Setting up for your Charity Event

Good morning everyone,

Well, you have done all the hard work. You secured a great community event that you are proud to stand behind. You arrive at the event with your camera and are ready to take some great photographs.

People come and go, you ask if they would like to have their photographs taken, but you only seem to get one or two people willing to have their photographs taken. What is wrong? Didn't you tell the organizer that you will be turning up? Why is everybody not so interested in having a photograph taken?

Well for starters let me tell you that just turning up for an event does not guarantee that you will have a successful event. You have to come prepared. Here are a few tips that I found helps build a great relationship with the event organizers and the customers or guests that will be attending your event.

Here is what I have done to ensure that I have the exposure and response that I want.

• Arrive at the event early. The reason you do this is to make sure you have the best location and you can also work out some logistics with the organizers or shop owners.
• Make sure you choose a location where you get the most feet passing through. You should also try and not interfere with regular business, but the location is good enough so that everyone can see you.  Now as a photographer it is not always about taking the photographs. Yes, it is important, but a lot of what you do as a photographer is marketing yourself. 
• You need to setup a table. Yes, bring along a folding table where you can display your promotional material. You will need some flyer's, business cards and other marketing material that is small and easy to grab. You want people to leave the event with some of your marketing material. It is a place to pull people in, so make it interesting and people can take that along with them when they either pass your table or when you are finished with your session. I found a great place for some customizable marketing material. Have a look at Designaglow 

You want to make a great impression and also let them know that you are a professional studio that could actually do more than what you are currently helping the community with.

• A great investment would also be creating a beautiful pop-up banner or posters of your work. This you can put up a strategic points throughout the event if it is allowed or even above the table. It gives the visual visitor a great 1st impression about some of the work that you can do. Vista Print offers some really great deals in getting pop-up banners where you can use your own photographs.
• Props. I don't know how many times these have made a photograph as well as made me some extra profit. People want to see something different and if they are holding a prop it also gives them something to do with their hands. Bring along large photograph frames, stuffed animals for the small children if that is who you are catering to. The props have to be related to your event so don't forget to add them to make your special day even more memorable.
• You need an assistant! As you can see from all the work that goes into a charity or community event. You will need someone to help carry and setup. Phone some friends or even extend your reach even further and approach other students doing photography in your area and discuss it as an "intern" or training event. It is a great way to get some help and it may lead to additional teaching classes where you can make some additional money. You never know.
• Don't forget to take some photographs of the sponsors venue, location or shop. Also take photographs of people involved in the event. These can be used for future advertising for the company and it can be another revenue stream. It is also a great way to stay in-touch. A framed photograph could also be a gift to them for letting you use their venue. A great framed photograph hanging in their offices or shop is a fantastic way to get some free advertising as employees talk about the great event that they had. Remember to leave some pamphlets and business cards with the owners when you leave.

So in closing, there is a lot of work that needs to be done before you even pick up a camera for your event.

Invest in your promotional material. They are items that can be used over and over again. You will need a great banner. WHCC also makes some great banners where you can create a collage instead of a single photograph. The stand alone banners are the best because you can put them around the event.

Finally, don't forget to carry business cards on your person. You are not going to be at the table all the time so make sure to have enough to hand out to everyone.

And let me leave you with one final tip. Have a way to capture peoples names and email addresses for future marketing purposes. I use Chimpmail.com 

In connection with this application I also have Chimpadeedoo which is available for IOS and Android.It captures peoples Names and Email addresses when setup on your device. I normally leave my IPad with my assistant at the table and they, my assistants,  encourage people to sign-up and we will send them some promotional material or we have additional incentives at the table, where we offer them mini-sessions in the comfort or their own homes or at our studio. 

You can use any incentive to encourage people to sign-up so that you can get some additional information for your marketing campaign.

So have a great month of photographing. Just remember that being a photographer is just as important as being a great marketer. People have to see that you can take great photographs before they trust you. That only comes from practice and experience.

So we look forward to seeing all your photographs in the month of August.

