Commercial, Corporate and Architectural Photography

Coming Soon! Fall Colors!

It is officially fall! Time for the leaves to start changing and the time for sweaters and long sleeves. Well, in the Northeast US we are holding off on the sweaters; it’s going to be 90 degrees today. But before you know it the leaves will start to change and the wonders of nature will show the blush from the cooler air.

 

Why am I pointing out the obvious? My wife calls me ‘Captain Obvious’ and as per my rank, I thought I should mention that this is the best time of year to have all your images created. Think of the beautiful, natural backdrop of the warm colors of autumn. It is as if you can feel the cool breeze on your cheeks. But it’s not just you that looks good this time of year. Everything looks wonderful with the red, yellow and orange leaves complimenting them.
Nature has a beauty that can’t be matched. I love this time of year and I adore photographing it. The saturation of color, the anticipation of winter, children getting excited about their costumes for Halloween, Apple Cider, apple pie! Yumm! Getting portraits done outside, having your home memorialized, or just getting some beautiful prints for your walls, Autumn is a wonderful time of year.

 

To celebrate I am going to offer a 10% discount on all photographic services for clients just for mentioning this blog post. As Autumn is a short season and time is quickly slipping by, you have to set an appointment soon to get the discount. You can schedule your photo shoot for anytime this fall but the appointment has to be set by Friday October 1st.

I just love this time of year. If you get lucky you may just end up trying my special cider concoction too. I make it throughout the season. It is a mixture of fresh apple cider, cranberry juice, cinnamon and pink lemonade, served hot or cold (I like it hot) it brings all the wonders of fall into a cup. I will even give you the recipe so you can make some yourself.

 

Ingredients:
1 gallon of fresh apple cider
1 gallon of cranberry juice
6 cinnamon sticks
1 ten ounce can of frozen pink lemonade

 

Pour the apple cider and cranberry juice into a large pot.
Add frozen lemonade and cinnamon sticks.
Bring to a rolling boil.
Reduce the heat to just above a simmer.
Simmer for 2-3 hours until reduced by 20%.

 

That’s it! It makes the house smell wonderful too! Serve hot or cold. Store in the refrigerator. It will last about 2-3 weeks depending on the freshness of the cider and cranberry juice.

 

Enjoy! I hope to hear from you soon so we can share some of the fall concoction and the colors too!

How To Retire At 11

Some of my regular readers may already know that I am on vacation this week. My wife and I are taking our time exploring the beautiful state of Vermont. My wife Amy has become very accustomed to stopping in the oddest places as we drive from point to point because I may see something and say, “Oh! Great shot!” and I pull over.  In fact she has even started looking for places for me.

 

Stopping at beautiful vistas and along lakesides has its advantages too. I have met some wonderful people and made new friends too. Monday we were driving along VT 30 (I think) and I saw a beautiful lake view that I had to shoot.  Conveniently there was a boat ramp that provided a place to safely pull over.

 

As we were standing there and I was shooting the scenery, up comes Gary, Judy and Morgan to the water’s edge.  Delightful conversation followed and we enjoyed each other’s company for a bit.  While talking to Gary I learned that Morgan had retired. She is only 11! How can that be!?

 

Morgan retired (very) early because she was an expert. She did her job well and she worked at being the best all the time, from dawn until dusk she practiced and worked constantly. She was dedicated to her job and now it is only a hobby. The important part is, she is very happy.

 

This has reinforced that which I knew and believed. Follow your passion, your instincts, and commit to it completely. Even while on vacation I have a camera in my hand. Photography is a part of me. Some call me an expert. I say I am passionate, like Morgan.

 

Although retired, Morgan cannot stop. She has to do what is natural for her and she has to keep following her passion. Although I am not ready to retire, I definitely have to follow my passions as well. I am happiest when I am shooting. Just as Morgan is happiest when she is retrieving; well, she is a Champion Golden Retriever after all.

Keeping Pace

 

In today’s digital world everyone expects things to be either instantaneous or at least fast. Your clients expect results almost as soon as they express their desires. You in turn need your suppliers to anticipate your needs so you can meet those of your customers. Yet it still takes time to provide services and products.  So how do you keep up with the pace?

Often executives tell you to “anticipate the customer’s needs,” and use your sales skills and tell the client what they need based on what you have available. Anticipating your customer’s needs is the goal of every business in the world. The whole idea to starting a business is seeing a need and filling that need. To grow that same business you have to start to anticipate.

 

So how do you foresee the future? How can you know that your plan is the one that will grow your business and keep you successful in the years to come? By learning your customer’s business.

 

I have taken the time to learn business and not just in the sense of supplies in and products out. I have spent over 20 years in the corporate and business world before I established my company. I understand the pressures and the needs of my clients. But even that isn’t enough.

