Suggestion Bucket

65 Responses to “Suggestion Bucket”

1. Katie
   

   please show me how to use natural light.
2. Kami Voiles
   

   I would love a COMPLETE walkthrough of one of your outdoor senior sessions – video the actual session taking place and then show the same photos on how you photoshop them…so from start to finish. Specifically, I want to see how you create those amazing skies and sunflares!!!
3. Kim Critchfield
   

   I’d like to know what you did when you had no sessions and were just getting started. What did you do to jump start your business?
   Thanks!
4. Amber Rakowski
   

   Do you have any advise for those of us just starting out on how to get ppl in the door. what kind of specials to run and so on and so forth? thx
5. George
   

   @Amber Rakowski:

   You are the 2nd person to ask about getting started. I might need to make that one of next months video training.

   George
6. Lana Burnette
   

   yes yes yes, how do we “find” clients. I live in a small town with relatively no way to market and I am trying to brainstorm ways to market. Right now word of mouth is my money, but that will only go so far, I want new people!
7. Amber Rakowski
   

   Im with you lana. small town and have no idea how to go about getting this out.
8. George
   

   @Katie:

   Natural Light Photography

   http://www.myphotographybusiness.com/archives/529

   George
9. Brett Jarnagin
   

   OFF CAMERA FLASH! 

   I’ve been all about natural light since I started but I absolutely love the looks you achieve with OCF.  I also have several night weddings scheduled this year and don’t really have any other options…  I’m even taking one couple to The Arch at 1 a.m. for some unique shots!
10. Elizabeth Callahan
    

    George, your black and white images taken is studio have a certain “look” I would love to see your processing for your black and whites.
11. Nicole Hate
    

    I’d also like to know more about how you started, as Kim mentioned above.

    I’m slowly teaching myself OCF, its not really too hard once you learn the basics but I’m always wanting to learn more.  I know one wedding I’ll be photographing later this year is a beautiful venue but really bad lighting, I’ll be using OCF for sure.
12. George
    

    @Nicole Hate:

    I will release that pretty soon I assure you.

    GEorge
13. Michelle Prince
    

    really love the really blue sky images you do with the q flash, think i can get it with an alien bee until i can get the profoto or hensel porty?  which should i get
14. George
    

    @Michelle Prince:

    I get those skies with my Qflash.. surely you can do it with your alien bee!

    George
15. Angela Randall
    

    I would like to know how to properly place a reflector (even if mom has to hand hold it) when I am shooting outdoors with natural light and no buildings around giving you the natural reflection you talked about in your video…which was awesome by the way!!
    I’d like to see the eyes pop with color…this would be great to know the how to’s and what not to do’s when using a reflector.  THANKS.
16. KIM MITCHELL
    

    Hey George, I would love to know (step by step in photoshop) how you did the photo of the little girl dancing/twirling. I think it is a 10X20…THANKS!! 
17. George
    

    @KIM MITCHELL:

    I thought about recording that as a video.

    The mom did buy that as a 10X20 by the way.

    George
18. KIM MITCHELL
    

    A video would be GREAT!!
19. Michelle Prince
    

    on your blog December 23 Katherine, image 2 sitting in chair looking up and to the side, would love to know your lighting set up for that one.
20. George
    

    @Michelle Prince:

    Simple… 3X4 softbox overhead. Grid hitting the background. Sold as a 16X20 in BW in canvas.

    George
21. Mark
    

    George, LOVE your image of the fellow on your website shot with two strip lights!   I’ve looked and looked at this image …. but cannot figure out HOW you’ve got no light spillover onto his clothing!  Impressive!  Seems more like spots than strip lighting!  So how’d you do it?  Where exactly where your lights placed that they didn’t spillover onto areas you didn’t want?
22. Mark
    

    1-900-George!
    George, here’s a thought ….

    Maybe you should have a 1-900 number or CC payment option where people can call you for tech-support!   HECK, even on BAD-WEATHER DAYS, you’d still have business!
23. George
    

    @Mark:

    Are you talking about this image???

    http://www.myphotographybusiness.com/image300250.jpg

    The light is certainly hitting his clothing.

    Maybe thats not the image.

    George
24. Dena
    

    Hi, George!

    I noticed on your website that you talk about a February bonus teleconference call with your friend, but I don’t see any information on when it will be. Has it already happened or not yet? And will you record the teleconference for those of us who can’t make it (and so we can re-hear the good sales info again when we want to)? Thanks!

    Dena
25. George
    

    @Dena:

    I am trying to coordinate with David.. looks like it will be closer to the middle of March as I gone the first week in March to a weeklong seminar.

    I will record it but if everyone waits for the recording and no one attends the call, there will be no recording. So, please attend.

