Dirk Witt is the lab rep for Midsouth Color Lab, a professional photographic service that caters to the photographer that requires excellence both in the printing and service. A photographer himself since 1992, he joined Midsouth in 2008 and has become a good friend and part of Luci’s success team.
Having a great relationship/ with a lab/becoming part of their “family” is an essential element in growing and maintaining a highly profitable business and this episode covers lots of basics as to why and how to get the best from them
In this episode, Luci and Dirk discuss:
The benefits of having a relationship with a photo lab
How to work with a great lab and grow your business
Color and composition when printing photos and how to adjust it to one’s own desire
Key Takeaways:
Wall portraits are the most profitable items
Stick to what is known to be most trustworthy in times where technology is changing and transitioning
Get familiar with a single lab that you know will provide you the best quality service, being partners and help each other to achieve the desired goal
“Partners, we like to be partners. We want to help each other and help them lift their photography to the best it can be” — Dirk Witt
This week’s fantastic guest is award winning Master Craftsman Jeannie Hobbs. Jeannie has been creating images since she held her first camera at the age of five. Working in the family studio since 1988, she is the studio’s main photographer. Jeannie often speaks to other photography groups, does private mentoring and promotes the ideals of the photographic industry with her service to the industry. In this episode, Luci and Jeannie discuss:
Capturing the emotions of vulnerable moments through her photos
The new photography trends and Jeannie’s take on them
The components of a classic photo that will be timeless
Key Takeaways:
Capturing timeless photos being her niche versus succumbing to trends
If a customer has a set aesthetic, she will adapt to it but she will notify them about it being a trend
Going to a professional photo session creates a memory and experience that will otherwise be absent when going to someone who is not a professional
“I think that classic portrait just means well posed, clients are well connected, they clearly act as a family unit and they are not too far away from each other you can see some family dynamics and all of that, I think it is just relatively traditional, and classic and timeless and will always be fantastic on their wall.” — Jeannie Hobbs
Managing and protecting your precious your files, using your time wisely when editing, and staying organized is an important part of being profitable as a photographer. If your photographs disappear or become corrupted, there is potential for huge financial losses. Andrew is an expert in this area and has taught thousands of photographers his system for staying safe and streamline at the same time.
In this episode, Luci and Andrew discuss:
Should photographers use a RAID storage system and what are some alternatives?
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) Units (Battery Backups). Why you might want to install one or more in your home or studio, and when you don’t really need them.
What to do to protect your computers and data drives during electrical storms.
Docks and hubs, and an important thing to consider when using them.
Why Apple’s Time Machine can be a lifesaver for your data. Windows has a similar option that comes with Windows 10 and some earlier Windows OS versions called File History, and a popular 3rd party application called “Genie Timeline” can also be used.
A simple system for “syncing” your data from one location to another. Andrew recommends Get Backup Pro (belightsoft.com/products/getbackup).
Online backup systems and specific things to consider when choosing one. Andrew recommends BackBlaze.com and Crashplan.com.
How to manage your smartphone photos and videos.
Tips for optimizing your computer’s performance and reducing the chances of losing data.
What to do if your external drive does not mount.
Media card management: Should you delete photos on your camera?
A simple backup strategy to help avoid losing the photos and videos on your media cards.
A printing tip to speed up your output without sacrificing quality.
“Success in my mind is being able to do what you would like to do, with whom you would like to do it, when you’d like to do it, and also be a good citizen while you do it.” — Andrew Darlow
Networking can be fun and profitable with vendors in your niche
Jennie Edwards is a photographer and videographer who helps entrepreneurs create and share their message online to make a bigger impact in the world. She teaches how to show up confidently and vulnerably, in alignment with their branding and values.
Over the last 12 years, Jennie has run a successful business of empowering her clients to grow their audience, connect authentically, and gain greater clarity of their goals and vision through their video and photographs. She is offering a guided audio recording Design Your Optimal Day to get clarity on and manefest your goals and dreams at www.yourdynamicstory.com/optimalday.
In this episode, Luci and Jennie discuss:
A networking strategy to create endless referrals for your photography business.
Building relationships through self-talk and expanding your comfort zone.
How selflessly serving others leads to joy and opportunities.
At bridal shows, an open booth that allows potential clients to come into your domain is a subtle way of becoming a trusted advisor.
There’s a kind of force that’s grateful when you give to others that open channels for prosperity, profitability, and abundance.
The abundance of love that you share with your family and friends, the contribution that you give back to your community, in turn, helps to create more change in the world like positivity and joy.
“Circle of Friends is a group of all different types of our favorite wedding vendors who gather monthly to share ideas, have a mastermind session and get to know one another on a deeper level so we can collaborate and ultimately work together more often .” – Jennie Edwards
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.
