2.0, networking, marketing

OK Here goes some food for thought. Part will be my take on 2.0 world, part will be just a step back approach. I talk in blurts....so please excuse such random thoughts. Please don't take as negative, but more of a thought provoking ideas.

In the last couple of years we have really supercharged our approach and involvement with the world. Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Blogs, Websites, SEO, Google Keywords, Video's, Flickr...etc etc etc. All are pretty much free in terms of cash dollars. Any new thing comes up that we can utilize and we immediately think....WILL THIS BOOST MY AUDIENCE AND SEO ON THE LOCATION LIST?

I believe in all these approaches and efforts. The bar has been raised at what it takes to run with the big dogs. But is this turning into a popularity contest? Chase Jarvis can pretty much go to any company and show them his google analytics...and get a truck load of whatever just to flash for a second on his video blogs. RIGHT? I'm a huge fan of Chase.

Power will and forever be in numbers. Everybody wants Jordan's shoes so they can dunk like Mike.

Flickr is a huge online resource. Hobby and McNally have educated everybody so damn fast that the bar is flown out the damn window. I LOVE IT. I've heard it takes 2 years to learn what it took used to take 30. Technically I completely agree. But Instinct develops over time and experiences.

"It's not who you are, it's who you know" is still king these days. I've never heard of my jet clients looking for a photographer online. My friends at The Richard Group and The Marketing Arm, young people, still say that meeting somebody face to face (and having great shots) is crucial. People want to know how this photographer is going to mix with my client they are sending them out with.

This is coming from a young photographer that has made money just from the web. In one case key wording photo's on flickr put me in contact with an architect in Japan!

A great businessman told me to remember to not confuse busy with productive. The difference is one lets you collect a check.

A question I want us to ask ourselves. Are we working at being the best photographer, best marketer, or best networker (there is a difference). I know not always do "the best skilled" gets the job...but the better businessmen. YET, I think there should be a balance. There is no replacement for quality work.

I see all of us going crazy to keep up with the other, reminds me of the 50 kids in starbucks trying to be punk rockers....dress like us, talk like us...and you'll be different. lol.

We can't forget to shine.

So here's the point. Are we selling to other photographers...or clients that need our skills? Both is a completely fine answer.

We've changed the way certain people can find us....which is great....the problem is we are a few (or more) clicks away from others as well. Don't forget to bring it.

Let me know if I'm off my rocker. Lookin forward to meeting you.

Braun

BIG FISH FILMS

Recently I had the opportunity to do some cool staff photo's for a client and good friends of mine, Big Fish Films. It's always great to have clients that have a cool sense of humor and open mind to try some new things.

Besides being a great group of people, everybody is extremely talented in their own areas. Over the past several projects we have really had fun building camaraderie working on various locations.


This was one of the funniest things on the shoot. This image (above) was comprised of 2 shots of Chris, 1 of him showing excellent form of a flying dragon kick. The other was an somersault gone wrong....I just turned him up. We didn't shoot these with this image in mind. But sometimes you never know what you will get. Remember you can shoot to make interesting ingredients for larger visuals. haha.


Set Up shot below: I used 2 9 foot white paper rolls, slightly overlapped. lighting/strobist: 2 AB1600's through large softboxes as rims for backlights on the guys. 2 Ab1600's through large octabox's left and right of the camera as fill to light the front of the hooligans. 2 Bare 1600's (with reflectors) on the backdrop. crank them higher than the others so it blows out the white paper.

Since we were in town, Patton declared he would come as well. He is pretty good at keeping everybody's spirits up

Definitely check them out if you get a chance. Amazing work.

Keep the faith!

Braun..and Patton

Saving lives, Tilt Shift Style

OK I know I have posted a few of these tilt shift time lapse videos. But this one is really great. It comes with a story!! (kindv) .... I loved it


Bathtub IV from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

Braun
Dallas Photography

Worldwide Encouraging Music Collaboration

From the award-winning documentary, “Playing For Change: Peace Through Music”, comes the first of many “songs around the world” being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it traveled the globe.


One Love - Song Around The World from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

Braun
Dallas Based Photography

In search of a studio, In search of credibility

For the past 3 months I have been dwelling seriously on the idea of investing in a studio. In quite the unaccommodating economy and the thousand other reasons to argue with myself. But as Momma used to say, Fear is not Faith. SOOO I decided to go through with such a professional gesture. Choices, decisions, options come rushing on like a Texas Football team storms the field. Here's a few:
-How Big?
-How many sq ft do I need?
-What things should I have the option to shoot?
Cars - High Ceilings, respectable space, and of course a really big door
Food - a chunk of a kitchen and preparation space
Models - Shower, Makeup, and Hair space
ETC ETC ETC

So I look at great photographer's studios. I've been in a few as well. They come in all shapes and sizes. But for clients to spend a chunk of money requires a chunk of trust. Meaning...Great photographs ain't enough. ;) Besides the shot potential a studio gives, a studio to a photographer means credibility. Even though you may shoot 99.999% on location, like I do, a studio says I'm legit. I'm not saying every successful HAS to have a studio, but it can't hurt.

I'll continue posting my search. Check out a few of these really sweet studios...as you can see, all shapes and sizes.


Jackanory Studio Visit: 1RN from andrew hetherington on Vimeo.

Keep Shooting!

Braun
Dallas Photography

DANG! Athletes have skills!

-Braun
Dallased Based Photography

The J. Walkers!!!

By complete randomness I got hooked up with these wicked talented gents. THE J. WALKERS! When their cool friend, and talented model Amy Lynn Brown told me that they had a cool location in mind, honestly I wasn't expecting much. So we set out! Everybody grabbed some gear and off we went. (their 25 roadies happened to have a union mandatory vacation day)

Lesson learned! We showed up at this awesome abandoned penitentiary and I was practically watering at the mouth to check this place out. Check out the pano below.



Klint showing us his mad rodeo skills....and fun personality.

Before shot of the location we shot them jumping at me. We used a 3 light set up. 2 bare ab1600's as rims (as you can see) and behind the camera was another ab1600 through a large octabox to light the front of the guys.

This shot will be used for their album cover! So cool! The guys were great. We must have done 25 or 30 jumps. If you really want to die laughing you should come hang and I'll show you the different takes. So many priceless faces and expressions.

The place was filled with huge abandoned rooms like this

Seriously, we kept looking up at the roofs to make sure they weren't coming down on our heads!

So we are shooting outside and the guys keep chunking rocks at the building next to us. Being the oldest of 3 boys I was in familiar territory. So what the hell, "Hey lets shoot ya'll blasting that building with rocks" Like kids in a candy store, they went at it. Turned out some of favorite shots of the guys. Brought out their personalities. Boys will be boys....always.


HUGE Thanks for my runnin buddy Gerry. As always you make every shoot a success bro!

Keep Shooting. Check out the guys.

Braun
Dallas Based Commercial Photography