Calibrating a monitor is a good good good thing to do!
I'm a bit ashamed it took me this long to get around to it.
Done! and it shall be re-done monthly. Promise to all that's important to me. Upon the soul of my D3.
Friday, February 27, 2009
THE indoor test -- can the D3 cut it? answer.... YES!
It took a bit of work, but the 50mm f/1.4G does LOVELY in the indoor arena. Ok ok so every other photo is green, but this is very easily fixed with some Lightroom wizardy. I'll get more posted up in Catspaw Photos later on, but for now here's their best attempt (photographed, rest were video) of a 3 foot oxer at the end of a grid. Yay Alison! Yay Denali!!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
lights, action and business
I love our local eventing association (Wasatch Evening Association") so was quite happy to donate photography services (portrait session or sales shots or action shots, however they want to use the hour with two prints included) for their silent auction. No idea how it sold but it just feels danged good to 'give back' to such. Course, I won a down jacket as Rookie rider of the year and fleece quarter sheet as BN horse of the year two years ago, so I definitely feel I'm due to give back :) I've I'd been in town I'd have taken some of the nicer but harder to sell on ebay items and donated them too, but alas i was in San Diego so missed this year's end of year banquet.
I'm also seeing if any horse rescues need some GOOD photos to help them adopt out horses, etc etc. Heck, I can even make mini web pages for them depending on what resources they do and do not have. I'm not sure who's in the area, but I know Nina knows a few and I can work from there. Giving back is good and this is something I CAN do and do fairly well.
This weekend is the USDF teachers lunging clinic at Promontory: still not certain if it's Fri-Sun or Sat-Sun but I'll figure it out soon enough. Sun is work, alas, but I'll take photos and perfect the exposure in the camera. Plus, hey! creative challenges abound. A horse that goes in a circle x 500 times.
I've started reading Strobist a lot recently and got into the LumniQuest line of items -- as well as their amazing secondary 50%+ discounted items on their website. GREAT customer service and I'll be getting a few there (fold flat, yay!). Gary Fong is the other 'big' name out there but they are hard plastic and a PITA to transport around. The ultra soft box should be WONDERFUL for horse portraits. Cannot wait to practice and play a bit with this.
Otherwise, the first few reviews have been upgraded into dgrin's book review section (yay! I feel important! :) ) and as I work on work those will be added as well. Nicely, they are amending them with other folks' reviews rather than replacing. This makes me much more comfortable, as we will obviously all have different words to say about the same books.
ALSO talked with Baldy (CEO of Smugmug) and his programmer who is working on the Packages product for release in the next few months. I'd reached out to them since I'd be in town in late May, but apparently that was just a tad too late. So an hour long conversation (which I believe went extremely well, given the 3-way nature of it), much was learned, must was shared, and I got to talk a bit about the business geek side of things, including ways that could be used to implement the interface to help those users who are less business inclined. Regardless, it was amazing to talk to two folks who have such a passion on par with my own and that alone made it quite worth it. I cannot wait to pick Andy's brain a bit more during Catalina.
I'm also seeing if any horse rescues need some GOOD photos to help them adopt out horses, etc etc. Heck, I can even make mini web pages for them depending on what resources they do and do not have. I'm not sure who's in the area, but I know Nina knows a few and I can work from there. Giving back is good and this is something I CAN do and do fairly well.
This weekend is the USDF teachers lunging clinic at Promontory: still not certain if it's Fri-Sun or Sat-Sun but I'll figure it out soon enough. Sun is work, alas, but I'll take photos and perfect the exposure in the camera. Plus, hey! creative challenges abound. A horse that goes in a circle x 500 times.
I've started reading Strobist a lot recently and got into the LumniQuest line of items -- as well as their amazing secondary 50%+ discounted items on their website. GREAT customer service and I'll be getting a few there (fold flat, yay!). Gary Fong is the other 'big' name out there but they are hard plastic and a PITA to transport around. The ultra soft box should be WONDERFUL for horse portraits. Cannot wait to practice and play a bit with this.
