Our Report Card

Well, it’s hard to brag – but the dust has settled and the word is out on the first Unleashed workshop. We rocked! Part of our success was due to the great group of attendees, the terrific studio environment and just the vibe and the passion we all shared for the art of pet photography — I think we all inspired the best in each other. I know lots of great friendships were created and I feel like we all did our part to raise the bar for pet photography as an art form.

These are actual quotes from the anonymous feedback survey:

“It was invaluable! I think you could charge much more for this. You gave us information that saved us tons of money and time. Money and time that would have been spent making mistakes and bad decisions! I think the money I spent on this workshop was the best investment I could have made for my business – and is perhaps some of the best money I’ve ever spent period!”

“Unleashed was even more than I was hoping it to be! You guys were all so helpful! And you accepted us all for who we were. Whether we were beginners, or more advanced. I loved how open you all were- no secrets, you just wanted to help! I loved everything we did… I wouldn’t want one thing to change- except the length of the workshop! (longer please!) I thought the price was very fair. I had been planning on going to another pet photography workshop, and Unleashed was much, much less! I have taken so much from Unleashed. So much, I can’t even begin to cover it! I would recommend Unleashed to anyone in, or interested in, pet photography. I would even come again myself! Thank you so much!!!”

“Being part of Unleashed was an incredible experience. The insight into both the business and artisitc aspects shared by Bev, Teresa and Barbara was invaluable. The friendships formed during the workshop are providing much needed post workshop support as I try to apply what was learned”

“I love the way the three of you work together, and you have the perfect blend of being well prepared while still being willing to be flexible”

“I honestly can’t think of anything to help you improve. For me, this workshop was beyond my expectations, As a beginner photographer I have only attended one other workshop. I had such a wonderful time attending this workshop. Not only because of the tremendous talent of the three women hosting it but, from the other attendees. Everyone was so willing to answer questions, offer advice or lend a hand; and this continues to be the case even now on the unleashed private chat board on Facebook, I’m just so happy to have met all of you.”

Where do you belong?

Life these days looks like a bowl of alphabet soup –everyone knows their acronyms!  In this complex society we are defined in part by our associations. Your business as a photographer can also be shaped largely based on your affiliations – are you PPA (www.ppa.com) or WPPI (www.wppionline.com)? As independent small business owners we are responsible for our own continuing education and often that means travel and expense, so we choose carefully and look for the best value. One of the best pieces of advice I give new photographers is to affiliate with the organizations that have members with similar interests and start learning from them!

Back in the day,  you could open your doors in a community with a few solid community contacts like Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Just get to know your neighbors and voila’ your photography business was on it’s way. Just change your props once a year and invest in some of those lovely wrinkled muslin backdrops and you had your “look.”  The lab was in charge of making your images look good and things just didn’t change much from year to year.

The internet and digital photography changed all that, of course. Now you must stay on top of the latest trends and to say there is a lot more competition is putting it mildly. You have this thing called workflow to think about and all these tools that cost lots of money –so you better know how to use them because that’s what people expect from a professional. The point is, we all rely heavily on our forums, trade organizations and fellow photographers to stay on top of it –the days of getting it all from a book at a library are over!

So where do you get your information? What forums do you belong to – do you lurk or contribute? Do you search out new groups? Every organization I join has something to offer. Let’s start with photography forums –there are so many it’s hard to know where to start- and they are all a bit different. I joined ProPhotogs (www.prophotogs.com ) a couple of years ago specifically because they had a pet photography forum. It was absolutely the best $100 I ever spent. Besides, it’s where I met my fellow Unleashed instructors!

A great free forum with lots of serious amateurs and great technical articles is Photo.Net (www.photo.net) For every 15 minutes you spend contributing something in a forum, I’ll bet you get 10 times the amount of time back in shortcuts and information you don’t have to dig up yourself.

Since I also shoot people, I have also visited or joined:

I love Photography  www.ilovephotography.com

Pro4um  www.pro4um.com

and the Digital Wedding Forum www.digitalweddingforum.com

Some forums that have professional pet photographers are:

The Nature, Wildlife and Pet Photography Forum (www.nwpphotoforum.com)

Check out the great interview they just did with our own Bev Hollis!

PhotoCamel (www.photocamel.com)

PhotoTalk (www.phototalkforum.com)

Finally, since the labs have put us in charge of our color correction, image editing and special effects, we have to get smart on Photoshop. Each new version brings a dizzying array of books, tutorials and DVD purchases. To stay even halfway current a photographer needs to spend a few hours a week just memorizing shortcuts! One of the best resources is the National Association of Photoshop Professionals:  www.photoshopuser.com

Become a member for $99 and watch training videos, get their magazine, and get juicy discounts on all sorts of things. And please use this link to join, so they’ll know we sent you - plus you get a free DVD

http://www.photoshopuser.com/register.html&aid=qzgqzv&code=friend

The moral of the story is join an organization of professionals you admire, then contribute and learn. You and your business will profit enormously. Photography as an art form has never been more exciting, accessible or more wide open for your creative ideas.

Who Inspires You?

When I started my pet photography business I looked where most of us would for inspiration – other pet photographers.  Of course I don’t think there’s a pet photographer on earth who isn’t inspired by the works of the great Elliott Erwitt.

Early on,  I had the wonderful opportunity to assist Jim Dratfield while he worked on location here in northern Virginia.  It was an outstanding learning experience for me for which I am grateful.

Another early trail-blazer is Amanda Jones.  Fifteen years into her animal photography career, she continues to create gorgeous imagery and command rates that only add credibility to pet photography as a profitable niche market.

So, whether you’re already in the pet photography market, or looking to go there, where will you get your inspiration?  How will you be different?  While I have learned so much from all the early “leaders,” I am also inspired by less obvious influences.

For instance, I love to study some of the amazing wedding shooters out there.  Those who are doing really exquisite work transcend all niche markets. They are just awesome, creative artists from whom we can all learn.

In 2008, while attending WPPI in Las Vegas, I discovered Jerry Ghionis.  To be honest, I had never heard of him. But when I was strolling through that huge exhibit hall, nearly overwhelmed by sounds and textures and choices, I came upon his booth and was honestly awestruck.  I remember saying to him “I don’t know who you are or what you do, but this is magnificent.”  I realize now how ridiculous I must have sounded to the many wedding photographers who were crowded around his booth!

Luckily for me I discovered Jerry with one day left on the speaking schedule and I was able to attend his morning lecture.  And so I sat, for an hour and a half, sleep deprived, over caffeinated, and truly mesmerized.  Jerry was engaging, funny and oh so wonderfully, amazingly talented.  After hearing Jerry speak, the one thing I decided to add to my pet shooting repertoire was a video light.  Why not? It’s easily portable and different.  Even better, it’s something my clients would never think to do.

Since hearing Jerry speak I regularly visit his website and blog for ideas and inspiration.  I love that he is so innovative.  I say all of this to motivate you to ask yourself, “Who inspires me?”   And I suggest, as you build your pet photography business, that you cast a very wide net and look for inspiration beyond other pet photographers. There’s a superb league of photographic visionaries just waiting to inspire you!