Integrity

Integrity – from Merriam Webster’s Dictionary: firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values; incorruptibility

 

Heck of a word.  It’s not the word though, it’s everything it stands for and everything it doesn’t. Many people and companies say that they live by a code of integrity. I won’t say that they do or don’t; I will say that it is a tall order to fill.

 

I am a firm believer in everything that this word stands for and all that it means I strive to be integral in everything I do every day not just my business. Do I succeed? I feel that I do; I feel that the reason is this is just a part of the ‘code’ I live by. In my life I try to live in a honorable fashion and that honor is at the core of everything I do. As long as I am quoting dictionaries…

 

Honor – also from Merriam Webster: a: a keen sense of ethical conduct, integrity <a man of honor>
b: one’s word given as a guarantee of performance <on my honor, I will be there>

 

The part that means so much to me is “one’s word”. I am a firm believer that if I tell you I am going to do something I am going to do it. For me that leads to doing things with integrity, a code of especially moral and artistic values.

 

So why the heck am I writing about this today? Because I was re-reading the ASMP’s Code Of Ethics and I was proud to be able to read that and find myself saying “yeah, well that is obvious”, which it apparently isn’t or they wouldn’t have found it necessary to A) write it down and B) send it to all the members like me.  Granted, for most if not all of the people I have met through ASMP it is second nature and the way they live every day. But it would seem that many don’t live this way and that is what kind of gets me.

 

I mean, how can you live in a way that is less than honorable and expect others to treat you with integrity?  I know that the only way I know how to treat people is to treat them as I want to be treated. Wasn’t that the golden rule once upon a time?

 

Maybe that is what people, and especially businesses, need: a return to the old fashioned common sense of honor and integrity, back to treating everyone you meet with respect. However when I say a return, perhaps I am being a bit misleading when in reality we need to move forward to this level of mutual respect. In the past a façade of respect was presented to anyone that was like us; those that were different were ridiculed or discriminated against. Some were just plain shunned.

 

Let’s make a step into our own future and treat everyone that we meet with integrity. Let’s all start to live in an honorable fashion. Perhaps we can live by a solid code of ethics. I think that we can and I feel that the best way to start it is to just do it. Be the best we can be in every way.

 

For me the idea of integrity isn’t just a bunch of words that I use for business. For me it is a way I live my life that spills over into my business.

New Year = New Opportunities

In this new year everything has changed and nothing has changed.  Many people say that the economy is getting better; many others say it’s staying the same or getting worse. Is the glass half full or half empty?  It’s a matter of choice.

 

So what are your choices this year?  Most choices you have this year haven’t even presented themselves yet; it is a whole year after all. Although the choices have not yet presented themselves, you can wait for them or you can go out and make the opportunities that create your ability to choose.

Many people have spent the last year or more sitting and waiting; waiting for this or that to get better, for the situation to improve. However a few people have gone out and decided to make their own opportunities and they have driven themselves and their businesses forward. Which were you?  Better question, which do you want to be?

 

The old saying ‘there is no time like the present’ has never been more true. There is, and never has been, a time like we have today. We have an opportunity to remain paralyzed in fear and do nothing. If we do nothing, then nothing will get better. Or we can invest in our future and begin to heal not just our economy but ourselves too.

 

Each person needs to decide to invest in themselves. When each of us take this little step and if we are honest and willing we will make things better. This will spill over into our businesses and into each aspect of our lives. When the attitudes change businesses will get busier and that will in turn spark a recovery that is based in empowerment and growth, and it is sustainable.

 

Not that many years ago there was a movie called” Pay It Forward”. In that movie a young man did exactly that; he paid debts forward by helping others. Even insurance companies have picked up on the idea. Perhaps you have seen the commercials where the guy stops a woman from walking into the street when a car is coming. She then helps someone with boxes, who helps someone with a door that lets out the guy who stops the first woman from walking into the street.

