  You’re sitting at your computer and suddenly you hear a strange “whooshing” sound. You follow the noise into the hall and your feet start squishing the carpet. Dread grows, and then you see it – a burst pipe underneath your bathroom sink. Your brain starts pumping red-alert adrenaline and you slosh into action, dialing a...
Posted in Psychology 101
Dani - April 10, 2013 - 11:14 pm
Everyone wants a discount… or they want me to shoot for free! It’s only been a year now that I’ve stood up for myself, my time and my time away from my Honey to actually get paid EVERY time I shoot. [Reply]  Amanda Reply: People don’t take the arts seriously. It’s the same way with Graphic Design careers. Way to go for standing up for yourself! [Reply] Nicholas Fiennes - April 11, 2013 - 11:13 pm
I’ve just placed an ad in the local school newsletter using the ‘prepare for the future’ idea, so this post is perfectly timed for me to amend that to be more effective. [Reply] Philippe Monthoux - April 13, 2013 - 3:18 pm
Thanks for the great insights. I was about to write one of these “You’re an idiot if you don’t hire a professional photographer” blog post, and reading your article just saved me from embarrassment later. I’m completely re-framing my post following your “you’ll be glad you did this” suggestion. Thanks very much again. [Reply] Ali Peterson - April 23, 2013 - 2:14 am
Many of my clients hire me to photograph their pets because they either want to capture the puppy/kitten phrase before they grow out of it, their pet is getting old or sick and not expected to live much longer, or they lost a pet and realized they had no good photos of them. I think I could book a lot more clients if I showed them WHY others decide to hire me. This just goes to show why word-of-mouth is the most influential type of marketing for photographers. [Reply] Judy - April 23, 2013 - 6:27 pm
My late husband and I were both photographers. We had many pictures of our children, but only two family pictures of all of us together before he passed away one night from a sudden heart attack. We should of known better and taken more pictures together, but like a carpenter whose house is never done, we did not. I use myself as an example to all my clients how important it is to take a family portrait. You never know what is around the bend in life- But in order to have a cherished family photo you have to have one taken. Judy [Reply]  Jenika Reply: Thank you for this well-articulated comment, Judy. I appreciate that you took the time to share your story – I’m sorry for your loss, and I’m sure your clients are blessed through you. Best wishes. [Reply] Celia G. - April 25, 2013 - 8:41 pm
Just stumbled on this post and it was sorely needed… I’m getting all KINDS of sob stories from folks wanting discounts, and I can’t seem to find a gentle way to tell them I charge a pretty reasonable rate for my work. And, seriously, I am obsessive about details because I always have in the back of my head, “How do I want these to look in 20, 30, 40 years if they were mine? Trendy, classy, posed, formal?” Also, generally, having unreal expectations (wanting me to Photoshop out “my arm fat” or “make my nose smaller”) or wanting to do cheesy CHEESY nonsense (set up a chincy “camping” or picnic themed shoot… mehhh?). Anywho, I loved this, and I’ll be taking the survey if it’s still open! [Reply]  When Egypt gifted the United States with the Temple of Dendur, an ancient sandstone structure that would otherwise have been destroyed by the construction of a dam on the Nile river, the US wasn’t really sure where to put it. People suggested reconstructing it on the banks of the Potomac or Charles rivers, but the...
