Rosh Sillars breaks down the basics of social media networking and builds from there. As an experienced teacher and a photographer himself he knows the field and how to inspire action. I learned of his talents during the free Joystart your Year webinar series inspired by business guru Sarah Petty. This is a top notch influential series inspiring new ways to spread the love of the photography business, coddle a wonderful client base, and stoke the fire of inspiration.

Rosh Sillars is an invaluable mentor and SEO expert

Rosh Sillars is inspiring to say the least. He makes the Social Media process sound as easy as sending a formatted email, yet he makes it brilliantly clear SM is imperative in today’s business world– it’s worth all the time investment possible, so put it on the calendar. Did I mention putting on the calendar the creation and following of social media as part of your weekly networking?

Take care of your current and future clients by letting them know more about you and your offerings. Seems like old news, but Rosh updates networking methods in an easy to digest form encouraging all to keep up with today’s style of using multiple methods of personal connection. I appreciate his “I will help others” attitude.

While today’s webinar was free and a one time gig, Rosh does sell his beginning and intermediate/ advanced concepts on the Joy of Marketing site. The Joy of Marketing’s Joystart your Year series generously saves me time and money maintaining my public presence.

The series is specific to the photography industry yet I can imagine many segments being helpful to multiple fields, especially those visually focused.

CALL TO ACTION! There is but one more Wednesday to go. JOM is continuing the free, amazing seminars with speakers Jules Bianchi on Weddings, Erin Vorbeck on SEO, and Sarah Petty herself on Branding.
It’s on my calendar!
The times are Central Standard Time. Because I inadvertently missed a few of my favorite speakers including Seattle’s own Bruce and Josh Hudson.

If you know any Seattle area photography assistants or those aspiring to be, tonight the ASMP assistants group is having Pub Night for ANYONE interested in networking with assistants. Here are details.

ASMP Seattle Event: ASSISTANTS PUB NIGHT
WHEN: Thursday December 16th, 7:00pm-9pm

WHERE: FADÓ Irish Pub
801 1st Ave Seattle, WA 98104
ADMISSION: FREE
WHO: ASMP membership not required, 21 and over only

Greetings assistants,

Come to the Assistant’s Pub Night so we can get to know each other better. Talk shop, trade secrets, share ideas, drink beer and just be social. Having a community of assistants will help us collaborate, refer each other and learn from each other. You do not need to be an ASMP member to attend, all are welcome!

Fadó has generously offered everyone their first drink FREE (beer, wine, well or soda)! So put it on your calendar now!

No rsvp necessary.

Hope to see you there.

For ASMP assistant information, email Tegra Nuess

Be Boutique will flaunt the many advantages of the boutique photography experience. That will be me in the corner gawking, in awe of 5 amazing women in the pro photography circuit- Thanks to Dane Sanders’ inspiring Escalate LIVE.

I’m probably not the only one bursting at the seams to ask so many questions of these immensely successful photos and one sleek-geek wizard. The wizard is none other than THE Julieanne Kost, from Adobe. who I have turned to many a time with PhotoShop design and user questions. She’s the Photoshop tutorial video MAASTA. The lineup of Mega-successful portrait photographers include the renown Vicki Taufer, Lori Nordstrom, Tamara Lackey, Julia Woods, and Kia Bondurant. Because I’m bursting at the seams, and even though I know this is a well rehersed program not at all designed to answer the following questions, I’m hoping to sneak in a few over wine, or dinner, or the bathroom sink.
Here are questions for the powers that be:
1. Resources to help with marketing that don’t cost the earth; i.e. gorgeous blogs, and printed materials.
2. Who, specifically is helping design, write and produce blogs, fliers, album page designs, boxes???
3. Affordable packaging/branding materials (when I’m not sponsored by any companies-yet. Cough)
5. Are those on the panel selling wall portraits, or are small prints ruling the walls and tabletops?
6. Do any sell the originals/digi files (I’m just going to “no” after 5 years of “yes”, but had 20 years of Hassalblad negs that I never sold so I could control the quality of the final product, among 100 other reasons.
7. Projection proofing vs. paper proofs vs. online sites vs. photographer hosted galleries and built in shopping carts.
8. Who exactly helps with the physical (and conceptual) design of these carts?
9. How else are these ladies making their income?, if not too personal a question. Perhaps Self-producing products, partnering with companies, selling videos of techniques or advice, speaker circuits? Perhaps 100% shooting and sales directly related to these sessions?
10. How many hours a week do they put in individually. How many hours per week do staff put in, cumulatively.
11. What do you outsource? Do you double check their work? Who are you using?

