Archive for the ‘Jenna Close’ Category
[by Jenna Close]
The first step in creating an effective marketing plan is to make sure that you are putting your best face forward. Some monetary investment should go into this, but it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Before contacting anyone, take the time to prepare a few things:
a) Create an online presence. This is an area where having a limited marketing budget can be frustrating, but it can be done. You may not end up with your dream website, but something with simple, solid design and striking images can work well. If you can’t afford a designer, research companies that provide templates (such as http://www.bludomain.com/). Or, use something like Lightroom to create an online portfolio that you can upload to your website address.
b) Create a brand. You are selling your services as a professional, so you’d better look like one. Do you have a logo? Do you have a font that you will use consistently throughout your campaigns? What colors will you use? Do you have a design in mind for mailers that you can use again and again? If you can, have someone design a logo and mailer template for you. This will go a long way toward consistent branding. If you can’t afford a designer, check with design schools to see if anyone needs work for their portfolio or would be willing to trade services.
c) Dress the part. Showing up for a client meeting in sneakers and a t-shirt is questionable form. And even if other people do it, why not stand apart and show up dressed well? Invest in a simple, stylish outfit and good shoes. Don’t forget to shave and brush your teeth and hair. Seriously. It doesn’t take a lot of cash and you will make a great first impression.
Marketing campaigns involve investments of money and time. Even if you start out with a few 4×6 mailers and phone calls (the calls are basically free, mind you…), you will see a greater return if you are well prepared.
Jenna Close, along with partner Jon Held, run P2 Photography. They specialize in imagery for the alternative energy market. You can find Jenna at www.p2photography.net.
By Jenna Close
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Posted: August 31st, 2010
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[by Jenna Close]
If you are just starting out in the business of photography, do yourself a big favor right from the get go. Find software like Quickbooks or Quicken and keep track of all your expenses and income from Day 1. Set up a company bank account that is separate from your personal account. Figure out what type of business you will be (LLC, Sole Proprietor, Partnership, etc), and how to properly pay yourself through your new company. That way you can easily follow every aspect of your business as you grow. You will be able to look at your marketing investments and see which ones are working and which aren’t. You will be able to compare your income year to year or even track which months are consistently your slowest (and then you’ll know when to do an extra marketing push). Set everything up correctly from the beginning and your life will be easier down the road (and at tax time).
Jenna Close, along with partner Jon Held, run P2 Photography. They specialize in imagery for the alternative energy market. You can find Jenna at www.p2photography.net.
By Jenna Close
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Posted: August 23rd, 2010
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[by Jenna Close]
My partner Jon and I shoot photos mainly for the alternative energy market. This is our niche, and we spend a lot of time following the industry and thinking about how we can better serve the people we want to work for. Often we are asked to price aerial photography, and often the logistics and cost deter the client in the end. So we started thinking…how can we help our clients in this area (and by doing that, better help ourselves and our prospects of landing the job)? Last year we started working on our ability offer aerial images in-house using a remote controlled helicopter with a DSLR attached. The RC Heli also allows us to offer aerial photography for urban rooftop installations and other areas where flying space might be restricted. Not only is this a good sell to these companies, but it also creates a spectacle that excites our clients and generates word of mouth. The questions at the heart of this story are…how can you sell added value to your clients? What can you offer that the other photographer in your field can’t? Look for current challenges and future trends…how can you solve these problems in a unique way? In this day and age, simply having good images is not enough…think outside the box. It could make those sales a lot more effective.
Jenna Close, along with partner Jon Held, run P2 Photography. They specialize in imagery for the alternative energy market. You can find Jenna at www.p2photography.net.
By Jenna Close
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Posted: August 10th, 2010
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[by Jenna Close]
This summer, take the time to delve deeper into the world of blogs. Subscribe to or bookmark your favorites. Each morning you can sit down with your cup of coffee and enjoy all the new updates and information you have effortlessly received in your inbox. Here are a few blogs that I recommend:
1) No Plastic Sleeves: info about digital/print portfolios, marketing pieces and clever marketing ideas, blog.noplasticsleeves.com
2) Burns Auto Parts Super Premium Blog: creative consultant Leslie Burns blogs about absolutely everything that is important to the photography industry, www.burnsautoparts.com/blog
3) The Strobist: very informative blog about lighting, strobist.blogspot.com
4) A Photo Editor: blog of former photography director Rob Haggart, www.aphotoeditor.com
5) John Keatley: www.keatleyphoto.com/blog
6) Robert Benson: robertbenson.com/blog
7) Nick Onken: nickonken.com/blog
Jenna Close, along with partner Jon Held, runs P2 Photography. They specialize in imagery for the alternative energy market. You can find Jenna at www.p2photography.net.
[by Jenna Close]
How many ways can you make your images work for you? Boutique stock agencies, print sales for corporate offices, greeting cards, book jackets…look for opportunities to shoot once and sell often. Additional payments from a variety of sources can help fill in the financial gaps.
Jenna Close, along with partner Jon Held, run P2 Photography. They specialize in imagery for the alternative energy market. You can find Jenna at www.p2photography.net.
[by Jenna Close]
6 months after graduating from photography school, I was lucky enough to attend Strictly Business 2 in Los Angeles. The timing could not have been better, as I was new to the San Diego area and had just begun to think about setting up my business. At that point I was an ASMP member but had yet to really utilize or become involved with the organization. Strictly Business 2 provided two major benefits for me and my company.
One: I met and socialized with members of my local chapter of ASMP who were also attending the workshop and I learned more about what it meant to be involved on the board. I was invited by the chapter president to attend a board meeting, and since I wanted to continue the relationships I had established at SB2, I agreed. I am now the VP of the chapter and count my ASMP member colleagues as some of my closest friends.
Two: SB2 provided me with a road map to a successful business. For someone just hanging out their shingle, this was absolutely priceless. I received more valuable information in that one weekend than anywhere else in my studies. Since then, I have implemented as much as possible from the workshop and watched as it took effect. 3 years later, I still refer to my notes from the conference when presented with a challenge.
I can say with certainty that without the SB2 experience my business would not have grown as quickly or as completely as it has, and my support network would not be nearly as large.
Jenna Close, along with partner Jon Held, run P2 Photography. They specialize in imagery for the alternative energy market. Contact Jenna at jenna@p2photography.net
[by Jenna Close]
Trying out new tools can lead to new discoveries. Experiment with flashlights, LEDs, toy cameras and different reflective surfaces and objects. Heck, don’t just experiment…PLAY. You might find something to add to your bag of tricks. Take, for example, this behind the scenes video of the Hennessy light painting campaign shot by Atton Conrad.
Jenna Close, along with partner Jon Held, run P2 Photography. They specialize in imagery for the alternative energy market. Contact Jenna at jenna@p2photography.net
