Author Archive
Getting in The Door
Posted: May 22nd, 2013
[by Selina Maitreya] Years ago when I was a rep, a good month looked like 40 appointments. I had many “good months” and worked very hard to get every single appointment. Today 40 appointments is next to impossible for agents and not at all reasonable for photographers. Everything has changed but much is still the [...]
What Inspires Me?
Posted: May 14th, 2013
[by Selina Maitreya] I am inspired by every day people in many ways. I don’t need to go to a workshop to learn how to be inspired. I simply keep my awareness in my front pocket. Inspiration is all around me. I am inspired by young people who are filled with ideas and the joy [...]
Visualizing Your Day
Posted: May 2nd, 2013
[By Selina Maitreya] One of the most powerful tools that I have been bringing to my clients recently is a daily scan.The purpose of the scan is to rid yourself of fear and prepare to walk through the day, with positive energy leading the way. Practiced before getting out of bed, this exercise enables you [...]
Are You Truly Open to Creativity?
Posted: March 20th, 2013
[by Selina Maitreya] Are you? Most photographers would automatically answer yes. After all they work in the arts. They shoot photographs, AND their clients are demanding they show up with a body of work that revolves around a defined and refined vision. “Of course I am open to creativity” most would respond. While many say they [...]
Setback OR StepBack?
Posted: March 14th, 2013
[by Selina Maitreya] In my life, most major events or occurrences that I initially perceived as SETBACKS were actually doors opening. If instead of feeling as if I was experiencing a set back and I simply ”stepped back” and waited peacefully to see what would transpire next, I could have saved myself (and many others [...]
Own Your Art!
Posted: February 19th, 2013
[by Selina Maitreya] “I’m not an artist, I’m a photographer.” If I hear this one more time I will (maybe) scream. Photography has long been defined as science and magic. The magic is the art, it’s the mystery. It’s the piece of your world that some call “intangible.” I call it very tangible. I can [...]
Portfolio Shooting
Posted: January 28th, 2013
[by Selina Maitreya] Clients today want to look at a website, portal or a print book and very quickly see what you shoot and “get” your visual approach to your topic. For that reason, you don’t sell photographs. You sell vision. Vision is the value clients seek and it’s expressed throughout a “body of work” [...]
Open to Creativity…NOW!
Posted: January 10th, 2013
[by Selina Maitreya] As a consultant to creative people, my job is to be aware of the concerns my tribe has and to deliver timely and accurate information that will enable creative souls to build a business that will thrive. For over 30 years I’ve focused on guiding my clients as they defined and refined [...]
Lessons I’ve Learned – 2
Posted: December 20th, 2012
[by Selina Maitreya] Never underestimate the power of a talented, driven photographer. The world is full of folks who give only half of what they have, give 120% and you will shine. If you wait long enough things will shift completely. What goes around, comes around so be kind and honest and it will return [...]
Summer Books For You!
Posted: June 27th, 2012
[by Selina Maitreya] As I began my quest to suggest books for this post, I realized that the books Ive been reading are not photo books but all are indeed still perfect for photographers. Photographic vision and the act of photography are divine gifts….thus my suggestions for you to read this summer are: 25 Lessons [...]
Take a Risk!
Posted: May 4th, 2012
[by Selina Maitreya] Years ago I was an agent, and repped a top photographer in Boston. I was in my game going on 40 portfolio appointments a month. Early on in the process I got very frustrated as ad’s would quickly look through my talent’s portfolio, flipping pages fast. I was usually in and out [...]
Steps to Building a List That Serves
Posted: April 24th, 2012
[by Selina Maitreya] Before there was Google and Agency Access, there was one key source: the library. That’s where I hung and that was my main source of information. Whether you are using a list service or going on your own, here are key steps you need to take to build a list that serves. [...]
Inspired by Creativity
Posted: April 13th, 2012
[by Selina Maitreya] Creativity of all types inspires me. My love for art of all kind started when I was quite young. When I was a little girl my grandparents lived in NYC. We ‘d travel in monthly to see them and often my mother had a trip to a museum planned. While we went [...]
Social Marketing
Posted: March 28th, 2012
[by Selina Maitreya] The best tip I can share with you is to use social media as a marketing tool – not just as place to hang. It’s an easy two step process: Build your following with clients (not just friends, other photographers or family). Create sales trails. Building Your Following: Create a profile on [...]