Posted in Client Experience, Smart Marketing
10 comments Janet Murphey McIntyre - April 4, 2013 - 2:58 am
Yes! Yes! Yes! So well articulated and marvelously woven into an engaging story. LESS is ABSOLUTELY more – particularly when it comes to design and boutique branding! Great post Jenika! Always love reading your work. Warmly, ~Janet [Reply] Jenika Reply: Thanks for the kind note, Janet! I appreciate it [Reply] London professional photographer - April 4, 2013 - 7:31 am
I like your style of writing and the way you make the point and the association with the concept of the Denbur effect. Also I’m quite happy when I find a photography blog that explains or advice on the business aspect. [Reply] Sherwood - April 4, 2013 - 4:34 pm
Lighting may have something to do with it too. Open spaces have grandeur, but also, people like an open well lit space. This is particularly true if you live in a climate where you need to dress up to go outside. Some hotels now have multi floor open lobbies that have this same feel. While this temple is nothing new to the author, an Egyptian temple is not a common item in most people’s experience. A similar effect, but one more commonly experianced by Europeans are cathedrals. The juxtiposition of a vast open space, mostly unfilled. Air and light. The creation of large spaces like this will be critical if we want to develop arcologies. [Reply] Nicholas Fiennes - April 4, 2013 - 9:16 pm
Yet another engaging read, thank you Jenika. [Reply] Allison - April 4, 2013 - 10:00 pm
Excellent reminder… “When everything is emphasized, nothing is.” Also a good point to remember when creating photo displays for clients. If all of the prints/canvases are 8×10, none of them will stand out, and they will look uniform. Which is great, if that’s what you’re looking for. But if you want to make one pop, it won’t if it’s the same size as all the others. You gotta give it its space and its due and treat it like it’s important if you want others to see it as such. [Reply] tomK - April 5, 2013 - 1:35 am
We all get little indicators that support this all the time. Last year, I switched to custom DVDs in a nice presentation with a little proof book that has thumbnails of all the images. I’m not sure what its true functional value is but clients love it. Two GROOMS (not Brides) have called the day it arrives to say how impressive it is. Custom printed DVD and mini-printed proof book … just $11 per wedding. Or is it priceless? [Reply] Chloe Austin - April 6, 2013 - 11:54 am
Great Article! I love the idea of bringing treats to sessions! Keep up the good work!! [Reply] Megan DiPiero - April 15, 2013 - 4:57 pm
Your blog posts rock. So insightful. I was just thinking bout upping my presentation game (well, I guess I always am thinking that.) This post really drives home the point of why it’s important. What a fantastic example. [Reply]
Mar
25
2013
 OK, so the groundhog lied. Here in Baltimore, I spent the day vacuuming with a YouTube playlist blasting, attacking the living room with a duster in each hand, washing sheets and scrubbing crannies. Spring cleaning at its finest….and it snowed the whole day. Spring isn’t exactly here yet. But it’s time to clean house. Not...
Posted in Business Life, Things I Recommend
7 comments Grace Presley - March 26, 2013 - 2:29 am
Have you read Blake Mycoskie’s (TOMS founder) Start Something that Matters? Talk about digging deep. I remember my first semester in college, getting to know other students, them asking me what I wanted to do. I’d always say, “Change the World.” I still have that burning desire. That is the reason I started my photography business. Figuring out how to go about it is much harder than I ever expected. Thanks for sharing. I hope this Spring gives you insight to your, “one wild and precious life” (love that quote too) <3 [Reply]  Nancy Jones Reply: Beautiful Post and thank you for the back up link ti backblaze! [Reply] Rachel Cohen - March 28, 2013 - 3:09 am
Great post! Thanks so much for the reminders, and valuable info!! [Reply] Tricia - April 1, 2013 - 8:26 pm
wow! will have to come back to this one! Lots of good advice. I will give you a warning about Backblaze, it will not work with Timemachine. At least they did not play well toghether when I had them both a year ago. [Reply] London professional photographer - April 4, 2013 - 7:51 am
After reading point 2 and 3 I’m getting very concern about the security of my files and system. I knew a guy who quitted photography because he lost all of he’s files and data. [Reply] Jenika Reply: Good luck with the data!! I agree that we can spend a lifetime answering that question…BUT I also know way too many people who are waiting for “later” instead of realizing that this is life, RIGHT NOW, today, and that your ideal “later” won’t necessarily come if you’re not doing something about it today. [Reply] Chloe Austin - April 6, 2013 - 12:20 pm
Great advice! I also use Backblaze and love it! [Reply]
Mar
21
2013
 I’ve re-learned a few things this week. That the most important things are rarely urgent. That they don’t bang down your door and demand immediate attention the way bills, taxes, and errands do. But it’s important to make important things urgent. You have to do this yourself. No one will do it for you. A...
