You see, we’ve been creating these Fairy Portraits for about 8 years so far. Girls love them! We’ve even taking it up a notch and started Fairy Days, where we book out fairy sessions all day long, every thirty minutes.

Moms even yank their daughters from school so they can make these special days. The girls love posing for them, and the parents love buying them. Easy sale, great marketing!

What to do for boys?
We considered Peter Pan, Wizards and Knights, but I believe we’ve hit on the perfect solution: Rock Stars!

When you create a “themed portrait” like this, you need to create something that will resonate with the child. They have to want to participate in, be a part of, get involved and look forward to. That’s why Fairy Portraits are so popular with little girls.

With girls it’s all about magic, romance, poetry and pretty. With boys, it’s all about being hip, cool, grungy and, well, letting that inner bad *ss show through. These sessions are fantasy, they touch on the alter ego, so to speak. And of course the parents must love it too. And when it comes to Rock Star portraits, they do.

Of course they need to speak to the parents as well, so there will be enough demand and profits.

The props and scene
My main backdrop is a 4′x8′ fake brick panel wall that I hired a local graffiti kid to come in and paint up for a few bucks. I also use my Fender Stratocaster guitar. I even bought a small skate board for $12. at Walmart.

Some parents bring in their own jackets, bandannas, and guitars. I was amazed at the results. Boys who I knew very well and thought were reserved showed a side that I never knew they had. They were right into it!

Simple lighting and layout
Two lights and a backdrop, that’s all there is to this. The boys are placed up against the wall and the images are work flowed. I created a quick and dirty video for you to see how I bring it all together in photoshop. This 5 minute video will reveal the basic techniques and work flow I use to give these images that little extra punch…:

You can be quite successful by most conventional measurements simply by applying this Norman Vincent Peale inspired success formula with persistence:

• Decide exactly what it is you want.
• Make it a primary goal.Make it big. Make it important.
• Establish a series of yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily objectives to achieve that goal.
• Fight the urge to give up along the way. This is easiest when you have clarity.

My own experience bears this out: you can achieve almost anything you want in life – even if you don’t have much faith in your own abilities.

Lack of self-confidence, Peale said, “is one of the great problems besetting people today.”

He makes reference to a survey of college students indicating that for 75 percent of them, confidence was the thing most lacking in their life.

No one know this more than I do. No one was more afraid, lost and burdened with the stress of life than I.

Just last night over supper with friends we were recounting our early 20′s (we’re all in our 50′s now, healthier, wealthier and wiser…)

I told our friends about how petrified I was when I was 21. Working full time in a darkroom.

Loving it, good at it. But ready for change and ready to start a new job photographing school photos for a large national company.

That first year shooting was horrible. I was in a constant state of panic it seemed. I had anxiety attacks that were unrelenting.

When asked how long that went on for, I answered: “A whole year.”

It took me one whole year of photographing hundreds and thousands of students to finally, FINALLY get a handle on it.

In the second year I started to get a sense a confidence. I started a new skill set in those early years. But I had a long way to go.

“Imagine if you would have been stuck in that prison the rest of your life?” was a comment.

“Yes, I know that! I always look back at those years and wonder what would have happened had I let the fears and anxieties rule me. Rule my destiny. What if I would have embraced it and made it my closest friend, my dearest ally? What problems would have and could have arose? What medications would I have chosen to eventually fight that battle?”

Crazy stuff when I think about it.

“The blows of life, the accumulation of difficulties, the multiplication of problems tend to sap energy and leave you spent and discouraged,” Peale says.

In such situations, “it is easy to lose track of your abilities and powers” – but by re-appraising your personal assets, you can convince yourself that “you are less defeated than you think you are.”

Part of me is glad I went through all those times. They made me who I am now. But I persisted. I did not let myself get defeated. Easy? Not for a second. Worth it? What do you think?

I grew because I persisted. I faced the fears and moved ahead in spite of them. I created goals. I studied and fed my mind a constant flow of books, seminars and new ideas. I pushed hard.

I fought the demons that tried so hard to rule me.

And you can too. Be true to yourself.

Be fearless my friend.

It’s easy, all you need to do is tap into one of the very best marketing strategies available- publicity.

Publicity is great because it’s free, it’s believable and is by far more effective than any other form of marketing- paid or un-paid. You can do what I’ve been doing in my studio for decades now- tap into publicity and take advantage of this amazing marketing tool.

Here’s what you need:
A story. It has to be something interesting, and NOT, I repeat, NOT self-serving.

The media and the people in your community will shut you down if you create publicity that is either boring (boring is a big sin!) or is totally ego-filled and self-serving.

