Ahh, The Art of the Camera Tilt.

There has been an evolution of sorts in the media and photography realm in the last decade or so. One change you’ll notice is tight cropping, which a lot of photographers have incorporated as well as the TV media. When done properly, it pulls the viewer's attention into the subject’s eyes. In the photography world, we have also found that tipping our cameras can lend an artistic flair to an otherwise simple composition. However, there are some simple rules to live by when using this advanced maneuver. Let’s go over some tips for tipping.

Let's start with a simple before and after of a senior guy. As you can see, tilting the composition and reframing the subject adds a lot more interest. Notice that the senior is in the exact same pose, but the photographer is capturing from a higher angle and has tightened up the shot to exclude shoes and legs.

The biggest rule to follow to make this work is having a vertical line somewhere in the image to anchor the subject. Notice where the true horizon of the images really are.

The above rule can be broken in some instances and still lead to a visually strong image such as in this example here.

While this image breaks the rule about tilting, it also follows a number of rules of composition. The subject's face is in the top right power point of the composition which follows the Rule of Thirds. There are also strong diagonal leading lines from her body and the lines of the flooring which pull you into her face.

When done properly, the camera tilt ends up being very subtle and directs your attention to the subject, not the tilt of the camera.

That's all for now!

- Kirsten Holscher

Use a Handheld Light Meter to Nail Exposure Every Time!

It's been talked about here in detail; when you're photographing your clients, you should be utilizing the proper tools to make sure you achieve the proper exposure and color (white balance) for every image you create. Today, I'll show you exactly how easy it is to use a handheld light meter and white balance target and why you should be using them with every session you photograph.

Let's begin with one basic premise; your camera - no matter what brand - is simply a computer with a lens. When we feed it proper information, we receive the results we want. Sure, there are some "AUTO" settings that allow you to concentrate on composition, but because your camera set on AUTO-anything is now "averaging" the results, you may find that you spend quite a bit more time in post-production tweaking files for exposure and color. This will help you get some of that time back!

Why do I not just use the AUTO setting? As stated above, the AUTO settings tend to provide averages in both areas of exposure and white balance. Any of these AUTO settings can be affected by color of clothing, backgrounds, or just the available light source; all of these will influence how your camera's internal system reacts.

Every time I change lighting or location in a session, I pull out the meter and the target. (I wear my meter on my belt and the target around my neck, so it's not like I'm digging through gear to find these items.) It takes just seconds to check exposure and adjust the settings on my camera for a perfect exposure. The same is true with the white balance target (which can also be used to check exposure via the histogram on the camera's display); for info on how to use the white balance target for color calibration later, CLICK HERE.)

The images below are SOOC (straight out of camera) and show the difference taking a few extra seconds on the front end makes.

Many people first beginning in photography feel as if lighting, posing and composition are the #1 things they need to master. In order to take your photography to the next level, you need to learn to properly expose your photographs so that they don't require extra tweaking in Photoshop. Every minute you save by NOT having to "Fix it in Photoshop" is a minute of your own life that you get back.

Grab that light meter and save yourself time and headaches later on!

- David Grupa

To Meter or Not to Meter . . .

Oh, how I love Facebook groups. They have become a great place to share, network and socialize with other people who have similar interests. They can certainly be a source of entertainment. On occasion, they also become the source of material for debates.

Don't get me wrong, I love a good back-and-forth as much as anyone. I don't enjoy, however, when these take place in an environment where someone is soliciting advice and the people giving said advice are leading in the wrong direction.

A recent example is a discussion surrounding the use of a light meter; a number of folks felt that it is a necessary piece of equipment, while others deemed it outdated and not relevant. One commenter even went as far as suggesting that "there are loads of awesome photographers . . . that don't use a light meter." Really? I suppose if you want to get out your calculators and determine your exposure based on a guide number and distance, that's up to you. If you're one of those who just "guess and go", so be it. To me, however, the light meter is an essential tool in my everyday work; one that I'd feel very uncomfortable without. I'm also guessing that even though many of the other "awesome photographers" know their setup and equipment well enough and could probably get by without one, most of them still use a meter to determine their initial exposures and settings.

Am I just old-fashioned? Maybe it's the fact that I date back to the Collodion Wet Plate Process (okay, back to film days, anyway) and I constantly had a Gossen Luna Pro around my neck for ambient light and another flash meter in the studio. I just never photographed without checking exposure.