Posted in Business Life
24 comments Tracy Meisch - March 21, 2013 - 8:58 pm
Wow. This is exactly the passion I feel for taking photos–now, before the moment (or person) is gone. How special it is to have these photos, & the memories that go with them. Good for you…excellent post! [Reply] Sara Fierce - March 21, 2013 - 9:17 pm
Excellent post! Not sure if this qualifies as I actually took her photo last weekend, but this has been so important to me for quite some time. My grandmother is turning 90 next month and has colon cancer. Knowing that we don’t have that much time left has made me really want a photo shoot with her. The only way she agreed to do this was for her birthday announcement. I will also be taking photos at the birthday party and can’t wait! Here is my short and sweet post: http://fierces.blog.com/2013/03/21/90-is-beautiful/ [Reply] Stella Reynoso - March 21, 2013 - 9:31 pm
Thank you so much for this article. It’s so easy to tell our clients to do this, but not so easy for us. We are burnt out. We are too busy filling orders. We have taxes to do, demanding babies to feed, husbands to fill in for when they are away. But even just a few minutes can make a difference, and after our recent session this week, my daughter excitedly talks about what she is going to wear, and where we are going to go for the next one. She is dreaming about spending time together with me, and that is what it’s all about. Those memories. Those bonds. This time that we have so little of. It’s now so much better because of one little photo shoot where she felt so important because it was just her, me, and my camera. <3 http://stellareynosophotography.com/blog/isabelle-my-muse/ [Reply] Diane - March 21, 2013 - 10:12 pm
I love this post. It really spoke to me. I had the honor of photographing my grandparents 60th anniversary in August and those formal portraits they wanted with each other and my mother and sibilings are going to be extra special. Especially now that her health is fading. This is too true, and one that I feel is overlooked all too often. Thank you again for sharing this… [Reply] Jeana Jones - March 21, 2013 - 10:17 pm
Last weekend we had our family picture taken. The first one ever for our family of five. My oldest is six and my youngest turns two tomorrow. We had this planned for last year at this time and it just never got done. Once we did it I felt SO much better. As a photographer I just couldn’t get myself in front of the camera with my family. Our pictures turned out great and they are going up in a huge gallery wall. [Reply] Owen Protheroe - March 21, 2013 - 10:52 pm
What an excellent and poignant post. You have my sympathies. I couldn’t help but think of my Grandpa, who passed a couple of years ago. I’m not much of a photographer, but I wanted to get his portrait. I didn’t express this until it was literally too late, he was on his way to the car after a visit and went to shake my hand as I took the shot. The last photo I ever took of him. [Reply] Ausra - March 21, 2013 - 11:12 pm
Thank you for this reminder. I can share your experience and I would like to have better photos of my grandmother… But now I still have possibility to take better photos of my parents. Thank you ones again! [Reply] msn - March 22, 2013 - 2:16 am
Oh, Jenika. So sorry for your loss. Would that our precious grandmothers could stay with us for all time. Your images will be a treasure for everyone who loved her, no question. Sending you my best, warmest thoughts. And, yes, there’s that session I have been meaning to do with a friend’s aging mother. I guess I better make a phone call…. Thank you for the prompt. <3 [Reply] Jennie B. - March 22, 2013 - 1:55 pm
Thank you for this heartfelt post. It surely resonated with me and reaffirms why I do what I do–to capture a multitude of emotions in a single image for generations to come. [Reply] Becky V - March 22, 2013 - 2:15 pm
Hi Jenika, I’m so sorry for your loss. What an excellent and beautiful reminder to all of us. Thank you for blogging about this. My grandma lives far from me, but think I’ll give her a call this evening. I’m long overdue. Hugs to you. Becky [Reply] Heather Bunt - March 22, 2013 - 3:09 pm
Great post! I’m so sorry for your loss. This one totally hit home with me and is a beautiful reminder that I should take more photos of my family. I sometimes struggle with the fact that because I work as a photographer, during my spare time when my family gets together, I don’t want to spend it behind a lens and miss being apart of the experience. However, having those great photos and memories is one of the reasons why I wanted to become a photographer in the first place. So thank you for reminding me of what’s important [Reply] Staci - March 22, 2013 - 8:10 pm