Otherwise, the first few reviews have been upgraded into dgrin's book review section (yay! I feel important! :) ) and as I work on work those will be added as well. Nicely, they are amending them with other folks' reviews rather than replacing. This makes me much more comfortable, as we will obviously all have different words to say about the same books.
ALSO talked with Baldy (CEO of Smugmug) and his programmer who is working on the Packages product for release in the next few months. I'd reached out to them since I'd be in town in late May, but apparently that was just a tad too late. So an hour long conversation (which I believe went extremely well, given the 3-way nature of it), much was learned, must was shared, and I got to talk a bit about the business geek side of things, including ways that could be used to implement the interface to help those users who are less business inclined. Regardless, it was amazing to talk to two folks who have such a passion on par with my own and that alone made it quite worth it. I cannot wait to pick Andy's brain a bit more during Catalina.
Monday, February 23, 2009
the art of Learning
I'm officially turning into a geek, for not only am I reading, underlining and reviewing the books I read .... now I'm taking notes.
Yup, there's some good stuff in there and I sure as heck don't want to forget it! Into Dan Heller's "Profitable Photography in the Digital Age" which requires much thought but is also vastly stimulating.
It also calls me an insane photographer. Except that's a GOOD thing. Insanity = good, since you don't drop out or fade away or otherwise fail to put in the effort needed.
Although I cannot even recall the details of some of the business classes I took in college, this is still proving to be the perfect background for me. Without that? Who knows. I might pitter around like a regular photo hobbyist without ever getting anywhere. Instead I find myself creating *achievable* plans in my head and running through scenarios to get them to work.
###
On another note, Pictureline is running a strobe lighting class next week -- but I cannot attend. Woe! They are, however, opening a new store a stone's throw from where I live so I can only hope they start more classes there so I don't have to drive a half hour for them.
Educational opportunities abound, but I find they presume a full-time photographer who has free time say, noon to 1pm on a Monday afternoon. You know, when most normal folks are at work. PPA has a series of webinars (online seminars) for photography business but there isn't a single one that I want to attend that I can make, hour wise.
Yes, I feel thwarted. Me and the pile o' books will create our own little university for now.
Yup, there's some good stuff in there and I sure as heck don't want to forget it! Into Dan Heller's "Profitable Photography in the Digital Age" which requires much thought but is also vastly stimulating.
It also calls me an insane photographer. Except that's a GOOD thing. Insanity = good, since you don't drop out or fade away or otherwise fail to put in the effort needed.
Although I cannot even recall the details of some of the business classes I took in college, this is still proving to be the perfect background for me. Without that? Who knows. I might pitter around like a regular photo hobbyist without ever getting anywhere. Instead I find myself creating *achievable* plans in my head and running through scenarios to get them to work.
###
On another note, Pictureline is running a strobe lighting class next week -- but I cannot attend. Woe! They are, however, opening a new store a stone's throw from where I live so I can only hope they start more classes there so I don't have to drive a half hour for them.
Educational opportunities abound, but I find they presume a full-time photographer who has free time say, noon to 1pm on a Monday afternoon. You know, when most normal folks are at work. PPA has a series of webinars (online seminars) for photography business but there isn't a single one that I want to attend that I can make, hour wise.
Yes, I feel thwarted. Me and the pile o' books will create our own little university for now.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Reading on - business books for photographers
Next up, PROFITABLE PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE DIGITAL AGE. I'm hoping this touches on some areas that PRICING PHOTOGRAPHY entirely skipped over (since that was printed in 2003). I'll see and update here with more thoughts once I'm done.
This book *is* by Dan Heller, who has some excellent FAQs and information on his website about business and photography. I haven't read all of it yet, but will do so eventually.
http://danheller.com/bizfaq.html for those not familiar with him.
This book *is* by Dan Heller, who has some excellent FAQs and information on his website about business and photography. I haven't read all of it yet, but will do so eventually.
http://danheller.com/bizfaq.html for those not familiar with him.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Down Time is Reading Time
I've been hanging out in San Diego this weekend for people - not for photography. However, the down time (airports, lazy mornings, etc) has been fabulous for getting into more reading.
I finished up 'Pricing Photography' on the airplane and while the entire stock photo portion doesn't apply to me (not yet at least), it was worth the money spent in what I'll make up in the confidence in my own pricing.
