Apr 2009
A Hot Time At Guerrilla Management
April/29/2009 Guerrilla Workshops
Here’s the class photo for the most recent Guerrilla Management Workshop, which took place at my vacation home in Deep Creek Lake. As usual, we had a class full of dedicated professionals from all areas of the country and at various levels of experience in the industry, but all with one thing in common: they are determined to make the most of their businesses. What wasn’t normal, however, was the July-like temperatures in April! We hit record temperatures for three of the four class days, but the hot weather didn’t slow this group a bit. I’m expecting some great success stories from them!
Judy Grann and I were delighted to have Jen Roggi (below at left) as class assistant for this workshop session. Jen is one of my favorite studio owners, and it’s always a delight to teach with her. I like to tease Jen that her background as an elementary school teacher is great preparation for teaching adult photographers (just kidding), but the fact is, she’s a fine teacher and an excellent studio consultant for Studio Management Services. Because the business that she operates with husband, Dan, is primarily a wedding business, it was great to have Jen aboard, as she is well aware of the challenges facing wedding photographers in a market that is crammed full of unqualified prosumers charging unrealistic prices. You can visit Jen’s studio website by clicking here.
Thanks to Jen and to a great class!
The last Guerrilla Management Workshop of the year is scheduled for September 11-14 at Deep Creek. I’ll be posting it and advertising it soon, but anyone who is interested can register now by calling (800) 842-2349.
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Celebrating in New Orleans
April/25/2009 Fascinating Folks
Carol Andrews didn’t have to twist my arm to jump on a plane for an overnight visit to New Orleans to link up with her and new husband, Greg Jensen, on their honeymoon. They timed their Houston wedding so that they could travel to New Orleans for the annual French Quarter Festival, bringing along daughter, Molly, and Molly’s friend, Alisa. How fun! I would finally get to meet Greg and Alisa (who’s been like a sister to Molly), and get to visit with the captivating Molly, who I’ve known since she was five and who is now a college freshman.
I’ve known about Greg’s talent for a while now: He’s an artist, sculptor, silversmith and engraver, who has a fascinating upscale niche business (men’s belt buckles and accessories), which you can read about by clicking here. Turns out he’s a darn fine photographer as well. How wonderful that Carol has found her artistic soulmate!
We had a ball photographing festival activities throughout the French Quarter . . .
. . . as did pals Gail Nogle (left) and Gayletta Tompkins, who also dropped in to celebrate the honeymoon . . .
. . . and to take a look at Greg’s handwork: his and Carol’s gorgeous wedding rings!
Carol grabbed this shot of me on St. Ann’s street, which made me feel right at home.
I caught Molly and Alisa waiting patiently for a table at a WONDERFUL restaurant that was aptly named “Eat.” Great food at great prices and a lovely laid-back atmosphere.
You never know what kind of characters you will run into in NOLA, and the next two shots prove it: Just outside our hotel we met up with Santa Claus, who was wearing his summer uniform and carrying government I.D. to prove he was who he said he was.
Later we spotted this trio, who Gail decided should be photographed with me. Just love the hair! (Theirs, not mine.)
It was hard to head home on such a beautiful New Orleans spring day, but it was just wonderful to enjoy a spur-of-the-moment getaway . . . especially when there was such a great reason to celebrate: Cheers to Carol and Greg! May you have many happy years together!
Good Advice for Challenging Times
April/20/2009 Fascinating Folks
Before I left for Ireland, I wrote an item about one of my favorite people, Ronnie Ownings. He is also one of my favorite photographers, and he happens to own a studio that I come fairly close to coveting . . . which I know is not a flattering personality trait: but it is SO wonderful! The article appeared in Marathon’s April eNewsletter under the title “Coping With Change In Tough Economic Times.” The piece now appears on Marathon’s Blog, and I urge you to read it, as I believe what Ronnie has to say is what EVERY photographer needs to hear. I’m happy to say that it has received many positive comments on Marathon’s blog to the effect that Ronnie has really hit the nail right on the head. Here’s a snippet of the feature, along with a link to the blog:
For the past 22 years Atlanta-area Master Photographer Ronnie Owings has worked to build what photographers and clients alike consider to be a dream studio. His Pro Studio at the Garden Cottage, located in the suburban community of McDonough, is a one-of-a-kind collection of lovingly restored antique buildings, charming sets and idyllic gardens that form the perfect backdrop for this accomplished photographer, whose impressive resume, you can read by clicking here.
