What is a Contributing Photographer?

With over 13,000 photographers using PhotoBiz, we realized that there is an abundance of talent and knowledge here. The goal of our blog is to share our news, share industry news, and educate. With that said, what better way to educate than to utilize some of the best photographers in the world.

Larry Perez :: Yray Marie

About LP: For 18 years I was entrenched in corporate America. It was a great thing because I gained invaluable business knowledge. I had no idea it would lead me here. After my last days in the twisted circle of working for the man I walked away. Not because I wanted to but because I experienced a divorce after 13 years of marriage. I was awarded sole custody of my 3 kiddos so it was “what do I do now” mode for me. It has all worked out for the better as most things do. I’ve always been a very artsy person by nature. I guess. I’m half right brained & half left brained so at times I have conflicts about this and everything else. The point to all of this is that many of you are venturing into business for yourselves because of similar situations. Maybe it was a corporate downsizing, a desired career change, etc. Whatever the reason, I’m here to help you feel more comfortable about the transition.

At one point I was a corporate trainer. I helped newcomers understand the why and how. I also helped them to apply the things that were being taught so that they too can experience success. So, this is comfortable territory for me and I love sharing this wealth of knowledge and am excited to do this for you!

Welcome! I couldn’t resist taking this great opportunity to share some of the things that have been instrumental in my growth as a photographer. I just feel a strong obligation to give back and be thankful for the wonderful things that have come my direction since going into business for myself. It isn’t that you have to run right out and do exactly as I have done because we are all different and the things I practice won’t work for all of you. So, please take a few pieces that you feel may work for you and give it a go. You have nothing to lose by trying and being open minded. As a business owner if you are to remain successful you have to be willing to change with the times. Something many photographers just aren’t willing to do. I promise this…if you think outside of the box in your business ideas you will be rewarded for much of it. Man…I just watched the movie Yes Man! Great story about coming out of your comfort zone and attracting things you deserve! Of course, I love Jim Carrey! Start attracting what you want!

I’m changing it around like I’ve got OCD!

Well….I do.   Anyhow; have you ever been in the market for another vehicle and noticed that nice 1972 Orange VW Bus sitting on the front row of the car lot for sale? For the past three weeks on your way to work you’ve been drooling over it and it has now suddenly disappeared? It’s no coincidence. More than likely that is merchandising at its best because the next thing you do is drive onto the lot to see where that beautiful piece of machinery is hiding. You ask yourself, is it sold? Is it in the shop? Is it on a test drive? OMG! WHERE IS IT? Haha! You have an attachment to this one-of-a-kind piece of iron don’t you?

Your curiosity gets the best of you and you get out of your car to follow up on your thoughts. Next thing you know…LP gets his swagger going and comes out to greet you knowing something brought you into the perceivably shark infested waters of the local car lot. It must be important! Of course, LP is a nice guy and sells you something completely different because your impulse was heightened at the disappearance of that wonderful VW. It all works hand in hand.

Real quick, how interested would you be if the VW Bus just sat there in the same spot everyday for 9 months? Meh. Not so interesting now huh? No thanks you grumble and you just drive on by day after day thinking to yourself “what kind of place is that?” They don’t sell ANYTHING! Interesting huh? Your website does much of the very same thing. THIS is the very reason you should keep it phresh!

After I have just uploaded a new site, I look at it over and over and over. The server at PhotoBiz probably goes on overload when I keep refreshing the browser! LOL! I do it partly because I admire the new look and partly because I have OCD. Well maybe that or I’m crazy. Regardless of my personal reasons for staring at my site all day it’s productive and I know you do it too! Don’t lie. You do it. It’s perfectly natural that’s how I know.

More importantly, let’s translate that into people who follow your work. They do it too! You know who I’m talking about, the people that are always lurking around on your site and sending you notes asking you how you have time to change things around like that. These people are important to your business. The minute your site and images go stale, you won’t hear from them. These people bring people to look at your work and introduce them to you without you knowing. They are anticipating the new look each time they visit! It’s just another avenue to keep the blood flowing. Learn it. Understand it. More importantly, practice it until it becomes part of your daily, weekly, or monthly regiment.

Why are you still here? I have nothing else to say about this. You should already be thinking about what you are going to change today. By the way, what PhotoBiz offers you is a canvas to make your website truly individualistic. If you are skilled in the graphic design I would strongly suggest coming up with new ways to make your site look like no other! It’s easy! It will take some time to see results from merchandising so stick with it, it won’t fail you.