Always make it interesting, and this is easy to do, especially for photographers.

I have been on local TV, radio, in exhibits and countless times in the local press over the years. The amount of media I have received is priceless, and I continue to use publicity every chance I get.

Let me share some ideas and stories of what I have been doing for publicity just this past year. I hope this will give you some ideas and inspiration for your own studio. Although traditionally publicity has been big media, nowadays we use it in social media, blog posts, one on one contact, slide shows, group presentations and displays to name a few variations and angles.

Piggy back onto an event
This is easy and brain dead simple. Look into all the non-profit events in your area and see if any fit where you can offer to create some dynamic images and get free publicity in return for your efforts.

Only last year we participated in many, including the United Way photo contest (above) that they ran through the local high schools. (that’s me at the back) The second photo (below) is a media shot used for the judging of that contest.

I asked the local camera store guy if he would help out. I thought it was key to get a big camera store outlet involved for added punch to this publicity effort.

We’ve also helped the United Way and photographed their human logo created by 800 school students, from a helicopter at over 1,000 feet in the air. Scary! But fun….(no photo available) Another event we piggy backed onto was the first ever “Savour The Street.” This was a real who’s who, where all the best restaurants teamed up as an organization, and had 200 local people seated on one long table. Each person paid $100.00 to sit and partake in this non-profit culinary adventure.

Another event we piggy backed onto was the first ever “Savour The Street.”
This was a real who’s who, where all the best restaurants teamed up as an organization, and had 200 local people seated on one long table.

Each person paid $100.00 to sit and partake in this non-profit culinary adventure. Below is a “rooftop” photo I shot during the event…one of many I created. I also created a fun slide show of the whole event and it went viral.

Here’s a local event that I participated in and got huge publicity in return:

It was a Family Fun Day….see the bottom portion where it mentions a free family photo?
That was me. We set up, shot families (only a few poses) all day long. Got huge amounts of exposure and publicity. It included an ad, a booth at the event and not to mention the one on one with so many families….

Another self-made event I helped with was  with a local athlete who was trying to get to the Olympics…I created a series of images, here’s one of many:

Create an event
If there isn’t an event in your area that you can piggy back with, create your own! I have created many over the years and here’s a few from last year and on-going for the upcoming year.

The midwifery project- Last year I created an event affiliated with the local midwifery clinic. I created a series of images documenting an expectant family with the idea being that I would end it with a photo essay documenting the actual birth.

This was fun, creative and a great publicity outlet- not to mention the fact that the clinic has hundreds of clients going through each year- all qualified leads

Midwivery clinic panel- Again, with the local midwifery clinic, I pitched this idea for publicity. Have about 30 couples who had a baby delivered last year through the clinic come in the studio, on their own. I will photograph each family, and then stitch together a long panorama of all these families and babies. They will use this for decor, along side all the other images I shot on display in the clinic. This brings all all those qualified leads into our studio.

Travel Photography seminar- My wife and I travel a fair amount and I have taken tens of thousands of photographs. I contacted the local travel agent we use and are teaming up to put on an informative and exciting presentation on tips for taking great travel photos.

Restaurant display- Okay, a local display may not be big media, but in the right place thousands will see the display every month. I’ve taken it up a notch by working with the owners of a local restaurant where I currently display and am creating a series, a photo essay, of the restaurant itself. We’re after story shots and such; images that will be suitable to use on the walls in the restaurant.
Above: This is only one sample of the many images I created from the photo series
I shot of one of our cities most popular restaurants….
 
Eight is enough- We have a family that comes to us every year for a portrait. They have eight children. Wonderful! I love kids and asked them if I could document their lives one day. They said sure, this is sorta like a reality show. Who isn’t curious what it’s like living in a house with eight kids?

From their last session:

Affiliate with organizations
I do a load of work with local organizations and get huge amounts of free publicity. Here’s a few:

The Symphony- Free tickets, plugs on their website and ads in the programs, and in the slide show that runs during the interlude at each concert.

The Theatre- Same as with the symphony. Huge exposure through these affiliations and I get to participate in fundraisers and auctions as well.

Local Retailers- The owner of the local bridal shop mentioned to one day that she thought it would be cool to do a winter “Trash The Dress”. I said: “Let’s do it!” She uses the images in her store, at wedding shows and in her ads, with studio mention of course.

Senior Portraits- I just contacted and was approved to work with a local high school. Here’s was my pitch. I offered to create, and possibly fund raise with the student council, a series of motivational type images, using their athletes and sporting activities. This was an idea that one of the teachers came up with so I jumped on it. I showed them a sample image, which happens to be their team quarterback.