Photographers really DO undersell themselves, I see this quite often in posts in dgrin and EPNet, especially from us newbies. If we're willing to do it for free or cheap, why not price it that way.... right? Erg, wrong. It's a hard mindset to break out of (especially when there's such competition in the photography world) but it's one that needs to be bashed about repeatedly. How much do you value your own photography? What are you offering that's unique and different? I have confidence in that, if anything just that I WILL get there even if I'm not totally there right now.
"Understanding Exposure" was next on the list (of those I brought with me) and it is quite perfect for where my brain is at in my own education. I am not learning anything exactly 'new' to me, but it IS putting concrete words and terms and logic to things I half intuitively understood from my own long experience with cameras.
I finished up 'Pricing Photography' on the airplane and while the entire stock photo portion doesn't apply to me (not yet at least), it was worth the money spent in what I'll make up in the confidence in my own pricing.
Photographers really DO undersell themselves, I see this quite often in posts in dgrin and EPNet, especially from us newbies. If we're willing to do it for free or cheap, why not price it that way.... right? Erg, wrong. It's a hard mindset to break out of (especially when there's such competition in the photography world) but it's one that needs to be bashed about repeatedly. How much do you value your own photography? What are you offering that's unique and different? I have confidence in that, if anything just that I WILL get there even if I'm not totally there right now.
"Understanding Exposure" was next on the list (of those I brought with me) and it is quite perfect for where my brain is at in my own education. I am not learning anything exactly 'new' to me, but it IS putting concrete words and terms and logic to things I half intuitively understood from my own long experience with cameras.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Pricing and the art of managing SmugMug
Note to self:
Create empty albums for pricing per idea from the dgrin forums. This way I can inherit JUST these as needed. And yes, this means re-pricing everything I have, but provides me with more central 'control' over the entire process (adding in weddings later, etc etc).
1. Show Photos (higher cost, no upfront payment rec'd)
2. Clinic/Convention photos (cheaper, not in as high a demand)
3. Friends photos (friends and family rate)
then have the portfolio 'default' ones as well, which can use Bay Photos for better quality.
Create empty albums for pricing per idea from the dgrin forums. This way I can inherit JUST these as needed. And yes, this means re-pricing everything I have, but provides me with more central 'control' over the entire process (adding in weddings later, etc etc).
1. Show Photos (higher cost, no upfront payment rec'd)
2. Clinic/Convention photos (cheaper, not in as high a demand)
3. Friends photos (friends and family rate)
then have the portfolio 'default' ones as well, which can use Bay Photos for better quality.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
FAQ v. 1
FAQ page:
when are photos posted online?
how do I order prints?
how do I order a package?
what equipment do you use?
what are the costs for prints (link to pricing page)
can I get a CD/DVD of images?
what are the return policies on the prints?
what are your hourly rates for portraits/special events/parties/weddings?
How long are photos online for?
How fast do I get my order?
I want to use my photos on my website, ad or other publication? What do I purchase?
Why do these photos cost more than one hour photo prints at Wal-Mart or Walgreens?
Do you have other print sizes?
I have another question that isn't answered here.
when are photos posted online?
how do I order prints?
how do I order a package?
what equipment do you use?
what are the costs for prints (link to pricing page)
can I get a CD/DVD of images?
what are the return policies on the prints?
what are your hourly rates for portraits/special events/parties/weddings?
How long are photos online for?
How fast do I get my order?
I want to use my photos on my website, ad or other publication? What do I purchase?
Why do these photos cost more than one hour photo prints at Wal-Mart or Walgreens?
Do you have other print sizes?
I have another question that isn't answered here.
Cracked heads and flash brackets and networking
I know that my enthusiasm for "all things business" related will rise and fall over time. However, right now I enjoy the wave that I am riding and seeing where it takes me.
I've been debating more and more packaging 'deals' for customers. If SmugMug doesn't implement packages themselves, I can do them manually (more difficult but could be worth it). I could see doing coupons myself as well, but that almost makes it more complex than it is worth.