I realize that today's cameras have a lot of this "built-in", but until I find a system that's 100% infallible, I'm gonna keep my trusty Sekonic L-358 strapped to my hip. It takes seconds for me to pull it out, check exposure and photograph a target for WB purposes, allowing me to concentrate on my subject rather than hope I'm not in a position where the in-camera metering gets fooled. (But that never happens, does it?)

Besides, I honestly believe it gives me a more professional appearance than someone who's just happy-snapping with their DSLR. (Don't believe me? A few weeks ago I had a client who was coming to me after an unsuccessful visit with a "faux-tographer" who gave them disappointing results from a senior portrait session. The mom and girl both commented that "the other photographer never used one of these." I explained that it's just a part of the set of tools I need to do the job well and create awesome images. During the viewing as they were oooohing and ahhhhing over the finished images, mom asked "Why don't all photographers own the right equipment to do the job?"

A necessary tool? I think so.

- David Grupa 

(Check out www.Sekonic.com for some great tutorial videos on creating better portraits and why a light meter is crucial to the process!)

Q & A: More Simple Marketing Tips For Emerging Professionals

From time to time, readers send in questions or ask for help. In the coming weeks, I'll try to answer a few of them here.

- Do you have any other marketing suggestions to give to those who are in their first year (or so) in the photography business?

RAISE YOUR PRICES! Seriously . . . there is nothing more difficult than starting at a low price point and experiencing difficulty raising prices at a later date because clients balk. Start them out expecting to pay for what you are worth.

UNDERPROMISE AND OVER-DELIVER - There is nothing worse than getting a client's expectations up and then disappointing them with low-quality or late delivery. Just because your lab turns things around in 3 days is not a good reason to tell them that their images will be ready in a week. Take into account the fact that you have to prepare the images along with all of the other things that go into running your daily business. It's much better to tell them to expect 3-4 week turnaround and actually deliver in 2 weeks . . . that makes you a hero rather than a goat.

WORD OF MOUTH CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOU - The biggest problem is, you never hear the bad things until it's too late. Set your expectations up-front and then stick to your deadlines. After delivery, make sure to thank your clients with a card and give them an opportunity to refer their friends.

- David Grupa 

Do you have a question you like a member of the Camp David team to answer? Send your questions to info@CampDavidPhoto.com !

Q & A: Simple Marketing Tips For Emerging Professionals

From time to time, readers send in questions or ask for help. In the coming weeks, I'll try to answer a few of them here.

- What is the best low-cost marketing idea a beginning photographer could implement?

Partner with people you do business with to take advantage of their client base as well as your own. How cool is it for them to be able to offer a free portrait session as a thank-you gift to their clients? It puts your name in front of an entirely new group of people for a minimal cost on your part. Get involved with business groups and get your name in front of other business professionals.

Discount your sessions, not your print prices. I made up business cards that I gave to just about everyone that offered them a no-charge basic studio session. I still ask my clients for referrals and offer them a referral credit for each person they send to my studio.

Rather than discounting print prices, offer rewards or incentives for reaching a certain order level or placing the order within a specified time-frame. Cutting your print prices only encourages clients to ask for print discounts in the future and ultimately, brings you more people who are looking for a "deal" or "cheap photography".

- David Grupa

Do you have a question you like a member of the Camp David team to answer? Send your questions to info@CampDavidPhoto.com !

Q & A: What Helped Your New Business The Most?

From time to time, readers send in questions or ask for help. In the coming weeks, I'll try to answer a few of them here. 
 

- What do you see as the best thing you did your first year or so in business?

I have always been a self-promoter; I printed up business cards and handed them out like candy. Everyone I met knew that I was a photographer and was interested in working with them for their wedding or portrait needs. I only wish the internet had been around back then, because I'd have jumped into it with both feet.

I also realized that other photographers were not my competition, but my best allies. They became a source of referrals, made me look more professional by having someone to refer to when I was booked and ultimately, became a huge source of support.

- David Grupa 


Do you have a question you like a member of the Camp David team to answer? Send your questions to info@CampDavidPhoto.com !

Q & A: What Early Mistakes Did You Make In your Business?

