Mario Munoz was the guest speaker at the May 21^st DPPA course “Step up Your Wedding Game.” After a full day demonstrating many of the photographic techniques that go into his signature style, he spent the evening explaining to about 50 DPPA members how he markets to brides.

Mario started out with a story. In the Munoz family, mother, father and 4 brothers are all shooters. He said that one day they sat down and tried to figure out where most of their referrals came from. This was their list (in order):

• Venues
• Florists
• Wedding planners
• Bands & DJs

Then they realized that venues and florists wanted what the photographer offered: quality digital images. By providing venues and florists with images, they reasoned they should get even more referrals.

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JD School Pictures will co-sponsor the School Photography Bootcamp July 8-12 in Nashville, Tennessee.

This popular five day program is in its 8th season. It is the most comprehensive training available for independent photographers and studios who want to enter the lucrative underclass school photo market. A highlight of the week-long program is a simulated classroom photo session using local children as models when attendees get to see a wide range of imaging technologies in action.

You can save $100 if you register by June 6, 2012.The program sells out every year, so early registration is recommended.

JD customers get an additional $50 off by using Discount Code 50bc2012 when registering.

The program is taught by Chris Wunder, Cr. Photog. ASP, one of the School Photo industry’s most popular instructors. Guest instructors will also be featured.

A program synopsis, registration fees and information is available here.

Mario Munoz, Jr. from Munoz Photography will teach a full-day course titled “Step Up Your Wedding Game!” on Tuesday, May 21st starting at noon in Troy, Michigan. Here is what you will learn:

Prepare to experience what it takes to elevate your wedding game to the next level. Whether it’s learning how to score in the consultation room – to creating the images that wow your clients – join Mario as he shares with you his secrets to create award winning wedding albums. No more excuses! Learn how to become everything for every bride.

This is a 2-Part Program:

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One of the challenges of selling a high-end canvas gallery wrap to a client is to show them an example of the finished product so they can imagine what it would be like in their home. Using Photoshop Action plugins, it is easy to create a 3-D example of a canvas gallery wrap with your client’s image for you to email them. This same technique works great for creating samples to put on your website.

While there are many ways to accomplish this, here are 2 Photoshop plugins that can help you make a small sample gallery wrap in less than a minute.

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Adobe Photoshop will hold their yearly conference “Photoshop World” training classes and trade show April 17-19, 2013 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

The “Photoshop for Photographers” track is designed especially for professional photographers who want to improve their Photoshop skills. This track is 8am until 7pm for 3 days, and is taught by professional photographers who are authorized Photoshop experts.
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Work side by side with Sam Sarkis to build your portfolio at an intensive 2-day workshop April 15 and 16 in Livonia, Michigan.

For more than 25 years, nationally acclaimed photographer Sam Sarkis has become a much sought after mentor and lecturer on the subject of the fine art of photography.

Learn posing, lighting and shooting. Sam will be on location and shooting for 2 full days. He will have couples lined up for both engagement and wedding portraits.

Cost is $1,095 per person for both days, or $895 if registered before March 16th. Call 248-538-9411 to register.

The Kirk Russell class notes are no longer available. However, one of the things I was reminded of as I watched the presentation again is the challenge of being a pro photographer:

Great photography isn’t enough.

Clients see lots of great images online. The secret is to provide a great product and to be a smart marketer.

That’s why JD provides resources like Kirk Russell, training classes, expert advice, and a weekly newsletter focused on helping you to market your photography business.

At JD we believe your success is our success.

Wednesday, February 20, approximately 50 professional photographers had the opportunity to meet at JD’s training room and listen to Kirk Russell as he gave an in-depth class on marketing.

Kirk talked about how every good marketing campaign should begin with a story. He gave examples by putting up images on the big screen, and asking photographers to suggest titles or headlines for the images. Once the best was chosen, participants learned how the images and text could be combined as the center of a marketing campaign.

The audience was enthusiastic about the class, forgoing the afternoon break in order to get more examples in before the 3pm ending.

DPPA is hosting Kirk Russell in an “Effective Marketing” program Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at the Seaholm High School Media Center in Birmingham, MI Map & Directions

Here are the program notes:

Effective Marketing is no longer an oxymoron. Studios who aren’t finding ways to attract, motivate, and engage clients quickly find themselves hung out to dry. How are you hanging?

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I had a photographer’s client call me recently about a senior portrait image she wanted re-printed. The boy’s face was red. She had asked the photographer about it when looking at proofs online, and the photographer said, “don’t worry, the finished print will be fine.” the print was drop-shipped, and it was not fine. So the client Googled “pro lab” and found me.

“Can you help?” she asked. Her logic was that if her photographer couldn’t fix it, a pro lab could.

The photographer wasn’t my client, I didn’t print the photo and she didn’t have the image file. But that’s not the point.

If you make a living as a photographer, you instantly know half a dozen things you would have done differently that would have fixed this terrible situation before it ever happened. But if you’re just getting started, here are 4 rules in our business you should always follow:

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