Blog
Staying competitive means continuously improving your skills and business strategies. Here you’ll find exclusive insights for photographers, creative directors, and all types of creatives who want to sharpen their craft and grow their business.
Whether you’re looking to improve your photography techniques, boost your brand visibility, or stay on top of industry trends, this practical, actionable advice is based on years of experience working with leading brands and publications.
From expert business strategies and marketing tips to creative inspiration and photography skills, this blog gives you the tools you need to succeed in the competitive photography and creative industries.
Your Toughest Competition
You often are, or can become, who you compete against. Thus if you spent your time worrying about those beneath you, there’s a significant risk you’ll regress back to their level. I try not to worry about amateur photographers undercutting rates or the endless drama...
A Pitch So Bad I Actually Saved It
On March 14 of this year I received an e-mail from another photographer referring to himself as “The King of Covers.” The message went on to discuss the number of covers he has photographed and that he was reading my website and wishes to contribute to it. The first...
When to Give Up
Most of my articles are focused on not slowing down, not being delayed and overcoming all obstacles. They are certainly not about giving up. However sometimes giving up is the best option. Looking at it simply, giving up could save you from losing too much. Yet more...
Seven Marketing Pitfalls to Avoid
Avoid the shotgun approach. Whether you are pitching to magazines or commercial clients, tailor and be specific in every pitch you do. Avoid focusing on yourself and not the client’s wants or needs. Keep your marketing efforts focused more on what would benefit the...
How to Strengthen Client Relationships
I hope you were not expecting a magic formula in this article because I would hate to disappoint you. Developing successful client relationships comes down to four very straight forward principles. Know the client’s needs and wants Demonstrate your value to the client...
How to Get Unstuck
Professional paralysis can be very contagious. It does not take much to trigger it. The reason being is that it is so closely tied to our emotions. Make no mistake, what we engage in is not just physical labor, it is emotional labor. It requires our emotions to pour...
The Best Advice You Ever Got
I decided to do a source post to see what other talents believe the best advice they ever received was. Nadine Dumas: Don’t ever sacrifice quality for quantity. Kim Dolan Leto: Always under-promise and over-deliver. Tiffany Gaston: Step outfit of your comfort zone and...
The Seven Deadly Sins of Pitching
Ego (also known as Pride) When you pitch and you focus more on yourself instead of caring about what is important to the magazine, their staff and their readers. This occurs when your pitch is entirely self-focused as opposed to relating it to why it matters to the...
Strengthen 10 Relationships
Action item for you to do this week, and it should only take a week. Step one, write down 10 clients you have worked with in the left hand side of a piece of paper. Step two, next to each client, then write down something you could do to strengthen your relationship...