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 :: Rockstar Photographer

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!

Out of that Box NOW! (Marketing on a shoestring)

So, since you’re in this business to be a professional photographer then my hat is off to you! It’s a fun business and can bring so many wonderful rewards into your life. BUT! It’s going to take MORE than just following what everyone else does so try and grab something from this little blog. I’ll begin with saying “I love the idea of the zero budget marketing.” It works for me. HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE PAID FOR ADVERTISING AND REAPED NO RETURN? Most of you that have tried “advertising” have I’m certain. Here’s my take…”I don’t believe in advertising.” OK. Got that out there now. Yeah yeah yeah, LP is tight, he’s stingy, he’s not the norm, say whatever…..I’m not giving in. I’m sorry, I just CANNOT bring myself to spend “net” earned dollars on advertising in a magazine or newspaper or yellow pages etc. What the heck is a phone book anyways?

I guess if I were a larger corporation that needed advertising impressions all day long…maybe I would get with an ad agency but certainly not as a small independent business owner. Your creative ideas should be more than enough to get that ball rolling and if your work is INDIVIDUALISTIC then that will close the gap tremendously on getting more bookings. YOU HAVE TO HAVE some level of ability to come up with ideas on your own or your chances of success dwindle tremendously if you have no arsenal. I AM SAYING that you need to have a moderate level of creative ideas and the STRONG WILL to put them into motion. Ideas that have been played out make you just like everyone else and they may not even work for your business structure. So, it isn’t as simple as taking those things that work for others and think they will work just as well for you. Spend some time and analyze your business, your demographic, how to reach multiple people rather than just one or two here and there. Then you can begin to work towards those creative out of the box ideas that will bolster your business. It’s NOT good enough to just call yourself a photographer these days. Am I making sense so far?

Just so you know, the ONLY net expense I have that gets my work out there in front of people is ME and my photobiz site at www.larryperez.com. THAT’S IT! So, THINK BIG AND THINK WAY OUTSIDE! By the way I like Taco Bell. They think outside the bun. Whatever. Pfffffft!

Here’s a handful of ideas that have been successful in a HUGE way! Feel free to ask me more in detail because these are just bullet points. There is a TON more detail to these but maybe they will get your creative juices flowing!

1. Run a drawing at each school in March and give away a starter senior package. Give a small percentage back to the school PTA or Yearbook or Student Council or whatever. We had almost 300 entries and had more than enough to follow up with. This is when I was heavy into seniors back in 2006.

2. Have a bridal store provide their “potential” clients with a complimentary 1-hr engagement session with you. Costs you NOTHING! But…the way I have it set up I always end up making money or booking so please ask before saying “AWWWW HE GIVES HIS WORK AWAY.” I don’t unless it’s for a charitable reason. As a matter of fact I charge almost 3x more than 90% of the photographers in my area. There is a method behind it all and it isn’t to give things away.

3. Have a facebook photo session at your studio. Would you like to see your bookings skyrocket? So what, you charge $50 and you have 40 people show up. Just do a great job and you’ll see what happens. My facebook generates so many referrals its not even funny. I use it as a social tool and NOT to sell my work but to SHARE it. People don’t like to be SOLD.

I have a ton more ideas but these have put me in front of so MANY people at once and gave me a HUGE head start before the rest of the photographers had time to even think about getting the business. Little old me booked 49 seniors my first year right out of the gate. Talk about a return! My only expense was alittle time and 5 specially designed cardboard entry boxes and entry pads. MAKE SURE TO HAVE THE SCHOOL ANNOUNCE THE DRAWING OVER THE INTERCOM EACH DAY! I ALWAYS WANTED TO SCREAM INTO THAT THING IN SCHOOL!

OK…something to ponder: As a small business, advertising QUICKLY takes from your NET profit. For many of us, advertising may just be our single largest expense next to taxes. So, if you only retain say 35% of your gross revenue as your net profit then how much GROSS will it take to make up for your $1000 ad expense? Well, the answer IS NOT another $1000 gross sale! That’s what the advertising people tell you because they know most of us DON’T REALLY understand it! The ad lady says to me…”OH YEAH LP, YOU ONLY HAVE TO SELL ONE $1000 package each month to pay for your $1000 ad.” NOT TRUE! It’s more like I have to generate $2860.00 additional gross revenue to pay for that $1000 ad of yours. NO THANKS!

I’ll end by saying that my ideas don’t always work for other people. I can just share with you what consistently works for me. You have to believe in something for it to work. I’m not saying go out and dump all of your advertising but I am saying that if you want to put more into the mouths of your family….you will find a way to be more creative YOURSELF and do some of this on your own. The key is that you have to be able to reach MANY MANY people in a short period of time and it has to be a creative idea that everyone wins. What do I know. I’m just some rock and roll photographer dude shooting whatever I want to shoot and getting up late every day. It’s largely because I choose to not box myself in with the ad lady and maintain a high net profit retention.

Thank You,
Larry Perez
(Mobile) 913.360.9943
(Studio) 785.273.6900

Website: www.larryperez.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rockstarphotog