Get Out There: Business Postcards

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There's a simple reason why Phuoc Nguyen is my new landscape guy: His business postcard that he taped to my house's screen door. I could also argue that I chose Nguyen because he was the only person out of three who responded to my frantic call for service (hey, I'm terrible at maintaining my lawn). But that's really just good follow-through. Fact is, there are tons of companies I could have contacted for lawn care service by just thumbing through the phone book. But Nguyen's postcard was immediate, and it gave me some ideas....namely, "if it worked for him, could it work for my fledgling business?"

Several aspects of Nguyen's postcard were affective:
1) it was simple and easy to read
2) his phone number and address let me know he lived in my neighborhood
3) it included a comprehensive list of services
4) it was timely, arriving right when my yard seemed to look the worst.

Sure, maybe he could have paid more to have the postcards directly mailed to me. But at the same time, taping it to my door worked for me, and I think I was less likely to toss it since I had to peel it off my screen. Looks like he simply hired someone to canvas the neighborhood with the postcards, and it seems to have worked because I know of at least two other neighbors who hired him to do some work, too.

To that end, here is what I've decided to try. I created some postcards using some easy templates with www.PrintsMadeEasy.com. Because I ordered some new business cards from there too, I got a great discount. I have to walk my dogs anyway, so why not tape some postcards on some screen doors, too? Later on, I can pay for a mailing list of everyone who lives in and around my neighborhood. I'll use my money from the exhibit sale to pay for this advertising venture and see what happens!

I wanted my postcard to feature my ability to capture a moment and my Photoshop skills using an eye-catching (and hopefully unforgettable) graphic technique. My neighborhood is largely comprised of young families with young children, so I figured either of the above images would speak to them.

Which of the pics do you think I should choose on my postcard? Or do you like something else from my port that could work?

Get the Goods: Buy One Print/Get One Half Off at Wolf Camera

My buddies over at the Aurora Wolf Camera store tipped me off about a great deal they are offering this month: buy one 11x14 (retail price $12.95) and get half off a second one. This is definitely an opportunity to stock up on images because an 11x14 is a great size for gallery and personal prints.

I have to give props to the Wolf Camera in Aurora where the manager there, Jeff, helped me print the fabulous artistic nude shot that was purchased at the exhibit Friday night. I do all of my personal printing with Wolf Camera. Two years ago, all the stores started printing with Epson's Pro 7800, and the results are fantastic! Everytime someone asks me where I get my things printed, they seem shocked when I tell them "at Wolf Camera." They guarantee same day prints (and usually within the hour as long as they aren't backed up already).

The personal service I received the day my exhibit prints were due was phenomenal. Not only did the staff check out my pics and give me encouraging remarks, but they reprinted all of them (that's four 20x30 size prints that cost $29.95 each) immediately without a contrary word when it was brought to their attention that a printer error was leaving some strange lines on my images. Some basic maintenance fixed the problem, and I got some outstanding prints. I bought frames there as well, and staff helped me frame my prints. Jeff was also very instrumental in helping me nail down a working knowledge of "aspect ratio" so I could get the best print available.

So thanks Jeff, and his staff at the Aurora Wolf Camera store on Havana, for the personal treatment. You guys helped me secure my first gallery sale, so the honor is just as much yours as mine! If you are nearby, check 'em out:

Wolf Camera & Video
1802 S Havana St
Aurora, CO 80012
Phone: (303) 696-9700

In My Library: Get this month's issue of Popular Photography

If you haven't already subscribed to Popular Photography yet (which you should), then make sure you get your hands on the June 2008 issue. It's the "Big How-To Issue," and it has more than 20 tips that can help raise the bar on your techniques, from shooting to post processing and editing.

I really enjoyed the section on sharpening your photos because I am notorious for overdoing that. The tip, according to Pop Photo is to use the Smart Sharpen tool in CS2/3 and keep your radius low. Get ideas for "blue skies," "flash," "portraits" and a cool section on "time-lapse."

Breaking News: Win a Tamron AF 28-300 mm VC with Vibration Compensation Lens

Some lucky winner is going to walk away with a new Tamron lens by TakeGreatPictures.com
The website is hosting a sweepstakes and this Tamron AF 28-300mm VC with Vibration Compensation is the grand prize. You've got until now and June 8 to subscribe to the site and get entered to win. My readers will know that I frequently post about information and techniques I get from the talented pool of shooters associated with TakeGreatPictures, including one of my favorite instructor's Russ Burden who provides information for Monday "Instructor's Tip." So don't just subscribe to get the camera, but take advantage of the great tips of the trade available for free on this site.

Here are some details about the lens:

"The new AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO zoom lens is a high power zoom lens designed for DSLR cameras with full-size image sensors (Model A20) and now equipped with a Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism, delivers a remarkable 4 stops of extra shutter speed. The AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC is the ultimate high power zoom lens that covers everything from wide-angle to telephoto and macro. Tamron has incorporated a Vibration Compensator—an anti-shake mechanism developed by Tamron—into this highly versatile zoom lens. The new AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO zoom lens offers the convenience, comfort and versatility of a high power zoom lens and the capability to reduce hand-shake blur on DSLR cameras using either APS-C size or full-size format imagers.