Accountability
Posted: March 15th, 2012
[by Selina Maitreya] Possibly the most important tool you need as you aspire to success at any level in an area of photography is accountability. Think about it – all plans, every effort, and each action you THINK about needs to be actualized in order for it to reap results. But, in our universe thinking [...]
We Don’t “Close Deals”
Posted: March 7th, 2012
[by Selina Maitreya] Ok, lets get right to the point. In assignment photography we don’t close deals. Your job is NOT to walk into an office, and walk out with a PO for an assignment. Anyone who tries to teach you how to “close the deal” simply doesn’t know our industry. You need to cast [...]
The Client Perspective
Posted: February 16th, 2012
[by Selina Maitreya] “What DO clients really want?” I hear that question all the time as I work with my photographers helping them build businesses that thrive. It’s remarkable . With all of the changes that we have witnessed and transitioned through, the one thing that has not changed is the answer to that very [...]
Collaboration, Are You Willing to Work for It?
Posted: January 27th, 2012
[by Selina Maitreya] Ask any photographer whether they would be happier shooting to layout or collaborating with their client to define the look and feel of a shot and most would reply the latter. Photographers live to collaborate. During the process they feel alive, excited, creative, productive, useful, valued, and, yes, loved. The process is [...]
Habits of Highly Successful Photographers
Posted: January 18th, 2012
[by Selina Maitreya] After working with photographers for over 30 years I’ve had the opportunity to witness the habits that I see consistently in photographers who are successful. Regardless of where they live, how old they are or what type of photo they shooting these creatives all share these habits in common: They dont take [...]
Lessons I’ve Learned
Posted: December 21st, 2011
[by Selina Maitreya] Never underestimate the power of a talented, driven photographer.. The world is full of paradox. If you wait long enough things will shift completely. What goes around, comes around and around and around again. As we grow older the world gets smaller. Kindness is contagious. In the photo business everything has changed [...]
Turning the Page
Posted: December 14th, 2011
[by Selina Maitreya] As I wrote the title for this blog post, I realized that many of you are not turning pages you are “Kindling “your info these days. Regardless of the delivery, here are books that I suggest you consider owning. Do The Work – Stephen Pressfield A great follow up to The War [...]
No More Single Images, Please!
Posted: November 30th, 2011
[by Selina Maitreya] The day and age of your portfolio being a collection of single images is over. Clients in every area of our business are asking you to show up with a defined, deep and well focused body of work. Are you ready for this shift? Before we go any further, make no mistake, [...]
The Gift of Focusing Your Vision
Posted: October 17th, 2011
[by Selina Maitreya Today, vision is the front end sell in the world of commercial photography. Clients look to assignment photographers to have a defined vision applied to a subject area and expect a complete body of work, that represents the photographers “specialty.” Many photographers still resist the idea of focusing their talents, there is [...]
Building Relationships as a Cash Flow Tool
Posted: September 14th, 2011
[by Selina Maitreya] Initiating a relationship with the accounts payable contact at each company hiring you, immediately after a job is confirmed, is a wonderful cash flow tool. When you reach your new “partner” introduce yourself, and in a friendly way inform your contact that will soon be working with their company and that you [...]
Why Photographers Fail…
Posted: September 8th, 2011
[by Selina Maitreya] As you begin another fall work season check your product. The number one reason why many photo businesses fail is because the photographer does not have a body of work that will sell in today’s market. Photographers often will spend time and money on developing sales and marketing materials when building a [...]
Practice “Active” Listening
Posted: July 13th, 2011
[by Selina Maitreya] Listening, really being present, when in a conversation with another, is one of the most effective business skills you can develop and it is also a gift that you give to your self and to others. Costing you nothing but your time, attention and practice, developing the ability to truly hear and [...]
Marketing During the Summer Months
Posted: June 7th, 2011
[by Selena Maitreya] In my world, marketing during the summer months is no different than the rest of the year, assuming you have a well developed 12-month sales and marketing program. Now I know this runs contrary to other info you may hear. Many people will tell you that you should never try to visit [...]
The Cheapest Tool
Posted: December 9th, 2010
[by Selina Maitreya] The best business tool might be the cheapest one as well. Breath.. When you are stressed breathe. When you need to relax, stop and take a slow, deep breath… When you are about to quote a job take a moment inhale slowly, and then get to work. As you are about to [...]