From time to time, readers send in questions or ask for help. In the coming weeks, I'll try to answer a few of them here. 

- What are some of the mistakes you believe you made in marketing during your first years in business?

I think that my early marketing mistakes were very common ones; new photographers tend to price their work at what they can afford rather than what they need to keep a business operating in a viable manner. The thought that "I'll get more business if I'm cheaper" does not translate into "I'll make more money doing volume" for most new studios. I was excited at the thought of selling an 8x10 for a few dollars over my "perceived cost", thinking I was "doubling my money" and not realizing that I was actually losing money with every sale.

Since I was concentrating so hard on the present and not the future, I neglected important things like staying in contact with my current and past clients. With today's email and social marketing techniques, there's no excuse for not keeping your name in front of their faces.

It's also an awesome idea to say thanks to your clients with an "old-fashioned" hand-written thank-you note. Odds are good that your lab produces a press-printed 4x5 folded card with envelopes; choose one of your favorite images from a trip or a fun scenic or seasonal image for the front. Since you can order in 25s, you can change these up at random. Five minutes to write a short note thanking them for their business and a first-class postage stamp can go a long way toward building a strong relationship.

I also spent too much money buying new "toys"; we all love gear and lights and props. (These days, we spend tons on money on Photoshop actions and templates, too.) The problem was too much on gadgetry or props but not enough investing in myself by gaining the education I needed to learn proper marketing techniques and skills. At that point, I also had a 50-50 business partner (never again!) who made making decisions difficult when we were not on the same page.

- David Grupa 

Do you have a question you like a member of the Camp David team to answer? Send your questions to info@CampDavidPhoto.com !

Q & A: If You Got a "Do-Over", What Would You Change?

From time to time, readers send in questions or ask for help. In the coming weeks, I'll try to answer a few of them here.

- If someone gave you a “do-over” for your first year in business as a photographer, what are the changes you would make to the way you marketed yourself and your business?

There are two things I would have done differently that I believe would have made a huge difference in my photography and my business.

First, I would have become active in professional associations earlier. Not simply "joined", but truly gotten active in the educational events and opportunities. The networking gained from professional memberships has proven to be invaluable.

Given that knowledge, I feel that I would have been able to approach marketing in a more confident, professional manner. I was very young (only 17) when I began my photography business and really flew by the seat of my pants for the first couple of years.

Secondly, I would have had a plan. Most of my marketing at that time was done without any type of plan in mind other than to "get more business". I didn't care what type, just anyone who wanted a photograph at any time. I needed to plan events based around the busy and not-so-busy times of the year and truly prepare for promote them better. 

- David Grupa

Do you have a question you like a member of the Camp David team to answer? Send your questions to info@CampDavidPhoto.com !

Stay Legal and Hip with Your Website and Slideshow Music

It's part of a dilemma photographers face all the time. First, do I use music or not on my website? Second, I want cool music by recognizable artists on my slideshows and my sites. Let's take a look at both of these issues.

There are arguments for and against music on websites. Those in favor feel that it sets a mood and helps draw the viewer into the images. Like a slideshow, many feel that the right music on a website is essential to creating a brand. It can engage the viewer and cause them to linger on the site while the tune plays out. If the viewer connects with the song, the possibility exists that they will feel a connection to you as well.

Opponents of website music (I fall into this category) feel that it's distracting, even annoying. While the tune on your site may be your personal favorite, it may be exactly the opposite for someone else. Many people browse at work; a sudden blast of music from their otherwise quiet speakers can cause a viewer to hastily close the window without even a second glance at your contact info. They move on to other sites with no noise and you're long-forgotten.

I'm often asked to visit the websites of other photographers just to "let them know what I think of their work." One of the biggest problems I encounter is the amount of "popular" music being used. Having jumped through the licensing hoops previously when assembling a slideshow using music from a mainstream artist, I know what a hassle (and expense) it is to acquire rights to use such music, so I'm relatively safe in assuming these steps were skipped. Yet, here it is playing on a website; the same song and artist that was just on the radio a few minutes ago.

We are mortified and angry when we discover our clients have copied our work in order to save a few bucks. On discussion groups I visit regularly there is usually someone explaining why they sell a disk of images for nearly nothing because "people are going to scan my photos anyway." (And I'm not even going to open the Pandora's Box of those photographers who constantly are complaining about how "my competitor is copying my style!")

