german

Thanks Dave. Writing this press release (and following the "proper procedures for effective press releases" guidelines) is not being easy. It looks like I have to change the whole point of view, like you mention, to the bride's -- "logico!" as my Spanish friends would say!

I'll use the free online press distribution web sites for now (until I see they really want to charge me something). Then I'll see about going to the library!

Thanks again,

German

Hey,

no problem.

It's been recommended, by the powers that be (WPPI convention 2007) that one needs to send 1 press release a month for the 1st 3 months of trying to do business in a new location/market, then 1 every other month for a certain time, and then reduce it even further from there. That's the whole rationale of sending a press release.

In my case it would be returning to a location.

We need to be in people's minds at all times. The more the merrier. Hence the press releases, advertising, mailiers, etc. (I heard something like the possible client has to see our name at least 7 times before he/she decides to give us a call.)

In any event, thanks again for points brought up in your reponse. Namely: 1) business does not have to be about us but about the people we serve, so, I may have to soften the way I come across. It's been said that people don't necessarily go with the "best with the mostest", but with the one that is not going to mess up.

And 2) I may not need that "Hollywood" gallery (supporting my claim to fame!) but I can just have a link to my "other work" somewhere in there (linking to said Hollywood portfolio somewhere else).

Hey Conrad,

Thanks for your comment. Now, it seems to me that you are the one with a chip on your shoulder.

Thanks again though for your point of view.

Best,

G.

Hey,

I started writing a release (to be placed in the free oline press release

services).

Here's the beginning. Please let me know what you think, what you would

change, etc.

Hollywood, Wedding and Special Event Photographer Returns to Southern California

Los Angeles, California. June 11, 2007. German Silva, Hollywood wedding and

special event photographer returns to Los Angeles this summer to document some

of Southern California?s most stylish weddings.

(There is the headline, that would hopefully grab people's attention, and the

first paragraph, answering the 5 W's -- who, what, where, when and why.)

(Explanation: I would be returning to L.A. -- where I used to photograph

weddings and Hollywood's special events -- after two years of being in Utah.)

Thanks,

German S.

Hey,

thanks guys for your point of view and advise. (You may have saved me a bunch of money!)

At marketing source they have a good guide to use in writing our own press releases (http://www.marketingsource.com/pressreleases/pr_ebook.pdf).

Now, they charge way too much to distribute them and of course there is no guarantee that anybody will ever see the release in print.

When I started checking these services today I was of the idea it would be $20 or a bit more for the service to distribute said release (for that is how much they charged me to distribute a previous p. r. here in Utah). I guess pricing is "a bit" different for L.A.! Some people told me they read about my services in the local papers when I used said service here.

In any case, I'll have to see if I find another service to distribute them without the high cost and also use money for a more direct approach (advertising!) as suggested.

Thanks again.

G.

Hi,

does anyone use a service to write and distribute press releases (regarding

your wedding photography business)?

Can you recommend a good one for Los Angeles, California?

Can you mention your experience with sending it to the local press (at about

$99) or for internet distribution ($300)?

Thanks,

German S.

Thanks Dawn.

$10,000 from $250! Now that's a good investment!

I like the fact that they may get us up there with Google. I'll have to think about this -- or just jump in!

Thanks again,

German

Thank you guys. Although I've seen some high money wedding photographers' names in there (Cherie Steinberg Cote, Los Angeles, for example), their site (Party Pop's) does not say "high class" to me.

I may have to search for other avenues, like getting in touch with wedding planners, which I am starting to do already, and which has been suggested by some great photographers here.

Thanks again,

German S.

Jackie,

do you have their basic package?

Please let me know.

Thanks,

G.

Hi,

What is your current experience with PartyPop.com regarding advertising? (I

know there are some older discussions on the subject, but I'd like to know what

is going on now with them.)

Has it worked for you?

Please let me know.

Thanks,

German

Thanks guys,

Well. I've gone with Google for now. I'll give it a try and see how it works. I used to advertise with Overture way back when and I was not entirely happy with them.

If anybody else has some info on this I'll appreciate it.

Thanks again,

German

what's been your best bet for paid advertising between Google and Yahoo?

I am considering both for pay per click (or the best of the two).

I was creating an account with Overture (which is now with Yahoo) and decided

to stop and check out both companies first.

[Google (GOOG) is doing quite well as a company, selling stock at about $487 a

share, while Yahoo (YHOO) only sells for $28 a share. Yahoo's share of the

market went down 28% last April, if I am not mistaken. I have not seen how much

Google might have gone up though.]