Get on TeeVee:
I did. With my friend Mike.

We applied and got on ManTracker, which is viewed all over North America.

Although not photography related, it added huge celebrity buzz for us. There were news articles, radio interviews and teevee appearances.

Fun! Read about that show on their website HERE

There are hundred of ideas that will work in any town or city, any size. I love publicity. One of the best resources I created for photography studios that you can use for your photography marketing is the  Publicity Manual I created and the Publicity video presentation…Read about those HERE

ANNOUNCING….
June 2, 2013 Fairy Portraits One Day

HANDS -ON Workshop

Join us and we’ll give complete A -Z blueprints for  photographing fairy portraits
as part of your photography business.

In this intensive hands on one day workshop I will go through each of steps you need to master in order to grow this profitable addition.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Read what Carol had to say in her recent email to me…..(I get many like this!…)

Hi Rob; I just wanted to give you props on your Enchanted Forest Portrait lessions! I bought your program about two years ago and my Enchantment portraits have skyrocketed! My husband and I just recently built a new home and over the Christmas holiday I was without a studio to photograph in so I set up at a temporary shop at a local mall and shot nothing but Enchantment portraits. I grossed over $12,000 just in these portraits in less than two months shooting only three days per/week! I’ve received over $5,000 in additional orders since then! We are now in our new home, which also has a new studio in the basement and I have become known as the photographer who does the cool Fairy Portraits in my area! Thanks to you, I’ve found a niche that has helped grow my business tremendously! I’ve done as young as newborns and as old as adult in this set! I’ve even done dogs and cats! It’s crazy how it’s taken off for me!

 

Thank you so much for introducing me to this great idea! I’ve attached a sticky album with some of my images! I couldn’t recommend this more! Any suggestions on how I could improve my images would be greatly appreciated!

Friends….

Last night we had a webinar with Tana Lemay on the elements of design.

In this webinar I decided to take a unique and entertaining approach. I put the call out to have members who were struggling with their studio reception area to send in some images of their studios and Tana would give some real time, live consultations and ideas.

This is truly powerful stuff!

Every photographer who is serious about selling their services for top dollar needs to take this message very serious. There is pure GOLD in it.

Tana presented a quick overview of design elements before reviewing the members images.

She mentioned the NUMBER ONE, the big KAHUNA, the grand daddy of all elements of design is…drum roll please…..
HARMONY.

This is hard to describe however. But she gave an excellent analogy….

You walk into a room, and it just feels right. The brain resonates and all sorts of synapses fire off in glorious harmony and visual dance.

I couldn’t help but think of when my wife walks into a top notch spaand she comes home and described it to me. Sounds like heaven!

Have you ever been to one? You know, you walk in, and it’s like …wow! What  a place….!!

We, as photographers need that.

Why? The main reason is it reflects the quality of our work and more importantly it advances the sales process.

Tana also mentioned that the industry is doing very well. We looked at some images from other studios that are well designed (you need to see this to believe it) and there are many, many successful studios out there.

She did say she speaks with many photographers who are in their first or second year, and she often doesn’t get them as clients for another year or two.

But eventually they do come to her (her company delivers some of the best framing services out there. Very exclusive, attractive and she only sells to photographers, not to the consumer market.)

Why? Because many aren’t ready. Many, she told me, are not serious about their studios yet. They need confidence. They need to make that “switch” where they realize they can’t sell their services for $200.00 for a CD of digital files.

She said, tongue in cheek, “bottle confidence and sell it to photographers and you’ll make a million tomorrow…”

Like I said, there’s a ton of gold in what she said.

Tana, and her company, Wild Sorbet, is plugged into the market.

Here’s a few things you ought to do right now:

*Go Like Wild Sorbet on FaceBook HERE
*Check out Wild Sorbet products HERE
*If you want to watch the replay of that webinar, and tap into a goldmine of wealth creating marketing and success strategies for your photography studio, join us HERE

Remember, Wild Sorbet only caters to legit studio owners, so not everyone will be qualified. However, if you want to ramp it up, Wild Sorbet is one of the rare gems that will help you achieve the levels of success you yearn for.

Talent Is Over Rated

“I have no particular talent. I am merely inquisitive.”

~Albert Einstein~

Some photographers have the erroneous belief that talent, photographic  talent, is an innate, programmed in their DNA, born-with skill set.
A ‘gift’, so to speak.

Truth is, greatness, talent, creative works, and just about all success’s are learned behaviors. It doesn’t come from DNA but from practice and perseverance honed over decades.

Whether you believe in what I’m saying or not matters not. The good news is, you can grow your skills (talents) through perseverance, hard work and practice.

