Passing time
Sunday morning the 6th of April 2008 the end of daylight saving time. My clocks went back the hour. It is nice to be sitting at my computer. Most of the day yesterday I was standing on a boat or Catamaran called the Tintola, berthed at Cockle Bay at Sydney's Darling Harbour. I was on this boat as a photographer promoting my photographic services for the vessel which was a part of Sydney's Bridal Expo at the near by Exhibition Centre in the same precinct. I refuse to actually have a booth in the Bridal expo because it is like running the gauntlet for engaged couples trying to choose a vendor for each of the aspects of their wedding. How can you possibly choose when you walk down a corridor of photographers on either side. Is anyone of them really better than the other? Of course that is always a matter of choice. But it is whatever takes your eye as to what makes people stop at a booth, or not. I choose to walk on different paths. I know intrinsically that my work stacks up, I just look for different avenues to market myself. I think also that one of the things I love about what I do is that I do not want to be pigeon holed into just doing or seen to be doing weddings. I love the variety of interpersonal experience and diversity and growth that comes from accepting a challenge to do something out of the norm.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2006, there were 110,000 weddings in Australia. The average spend on each wedding was $36,000 and the photographic component averaged $5,000. To put that into some kind of international perspective, for the same period there were 116,000 weddings in Las Vegas alone! More weddings in one city than in our entire country. Admittedly there are so many wedding chapels in Vegas it is all too easy there, and it would be interesting to see the stats surrounding all the aspects of that in Vegas though I do not have those to hand.
So whilst on the Tintola, I had a range of couples coming through the vessel, which can cater comfortably for 100 - 120 people. I took pictures of the people who came on and showed them what they looked like on my laptop and gave them my email address and said if they email me I will send them a copy on email and print with no cost. The response from the majority of people was wonderful. I am confident a few wont bother but those who liked their picture, really liked them and will write me for sure, judging by their comments. I picked up a couple of weddings and a family portrait from a German Executive who stayed in Australia some years ago when she was single, and came back for a month with her daughter called Sydney, after the city, and after seeing my pictures said I want you!!! Good choice I submit! One of the weddings I picked up, I asked the bride to be why would she pick me out of the hall of dozens and dozens of photographers in the exhibition centre. Her response clarified my rationale and understanding. She said; "I just wanted to get through the barrage of voices and offers in the hall, but here I can relax and talk. You answered all of my questions and I feel comfortable with you!"
No argument from me!
I really like the vessel Tintola and like the layout and presentation. I think I will have a birthday on this vessel and invite some dear friends on board for a birthday celebration. The pictures here I took for their website. The owner Steve has a lovely daughter I worked with at TVSN called Laura and she told me she is getting married and that apart from the family I was the next one she told. It is lovely that there are people who like my work. I think the correlation that exists between allowing the subjects to feel comfortable and relaxed as well as getting the right image cannot be overstated. I love what I do and I think that people respond to my energy and enthusiasm, which is real.
I watched a couple of movies last night from standing most of the day and wanting to chill out. Lions for Lambs, with Tom Cruise, Robert Redford and Meryl Streep. A very interesting film. Interesting, from the perspective that it encourages a person in the film, who indirectly represents the viewer to stand for something. To choose the path you are to follow and not just coast along. It is obviously a big budget film with those three individuals. It wasn't what I was expecting with the actors, but it had crossed my mind why it's cinema release was short. I need wonder no more. It is not for everybody. It is not an action thriller, but it is very good. I like Robert Redford and have yet to see a production that he has acted in or directed, that I didn't like. He seems to pick his roles and films well. Something that is expected after such an illustrious career in film. I did feel however that it was almost like a recruitment film for the US armed forces. In any case it could be seen as a tribute to those who put their lives on the line like lambs and showed the courage they possess. 3 out of 5
The next film I watched on DVD was A Mighty Heart starring Angelina Jolie. It is hard to know where to begin with this, apart from the fact that it is a true story. It had a very documentary feel, and the actors even felt like it was real. It was shot in sequence, and at the real streets, the real restaurants and places where Daniel Pearl actually lived on. It deals well with a delicate subject in relation to Daniel Pearl's kidnapping and subsequent murder. I think that both Angelina and the person she was acting are women of great strength and intestinal fortitude. A very powerful film, set in the mass of humanity that is Karachi in Pakistan. The title is exactly what it is, and is about an ordinary man, who is in a real way an ordinary hero.
4 out of 5.
Lastly, Here is a picture of my Niece, Juliet and Husband Teina (pronounced Tay-nah) and their children Brodie, Chantay and Liam. I love this family and because of a connection formed when they lived in Sydney, whenever I return to New Zealand my feet naturally find a path to their welcoming home.
Comments
I wonder how comparatively successful you were?
You mention that you succeeded in securing three definate bookings. No doubt, other photographers succeeded in securing bookings also.
I would be interested in the 'number-crunching' side of things purely from a marketing point of view.
For example:
1. How many people went through the expo in total?
2. Take your three bookings and work it out as a percentage of the overall total number of people who attended.
3. Then, if possible, find out which photographer had the highest number of bookings for the expo.
4. Work out their number of bookings as a percentage of the overall total number of people who attended.
5. If their percentage was substantially higher than yours, have a look at their booth, marketing strategies, freebies/offers they made, and of course, the quality/originality of their images etc.
It may also be that you will have some spin-off bookings from the email images, which would add to your overall percentage.
It's good to be creative with marketing, you just need to ascertain how comparatively successful that was to see if there is a better way to do things.
V2T
Majority of my American friends and colleagues refused to go to see it and refused to acknowledge it with any kind of comment at all.
