2 Great Books for Commercial Photographers

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By Allen McEachern

I recently completed reading two excellent books that I think all photographers should read THE 48 LAWS OF POWER and THE ART OF SEDUCTION. Both are part of a five part series by American author Robert Greene, that also includes: MASTERY, THE 33 STRATEGIES OF WAR, and THE 50TH LAW. All are available on Amazon.ca (yep - affiliate links!).

THE 48 LAWS OF POWER: I loved reading this book because of what it conveys. Power has always been a human pursuit through our collective history. People will try to bend situations to their favour, to manipulate, and take advantage. Cynical, I know, but unfortunately true as well. THE 48 LAWS OF POWER defines tactics for power accumulation framed within historical references. I recommend this book to photographers (or any freelance creative) due to a few reasons: 1. We often work within our own bubbles so it can be hard to be objective at times about the actions of others. 2. We are in business, so we need to understand the market and who is in it. 3. Recognizing when someone is manipulating you can swing the odds in your favour.  Consider client relations or negotiating. 4. Understanding the actions of others makes it easier to offer them what the are seeking. I could go on and on...simplified version...THE 48 LAWS OF POWER helps you discover the motives behind the actions of others in business and life.

THE ART OF SEDUCTION: Who doesn't want to be more charming, or seductive. A soft approach can be inviting. Again, Greene uses historical references to highlight the various character types employing seductive tactics. I recommend this book to photographers / creatives because of the power of the message. People use seduction to influence others. Understanding the personalities of seductive people will  better prepare you to defend against manipulation and offer you tools to achieving your goals. It all sounds  evil in a way, I know. But i think that the more we understand about others, the easier it is to communicate our goals, and needs. Communication, understanding, and competence are relevant in good business practice. Especially when offering services to create content for marketing and sales. 

Have you read either of these books or others by Robert Greene. Let me know your thoughts.

 

Food Photography from Montreal's Haricot Traiteur

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I recently had the great pleasure of working with Montreal's Haricot Traiteur and Mont-Tremblant based visual communications firm Le portique. Our goal was to create 10-14 images that Haricot could use for their new website launch and for general marketing. Here are a few of my favourite images form this great food shoot!

Snow Polo Tremblant World Cup Photos

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By Allen McEachern.

Snow Polo Tremblant World Cup, the inaugural match played between Team Canada and Team International on Lac Tremblant. Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. February 28, 2015. 


FIS Snowboard World Cup Slopestyle Final

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By Allen McEachern.

Stoneham, Quebec, February 21, 2015. The FIS Snowboard World Cup Men and Women Slopestyle Finals from Stoneham Ski Station. Cold, snow, wind, La Belle Province in February.

FIS Snowboard World Cup Big Air Finals

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By Allen McEachern.

Quebec, Quebec, February 20, 2015. The FIS Snowboard World Cup Big Air Men and Women Finals. This year marked the first time women snowboarders have competed at this event. Congratulations to the ladies!

 

What's In My Camera Bag - FIS Snowboard World Cup

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By Allen McEachern.

The FIS Snowboard World Cup makes a stop this week in Quebec and Stoneham for the freestyle events: Big Air and Slopestyle. The Half-Pipe event was cancelled due to lack of snow! The following is a break down of what I am bring in terms of camera, lenses, and other gear.

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Canon 1D Mark 4 x 2 - Allows two lens at the same time, back up camera in case one goes down.

Canon 300mm F2.8 - Allows handheld shooting, good reach, fast.

Canon 70-200mm F2.8 - Standard zoom, goes everywhere i go.

Canon 24-70mm F2.8 - Standard Zoom, great for medium close.

Canon 16-35mm F2.8 - Standard Zoom, wide and fast.

Canon 85mm F1.2 - I carry this for athlete portraits.

Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT  - Great all weather flash.

Canon Speedlite 580EX II - Always have a back up flash. 

100+ GB Compact Flash Cards

LowePro Top Loader 75 - Allows me to keep one camera close, and dry if the weather turns.

