ARP blog

A FEW FAVES FROM JANUARY

Hope all of you are having a wonderful 2009 :)

Don't forget - if you want facebook images - just let us know!!!!

A :)

THE WAYBACK MACHINE

Remember when MTV used to play music videos? I am showing my age by asking that question. I did not realize the lack of music videos until I came across this excellent video by Coldplay. It made me nostalgic for the mid 80's when MTV was young and they actually played videos. 

Enjoy,

J

Coldplay - Life In Technicolor 

SOME OF MY FAVORITE PICS FROM IMAGINGUSA 2009

Imaging USA was fantastic. We had a lot of fun speaking. Allison did perfectly just like I knew she would. I can't decide which talk was my favorite though. It might be the SMS successful studios panel on the last day. I felt that we had a chance as a group to really lay it out there for people. 

Another great thing was meeting all the "virtual" friends I have gotten to know over the past year online via facebook, twitter/twitter and iChat. 

Here are a couple of my favorite snap shots.

I liked the view of the mountains as we were descending into Phoenix. 

The view from the Sheraton was great. It almost made up for the EXTREMELY stiff sheets they used. The sheets were a bonding subject with people you would meet in the elevator. It was a universal complaint everyone had.

This is the book we passed out to our pre-con class. The front said "the little book of big ideas.

This is Queen Lucy. 

It was Fable's toy that she gave me to take with us. I shot pics of it and sent it to her so she would feel a part of what we are doing.

Posing in front of the PPA Studio Management Services booth. We answered photographers questions for an hour at the booth. SMS is a great service you should check into. Allison thought she would be funny and imitate my pic. I don't really think I am that mean looking. : )

On stage for Bellagrafica with Ann Monteith and Sarah Petty about to give our presentation on Boutique Marketing.

At the WHCC party. Here are a couple exVirtual friends. Matt Sloan, Jesh De Rox and Britney Gardner

At the WHCC party with Mr. WHCC himself Mike Hanline.

A very large group of talented photographers we ate dinner with. 

On the stage at the SMS panel, I kept taking pics and twittering them. Until Allison told me to stop, that is. You can see she is intently studying a very meaningful question from the audience. 

Ooohh! I LOVE my YO GABBA GABBA tshirt that Mr. Justin Lyon graciously gave me. He is the bestestest bow tie wearer I know.

A round rainbow we saw from the plane. ROUND RAINBOW!

Seeing the muddy uhm I mean Mighty Mississippi River meant we were back home.

J

USING ANIMOTO FOR THE OPENING SLIDESHOW...

ImagingUSA in Phoenix was awesome and VERY dry (the weather not the convention). The show was fantastic. This was our second time going, and we had a great week out there. Molly Claire even enjoyed herself. I have more pics to post about the trip, and I will get those up here tomorrow. Today I wanted to show the Animoto video we used to open the class and platform talks. Animoto is an amazing online application that generates very dynamic slideshows automatically for you. The transitions and pacing are determined by the length and beat of the music you use. They have a large library of music available, and you can also upload your own. 

The music is graciously provided by the talented Jeremy Horn.

Instead of using youtube to post the Animoto slideshow I used the much. MUCH better Vimeo. 

Enjoy...

J

ARP from Jeff Rodgers on Vimeo.

REVIEW FROM IUSATV: BOUTIQUE STUDIOS ROUNDTABLE PRESENTATION

Boutique Studios at Work

The Boutique Studio at Work: A Roundtable Presentation (Part 1)
Sarah Petty, Cr.Photog., CPP, and Jeff & Allison Rodgers (and more)
Sponsored by Marathon Press

A boutique studio really is like a specialty store – they don't try to be all things to all people. And that helps them to really get to know their clients, build relationships, etc. But why and how do boutique studios become successful? Several of those studios came to explain yesterday.

I caught the first part of this highly anticipated program, a sequel to last year's highest rated class, and it didn't disappoint. Though with the speaker lineup it had, that wasn't surprising in the least! Sarah Petty, Jed Taufer, Allison & Jeff Rodgers, Sandy Puc', Tim & Beverly Walden, and Julia Woods all shared their expertise during this 2-part class.

The first part that I was able to attend featured the marketing genius of Sarah Petty and Allison & Jeff Rodgers. They all came from advertising and corporate marketing backgrounds and shared how they have translated that skill into their boutique studios to become so successful.