5 Ways to Get Out of Your Photography Funk

Much like writer's block, photographers can face the dilemma of having no idea what to shoot next. Maybe you live in a small town where you think nothing really happens, have a full-time job that makes it hard to get out and shoot during the day, or maybe you're a parent who feels that all you've shot recently are your kids because they are with you all the time. Whatever the case, you need a boost of inspiration to get out of that rut!

1. Finding people who share your passion for photography is a great start to getting out of your photographic funk. Check out the post about connecting with other photographers for ideas on local groups to join and forums to follow. Being part of something like a Meetup group can get you out shooting things you never would have thought of on your own!

2. Working with a new subject for portraits can re-inspire your love for lighting and bring out new emotions in your images. For classes that focus on the human form you are required to seek out different models for each project, so why not start utilizing Model Mayhem now and put out the call on social networks for people who thrive in front of a camera? Being a pretty shy person myself, I know it can be intimidating, but in order to run a business you're going to encounter all kinds of people, so getting over your fears now will help you succeed in the long run.

Tip 5: Take on a personal project!

3. Attending a party? Check with the hosts to see if they would like you to bring your gear. This can give you practice in event photography and amp up your enthusiasm. Make sure that you don't only play the role of photographer, though, because you are first and foremost a guest! The hosts will appreciate your documentation of their efforts, but they also want you to have fun (and may not realize that for many of us, taking pictures is the most fun of all!).

4. A great way to find out what's going on in your area is to check out community bulletin boards, both physical and virtual. It can be surprisingly fun to shoot something like a 5k run/walk or a town fair. Even a farmer's market offers a host of interesting subject matter (just be sure to ask before you start shooting someone's wares). If there's any sort of event going on, there's something for you to shoot.

5. Taking on a personal project can greatly improve your schoolwork. Picking a weekly theme will get you to look at the world around you differently, even on a simple walk with your dog. Sometimes these projects can start as personal but become something you explore further in class. For example, I wanted to revisit childhood memories as a way to create images for my parents. I ended up exploring this idea for class and was able to receive feedback on editing and effectiveness of my compositions to make a much better project than I would have had on my own.

Being a photography student is about challenging yourself and getting out of your comfort zone to become a better photographer. Don't limit yourself to what's easy: explore new locations with other photographers, work with new people, and bring your camera EVERYWHERE because you never know where you will find inspiration. If you have more tips on getting out of a photographic funk, leave them in the comments!

When Pro Bono Becomes a Problem

Hand-in-hand with the pricing puzzle ("what am I worth?") is the pro bono problem ("when should I shoot for free?"). When people find out you are studying photography, they will often volunteer their children, families, or even events to act as your subject matter. Early in your studies this can be a great boon, but eventually it may very well become a burden. As you gain knowledge and experience you need to charge for your work so you can make a living doing what you love. Of course, there will always be opportunities to share your skills with worthy causes and good friends.

Some professional photographers choose to offer big discounts for friends and family, others charge full price, and still others don't charge a thing. It's important to have an idea of where you need to fall in that spectrum in order to feel good about helping your friends while still making a living. In my case, my friends and family members get a much better rate but only a small number get my services for free. Make sure that when you start charging for your services, people are well aware. Someone whom you've photographed for school projects in the past may not realize that you've gotten to the point in your career that you need to start charging, and that can end up in an awkward situation for both of you.

Something I still find difficult is passing on shoots for non-profit organizations. I dedicate time to giving rescue dogs photo shoots to help them find homes and also shoot certain events for organizations I've built a relationship with over the past few years. If I agreed to provide my services for free every time I was asked, though, I would soon go bankrupt. If you face a similar situation and aren't sure how to say no, I find it best to be totally honest and state that you are honored to be asked but provide your services pro bono to select groups already and cannot afford to assist this time. I'll usually point the person asking in the direction of a local photography school where I know students are looking for event experience as well.

If you want to do what you love full-time, you will need to continually reassess your value and how much pro bono work you can commit to in your schedule. It also helps to have your break-even point in the back of your mind so you can charge a "friend rate" accordingly. Keep those Business worksheets handy!

Wide-Angle Wednesday- Get Connected

Greetings from the snowy Midwest!