Newswear Foul Weather Chest Vest - Great organizer for everything I need. 

MacBook Pro - Fast, on-site image processing and client upload.

500GB LaVie Rugged Hard Drive - Easy to carry, nothing to plug in, takes power from laptop.

Battery chargers, AA Ansmann batteries, lens kit, CF card reader, sunscreen, sunglasses, notebook, Hoya 77mm Polarizing Filter, Swiss Army Knife, Advil.

11 Inspiring Sites for Photographers

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By Allen McEachern

Everyone needs a little inspiration now and again. The following 11 photography sites might help.  A good mix of photojournalism, fashion, life, fine art, and technique. I hope you enjoy. Happy Monday!

1. The Big Picture - Some of the best photojournalism from around the globe, curated by a group of photo editors at the Boston Globe.

2. Many - "Many is a collective project exhibiting fine photography selected by fine photographers."

3. 50mm - A curated collection of images by Tokyo based creative director - Curtis.

4. Strobist - A blog dedicated to mastering camera flash. Excellent resource for learning.

5. FOTO8 - A great site for contemporary photojournalism from around the world.

6. Photography Served - A collection of the best photographer portfolios found on Behance.

7. Particulr - In their words..."Particulr is one designer and one photographer working to make the web a better place for photographers."

8. Lens Culture - A great resource for many many things related to contemporary photography. 

9. Great Photojournalism - A curated collection, by invite only, of great photojournalism.

10. A Photo A Day - Like the title says - every day, a new photo. 

11. Fashion Photography Blog - A powerful resource for anyone looking for insights into the world of high fashion photography.

Audi 2015 Canadian Unvelings - Montreal Auto Show

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By Allen McEachern

Audi Canada's 2015 Canadian unveilings and press conference at the Montreal Auto Show. Montreal, Quebec. January 15, 2015. © Allen McEachern.

Two Great Resources for Emerging Photographers

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By Allen McEachern

Photography is a tough business that seems to be almost continually evolving; like anything dynamic i guess. Last week I was contacted by an aspiring photographer, and asked for advice, and insights on how to start in this business. I was happy to meet up and have a chat about different resources, and tactics for getting noticed. Here are two of the tips I gave out:

1. The American Society of Media Photographers ( https://asmp.org ) I used this organization a lot when I was starting out. The two main resources for me were the on-line forums  ( https://asmp.org/links/22#.VIB5776Qu9U ) and their book " Professional Business Practices in Photography." 

Their on-line forums are a great place to pose questions regarding almost any aspect of commercial photography. The best part is accessing the collective experience of the members who frequent these forums. I learned so much just by reading past topics, and by posting my own questions. 

" Professional Business Practices in Photography" is an excellent tool for advancing your business knowledge regarding commercial photography. A lot of what you need to know is in this book. I highly recommend it.

2. National Press Photographers Association ( https://nppa.org) Primarily aimed at press photographers in the USA, but very relevant to any editorial photographer in North America. The best tool on the NPPA website for me is the "Cost of Doing Business Calculator."  https://nppa.org/calculator Great for figuring out exactly how much you need to be making to stay in business - very useful info when it comes to setting your prices / fees. It adds up all the exit points for money leaving your business and then asks you how many days you expect to shoot in the year. The resulting math is what you need to make just to cover your costs. Without knowing your cost of operating you are just guessing which is never good in any business.

 

 

 

AMT - Train de l'Est - Agence Métropolitaine de Transport

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By Allen McEachern

Congratulations to all the dedicated, and professional employees of the AMT on the opening of the Train de l'Est. I was happy to photograph this dynamic corporate event. I look forward to the opening of the Train de l'Ouest...


Audi Canada - Mont-Tremblant - Editorial / Corporate Photography

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By Allen McEachern.

Audi Canada recently visited Circuit Mont-Tremblant for their week-long Audi Driving Experience. This bi-annual event puts you behind the wheel of some of the most exciting vehicles that Audi makes - R8, RS7, for example. In addition to getting to rip around at dizzying speeds, you also receive some great professional driving instruction. Which, all things considered, is a good thing. Erik Gauy, from Alpine Canada also came by to take some laps.

