To be effective, your business needs a consistent marketing presence both offline and online. It needs to use print and digital marketing tools. It needs both advertising (paid) and publicity (free).

It’s the marketing mix that gets and keeps your company message in front of your target audience. It works to establish your brand.

So what are the 9 pieces?

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I love Kodak’s Endura metallic paper. With the right image, it creates the look of a back lit print that takes regular and HD photography to a new art form.

I love the fact that it’s only been around for the last three years (primarily on the east and west coasts) so it still has a great “wow” factor.

I love the fact that you can order a standard-sized enlargement and have it mounted (up to 40″), or you can make a custom-sized panorama metallic print (how about 30×72″!) using the drop box catalog in ROES, frame it, and offer it to your clients as a wall portrait that will take their breath away.

We see metallic prints every day at the lab, and have found that images with metallic or satin backgrounds, images with metallic or glossy objects, images with bright primary colors and high contrast images bring out the best in this paper.

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Looking for something unique to offer your clients this holiday season? 

Our new Fancy Frame Statuettes are getting rave reviews everywhere we show them. We’re so confident you’ll love them, we’re offering free studio samples to show your clients.

These high-quality keepsakes are printed on Kodak paper, then permanently affixed to a heavy acrylic and contour cut by hand. Choose from 5×7″, 8×10″ or 11×14″ sizes, each ready to hang on a wall or use with a photo stand. Download our Fancy Frame templates in Photoshop PSD file formats or you can make your own using these templates as a guide. Just make sure that the cut line is visible so they can be hand-cut properly.

For sports, school and dance photographers, our classic 5×7″ and 8×10″ statuettes are a great gift idea too. Each statuette is hand-cut, then mounted on a glossy black acrylic base.

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Our brains don’t like to think of new ideas.

If you find yourself at a loss trying to think of how to move forward, instead imagine you’ve already achieved your goal. Then figure out how you got there. Who helped you? What knowledge helped you get there? What happened to help you on your way?

Once you know how you got there, figure out how to make those things happen for you.

For example: suppose you are trying to think of ways to increase average customer sales. Instead of coming up with a “list”, you imagine a potential client so impressed with you that they gladly purchase a bigger package.

So what impressed them? First impressions are important. So you imaging a client having a terrific first impression from the moment they walk into your studio. However, the entrance to your studio needs professional landscaping. You might be able to trade product photography for work on your front entrance. So you pull out your camera over lunch and shoot some nice patio work to show to a landscaper you know.

The next time you can’t think of a new idea, try thinking backwards. It might just work for you.

Get ready for an island adventure at PPM’s Fall Training Camp, October 9-11, 2011 at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island! More information or registration here.

The ever popular hands-on, up-north weekend retreat is back for another year. Join your friends for a fun filled, relaxing getaway on beautiful Mackinac Island.

The theme of the weekend is “shooting on-location weddings, families, couples etc”. The emphasis will be on

• How to analyze a new location and determine the best way to photograph there.
• How to choose the best settings, lighting, time of day, etc.
• How to make portraits that encompass the environment and venue where the portraits are being taken.
• How to approach a “destination wedding” location.
• How to photograph a family that may be vacationing at a special location that they would like to have highlighted within their family portrait.
• How to photograph a couple or senior portrait session that magnifies the setting where they are.

Even the party/banquet/reception on Monday night is to be a learning experience for attendees as to how to photograph a wedding reception at this beautiful destination resort.

Rod Gleason will conduct a SNAP Family Portraiture workshop  from 2pm till 7pm on Monday, September 26th in Lansing, MI. The workshop is sponsored by the Michigan Triangle Professional Photographers Association.

Rod will focus on working with posing, lighting, working with large groups and how to select the landscape that frames your portrait. Photographers are encouraged to bring cameras and be ready for a good time with outdoor family photography. See more of Rod’s work here.

SNAP stands for Shoot. Network. Apply. Profit.   SNAP was created to give photographers more opportunity for education but in a hands-on format.  Each SNAP is a full day centered around a speaker or certain subject.  If  you decide to become a member after attending a SNAP (within that year) MTPPA will put $100 towards your membership.  They are small in number so that you get the most out of it.  It’s also a great way to work with other photographers and learn from each other.

The cost for MTPPA members is $50.00, or $150.00 for non-members. Register is limited to 15 photographers. Click here to register or to see some of Rod Gleason’s work.

Briana Graham will present a workshop entitled, “All About Children’s Portraiture” on Tuesday, Sept 20 at 7pm. This workshop is sponsored by the Detroit Professional Photographer’s Association.

Brianna Graham is an internationally recognized portrait artist, specializing in children, families, and high school seniors. Besides the magic of her eye for light and color, Brianna also emphasizes the concept of balancing the art and business of photography.

For the past 4 years, Brianna has taught workshops across the country in Australia. She has been featured in Professional Photographer Magazine, Rangefinder, and has given presentations at WPPI and Imaging USA.

This event is free to DPPA members or first-time guests. NEW: Register for the 6pm dinner here.  Non-members may also attend for $45 by registering here.

Michael Timmons will teach you how to enhance your images on Monday, Sept. 26 from 10am until 4pm in the JD training center. The program is sponsored by the Professional Photographers of Michigan and JD Photo Imaging.

Ever wondered how to use Nik Software to enhance your images? How about taking your after capture skills to the next level? What about a work alternative to HDR that will give you a more photo realistic look using jpegs?

During this day long program, Michael will share with you all of his tips and tricks to create stunning, award winning images. This day will be devoted to exploring the Nik software interface and unleashing the power that lies within. Both color and black and white workflow will be discussed as well as image enhancement using Topaz Adjust and Lucis Art software.

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Lew Everling will talk about “Social Mediarology” on Monday, September 19th at 7pm. The program is sponsored by the Professional Photographers of Western Michigan.

Lew will take photographers through the basics of getting started in social media channels like Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, email, texting and blogging.

In addition to being a passionate and energetic speaker, Lew is a member of the Professional Photographers of America, American Society of Photographers, Indianapolis Professional Photographers Guild, Professional Photographers of America, a Craftsmen Photographer, Certified Professional Photographer and serves on the Professional Photographic Certification Commission, a group of professionals promoting professional photography. You can see Lew’s work here.

For more information, visit the PPWM website.

Tim Priest will present “Shooting Seniors and Models with a Fashion Flair” on Monday, September 19th at 7pm in Frankenmuth, MI. The program is sponsored by Mid-Michigan Professional Photographers Association.

During the program Tim will cover lighting and posing for fashion style portraits. This includes:

• Mixing strobe, tungsten, and available light
• Location scouting and shooting
• Wardrobe
• Post production
• Using textures

Tim started as a commercial photographer, and has become a nationally known fashion shooter working out of Chicago and Grand Rapids. In 1987 he was named Michigan Photographer of the year.

For more information, visit the MMPPA website.