Photography business cards are one of those creative accessories that many photographers consider essential, but when I paused to really think about it I could see no obvious business reason why we absolutely must have them. After all, with so many alternative ways for clients to find us, I asked myself if traditional photography business cards are truly effective these days, and what ways photographers have found to be more creative when it comes to photography business card ideas…

It certainly seems reasonable, in a world where it’s becoming ever more difficult to be noticed and to garner people’s attention, to imagine that there must be better alternatives to the standard  2 x 3 inch traditional business card for the professional photographer.

A 4 x 6 post-card sized photography business card (front and back)

This is an example of one of my 4 x 6 business post cards, which was quite effective for a while, that was able to carry a lot of information and persuasive copy with it. This got me wondering what other photographers are actually using…

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Sales & Marketing creativity, photography business cards, photography business ideas

As we begin a new year, many professional photographers are contemplating the year ahead and wondering what’s in store for them and their businesses – hopefully, the professional photography industry will have a better year in 2012! One of the big issues on photographers’ minds right now is the idea of “creativity”, and how to bring a new perspective to their photography in order to stand out from the crowd and be a better professional photographer. This is where the idea of “The 365 Project” can come to the rescue…

Writers break their pencils in two because of it, poets try to write poems about it, painters suffer from it, and even photographers are not immune…

The challenge of the 365 project helped Photographer Suzie Mauro improve her creativity

Yes, I’m talking about creative block – the frustrating condition that interferes with our ability to create something new that we feel happy and creatively fulfilled with.

The 365 Project Can Combat Creative Block

Occasional bouts of creative drought are bad enough but, left unchecked, it can become serious and even threaten the photographer’s desire to remain in business.

But, hope is at hand in the form of a personal assignment – The 365 Project…

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Interviews 365 project, creativity, photography business, professional photographer, professional photography

Today’s post is a relatively short one for a change, but no less important for it. As you probably know if you read this blog regularly, I’m very passionate about one major idea:

In order to be competitively successful, the professional photographer in business today must understand the fundamental reasons WHY they do what they do…

Read on for a great example of this in practice, and for an opportunity for a specially chosen professional photographer (i.e. YOU) to be featured here on the photography business and marketing blog.

What's your motivation for being a professional photographer?

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How To Be A Professional Photographer creativity, motivation, professional photographer, professional photography

One of the biggest challenges facing myself and other professional photographers is how to stay continually creative – how to produce images that are full of life and energy that force us to develop and grow as artists. This is especially true in the current economic climate and with today’s hectic lifestyle, with all the stress and worry that comes with the territory of trying to run a successful business.

Stress is apparently one of the archenemies of creativity, and it can quickly lead to feeling unmotivated or being unable to create work that feels new, fresh and uplifting. If we are already tired before we begin, and feeling burned-out, we can come back from a photography session feeling unsatisfied with the results. This leads to a sense of insecurity, lack of confidence in what we’re doing, and even more stress.

If we aren’t careful, we might become locked into an ever-decreasing circle that could lead to more serious consequences, such as depression – with disastrous consequences for our business.

It’s all too easy to succumb to this cycle, and even easier to blame everything else for the problems we face (the economy, where we live, other responsibilities, even the weather), but how do we combat this and stay positive and creative?

I don’t pretend to have anything close to all the answers to this question, which is why I invite comments from anyone who might have any insight on this subject – I’m sure it will make for a lively discussion. However, I have found some things that can certainly help me at least and thought I would share them here…

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Personal Zen attitude, creative, creativity, encouragement, professional photographer, success