Master photographer and educator Don McGregor has been creating gorgeous environmental portraits and photographing weddings since 1970 in his Vancouver, Canada studio. During 50 or so years, his business and our industry have seen many changes, especially in the way photographers reach out or service their clients. He loves to support photographers on how to keep thriving through the changes.
He is the recipient of the Yousuf Karsh 2017 Lifetime Achievement award, as well as many others too numerous to mention. He holds the following degrees… M.Photog.Cr.API, CPP, HLM,F/PPOC,MPA,SPA,F/PPABC/A and is actively involved in the World Photographic Cup Competition- worldphotographiccup.org
In this episode, Luci and Don discuss the art and craft of family portraits and how he his family portraits become large, impactful works of art by following a step by step process. He’s shares about the importance of the consultation in order to create portraits that mean something to the clients. He uses Emotional Symbols to personalize the images and sell them for a significant investment.
“If a process is followed (from first consultation through the presentation appointment) one can realize a sales average far higher than the national average. “
Some of his tips include
Posing a group is actually posing one person at a time
Posing people in groups of triangles and using diagonal lines in the composition creates a sense of flow
Giving thought to the design, background, and lighting of a portrait before you begin
Creating a Master Image that is presented to the clients at the sales session, and why this almost always becomes their main portrait.
Putting heads about the same distance apart …don’t clump together…open up the group…give them space
Placing people into the foreground of an environment to make the subject dominant in the photograph
Don and Luci also discuss some of the ways to be perceived as a high value business by thinking of how we present ourselves with our clothing, our voice, the words we use, and our likability . Our vision and communication style helps us gain respect and increase our profits.
You can contact Mr. MacGregor via email to receive his PDF called “The River” that illustrates his posing and thought process when designing portraits
don@macgregorstudios.com
www.macgregorstudios.com
Be sure to view the World Photographic Cup- worldphotographiccup.org
Steve Saporito owned and managed 3 successful full-time portrait studios in Australia for 15 years. Since then, his training is helping home-based studio owners, wedding and portrait photographers, and large retail studio owners to deliver the highest standard of customer service possible. His focus is getting you to create artwork that excites your clients, giving you more time to enjoy your life and making more money with your photography.
In this episode of “The Profitable Photographer,” Luci Dumas talks to Steve Saporito about the importance of emphasizing the human relationship with our customers. Changing our mindset about money and thinking more about others.
“This is the whole point, when we begin to photograph something meaningful for somebody from a emotional point, clients want to hold on to that”
Luci and Steve talk about:
● Listening to your client
● Making marketing simple
● Giving our clients what they want and need, what they being searching for
There are so many things to learn as a photographer…and experiences everyone goes through in this industry in the first few years. I am not talking about the big things, like how to get clients or sell. I am talking about situations that can be awkward, disappointing or even make us question whether we should continue. You are not alone but in this episodes I discuss the pitfalls, awkward situations, and common mistakes you will only make once. I will help you know how to handle difficult clients and much more.
In this episode Luci gives advice on: ● How to deal with friends and family ● Qualifying leads when you have an interview with a client ● Being prepared/ having the right equipment ● Knowing your value and ignoring the negative comments ● Predictable mistakes and how to avoid them
Master and Photographic Craftsmen, and teachers, Tim and Bev Walden took over Walden’s Photography from Tim’s father, Bob, in the early 80s. In early1995, they created one of the most iconic and copied styles of black and white photography they named Relationship Portraiture.
In this episode, Luci and the Waldens discuss the importance of finding your vision and style. Then they share ways that they built a highly profitable high end studio by offering something very unique that comes from their heart and soul.
“Remember that you not only sell an image, but also a memory that lasts a lifetime”
Luci, Bev and Tim talk about ways to find your style such as…
-Discovering what makes your heart beat faster?
-Looking through magazines for inspiration
-Visiting galleries
In this 1-hour episode on style and how to sell it we cover:
– Taking risks – Being consistent – Gathering all the information you can, learn from podcasts, books, etc. – Getting inspired – Selling the result of your art, not the art itself – Communicating what makes your work worth investing in
This week Luci speaks with Tim Kelly. Tim is a master portrait artist, a master photographer and printmaker, a photographic craftsman, and an inducted (lifetime) member of the prestigious Cameracraftsmen of America, a group with 110 yrs of photographic history. He was also inducted into the International Society of Portrait Artists (Siena, Italy) and is a Fellow of the American Society of Photographers and a Kodak Mentor for almost 30 yrs. In other words, he is pretty good at what he does.
He has taught photography and business success for over 30 years extensively and can be found on Youtube and the occasional live event.
In this episode, Tim shares different photographers he’s studied, different painters he loves, his approach to selling prints, and how he’s honed his craft.
Luci & Tim discuss:
-The importance of finding your own style and ways to express it in your craft. -Why overdelivering on what you promise the client can be a good thing. -The balance between black and white in photography, how Tim uses it versus how other newer photographers use it. -Luci and Tim share their different approaches to what they show their clients for better sales strategies. -How he created a whole program where he was a guest artist in other cities. -Tim’s free gift to the audience is 25% off his pro shop, see code below!
A big, exciting and maybe a little scary dream to have a successful, profitable and creative photography business doing exactly what you love for wonderful, grateful clients? Or do you want to bring your business to the next level of fun and profit.? If so, then this Podcast is for you.
For over 36 years, I have made a great living as portrait and wedding business, Luci Dumas Fine Photography, with no other source of income. No rich husband or lottery winnings, through the ups and downs of the industry and economy.
Now as a business coach with Insight Training for Photographers, I love love love to support photographers who want to do the same. This podcast is full of practical business info, and insights gained from my years in business, plus interviews with amazing people. My desire is to help you along on your joyful journey to success, however that looks to you.
