By Tiffany Angeles, Teaching Tuesday Contributor

We all got into photography to sell our beautiful images, right?  But is that really what you should be selling?  The truth is, in marketing your business, what you should really be selling is the emotion.  When it comes to family and children’s photography, most people aren’t buying what you think is art, they are buying the emotion they feel for their family to hang on their wall.  That’s why your award winning photo can be passed over in a sales session in favor of a less technically perfect image, but one that is more emotionally charged for the buyer.

Therefore, you are back to the old features and benefits discussion.  The feature might be a large metal print, but if you forget to sell the benefit of preserving their families memories, then you haven’t sold them what they wanted.  We as photographers speak in terms of 16×20 or 24×36, but don’t forget the language of your client.  They are buying nostalgia, its just coming in the form of a metal print.

Theodore Levitt, professor at the Harvard Business School used the following example:  “People don’t want to buy a quarter-inch drill. They want a quarter-inch hole!”

So next time you are talking to a perspective client about your services make sure you don’t focus so much on all the products you offer and more on the experience and the emotion and nostalgia of your imagery.  Maybe you do sell a CD, but be sure to communicate what you are really selling.  Nobody cares about the 20 cent disc.  They are buying their children frozen in time on that disc -and that is something you can pitch as priceless.

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ABOUT TIFFANY:
Tiffany Angeles left her corporate cubicle to use her artistic talents in photography instead of Excel.  She is a high-spirited photographer capturing fun & stylish portraiture for hip, modern families.  Recently named top kids photographer in Los Angeles by CBS, she and her photographer-husband have also been featured photographers on Bravo, published in Rangefinder, as well as many other top publications.   She enjoys the challenge of creating fun images of rambunctious kids but considers herself a Renaissance soul as she dips her hands in many interests.  The portal to her phot

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It’s Spring and that means COLOR! Check out this fun, fresh, and colorful Senior session by one of our Celebrity Photographers, Kara May.

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We are so excited to introduce Jen of Jen Carver Photography.  Jen will be providing critique as one of our April Celebrity Photographers.

Jen Carver Photography is a professional Children’s Photographer that specializes in portrait, editorial and Commercial Photography. Her work has been published in the book “Photographing Children” by Master Photographer Ginny Felch, and has had her editorial work featured in several children’s fashion magazines such as Babiekins, Model Life Magazine, Elite Child Model Magazine, Beyond the Camera magazine and Beauty Bliss Magazine. Her work has been featured on Rock The Shot, NAPCP and Inspire me Baby. She has worked with commercial clients such as Persnickety Clothing Company, JoyFolie, Tom & Drew Boys, Es + Es ,Minikin and Lullabye Landing. She also teaches In-Person workshops around the country and online, coaching portrait photographers at all levels how to push yourself creatively and take your business to the next level.

Why do you think honest critique on your images is important?

Having your work critiqued is an important and constructive step in developing. If your intentions are to help and offer advice it is crucial to be honest and deliver the critique in a positive way, pointing out the strengths in the image and areas of improvement. This will allow the artist to continue to push forward in the areas they have mastered and focus on the areas they need to improve.

What camera do you use? Favorite lens?

5D Mark III , 85 1.2 and 70-200 2.8

What has been the most helpful critique you ever got on an image?

I have been mentored by a former commercial photographer that I worked with for years. He has given me positive critique, guidance and constructive criticism. His continued advice pushes me to be better whether it was on technicality, to overall artistry, how to structure my business or moving beyond portrait photography.

What 3 words would you use to describe your style?

Whimsical, soulful, childhood.

Where do you pull your inspiration from?

Want Jen of Jen Carver Photography to critique your images? Sign up for a 4-week Critique HERE!

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Do you post on your blog only to hear crickets? Do you sometimes feel like you are talking to yourself (and maybe your Mom) on your blog? Do you need some LOVE?

Chic Critique is here for you, girl. In 2013, we are doing a weekly feature on our blog every Saturday called “BLOG LOVE” where you can showcase your  blog posts on Chic Critique for lots of love.

SWEET BENEFITS:

• Use this as motivation to blog at least once a week
• Boost your SEO: your thumbnail will link back to your own blog for lots of publicity and SEO lovin’!
• Get blog comments from our fans
• Show off your work
• Get published! One of your images might be featured in an upcoming issue of Chic Magazine

It’s so easy! HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

You must be a member of Chic Critique forum to participate 

1. Post some pics on your own blog with a link back to Chic Critique
2. Every weekend, submit your permalink (not your main blog address) from your own blog post to the frog icon (see sample below) to our weekly Saturday “Blog Love” blog post
3. Your image will then show up as a thumbnail on OUR blog and allow our readers to click on your image to check out YOUR blog.

