Wednesday, April 8, 2009

busy as a bee



Are you creating more busyness for yourself? I know that I feel like I never get anything done, because I have SO much to do! I have jumped into the new technology head first and I didn't even think to see how deep the water was :)
As I hit the ground last week, I had to take a step back and look at my priorities and really look at what is important for our business. I have spent so much time trying to "keep up" with the Jones's that I have wasted hours and hours of valuable time. Facebook is a wonderful time waster, isn't it? I know because I see each and every one of you on there! :) I'm guilty!

There is only so much "stuff" that you can cram into one day, so you need to look at what is important. What is it that you can do, during your work hours, that will benefit you the most? If Facebook is getting you all your business than by all means, spend your time there. If Twitter gets you a lot of your wedding referalls, then Tweet away. But if it's not, then you need to refocus!

I know it's hard. I mean, you're addicted. Well, It's time to detox!
Hi, I'm Jackie and I am computeraholic.

So, what the next step?

Step 1. Spend one day this week or next and don't turn on your computer. Don't use your iPhone to get online either you cheater! Spend this day writing down your own ideas to help develop your business.

Step 2 . Prioritize your list.
Put those items in order of importance and work on them one by one. Don't move on to the next item until you have finished the one above it. (I know you multitaskers are going crazy already)

Step 3. Outsource things you don't need to do.
This is a hard one. It's hard to give up control. But do you really need to design every album from scratch? For me, it's giving up the simple things, like ordering images and letting someone else here do that. If you work alone, maybe buying templates for cards and albums or having a friend help you once a week. This will free you up some time

Step 4. No more comparing yourself to the "it" photographer of the week!
I know some photographers that just want to be like everyone else. They never develop a style because they are always trying to be like the next guy. If you can't define yourself...neither can your clients.

Step 5. Spend some time with people...
We spend so much time in cyberspace, that we lose time in real life with people you can reach out and touch. Value your family and friends...spend time with them

Step 6. I'm rambling now and can't thing of any more steps.
But you get the picture. Let's free up some time...however it may be...

What is important? That needs to be #1 on your list.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Jason Aten - SNAP

We had another SNAP on Monday with Jason Aten! I was hoping for a day with no rain so that we would be able to photograph his engagement session with no problems. WEll, we didn't have any rain...we had 6 inches of snow! We decided not to cancel it and take the opportunity to shoot in the snow. It was gorgeous...a little cold and a little wet but overall the shoot went well.

We had a great group of photographers and a lot of new faces! We learned so much and had some great conversations about business. Thank you Jason for hosting such a wonderful SNAP!
Here's a few snapshots from yesterday!






Thursday, January 29, 2009

Pantone Colors



Just wanted to give everyone the heads up on this years colors so that you can prepare. Pantone.com is the company the chooses the colors that we see everyday and this is their list for Spring 2009. To see more look at this article!
See everyone at PPM next week!
Copy and paste this address to see the article from Pantone
http://www.pantone.com/downloads/articles/pdfs/PANTONE-FCR-sp2009.pdf

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Doub Box Blitz

Ok, I wanted to let you know that you can sign up for Blitz by going to the MTPPA website. Go to www.mtppa.org and click on the box that says MTPPA. Then click on the Details tab up at the top, then click on Blitz 2009.
In the text are, it says sight up here and here is underlined. Click on the word here and then the BLitz Registration form should open up. Print that from, fill it out and then mail it to Rose!

Or you copy and paste the address below into your browser
http://66.147.242.94/~canfiel1/blitzregistrationform.pdf
and that should bring you directly to it.

If you have any trouble just let me know!
THanks,
Jackie

Mike Larson

Mike Larson and Kevin Swan spoke Monday evening and if you missed it well, you missed out! Mike spoke from the heart and talked about character, your influence, your business and priorities. I know the people I talked to were really impressed by what he had to say. Kevin Swan is a photographer and owner of KISS Wedding Books. He had so much information about building up your brand and had great tips about marketing to the right clients. It was a very inspirational and informational evening.
I wanted to shout out a huge THANK YOU to Jonathan Durling for providing us with images from Monday. Here are a few...






Monday, December 22, 2008

Essentials 09





Essentials 09 is on the books and I am REALLY excited about it! We have Jennifer Hudson coming from Olive Avonlea, we have the Antisdels, and Michelle Huesgen from Untamed Heart Photography. This seminar is April 26th-28th and this year it will be located at The Inn at Bay Harbor! Have you ever driven by there? It is SO gorgeous! This is going to be a great retreat! We are planning this event based on the idea that you need some time to learn, renew and relax! I love going to seminars but I always feel afterward that I need some time to recover. I am hoping that this year's Essentials will be a time for recovery and rest. I'm hoping that this will be a time that we can meet new friends and talk about how to improve our businesses.
I'm sure we will all enjoy the gorgeous views from the hotel too! What a gorgeous place...have I said that already?

So, Plan on attending!!! You won't be dissappointed.

"The Last Lecture"

Hey everyone! I don't know if i'm the last one on the boat, but I just read 'The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch. What a great book! I highly recommend it! I earmarked every other page, underlined and took notes from this book. That's really amazing for me :) I also read it all in one day...that's more like a miracle.
Anyway, pick it up and then watch the lecture.



Have a great Christmas!