WALL ART - LARGE FORMAT PRINTS

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By Allen McEachern

Wall art makes a great gift. Have a look at the new large format, limited edition prints added to the PRINTS FOR SALE shop today. Excellent decorating ideas for both the home and office. International shipping on all products. 


Tremblant Event Photography - Chambre De Commerce Gala Excellence

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By Allen McEachern

The Chambre de Commerce de Mont-Tremblant held their annual Gala Excellence last saturday. (Theme: bal masqué) The event honours the outstanding businesses and the people behind them that add to the dynamic commercial mix of the Tremblant area. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I enjoy shooting this event. I enjoy it because of the people. Tremblant is an international destination, but at the same time a small community. Almost everyone knows everyone which adds a wonderful environment for a party! Congratulations to all the winners!

Venue: Centre Des Congrès Tremblant 

Decor: Rona Forget: Centre de rénovation et décoration Tremblant

Sound and Lights: sound / lighting / video - Emoson, for more EMOTIONS!

Event Planning and Logistics: Chambre de commerce Mont-Tremblant

Insight Into Editorial Photography Rates

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Are you curious about editorial photography? Have you ever tried to figure out what the going rates are for different international publications? You might want to have a look at http://whopaysphotogs.tumblr.com.  Whopaysphotogs relays information on editorial photography rates from around the globe. The information comes from individual photographer experiences. Interesting information. What do you think?

5 Tips for Starting Photographers

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By Allen McEachern

1. Follow Your Passion, Not The Money

I made the mistake of starting my photography career in debt, fresh from a return to university. I then moved to a part of Canada that I had never been to, where they spoke a different language. I know, not the brightest, but it happened. As a result of this I had to chase the money a bit more than I would have liked. I shot a variety of subjects for a wide base of clients. I never turned down a photo job for the first few years. The positive was that I experienced a variety of revenue streams within the giant realm of photography. The negative side was I was not following my passion, and it showed in my work. I should have followed my passion. I lost two years that could have been better used developing my niches. Specialist = deep niche. Generalist = wide market spread. Both work, one is more profitable.

2. Assist An Established Photographer Who Shoots What You Want To Shoot

I read that approximately 9000 people graduate every year from photo related studies in Canada. I don't know if this is true, but it seems possible. Lets assume it is true. How many of those graduates would do a paid masters degree if they could? To me, this is what it is to assist an established professional photographer. I suggest two years if you can handle it. Assisting will teach you more about what you already know. You will also learn about operating a studio, and how to treat clients. Your knowledge of customer service, value creation, networking, pricing, licensing, and negotiating will increase. For me, the time was hard, because I didn't want to mop floors, but I learned a lot that I might not have gained otherwise. 

3. Invest In Learning About Business, Marketing, and Sales

Lets go back to those 9000 graduates. They all learned about lighting, cameras, lenses, post-production, shooting styles, etc. How many learned best business practices? Did they study contract negotiation? What about licensing their work, marketing, sales, small business financials, investing...the list goes on. The reality is as a photographer you need to be a business person, even if you take a staff job somewhere (if these even exist anymore). The more you can learn about business the better off you will be. Do you have a marketing plan, a business plan, a financial plan? The public library is a great place to start. I would recommend ASMP's "Professional Business Practices in Photography" as a good entry read. ( http://www.asmp.org)

4. Buy The Equipment You Need, As You Need It

I see photographers all the time who have gone to the camera shop, loaded up the credit card and filled their bags with everything cool. New lenses, the best flash, the big cameras, and so forth. We all love the gear, but start to act like a business. Buy what you need, as you need it.  I always look through the local classifieds first. Sites like Craiglist, Kijiji, and others are a great starting place for good gear. I stay local because I want to be able to meet the seller in person and see the gear first hand. Think back to those 9000 grads...how many went on to start photography businesses or careers? How many of them went broke? How many of them are selling their equipment to pay off their debts? My last word on gear is this...save for the equipment you need. I know I will need to replace my computer every three years, my cameras every two years. I plan for this. I bank 10% of every contract right of the top and invest it in a small term deposit account that pays about 3% interest. This account is there for equipment and other business emergencies.

