GRAND PRIZE:
One PROFESSIONAL GRAND-PRIZE winner will receive:

• An on-campus photography workshops from Anderson Ranch Arts Center. Located in beautiful Aspen/Snowmass, CO. Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a pioneer in photographic and digital media workshops. Winner may select from workshops for Summer 2013 or Summer 2014. The prize includes on-campus housing, meals and studio fees. The prestigious faculty includes some of the top photographers, photojournalists and instructors practicing today, in workshops for all skill levels. ($2,200. Value)
• A $500 gift certificate from Adorama.

PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR GRAND-PRIZE winners will both receive:

• The new Apple iPad

CATEGORY PRIZES:
FIRST-PLACE PROFESSIONAL WINNERS will receive:

• A Nikon DSLR Camera
• PhotoServe portfolio (worth $860)

FIRST-PLACE AMATEUR WINNERS will receive:

• A Nikon COOLPIX camera

ALL FIRST-PLACE WINNERS will receive:

• $100 gift certificate from Adorama
• A PDN PhotoPlus International Gold Expo Pass
• A Nielsen Photo Group Membership Package (worth $125) and a Crumpler bag

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Enroll now

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http://www.photobizcoach.com

There are the people who I just recently offended when I said that Jehovah’s witnesses engage in Mindless Marketing. They got pretty mad at me because they thought I had an issue with their religion although I was clear I had a problem with their marketing methods.

One of my dear clients in France is fighting for her right to be a woman in her mid-forties with a dream of her own photography business against the snide remarks and low blows of her husband. He wanted her to contribute to the bottom line but not on her terms but his own. Which are not even clearly defined but his idea wasn’t about her having a career she enjoys it was that he wanted to force her to do something he would approve of – whatever that might be.

Another photographer in Philadelphia left his corporate career and picked very tough economic times to build his dream business. Surprisingly enough there seem to be a lot of photographers in Philadelphia and not enough infrastructure to support them all.

I’ve met photographers who have told me that their business is the worst it has ever been. Buyers are getting younger and younger with no idea about the real value of photography, everywhere we go it says, problems, no money, cheap, why don’t you do it for FREE?

I hear you. You are not alone.

Unfortunately this is not new. There always will be people who will have a problem with you following your dreams. Why? Because they are miserable within themselves and if they are not happy than you shouldn’t be either. There will always be people who don’t like you for whatever reason they may have. They may hold a grudge, have unresolved personal issues, , you remind them of someone who did something to them, or a multitude of reasons that may not even make sense. When someone doesn’t like you – they just don’t like you. Now you are at a crossroad. Is it time to quit? Or is it time to adjust your attitude?

First piece of advice. Stop trying to fix it.

SW – SW – SW

Some will, some won’t, so what.

Would I give you a list of people who have told me throughout my career who said that I can’t do this or that, or cite how many obstacles were in my way, how many times I wanted to give up – we’d be still here tomorrow. At the end of the day only one thing counts. And that is your attitude.

Do you still have that fire burning? Is the passion still ignited? Do you proclaim that this is yours and can and will you make it work? The steps we have to take to be successful are much more numerous than they used to be. It takes longer. The obstacles are harder and the path is steeper. But I will tell you this, there is STILL a way to get through and there is a way to get to your success.

It is the unwavering believe in yourself. You can do this. I see who you are, and if nothing else or nobody else – I believe in you. I’ve been in this industry my entire life and I have seen them come and go. There are a million formulas to make it find the one that works for you. Be the person you want to be and follow your heart with integrity and a strong set of ethics. If your close circle can’t or won’t support you,  find a circle that can. Don’t ask for permission to do what you want to do, just do it. Success is the best revenge there is. Proof that you were right all along. And as hard as it may seem sometimes you need to fire your friends, partners, or throw a temper tantrum to claim what is rightfully yours.

Now on the flip side – if you are the photography professional who has been complaining to no end and you wished you could retire but you can’t because money is tight you need to do some serious thinking. If you really don’t want to do this anymore – maybe it is time to quit. You don’t have to be the captain who is going down with a sinking ship that you yourself have run into the ground because you refused to change your business model. Get out, find something that you can enjoy, life is too short.

To get out of the rut you have to start somewhere. When you stick to your guns and to your own beliefs (I am not saying refuse to change to market conditions)  and most importantly when you DO something about it you set a different energy into motion. You attract more and better connections, support, and success.

Your task is now to rise above. One of the most powerful statements you can make is to do something about where you are at. That is why we run the 7 Step Video Bootcamp three times a year. Over 2500 photography professionals have already signed up for it. It is designed to be that first step.  I’ve created it and am offering it for free as my contribution to my industry. It is right for each and everyone of you who is tired of complaining and feeling help-and hopeless who needs a serious reminder (or swift kick in the behind.)

Unless you are ready to quit maybe it’s time to do something? Start with the Free Bootcamp, why wouldn’t you, it is free after all. Sign up now, we start May 15, 2013.

Copyright

From Photoshelter:

Even some of the most successful Internet Marketers and Businesses struggle to get their head around how to monetize their followers and which Social Media outlets work. While everyone says something different, there is one thing everyone agrees upon- it is a good thing to have a lot of followers. Having many followers means that your message will get amplified a few times over across your so-called platform.  Platform building includes immediate actions, multiple intermediate consistent steps and a long-term plan.

Even if you build a sizeable platform, that doesn’t mean that you can monetize your peeps into hard cash in your bank account. How much or how little information do you have that will create enough value for your tribe or your community? If you provide too much, you can’t make any money because you’re giving everything away for free so why should they buy from you? If what you offer is not enough or not perceived as valuable, you will be called out. Everyone can smell a rat.

Because it is so complex and complicated to use Social Media successfully, we are going to examine how to create your unique Social Media strategy. – To read how, please download the TipSheet

Please sign up here

We have put over 2000 photographers through the Bootcamp thus far and this time we want to up the numbers. Please help us to spread the word and share this information with anyone who wants to turn their artistic vision into an income generating photography business.

Get the details, read the testimonials, and  sign up now.

See you in a moment.

Coach Beate

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Your PhotoBizCoach

Beate

About the Authors

Michal Heron has been a freelance photographer for more than thirty years. She currently works on assignment for a variety of publishing and corporate clients as well as stock photo agencies. She lives in New York City.

David MacTavish is a freelance photographer. He is actively involved in both assignment and stock photography, and has served as an officer of the American Society of Media Photographers. He lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Allworth Press publishes business and how-to books for artists, graphic designers, photographers, and interior designers, as well as for filmmakers, performing artists, and authors. In addition, Allworth Press also publishes legal and personal finance guides for the general public. Books from Allworth Press are distributed to the book trade by W. W. Norton and can be found in better bookstores.  Titles may also be ordered directly from the publisher by calling (212) 643-6816 or visiting www.allworth.com.