“I credit PPA with a lot of my success, and a lot of that is due to Studio Management Services (SMS). Most of us in this program have been SMS clients for awhile now,” commented Sarah.

But to explain what else has helped in their success, Sarah quoted Martha Stewart: “Get an idea and make it beautiful.” That, to her, is the idea of a boutique studio. And part of her success is paying attention to every little detail, making it all beautiful...and unique.

Continuing to explain how they market their boutiques, the instructors explained branding – something they are always aware of. “A brand is how people feel about you. You all have 1 client who thinks you're the best thing since sliced bread. In our marketing, we try to get more to fall in love with our brand like those people.”

Speaking based on their successes, the instructors passed along some valuable advice, such as:

• Every business should have their own “things,” products and designs based on your own passions, photographic talents, and skills. (For example, Sarah's framed prints set them apart, even though not every client buys it.)
• When you have something different, don't be shy to share it with the press.
• Surround yourself with things you love (whatever they are – clothing tags, buttons, fabric); it's good for your creativity.
• Take time to give clients options, and they will be more confident about their purchase. Allison takes the time to really get to know the client so she can offer options suited to their personality.
• Have simple pricing beautifully presented.
• Try different price lists for any separate niche marketing you might do. Sarah's pet photography has a specific price list, even though it’s the same prices as her children photography.
• Use beautiful packaging.

During the rest of the 2-part program, the other award-winning photographers discussed charitable marketing, profitable workflow, and selling with style.

This was your chance to learn from incredibly successful peers...so how was it? What I saw sparked some great ideas. Did you feel the same? Make sure you sound out your opinion in the surveys (program evaluations) that are e-mailed to you daily (they are also posted on the top left of this blog).

Again.. Thank you Dana,

J

The Boutique Studio at Work: A Roundtable Presentation (Part 1)
Sarah Petty, Cr.Photog., CPP, and Jeff & Allison Rodgers (and more)
Sponsored by Marathon Press

A boutique studio really is like a specialty store – they don't try to be all things to all people. And that helps them to really get to know their clients, build relationships, etc. But why and how do boutique studios become successful? Several of those studios came to explain yesterday.

I caught the first part of this highly anticipated program, a sequel to last year's highest rated class, and it didn't disappoint. Though with the speaker lineup it had, that wasn't surprising in the least! Sarah Petty, Jed Taufer, Allison & Jeff Rodgers, Sandy Puc', Tim & Beverly Walden, and Julia Woods all shared their expertise during this 2-part class.

The first part that I was able to attend featured the marketing genius of Sarah Petty and Allison & Jeff Rodgers. They all came from advertising and corporate marketing backgrounds and shared how they have translated that skill into their boutique studios to become so successful.

“I credit PPA with a lot of my success, and a lot of that is due to Studio Management Services (SMS). Most of us in this program have been SMS clients for awhile now,” commented Sarah.

But to explain what else has helped in their success, Sarah quoted Martha Stewart: “Get an idea and make it beautiful.” That, to her, is the idea of a boutique studio. And part of her success is paying attention to every little detail, making it all beautiful...and unique.

Continuing to explain how they market their boutiques, the instructors explained branding – something they are always aware of. “A brand is how people feel about you. You all have 1 client who thinks you're the best thing since sliced bread. In our marketing, we try to get more to fall in love with our brand like those people.”

Speaking based on their successes, the instructors passed along some valuable advice, such as:

• Every business should have their own “things,” products and designs based on your own passions, photographic talents, and skills. (For example, Sarah's framed prints set them apart, even though not every client buys it.)
• When you have something different, don't be shy to share it with the press.
• Surround yourself with things you love (whatever they are – clothing tags, buttons, fabric); it's good for your creativity.
• Take time to give clients options, and they will be more confident about their purchase. Allison takes the time to really get to know the client so she can offer options suited to their personality.
• Have simple pricing beautifully presented.
• Try different price lists for any separate niche marketing you might do. Sarah's pet photography has a specific price list, even though it’s the same prices as her children photography.
• Use beautiful packaging.

During the rest of the 2-part program, the other award-winning photographers discussed charitable marketing, profitable workflow, and selling with style.

This was your chance to learn from incredibly successful peers...so how was it? What I saw sparked some great ideas. Did you feel the same? Make sure you sound out your opinion in the surveys (program evaluations) that are e-mailed to you daily (they are also posted on the top left of this blog).

Again.. Thank you Dana,

J