 

The idea is to do the next right thing no matter whether it is for you or for someone else. So what is the next right thing?  I believe that the next right thing is to grow, not just as individuals but as a neighbor, a city, a country and eventually a world.

 

So what does all this have to do with photography and the photography business? A better question is how will my comments above help you or me? By each person investing into their own future they also invest in yours and mine. They pay it forward.

 

So what future will you invest in today?

Alternative To The iPad?

 

I have been debating the iPad for 6 months but I wanted to hold out for a non-Apple tablet PC. It isn’t that I am anti Apple, I just feel that their products are overpriced in many cases. In the desktop and laptop area you can get a PC with the exact same hardware for half the expense. As a friend of mine once put it, “But you are getting the Mac experience.” Personally, I don’t need an experience. I need to get work done and I am a cheap bastard.

 

I spent many of those months reading and studying all the tablets that were supposed to come out this year. Everything I read sent me back to the iPad. It was by far the best, and only, tablet available. I was going to buck up and pay the bucks for an iPad. Then by chance I was at the local Office Depot getting supplies and I asked, what is coming out? What to my surprise did they have? The new Viewsonic G-tablet.
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Happy Holidays – Free Gift (Really, It’s Free)

 

About 10 days ago I finally got around to sending out my holiday cards. A bit late but at least I got them out!  They were on time for those who celebrate Christmas and Yule, but they were a little overdue for those celebrating Hanukah. What can I say? Hanukah was early this year. I know, plan better.  If you celebrate one of the other winter holidays all I can say is Happy [insert appropriate holiday here]!

 

 

I wanted to send cards to everyone I know but I don’t have everyone’s mailing address! It seems that many who got the snail mail version of the card liked the image very much (yeah, the one above). I always want to give something to everyone. The problem with that is I am a photographer, not a millionaire. Details.

 

As a photographer, what can I give that everyone might like? Imagery of course! So I decided that I was going to give everyone that visits my site a chance to have a unique image for their desktop or mobile phone! I figured, why not offer up the image I was using for my holiday cards?

 

Below are links to 4 different sized copies of the image above that you can download to your computer or mobile phone and set as your desktop background. All you have to do to get the image is Click the appropriate link below and then Right Click on the image and select, “Save Image As” and save it to a folder on your computer or phone.

 

Wide Screen – For wide screen monitors (1680×1050 or smaller)
Standard Screen – For standard sized monitors (1280×1024 or smaller)
Mobile Phone Portrait – Size based on the iPhone in Portrait Mode
Mobile Phone Landscape – Size based on the iPhone in Landscape Mode

 

As there are literally thousands of mobile phones with almost as many screen resolutions I used the iPhone screen resolution as a standard. The only thing you need to know is do you want it in landscape or portrait!

 

This is my free gift to everyone this holiday season. I hope you enjoy it!  It’s not holiday specific, it’s just a nice wintery scene for all of you to enjoy.

 

Thank you all and Happy Holidays!

Where Does Networking End?

 

Where Does Networking End? The short answer: it doesn’t.

 

I went to and ASMP event last night and met with a number of models, photographers and representatives. For some of the people I spoke with it was just the beginning of our relationships, with others it was a continuation. I spoke with a number of people and with most, I probably won’t do direct business.

 

In speaking with other photographers I was able to help them find the types of models they want or need for projects they are involved in. With others I was able to introduce them to some of the representatives there and put people together.  Sometime in the future I hope that they will do the same for me, introduce me to the people I want or need to meet to complete my projects. Networking.

So when does the networking end? Never. Networking is a continuous process where you meet people, introduce people to others and generally just help others. That is the beauty of it, it is giving. In the spirit of the season giving is always a good thing. By giving, some day that karma will come back to you and you will be introduced to the people you need to meet.

 

Many people think that networking is just doing their pitch and hoping to land a deal or at least generate interest in their product or service. That is sales not networking.

 

The idea of networking is to take the time to help others. In time as you build your network you become connected, by degrees, to others that know of you and your business and therefore can ‘advertise’ for you. The process builds upon itself and you start to generate a buzz about you and your abilities. But how?

