I just shot a quick video to hopefully inspire you and get you ready for 2012. Don’t laugh at the guitar portion…but there’s a point I needed to make

Post Your comments down below and let’s GET IT DONE In 2012!

The answer is YES!

This set is from our Digital Creation’s Club and it is called “Comfy Basket Set”

You Can SWIPE This Idea!

Yes…you could recreate this very easily with a hard wood floor, baseboard molding, solid backdrop or wall, wicker style basket and colorful blanket. But…most people don’t want to spend the money on all these components and would rather we create it for them.

So…just keep in mind that if done properly, Digital Backgrounds and Props can be a HUGE asset to your business and help offer more options.

I also would like to say that not all Digital Backgrounds and Props are created equal and there is some bad stuff out there. I’m not bashing anyone here…just stating the facts.

It’s the old saying…Good Quality In…Good Quality OUT!

I hope this post has helped inspire you and also given you some ideas that you can use in your Photography.

Here’s the original post from our Digital Creation’s Facebook Group.

]]> http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/1215/was-this-a-digital-background-and-prop-or-not/feed/ 2 http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/1149/3-powerful-words-to-live-by/ http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/1149/3-powerful-words-to-live-by/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:17:45 +0000 NewPortraitBiz http://newportraitbiz.com/blog/?p=1149 OK…it’s now a brand new year and most people set goals and make resolutions and I think everyone should.

But…it doesn’t matter what time of year it is…we all need to check in with our goals and stay focused.

One of the hardest things in life and in business is being disciplined so you can achieve what you set out to do.

I know this is a photography blog, but most of what I teach and share are life lessons that can be used 365 days of the year.

The other day I logged into my Facebook account and checked my Facebook News Feed and this picture immediately caught my eye.

It was very clever and very TRUE!

I immediately posted it to my FB wall and wanted to share this image by Ty Bellitti…who is also one of our Digital Creation Club Members.

So…here’s what I want you to do.

• 1. Print or write down these 3 powerful words.
• 2. Post these so you can see it and be reminded every single day.
• 3. Grab a pen and notebook and relax somewhere other than your computer.
• 4. Write out your goals for 2012 in great detail.
• 5. In the next day or so…take another hour or two and write out a plan to Take Action and move towards your goals.

I truly believe that if you write down your goals…you are much more accountable, because they are down on paper. There’s something mentally that happens that now makes this something our brain thinks has to been done and it will work really hard on finding a solution.

TRUE STORY

I remember just over 3 years ago now…I was sitting at my dining room table writing down my goals. I wanted to help people online and have a blog that people could go to for advice. Well…now we have over 20,000 subscribers that I can communicate with and help in this business.

Let me just say…I never would have thought this could have happened. But…I wrote what down on paper what I wanted and I then wrote a plan to Take Action. I posted my first video on Youtube (which was awful by the way), I set up a blog and then I found a way to build an email subscriber list.

Well…The rest is history and I continue to set new goals all the time and review and revise them every few months.

Always Reach for MORE!

Remember to always set your goals higher than you think you can actually achieve. You will try much harder and if you fall short…you will be further ahead.

Let’s do something just for fun to get you to Take Action NOW!

Write a short comment below this post of what you want to achieve in 2012.

Here’s to your success

Scott

I wanted to share 5 new portraits we just created for our NPB Digital Creation’s Club. You are free to use these as inspiration and put your own spin on them for your upcoming sessions.

Portraits #1 – Peaceful Holiday Night

Pro TIP: Always try to name your portraits or themes. This makes it unique to you and your style.

Portrait #2 – The Train StationPro TIP: Using Trains as a theme or a prop are usually a big hit with clients.

Portrait #3 – Elegant Evening

Pro TIP: Old Victorian furniture adds a classy look and can be used for the Holidays or anytime of the year.

Portrait #4 – Christmas Eve

Pro TIP: Capturing cute poses or expressions will help sell your portraits. Try this one!

Portrait #5 – Hat and Mittens

Pro TIP: Use fun props to be creative, but don’t over do it. Simple is sometimes better.

So…there’s 5 unique portrait ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Study these images and see how you can add a unique flare to your Holiday portraits.

It doesn’t matter if you use our Digital Backgrounds or not…you should have some fresh ideas for you to…BE Unique!

Now…if you want to take a short cut and add portraits like these almost instantly and you’re not currently a Digital Creation’s club member…you can get started HERE!

Good Luck and I look forward to seeing your unique portraits this holiday season.

Happy Shooting

It doesn’t matter if you use our Digital Backgrounds or not…you can create similar portraits like the ones I’m about to share with you.

All it takes is sometimes is a few creative ideas and inspiration to get your creative juices flowing

Portrait #1 was an idea for people that “Love” Motorcycles and that Freedom Type Feel. Remember…I’m sure you’ll have a client that’s into motorcycles and would love an image like the one we created here.

You could always offer to shoot their motorcycle if they have one and use it as your prop.