In spite of that great resume, (or some might say because of it) for the past three months Ronnie Owings has taken drastic action to assure that his iconic bed-and-breakfast-style studio will not fall victim to a recession that presently is jeopardizing the future of many small businesses. In the process, he has gained valuable insight that could benefit photographers everywhere who are coping with harsh economic realities.
Confronting Economic Reality
Ronnie began to evaluate his business options as early as last fall, when he feared that negative economic indicators would likely have an impact on his business. Earlier in the year he had experienced the first sales plateau in the history of his business. “I could see that my numbers weren’t what they should be,” he explained. Then, when last year’s holiday sales were less than he had hoped, and January 2009 sessions were a mere fraction of what he typically enjoys—in spite of aggressive promotion to his client base—Ronnie knew that he had to act. So he began to work the problem in earnest from every possible angle, until he decided on some transforming strategies: some large and some small. The changes that he has embraced have given him a sense of hopeful confidence and a fresh perspective that he believes will see him through these difficult times
For the past 22 years Atlanta-area Master Photographer Ronnie Owings has worked to build what photographers and clients alike consider to be a dream studio. His Pro Studio at the Garden Cottage, located in the suburban community of McDonough, is a one-of-a-kind collection of lovingly restored antique buildings, charming sets and idyllic gardens that form the perfect backdrop for this accomplished photographer, whose impressive resume, you can read by clicking here.
In spite of that great resume, (or some might say because of it) for the past three months Ronnie Owings has taken drastic action to assure that his iconic bed-and-breakfast-style studio will not fall victim to a recession that presently is jeopardizing the future of many small businesses. In the process, he has gained valuable insight that could benefit photographers everywhere who are coping with harsh economic realities.
Confronting Economic Reality
Ronnie began to evaluate his business options as early as last fall, when he feared that negative economic indicators would likely have an impact on his business. Earlier in the year he had experienced the first sales plateau in the history of his business. “I could see that my numbers weren’t what they should be,” he explained. Then, when last year’s holiday sales were less than he had hoped, and January 2009 sessions were a mere fraction of what he typically enjoys—in spite of aggressive promotion to his client base—Ronnie knew that he had to act. So he began to work the problem in earnest from every possible angle, until he decided on some transforming strategies: some large and some small. The changes that he has embraced have given him a sense of hopeful confidence and a fresh perspective that he believes will see him through these difficult times
To read the rest of this feature, please click here and scroll down to April 6.
Tea Anyone?
April/16/2009 "Polinomics"
While I was in Ireland, I missed all the news about the Tea Party protests that were being organized for Income Tax Day on April 15. But I got home in time to see the news coverage . . . what there was of it. I was pleased to see ordinary citizens who are concerned about the direction of U.S. financial policy take to the streets. Since I teach and write about small business issues, I’m just as upset about what I consider to be reckless financial policy as the protesters. So I was delighted when I received the image above from my dear friend Helen Yancy. She took this picture of her husband, Foster, during a protest near her home in Plymouth, Michigan. Foster’s “Extremist” sign was prompted by a remark made by Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm who publicly referred to the upcoming protest as being organized by political “extremists.” Here’s the letter that Helen sent on to the Governor:
I am appalled that you disregarded the efforts of ordinary people like me and my husband and referred to the tea parties as "organized by the right extreme". This truly was a grass roots effort. I learned about it by accident, from a friend - and I am no activist, have never been to a demonstration before in my life, nor has my husband - but we decided to go, and stand up for what we believe in. We are not right wing extremists - we are patriotic Americans. Your off-hand statement diminishes us, and every American who has the right to differ with you. These were peaceful and patriotic rallies, the kind our forefathers attended. American history abounds with grassroots demonstrations when the people decided to stand up and be counted because we are troubled. I am very disappointed that you would make such a demeaning statement. Today, hundreds of citizens agreed with our stand, all around the state - people like us - ordinary people
I share the concerns that Foster and Helen expressed because I believe that so much of our government’s reaction to the current financial crisis will make it harder for small business to recover and prosper for lots of reasons that you could hardly call the fears of an extremist. For the record here are my concerns:
- Without any debate among our elected leaders, our government has assumed authority to provide tax-payer subsidies that effectively decide which business will succeed and which will fail, rather than letting the free market dictate success or failure.