 

My business is a service business that delivers a product which makes it unique in many ways. I need to perform the photography services that I offer in a professional and timely manner. At the same time I have to deliver the end product faster than ever before and with higher quality. With the photography industry changing almost hourly and my clients’ needs changing almost as fast, how can I keep delivering the highest quality of service and the best possible product?

 

Not only have I learned business, but I spend time keeping up with my clients business. I take the time to learn the struggles they have on a daily basis. I don’t work beside them 8 hours a day because then I couldn’t run my business. I do however ask them about what are their biggest issues. I talk to them about new ideas and new technologies that are available to them and why to, or not to, take advantage of them.

 

In that sense, you may even think that business is moving back in time. Back to a time when relationships are what mattered. That seems to be the big buzz word in business, social media, marketing and everywhere else now. “Marketing is about relationships.” “Networking is about building relationships not marketing.” “To get the work you have to have a relationship with [insert any name here].”

 

I am all about relationships and I always have been. Although I use contracts and estimates and all the modern paperwork that we all use today, it’s not about the legalese for me. All that paperwork boils down to my word and a handshake. If I say I am there for you, I am, and I will be there as fast as our modern world allows me to be.

Perspective

 

pərˈspektiv

  1. a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view
  2. true understanding of the relative importance of things; a sense of proportion

In any given project we can see the positives and the difficulties. The differences between those that succeed and those that fail is how we translate them. A pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity yet an optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.  It’s just a matter of perspective.



Not long ago I was sent on a job to shoot a recently completed rehabilitation center. The marketing director wanted an image of the front of the building showing the grand entrance way and the wonderful design of the new building.  After driving the 4 hours to the job site, I arrived to see that the old building was still intact and in fact occupied as the residents had not yet moved into the new building. Until the moving was complete the old structure obviously had to remain. Normally that would be too much of a problem. I could take a selective angle and shoot what I can and work with what I had. In this case however, the old building was only 24 inches from the new, not yet completed, entryway.

 

Even with my widest angle lens 24 inches is a bit tight. My assistant for the day was saying that we should just drive the 4 hours back and then return to reshoot when the building was occupied. Being the stubborn person my wife says I am, I wanted to see what we could shoot.

 

Once we were able to find the site foreman, we gained access to the building. Inside the space was technically completed. Although the furniture had been delivered, unless it actually needed to be installed, it was not even unpacked. The floors had not yet been cleaned from the construction phase and the place was still a bit messy. My creative mind went nuts!

Suddenly I saw opportunity all over the place. Here was an interior that was not setup as the designers and architects had planned, the place is basically a mess and I was lucky if I could even find a lamp among all the boxes. A clean creative canvas!  I got to shoot what I wanted and not just what I found.

 

I couldn’t actually shoot the entrance as requested as there wasn’t even a door there let alone anything “grand”.  However as we walked the floors I found that there was furniture for the dining area and for most of the common areas too.  I asked the site foreman for a broom and a box cutter and we went to work.

 

Out of nothing came something. We were able to create images that so impressed the client that they submitted them as examples of their project for a state recognized award.

 

My assistant that day was ready to pack it in and call it a day. I on the other hand wanted to see the opportunities at hand. By doing so we were able to complete the job and do it in a way that thrilled my client.

 

It’s all just a matter of pərˈspektiv.

The Devil is In The Details

 

How many times have you heard that phrase before?  Usually it’s right after you forgot the smallest detail that turned out to be a major issue.  How do you catch everything and make sure that that little red, horned little guy stays home? The best start is to hire a professional.

 

 

When it comes to photography there are a lot of little things that can, and will, happen.  The best way to handle these issues is for you to have a professional there that knows how to deal with the problems and knows how to avoid as many of them as possible. Only experience is going to teach someone how to get through it all. Professionals come prepared.

 

Pro Photographers have more and better equipment. I know that I never go on a shoot without at least two cameras, multiple light sources, assorted light modifiers, stands and everything else I can think of. I know I need to be prepared. I can’t count on the sun to be where I want it when I want it. If fact, I can usually count on it not being where I want it! That means I have to be prepared to light my subject whether it is a portrait shoot or an architectural shoot. I need to have the right lights, the right modifiers and more importantly, the knowledge of how to use it all and still make it look natural yet dramatic.

 

As a professional photographer I have spent thousands of hours and thousands of dollars learning how to deal with as many situations as I can. I have learned from other professionals and from experiences. I have taken the time to learn from each detail, each issue and every shoot. I talk to my colleagues and try to learn from their experiences too. My goal is to be able to be able to handle anything that comes down the pike. Still, I get caught off guard too from time to time. But there is a difference; I know how to improvise and how to still get great results out of almost any situation.

