Recently in Vital Signs Category

Dear PPA Member,

I've had my fair share of hairstyles throughout the years. From varying shades of blonde (and a single weekend as a redhead), super short and spiky to long and curly, there wasn't a cut or color I was afraid to try. Once, I even bleached my hair "platinum" and cut it about a half-inch in length. That look wasn't an accident--it took planning with my hairstylist (and multiple confirmations that I did, in fact, want to cut off all my hair). I knew what I wanted and had to make sure that the person with the scissors and bottle of bleach understood me. We both wanted to walk away happy--me with my new look, and my hairstylist with a return client.

While your clients may not be coming to you for a new hairstyle, they are coming to you to capture a moment in time. And a client consultation allows both of you to understand what is expected and what can be provided. By knowing what your clients truly want, you are more likely to provide them with positive experiences and images that they'll treasure. That's the topic of this week's Vital Signs.

My current hairstylist has convinced me to grow my hair longer than a pixie cut, and the "Susan Powter look" has transformed into more natural shades. But you never know... there may be a client consultation in the future where I'll smile and say: "I'm channeling Susan again, so 'let's stop the insanity.'" And because he knows what I want, he'll know exactly what to do--and I'll know what to expect.

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

P.S. P.S. Want a great way to make yourself stand out during your client consultations? PPA's Merit & Degree Program recognizes you for your dedication and achievements--something both your and your clients can appreciate. Learn more by watching the webinar, 'Get Recognized: PPA's Merit & Degree Program'.

Dear PPA Member,

Legal, schmegal. Who needs the extra hassle of paperwork and signatures? You have clients and you know that they're going to pay you, right? They said they'd pay you, right? They told you the date and where you're supposed to be, right?

Wrong.

Contracts and releases and agreements exist for many reasons, but the main reason you need to have them in your business is to protect...you. I don't think you'd buy or sell a house without having something legally in writing. Buying a house is an investment. Buying your services as a professional photographer is an investment, too, so treat it as such!

This week's Vital Signs will show you what should be in your legal kit. You may not use everything in your kit, but it's worth putting one together...just in case. After all, they said they'd pay you, right?

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Dear PPA Member,

Unless you're Daddy Warbucks or Richie Rich, you probably don't have bags of money stacked to the ceiling that you can spend on advertising. So it probably goes without saying, but...don't blow it.

Word-of-mouth advertising is free, but it will only get you so far. Part of an effective business strategy is determining what paid advertising will be best for your studio. We're not talking about holding a "Mad Men" episode where account executives plan a multi-year international campaign or keeping Crispin Porter + Bogusky on speed dial; rather, take some time to think about what type of paid advertising may work for you.

If you are Daddy Warbucks or Richie Rich, give me a call. (I've always wanted to see those bags with the big dollar symbols.) Otherwise, this week's Vital Signs is a great way to help you spend your time--and your money--wisely.

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

P.S. Have questions about copyright? Look to PPA's 2010 Copyright Kit for answers! This exclusive PPA member benefit has recently been updated to reflect current copyright law, and it also offers advice on how to protect your copyrights.

Dear (member),

I was an "upset client" recently. What was supposed to be an easy transaction turned into a six-week "I can't make this up it's so bad" fiasco and left me questioning the collective sanity of the store's customer service initiative. (Yes, they actually had one, but it wasn't working.) Several broken promises of call backs and updates, defective products, employees blaming other employees...and in the end? Well, I got what I wanted, but I will never purchase another item or service from that store again.

The bright spot? One manager who recognized that things were being handled so disastrously wrong became my champion for the store--because she saw it from my perspective and took the appropriate steps to make sure the situation was resolved. She followed through on every promise she made to me, offered me solutions, apologized and accepted responsibility for the repeated mistakes--even after I told her it wasn't her fault. She explained: "It's our store. I may not have caused it, but it's our mistake. I have the power to fix it."

For those upset clients you may occasionally encounter, we offer solutions and ideas in this week's Vital Signs. I wish the store's employees had a copy of this article, but they've lost this loyal customer. In this day and age, I've already found a new store that offers me better customer service--don't ever let your customers say the same thing about your services.

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

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Dear PPA Member,

Remember those old '80s advertisements of "glamour shots"? (Honestly, I try not to.) Well, get those images out of your head. There's a new sexy in town.

It's not cheesy, it's not raunchy...it's alluring, empowering and classy...when it's done right!

Everyone wants to feel beautiful (or handsome, as the case may be) and be confident in themselves. And, as photographers are discovering, many women (and men) want to celebrate those feelings through a special form of portraiture: boudoir photography.