Yet, these same people have no issue using copyrighted music on websites and slideshows. They'll even justify it and say something as silly as "I paid for the CD." ("I paid for this 5x7, why can't I get copies at Wal-Mart?") Hmmmmmmm . . .

SongFreedom is a company that is helping professional photographers and videographers operate legally and ethically by offering affordable licensing option on popular tracks. Now you can use artists such as Jason Mraz or tracks like Train's "Hey Soul Sister" on your website, slideshows and video without fear of legal repercussion.

Here's a great deal; sign up at www.SongFreedom.com by May 1, 2011 and use the code Camp David. You'll receive the bronze package for your first year for FREE. If you wish to upgrade to a different package, the code is good for 25% off. How can you lose?

When you choose to add music to your website and slideshows, respect the same copyright laws that we expect our clients to honor.
 

If you're still thinking "yeah, but who's actually going to turn me in for that?" odds are it won't be a representative of the artist, but rather, your clients who've been told they can't copy your work. Maybe it's a competitor who's unhappy that you're not playing by the rules. If that happens, do you really want the front page of your website to be replaced with this?

- David Grupa

To Sell The Files or Not To Sell The Files . . .

There are always loads of questions centering around "should I sell my digital files?" My answer is always the same; "I have no problem including files as long as I am still meeting the amount I need from each client. With senior portraits, the number is set based on number of files purchased after a qualifying order; with weddings, that number is higher (since the average wedding sale is considerable higher.)

However, we all know of those who are selling (or worse, giving) the files for little or no compensation at all! I can not even begin to think that I am making a profit (or even a reasonable living) if I am photographing a session for $100-$150 or a wedding for $750-$1000 and simply turning over a disk of printable images and a print license. I'm just leaving far too much money on the table that the same client is now going to spend with SOMEONE ELSE.

My business model is based on providing top-quality finished products to a client. I want to sell portraits, albums and frames at a price-point that allows me to make a living without spending the rest of my natural life in front of a computer. If you have a family or spouse (and want to stay married), my suggestion is that this is the way to go.

A number of years ago there was a team call "Power Consulting". Jerrold Deck and Sondra Ayers spoke on the important of "Market Positioning". You could position yourself as one of the following three types of merchants:

• Price
• Service
• Quality

As a Price-based vendor, you would be focusing on selling your product for a low price. Of course, you'll have to do a lot of volume to make any money, but you will definitely be busy!

As a Service business, you are focused on providing a great experience for your client. You take your time and overwhelm them with great service during and after the session.

As a Quality merchant, you feature only the best products. Print are mounted, lacquered, textured and delivered in quality packaging materials (not the plastic baggie the lab sent them back in).

You can even choose to position yourself as any two of these, as long as neither is price. (As a Price merchant, you won't have time to give good service and you won't have the profits to give top quality.)

Ultimately, you may choose whatever business model works best for you, as long as you are able to make a reasonable living doing it that way.

This past summer I actually had a client call me after her son's HS senior portrait session to tell me that "we are a very technologically advanced family and don't have photographs in our home. We prefer to put in a disk and watch them on our big screen tv. Our son doesn't need wallets; he just wants to share the images on Facebook."

She wanted only the digital files and no physical photographs. Is it a monetary decision? Initially, I didn't think so. Both of their children attend high-priced private schools and they drive some fairly high-end automobiles. They live in one of the high-end suburbs . . . surely this could not be about being cheap.

Since I don't sell (or give) digital files as a part of my business model, I quoted her a dollar amount for the files she wanted that was comparable my order average for a HS senior boy. It was then that she looked at me as if I was an alien. "That's ridiculous. I mean, I'd be willing to pay you the same amount as you charge for a 5x7 . . . "

So, I asked her how big the TV is on which she'll be viewing the images. "Oh, it's a 52" Sony, top-of-the-line. They'll look just like big wall pictures on that." My quote to her was in the same ballpark as I charge for a 20" or 24" portrait, yet she's only "willing to pay me for a 5x7."

We've done it to ourselves. Photographers (professional and otherwise) all over have set the bar so horrifically low that clients expect "all photographers" will follow suit. In the case of this woman, she left without placing an order. (I did receive a small print order from her via email a week or so later . . . but very minimal.)