Need a reminder? We’ll help remind you in our weekly newsletter and on Facebook so be sure to become a fan and subscribe to our newsletter.

ENTER YOUR BLOG POST IMAGES FOR THIS WEEK BY CLICKING ON THE FROG BELOW:
Don’t forget to leave a comment on the other entries because that is half the fun! Also, submit your photo early since those seem to be the ones who receive the most comments.

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Spring is just around the corner!  Time to start gearing up for the Senior Photography Season.  Our friends at Prairie Sweet Boutique have just the thing to help you spread the word about your Senior Photography Business:

a Set of 4 Anna Senior Rep Cards  {$24 value!}

These Senior Rep Cards are FREE to all Chic Critique Forum Members.   Get yours in the forum:  MARCH FREEBIE

photography by Jill VZ Photography

HOW TO USE:  Create Senior Rep Cards for each of your senior reps for them to give to friends and classmates.  Include your studio’s logo and contact information as well as one or two gorgeous portraits of the senior.

SWEET TIPS:  Put the Senior’s contact info on the card as well so they can use it as their very own calling card ~ makes them even more likely to hand these out to all of their friends!   Another tip:  Give a set to ALL of your seniors (not just reps) and create an incentive for when one of their friends books with you.

For more SENIOR TEMPLATES and other sweet designs from Prairie Sweet Boutique, Visit:  www.prairiesweet.com and www.facebook.com/prairiesweet

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by Jamie Rae, Contributing Editor

I should have webbed feet.  I am Oregon born and raised, and live in an area that is often referred to as a temperate rain forest.  I am not sure where the temperate part comes in, but we sure get a lot of liquid sunshine- and I have never learned to love it.  Since I live in such a saturated part of the world, you would think that I would have a natural penchant for shooting in the rain.  Not so!  For a long time when I saw those storm clouds coming you would be more likely to find me curled up with a good book and a cup of tea than outside braving the storms.

It wasn’t until I was forced to shoot a wedding outside under rainy skies that my web feet finally found solid, if not soggy, shooting ground.  Being forced out into stormy weather emboldened me and opened me to the creative side of stormy shooting.  Below find five tips to help you find your own webbed feet!

1.  Be brave

For yourself and your client, reach down inside and squash that stormy weather squirm.  What feels like misery can turn into adventure with the right attitude.  Put on a cheerful face, be determined and positive, and your energy will ignite as enthusiasm from your subject.  Remember that while most people are huddled away inside beneath wool blankets and boredom, you are the one out there still creating.  Your attitude is your number one asset, so keep it positive and embrace the adventure!

2.  Use Your Surroundings

Enlist your creativity to find shelter from heavy rain.  Just because it’s pouring doesn’t mean you can’t shoot outside.  I have used bus stops, overhangs, porches, umbrellas, bridges, groves of trees and parking garages.  Just make sure you choose a location that allows ample light to stream through the clouds and onto your subject. 

3.  Create A Story

How many amazing movies and books start with moody, interesting weather?  A lot do!  That’s because stormy weather inspires a variety of moods.  Take advantage of your unusual backdrop and use the movement of the clouds and shifting light to inspire your creativity.

4.  Find the Light

Even during stormy weather you will find that there is a direction to the light you are using.  The sun is still hiding up there!  The light will filter through the large, natural diffuser up above and provide even light for your subjects skin as well as catch lights for the eyes.  If you are seeing that spark of light in your subjects eyes, move them (slowly) in a circle until you see the light brighten their face.

5.  Protect your equipment

Professional cameras and lenses can withstand some windy and wet weather.  I always am sure to carry a towel with me though, and dry off my equipment frequently.  You can also purchase plastic covers for your camera that will protect your camera and lens from the elements.  As a true Nothwest native, I never have.   As a last resort, bring along an assistant and an umbrella!

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ABOUT JAMIE:
Jamie Rae is a natural light photographer in Portland, Oregon.
She loves helping women tell their unique story of beauty through photographs and does so through portrait and wedding photography.
She lives for learning, lovely light, and the occasional daily chocolate.
blog|website| facebook

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