I recognize this is late in the game. I’m just asking and hoping for input on the endless curiosities ricocheting in my buzzing, overworked head.
One excited photographer,
Janet

Here is a page with 3 fabulous resources specifically aimed at photographers.

Janet Klinger’s blog will occasionally feature tips and resources for starting a photography business or other small business in Seattle and beyond.
This is an amazing low cost or even free place to start.
1. SCORE Workshops
All Day Workshops (8:00AM – 4:00PM)
* Starting a New Business
Start your business with the right legal, marketing, operations, personnel, insurance and accounting advice. Learn how to finance your product or service, identify key customers and develop a marketing plan.
* Building a Business Plan
Use your marketing and financial data to build a fact-based business plan. Learn proven techniques to generate sales and a positive cash flow.

* Starting and Growing a Consulting Business
Turn your professional expertise and experience into a profitable consulting business. Learn how to work smart, generate business through “word of mouth” referrals.

Half Day Workshops
(more…)

Come explore Seattle Studio Collective, the rent-as-needed studio serving the professional and amateur photographer in Seattle, Bellevue, and beyond Puget Sound.

How Might You Use Seattle Studio Collective?
1. photography sessions
2. meeting prospective clients
3. as a second location for your business presence
4. sales and design sessions
5. video production
6. gallery display in a storefront location
7. professional and amateur enthusiasts meetings

Cost for A La Carte Member Hourly Rental
$100 registration
$45/hour
$325/10 hour day

Ground-level access is great for handicap accommodation and gear load/unload.

Location
Located in Phinney Ridge in a storefront location , Seattle Studio Collective provides access to 800 sqft of space on an hourly basis.

For further information: SSC
Or for further information click here.

The 42″ monitor may be rented.

Projection screens work well in front of the North window allowing for projection presentations for your comfortably seated clients.

For those of us blogging or with websites, it’s both exciting and informative to view our web stats. One magnificent marketing expert, Think Splendid shares her expert thoughts on the subject.
With permission, I quote:
How to Read Web Stats
Analyzing traffic statistics is an important part of maintaining a
business website or blog, but they can be confusing, especially
when you aren’t sure what it is exactly the numbers mean. Here is
an abridged explanation on how to measure stats effectively:
Hits
Hits are incredibly misleading because they do not equal
people. A hit is tracked for every file loaded each time your
page is loaded. This means that each photo is tracked as a hit,
so if you have a blog heavy with pictures, each time a reader
loads that page, you are getting a substantial amount of hits.
For example, if you blogged about a recent wedding and have
10 photos up from it, then that post counts as 11 or more hits
each time it is viewed by one person. So if you had 100 visitors in
one day and 10 pictures on your first page, that would be over
1,000 hits just because of the photos alone. A lot of people like to
measure hits because the numbers are inflated and it makes
them feel as though they are receiving a lot of traffic and are popular.
While the ego boost may feel nice for a while, it is based on numbers
that don’t actually mean too much and that do not measure how
effective your blog or site actually is.
Page Views
Page views vary per visitor because they are tracked each time
a new page is loaded. Knowing page views is useful because it
can help you determine how long people are staying on your
site once they arrive. Did they find your blog and leave
immediately or did they stick around and dig through your
archives? If you are tracking your website, it is important to know
if the information you are presenting hooked them in to learn
more about you and your company, or if they got bored and
went on to the next planner’s site on their list.
When analyzing page view numbers, it is important not to give
them more weight than they’re worth. If your aunt is reading
through everything you ever wrote, then those numbers don’t
really count for much because she is probably not a potential client.
Same goes for a competitor searching through all of your archives
or site pages to see what you’ve been up to.
Unique Visitors
Well, if you want to read Splendid Communications’ further insights on stats here’s the rest of the free e-book. Or simply explore her informative marketing web blog.

I still have a few available things for sale. The big items include:
Wacom Tablet, Intuos 3, 6×8, usb, Never used. $249
iMAC, original blue $25 Works great, but older operating system.

Antique Armoire $599 obo

The intenship was awarded to Jonah Rondon who is an artist in her own right. Check out her 3 webites http://www.jonahrondon.com

http://www.maluhia.biz

http://www.aworldaway.etsy.com

I’m so happy to have Jonah with us for at least the next two months.

We are so pleased to be awarded Asuka Album of the Week for the gorgeous event hosted by Monica Khurana and Vik Duggal. Check it out, and this is only the mini album! If you want your event to look this good, choose Janel Schlitt of Occasions LLC as Monica and Vik did.
For more images, keep your eyes out for the winter Bridal magazines. (No I can’t tell which one! Not yet anyway.)

