Welcome
Does it feel like Monday to you ? Holiday weekends always mess with me like that.
But nope, it's Tuesday which means it's time for the next issue of SeniorInspire the newsletter...
We've got a great one this week, featuring our interview with West Elm Photography's Robin Addleman. If you're not familiar with her work, do yourself a favor and give her a follow on Instagram.
Before you get to Robin's interview though, we've got some great info on DSLR vs mirrorless cameras as well as a whole hunk on calls to action you should be prepared to spend some time studying.
Anyway, enjoy the issue!
Magazine Update
Magazine Update
A quick update on the next issue of SeniorInsire the magazine...
We're going to begin accepting submissions for our next semi-annual issue on Monday, June 21st - That's just three weeks from now!
Stay tuned to the newsletter or in the SeniorInspire Facebook group for more details as they're available!
Marketing and Branding
If You Don't Think About CTA's in Your Sleep, Please Read This
Getting someone to take action after reading one of your posts is a true skill and the sign of a talented marketer.
I run across a lot of marketing from senior photographers and usually the biggest issue I see is the lack of a clear call to action (CTA for short).
If you're not sure what a CTA is, or if your feel your CTA game is weaksauce, take some time to study this article which does a great job explaining what they are and why they're so important.
As a bonus, the article also includes 15 great call to action examples that you can study to improve your own CTA game!
Finally, here are a few basic principles from the Top Hat Marketing Agency that will help take your own CTA's to the next level...
- Before you determine what your CTA is, make sure you know what your goal is.
- Keep your CTA above the fold: If visitors can't see your CTA before they start scrolling, you're doing it wrong.
- Use the word 'Because': Don't just tell people to do something, tell them why they should do it.
- Add value: Example - Rather than just SHOP NOW, make it SHOP NOW and save 25%.
- Create urgency: FOMO is real. Make your audience feel like they're missing out if they don't take action quickly.
- Use social proof: Social proof in addition to a killer CTA is clutch. Why? Because social proof shows that you're not the only one tooting your horn.
Equipment News
DSLR or Mirrorless
I've been seeing a lot of FB posts recently from senior photographers looking to buy a new camera. The question is almost always, 'Should I get another DSLR or move to mirrorless?'.
In my opinion, the answer is easy... Move to mirrorless!
If you're in the market for a new camera body you might as well make the jump now because if you don't, your next camera after this one will almost certainly be mirrorless anyway.
Up to this point the main objections to mirrorless have always been lens selection, battery life and build quality.
These days, those are just not real issues.
The battery and build issues have long been solved. And with solid mirrorless options from both Canon and Nikon (Sony and Fjui are no longer the only real options), there is no good reason not to make the switch as long as it fits within your budget.
Personally, I made the switch from Canon to Sony about three years ago and I'll admit the transition was tougher than I expected. I struggled with the learing curve of the new system and did opt to switch out all my Canon lenses for Sony.
But in the end I am 100% glad I made the move when I did and would never go back.
Anyway, here's a great article from Dan Milnor that lays out the strengths and weaknesses of each. If you're in the market for a new camera, check it out.
Meet the Photographer
Fly Robin Fly
For this week's interview we fueled up the SeniorInpire Cesna and took a quick plane ride to Kansas City, Kansas where we were to meet up with Robin Addleman, the owner of West Elm Photogaphy!
Once we landed we realized Robin's studio was actually in Missouri and not Kansas. So we hopped a bus and half an hour later we had the chance to sit down with Robin...
SeniorInspire So your studio is located on the Missouri side of Kansas City. Do you ever wish you lived on the Kansas side?
Robin Addleman I'm only 20 minutes from the State Line so a lot of my daily errands involve heading into Kansas but in all reality, I enjoy Missouri more, I find a lot more culture and art driving around Missouri.
SI You have a very distinct style and I can always spot a West Elm photo in my feed. To me your style is very bold and fresh with vibrant color. How long have you been in business and how long would you say it took you to develop your style. Talk a little about how your style came to you.
RA I've always been one that enjoys being different, standing on my own and finding my own art through photography. However, being a self-taught photographer, in 2009 when I first picked up a camera I would try to mirror what other photographers were doing, thinking that is the way I was supposed to be but it was never fulfilling. I was never truly happy with my work but then one image changed my course and this was about 5 years ago, the image was perfectly "imperfect" and I fell in love. From that day on I realized my style was not the tailored look like everyone else but it was finally a style where I saw the true and real beauty of the individual ... in the most imperfect style. Now it's all about the individual's beauty no matter the pose, the background, the wind in the hair, when you see your subject's beauty through your lens then all the other pieces fall together.
SI There's a photo of yours of a girl wearing your grandmother's dress and a small group of skaters in the background. Your IG caption says there was a time when you would not take a photo with people in the background, but you've come to realize the skaters are part of the story you're trying to tell. I love that! Is there anything that inspired you to come to that realization about your art?
RA A lot of this plays off my previous statement with being different and imperfect. To see a girl in heeled boots, puffy vintage pink dress with full makeup in at a skatepark, the clash of the two is my art and to have the actual skaters in the background really gives it more of an editorial feel yet very natural and realistic. I've had girls pose in laundry mats and when a barefooted toddler comes up to chat, I will leave the kiddo in the image because editing the toddler out would change the story. By the way, thank you!
SI A new photographer from another state comes to you for advice and you've got two minutes to share some wisdom. What do you tell them?
RA I would say, stop comparing yourself to others, follow inspiring artists on social media - not just other photographers, don't ever put the camera down and know your worth. Find the beauty in everyone, photograph from your heart and never undervalue yourself. Find different ways of editing, you don't have to be a photoshop wiz but learn how to make your images sharp and not grainy, play around with settings.
SI What's something you like to do after a disappointing sale?
RA Drink Margaritas! lol - I put so much heart into my work and when a client walks away without my favorite images or an album of all the work, I will change my mindset to that of financial reasons and most likely that is the reason behind leaving art behind. To help myself feel better I will post those favorite images of mine on social media so at least I can still share with everyone. I don't stay sad too long because I think of what a great loss it is for them. heehee
SI Top three songs you'd want on a desert island?
RA Fade into You by Mazzy Star, Workinonit by J Dilla, and Monkey Man by the Rolling Stones
SI I'm not familiar with J Dilla's work, but seriously love the other two! Who are some photographers, artists or influencers you follow on Instagram you think others may not know about?
RA I love what Collective Trend puts out as far as artistic shots and Brittni Schroeder as far as marketing strategies plus she's a beautiful soul in person too. I follow my photography friends because it's always good to show your support but my absolute fave is my good friend and total opposite of my own work, Shelley Jensen because she offers the pureness of photography and the more traditional images that we have all grown to love in senior portraits.
SI Alright, great! Gonna check all those out on my way back to the plane in Kansas. Thanks again for sitting down with us, it was great to get to meet you!