Welcome
I want to tell you about a sale I had this week...
I know, I know. Right now you're saying, Look at Nick getting ready to brag about a $3,000 sale.
I WISH!
This sale was a $600 minimum order, and I knew it was going to be $600 when the Dad announced early on in the ordering session, "my ex-wife and I have $600 between us to spend." 😢
Of course I tried the ol', You liked so many of the images, it'd be a shame not to get an album... Did you know you can spread larger purchases over two or three payments? blah... blah... blah...
But it was pretty clear they'd already booked their train to Minimumsville, and they weren't going any higher.
There was a time when a minimum sale like this would send me into an emo tailspin for days!
I could have had ten $2,000 sales in a row and one low order would pop up and I'd find myself in my bathrobe, unshaven, staring at my pricelist for days trying to figure out where I went wrong.
These days I have more confidence in my sales strategies and look at smaller sales like any other cost of doing business. If you photograph enough seniors they're going to happen!
The key, of course, is to make sure the steps you are taking to pre-qualify your clients work and that smaller sales are rare.
In my case, photographing about 70-80 seniors a year, I know I'm going to get 2-3 clunkers in there. Any more than that and it's time for me to take that hard look at my processes and make some adjustments.
Bottom line, especially for all you newer photographers out there, don't let a smaller order get you down! They can't ALL be winners!
Just make sure you're taking the necessary steps to guaranty most of them are.
Anyway, I've gone on a little longer than I intended... Let's get down to biz...
Adobe Products
Photoshop quick actions - Who knew?
Am I the only one who never heard of Photoshop's Quick Actions?
Seriously! I consider myself to be pretty competent with Photoshop, but the problem I have is I learned to use it over a decade ago... And keeping up on the hundreds of new features that have been added since is a full time job.
So imagine my surprise when I stumbled on this video about Photoshop Quick Actions.
One click and you can remove a background, select a subject or the sky, and even blur the background!
How did I not know these existed?
If you're like me and you're just learning about this now, don't feel dumb. Quick Actions are HIDDEN in the Photoshop help screens!
In the help screens? WTH, Adobe? It's almost like you're embarrassed of Quick Actions!
LOL, check these out. Some of them are actually quite useful.
Who knew?
Creativity
Check out this posing clinic
Later in this issue, we're going to be sitting down with photographer, Blanca Parciak.
Like I usually do, I asked Blanca for some names of photographers she follows and one of them was Eli Infante who is a Texas photographer.
I live a sheltered life and had never heard of him, so I took a look at his Instagram page.
Holy smokes! I want to be Eli when I grow up!
Here's a video of his that is a TOTAL POSING CLINIC. Watch this for all kinds of inspiration!
If you want more from Eli, be sure to also check out his YouTube channel.
Meet the Photographer
Horsing around with Blanca Parciak
For this week's interview we're heading down to St. Louis, Missouri to talk with Blanca Parciak.
I first met Blanca at the SYNC Conference a few years back and she is a lot of fun and very knowledgeable about our industry! It was great to get a chance to catch up...
SeniorInspire What did you do before photography and how did you start your studio?
Blanca Parciak I was born in Peru, I worked as a lawyer before moving to the USA, I also worked as a translator for 11 years. My daughter started taking horseback riding lessons and I wanted to take pictures of her while she rode, I bought a Canon Xs in 2009 and shot in auto for the longest time! In 2012, I decided to learn how to use my fancy camera and was hooked on photography. I started my studio in 2016.
SI I love your work with seniors and their horses. Do you ride?
BP Thanks! I love photographing equestrians; they have a special place in my heart. My oldest daughter is the one who rides. I took riding lessons, but it’s not for me. Fun fact, before my daughter started taking riding lessons, I was afraid of horses!
SI What's your favorite horse breed to work with?
BP My favorite breed is the KWPN (Dutch Warmblood) My daughter has 2 of them, so I might be a little biased. Most of the equestrians I photograph own some kind of warmblood; most warmbloods are even-tempered and handsome.
SI Whether it's a turtle or a horse, photographing animals is always a little unpredictable in my experience. Any funny stories about working with horses you'd like to share?
BP Oh Boy!! Some horses have a personality and are very expressive! You should see the bloopers I have!
One horse I worked with would not stop begging for treats. He would bend his front leg and would make the funniest face, even smiling. To get him to cooperate and stop being goofy, I played horse sounds; but that only made him whinny back and look for the invisible horse. We did not get too many pictures of him that day!
SI I really enjoyed getting the chance to meet you at SYNC a few years ago. You going back this year?
BP It was so nice to meet you as well! I do not have plans to go, unless some of my friends twist my arm 😊
SI What's your favorite restaurant in Baytowne?
BP My favorite restaurant in Baytowne is Rum Runners.
SI I remember talking a bunch about some of the different workshops we've been to. In your opinion, who runs the best photography workshop?
BP Conference Twelve was my favorite senior photography conference. I made a lot of friends there.
SI Too bad they're not around anymore. Switching subjects... What’s something everyone should try at least once?
BP I think people should foster an animal in need. It truly is life-changing.
SI Are there any photographers or artists you follow on social media for inspiration?
BP Yes, my friend Niah Rose, Suhail Photo, Eli infante, Nino Batista, Ben Shirk and a lot of my super talented senior photographer friends!
SI Awesome! Going to check out all of them!
And Finally
If you missed the customer service video I posted in the SeniorInspire Facebook group on Tuesday, you can check it out here
Even if you saw the one I posted in the group, this one is the FULL version with even more customer "tips" you can feel free to incorporate into your own business... or not...