Vic and Monica bring India to Bellevue Washington

Once again, I am offering photography coaching to the serious amateur, aspiring professional, and highly motivated parent. Topics include: photographing people, post processing: now what do I do with these images, and running a photography business.

JANET KLINGER PHOTOGRAPHY
2010 classes & coaching

YOU are the Portrait Photographer $150/hour ($115 if purchased with any other class/ photo session)
Join Janet for one-on-one personal coaching to become the photographer you’ve always dreamed of. Bring in your favorite subject(s) to model for you. You might choose to include props, outfit changes, inspiring music. Whether choosing a Seattle area location or taking advantage of Janet’s professional photography studio and Learn to love the beauty of North Light, or play with professional strobe equipment. Your camera equipment, or rent Janet’s Canon gear. Come play, explore and learn how to honor your creative side.

Post Processing in Camera Raw (PS CS4)
$110/hr
$195/3 hour session
$225/ 3 one-hour sessions
Now What? You’ve finished your photo session or filled your Flash Card with digital files. Learn how to quickly sort files then make your favorites as beautiful as the professionals. Learn to add drama, increase textures, intensify eyes, bring back lost highlights or shadows, color correct so everything isn’t “amateur orange”, crop for superior composition, apply oft-used settings to all your images, and more. As always you may choose to lead the direction each session explores. Taught by Janet and Staff.

Photo Coaching for Everyone
Personalized encouragement and instruction refining camera function, artistic sensibility, and developing intuition

Perhaps you need to better understand: your camera’s functions, when to use which lens, why images are out of focus, blurry, too dark or light, or how to use flash to enhance natural light.

Maybe you hope to improve your composition, increase your success-to-dud rate, add flair to fine but basic images, and discover consistent methods to intentionally repeat “happy accidents”.

You may be curious what all the fuss is over histograms, lighting ratios, fill flash or reflector use.

Bring up topics and questions, or let Janet use her intuitive instruction to help you electrify your next creative light bulb.

One-on-One
$85/hr
$195/3 hour session
$225/ 3 one-hour sessions

Group of Two or Three People
$120/hr
$275/3 hour session
$295/3 one-hour sessions

Business Coaching for the Up and Coming Professional Photographer
As more people notice your talents, perhaps you’re contemplating, or even diving into, the profession of photography. It’s no wonder. With over 25 years as a pro, I’m still in love with photographs and the people I meet because of my love for this art. Love and enthusiasm, even coupled with talent, does not a photographer make. So what now?

Above all, learn how to get your first professional jobs and what to charge. Remember, unless you get paid, you’re not a professional.

Let’s answer typical questions from those new to the photo biz such as:
Should you advertise, how much to charge, is a CPA necessary, how to keep track of income and pay taxes, utilize typical tax breaks, legal means of deducting travel, organizations to join, the necessity of a business bank account, is taking out a loan ever wise, is it necessary to purchase the latest gear, travel to seminars, give away photography services, get a partner …

This profession may not be for the faint of heart, but for those willing to learn what it takes and apply this knowledge, there may be a meaningful, heart-warming, and rewarding profession beginning with your next CLICK!

One-on-One
$125/hr
$295/3 hour session
$345/ 3 one-hour sessions

Group of Two or Three People
$150/hr
$390/3 hour session
$420/3 one-hour sessions

I was honored to speak at last nights “Mamas with Cameras” photo club gathering. I was so impressed with these Mamas. More than half have children under two and several with newborns yet they are able to take time for themselves, simultaneously cultivating their creative passion for photography. This caring sisterhood shared ideas and encouraged each other, all while feeding that female-need I know all about for socializing and making new friends. I’m inspired by these motivated mama’s passion. (more…)

Come get your holiday shopping under way and support an amazing cause at the same time; Janet is one of the Soulumination photographers

Purchase a photo session with Janet Klinger Photography by October 25, 2008 and receive either 8 wallets or an 8×10 photograph. Pre-purchase a 20 image Coffee Table Book and 10% of the book cost goes to the Seattle Public School of your choice.

For more details including pricing click here.

Book your session now!

Photo Technician Wanted, Phinney Ridge/ Green Lake, Seattle

Jane has been promoted. Can YOU fill her huge shoes? (more…)

Whether you shoot weddings, mitzvahs, or corporate events, working as a photo team has advantages. Since 1991 I wouldn’t consider working an event without an additional photographer. While the biggest benefit is having a second set of eyes to capture moments I might not see myself, or to cover a second location simultaneously, the advantages are many. However, before asking these more advanced responsibilities of team members, I like to make sure the basics are covered.

Here is my Top Fifteen “What every Photography Assistant and Shooter Knows” list I like all members of the JKP team to know from day one, helping keep not only the event running smoothly, but the post production time to a minimum.