 

If you go to networking events expecting to land a deal or get direct leads the chances are you will get a reputation as a person who pushes and sells themselves. In networking the idea is to build a web of connections that will become a larger net that can be cast out into the world and eventually be drawn together and capturing those leads. These nets as they are, are made by reputation.

 

To grow your reputation, I have found that it is best to be helpful to others. To give selflessly by introducing people to others than can mutually benefit builds my reputation as a person that is helpful, respectful and generally easy to work with. That is a reputation that I want to precede me when I meet potential clients after the events I attend.

 

The drawback, as it were, is that I don’t often get direct prospects at events like last night. I do however invest in the long term and I may get a result in a month or a year, or even longer. But the word is out there and others know that I am there to help. They know that when it comes to photographers I am one that is helpful, responsive, and willing to do what it takes to help others achieve their goals. That is what my business is based on too. I want to help you achieve your goals. My specialty is to do it through imagery.

Nice People

 

I have said it before and I will say it again. I love my job!

 

OK, OK. I know not another post on how wonderful it is to work for yourself doing what you love, blah, blah, blah. Nope. This one is about the people I work with and for. And believe me, they are great people.

 

I have been lucky in that the people I work for are very nice people. They are friendly and engaging. Some of the portraits I have done are of some of the nicest people in Philadelphia (and the surrounding areas). This woman for example.

 

 

I went to do business portraits of Anne and her friend Melody and these two women were fantastic. They offered me coffee, we chatted about what images we were going to do and then when it can time to shoot they were both happy and smiling and cheerful. We had a great time!
When I shot James (below), we took the whole day and made an event of it. We shot in 3 locations and we got all types of images. The best to come from the day even created what I call “The James Effect” as seen in this image.

 

 

I meet new people all the time and never has one been rude or angry. Every time I have been graced with clients that just define professional and personable. Even when I am shooting architecture I am working for someone that has a positive attitude and is generally a great person. I work with Dana from Nason Construction out of Wilmington Delaware of this image of the SEED Center at Philadelphia University.

 

Dana wanted to learn the process of how I created the images for her company. She actually worked as my assistant the whole day!  She didn’t have to lift a finger. In fact she could have just looked over my shoulder and said things like, “Why are you shooting it that way?  We need Blah, Blah, Blah.” Nope. She was helpful, friendly, understanding and willing to listen to why I shoot the way I do. Fantastic people.

 

 

So why am I such a lucky guy?  Who knows? Maybe I just jinxed it. Maybe it’s because I am as excited about the results of my work as they are. Maybe it’s because there is an enthusiasm in getting and image that tells the story that needs to be told, or maybe, just maybe, it’s because photography is exciting!

 

Whatever the case is I know I love my job and I love the challenges that my clients put me up to. Nothing makes me happier than to make an image that just makes their day.

All This Networking. Now What?

 

How about family networking?  It is the season. In fact here in the US it’s almost Thanksgiving and although many people think it is a time to eat and watch American football that is not what it is all about. In fact it’s not even really about the food either.

 

A few hundred years ago people new to the continent gave thanks to a bountiful harvest after a drought earlier in the year. They were grateful that they had managed, mostly due to the assistance of the native people, that they would have food throughout the coming winter months. This is said to be the first Thanksgiving; the year was 1621.

 

Over time we have learned how to grow and harvest food that can sustain millions through the winter months. Although we are still grateful for a bountiful harvest; that is not the true reason we should be grateful. At least, it shouldn’t be the only reason.
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Excellence

 

If you ask anyone what excellence is to them you are going to find a different answer from everyone.  Thursday evening however, I went to an awards dinner put on by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and they were able to narrow it down to only 10.