Thank you so much for this! I recently had a similar reminder… I took some pictures three years ago for a 50th wedding anniversary/vow renewal. I was just starting out and the pictures aren’t up to my standards at all. But I made a Shutterfly book out of them for the family. The wife had Alzheimer’s and just passed away a week ago and I was asked for another copy of the book because she looked through hers so much it was falling apart. Some of my “worst work” (in my opinion) has been some of my most treasured work… funny how that happens. Gives me goosebumps really. Your blog post inspired a photo session with my girls today. I blogged it here: http://lifelightart.com/making-time-for-the-urgent-a-challenge-from-psychology-for-photographers. Thank you! [Reply] Judith - March 22, 2013 - 8:58 pm
Even though my daughter’s birthday was two weeks ago, I finally found motivation to get her photos done, and they’re just as amazing as I would make them for any other client <3 http://www.judithsfreshlook.com/happy-birthday-princess-mara-turning-4/ [Reply] Megan - March 23, 2013 - 5:18 am
I’m very sorry for your loss. What a beautiful message you have here. My Grandmother would bring her camera to a funeral just to get pictures of friends and family together that normally were too busy to congregate. Perhaps Mum gave me the strength to take photos when the subjects are not always “in the mood” but in the right place. I only wish my strength had developed before she passed . Come to think of it; I have boxes of disposable camera pictures I took in my youth. I haven’t gone through them in years and…I bet you she’s in there. Thank you for reminding of this. Best wishes to you. [Reply] Rosie Suerdieck - March 23, 2013 - 11:35 pm
This brought tears to my eyes. This past year, I lost both of my grandmother, and I was so grateful for the images that I have of them (coincidentally, two years before her passing away) to show to my children. [Reply] Alexander John - March 24, 2013 - 10:25 pm
Wow, I love your passion. It really shows threw your photos of her! Very sad but inspiring story. [Reply] Alyssa Campbell - March 25, 2013 - 6:12 am
Sorry for your loss Jenika. No matter who it is, losses are hard, but photos make the pain a little more bearable, in my experience. I wish so much that I had done this when my brother unexpectedly passed away last January, and we would do anything to have just one more photo of him. We have some, but never enough, which seems to be the case with any loss. I’m so glad that you took that time and hope others do it as well! I have our first family session scheduled for April since our loss and first “real” family photos since my brother and I were children. It’s a hard thing but one that needs to be done. Using the excuse “oh I’ll do that when I lose more weight” or anything you can come up with is no excuse because you never know what may happen. Not to be morbid but it’s important. Take care, [Reply] James Dekker - March 25, 2013 - 2:15 pm
Very good reading. [Reply] Does it matter - March 28, 2013 - 3:48 pm
That was a beautiful read. Your family is very proud of you I’m sure. What’s sad is all the photgraphers out there who’s families are also very proud of them. Photographers who will share this read making themselves appear to be the same type of caring people, when in fact, they themselves choose to ignore their immediate families. Maybe one day we will be reading from another photographers site how they should have taken this weekend you so eloquently speak of. Let’s all hope those who needed to take note of such a powerful read have done so. [Reply] Melissa Smith - March 29, 2013 - 6:50 am
I sent you an email before, but I failed to say, I do love these pictures you took of your grandmother. Particularly the one of her hands holding what appears to be a Bible as she reads- it looks so real and meaningful as I’m guessing that was one of her favorite things to do. I love it! I wrote in my email about how I have been meaning to take pictures of my parents for some time and it never happened because my dad wasn’t the most cooperative subject and how all the pieces happened to fall together for me to take them last weekend. I had determined to do so just before seeing this post. I was able to take them (however, my father was probably the most difficult subject I have ever worked with!:) and I am very glad I did. I have been so swamped that