What I DO need to do is update the main page with the *basic* pricing for events and add in a more detailed "Pricing" page for Catspaw Photos. Details about the labs SM uses as well as guarantees are definitely important. It'll be tricky to not clutter, since the more simple things are, the easier they are to grasp in a quick read.
Networking wise, the Picassa and Flickr sites haven't been indexed yet. But I created a Vox site and it showed up within a few hours. Go figure! However, the ability of all sites to import data and photos from other locations makes cross posting much easier. Once I get more photos uploaded worth of 'sharing', I'll get more and more cross links out there.
The search for a decent rotating flash bracket continues. RRS has one that could work, but at $335 + bracket, it's insane. The hunter hunts on.
Lastly, I cracked the wall of domain transfers. At last! So of the three domains I hold, two are now officially transferred, so if www.catspawphotos.com is down for a bit, fear not. That's just me either working/sleeping/traveling and unable to update the CNAME and other files needed.
As for the third domain .... Verio can rot for all I care. I'll have to give them another call at some point where I have a few hours to spend on hold. Award winners? I think not.
I've been debating more and more packaging 'deals' for customers. If SmugMug doesn't implement packages themselves, I can do them manually (more difficult but could be worth it). I could see doing coupons myself as well, but that almost makes it more complex than it is worth.
What I DO need to do is update the main page with the *basic* pricing for events and add in a more detailed "Pricing" page for Catspaw Photos. Details about the labs SM uses as well as guarantees are definitely important. It'll be tricky to not clutter, since the more simple things are, the easier they are to grasp in a quick read.
Networking wise, the Picassa and Flickr sites haven't been indexed yet. But I created a Vox site and it showed up within a few hours. Go figure! However, the ability of all sites to import data and photos from other locations makes cross posting much easier. Once I get more photos uploaded worth of 'sharing', I'll get more and more cross links out there.
The search for a decent rotating flash bracket continues. RRS has one that could work, but at $335 + bracket, it's insane. The hunter hunts on.
Lastly, I cracked the wall of domain transfers. At last! So of the three domains I hold, two are now officially transferred, so if www.catspawphotos.com is down for a bit, fear not. That's just me either working/sleeping/traveling and unable to update the CNAME and other files needed.
As for the third domain .... Verio can rot for all I care. I'll have to give them another call at some point where I have a few hours to spend on hold. Award winners? I think not.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
and the girl, she read on...
At least now I can put even MORE of my 'homework' to good use -- writing up reviews for dgrin since I found their book section to be a bit lacking (NO business books, a CS2 book, etc).
And yes, I still consider this to be quite fun and quite the blast.
Go me!
And yes, I still consider this to be quite fun and quite the blast.
Go me!
Business Act(ions)
Business tasks:
Update the business plan with more specifics on pricing, when to discount and when to not discount.
Update SM website for different printing options, solidifying prices for this year
Generate price sheets to have available at events.
Get into the dgrin coupon thread discussions, since I'm seeing more and more ways I could successfully use these within the business (pre-payments, raffle prizes, etc). chimed in!
Complete banner exchange with Sirens - need to get a banner version for my website put together - http://www.catspawphotos.com/gallery/7343754_JcdMc already has their banner set up.
Insure equipment! Talk to Hartford as well as the PPA's agency. Include liability
Read through the PPA website in much more detail and find out what other benefits I now have.
Start collecting 'good' horse photos for the screensaver picture frame to use at shows. Includes post-processing.
Put together intro post for EPNet with some of the better horse photos. Create a presence.
Keep up Picassa and Flickr sites, using multiple link backs whenever possible.
Play through bracketting shots as well as multiple exposure shots
Mac mini: load CS4, load the HDR software, set up a GOOD backup program.
Decide what to do with the old mac mini? to Erwin
Enter most recent data into Quickbooks
Go through the Nikon lighting dvds - one section a day, let it absorb.