- Congress has passed a stimulus bill without debate and without reading it, and apparently without much stimulus.
- Without any debate, our government used tax payer’s money to bail out and take over banks and mortgage lenders and insurers, thus rewarding failure and not punishing wrong-doing in the process.
- Congress has voted to confirm administration officials who can’t understand the tax code well enough to pay their tax indebtedness, and has given them a pass on what would be punishment for everyday taxpayers.
- Congress has completely ducked the issue that the mortgage crises was largely brought on by the government’s insistence that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae issue sub-prime mortgages to people who clearly could not afford to pay for them.
- The Obama administration campaigned on a pork-free budget promise, then rolled out a national barbecue that doubled the dreadful Bush debt.
- The Fed chairman Bernanke responded by printing a trillion dollars to capitalize the economy . . . doing so with no debate and with full understanding that this action could trigger hyper inflation.
- The Government put a tax-the-rich target on the back of anyone earning $200,000 or more, one of the most hurtful of all possible strategies for small business.
So who are the extremists here: A government that has spent more money in a few short months than all administrations put together since George Washington, or every-day Americans: working people who love their country and who are alarmed about a government that is trampling on citizens’ economic liberties by creating taxpayer funded programs designed not to make the poor richer, but rather to render the rich poorer?
I don’t believe we’ve seen the last of the tea parities: What do you think . . . Tea anyone?
Heading Home
April/14/2009 Ireland Journal
After the workshop concluded, Lorcan and Joan Brereton were kind enough to deliver Judy and me back to our hotel in Dublin for the first leg of our trip home, and were delighted for the opportunity to stop by their spacious studio that is specifically designed to handle large family group portraits. Lorcan’s mother set out a lovely tea for us, which was especially cheering because of the dreary weather through which we had traveled that day.
When I say the weather was dreary, I mean it. Lorcan took this photo of Judy and me withstanding the blustery winds at a scenic overlook on the way to the hotel.
Judy and I stayed at the charming and historic Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in the leafy suburb of Killiney, only a stone’s throw from the South Dublin coast. By the next morning the weather had brightened considerably, and I grabbed this shot of Judy before she headed to the airport for an early flight.
Before I left, I was able to link up with Barry and Margaret Moore to visit their Photogenic Studio, which is a landmark in the picturesque town of Dalkey, only a short drive from the hotel.
Here are Barry and Margaret in the studio . . .
. . . and taking in the sun at nearby Sorrento Park.
Barry grabbed this shot showing Dalkey Island behind me.
We then adjourned to a neighborhood pub where we enjoyed lunch . . .
. . . conversation . . .
. . . and a pleasant round or two.
What a perfect way to end a memorable visit to Ireland!
When I say the weather was dreary, I mean it. Lorcan took this photo of Judy and me withstanding the blustery winds at a scenic overlook on the way to the hotel.
Judy and I stayed at the charming and historic Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in the leafy suburb of Killiney, only a stone’s throw from the South Dublin coast. By the next morning the weather had brightened considerably, and I grabbed this shot of Judy before she headed to the airport for an early flight.
Before I left, I was able to link up with Barry and Margaret Moore to visit their Photogenic Studio, which is a landmark in the picturesque town of Dalkey, only a short drive from the hotel.
Here are Barry and Margaret in the studio . . .
. . . and taking in the sun at nearby Sorrento Park.
Barry grabbed this shot showing Dalkey Island behind me.
We then adjourned to a neighborhood pub where we enjoyed lunch . . .
. . . conversation . . .
. . . and a pleasant round or two.
What a perfect way to end a memorable visit to Ireland!
Hail The Irish Guerrillas!
April/14/2009 Ireland JournalGuerrilla Workshops
On the last full day of the Guerrilla Management Workshop in Athlone, we got together for the most unusual class photo I’ve ever appeared in . . . and the most fun! I love it because it is the perfect reminder that although everyone who attended was seriously committed to enhancing their business management skills, this was a wonderfully fun group of photographers! Though not as energetic an image, here’s a better view of the workshop participants.
Thanks to Maria Dunphy for capturing both group photos and also to Lorcan Brereton for providing some of the photos below.