One of the greatest inventions in technology created is the Internet. Prior to the Internet communication was limited but in today’s world we have the opportunity to communicate world wide in less than a second. As a military family, social networking keeps us connected to our families and friends no matter the location we’re currently in. As students our classmates can be in a combat zone or sitting on the sunny beaches of Hawaii at any given time. Online schooling is unique because we all have the opportunity to connect with one another through social networking like Google +.

            A few blogs back I wrote about life outside the classroom. One of the greatest discoveries for me as a student was the Photography Student Professional Network (PSPN) hosted right here on Google +. Moderated by our very own Ai Photography Department Faculty, the community page is a great place to ask questions, share imagery, community resource, and a chance to connect with both faculty and fellow photography students. The PSPN community main page runs just like other social networking news feeds, the newest posting appearing at the top. Off to the left of the news feed is a tool bar in which will narrow down the postings to a particular category.

            Photo sharing is very popular at PSPN and tops the tool bar list. When posting images expect faculty and fellow students to provide a critique. Some student’s will post images to give an idea to an issue their experiencing and specifically to ask how to solve the issue. Recently I shared images from an assignment, because I enjoy critiques and was proud of what I had accomplished.

            Look at the tool bar as a way to search through the postings on the main news feed. Though if your looking for something specific you can also use the “search community” box located directly above the tool bar. Below I searched “lighting” and all posting with reference to lighting was narrowed down in the feed from newest to oldest in posting. Being this is just a screen shot, you can only see a few postings, but the posting do continue as lighting is a commonly talked about.

            One of the highlights I look forward to is the posting of graduate’s portfolios. What a great way to congratulate our fellow classmates, review their hard work, and gain inspiration to continue your path in school. A few of the recent graduates were the original Student Ambassador bloggers. To narrow down the feed to view posting of portfolios just click on the BS Grad or AS Grad Portfolio tabs.  

            As you can see the tabs offer a quick way to narrow down your interest. The PSPN is more that an avenue for reading, your also invited to attend the webinars at no cost. Click on the event tab and you can view upcoming and past webinars. The Photo Live webinars focus on variety of subjects related to photography weekly. Artist Talk has been held monthly, in which an artist is invited to speak and share their work. Both Photo Live and Artist Talk welcome students to ask questions either by chat box or through a computer mic. The webinars don’t require a webcam, so no worries there. Feel free to show up in your PJ’s if you like, because no one will know. If you’re unable to be online you also have the option to call in and participate via phone. The only downside to phoning in is that you won’t be able to view any visual presentations.

            Personally I enjoy the webinars and look forward to meeting up with fellow students and faculty. I invite you to join the PSPN and to attend the next upcoming Photo Live webinar. Click the link below to view how to attend the upcoming Photo Live.

Photo Live: Get Connected  Thursday 6th of February @ 11am MST

I leave you with this quote;
“Introverts don't like small talk conversation, but they typically don't mind writing. The more people can "see" you on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or a blog, the more they will feel like they know you, even though you don't have one-on-one interaction with them.” 
― Thom S. Rainer

            The quote is very true as I tend to call a lot of people I have networked with online as friends even though we have never met face to face. Getting connected is more than building a friendship; it’s an opportunity to open doors. Whether it be a new technique, obtain a better understanding of a skill, there is always something new and exciting to see.

I look forward to meeting students on PSPN and hope to see you at the next Photo Live.

Sincerely,

The Wednesday Ambassador

Photography and Community

It is a pleasure to begin my time as a student ambassador!  Your former Friday ambassador has transitioned to life after graduation, so I’ll be taking the reins for a while.  As we graduate you will be introduced to new student voices, each with a unique point-of-view. I live in the vibrant city of Chicago with my husband and our overly affectionate dog, Dublin (pictured left).  Dubs will be sitting on my lap on my office chair as I write my posts.  If he loses physical contact with his humans, he is one unhappy pup.   He’s a little spoiled but I greatly benefit from this relationship during the winter when he is my 37-pound heat blanket.

My love for dogs leads me to my topic this week.  When I first began pursuing my photography degree, I was approached by an acquaintance at the law firm where I worked.  She wanted to know if I would be willing to take photographs of an adoptable dog for a local rescue.  Since that day, she and her husband have started their own rescue and I have loved photographing the dogs that they save.  We have also become great friends; I shot their maternity session, newborn session, and countless portraits of their baby girl.  What began as a way to improve my photography skills and help out a friend has led to paid portrait sessions, events, and even weddings!  Not only have I grown as a photographer because of this relationship, but I have also been part of an amazing journey as the new rescue was formed and dogs that I fell in love with got adopted into wonderful homes.