If you’re upset, threatened by what I’m saying and totally disagree, let’s duke it out. I wanna hear what you gotta say, ‘cuz I’m coming in all guns a blazing in total defense of what I’m saying here. Keep reading for more of why I believe this so strongly.

If anyone tries to discourage you and lead you into believing you must be born with ‘the gift’, don’t for  a second listen to any of that utter nonsense.

Photography is a learned skill set. Just like playing music. You get better with time and practice.

Unfortunately, many believe, because of the magical qualities inherent in photography, and the intrinsic ‘glamorousness’ in being called a  photographer, that photography is a sublime, mysterious, noble, rare and sacred gift from the gods. Bullshit.

This creates a load of confusion. To know better gives you an advantage. Let me explain.

I see many photogs and aspiring photogs showing up at events and workshops to listen to their fave photog speak. This is all fine and dandy, but if you have the wrong mindset, you won’t be maximizing the return on time and money invested when attending  photographic workshops and seminars.

Instead, you’ll be mesmerized and in awe. The bigger the name, the more the awe level. The big name marquis celeb speaker will leave you with a sense of amazement, maybe a tad more.

Instead of grabbing and cultivating as many legit strategies and principles that you can borrow and roll into your own photography and photography business, you’ll swim into the egotistically driven experience. We tend to do this as humans and photographers, in my opinion, are extra vulnerable.

Notice I threw in the word “business” in there. That’s a hint in case you missed the big picture.

Sitting at the foot of the guru seems to be enough.

The alternative is, go for knowledge. Take notes. Grab ideas and make them your own. Action, action, action trumps everything everytime.

Grab inspirations that evolve in your mind, and when you get back to your studio, practice. Yes, practice. Too many just think about this, or worse yet, wait until their next paid gig to practice whatever ideas and inspirations visit upon them.

And then they flop. Why?

Lack of practice. It’s that simple and boils down to discipline. Give me discipline over talent any day.

I used to, and still do, harp on this over and over when speaking to large groups of photographers. We’re no different, not better than any other creative discipline.

When a symphony musician has to learn a piece, they don’t show up at rehearsal never having practiced anything. They must study and practice until their fingers bleed. Or pay hell with maestro.

With musicians, it’s obvious. You don’t know the piece, it sounds like crap.

In photography, many people/clients/photogs lack judgement or discernment and believe what they see is a  great photograph.

Until they see something better, and get educated. Therein lies the opportunity to show your clients something better and educate them on quality.

Many photographers, unfortunately, are prey to their own weakness’s and egos. And the BS shoveled by others.

They think they have enough because the got some gear, and a great logo. Herein lies the opportunity for you to know this, and rise above the cacophony and noise of traveling with the ego circus.

The more you lean on your laurels the more they will tend to become wreaths. This field, in order to be successful is far more about self-discipline, passion and business.

Yes, you must suffer for your craft. This is not a new idea. Musicians know it. Anyone who has honed their “talents” to the point of creative mastery knows it. There are no shortcuts.

Output looks easy to the outsider who looks in says naive statements like: “Oh, he/she is so creative. A natural!…”

Nonsense. There is no such thing as natural. What you don’t see is the endless hours of hard work and dedication. That is the true source of talent. Yes, yes, we can have a predisposition for certain skills. But unless we put ourselves into the right circumstances these remain latent. The DNA in us never wakes up.

The key of course, is to put ourselves in those circumstances through discipline and focus.

Now get to it. And get good.

There’s a consistent, almost predictable behavior pattern with many photographers who are successful.

I’ve noticed this many years ago. I also noticed it in myself, and have attributed this
set of behaviors to my own success.

These behaviors I can almost guarantee, will propel you to stratospheric heights.

Then why don’t most apply and take advantage of these behaviors? You’re guess is as good as mine, but if there’s one simple word that could possibly explain it. That word is attitude.

Sounds old fashioned, but some things never change.

And the list of behaviors is timeless. Let’s look at that list right now….

#1-Successful photographers are always hungry for knowledge.

They know that in this field, staying on top, staying fresh in our photography and in our marketing is vital.

Successful photographers never whine about speakers who are selling stuff at conventions.

They know that the information most speakers have is valuable, and you can take that photographer home with you by investing in their education materials.

I have shelves and boxes filled with educational materials.

Losers have big egos that get in the way or cause them to get creative in the excuse department.

#2- Successful photographers are not afraid of criticism. And I don’t mean evil, mean spirited criticism. Or sour grapes, knew jerk jealous comments from losers who have no place in offering input.

But valuable critiques from other photographer who are qualified to help.

