February PUG *New Date*

Monday, February 18, 2008, 7pm

We've changed the date of February's PUG meeting to the 18th in order to accomodate special guests Justin and Mary Marantz who are currently on a PUG tour discussing "loyalty beyond reason," as well as turning clients and competition into friends. They'll share the secret behind their success and talk through their entire wedding client interaction process from initial consultations through and after the wedding.

Here's a post from their blog about their PUG tour (We weren't part of the original plan until Jessica Del Vecchio connected with them. Thanks, Jess!): http://justinmarantz.blogspot.com/2008/01/kickin-off-tour.html

We look forward to seeing everyone. Please RSVP at the PUG Homepage so we can accommodate - this is sure to be a packed house.

Thanks,
Geoff

Upcoming Photography Industry Events

I thought I would post a list of all the upcoming events I mentioned at January's meeting and a few more that I have come across. Some of these events are specific and some more general, but take a good look to see if any of these may be right for you. We can always find ways to learn more and be better photographers, so check it out:

Maryland Professional Photographers Association Annual Convention
January 25th-28th, Sheraton Columbia - Columbia, MD

Four days of competitions and educational seminars. Guest speakers Hanson Fong, Mark Campbell, Mary Fisk-Taylor and Jamie Hayes.


Bruce Hudson's New Directions Reality Check Tour
January 27th, 2-7pm Hilton Garden Inn - Greenbelt, MD

Powerful strategies to thrive and NOT just survive in this ever changing market place. Covers a lot of ground including how to separate yourself from the competition.


Bob Davis and Mike Colon - Master Your Craft Tour
February 8th, 9am - 6pm BWI Marriott - Baltimore, MD

Intense one-day workshop covering everything from camera settings, workflow, and marketing.

The Modern Portrait - portraitseminar.com
February 23rd-24th at the Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks in Fairfax, Virginia.

Our friend Justine Ungaro and her mother Diana Adams created this seminar to help photographers make more money from their portrait work. Some of the topics they will cover:

- Branding & marketing

- Finding the right clients

- Products & pricing

- Consultations & pre-selling

- Selling with projection

- Getting referrals & repeat clients

WPPI - Wedding and Portrait Photographers International
March 13th - 19th at Bally's Las Vegas

The best convention and tradeshow for wedding and portrait photographers. be inspired by amazing speakers and see all the latest and greatest products.


Ed Pierce - Captivated by the Light Tour
April 30th, May 1st, May 4th

Lighting, workflow and marketing for a full day seminar and a mini tradeshow. Offered over three days in Baltimore and DC.


Sandy "Sam" Puc, Bellies & Babies Tour
May 30th, 5-11pm

Marketing, shooting and selling pregnancy and baby portraiture.

January PUG Meeting

Thanks to everyone who came out last night and contributed to a great evening. I hope you will all be scheduling your events on pictage well in advance to capture pre-registration from clients and generate excitement about each event - even before the photos are online.

As we discussed our goals for 2008, a recurring theme was marketing. Obviously this pre-registration is a great way to market your services to the clients, but in order to obtain consistent referrals, you must be marketing to an even wider audience. A great web site is a start, and two companies can help you do that inexpensively: BluDomain and BigFolio.

Another great tactic is to put your images into the hands of the people who refer you. Try a CD with images, or a great little 7x7 willow book showcasing your work. We'll have more tips as we go through the year and hope that every little bit helps you build your business in '08.

Please join us for our next meeting, Monday February 18 @ 7pm.

Thanks,
Geoff