I love winning contests, especially if money is involved. Money, that I can put towards my business in some way. I just got word that Inspire Photo Retreats and ShootDotEdit are working together in offering a special grant for photographers just like you.

So this is the email I received:

“We are happy to announce Inspire Photo Retreats is collaborating with one of our Community Sponsors, Shoot Dot Edit, to offer a business professional, Craft & Vision grant at our 2015 retreat!

Inspire Photo Retreats is committed to helping professional photographers at all levels, grow their business and master their craft. Shoot Dot Edit shares these same values and we couldn't be more excited to offer this unique opportunity with them!

We will be funding the grant by the amount of purchases of Shoot Dot Edit's “Unlimited Plan”. They will generously allocate a portion of the proceeds to funding the grant which will be given to one of our attendees in 2015. The grant will be awarded at Inspire Photo Retreats 2015 in Portland, ME, at The Westin Portland Harborview Hotel. Please feel free to share this with your colleagues. We hope you take advantage of this amazing opportunity. We look forward to seeing you in 2015.”

Please note that this special offer ends on June 30, 2014 … that's 3 days from now folks! To be eligible you must be an Inspire Photo Retreats? ticket holder and be present at the event in Portland.

To enter the drawing for this grant, click the graphic above and use the code “Inspire2014”. I hope to see you at Inspire, to congratulate you on your winning this grant!

I was approached about giving away three developer accounts by Elegant Themes. Taking one look at them and specifically their latest, Divi 2, I couldn't pass it up. Before you enter this contest, do take a look at what Elegant Themes can do for you and your photography business. If you are considering revamping your site, Elegant Themes is one of a handful of companies I would suggest to you.

True to their name, I think their themes are indeed elegant. Check these out:

So, you want to win one a developer account worth $69? Just follow the steps below. The 3 winners will be notified on May 31st. Thank you!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Imagine being able to build your WordPress based portfolio website in a couple of days, just by dragging and dropping modules. That's exactly what you get using Divi 2. Would you be better off presenting your work in an elegant manner that's responsive, mobile friendly and SEO ready?

Even if you don't win this giveaway, I would strongly recommend you consider Elegant Themes.

Rachel Brenke's The Law Tog has helped scores of photographers to get legally legitimate. If you were working without a contract, she can hook you up. If you have a legal question about delivering files or photographing minors, she always has a ready answer on her popular blog.

Recently I had an issue where some of my content from this blog suddenly appeared on another site. I had not given the other website my approval to copy and paste my content. So, I approached Rachel and asked her what I should do about it. She gave me two solutions: 1) try and contact the other blogger and ask that the content be taken down and 2) to check out Google's DMCA website, which essentially allows a copyright holder to complain about an offending website. I did both and voilá, the content on the other site disappeared!

I spoke with Rachel about the importance of contracts for photographers. Here is that discussion:

Today, Rachel is doing two things that you should pay attention to:

1) She is relaunching her online course, BizRevamp for photographers.

In it she'll cover these and other important topics in this well-regarded course:

How to set up a legal photo biz so they can stay legal and protect your assets.

A simple system to manage and file your taxes the right way.

The minimum insurance coverage your photo biz needs to give them peace of mind!

How to get a solid contract with no holes that covers you!

Website and social media quick-fixes that get you the inquires and new clients you’re losing out on right now!

A streamlined WORKFLOW that minimizes stress and maximizes your money-making potential!

How to generate more cash (even if you aren’t into in-person sales)!

How to create your custom business plan to finally reach your goals!

Enrollment will occur April 10-15th, 2014 (that's starting today folks!)
Pricing: $479 pay in full by Paypal or credit card OR $89/month for 7 months payment plan by credit card.

I would enroll in this now!

Rachel is generously giving away one valuable seat to this online workshop (she takes only a limited number of people each time). If you want to win, tell me why you want to win and how this course is likely going to help you. Please have a valid and active website address and include your email. If you don't include your email address there is no way for me to contact you to let you know you won. Winner picked on the 15th, at 5 pm EST. Only the winner will be notified!

2) Rachel will be presenting on CreativeLive (for free) about balancing work, family and photography. You should check it out too!

When I was in high school, I rather grudgingly went to summer band camp. Don't laugh, but I was instrumental (no pun intended) in leading our marching band to local championships by playing the … cymbals.

Yep, that was me crashing my cymbals in front of my face, sometimes catching a bit of my lip. Sometimes, I had to carry those heavy cymbals and march backwards, holding them up so that the snare-drummers had their shot at hitting it. Sometimes they missed the cymbals and they hit my fingers instead. It was painful. It wasn't fun and I didn't look forward to it at all.

But every April, I would need to sign up if I wanted to be a part of the marching band (and I didn't after the novelty wore off) and so I did. I was following a script given to me. As a teenager, I resisted and looking back, I was a cranky mess. I didn't want any part of it because it simply wasn't fun.

How many of us have businesses like that – that are simply not fun anymore? Do you think your business requires you to lock-step with what your competition is doing? How many of you have forgotten the real reasons why you picked up a camera and decided one day to make photography not just a hobby but a profession? How many of you dear readers remember the look on the face of your first clients who simply LOVED you and your work? Now, wasn't that fun? Wouldn't you like to experience that again and again and again?

I know deep down that one need not work in isolation. So much of our work as photographers depends on connecting and creating relationships with a slew of different people who are now an integral part of our lives. Still, we often hold these people off at arm's length, afraid of letting them into our lives and perceiving that you would be intruding in theirs. Imagine how much stronger your bonds with them could be if you get to know them?