Set the expectation with your clients from the beginning. We are trained artists and photographers. We are not mass-producing widgets for a nickel each, we are creating one-of-a-kind images and working with our clients on a personal level.

Is it okay to let a client walk? As painful as it is, the answer is Y-E-S. Not everyone is our target client; we need to identify that from the initial consultation. We have to allow them to aspire to own our work. Anything else devalues our own work and talents, as well as affects the profession as a whole.

Don't be afraid to say no . . . and always attach a price to the ability to say yes.

Remember, photography is not our life. Photography is what we do in our attempt to create a good life.

- David

Hints For a More Successful Bridal Fair Experience

If you're a wedding photographer, odds are you've spent your fair share of time at bridal fairs and expos. This is a busy time of year for events such as these; while they can be great events for marketing and displaying your product, they can also work against you if you aren't prepared. Worse yet, you risk damaging your image and reputation if your attitude is too casual.

Long ago, I decided that if I was going to invest the money, time and effort into doing these events, I was going to get the most bang for my marketing dollar. Time and money are too precious to waste.

While you need to make your table or booth appear inviting, simply having a few large photographs or a slideshow playing isn't going to make you stand out from the other photographers in the show. You need to do both some advance work as well as follow-up.

Here are five simple (yet important) tips about getting the most from your bridal fair marketing investment:

   1.  Do your homework. Check the vendor list in advance. See which photographers will be displaying, as well as other vendors. If you have (or would like to have) a partner relationship with the vendors in attendance, see if you can trade table space for a small display. For example, if you have photographed at a specific venue, printing a small quantity of marketing pieces featuring images from that venue could work in your favor. I generally give the vendor 8-10 of these shortly after the wedding. The card may be a small press card (4x5, 5x7) featuring your images of their work. (Of course, you've discreetly placed a photo credit along the edge of the card; something like © David Grupa Portrait - www.DavidGrupaPortrait.com.) The vendor now has a professionally-designed card with their work in-hand; I always attach a little note that says "how much I enjoyed working with them and hope to again soon. Please accept these marketing cards with my compliments."

Invariably, they'll want more cards. Since they're handing out samples of my work for me, I supply them at a "preferred vendor rate". You get referrals, they get great images. Everyone wins.

If you need something to spruce up your table or booth, check with vendors who do decorating or floral arrangements. You may be able to work a deal where you can have a fresh arrangement or decor from that vendor (along with a sign, crediting that vendor's work) on your table. Again, offer to give them images from weddings you've photographed where they have also worked.

   2.  Control your environment. If possible, set up your booth or table so that it allows prospective clients to come in and interact. Too often, the table becomes a barrier between you and a bride. I like to set up my images on easels along the sides and pull the table to the back wall. This way, brides can "come in" to your space. It also maximizes the space available and provides the illusion of a larger booth.

   3.  GET RID OF THE CHAIRS! There is nothing that makes a vendor look completely uninterested as a booth at an event where the vendor is sitting behind a table. Stand. Interact. If possible, put the chairs in a position where prospective couple can sit and view your work. Get off your tail and look excited to be meeting new clients.

Also, keep any food, drink, snacks, etc. out of view. A half-eaten sandwich or partial bottle of soda just looks sloppy and unprofessional.

   4.  Network. When traffic slows and you are able to walk away from your table, use the time to speak with other vendors who appeal to the same type of client with whom you wish to work. Trade brochures, build a referral list with other businesses. Even though a particular person may not be in a position where they refer prospective weddings your way, they may have other connections which will prove valuable. Talk. Smile. Exchange cards and info.

DO NOT become a clock-watcher. While I realize these events can consume a good portion of the day, don't be one of those idle people standing along the sideline muttering "45 minutes left" to other merchants. You paid for this time, so use it wisely.

   5.  Follow up. Many shows supply you with a list of registered attendees, along with their dates and contact info. A follow-up message via USPS or email is often an effective method of spurring a potential client to action. If you choose the email route, design an attractive piece using a bulk email program such as iContact. Using a program such as this will also allow you to track when the email is opened, as well as any embedded links that were clicked on.

Do the same with the vendors you met; drop them a note and a small stack of marketing pieces or business cards. Better yet, schedule a visit and offer to photograph their site in exchange for a small display in their sales area.