 

By using a professional like me you will guarantee a successful project. A professional is going to sit with you and discuss the details. The details where that little devil hides. The more light shed on those little things the harder it is for him to hide. Every once and a while I will get caught by the devil but because I have met him before I know the tools and more importantly the paths, around him.

 

A few years ago there was a frizzy haired painter that had a daytime TV show that taught painting. It was called “Painting with Bob Ross.” Every day he would create beautiful paintings in less than 30 minutes.  On almost every show he would inadvertently do something that was not as planned. He would then take those opportunities and turn them into “Happy Accidents” as he called them. He was using and showing his experience. He would sign off every show with the line,” Until next time, Happy Painting!”  Experience is something worth paying for. With experience the worst you can have is a happy accident.

 

Until next time, Happy Shooting!

The World Is Getting Smaller

This past Sunday I went to see the Wailin’ Jennys (great harmonies btw) at the World Café Live here in Philadelphia. The show was fantastic to say the least. We got there early and had a great meal and then watched a fantastic show in a nice intimate theater.

 

After the show I went to have my CD signed by the ladies in the group. As I approached both Ruth and Heather said almost in stereo, “We know you right?” I replied that this was my first time seeing them live. They insisted that I looked very familiar. To make a long story short, after discussing it we found that they actually recognized me from my “FreeShots” (Free Business Portraits for the Unemployed) Charity. It seems they read the article that appeared in the LA Times last February.

 

Although I didn’t have much time to discuss it with the ladies from the band it does seem to be becoming a regular happening. More and more I am being recognized by people I have never met. In many cases it is coming from my work with “FreeShots,” but with others it is my work that is preceding me.

 

It is nice to be able to help others in need, there is no doubt. But to see that start to come back to me is… humbling. By trying to help people, I inadvertently have focus the attention back on myself. Don’t get me wrong I like attention as much as the next person. However, I want the focus to be on those that need work. The person that by no fault of their own is finding it difficult to get restarted in our difficult times.

 

Your neighbor, your brother, your best friend, someone close to you has been affected by these trying times. That means you have been affected too. Maybe the person you used to have lunch with isn’t at the office anymore. Maybe you are the one looking for another position. The fact is that this “crisis” has touched us all.

 

The images in this post are of people that were directly affected by the current situation. No one has escaped it. Not you or me, not those working or not working. The fact is that the whole world got smaller. Now even the person from the plains of Manitoba who reads a paper from Southern California can know a photographer from Philadelphia.

Hiring A Photographer

 

So now that you have decided to hire a professional photographer for your campaign, how can you be sure to get the right shooter for the job? You can Google photographers in your area. But honestly, that rarely gives you any insight to what kind of photographer you are going to get.

 

The first step in getting the right photographer starts with referrals (whenever possible). Being able to ask someone you trust if they know of someone or if they can recommend someone often leads to getting a good photographer. Photographers get most of their work through referrals and word of mouth. If you don’t know anyone to ask, check your contacts on LinkedIn, at your local chamber of commerce or even your competitors.

 

 

North Dorchester Middle School

North Dorchester Middle School

 

Once you have contacted a few possible people to use, ask for references, copies of their portfolio, ask what type of equipment they use, and take time to meet them. Invite them to your office and get to know them. Are you comfortable with their personality and attitude? Everyone has had experiences with people that are fun to work with and those that aren’t. Quite often this can make or break the success of a project.

 

One of the things that I prefer to do is to meet with my clients. I want to sit with them, take time to understand their needs. Show them my portfolio book, and see if we are a fit. There have been times when I don’t match a client. When that happens, I try to recommend someone I know that I think may better work with them. I have to admit though that this has only ever happened once in my professional career. The person that I matched the client with did an excellent job and the client was so grateful that they call me back on a shoot that was a better match for us.

 

My goal is to get you the best images for your campaign. If I think there is a best way to do that I will suggest it to you. I want to interact and work with my clients. I want us to be a team and not just a contractor and a client.

 

Getting the shoot right on site is very important.  You don’t want to hear a photographer say “Oh I will fix that in post production.” Sure post production is important, but getting it right at the shoot is the major influence in getting the shots you need. I can enhance the work in Photoshop, I may even need to blend multiple images into one image that creates the look that we need, but none of that is “fixing.”

 

Another point to consider when hiring me, does my portfolio portray the type of work you want and need?  Perhaps I may not have shot tea pots before but you like the commercial work I do and like the look and feel of my style. The opposite can be true too. A photographer shoots nothing but kitchenware but you just don’t like the feel of the work.  It generally doesn’t have the feel that you want. You want the photographer to match your message and your style.

