business

The Professional Photographer ‘Life Cycle’

For the last four or five years, I have tried to produce one annual workshop for aspiring architecture and interior photographers. While I hope that they are technically helpful and the students come away with new skills and knowledge, one thing that I’ve noticed is that every year each workshop inevitably transforms into a session of group therapy for all involved.

How Empathy Can Transform Your Work and Help You Connect with Clients

Talented creator Daniel DeArco—who goes by "Industrial Content Director & Creative Consultant" these days—recently dived into a topic that isn't often covered for creative business owners, freelancers, or just creators in general: empathy. Specifically, how empathy can transform the work you do and help you connect with clients.

For Pro Photographers, the Hustle Never Ends

“It was constant hustle for me the first three years (in business) full time.” I read this quote from a photographer-turned-business coach. It was advice in a Facebook group. I’m not certain the question that elicited this reply, but it doesn’t really matter. The statement stands alone.

You Can’t Fight as a Photographer Without an ‘F-You Fund’

When it comes to negotiations, as a photographer (or any freelance artist, for that matter) you’ve got to master the art of not being emotionally invested in the outcome -- something that is nearly impossible to do. But without it, you’ll never be able to break free of difficult clients and underpaid gigs.

Sony Should Split From Its Sensor Business: Investor

One of Sony's crown jewels in its empire is its image sensor business, which dominates global market share and has helped the company hit record profits. But now a famous investor is calling for Sony to spin-off the sensor business into a completely independent company.

Canon Was Blinded by Sony and the ‘Mirrorless Revolution’

Based on a number of conversations I’ve had and a few minor polls I’ve conducted, most people seem to believe that Canon made the right decision by producing a mirrorless system. Now my sample size is quite small so this may or may not be a true reflection, but I have an opposing view to this. I firmly believe that Canon made the wrong choice by developing a new mirrorless system with a new mount.

Google Suspends Huawei’s Android Support After US Blacklist

If you've been eyeing Huawei's latest P30 Pro smartphone and its ISO 409600 low-light capabilities, you should know that there's major trouble brewing for the brand due to a the US government blacklisting it. Google has reportedly suspended its business with Huawei, including dropping Android support.

Canon and Nikon Imaging Sales Drop 17%+ Over Past Year

Canon and Nikon both published their latest financial reports over the past couple of weeks, and the numbers don't paint a rosy picture for the camera industry. Both companies reported a decline in imaging business sales of around 17% over the previous year.

Why Your Photography Business Is Failing

The biggest and most common mistake I see in photographers in all genres is that they aren’t honest with themselves. They love the idea of being a photographer -- the romantic side of it all. Sounds cool, right? But they hate the work part, the hustle, the grind, the guts of what it takes to run any successful small business.

The Benefits of Posting My Prices for On-Location Corporate Headshots

I made the uncommon decision to post my rates for on-location corporate headshots on my website. Some fear it will scare away clients before the photographer gets to explain the value in their work. Valid concern. Some want to gouge bigger clients who can pay more. That’s not the way I want to run my business.

Kodak Film Business on Brink of Being Sold: Report

Big news in the world of film photography: the Kodak film business is reportedly up for sale. Kodak Alaris is said to be looking to sell part or all of its business, and its film business, in particular, could be sold to another company within the next month or two.

Photo Chemistry Giant Tetenal Closing Shop After 172 Years: Report

In late 2018, it emerged that Tetenal, one of the largest photo chemistry companies in the world, was in serious financial turmoil. It now appears that efforts to save the business have failed, and Tetenal will reportedly be closing up for good after a whopping 172 years in the analog photography industry.

3 Pros and 3 Cons of Having Business Partners

Debating whether or not it’s time for a business partner? This video and article will help you weigh out 3 pros and 3 cons to running a photography business with a partner.

Is GoPro Failing as a Company?

Almost every year, GoPro releases a new action camera, and for the last few years, they’ve been pretty disappointing. Also, every year I seem to fall for their marketing and buy one of their action cameras only to lament that decision. I understand it’s my fault, I should know better. Clearly, I’m operating with heaps of wishful thinking.

The Pros and Cons of Syndicating Your Photos

For a while now, I’ve wanted to cover the topic of syndication as it was a major factor in my work gaining widespread exposure and for the full-time career that I have now as a fine art, commercial, and editorial photographer.

You Be You, I’ll Be Me: A Note to Photographers on Pricing

If you are a member of any photography groups, I can guarantee you've seen the issue of pricing come up often. One of the favorite activities of some photographers seems to be analyzing/criticizing how others run their businesses. It's wonderful to be able to ask for advice in these groups, but unsolicited criticism, or random rants on how everyone else is doing it all wrong and you're doing it right, are never okay.

How This Pro Instagram Star Earns Up to $100K Climbing Peaks Full-Time

The rise of Instagram in our culture has spawned a generation of professional Instagrammers who make a living from broadcasting (often sponsored) photos to their massive followings. Meghan Young is one such Instagrammer, and this 12-minute feature by Bloomberg gives us a look into what her life and career are like.

Tetenal is in Trouble: One of the Largest Photochemical Firms Needs Your Help

Here's some big news in Europe that hasn't made a big splash in the US and has largely flown under our radar: the very day after Photokina, Tetenal announced that it's in financial turmoil. Tetenal is one of the largest photochemical businesses in the world and produces chemicals for brands like Ilford and Kodak.

Why Kodak Died and Fujifilm Thrived: A Tale of Two Film Companies

The Kodak moment is gone, but today Fujifilm thrives after a massive reorganization. Here is a detailed analysis based on firsthand accounts from top executives and factual financial data to understand how and why the destinies of two similar companies went in opposite directions.

Instagram Founders Leaving Facebook After Internal Clashing

Instagram founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger have resigned from their leadership roles and are leaving Facebook. While Instagram has continued its worldwide domination under Facebook ownership, the co-founders reportedly clashed with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other leaders over the direction of the photo-sharing app.

Nikon Has Officially Left Brazil

Nikon Brazil is no more. The division has officially announced that it has ended all of its activities in the South American country, and the news comes less than a year after it announced the end of online sales.

Turning Down Political Ads: Noble or Stupid?

I won’t muddy the waters by going into my personal politics but, needless to say, there are things I support and things I oppose. People fall on various sides of the issues I feel strongly about. When it comes to my videography business, though, things might be getting tricky. Am I a-political? Do I have a duty as a media producer? When I heard from an agency looking to film political ads in my city I had to start thinking about all that.