do to promote your business? Carrying your marketing message all the way through your packaging is important in conveying a cohesive, professional brand. Especially if your packaging is something re-usable and identifiable with your brand, or contains something your seniors wants to carry with them and show their friends, like the custom branded lip balm I include as a “thank you” when I deliver their orders. Note: I’ve recently started including digital wallets via a custom mobile app that my seniors can save to their Droid phones, iPhones and iPads. Seriously ups the cool factor, and my senior clients LOVE having their photos on their phones so they can show their friends. Definitely buzz worthy, and my seniors are actually marketing for me.

When you’re marketing to high school seniors, be sure that you are marketing yourself and your business in everything that you do – from the experience you offer to the image you project in your online presence. Change things up. Offer what the kids love. Get them talking about you.  Soon they’ll be booking you.  And what could be better than filling up your calendar with seniors that all want YOU to take their senior portraits?

***Stephanie Newbold is a natural light photographer in Tucson, AZ, specializing in authentic, fun, contemporary custom portraiture for stylish high school seniors.

Stephanie Newbold Photography
www.stephanienewboldseniors.com

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