1. Sync your camera Date/Time with the Primary Photographer’s camera before the event.
2. Count all pieces of gear before and after the event, including notating the number of CF cards. Put the numbers list in the “exposed CF cards” bag.
3. Only shoot macro close-ups at an aperture of 4.0 or less if you are on a tripod or are at a shutter speed of 1/125 of faster. (It helps to take off the heavy camera bag.)
4. Unless it is incredibly bright so that you are unable to get your desired aperture, you are usually better off shooting at ISO 400 than 100 (here in the great NW).
5. Unless you are going for a motion effect, or are capturing ambient light in a dark space, please shoot at a shutter speed of 1/45^th of a second or faster. If using a long lens, your shutter should be at least as fast as your longest lens capability until you know you can succeed otherwise. Example: if shooting a 24-70mm use a minimum shutter speed of 1/80. If a 70-200mm use a minimum shutter speed of 1/200.
6. Do not exceed ISO 1000 on Canon 40D and “below”. If you must choose a higher ISO, use the custom function “reduce noise”. Triple check your exposure when shooting in low light to avoid noise.
7. Everybody blinks. Shoot at least the number of subjects plus one, up to a max of eight exposures. 2 people= 3 exposures minimum, 5 people=6 exposure minimum, but 8 people=8 exposures.
8. Group shots (6 or more people, or 2 rows +) require a minimum aperture of 5.6 unless using a 20mm or wider angle lens where 4.0 is fine. (Obviously you can play with small depth of field making one or two people stand out, but don’t let this art shot be the only variation of a group.)
9. If shooting over the main shooters shoulder, use a radically different lens or your image will probably get rejected as a similar.
10. Use manual exposure when shooting against a window, large doorway, bright sky, or other back lit situation. In a pinch, simply stay on auto, set to over expose by 1-2 stops depending on the desired effect and amount of back light present. Work on checking exposure regularly to avoid forgetting to reset exposure.
11. Check your histogram at least once every new lighting situation to be sure you are capturing appropriate highlights and shadows. This is much more trustworthy exposure check than your preview.
12. To capture someone walking towards you, choose a shutter speed of 1/125 or faster, Al Servo mode, “all” focus points, and I prefer one shot mode for regular speed walking to select “the moment”, and a fast motor wind for a hustle walk, run or jump in combo with a shutter 1/250 or faster.
13. Download CF cards to portable drive as soon as full.
14. Keep CF cards/film on your person at ALL times, even when we shoot out of state weddings and hike, dine, or partake in other adventures. (Water related events we choose a third party to entrust with cards until we are safe and dry.)
15. While downloading to a portable drive immediately gives us a second copy of all images created, this is not a fool-proof system and therefore does not replace downloading each and every CF card individually to the main production hard-drive immediately upon arriving at the studio.

Now for the fun part- Let’s go shoot!

Janet needs a nurturing assistant who really CARES that the client gets fabulous coverage. The ideal person is on the lookout for ways to help the photography go smoothly and the client to feel calm and confident. A multi-tasker needed to help shoot, set up lighting, handhold supplemental lighting, track request lists, handle gear and be VERY strong to carry heavy bags for hours at a time. Mostly weekends with occasional weekday/evening.

1+ years event and/or portrait shooting experience required. Please note that while there is some shooting involved, all images and their copyright remain with Janet Klinger Photography and are unavailable for use in your collection of images.

Please provide resume, cover letter and link to online portfolio in an email to info@janetklinger.com

Loosing my inner control freak, and training the miracle do-all employee; two of my career-long struggles. What a gift to hear from like minded, articulate (and funny) photographers Me Ra Koh, Sara France, Marc Weisberg and Dane Sanders describing their all-consuming post processing. They have each struggled with whether to keep post processing in-house vs. outsourcing. “Four’s Company“, a video from Shoot Dot Edit, allows me to be cyber-present during such a personally poignant conversation. I feel as if I’m sitting in the living room sharing ideas.

If you have personal experience with Shoot Dot Edit, renowned professional post-processors, or their competitors, I’d love to hear from you. Our busy time is upon us, so further personal opinions that might help me decide on a post processor to help support our in-house, overworked staff are gratefully appreciated.

The over loaded post processor blues.

Associate Photographer (and intrepid Production Manager) Jane P. is celebrating Pride Month by offering 20% off portrait sessions with LGBT/alternative families & individuals in the month of June! You can check out her portfolio under “Associates & Design” on the main website. Weekend sessions are available, except the day of the Seattle Pride parade (but if you find her there, I’m sure she’ll have a camera handy!). Portraits are in-studio and immediate environs only.

Call the studio at 206-622-7478 to take advantage of this special event!