    George
26. Victoria Arrington
    

    George do you have advice or a video about shooting candle light weddings and night weddings?
27. Kim Critchfield
    

    I’d like to know what you did when you had no sessions and were just getting started. What did you do to jump start your business?
    Thanks!
28. Eric Wagner
    

    Will you be posting the Tele-Seminar?
    I wasn’t able to attend.
29. George
    

    @Eric Wagner:

    Yes I will as soon as I have a little breathing space. Spring Break is no break around here.

    George
30. Dena
    

    I know it’s kind of crazy for you right now, but at some point could you give us a complete video tour of your studio (from the outdoors in)? I keep seeing little hints of it here and there, so I want to see it all!

    I’d like to hear more about what you were talking about with the 8×10 gallery wraps, for showing what you want to sell type stuff, by showing us what you have displayed everywhere. 

    And could you perhaps tell us more about if you put your deliveries in pretty packaging, or how you give the final product to the client?

    Thanks, George!

    I also can’t wait for the tele-seminar. I couldn’t make it, either. Hope a few people showed up for it and lots of good info was shared!

    Dena
31. George
    

    @Dena:

    Not a problem. Its already recorded.

    I will post the teleseminar soon. Five people on the call from the call record but only a couple actually asked questions. It went for the full hour. I suspect it could have went another hour.

    Packaging.. I think that is the very first video in marketing. I have chocolate boxes (with my logo now), kraft paper, and raffia on wrapping it on the outside.

    George
32. Dena
    

    Oooh! I missed that little video snippet! Silly me!

    Can’t wait for the studio tour (and how the production room looks — I like seeing how people organize their stuff).

    Will you also show us how you package the larger stuff like your gallery wraps?

    You need to get an assistant to come do all the packaging for you, so you have more time to shoot!

    Thanks again for everything!
33. George
    

    @Dena:

    Larger stuff is not that glamorous. I use the same box it came in but without the Simply Canvas tape on it.

    I don’t want to shoot more than I do in all honesty. 3 – 5 sessions a week and 1-2 weddings a month is plenty for me.

    George
34. Michelle Prince
    

    i would love a video on OCF
35. Jacqueline Myers
    

    I would love to see your ordering process from the time they sat to watch their slideshow to the end of the order. Could you record a secret video of your session and then afterward ask if it is ok to show? Tell them that you didnt want the camera to effect how they would react if they knew it was there! LOL

    Anyhow.. I am curious that after you show your images on the slideshow.. do you go to a standard rotation of your images and click individually on each one & ask what they want of it or… Keep flipping until they say “Stop, I want that one for sure.”

    WOuld you be willing to show your order forms and how you file and organize?

    Too many ?’s, I know!!!!!!!! Thanks
36. Katie Groves
    

    How about using Natural Light inside…
37. Katie Groves
    

    Got another Idea, How do you do Black and White pictures in photoshop!
38. Mark
    

    George, please show us some lighting setups for posing couples.   One cannot have the light “correct” for both of them!  

    I’d also appreciate help with posing !!!  (guys as well as gals …. anyone)
39. Kami Voiles
    

    I’d love to see a video of your sales session like Jacqueline as well.   
40. Robert Hamm
    

    Yes George,  I also would like to know how to get those clients in the door and interested in booking sessions.   I live in a small town and have posted (the size photo I was allowed) 8×10’s in three places out of five but so far no one has even visited my web site.  BTW, these prints were posted a month ago.  It’s discouraging when this happens.
41. Michelle Prince
    

    Hey, big thing driving me crazy lately is customers not ordering in the time frame i set up. i am very specific about the time frame but still don’t feel that people care enough about it. please help.  do you send a document out that tells the client when they must order. if so can i see a sample
42. George
    

    @Michelle Prince:

    All my orders are done AT the “slideshow”. I say that like 5 different times to them and I say it SLOWLY and wait for an acknowledgement from the mom. I schedule the slideshow AT the portrait and sometimes WALK them into the slideshow room and explain it all. Its never been an issue.

    George
43. Amber Rakowski
    

    George,
    I would love to know how you do the pics with the “WET” look. I saw one on dpp with the 15yo girl and just love it. How do you light it and how do you get them to do it. I always love your photos and just wish i had your talent.  I was also wondering how to get photos Crisper. YOurs always look so crisp and clear. not sure if it might be my lens or what ss/ap im using at the time or if i just suck. lol.
    Thanks
44. Dena
    

    Still hoping for video of your studio tour, since I think a month or two ago you said it was already recorded. Can’t WAIT to see your kick-butt studio!! Can you tell I’m excited??!!
45. maggie collins
    

    Hi George and everyone. I’m new to this all. I just signed up and I love it! I would love to have my own studio  in my garage. i shoot just on location right now…weddings ect… (myspace.com\photosupclose) not sure about  what lighting or back drops I should start out with.  can you do a video  of a  maybe a portable pack and go studio and maybe take it to there home  or just set up in a garage. just the basic stuff. thanks, maggie… …Have a blessed day
46. George
    

    I promise to do a video walk through. I have it but its too bouncy and gives me a headache! I will re-record it. ok

    George
47. maggie collins
    

    Hi George, I and some others would love to know step by step in photoshop how you did the photo of the little girl twirling around. its under shooting better. I could use that technic in many other things as well. Someone else posted about this, I have been waiting  and hoping you would show it.
    thanks so much and have a blessed day 
    Maggie 
48. George
    

    @maggie collins:

    I THINK I know the picture you are talking about. I’ll keep that in mind for future PS training.

