Tiffinbox

Inspiring Photographers

Get This Free Twitter Guide By Photoshelter

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My first foray into social media (even before it was called that, I believe) was on Twitter. I didn't know what I was doing. I was a skeptical dabbler.

Now approaching 9000 followers (small compared to some other very popular people), I credit Twitter for being the catalyst for my headshot portrait photography business in Connecticut.

More on how all that worked out another time, but I wanted to let you know that my friends at Photoshelter have launched a new guide on using Twitter that you should download and read. Like all of their other guides, this one packs a punch and even I have learned a few things about using Twitter. The guide is free, and you get to learn about something that you use anyway, even for fun. If you do use it as a channel for your business, reading this new guide on Twitter is a no-brainer.

Photoshelter Twitter Guide

The guide includes:

  • 10 ways to grow a Twitter following and increase engagement – including sharing behind-the-scenes photos and tweeting about what’s trending
  • Top Twitter features for businesses that will help you market your work better
  • Legal considerations before using Twitter, plus best practices to help keep your work safe
  • Tips to measure your success and determine if your efforts are working
  • Plus more

    • Get the free Twitter guide from Photoshelter here.

    If you use Twitter, go ahead and list your Twitter handle in the comments section below. I'll check each one out and follow those of you who are actively using Twitter. My Twitter handle is @PicSeshu.

    Do we have a deal? I look forward to connecting with you on Twitter.

    What You Need To Know Beyond The Looming Obamacare Deadline

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    UPDATE: Open Show NY just announced a 2nd presentation, on March 6th at the Bronx Documentary Center, 7 – 8.30 pm. Register here for it.

    If you are a freelance photographer or an independent photography studio you need to know that the deadline to sign up for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) is March 31st of this year.

    According to Radhika Chalasani, a photojournalist based in New York City, not very many photographers have taken the initiative to sign up for the health insurance plans. She cites a variety of reasons for the procrastination. Check out our recent discussion below:

    Radhika mentioned how Open Show NY with ASMP-NY, South Asian Journalist's Association and Asian American Writer's Workshop is coordinating a special information session for photographers on February 25th.

    Open Show NY - Health Insurance For Photographers Under Obamacare

    If you are in the vicinity of the Asian American Writer's Workshop – 110-112 W. 27th Street, #600, New York, NY 10001 – it would behoove you to go and learn the facts about health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, find about your health insurance options and filter out the dissonance about this highly politicized topic.

    This Photoshelter sponsored session will be led by insurance navigator Renata Marinaro from 6.30 to 8.30 pm. Seating is limited so you must register for this free event.

    It sounds like a wonderful opportunity to learn about Obamacare and how it will affect your health insurance costs for you and your family.

    Portrait Photographers, Two Guides To Grow Your Portrait Business

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    My friends at Photoshelter have packed a one-two punch by launching two guides about growing your portrait photography business.

    Growing Your Portrait Photography Business - Part 1 - Photoshelter

    Part 1 of the series will interest portrait photographers who photograph families, kids and high school seniors.

    This one has tips from seasoned portrait photographers to target an audience, determine pricing packages, master people skills, and influence word-of-mouth referrals. Plus the guide has tips to:

    – Build a portrait photography business from the ground up and grow a presence online.
    – Capture a subject’s personality, read body language and be an expert storyteller.
    – Demonstrate a unique style when shooting kids and seniors.

    Learn more about this guide here.

    Growing Your Sports Photography Business - Part 2 - Photoshelter

    Part 2 of the series is geared specifically to editorial and commercial portrait photographers.

    Portrait photographers will get pointers to:

    – Prepare for a shoot, including the top questions to ask before you arrive.
    – Build connections with clients with great customer service.
    – Impress photo editors with an exceptional online portfolio.
    – Get smart about pricing and negotiating contracts and licenses.

    The guide also contains interviews with some great portrait photographers, including Brian Smith and Jim Jordan, to get their tips on shooting killer photography, plus the secrets to great portrait lighting.

    Learn more about this guide here.

    After you download both guides, would you please come back here and let us know what you thought of them? What did you particularly take away from them and how will you deploy those tips into your portrait photography business. Inquiring minds want to know! Comment below.

    Get The Guide To Create A Successful Photography Portfolio

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    It's spring and you want to post new images to your website and create a photography portfolio your clients are going to love. But you don't know how to go about it. Either you are just starting out in the business or you have been in the photography industry for a while. Either way, your portfolio needs a kickstart. What's your next step?

    Being flummoxed is natural. So, with me, deep breath in. Deep breath out. You still with me? I'll cut to the chase.

    PhotoShelter, again, has published a guide that is worth checking out. It's called “Creating A Successful Photography Portfolio.”

    Create A Successful Photography Portfolio | Guide by PhotoShelter

    The guide includes:

    – 11 secrets to creating a successful photography portfolio website
    – Tips to set the right tone and attract dream clients
    – Ideas for showcasing personal projects to help win jobs
    – 5 portfolio review myths debunked

    Those who download the free guide will also automatically be entered to win a free Website Image Edit with top consultant Amanda Sosa Stone. Details about this special opportunity on the PhotoShelter blog.

    The guide is free, useful and timely, especially if you are starting to refresh your websites a new photography portfolio. I recommend you download it now!

    What Does Your 2013 Photo Business Plan Look Like?

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    Look, I get it. Timing is everything. But what trumps that is planning and doing.

    In 2001, I saw the editorial market fade. I started photographing weddings as only a real photojournalist would, which is to say I had no freakin' clue how much to charge clients, what to offer them, how to follow up with vendors and lastly how to grow my business. I got into this spin cycle that involved creating some amazing images but not sharing them with my clients in a timely manner and then signing on new clients and on and on. The excuses simply piled up and I found myself not really enjoying the process any more. All that to say a little bit of planning and strategizing back then would have helped me a great deal.

    Now, I bet a lot of you are looking at the new year as a new point in life, perhaps your square one (which in itself is kind of refreshing if you think about it), to start your photography business. I know I am with my new venture, Amata Pictures.

    So, I am starting with a business plan. While Todd & Jaime Reichman have helped me define my WHY, I'm working with Eric O'Connor of Agile Photog to come up with systems and processes. Having mentors like them goes a long way.

    But if you are starting out or been a photographer for a couple of years, you need a road map or else you will do what I did initially and get totally lost. Just make sure the plan is flexible and scalable. That's important too, in my opinion. Don't believe for one second that a plan is etched in stone and that once you write it out, you have to stick to it. Quite contrary, you should be able to try things, test them out and spit them out if they don't work for you. There are ways of doing that without wasting time or your other resource, time. At the end of the day, your business plan should speak to you and whom you plan on serving, what Todd Reichman defines as your “rightest” clients.

    I am an unabashed fan of the folks at PhotoShelter. They actively publish guides that help to elevate the photography industry. I was honored to attend their Luminance conference last year. For 2013, PhotoShelter has just published a new guide called The 2013 Photo Business Plan. It costs nothing and you do not have to sign up for their services. All they do require is your email information so that they can send you the guide.

    http://www.photoshelter.com/mkt/research/2013-photo-business-plan-workbook

    Lots of good information in there including tips to:

    – Market your photo business with Facebook
    – Attract readers to your blog
    – Improve SEO traffic
    – Get more work from old clients
    – Create a lasting photo brand
    – Manage your finances and get smart with taxes

    So, go here to get your 2013 Photo Business Plan workbook. It could just be your road map to success.