Finding a way to contribute your skills to improve your community is a great way to get you out shooting!  It can bring you valuable business connections, create lasting friendships, and provide a sense of fulfillment.  Most importantly, it will keep you connected to what is really important - using what you learn to make the world better.


During your photographic career you will inevitably be approached with requests to provide your services for free.  While it would be wonderful to be able to say yes to every request, you still need to pay your bills and have a life.  Keep a list of student photographers who may need the experience, and your referral can make both the organization and the student very happy!  So, how can you offer your skills to your community?  If you are not sure where to start, try brainstorming topics that you care deeply about.  Would you like to help a child struggling with cancer?  Check out The Gold Hope Project, an organization that matches photographer with families to capture beautiful portraits and make the children feel like rock stars!  Think of national organizations with local offices, like Veterans Affairs, The Boys and Girls Club, or the Red Cross.  It's likely they hold events and could use a great photographer to help document them.  If you want to help animals, I can guarantee your local animal shelter and rescue groups would love to have beautiful images to help showcase each animal's characteristics, like Bear's goofy smile above.

Whatever your passion, you will feel amazing when you use your skills to better your community, and you will meet incredible people (and dogs?) along the way.

-Your Friday Ambassador

References:
"The Gold Hope Project - Home." The Gold Hope Project. The Gold Hope Project, 2013. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. 

My First Club & MM Shooting!

Hello again and welcome to another Terrific Tuesday!

We have talked in the past about becoming members of several organizations that are there to help us.  With some of us finishing our studies, we are looking for ways to keep our skills up to part and keep shooting after graduation.  Networking is always important in our field, meeting new people and interacting with them is vital to keep our presence fresh out there in the community and in the internet.

This last week I joined with a local Photography group in Killeen, TX just to see what it was all about.  The group meets every other week sometimes in the weekends and sometimes in the middle of the week.  This was a great way to meet other people that see photography as a passion while at the same time getting to know other professionals in the fields of make-up and hair styling.  They had two models that are listed on Model Mayhem coming over for some constructive criticism and for us to see and listen to their point of view when it came to posing them and taking their images.  After the presentation we had time to set up the studio equipment and practice some studio shooting.  Below are some of the images I took that day.

            

At the end of the meeting they signed some model release forms for us so we are able to use the images on out websites, the flip side was that we also gave her permission to use our images for her profile.

There were some Pro's as well as some Con's about doing all this, let me explain:

Pro's
1.  I met some people in my field of study and passion,that understood where I come from when dealing with photography.
2.  Networking and meeting hair stylist and MUA's that are part of the group.
3.  I use their equipment, Alien Bees and 48" Beauty dishes, their backgrounds and props.
4.  Membership for the group is free, we split the cost of the paid assignment for the model, the other model used TFP (time for prints).
5.  I got to practice with a new model that I have never met and got her critique about my techniques.
6.  I have new images that I can use on my website.

Con's
1.  Shooting time was limited, we did three rounds with 3 minutes of shooting every time.
2.  Concept was somewhat missing as we all shot a standard setting, the model selected the poses.
3.  No variations in the set up and the lights since they had to be done in a way that minimized preparation time between shooters.
4.  No control over the lighting.
5.  The membership is open with amateurs, new photographers, hobbyist, professionals all being in the same group when shooting began.

As you can see there were some good points as well as others that could be addressed to the coordinator.  But the overall point is very simple; networking helps you!

Do not sit still and just do what your studies require you to do, go out there and meet people and be part of something!  Do some research and see what is offered around your community when it comes to photography groups or clubs, they can offer some interesting options for you,and who knows, you might end up expanding your area of operations!

Go out and see what you can find, it doesn't have to be a big organization, this group only has 40 members and the shootings are first come first served with variety in the subject matter.  You can share what you are learning and see how it is done out there in the real world (more or less).

Have a great and fantastic Tuesday!