    Thanks,

    George
49. Dena
    

    For a Christmas gift to your members, you need to post the video of a full sales session, so we can see you work your sales magic!
50. George
    

    @Dena:

    I have thought about that one million times. I either have to SNEAK and do it OR ask them. Not sure I am comfortable with either option in all honesty.

    Maybe I can record a MOCK session but not real sure about a real session. Hmmm

    I got this email yesterday from Maxine May…

    “George,

    Just wanted to drop you a quick message to tell you that the day before my senior proofing, I ditched my price list and followed yours. I figured it was the perfect time because these were the first clients who did not ask what my prices were. They paid the session fee and I told them I had a $300 minimum order, but they didn’t ask what they would get for that amount. I usually do not see higher than maybe $400 for my senior sessions. My husband thought I was crazy. Well, guess what?… it worked! The sale was $800+ While I was hoping to hit $1000, I’m not going to complain. Thanks so much for all the information and teaching you’ve given on the My Photography Business.com”
51. Thomas Spayth
    

    Hey George,

    A list of vendors you use and like and ones you’ve tried and disliked would be useful.

    PS.  I’m going to send you my price list to critique soon.  I’m in the process of raising my prices and changing over from a package base set-up to a a la carte set up with incentives like yours soon, as its ready I’ll send it your way.  Thanks for everything you do.

    Tom
52. George
    

    @Thomas Spayth:

    Great. I will do it.

    Email both pricelists to George@georgedean.com

    George
53. Mands
    

    Hey George! friend of David’s here (hope he thinks I’m a friend! LOL) but I wondered if there is anyway of doing a paypal sub to your site? like DWF have?  Not everyone has a credit card, and being in NZ we don’t but would love to subscribe.  We do it to DWF like this, so wondered if it is at all possible? Thanks!
54. George
    

    @Mands:

    Yes, at the bottom of the front page is a “Paypal Sign Up” link.

    George
55. Julie Kalar
    

    Hey George,

    How about a photoshop tutorial on what you did to the girl with the cowboy hat on your homepage with getting the different colors in the sky.  Thanks!
56. George
    

    @Julie Kalar:

    Look at Photoshop 6.

    George
57. George
    

    @Julie Kalar:

    Try this Photoshop Tutorial: http://www.myphotographybusiness.com/archives/1031

    Its the same techniques. I should have used the cowboy hat girl. I love that image!

    George
58. Anna DiGilio
    

    I would love to see a video of a Family Photo Session outdoors using natural light…no reflectors or OCF…just sun and open shade…and then your post processing of the images.

    This would be AWESOME!!!!!!

    Thanks
    Anna
59. Carolyn Fulginiti
    

    I would like to see how to shoot a beach session…. Also any tips on protecting your gear at the beach.
60. Vicki Derks
    

    Hi George, I’m loving the marketing and sales videos but would love to have them on my iPod to listen to while I walk. Is this a capability already? If not, how about it?
61. George
    

    @Carolyn Fulginiti:

    I actually have a wedding on Cancun this summer. I plan on doing a lot of videoing.

    George
62. George
    

    @Vicki Derks:

    Vicki, I can appreciate where you are coming from.

    I have seen at conventions, people gathering in a hotel room to dump hard drives of templates, textures, and actions onto a “friends” laptop. I work too hard to get my stuff produced for it to be “shared”. This is why its locked down as it is.

    I hope you can appreciate my position as well.

    George
63. Dena
    

    I would love to see a “closing the sale” tutorial for the first phone call from a senior! Seems like half of the people calling have to “check with so and so” before booking (after asking when they’d like to book their session). And then a ton of them never call back (after hearing about session fees and minimum orders). I think a lot of them are probably price-shopping for the lowest priced photographer, rather than focusing on wanting a great product.  But still, hearing how you get those seniors and/or their parents to book right there without checking with someone else would be helpful!
64. jodee ball
    

    George, I have been on your site for less than 7 days and I’ve already had opportunities to try new techniques that you’ve taught! I’m so excited about my business (started 1 year ago). I’ve been business soft on policies and, at this point, am way underpriced. You are giving me a voice! My projector is the on the way! I’m going to boost my sales thanks to YOU! I can’t wait to learn more!
65. Vicki Derks
    

    Hi George, my weakness is families. Could you please show how you pose a family session? It’s primarily families with older children 13y and older in studio that I am having my difficulties. They no longer feel comfortable ‘playing’ with mom and dad etc.
    Thanks

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