As boudoir photography is a specialty with sensitive issues that must be addressed (emotional and otherwise), this week's Vital Signs brings you some pointers from professionals who have successfully integrated boudoir photography into their offerings.

Cheers!

Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Dear PPA Member,

One of my favorite images of my younger brother was taken by a league photographer. You could just see the love of the game on that eight-year-old's face, proudly dressed in his catcher's outfit. The photographer created a baseball card from that image, and for me, that memento of his baseball season is more valuable than a stack of Topps cards.

Many, many people are sport fanatics, whether it's a professional team at the Super Bowl or an eight-year-old's Little League game (and I won't even mention soccer moms, dads and grandparents). If you, as a photographer, love sports, too, what better way is there to combine your passions than by getting into sport photography? Sport photographers get to show individuals doing what they love.

Of course, there is much more needed for success in sport photography than just a love of the game. Superstars need to practice, get coaching and understand the game fundamentals--and if your "game" is photography, it's no different. This week's Vital Signs can help you get off the bench and...

Play ball!

Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Dear PPA Member,

Some women love being pregnant. They look forward to seeing their bodies change and embrace those nine months with open arms. (Plus, you get to eat for two!)

But others may not enjoy being pregnant quite as much. There's the weight gain, morning sickness and a roller coaster of feelings. Strangers want to ask invasive questions and give advice. They have to buy new clothes because nothing in the closet fits. (Wait...new clothes?)

Regardless of the emotions, pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman's--and a family's--life. Maternity photographers are there to capture those moments. This week's Vital Signs takes a look into the job of a maternity photographer and how to best cater to their special clients. Knowing how to interact with these moms-to-be (especially since their emotions can range from happy to not-so-happy) is key for a positive experience and creating images that the family will treasure forever.

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Dear PPA Member,

When I was a kid, the bank teller gave my mother cash and me a lollipop. It used to be that if you wanted money, you waited in line, waited at the bank window, then waited for the money to be counted out. I waited because there was the promise of sugar on a stick if I was good, but my mother waited because there were no ATMs.

Now? My bank is halfway across the country. If I want to deposit a check, I take a picture of it on my iPhone and it's deposited. It's all electronic transfers and debit cards. No bank tellers. Welcome to the Information Age.

The Internet has changed the way we live, work and do business. Need a contract signed, but don't have the person sitting in the same room? Electronic signature to the rescue! That's what this week's Vital Signs (delivered to you electronically) covers.

Still, technology is both a blessing and a bane. It can make our transactions faster and simpler, but until I can get my computer to hand me a lollipop as a reward for being patient, it doesn't take the place of human interaction...yet.

Cheers!
Christel Aprigliano
Director of Member Value & Experience

Her name is Nell. She's a Tennessee Treeing Walker Hound. She likes belly rubs (hence the nickname "Nelly Belly"), biscuits and lying on the couch. Especially lying on the couch.

According to the 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey, 62 percent of U.S. households own at least one pet, which equates to 71.4 million homes. It's estimated that U.S. pet owners will spend $47.7 billion on their pets in 2010--and some of that will be on pet photography.

I know some photographers who love this niche market, but it doesn't come without challenges.
(Old dogs? New tricks? I'm not going to use that...too easy.) All I'll say is that most pet owners will jump through hoops and chase their tails to get a treasured image of their pets.

Want to be a "top dog" in this emerging specialty? This week's Vital Signs talks with some PPA members who have tips and tricks for successful pet photography.

Cheers!

Christel Aprigliano
PPA's Director of Member Value & Experience

Dear PPA Member,

Growing up, I spent a lot of my summers at the beach. My parents loved being there because I had a lot of energy as a child (a LOT of energy), and I could run around and around until I was exhausted. I loved digging holes to the other side of the world and trying to bury my brother in those holes. Thankfully, I never got into any trouble (at least not at the beach). Then again, I didn't need a permit.

As a professional photographer, you may not get off the hook quite as easily. When on public lands, there is the possibility that you may need a permit in order to lawfully photograph at that location. Whether it's a national park or the local beach, there may be rules and regulations that you need to follow before ever capturing an image.

Since the permit puzzle can be confusing at times, it helps to know where to start. This week's Vital Signs helps you plan ahead for your photography permits. Knowing why you need a permit, where you need a permit and who to contact for permits can help save time and headaches down the road. Don't dig yourself into a hole!

Cheers,
Christel Aprigliano
PPA's Director of Member Value & Experience