Like most of our workshops, we had photographers with differing lengths of time and experience in the industry. Years ago this would have complicated a hand’s-on class, but not today, as every photographer is either starting or relearning how to reach today’s consumers in an ever-changing economy. The entire group stayed on task, and I’m expecting to hear some outstanding progress reports.
After dinner one evening, we had a brainstorming session about reaching new markets, and I was especially pleased with the participation.
The conversation continued when Mary O’Driscoll arrived, and the group decided to meet again with Mary as a facilitator to keep the ideas coming. It was great to see photographers being so willing to contribute ideas and to explore them as a group so that everyone can benefit. The group has promised to keep me informed about their progress, so I expect that I might have more to report in the future.
On our last evening in Athlone, the class had a lovely meal together, and I was pleased that Maria Dunphy and her aunt, Sister Nina, were able to join us. I wrote about Maria, Nina, and Maria’s dad, Oliver, in an October 10, 2007 blog post when I visited their studio in Kilkenny.
After dinner, Judy and I were surprised and touched to receive gifts from the class: “Thank-you Teacher” notepads and beautiful crystal candle holders. Mine is now proudly displayed in my living room along side the candle stick set that my son machined for me when he was in college; they look great together, and I treasure them both. Judy and I will never forget the wonderful teaching experience and the fine friends we made in Ireland!
The Oldest Pub in Ireland?
April/14/2009 Ireland Journal
By the time Judy and I got back to Athlone from Galway, it was getting dark and the weather was threatening.
So we ducked into a mall to pick up a few necessities and discovered a crowd of fans biding their time by enjoying a televised football match.
We asked some shop clerks to recommend a local pub, and they pointed us to Sean’s Pub, which claims to be the oldest pub in Ireland, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Well, it was old and full of Guinness to be sure, but after checking online, I determined that the “oldest pub” claim is in considerable dispute. I found one entry that purports to be written by Sean himself, and his admission about the origins of the claim is pretty funny. Click here to read it. Here Judy and I are in Sean’s, posing with a local policeman (known in Ireland as a “garda”). Judy and I made a early night of it, as we wanted to be in good form for the first day of our first “international” Guerrilla Management Workshop.
So we ducked into a mall to pick up a few necessities and discovered a crowd of fans biding their time by enjoying a televised football match.
We asked some shop clerks to recommend a local pub, and they pointed us to Sean’s Pub, which claims to be the oldest pub in Ireland, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Well, it was old and full of Guinness to be sure, but after checking online, I determined that the “oldest pub” claim is in considerable dispute. I found one entry that purports to be written by Sean himself, and his admission about the origins of the claim is pretty funny. Click here to read it. Here Judy and I are in Sean’s, posing with a local policeman (known in Ireland as a “garda”). Judy and I made a early night of it, as we wanted to be in good form for the first day of our first “international” Guerrilla Management Workshop.
Out and About in Ireland
April/14/2009 Ireland Journal
A week ago Friday, with only a few hours of sleep on an evening flight from Newark, I arrived in Dublin at 7:00 A.M. to get set for the first Guerrilla Management Workshop outside of the U.S. I met up with my teaching partner Judy Grann an hour later, and shortly thereafter Mary O’Driscoll arrived to whisk us off to Athlone, where the workshop would take place under the auspices of the Irish PPA and Skillsnet, a government-funded learning network for which Mary is a project manager. Since this was Judy’s first trip to Ireland, and she was determined to see a castle while in the country, Mary obligingly drove us to one: Here they are in front of Malahide Castle, which dates back to 1185.
After Mary got us settled at the Hodson Bay Resort, located on the shore of Lough Ree, Judy and I headed to Athlone Town to see the sights.
Athlone, County Westmeath, is located in the geographical center of Ireland, set on the banks of the Shannon River, which bisects the town.
Situated next to the bridge that spans the River Shannon is Athlone Castle, an imposing military fortress, which resides on the ground where the original wooden castle was built in 1129 because of its strategic importance as the principal fording point of the middle Shannon. The castle touring season begins in May, so Judy and I had to be content with walking its perimeter and photographing it.
Since the workshop didn’t begin until Sunday, Judy and I got a good night’s sleep then headed to the Athlone bus station on Saturday morning to take a quick sight-seeing trip to Galway. Arriving at the Galway bus terminal after a pleasant 90-minute bus ride, we took a leisurely shopping stroll from Eyre Square through the charming Shop Street and Saturday Market, and finally to Quay Street.