Of course, the main thing is to do something. Doing nothing simply pushes you to the back of the pack where you'll be soon forgotten.

Whatever you do, make sure you do it in a timely fashion while your name is still fresh in the minds of your prospects.

Good luck - happy marketing!

- David Grupa

How to Add Your Facebook "Fan Page" Link to the New Profile

If you're like me, you love Facebook. It's a great tool for business, not to mention keeping up with friends and family who are scattered across the globe.

Like so many technology-related items, Facebook is constantly evolving. Much to the chagrin of some users, Facebook began rolling out the "new profile" the past December. In an effort to make some areas more "user friendly", a few key items were changed or eliminated.

One such change was the addition of a "Company Page" when you completed the "employment" section of the profile. Some users seamlessly transitioned into existing employer pages, while others had difficulty linking to their existing business "Fan Page". For many, the visual of the generic briefcase was as far as they could get.

To end this frustration, Social Media expert and blogger Ching Ya created a workaround. Although the process has a few steps, it took me about 15 minutes to complete the change and successfully link my existing "Fan Page" to my personal profile.

If you're among those who need to perform this workaround, follow the instructions at Ching Ya's Social Media Blog.

http://www.wchingya.com/2010/10/official-facebook-page-employer-link.html

Happy Facebooking!

- David Grupa

Stock20; Great Royalty Free Music for Website and Slideshows!

As professionals in the media industry, we often have need for great music for our websites, slideshows and other endeavors. However, as much as we like it, it's not legal to use popular music (ie: the stuff you have on your CDs or hear on the radio) on any product we produce unless we have an ASCAP or BMI license, or have paid for reproduction rights.

If you're like me and have ever attempted to do that, you know what a complete runaround and hassle it can be. Ugh.

Enter the music professionals at Stock20. Stock20.com creates high quality music for media production. If you create a free account using the link below, they will give you one free song. Best of all, their music is highly affordable. Stock20 even offers discounts when you purchase entire collections.

Here's one last tip: Until this Wednesday, February 9th, Stock20 is offering their entire catalog of music on disk for just $249. That's over 170 songs, each song in a variety of lengths. You read that right . . . no more editing a song, or having it cut out in a spot that just isn't right. You'll get 7-10 tracks of each song in a variety of times. One more reason I love these guys.

Since there have been questions about this type of thing recently, I wanted to toss out a solution. When I received the sale notice in email today, I had to pass it along.

Even if you don't need all of that music, go ahead and get your free song just for visiting Stock20's site. One caution . . . there are so many cool tunes, you could spend all day listening!

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE SONG

A Camp David Minute with Beth Forester of photoDuds!

Last week during ImagingUSA in San Antonio, I had a minute to catch up with Beth Forester of photoDuds.

If you're not familiar with the product, photoDuds is a great way to take your sales to another level by creating products that your clients will love. From collages to greeting cards, photoDuds offers you some awesome options!

Best of all, even if you missed ImagingUSA you can still take advantage of a 20% discount on all photoDuds products if you order by January 31, 2011! www.photoduds.com 

Check out my interview with Beth right here:

How memory cards are made; great video from Lexar!

We all know about flash memory cards; we depend in them for our livelihood, not to mention all the other places we use them. Whether they end up in cameras, phones, mp3 players or other electronic devices, they're an important part of the world in which we live.

But who makes them? Where do they come from? How do they get so small?

Interestingly, the process starts at the Micron Technologies plant in Utah. Watch this cool video from Lexar, a division of Micron technology, who is a leading global provider of memory products for digital media. Check out this behind the scenes look at the extensive work and care put into each Lexar product.

Got Questions? We'd love to help!

One of the things I love about the photographic industry is how open and willing people are when it comes to helping their colleagues. When I got into the profession oh-so-many-years-ago, there were those "go-to" photographers who were confident enough in their abilities and their clientele that did not hesitate to share the things they did. When you had a question that totally stumped you, odds are they either had the answer or knew someone who would know.

Camp David is like that. Not that we have all the answers (we're always learning new things, too), but we love to help when we are able. Sharing only makes this industry stronger and better.


So . . . here's the deal:

Send us your questions. You may either leave them in the comment box below or if you're shy, email us at info@campdavidphoto.com.

We'll give it our best effort and answer as many as we can right here in future blogs.

- David Grupa