What's been your experience as far as advertising with them?

Please let me know.

Thanks,

German S.

Good ideas! I like the Holga and Polaroid pictures.

And here's the goodie bag idea, from Athene, in Canada:

One thing I want to implement, but nver get around to doing it is a "gift bag" to hand to my brides when they book

a nice bag with small important but often over looked things inside.

1. small sewing kit

2. extra white / black buttons

3. breath mints or gum

4. shout wipes or tide pens

5. Local bridal magazine that of course is book marked at my ad

6. a note pad or "bridal check list" of course with my logo on it LOL

7. pen or pencil

8. coupons from other venders (bridal boutique, cake shop etc..)

all in a nice little tool bag with a pretty ribbon

the issue is .. how much do i want to spend on these?? I can get the mags for free, because i have an ad inside they will supply them no problem, coupons no problem, everythign else including the bag is cost worthy... can't figure out how to bring the costs down!.

Thanks Marc.

I usually include a coupon for a free, black and white newborn/baby or mother and child portrait photo session when I hand my wedding clients their photos or albums. It seems to be the next logical step.

or rent-a-groom!

Hey, somebody just suggested a gift bag (a la Hollywood) to be given upon booking, with things they bride and groom will need on their wedding day, plus wedding magazines (we may get for free) with our ad (if that is the case), and with information about/from other vendors (that we work with!). I am asking her for permission to quote her. We'll see what happens.)

I am sure other vendors we work with would love the idea, since we are one of the first vendors the future brides and grooms book/visit. (Hey, we can give it even if we are not booked on our 1st meeting, provided it has our info in there, of course.)

Nice!

Greg, I was thinking of the 4x5 as an add on as well. There's not a whole lot of time to do that during the wedding day itself, though we might have to squeeze it in there, somehow.

I do think of nice watercolor prints though, like made by Jonathan Penney. It would make for a good sell. (Those are not cheap.)

Dave, the painted stuff could be produced on watercolor paper or on real canvas. Several labs do that. (I don't want to "name names" since I don't want this to be an infomercial!)

Steve, thanks for the info on the music. I am looking into music bakery (here's a name) but did not find what I needed. I'll keep searching.

I assisted on a boudoir, pre-wedding photo session (the day of the wedding, before her getting ready) back in Hollywood (about 7 years ago). Very nice looking young girl, as you may imagine. In any case, that is a very good idea too. (Not all markets may take you up on the offer though!)

By the way, I've seen fine art prints (about 6 feet by 4 feet) on hand-made paper (sort of water color). They were very nice! (It would be tons of money to produce, but it would sell well, to the right client.)

Hey Steve,

where did you get the music for your web site? It sounds pretty good.

Hi,

Here's something I was thinking about.

Business, all business, need to diferentiate themselves, otherwise is all the

same ..... (you know what).

Now, can we start a free flow of ideas of things we can do differently than the

rest of the wedding photographers out there? A brainstorming session.

Many of us have ideas that we don't implement, so don't be shy and just share

it. Somebody might implement it for you! (And though we might be competing

with each other, we are all in different parts of the country, so, let's just

share and grow together!)

And let' s not restrict ouselves, no matter how crazy the idea(s) might be.

For example, one thing I have in my mind, that may not be too practical, but

it's an idea nonethelss, is this:

Shoot some of the portraits with a 4x5 camera, on Type 55 Polaroid film. It

may not be practical, but images from said camera on said film are awesome!

What's your idea?

Also, what else can we do, as a business to give our clients the best of the

best?

For example, in one upscale magazine they mention, on an ad for personal,

business jets that "the personal pilot is included."

What can we include (besides awesome photography, prints and albums)?

Thank you guys.

I am using a ballhead tripod that seems to be working pretty well for me right now. I do want to use a monopod though. (I wanted to post some sample images from two youth games on Saturday, but I got distracted viewing a photo of my little girl scoring a goal! That was good for her self confidence, in those early years. (4 and 5 year olds!)

Thanks Victor.

I was just given a link to a great article on focusing with Nikon's too.

Here it is: http://www.luminescentphoto.com/articles/CAM2000/cam2000.html

Thanks Shun.

That's a very informative article!

Hi,

what are the recommended settings for capturing fast moving subjects (like in a

soccer game, for example) with a D200?

I do "C" for focusing and "CH" for shooting, but I don't know the best (or

recommended) way to set the focusing within the viewfinder (the focusing

points).

I'll appreciate your input.

Best,

Germán S.