The 4th of July is always a special time here in our household. Maybe because it's the only holiday right in the heat of summer, and summer is our favorite time of the year. With parties and picnics and concerts - and even the occasional movie to cool down once in awhile. Have you seen Super 8? A wonderful movie that will make you LOL for 2 hours straight. 

A special thanks to everyone that has taken advantage of our About Us special. I've had so much fun learning about your businesses, and helping you transform the way you speak about your business. "Tooting our own horns" can be one of the most difficult things we do, and can actually hold us back from putting our best foot forward for reaching out to new clients. If business has been slow for you, maybe its time to do something new. Look at your business a bit differently, and come up with some new, exciting things that will put the passion back in your photography. Today's article will help lead the way.       
 

Enjoy!

Ever get to a point where you're just not having fun any more?

The images you used to take that thrilled you - now just feel like you're in repeat mode, taking the same things again and again.

Even the clients you used to love now seem to get on your nerves, no matter how hard you try to appease them. And even the littlest of tasks have become tedious and boring.

Is it time to quit and start something new?

A business is a lot like a relationship. When it's new and fresh, you are passionate about each other and can't wait to spend time together. But when you've been together for years, it takes more work, more spontaneity to keep the passion alive and burning. It's not that its not there; it just takes time and dedication to keep it alive.

To keep your business alive, maybe its time to do something a bit different. Something that will help bring back the passion you felt when things were brand new.

#1 Learn Something New

People usually get stuck in a rut when they continue to do the same things again and again. So the easiest way to get out of your rut is by changing what you do.

Head over to Google and start searching for classes in your area. You can head to a community college - they usually have adult education classes that last anywhere from one evening to a multiple week program. Look for chambers or other networking groups, and find out what seminars are coming to your area in the next month. Or find some photographic groups that meet in your area, and sign up for something you've never tried before - a Photoshop retouching class, or even a course in a new niche.

It doesn't matter if its photography related or not; just something that gets your creative juices flowing again. It's a way to look forward to your day again instead of feeling lost and on the path to nowhere.

#2 Follow A Mentors Advice

Do you have a photographer you've always looked up to? Take a look at what they do, and see how they can influence your business.

There are many successful photographers doing what they love and making a great living at it too. If you've ever read about a photographer in a magazine, or found a link to a site you love online, spend some more time visiting and reading the content.

Look carefully at what they do. How can you take some ideas and use it in your own business? You may even connect with them to see if they offer training courses of products, or would be willing to spend an hour on the phone with you sharing insights into their success.

#3 Connect With A Peer Group

Chances are you know several other photographers in your area. Do you meet regularly with them?

A great peer group can give you friendship and camaraderie through good times and bad. Set up monthly meetings, and visit each other's studios. Meet for lunch, or just for a few hours to chat about business.

In any community, there is more than enough business to go around. By talking with other photographers, you have a great support group that understands the business, yet isn't invested in your bank account. You're more likely to get honest feedback and a variety of ideas that will ultimately help you move forward into the right direction for you.

#4 Write Out 10 Things To Try Next

It's easy to come up with new ideas; its much more difficult to put them in action.

Every time you think of an idea, life tends to get in the way, and the idea quickly disappears. Don't let those ideas go. Instead, spend some time brainstorming new ideas on a regular basis. Write down each new idea, and think about putting it into place.


Then create a list of the 10 best ideas, and work to put them into action. They can be as simple as creating a new form to keep your office organized; or can be more complex such as starting a new campaign in a new niche. The key is to make it an idea you love and are vested in, and will be willing to work on and put into place over the course of the next few days/weeks.

#5 Get Away

Instead of sitting in the office, block out some time to get away and enjoy what you love - photography. Take the kids to the zoo. Visit a local park. Whether it's for a few hours or a few days, spend some time shooting just for you.

Look at things differently - maybe you give yourself an assignment of only shooting things that are red for 15 minutes. Make up things as you go along. This will open up your mind, and give you a fresh perspective.


             


The funny thing about buying a wedding dress is you wear it once, and it hangs in the closet forever more. I know - that's where mine is at the moment.

Mine got a bit more use than most, as I pulled it out on more than one occasion when we were first getting started to practice and build up our portfolio doing the crazy things we dreamt up. But for most brides, it goes into the closet, and rarely is seen again.

Which is why Trash The Dress sessions have become so popular, and can enhance the images a bride and groom have from their special day. The day of the event, the bride would never risk getting her gown dirty or wet. But the day after - all bets are off. For many, Trash The Dress is part of the fun of the entire wedding process.

Not only is it fun for the bride and groom, its also a great way to enhance your portfolio, and let all of your crazy ideas come to light. What have you always wanted to do? What photograph would you love to have in your portfolio? Dream away, and pitch it to your next bride to be.

If you've always wanted to add a Trash The Dress package to your services, now is the time. Use these 10 tips to help build your own package, and start selling it today.
1. Don't Include Trash The Dress Sessions in Your Packages

Wedding packages should be just that, photography the day of the wedding. You shouldn't include engagement images in your wedding packages. And you shouldn't include Trash The Dress sessions in your packages. Trash The Dress sessions are extra - above and beyond the norm. Not everyone wants it, and if you include it in your packages, you'll start the bargaining process with certain clientele.