 

The last thing I want to mention is affordability. The reason I saved this for last is because it matters but not as much as the photographer’s ability to get the job done right. A photographer can be the most affordable shooter you have met but if they don’t have the experience, or they can’t get the shots you need, affordability is a moot point. Once you have established that I can do the work for you, then it’s time to make sure the fees are in line with your budget too.

 

Fees can be flexible to a point too. Rather than get hourly rates, ask for the cost for the job itself. Talk to me about your budget. Don’t be afraid to say that your budget is only $X.xx.  A professional will either meet your budget or explain, in detail, why what you want will cost $Z.zz. Many times by working with me on the details I can adjust the details to help you reach your budget. Sometimes I can’t.  The fact is that if I know what you need and I know the means you have to get it, I can work with you to maximize the project and help you get the best investment possible for your campaign.

 

Until next time…

Photography: Original vs. Stock

 

I just read a story about an Art Director that saw an image on the packaging of a TV and then later saw the same image on a billboard ad for cosmetic surgery. Does this mean the TV needs a facelift or is the facelift going to be shown on TV?

 

As a photographer I am always going to suggest getting original photography done for your business. I have my own motives of course, but there is more to it than that. Your brand depends on it.

 

Why spend the money on original photography when there are literally billions of images out there? Why play the lottery when there are literally billions of tickets sold every day?  In one of these scenarios someone is going to win and win big. In the other at least two businesses are going to lose, big time.

 

In the story I read the writer closed saying that he has “a permanent negative perception” of both the TV and the cosmetic surgeon. In both ads the same stock image was used and recognized. Stock is a great choice if you don’t have the budget for a photographer. The surgeon may be more hurt than the TV manufacturer because he/she has a smaller audience and hence a greater percentage of the business can be affected. The TV manufacturer has a broader client base and only need worry about that particular city. Both are affected but to different degrees.

 

Read more

Alleviating The Pain

On my LinkedIn.com group, Photography: Clients and Professionals Networking Group, I recently asked “what is the #1 pain point for both Photographers and their clients?” There were some good replies but one stood out above the rest. Julien Mc Roberts, (Julien’s Blog) of Santa Fe New Mexico, made some great points that she collected from her clients. As a working photographer, I am very mindful  of these  points when working with my clients.

 

Many of  you are on tight schedules where images need to be turned around immediately. Deadlines  these days are getting tighter and tighter. In today’s digital age, there is no technical reason why I as a photographer would take two weeks or more to deliver images. With the tools available today, I deliver the final images in 24-72 hours. I am able to do this because I have developed a production process that allows me to control every aspect from start to finish.

 

Even though I now have better control over the results of my product, that doesn’t mean that I can just go “CLICK!” and hand over just any image. In order to separate a good image from a great one, some additional fine-tuning is needed to create the superior result you expect. Even in the days of Ansel Adams and before, fine tuning an image creates the ultimate result. But as we are no longer processing film in a dark room, today, that power is at my fingertips via a keyboard and mouse, and it does it faster.

 

The digital age also gives me the ability to do something that was pointed out by one of Julien’s clients: over deliver. This often results in bonus images. For example: instead of just 10 professional images, I can now present you with 15 or 20 outstanding images! And in turn, you have more choices in delivering your message to your clients.

 

Now I have to get those images to you. The messenger days are gone. And shipping you those 20 shots is so 90s . There is always of course Email, but that is impractical because most companies Email servers won’t accept large attachments.

 

Today I have a better faster way.

 

I choose to deliver my images to my clients via a fulfillment site. This allows you to view each image in a large format on your computer screen, in your office, and on your own time. Then, you select just the images you want. No extra files or piles of photos laying around.

 

 

When I am working with my clients, we establish a shot list together. I want to meet your needs.  I am there to help you be creative and assist you in taking it to the next level.

 

I do research all my potential clients; I most likely started by Googling your firm; taking the time to know a little more about the mission of your company. I want to be able to understand your needs and often, research will tell me a lot of what I need to know.

 

I can’t think of everything. Tell me, and Julien, what other pain points do you have and how can we eliminate them? All of this helps me help you to get the best results possible.

 

Until next time…

 

Happy Shooting!

How can $100 save you $10,000?

 

Spending money to make money is an old truth of business. We all want to cut costs and to trim excess spending. So when is spending a good thing? When spending is investing.

 

Investing in your business is a wise thing to do. When you invest you expect a Return On Investment or an ROI of some kind. When you spend money you are giving money to someone to cover a cost or expense. However, when you invest, you are building value. So when do you invest rather than spend. If you are getting the minimum work done to benefit your business, just enough to get by, you probably aren’t investing.

 

Let’s take look at a couple of examples.

Read more