File taxes, schedule C
Research real estate contacts to determine how many packets I should put together
Find the right flash bracket before Jill's October wedding
Write up book reviews for dgrin/Ivar
Sell off extra lenses (old Sigmas, etc) - check with Adorama first
Send in D50 for maintenance ASAP
Integrate this blog with http://www.catspawphotos.com blog page.
fix emails for two domains and get them transferred to godaddy.com
transfer http://www.catspawphotos.com to godaddy.com
set up personalized domin (aka more professional) email account, even if all it does is forward to my gmail account for Catspaw Photos
Set up Etsy shop with details, ideally focusing on foam boards and other 'posters' for barns and barn offices
Work with Sirens' folks about registration packet insert and donations
Monday, February 16, 2009
Homework
It's been a long time since college and 'homework' still fills me with dread.
However? this is definitely a different sort of homework! These are things I love to read and ponder and figure out how to apply to my own business model and photography processes.
I've a number of business books waiting for me, but right now I'm focusing on the nitty gritty of photography itself. So, I present.... my homework pile:
http://www.catspawphotos.com in my daily portrait files
I love this stuff and look forward to getting off of work so I can go home and ... study. I really never thought I'd see this day!
However? this is definitely a different sort of homework! These are things I love to read and ponder and figure out how to apply to my own business model and photography processes.
I've a number of business books waiting for me, but right now I'm focusing on the nitty gritty of photography itself. So, I present.... my homework pile:
http://www.catspawphotos.com in my daily portrait files
I love this stuff and look forward to getting off of work so I can go home and ... study. I really never thought I'd see this day!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Getting in with the pros...
Through information from another photographer, I was tipped off to PPA.com (Professional Photographers of America).
As of today, I officially joined. I can do two years with an 'aspiring' membership, which I find a rather descriptive term. Primarily, I see this as a great source for contacts within the industry (equipment insurance, business geekery, etc).
Another step forward!
As of today, I officially joined. I can do two years with an 'aspiring' membership, which I find a rather descriptive term. Primarily, I see this as a great source for contacts within the industry (equipment insurance, business geekery, etc).
Another step forward!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
a solid start
It's been almost a year since I first launched http://www.catspawphotos.com
While I've taken the business side of things seriously, I'm taking more and more of the photography and networking even more seriously. To say the least, this is not the way I ever expected to use my business degree, but it's one I rather like. I can be a business and photography geek all at once. Perfect!
Digital Grin (aka DGrin) is where I primarily hang out online, although I have also recently been directed to a network of equine photographers. Alas, they don't consider you a pro unless you've been in business for two years. Give me time then, I'll definitely be there.
Am I going anywhere? not any time soon! While this might have been a weekend hobby to start, it has grown into much much more. I am a horseback rider as well as photographer, so juggling both aspects of my equine life is always a challenge.
Depending on bookings and shows, every weekend in June, July, August and September is booked. That business is growing is an understatement! My next challenge will be tackling my own organization.... and doing taxes.
With the new D3 and the used D300 I picked up, plus getting into lighting (SB-900, monopod for light on a stick, etc), I find myself almost literally juggling lenses and accessories. Setting this up in a way that lets me grab the items I need for a shoot (and not forget anything behind) will definitely be the next priority.
Next week: San Diego with friends
Weekend after: USDF instructors lunging clinic at Promontory Equestrian Center, Park City UT
While I've taken the business side of things seriously, I'm taking more and more of the photography and networking even more seriously. To say the least, this is not the way I ever expected to use my business degree, but it's one I rather like. I can be a business and photography geek all at once. Perfect!
Digital Grin (aka DGrin) is where I primarily hang out online, although I have also recently been directed to a network of equine photographers. Alas, they don't consider you a pro unless you've been in business for two years. Give me time then, I'll definitely be there.
Am I going anywhere? not any time soon! While this might have been a weekend hobby to start, it has grown into much much more. I am a horseback rider as well as photographer, so juggling both aspects of my equine life is always a challenge.
Depending on bookings and shows, every weekend in June, July, August and September is booked. That business is growing is an understatement! My next challenge will be tackling my own organization.... and doing taxes.
With the new D3 and the used D300 I picked up, plus getting into lighting (SB-900, monopod for light on a stick, etc), I find myself almost literally juggling lenses and accessories. Setting this up in a way that lets me grab the items I need for a shoot (and not forget anything behind) will definitely be the next priority.
Next week: San Diego with friends
Weekend after: USDF instructors lunging clinic at Promontory Equestrian Center, Park City UT
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