We named this one “Born To Ride”

The 2nd one we created for The DC Club we named “Flower Pot Surprise”

This can be created using a large Flower Pot that has some type of unique look to it. Usually you can find these at Home Improvement stores or even Garage Sales. Then…choose a backdrop or background that will compliment the Flower Pot with blending…non distracting colors.

The 3rd portrait we created we named “Stylish Stacked Bowls”.

This is all about simplicity with some bold colors. All you need is some large wooden bowls and a white backdrop to create this shot. These don’t have to be bold colors, but with a white background…it looks really good.

The bowls can be found at stores like Target, Walmart or any other Home Department store. These can be expensive…but well worth the investment.

Side Note: I added the light blue background in Photoshop using the vignette technique and erasing the bottom portion.

So..there you have it!

3 New Portrait Ideas that you can use in your photography. I hope you use these or something similar and offer to your clients.

Remember…as photographers in this competitive market we need to be unique. Creating portraits that people will talk about and can only receive from you.

If you would like to find out more about our Digital Creation’s Club…CLICK HERE!

Have Fun and Happy Shooting

Scott

P.S.

If you like these new portraits…Click The “LIKE” button and spread the LOVE

So…I thought I’d share it with you, because most people…including myself have fallen into this trap.

Here’s the email she wrote and the advice I gave her.

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Hi Scott, my name is Bec,

I have bought and am using many of your backgrounds and am about to begin a party plan business using them. I will purchase many more from you in the future for this business.

Scott, I need some very quick advice please. I am currently charging $60 for a creation fee and in that the customer was getting 6 photos onto 6 different backgrounds of there choice + 6 small photos.

The problem I had with my first party was that everyone took the 6 free photos with the intention to scan them, so therefor I had not even 1 sale, an in fact was in debt from that party.

Do you have any suggestions please?

Bec
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Hi Bec,

First let me say…congrats on Taking Action! That’s the very first step and most people don’t even get that far.

Now…I would suggest tweaking and testing different ways to present your portraits. You could have a follow up party or meet with each person again to show them their portraits. Then you could sell additional items and possibly set up a future private session.

***It’s Not Always About Making The Sale!***

The other thing you need to keep in mind is that the portrait party is not all about making the sale. Yes…you can make some money, but it’s all about getting your name out there and setting up appointments for your full sessions.

You should be collecting their email, mailing address and phone numbers. That’s The TRUE Gold Here!

Then you can follow up with them to let them know of your upcoming Specials, Facebook updates, Blog updates….and Build The Relationship!

***Building Relationships….Is HUGE***

I can’t stress this enough. Building a relationship is HUGE for long business success. These people will become fans and promote you and your business for YEARS!

I know you said this may have cost you money…but it’s a much better way to spend money on advertising than just throwing an Ad in the newspaper. You actually met with people who are in your targeted market. You should have received their contact information for future follow ups.

So…if it cost you $25 to create these images, I would say that’s money well spent. Yes…you spent your time, but that’s business. If you want to be successful, you need to put in the work and the time.

I hope this helps to show how it’s not always about getting the sale. It goes much deeper and the price on a potential client and their contact information….is HUGE!

Keep your chin up and focus on creating beautiful images that Make People Happy and you’ll do FINE!

It’s all part of the journey. But…if you have a passion for photography and love making people happy by creating portraits, you have to keep pushing. The only one that can get in the way of your success…is you.

Here’s to your success!

Scott

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I hope you can see there’s that there’s so much more than just the initial sale and just because you didn’t get the sale today…you may receive one tomorrow.

Click the “LIKE” button below and share some Love

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Resources:

Create Unique portraits month after month – Digital Creation’s Club

NPB Pro The Inner Circle – Photography Business Community

This video is a Must See!

This video will show you how one of our NPB Pro students creates AMAZING portraits with a super simple set up. Try to say that 3 times fast

Honestly…you’ll be surprised how simple it is and you’ll be able to start creating these Amazing Portraits Too!

Click Play to watch the short video

After you watch the video…leave a comment below!

…and click the “LIKE” button and share the LOVE

I’ll reveal (2) important mistakes that photography businesses make and how you can avoid them. Plus…I’ll show you (2) methods so you can get new clients and more sales…without having to do a lot more work. That’s pretty COOL

In this lesson I’ll show you a real life example from (Karen) one of our NPB Pro Inner Circle Members. She did everything right and now proved to herself that this stuff really works. As long as you use what I show you in this lesson…your business can grow leaps and bounds.

This is all about using the resources you already have and Taking Action! I’ll explain everything in this short 9 minute video.

Click the play button below.

Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts!

…and Click the “LIKE” button and show a little love to our Facebook friends

We discuss Posing, Composition, Cropping and Framing the shot…so it can BE GREAT!

Enjoy the lesson and get out there and use this stuff

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Share some LOVE and click the “LIKE” button below!

These are people who already paid you and have their credit cards out wanting to buy more stuff. But…they can only buy what you show them. This is a very important lesson and you should take notes on this one. Most business owners fail to offer more items for clients to invest in….and that could mean a lot of money that you’re leaving on the table. Enjoy the Podcast!

Check Out NPB Pro The Inner Circle Our New Photography Community