I have only had time to finalize one, but I thought I would share anyway, per your request. My website is under construction, but you can see the picture on my Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=460342257372350&set=a.397984003608176.92598.214650868608158&type=1&theater I have some great ones of them laughing together which I think will be my favorites. Hopefully I will have time to get them edited soon! Life gets hectic with two kids under two! Thanks again for this post! [Reply] Jenika Reply: What a gorgeous picture, Lissa. Thank you so much for sharing it, and sharing your story. I bet there are so many people who will treasure that photo – now and for years to come. Your parents look like beautiful people and I love LOVE your mom’s expression. Well done! [Reply] Christopher - March 30, 2013 - 4:20 am
This is why i got in to photography. To save those moments because that is really all. Is the memories we create. I’m sorry for your loss. [Reply] kerrie - June 18, 2013 - 7:20 pm
Thank you for sharing this. I wish I could put into words things like you do. This past year has been hard on my family and we are facing yet another trial. About a week ago it hit me, and hard, that things that really matter are always cluttered up by the everyday things in our lives that we make to be important, when really they are not important at all. When a tragedy happens that is when we can usually see the really important things clearly. And all those other “things” that take consume our minds are small and mean nothing. I am trying to live the rest of my life with this in mind. Maybe I will find new joys and happiness in life that was once covered by the clutter. [Reply]
Mar
12
2013
 Guys, I have to tell you about my super skill that I’m not particularly proud of having: I’m the queen of cramming for final exams. My freshman year at Yale, I took a class called The History of the Roman Empire. I showed up and enjoyed all the lectures, but didn’t do a page of...
Posted in Smart Marketing, Things I Recommend
10 comments Daniel waters - March 12, 2013 - 9:20 am
A great idea beautifully articulated. When I do this kind of joint venture marketing I always smile to myself. I mean there I am eating in a nice restaurant building a relationship with the owner who displays my photos on his walls getting great exposure in my neighbourhood all for the price of a couple of meals out which I would have had anyway. The most enjoyable marketing ever! [Reply] Misty Bradley - March 12, 2013 - 4:22 pm
Do you live inside my head? If so, I’m sorry because it sure is chaotic in there! But I love how you help it all make sense. If you ever need someone to sing your praises, just let me know! I hereby resolve to end my cramming mentality with marketing. Thank you! Off to purchase Piece of Cake. [Reply] Jenika Reply: Haha, thanks for the fun note, Misty! You’re the best. I hope you love love LOVE the e-book. [Reply] Janelle - March 13, 2013 - 12:25 am
Frustrating!! I’m stuck right now, between a rock and a hard place. I can’t buy things like this without any startup money that I’ve earned, but I’m not earning anything, even from friends. I really wish I had the $169 for this, but I just don’t. I really need it, though. [Reply] Craig - March 13, 2013 - 7:23 pm
I love the article, and I even got your Swift spin comment “call me maybe?” LOL [Reply] Jenika Reply: Haha thanks Craig….that’s my wink at pop culture. Isn’t it Carly Rae something-or-other though? I don’t think it’s Taylor Swift….and now you know how up on pop culture I am. [Reply] Ali Peterson - March 20, 2013 - 1:40 am
This post is so true! When I relocated my business to a new state, I literally went to every pet-related boutique store (I’m a pet photog) & introduced myself. That simple act has created valuable friendships with people who gladly spread the word about me to their hundreds of customers. I also joined a few business networking groups from which I’ve made valuable relationships. Meeting people is by far the BEST way to grow your business! Plus, it’s more fun then designing & ordering promo cards! [Reply] Megan DiPiero - March 21, 2013 - 2:06 pm
Just as I suspected. I went to WPPI looking for the quick fix marketing solution. Didn’t take me long to realize, marketing is the business of building relationships. Yes, that takes time, but I’m in it to win it. Thanks for the confirmation that I’m on the right track and for the witty, insightful post as always. [Reply] |
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Cool that it fits into your experience, as well.
8 comments