Next, we visited the famous Spanish Arch, a remnant of the town’s walls that protected Spanish merchant ships from looting. The arch stands on the left bank of the Corrib River, where the river meets the sea.
Then we explored The Long Walk along Galway Bay . . .
. . . made friends with a handsome heron . . .
. . . then stopped in for a late lunch at this charming restaurant just inside the Spanish Arch.
Judy and I feasted on a to-die-for seafood chowder . . .
. . . then made a few final purchases, and headed back to Athlone.
After Mary got us settled at the Hodson Bay Resort, located on the shore of Lough Ree, Judy and I headed to Athlone Town to see the sights.
Athlone, County Westmeath, is located in the geographical center of Ireland, set on the banks of the Shannon River, which bisects the town.
Situated next to the bridge that spans the River Shannon is Athlone Castle, an imposing military fortress, which resides on the ground where the original wooden castle was built in 1129 because of its strategic importance as the principal fording point of the middle Shannon. The castle touring season begins in May, so Judy and I had to be content with walking its perimeter and photographing it.
Since the workshop didn’t begin until Sunday, Judy and I got a good night’s sleep then headed to the Athlone bus station on Saturday morning to take a quick sight-seeing trip to Galway. Arriving at the Galway bus terminal after a pleasant 90-minute bus ride, we took a leisurely shopping stroll from Eyre Square through the charming Shop Street and Saturday Market, and finally to Quay Street.
Next, we visited the famous Spanish Arch, a remnant of the town’s walls that protected Spanish merchant ships from looting. The arch stands on the left bank of the Corrib River, where the river meets the sea.
Then we explored The Long Walk along Galway Bay . . .
. . . made friends with a handsome heron . . .
. . . then stopped in for a late lunch at this charming restaurant just inside the Spanish Arch.
Judy and I feasted on a to-die-for seafood chowder . . .
. . . then made a few final purchases, and headed back to Athlone.
Catching Up
April/13/2009 Events
Now that I’m back from a great trip to Ireland, I wanted to post two photos I made last month at the New England Institute of Professional Photography, where I was honored to share teaching duties with Beverly and Tim Walden. I had a wonderful group at NEIPP this year, and I’m sorry that I had to take an early flight back home in order to pack for Ireland.
This year the school was held in Hyannis, on Cape Cod. As always, the school was a beehive of activity, and I particularly enjoyed an after-class opportunity to learn about some of the features of my new Canon 5D Mark II . . . my Christmas present that I’m still learning about. So getting to listen to a Canon tech rep was quite helpful.
Another great after-class opportunity was an evening program presented by Andover, Massachusetts Master Photographer Ed Pedi, assisted by his wife and business partner, Linda, shown below. I met Ed for the first time at a day-long class I presented to the Professional Photographers of Cape Cod on the eve of the NEIPP school. The PPOCC photographers are a very lively, friendly, and hospitable group, and they recommended Ed’s class to me. No wonder: Ed received a standing ovation from a full house for his outstanding program! With great good humor, Ed presented one of the best nuts-and-bolts business programs on how to build a first-class family portrait business that I’ve seen in years. If your association is looking for a great speaker, I strongly recommend Ed Pedi. Visit his website by clicking here.
This year the school was held in Hyannis, on Cape Cod. As always, the school was a beehive of activity, and I particularly enjoyed an after-class opportunity to learn about some of the features of my new Canon 5D Mark II . . . my Christmas present that I’m still learning about. So getting to listen to a Canon tech rep was quite helpful.
Another great after-class opportunity was an evening program presented by Andover, Massachusetts Master Photographer Ed Pedi, assisted by his wife and business partner, Linda, shown below. I met Ed for the first time at a day-long class I presented to the Professional Photographers of Cape Cod on the eve of the NEIPP school. The PPOCC photographers are a very lively, friendly, and hospitable group, and they recommended Ed’s class to me. No wonder: Ed received a standing ovation from a full house for his outstanding program! With great good humor, Ed presented one of the best nuts-and-bolts business programs on how to build a first-class family portrait business that I’ve seen in years. If your association is looking for a great speaker, I strongly recommend Ed Pedi. Visit his website by clicking here.