How would you like to rekindle that feeling for what you do … again? Is there a way for you to fall in love again with your business, make it truly your own and become a part of a community of go-givers?

I say, YES, there is. That way is through Brand Camp.

This is an event that Kristen Kalp of Brand Camp Blog, with a whole host of presenters, is coordinating for 4 days – May 27 to May 30th. But Kristen is front-loading that actual camp (think cabins and s'mores and even a Ferris wheel) in May by providing valuable master classes that not only lay the groundwork to the full camp experience but also help you in making money and paying for the camp before you arrive!

And yes, I am going. I feel like this is going to be a very good thing for my business and me. Will you join me at Brand Camp?

I spoke with Kristen Kalp recently and this is what she had to say about what you can expect at Brand Camp:

I also spoke with Brand Camp presenters Anna Kunnecke and Josh Solar.

Brand Camp registration closes on April 4th (that's this Friday). Again, why go? Because you are worthy and you are tired of going to yet another cold photography convention. If you have been to one, you know and you know that there has to be better. That better is Brand Camp.

As a fellow Tiffinboxer (I just came up with that), I urge you to join me. I look forward to working with you, seeing you grow as a photographer who loves your business and even more than that, blossom into a compassionate human being.

Yes, it's possible. Just join Brand Camp before April 4th. You with me?

Here's a list of presenters who won't just present and disappear but will hang out with you and chat with you about you and your photography business (how different is that from the usual run-of-the-mill conferences?):

Bob Goff, Jenny Shih, Jesh de Rox, Brian Andreas, Kendrick Shope, Josh Solar, Jonathan Canlas, Anna Kunnecke, Katie O'Farrell, Michelle Waters, Nicole Polk, Jenika McDavitt, Jeanette Leblanc, Michelle Cormack.

Blog post version 1: marketing for photographers

I wrote a draft of this blog post with some very generic information about marketing for photographers. Then I read it. And I didn’t like it! I didn’t think it was as valuable to you as it could be.

As I was reading it I was thinking “how many times have I read this kind of stuff before?” And the answer is too many times to count.

How much value to you is some generic information that is written by someone who doesn’t know your situation, doesn’t know who you are, what you love, what you hate, what your goals and dreams are? Someone who doesn’t know what type of photographer you are or who your clients are.

So it was back to the drawing board…

Blog post version 2: smart marketing for smart photographers

This second version of the blog post is completely different.

This blog post is not for everyone.

This blog post is not for you if you want some generic marketing strategies handed to you on a platter.

This blog post is for people who want to find the marketing strategies that are really effective at attracting more of the right kinds of clients – for YOU!

This blog post is for people who are willing to do some work!

So, are you up for the challenge?

You can reach your goals. And you can get all the clients you need. But it’s going to take some work. And the work starts now.

In this first of 5 blog posts we are going to work through some of the basics. These are things you should have clear in your head before you even think about building a SMART marketing plan.

They are:

Marketing basics

Your message

Your ideal client

Your philosophy/beliefs/values

About you, the photographer(s)

What do you have that is unique and worth talking about (remarkable)?

What have past clients loved and talked about?

What is the #1 reason why clients should/would choose you?

What other things do you offer that will make your ideal client sit up and take notice?

To help you on your way here’s an example:

Our message:

We photograph dogs and only dogs! We love our dogs – our furbabies – and know you love yours too. We are experts at capturing their quirky, unique and lovable personalities.

Our ideal client:

A couple, with no children, who are passionate about their dogs (they “are” their children). In their mid 40s, both working, with a disposable income and they can afford to invest in a photographic session with their beloved pet/s. They enjoy the stage of life they are at. They value their down time and love nothing more than to spend it with their dogs. They value (and can and will pay for) luxuries when it comes to their furbabies.

Our philosophy/beliefs/values:

Fun. Love. Laughter. We believe that life is too short not to have fun. We value love and laughter in both our personal lives and our business.

About you, the photographer(s):

We are L and P, husband and wife. Our passion is our furbabies many of whom have come to us as rescues having had difficult and traumatic pasts. For us though they are our children, we love them for all their quirks. We have been working together as a partnership in business since 1996. Out of this grew an interest in photography and we’ve discovered a way to blend the art that L loves so much with the technology that is P’s keen interest. We’ve decided life is too short to not enjoy what we do to earn a living so we’ve started our photography business and we love every minute of it.

What do you have that is unique?

Casual, relaxed atmosphere – we don’t mind getting down to their level and doing whatever it takes to get those great images. We love animals, this isn’t a job for us, it’s a passion – doggy kisses are ok!

What have others loved and talked about?

“They get to know our pets”
“They don’t rush, they’re happy to work with our pets and their moods”
“They are friendly and personable”
“They go the extra mile to get that perfect shot”

What is the #1 reason why clients would choose you?

We care! As two photographers, husband and wife, working intuitively together we know and love animals and will use that knowledge and passion to capture the uniqueness of your pets.

What other things will make your ideal client sit up and take notice?

We work to your pets’ timetable, not ours – it takes as long as it takes.
Working on location, in an environment your pet is happy in, allows for a relaxed, fun sitting and better photos.
We look for the quirky, unique and memorable moments.

Now, what’s next?

If you would like to send your marketing plan basics to me using this form, I will select one and use it as the case study for the next blog post: Your marketing mix. How's that? I'll basically be writing your marketing plan for you.

If you don’t wish to send it to me, no problem. Complete it, hold on to it and have it handy for the next blog post where we will take this information and work though the key marketing strategies that should make up your marketing mix.