Unbeknown to many Australian viewers, there is a substantial and controversial political agenda attached to the movie. However, out of respect to you and your desire to avoid politics on your blog, I will refrain from further comment.
I have seen the film. Politics aside, I was engrossed in the human nature side of the story.
What struck me most was the sub story of people ending up caught in lifestyles and positions that they could not foresee.
Their original intentions when making their initial choices were for the better good. However, they found themselves entrapped in the various webs of greater plots and agendas.
Their powerlessness in not being able to backtrack or change their position was disturbing to me.
A strong message was given regarding choices. This message left the viewer to contemplate their own choices, past and present, and where they may inadvertently lead.
I agree, overall the film was a vehicle for 'recruitment' - not necessarily for the armed forces.
V2T
Yes the info stats on the expo would be interesting to analyze. In relation to what the others did, I suspect they did comparatively much more than I would have. The vessel I was on, and the others on display were moored some 600-700 metres away from the actual exhibition hall, and from the amount of people that trickled down "that far" was negligible. There were 9 couple that came on the ship over the seven or so hours I was there, which is miniscule. One of the much bigger boats called the Starship had a few wanderers, though overall people just didn't want to walk too far.
As I indicated the stats would be interesting, but whilst I have some colleagues that really go in for the bridal fairs and the like, they are costly places to advertise in. The cost of a booth is significant, and the amount of extra work involved is sobering. I just want to be different. There is always a better way to do things, it is generally a matter of finding that for me, and what I like.
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Yes, as you indicate the general vibe for me is to avoid politics, for the most part because it can be quite divisive. I wold rather have items or comments or thoughts that promote understanding and tolerance. That said, I still feel very strongly about certain topics and will occasionally share that.
Lions For Lambs.
Your final comment is interesting and I can only imagine that subtly there were many elements in the movie that I was oblivious to. For me, it is most often always about the human interest story. I can understand why people boycotted the film. I also wonder if any creative input is exercised from parties that may have an agenda that would influence the outcome of a good film, this film specifically. I think if the truth be known, I am a fledgeling in a political sea. The meanings and double entendre's can and do often get passed me. But that is OK. I am often criticised that I look at the world through rose coloured glasses. But that is matter of my choosing.
I think that sometimes the realities of life's many aspects can be less than appealing. I try to seek after things that encourage, edify and uplift. With me there is no agenda. I accept at times though, that there are moments when I don't want people to look closer. That has more to do with my perception of me than it does with anyone else though.
However, if your targeted market was, in your words, "negligible" compared to the number of people in the main exhibition area, your possibilities were greatly diminished.
How many bookings might you have secured in a more populated area of the exhibition?
The questions to ask: Is three bookings in seven hours a good outcome considering the time investment? Was it worth the sacrifices, such as time away from family on the weekend?
I am not attempting to be critical with these contemplations Craig. On the contrary, I recall your words from earlier posts explaining your desire to take your photographic business to greater heights. You hope to ultimately develop it into a full-time venture.
Whilst it is admirable to walk the road less travelled, this can be a perilous tact with marketing and promotion.
Being creative and different is admirable, but if it places you on the fringe of the targeted market, you will find a smaller customer pool and attract less business. This will sabotage your ultimate business goals as stated in your previous posts.
Have you considered seeking out some professional marketing advice to optimise your possibilities?
V2T
I enjoyed reading your response Craig. As always, carefully considered and refreshingly honest.
There are so many layers to almost everything that goes on in this world. So many layers to people also. Fascinating.
V2T
I have thought about someone to do the marketing, but have been hesitant due to the possible cost. Do you know anyone that would give me and the marketing a go? I am open, because I DO want to get to the next level and am not always sure how. I occasionally have flashes of brilliance, but need someone who has an understanding and direction in this arena.
Given that funds are a concern for you, your best course of action is to do some 'shopping around.'
I suggest that you approach some of the reputable marketing firms in your city and ask for a quote on a marketing plan for a small business.
They will ask for further details in order to make the quote for you. Then compare and contrast the quotes - your final decision can come from there.
It will cost you money to effectively market yourself, no doubt about that. However, in order to make a substantial amount of money you need to spend some money.
An additional question? Do you have a written business plan either short-term or long-term? If you do not it would be very helpful to you formalised one.
V2T
I thought you might be interested to know a quote in a photographic forum that I saw last night about a photographer who attended the bridal expo.
Q: I just did a bridal show over the weekend. There must have been more than 300 brides there, but I haven't booked any weddings. What can I do?
Thanks - BB
Dear BB
Bridal shows are funny events. I've found the larger events are mainly for the show. The brides come in to see everything, and get totally overwhelmed. Then they move back to finding their vendors through referrals.
The smaller, more elegant shows have a much higher success rate. There may be only 50 or 60 brides, but you have more time to chat and start building relationships with some of them.
Since you've already attended the show, there's not a whole lot you can do now. Did you get a mailing list? Did you get names and addresses from any of the brides that stopped by your booth? If you have access to either, I would suggest writing them a letter, and sharing more information about your business. You have to initiate a relationship to gain their trust, and ultimately turn them into clients.
- Lori
I know that mailing lists are not available from the event, and none of the brides and grooms want to give out those details easily, however it would appear though I haven't had done too badly when I have received emails from people after the event and scored the jobs I did. But your words have caused me to think I just need to hone my skills a bit more in the marketing. I whole heartedly KNOW and agree that to get more money, one has to spend it. It is not the spending that troubles me, it is ensuring I get the biggest bang for my buck.
Thanks again.