The folks at Affinity software recently interviewed a photographer about the business side of photography and questions to ask a prospect in order to understand the scope of the assignment. As I read the interview it became obvious how many other creative service providers would benefit from the article. If you substitute your service for the word photographer/photographer, his comments may read like your business development efforts.

You can read the interview here.  Please feel free to share the article with other creatives you know who might benefit from his comments.

On another note, if you’re a photoshop user and might be looking for an alternative to Photoshop CC, take a look at Affinity Photo. I’ve been using it for about a year now. At some point when Adobe puts me in a situation where my only choice is the Cloud version, I’ll be ready to make the break.

Good luck and prosper!

tom-szabo.com, Ocean Sands, jewelry, photography, scuba instruction.

The post You Still Need To Qualify The Client! first appeared on Tom Szabo: tom-szabo.com, Email: tom@tom-szabo.com 440-725-6504.

Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce

Here in Lake County Ohio, we have a couple great resources to help grow your business. The first is Eastern Eastern Lake County Chamber Of Commerce. Especially important, if you think paying your membership dues will cause your sales to jump; You’re wrong. You will have to get out of your office and work the chamber through participation.

Meeting new business leaders and build relationships with them is especially relevant. Hence, events such as Business After Hours, Luncheons and Coffee Contacts are available cover a time period that suits your schedule.  Referrals and new business come as a result of people getting comfortable with YOU!

Your invitation is below. Print out the coupon and present it to attend an event for FREE. Not sure about being the newbie, call me I’ll join you.

Events: Business After Hours, Luncheons and Coffee Contacts.

Eastside Business Group

Lake County has another networking opportunity. I belong to Eastside Business Group. We meet every Tuesday at 8:00 A.M. tie 9:00 A.M. for coffee and/or breakfast at Favored Flavor Family Restaurant (1945 Mentor Ave, 44077). Members of this group have grown to be friends first, then business associates. Again, the best part of this group is the referrals.

• Membership is limited to one business per industry.
• No referral quotas are required
• Coffee is part of your annual dues.

Friends first and business associates afterwards.

To learn more about EBG, contact me. You will be my welcomed guest for FREE coffee! OK, I’ve given you all you need to know about growing your network. In conclusion, the next step is up to you. So come learn more!

The post Networking – Grow Your Business first appeared on Tom Szabo: tom-szabo.com, Email: tom@tom-szabo.com 440-725-6504.

Often photographers will ask about their right to photograph people in public? Do I need a release? Let’s start by asking where are you? Legal rights vary from country to country. They may even vary from state to state or city to city. With technology being what it is today, you might start out on Google. Some countries may say OK, but some cultures there may say NO!

Generally here in the states, I will compare my situation that of a photo-journalist. What do they do relative to photographing in public? Often, they will record names and location to identify the subject in print. You don’t see the photographer asking someone in public to sign a release. The time spent getting their subject’s name allows time to discuss usage and any problems publishing the photograph. This may not necessarily address any legal issues, but it sure gives the subject the right to ask not to have their image published. You might also use this time to offer to send a print as a “thank you”.

Here in northeast Ohio, we have a big event coming to town, the Republican National Convention. There will be a lot of people here in town, offering lots of photo opportunities. You may even spot some celebrities. With that in mind, you might want to learn more about your rights and the subjects rights. A panel discussion is being put on by the National Press Photographer Association (NPPA) at Cleveland State University. You will need to register for this free event.

Workin’ a bad banjo!

The post Your Rights – Public Photography first appeared on Tom Szabo: tom-szabo.com, Email: tom@tom-szabo.com 440-725-6504.

School pictures are a real tradition for families. People often ask if I provide that service. My answer: well I’d like to. I learned a long time ago this is a very difficult market to break into. Schools have told me they are under contract with large photography studios for the service and in addition, the school gets a cut of sales. One of the biggest contract term that’s a barrier for me is the no competitor clause. These contracts often prohibits another photographer from suppling promotions to students within the school.

In fact, the picture business made the news in Washington, D.C. on the local News Channel 4 report. Please don’t think I’m angry or upset about their practices. I just wish I could participate on some level.

This high school senior portrait uses 3 colors, skin tone, white and red.

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Let me offer some suggestions as to how your professional head shot should or should not look:

1. Lighting – Look at your photo to insure the lighting is even and flattering. Stay away from bright backgrounds when you are in shadow. When taking your picture in the office, use fill flash. This will keep the big black covers off your eyes. Oh yeah, take off the sunglasses. If you have dark hair, don’t stand in front of a dark or black wall. Your hair will practically disappear from your head.
2. Exposure – Many sites may darken your photo. So if your photo is already too dark, you may disappear from view. Check that your photo has enough brightness.
3. Location – Find a location that compliments you and makes you the appear as the subject. Stay away from photos taken at parties or your night out with the gang. In case no one told you, your car is absolutely the last place to take your professional head shot as a “selfie”. In addition, forget the “duck-lip” look.
4. Color Balance – If you want to look professional, use the proper white balance setting on your cell phone camera. This is why your picture looks overly red or blue. Pay attention to the ambient light. If there is a lot of a single color in the lighting (a lot of red lights from the neon Budweiser sign at the bar), go to another location.
5. Crop – There are way too many profile photos where the subject was cropped from a group photo. That hand on your shoulder from the person standing next to you is a dead give away. Crop the photo to include your head and shoulders. Don’t crop off the top of your head an ear or your chin. Stay away from cropping too little. You become almost unrecognizable when dropped from the waist to above your head.
6. Aspect Ratio – Make sure you maintain the correct aspect ration on your photo. That will prevent the photo from being squashed making you look like a “pin-head”. Make sure the file is sized so the image does not shrink after you upload it. When this happens, you may almost disappear on some screens.
7. Photo/No Photo? – Use a photo as opposed to the grey silhouette icon.  Most professionals will delete connection requests from unknowns with no photo.

To truly be viewed of as a professional in your industry have a professionally created head shot done. How can you be viewed as valuable if you won’t invest in yourself? If you have any questions or want to learn more about your professional head shot, please feel free to contact me.

The post 7 Tips To Look More Professional! first appeared on Tom Szabo: tom-szabo.com, Email: tom@tom-szabo.com 440-725-6504.

How Would You Respond as a Photographer if You Are Asked to Work for Free?

The post Working For FREE? first appeared on Tom Szabo: tom-szabo.com, Email: tom@tom-szabo.com 440-725-6504.

Michael Afonso: How a Portrait Photographer Went Pro

The post How A Photographer Turned Pro! first appeared on Tom Szabo: tom-szabo.com, Email: tom@tom-szabo.com 440-725-6504.

http://www.lakecommunicators.com/2015/04/may-20-2015-apex-awards-ceremony/

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• Lunch with Keynote Speaker, Kordell Norton-Making a Difference-YOU can Change the World!
• Speaker and Author, Lisa Ryan-The Gratitude
  Advantage: Giving and Receiving for Fun and Profit.
• 4 Programming Tracks (Marketing/Sales, Finance & Operations, Business Start-Up and Human Resources)
• Washington DC Update for Businesses from Congressman Dave Joyce
• “Build a Website for Your Business” in partnership with Google (special registration-limited seating-$10)

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