So what has happened since last time?

1. Well, the studio that I had for 15 years has now gone 😢 and you can see my emotional video post about it here on LinkedIn. But the good news is I now have a purpose-built YouTube studio for video and product photography. In reality, with the price of electricity and rent, and the fact I only used it once a month, meant that it wasn’t cost-effective; after all, most of the time, I was on location.
   
2. My YouTube channel started in earnest during lockdown, and I’ve been teaching other photographers how to take photos ever since. This has actually turned into a paid revenue stream now.
3. DT Studios is no longer; well, in name anyway. The business wasn’t going where we wanted it to, so after a long, mutual decision-making process, we have gone our separate ways. My business partner for the last 4 years is now following his own path and doing amazing food photography, so if you want some food photos taken, then let me know, and I’ll put you in touch.
4. Video now accounts for 70% of my business 🧐 I didn’t think that was going to happen.
5. I moved house - I never thought that was going to happen either 😁.
6. I started doing marketing strategies: stemming from years of experience in the marketing space and building up multiple businesses, plus the exit sale of my last business.
7. I wrote a(nother) book!  But this one is aimed at photographers and specifically the business aspect of photography.

Okay, I think that’s enough for now; there are probably more things, so if we meet up, feel free to ask or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Rainy Day Guarantee

Yes, that’s right. I thought I would put in writing something I have been doing for years.

Interview style introductions

How do you introduce yourself to your audience? Well, video is a great way of doing it but what style of video introduction do you go for? Below is a sample we did for explic8, the 'Meet the Team’ page. It’s a nice, relaxed way to introduce yourself to the world.

If you’ve considered photographing your premises, then now is the time!

This isn’t a ‘salesy’ piece, more of a public service announcement. The reason is the summer months, especially at the start of summer, are when the flowers are out, the grass is green and hopefully, we have some sunny weather. 

You’d be amazed how many people start to think about their marketing after summer and then decide they want a picture of their building to show off on websites, flyers, and expos but wonder why it doesn't look as good.

So, no matter who is taking the photo (a pro, a sales director or you), just go and do it now, and make sure you tidy up around it too! The tidiness in the photo will say a lot about you and your business.

This month's Landscape

On a recent landscaping escape to Wales, I had my very own tour guide in a friend of mine, Lewis James Phillips, who is also a photographer (although I think his work is a lot better than mine... 🤫 don’t tell him that). Now he specialises in still being pure film photography - none of this modern-day, digital stuff. This also means that every time he presses the shutter button, it costs him money so he really does make sure that everything is perfect. Now, that being said, I took this shot whilst he was still setting up his camera, and then the light changed when he was ready 😳

Anyway, if you want to check out him and his work, click here.

Well, that’s it for this month and I hope there has been something in this which has sparked an interest for you. If there is something you would like to see in future, then just let me know.

“Whatever you are, be a good one”

ABRAHAM LINCOLN