schnellimages

<p>I have had this question myself. I tell them about the time I shot with food poisoning (it was for a local newspaper). I shot and then spent forty minutes 'indisposed' and then I came out and shot again. If I can shoot then, I can shoot anytime.<br /> <br /> However, I am a member of a local PPA chapter and network with several other photographers. Gary is correct that they might all be booked at the last minute. You could also tell them that if you cannot make it, they don't have to pay you, but that will be meager comfort to them. They are really just looking for reassurances. But the truth is as Gary said - don't get sick (or don't let it stop you).</p>

Harold,

I am a freelancer, and 300 sessions in a week would be a problem (though a welcome one).

 

I was looking primarily for some ideas around a marketing/promotional tie-in with this particular salon. The owner approached me about doing 'something', but not with any ideas of his own, other than offering some sort of drawing for his regulars for a free photo session from me. Something like this would probably be fine, but I know that there are some out there who have a knack for coming up with great promotions that drive business for both parties.

 

Bob

I need help.

 

I was approached by the owner of a local kids salon about doing some kind of promotion together. I have been doing

the massively aggressive marketing approach of leaving some marketing cards on his counter

 

Unfortunately, I am not very gifted when it comes to thinking up creative and effective marketing or promotional

campaigns. Other than the 'complementary photo session raffle' type thing.

 

I hope I am not out of bounds by asking - just really looking for some things that others have done that have worked

well for them. Anything to jump start my imagination.

 

 

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, certainly better than what I can come up with.

 

Thanks very much,

 

Bob

I have to agree with Wee. I have the 1D and the 40D as backup. I recently borrowed a friends 5D for a wedding and have to say that I might consider the 5D as a main camera. The image quality is beyond the other two in many ways. You have to try it with a fast lens and you will be blown away. Forget all this 'pro' flaming talk. the 1D and the 40D are wonderful, but the 5D is a gem.

Thanks to all. Every once in a while I just need a reality check with these guys.

Anton,

 

I am leery of most of these solicitations as well. I have heard great things about WPJA, and as a member of the local PPA, I can see the value of belonging. I appreciate the thoughts.

Bob

I have been contacted by a rep for the above service. For about $1 a day, they

apparently perform a lot of the legwork or improving your website (using

keywords) on search engines. I already have keywords in my metatags, but my

site is also mostly Flash - which can be a problem obviously. I realize I do

not know enough about the website/search engine world, but there it is.

 

The price is not bad - if they do what they say they will. Just curious if

anyone had any experience with them.

 

Let the trashing begin:)

 

Thanks,

 

Bob

Never thought of Craigslist. Thanks.

I am thinking of hiring a model and setting up a series of 'Bridal Portraits'

for marketing purposes. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of places

renting (or loaning) bridal gowns? I am going to ask around locally, but

wanted to know if i was crazy for trying.

 

Thanks,

 

Bob

No, I wouldn't want it to be my only look, but it is interesting in some situations.

 

Thanks.

All,

 

I was just curious what the thoughts were on the possible lighting used in

Blair Buntings portrait work. Here is his site:

 

http://www.blairbunting.com/index2.php

 

I am very impressed (and more than a little jealous of this young

photographer's work), but really like the quality of the light on his candid

work under the lifestyle & portrait section.

 

Am I overthinking this?

 

Thoughts are always welcome.

 

Bob

Thanks folks. I agree that it does not make sense to spend too much on what may end up in the trash. However, I hesitate to simply give out something on plain paper (especially when targeting the well-heeled market). I like the folder idea D.J. and is what I am mvoing towards.

 

Thanks again.

 

Bob

I was wondering how other photographers present their pricing and package

information. Do you use preprinted folders (what I have been doing), special

printed cards, leather bound folios, carrier pigeons?

 

Just curious what some others are doing.

 

Thanks for your time.

 

Bob

Thanks folks - all are very useful, and exactly what I was looking for.

I am looking for a recommendation for a small softbox for a hotshoe flash -

more accurately, one that will fit on the flash if I want to use off camera.

I know Westcott makes something, but I am looking for thoughts and

recommendations on other options.

 

Thanks,

 

Bob

I want to create a template that I can drop my images into when posting to my

blog. I feel like I going around my elbow to... well, you know.

I suspect this is simple, but I am blanking on the correct way to do this.

What I want is basically a heavy white boarder that is wieghted at the bottom,

so that I can drop my logo into it.

 

Someone have any suggestions, or can point me to a resource?

 

thanks.

 

Bob

Awesome.

They do seem to have created quite a few enemies. I can only say that MY experience with them has been pretty good. Hosting with them does seem to make a world of difference. But it is inexcusable for there to be anyone having these levels of trouble with them.

Chris,

I do not think you are doing anything wrong, based on what you stated. I would go into their service ticket page on their website and put in a 911 support ticket. You can also send an email with 911 in the subject line. That usually wakes them up. Ask them for more complete assistance than you have been getting. I know it is frustrating (been there/done that). I would also say that you will get more bees with honey, than with vinegar - if you know what I mean.

Hope that helps. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions. I have been with them for a couple of years now. I know their c/s needs some work, but I think you will be happy with the site once it is up.

Bob

Thanks folks. The transform warp tool was what I was looking for.

 

Bob

I believe I have seen this technique somewhere, but cannot figure out where. I

want to make it look like I am wrapping a label image (company logo) around a

image of a bottle in CS3. I feel like it is right in front of my but I cannot

think of it.

 

Any assistance would be great. Thanks,

 

Bob

Stewart,

I think Micheal may have a point about simply replacing the blades. However, you may also want the up to date features of the newer cameras. I have a 1D MkII and love it to death. I did just buy a 40D from a friend as an updated 2nd. I like many of the features (the huge screen on the back is nice), but doubt I would ever use it as my primary camera - at least at this point. I have played around a little with the MkIII and it is significantly lighter than the MkII, but the recalls would cause me some concern as well. The 5D has amazingly clean files, and is really my next choice.

 

Bob

I'm sorry, I guess I don't understand. Are these work images? Are you a professional photographer? Or are these simply snapshots (regardless of how good) of your life together? If so, why not simply run several DVD's of these images and be done with it. It is only time (and really not that much I would think). I did this for my ex of the shots I had of the kids. Put everything into a folder and ran a action on them. No big deal. Of course, we have a pretty good relationship. Don't understand the drama. Not judging though:)

Britney,

 

I have used WHCC quite a bit in the past year and am very happy with them. I would not say there boxes are presentable though. If you mean that they are nice enough to give to clients. The prints are very well protected, but they ain't fancy. I would go with one of the suppliers you mentioned. I have used Rice Studio Supply, and they are quite good as well.

 

Bob

David,

 

Good point, which was in the back of my mind as well.

Stacy,

 

I agree that it is frustrating. If you look at their blog, there are always these cutesy posts from their staff "hey, whe're working through the night to get this new site up, hey, we got stuck in Vegas for WPPI and we are behind, etc". My feelings are that they are big enough to hire more staff. You cannot run this kind of business like it's out of your dorm room.

On the upside, I believe you still have time to switch templates if you wish, as long as they have not started on the Madison site yet.

 

Good luck.