"Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity." - Charles Mingus
The start of 2011 is a perfect time to humbly reflect on the lessons of 2010:
- watch my step;
- sneeze away from prints;
- check all camera settings before the session;
- assume nothing;
- have fewer session expectations (opens a more creative mind);
- tighten my flash on the hotshoe;
- embrace frustration;
- practice daily;
- hold my camera steady while laughing;
- focus, focus, focus;
- make the process simple.
All 2010 lessons have helped me grow. Making photography simple yet unique is a motivation and challenge. Trying to keep up with new photography trends, but staying true to my original style and passion sometime hurts my brain to think about. Sorting it out isn't all the simple, but when that magic "ah ha" moment comes, I feel a sense of peace and can move on.
These are things I have discovered:
1) Photography is about creating an instant visual emotion. When that visual emotion involves someone I love, it takes me on a happy little vacation. My home is full of vacation spots. I think my customers are looking for happy vacation spots.
2) Print package options are suppose to make selecting prints easier and less expensive (15-20% less). My package options were pretty standard as far as print combinations. Regardless, 90% of my customers purchased outside of my standard print packages to customize according to their wants. Like me, customers have their own ideas of how they want to display their photographs.
So, new for 2011:
1) A slideshow that sums up passion for family and photography in our homes. Love as Art...(from the heart). Love as Art (click on link)
2) Doing away with print packages. More simply, what you want is what you buy. I've reduced some print prices and will offer a discount for spending levels.
3) Offering Art Blocks. Art Blocks are like canvas wraps without the canvas and cost. They are trendy, and very hip, cool, phat, sick, trendy looking. Here's a sample:
and as stated in my last post;
4) More gift 5x7 treasures.
Oh yes, change feels good...now I'm ready for the 2011 season.
God Bless.
(next up, I need to work on simplifying my blog posts!)