In last nights part four in the Wizard of Light Advanced Training series with Kirsten Lewis, she spend half the webinar, about an hour, on critiquing other photographers work on their websites.

And the photographer who bravely submitted their work, and the rest of who were in attendance, we all benefited. In a big way.

I was blown away! Someone as talented and insightful as Kirsten has  a lot to offer. Seriously mind blowing stuff. Even I, with my 54 year old calcified brain was inspired, excited, pumped and giddy like a little girl.

This is one way to stay young, vibrant and alive! But you must be open. A closed minded photographer is nothing more than a fool And a fool is is losing out.

Don’t be a fool.

#3- Successful photographers are never too proud to take on jobs that are “below” them. Especially when starting out!

I take on loads of little, dinky jobs. Warne Noyce shoots dance schools. Ansel Adams shot school pictures.

As a matter of fact, Ansel is quoted as saying that he learned more from the “bread and butter” photography than anything else.

Al Gilbert shot passports when I last spoke with him. And he was nearing 80 yrs old. And still considered on of the best photographers in North America.

Don’t be too proud to take on jobs. Unless of course you have no time because you’re way too busy. But many small jobs, be they donations to community causes or small time gigs, will keep you active, learning, and earning.

#4- Successful photographers are not quitters. I know, some people realize it’s not for them. Or, they get offered a “real job” and opt for the security and golden hand cuffs.

But successful photographer who are very, very serious about making it, don’t quit.

And they don’t start and stop all the time, jumping from one piece of equipment to another, one forum to another, never truly committing to their personal drive and passion.

It takes guts and commitment. It’s that simple. Your level of desire must rise above, way above your pain threshold and your inner weakness that makes you give in to the pain.

Let me repeat that…..your level of desire to succeed must be way, way bigger than the pain, fear and desire to quit.

#5- Successful photographers chose good role models and mimic their work through practice. We all have role models. Those who produce work that truly inspires us to want to reach great heights.

Musicians have them too. They all talk about the music they listened to in their formative years and how it inspired them.

Laura P, a member of No Bs Photo Success,  asked me while ago about taking one of those home study photography courses.

You know, the one from New York… I told her not to bother.

Instead, get out there and shoot, shoot, shoot.

What will happen is this: Not only will she be getting technical mastery over her gear and adding to her ability to “see the light”, but  in time inspiration will seep into her life and she will begin to find direction, purpose and focus on the style of photographer she is evolving into.

And part of that is finding other successful photographers that inspire her. It’s all part of the journey. Be open. Be true to your journey and let others inspire you.

Throw it away, and your throwing away part of your journey.

Hey, I SUFFER for my craft. I demand perfection from myself. I don’t always get it, but I demand it nevertheless.

It’s why I teach and preach and try to reach out to other photographers who have the same passion and drive as I do.

I love teaching, because I learn as much as the student. I put on more webinars, workshops and tutorials each month than anyone out there. Why?

I luv learning…it’s that simple.

If I hated it, why would I do it?

Luving it is a big enough why for me….hopefully you too

I created my workflow approach based on time saving strategies.

Below, a “real” time video of a fairy portrait. Start to finish about 4 minutes…check it out…

All you need is a few props and a little girl aged three to eight. We create these in our studio and I can vouch that moms (and the young girls too!) go gaga over these.
They are one of the easiest images to create and market.

These images make great, eye popping images that stop people in their tracks and will attract new customers. I’ve displayed these samples in restaurants, grocery stores, shopping malls and dance supply shops.
Of course any shop where little girls, and their moms shop is ideal to show these images off so look around and find a few spots to place a print or two near you.

Twice a year in our studio we offer these sessions as a special promotion at a special deal and offer them at regular pricing the rest of the year. Each promotion books out solid.
The lighting and props

Notice how the main light is angled? Those type of image works better when you create strong shadows and definition, avoid flat lighting that I see a lot of from other photographers. Main light placement is key here!
The props are easy to gather, many of which can be found at dept stores, art supply stores and craft shops. You can even build your own mushroom using some plaster and glue. the pond is a 4ft x4ft mirror plexiglass available at your glass suppliers, typically about $150.00. Put it all together and you have a real live enchanted forest right there in your studio.

In this image, you can see step by step how all the props are assembled in our studio before we create our fairy sessions…:

Production and workflow tips:
One of the key aspects to creating these images is the workflow. I have created a workflow video for you to enjoy. In it, you will see how we in our studio have created a photoshop system that is fast, efficient and profitable. Check it out….

Of course, if you really want to dig in deep and start shooting fairies in your photography studio, check out my Fairy Success system. Just about everyone who has followed this system has created great results and success. I`ve seen it over and over….

Yours in photography,