When the AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC is used with a full-size format SLR camera, it covers a tremendous focal length range from 28mm in wide angle to 300mm ultra telephoto. When mounted on a DSLR with an APS-C sized imager, the lens covers a 43mm wide angle to 465mm ultra telephoto (full size format equivalent, in a diagonal angle of view of 5°20’)."

My Tamron 24-70 mm was a great replacement for the kit lens that came with my Canon Rebel XTi, so I think Tamron produces so good quality glass for the price. Hey, if you win, hit me up with a little something-something, you know? You heard it hear first!

Monthly Assignment: How's The First One Going?

I just wanted to check in and see how things are going for everyone who will be participating in the Picture Your World Photography inaugural Monthly Assignment Contest. All of my readers (already up to 25 from 12 or so) have been asked to submit a photo that I will post on my blog (with links to your respective websites). The photos will then be judged by public vote.

You've got two weeks to get your image of this month's theme "SELF PORTRAIT" emailed to me...that's until May 24 for those who are calendar-challenged. I will post the images and voting starts promptly on May 25, running until June 1.

Need a refresher course on the rules? Read the announcement blog here.

Need some ideas for a pic? The image above is one I turned in for a similar online weekly photo assignment themed "Self Portrait: Pieces of You." I set my camera up, put it on the delayed timer and then captured myself kissing my dog Isis. Some creative cropping helped me focus on my lips....hence fulfilling the concept of a self-portrait and pieces of yourself.



Also, the photo I use in my "Q and A" posts is a self portrait I turned in for my Digital 1 photography class. I was supposed to be showing "where I was in life..." and at that moment, I was feeling in-over-my-head regarding photography.....hence the idea came to me to show myself getting caught reading "Photography for Dummies."

So have some fun and start turning in your submissions now!

Q and A: Image Hosting Services

JASON of ILLUSIVE DREAMS asks
"I was looking at your site, and I was wondering how you got a website through Smugmug with all that information and what not. I really need to redo my website, and I've been using Zenfolio, but I haven't really tried Smugmug. How does that work?"

ANSWER: Smugmug is the digital photo hosting service I currently use for posting galleries and selling prints to clients. Feel free to take a look at my business website here. Everything you see on that page was created thanks to the wonderful Customization Support team available through Smugmug's forum at Dgrin.com.

I didn't know a thing about HTML or customizing my page with slideshows, navigational bars or links. But all I had to do was post a question on the Smugmug Support thread, and by days end, I had help from gurus like Denise and Allen (I love you guys!) who created code to help me cut and paste designs onto my webpage. As a matter of fact, Denise helped me design the code that put a slideshow on my Blogger page, and helped me link photos directly from my blog back to my business website! Whenever I get a crazy idea I want to try out on my website, I just post a message: "I want to try putting my slideshow BENEATH my nav bar instead of having my slideshow on top of it. Can someone please explain to me how to do this?" I swear, the Customization Gods at Smugmug are up for any challenge.

Having the courage to customize my own page took some time. Until then, Smugmug had numerous templates I could use until I grew more accustomed to the site and had a better understanding of what services I wanted to offer. Smugmug also allows members to use registered domain names for their site address if a domain has been purchased. And clients who have ordered prints directly from the site said the images they received were beautiful and of great quality, which is one less worry I have to contend with.

Not only do I get to customize my site as a Pro user, but I can create custom watermarks for all of my uploaded images. And I can mark up my prints for sale where I get 85 percent of the markup over the base photo price. I'm still working on developing packages for my clients, since I've been told that offering them is a good business service. But many of my clients like the ala carte ease in being able to pick whatever sizes and prints they want, as well. And Smugmug is always coming out with new features, such as the recently added "digital downloads," of my images that are also available for sale.

Given all that and the ability to upload an unlimited number of photos, I think the $150 annual membership I pay is well worth it. But if that's more clams than you can afford right now, opt for the Standard membership to get you going. I get tons of compliments from clients about how professional my website looks, and I think that speaks highly of my product as well.

Breaking News: First Exhibit Sale!

One of my photos sold Friday night at the exhibit showing! The lovely photo above was purchased for $150 by local successful artist Skye Mason. It was also selected as third place "Best of Show" for the Arts on 7th studio showing.

Having someone buy one of my photos is an honor in its on right. But to have an accomplished photographer and painter like Skye be interested in my work is fantastic! Skye has had the privelege of shooting legends including Grace Jones, Tony Bennett, Charlie Pride, Roy Clark, Tommy Lasorda, Mickey Mantle, Indigo Girls, Kansas, Roman Gabriel and Arthur Ashe.

Congratulations also to the other four photographers who sold prints as well!