Well, I made it out of New York just in time. The PDN PhotoPlus Expo ended on Saturday afternoon, so by the time the storm hit the big Apple, I was safely back in Alaska bundling up to 15 degree weather. This morning we had snow. Hello winter. 

 

To everyone who calls the east coast their home, I’d like to extend my thoughts to everyone out there whose lives were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Having recently experienced the extreme winds that hit Anchorage last month, I can relate to the kind of damage and chaos that such weather can cause. Of course, we didn’t have water, so with that in mind, I can’t even imagine what NYC and other areas have had to endure during the past couple of days. Hopefully you all make it through the other side with minimal damage and inconveniences. 

 

My friend Photo_John Shafer compiled a list of amazing and astounding photo galleries that he found on the web. You can check them out here.

 

 

As usual, PhotoPlus Expo was a total whirlwind, and I saw tons of new products, gadgets and high tech doo dads. Some of my favorite will be coming this week on the blog, so be sure and tune in for that. That said, when I got home and started to compile my notes, I thought about how similar the photo industry is to the music industry.  Since I’m a guitar player I also get these big music catalogs that are filled with every musical, recording and live sound tool on the market. Same thing. Gear, gear, gear, gear, gear and more gear. Plus additional gear, with more gear on the side, topped with a slice of gear and whipped gear.

 

However, just like music, you don’t use it all. If you were a guitar player, you wouldn’t stick every single stomp box made on your pedal board, unless you are this guy. You pick and choose the guitar, the pedals and the amp that lets you achieve whatever particular sound that you have in your head. That’s style, and just as sound comes from fingers and individual musicianship, photography style comes from you, your eye and your creative brain.

 

Gear helps you get there, but only part way. You could use one body and one lens if you wanted to and still get great photos. More gear opens up your options, but too much gear overloads your options and your bank account. I keep saying this, but as much as photography is about the gear, photography is not about the gear.

 

I’ll be running down my favorite items that I saw at PhotoPlus Expo, so be sure and check out the blog this week. Or wait for the next newsletter and get them all in one place.

 

 

I just put a brand new page up on the blog called B&H Special Photography Deals, where I’ll feature current specials, rebates and other limited time offers that can help save you a few bucks. Or a lot of bucks in the case of some deals. The deals will rotate, so be sure and bookmark this page to check back on a regular basis. This week, I’m featuring Instant Rebates & Savings on Canon Lenses and Speedlites. Some of the discounts are pretty big.

 

 

If you were at PhotoPlus this year, maybe you saw me speak at the Lowepro booth on Friday. I did see a few of my followers there, and as always, it was fun to put names to faces! I gave a short presentation on their four recent packs that I use- the Photo Sport 200, the Flipside Sport AW, the Rover Pro Aw and the Photo Hatchback. Remember, as a subscriber, you get a 25% discount on any Lowepro gear that you buy through this link. Just use promo code LP20 in your shopping cart and you’ll get the discount. (US customers only.)

 

 

In a few words, marketing is all about making an impression and being remembered. How do you do that as a photographer when every single photo editor in the country is inundated with promo cards and emails every single day? 

 

One way is to do something special. Show your clients something that stands out and that makes them feel special. I recently mailed out a little adventure gift pack to a few select ad agencies that I’m hoping to land, and I’ve already gotten some great response from the art directors and photo buyers who I sent it to. And guess what? They’ve all gone from people who had no idea who I was to people who have bookmarked my website for consideration in future projects. 

 

I can’t take complete credit for this idea, it came partially through my own marketing company Agency Access. (And my wife who has a great creative streak.) I started working with them last year through their Campaign Manager Pro service. Agency Access is a full service marketing company for photographers that’s run by people who know the photo industry inside and out. They specialize in branding, design, coaching, telemarketing, direct mail and email promo and you can either sign up for some of the services a la carte, or you can have them do it all. 

 

If you’re a pro shooter who is struggling with your own marketing, if you are wanting to take your business to the next level, or if you just don’t enjoy the process of getting your name out there, take a look at Agency Access. Or, figure out what clients you’d like to land and send them something special. Just don’t copy my idea. ;)

 

All for now, Happy Halloween and don’t eat too much candy. Or do. I'm not your mother.

 

Dan

 

Shot in NYC with the new Fujifilm X10 firmware update.