5. Insurance

Protect yourself, your clients, your equipment, your studio, your health. Commercial insurance is a must. I know it sucks to pay, I have paid about $1000 / year since 2005. But I sleep better, and work better, knowing I am completely covered regardless of what happens. There are many options available to photographers. I recommend policies that cover the replacement of your equipment along with commercial liability. I have a worldwide coverage for 365 days a year. No matter where I am in the world, I'm covered. Shop around for the policy that meets your needs. Speak to other photographers. Contact photographer associations such as EP, CAPIC, ASMP, NPPA, and so on...

Do you have something to add? Resources to share? Please feel free to leave a comment.

Good Luck!

Tremblant Event Photography - Chambre De Commerce Pre-Gala

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By Allen McEachern

Two of my favourite annual events to photograph are the Mont-Tremblant Chambre de Commerce Pre-Gala and following Gala d'Excellence. These two events are about a month apart. The Pre-Gala is a casual 5-7 cocktail where the finalists from various categories are revealed. The categories range from Employee of The Year to Business of The Year. The Gala d'Excellence is a more formal affair, with each year having a specific theme. Last year was the 1920's, this year is a Masked Ball. The winners of each category will be announce and honoured for their achievements and contributions to the community. I enjoy these events because of the members of the CCM-T. Mont-Tremblant is a small community, with a tight business network. Many of the members have known each other since grade school. The dynamic is fun, relaxed, but business like. This relaxed approach to business networking is great. People are more at ease, which creates more opportunity to connect.  Below are a few shots from the night. There are many more of my photos from the night on the CCM-T Facebook page.

 

Mont-Tremblant Photographer & Karen Sampson

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By Allen McEachern

 

Someone once asked me what my elevator pitch was. I replied..."I help companies of all sizes visually communicate their brands, products, and services with their current, and potential clients." This past week I had the wonderful experience of helping a Mont-Tremblant based small business owner visually communicate. Meet Karen Sampson. Karen is a dynamic person in almost constant motion. She teaches swimming to my children, that is how we met. Karen also gives numerous outdoor aerobic classes at Domain St.Bernard throughout the week. I joined  her to documented two of her classes. My mandate was to create a series of images that Karen could use in her social media marketing. My focus was on the diversity of her clientele, the natural beauty of where she teaches and to capture a few great shots of her in motion, along  with a headshot or two. 

Photography Prints For Sale

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New Limited Edition Large Format Print Gallery on AllenMcEachern.ca

By Allen McEachern. 

I recently posted a list of the "10 Things I Love About Being a Commercial Photographer." Number eight on that list was "Lifestyle." I love living in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, and I love having the time to explore this beautiful part of the world. I love to hike, snowboard, camp, canoe, and the list goes on. I have always been attracted to nature, finding it to be the closest thing I can relate to a religion. 

Over the last few years, I have been working on a person project that I call Abstract Nature. To me, Abstract Nature is the subtle details of the natural world. Contrast, pattern, chaos, lines, colours, you get the idea. My goal is to show these details in a context that engages the viewer, making them interested enough in the simplicity of the images to ask what is that they are looking at?

Today, I have posted some of my favourite images from this collection via my "Prints For Sale" gallery. Please let me know your thoughts. Merci!

Click the image below to be transferred to the print gallery.

Senior Portraits for Timbercreek

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By Allen McEachern

Meeting people is one of the elements of photography that I love. Back in July of this year, I had a contract with a company called Timbercreek. Timbercreek owns and operates a number of senior residences, one of which is in St.Leonard, Quebec. Part of my mandate was to shoot a series of natural light portraits of some of the residence. Here are a few of my favourites.