 

At the 28th Annual Excellence Awards the chamber honors small businesses for their achievements and contributions to the Philadelphia region. The fact that there is an awards dinner is not news. In a way it’s not even what the businesses did that make what they have done a matter of Excellence. It’s the attitude of each and every recipient. Every single person accepting an award took the time to thank their employees and the other companies that helped them get the award.
I am noticing more and more while times are difficult that people care more and more for others. You hear about networking, developing relationships and getting to know the other businesses in your area. The winners last night not only are doing that, they have been doing that for years.

 

As the official portrait photographer I was able to meet each recipient and I have to say they were all down to earth, hardworking people that care for more than just their own businesses. They care for their staff, their neighborhoods, and all that is the Philadelphia region. It makes me proud to be a member of a great group of people.

 

I could go on but instead I am just going to thank all the winners for their hard work; I appreciate having them setting an example for others like myself. Congratulations to all the winners!

 

Marcos R. Lopez, President & CEO
eXude Benefits Group
www.exudebenefits.com

Anthony Bucci, Co-Founder
REVZILLA.COM
www.revzilla.com

Taylor Fernley, President & CEO
Fernley & Fernley, Inc.
www.fernley.com

John Vigna, CEO & President
C.W. Thomas
www.cwthomas.com

Tony Kindness, COO & Co-Owner
AYC Media
www.aycmedia.com

Ken Mullner, Executive Director
National Adoption Center
www.adopt.org

John Myerow, President
TRIA
www.triacafe.com

Mary Seton-Corboy, Founder
Greensgrow Farms
www.greensgrow.org

Harold Hambrose, CEO
Electronic Ink
www.electronicink.com

Emily Bittenbender, Managing Partner
Bittenbender Construction
www.bittenbenderconstruction.com

Gotta Give It Away To Keep It

 

So there you are and you have all these questions. What type of images are going to help my website? Why do I want to get my execs to have their portraits updated? Why do I need an image of our office building? What is the cost of a photography for this project? How is offering staff portraits for free at the holiday party going to help my company and/or my staff? Who do I ask about all of this!?

 

Answers cost money don’t they?  Not always.
Today the old adage of “it’s not what you know it’s who you know” is becoming very true again. With social media being a large marketing tool who you know can make a difference and not just in whom you do business with but also in how you do business. But that is only a part of the picture. It’s about relationships; getting to know people and their businesses.

 

I am very active on social media sites such as LinkedIn, in fact I spend a good part of my day reading and answering questions. 99% of the people I speak to I will probably never do business with directly. When I go to my local Chamber of Commerce I meet people, I answer questions, I give ideas, I am generally available for any question or comment that anyone has. Recently I was at an event and I mentioned that I had looked at a particular company’s web site the night before. I told the representative that, “Although I wasn’t sure if we could do business, I noticed a few things about their site that I wanted to bring up to them.” The person I was speaking with looked at me in shock. I actually did research.  Just because I cared enough to find out more about the company rather than just do my pitch, they were willing to listen. I showed that I cared about their business. And I do care about your business.

 

Why should I care about your business if in fact you may never give me any work? Because, although you may never pay me, you will give me work. You will give me work because you will probably mention how helpful I was, knowing we wouldn’t do business. You are pleased that someone was willing to lend a hand without expecting a hand out. You also have started to get to know me and see that I am sincere in that I like to help people. Hopefully you will tell your colleagues and if they tell someone, sooner or later someone is going to need my services and my help.

 

It’s called Paying It Forward.

I Love What I Do!

 

I have fun at my job. I work for an average of 16-17 hours a day. I get maybe 5 hours sleep a night sometimes. I stress over what my next job will be and how I am going to make it happen. I worry about business taxes, city taxes, sales tax…  I am always trying to network and meet people. I am forever writing up quotes and estimate, filling out RFPs and RFQs. At the end of the day I have a big grin on my face and I feel good!

 

No I really don’t like any of those things but, and here it is, they allow me to do what I love to do: make images. All of the things I do every day start me down the road to doing that thing that makes it all worth it: putting an camera up to my eye and capturing an image. Making images that please and even elate my clients is worth all the long days, all the stresses and paperwork you can throw at me.
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