BLOG | SPTV

DEC

19

2016

Of the 1,000 sessions I do each year, over 800 of them include children under the age of six. After so many years in the business, I have become an ...

NOV

08

2016

BE IN CONTROL • Working With Parents

If you are going to be successful, you must convince both the child and the parent to trust you and their techniques.It's extremely important for the ...

OCT

27

2016

Discovering Your Style

Today, many photographers feel pressured to offer their clients a wide range of looks and styles to choose from. This is a nice ideal, but it's a bit ...

OCT

21

2016

5 Words I Never Use At My Studio

Careful word choice alone can make you sound more professional. Here is the list of 5 banned words at my studio, because I have found that these ...

MAR

30

2015

Being a photographer, what does it ...

Being a photographer, what does it take? Richard P Walton, FSWPP While looking back at my almost-11-year journey as a photographer, a lot ...

MAR

23

2015

A Shot in the Dark

A Shot in the Darkby Brett Florens Date: Saturday 15 January 2002.Assignment: WeddingCheck list: Fuji Superia 100 8 Rolls; Fuji Reala ...

MAR

16

2015

Clamshell

Clamshellby John DentonOne of the lighting setups I demonstrated on the SPTV broadcast from London was clamshell lighting. It's a lighting ...

JAN

13

2015

We’re ba-aa-ack!

And we’re better than ever. To improve viewers’ experience with SPTV.me, we’re rebuilding and rebranding. We think ...

JAN

10

2015

Ideas to Start Building Confidence

One important key to success is self-confidence.An important key to self-confidence is preparation.~Arthur AsheIt's the slowest time of ...

DEC

23

2014

Gratitude for so Many Friendships

For years I've said the best part of the photographic industry has nothing to do with photography, but the friendships that come out of everyone's ...

DEC

21

2014

Word Art: Eucharisteo

A couple years ago a dear friend gave me the book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp.I needed that ...

DEC

11

2014

SPTV.me is starting the new season on ...

Clear your calendar! The newly designed SPTV.me program launches Saturday, December 13th, 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. MST.Join hosts Sandy ...

MAY

06

2014

Shooting Pool by Cliff Lawson

I took images at swim meets for 9 years. I was fun (and HOT) and I made some good money with it. One of the nice bonuses was that those kids ...

APR

25

2014

Returning Clients by Peg Buckner

Gaining Trust for a Lifetime of MemoriesReturning Clients... There is such a special bond between our return clients and ourselves. We cherish being ...

APR

16

2014

The Secrets to Natural Family ...

The Mom of the family you are about to shoot steps out the car exhausted, frazzled, and already giving her 12 year son the evil eye. The Dad looks as ...

MAR

18

2014

Scream Baby Scream by Alicia Birch

Red faced, quivering little chin, tightly balled up chubby fists. She has nursed 3 times ...but she is still screaming her tiny little lungs out. You ...

DEC

19

2013

5 Tricks to Gorgeous Indoor Shots

This time of year brings with it many exciting photo opportunities INDOORS. But with indoor photography, many struggles can arise...poor coloring and ...

DEC

02

2013

Photographer Dies of Exposure by Mimika ...

The Internet is the 21st century version of the atom bomb. For all it’s benefits and advantages, there is some overlooked carnage that us, as ...

NOV

27

2013

Shoot for YOU by Cliff Lawson

I have been remiss in not getting a blog posting up lately, but between being unusually busy and my feeling that it is poor form to post unless you ...

NOV

16

2013

5 Tips to take beautiful newborn ...

There are few things more precious than a newborn, especially a newborn who is just hours old. I'm always in awe of the absolute miracle of it all. ...

NOV

11

2013

Generating Leads From An Event by Lisa ...

Christmas music, cookies, Santa, children bouncing off the walls, and happy dogs sniffing each other. This is what you will find when you visit ...

NOV

09

2013

Attracting Seniors to Your Business! by ...

It's always great to stay in the minds of your clients and potential clients. Remember, it takes at least seven times for someone to become familiar ...

NOV

06

2013

How to create a simple 3d effect…by ...

I have had many requests to show how I do my 3d effect style images, so I finally took the time to sit down and write a very direct tutorial that ...

OCT

30

2013

Rebranding A Business by Lisa ...

“Now that it’s a new year, you should change your business name”. This was the statement made to me by my husband two years ...

OCT

24

2013

SPU Template of the Week: Senior ...

The Adrenaline campaign gives student athletes graduating in 2015 something to get excited about for their senior portraits. Sports stadiums and ...

OCT

24

2013

Silencing the Noise by Jennifer ...

I would love everyone who is reading this to just stop for a minute. Pause. Shut your eyes and breathe in. Deeply. ...

JUN

15

2013

Planning Outdoor Photography Sessions ...

At our studio, Picture This! Studio and Gallery Inc., we offer many styles of photography sessions. The outdoor locations are very popular with ...

JUN

13

2013

The Legacy Project by Sandy Puc'

“Everyone must leave something behind when he dies . . . Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die . . ...

JUN

11

2013

What a Kick! Maternity Photography by ...

Of all the subjects that I have photographed, I have found that working with an expectant mother is one of the most rewarding sessions a photographer ...

JUN

05

2013

The Madonna Posing Guide by Sandy Puc'

Today I want to take a minute to feature another great posing guide. For newer photographers, this is a wonderful tool to help you create stunning ...

JUN

04

2013

Price List Do's and Don'ts by Sandy ...

When you go to a restaurant, the menu can have a big effect on how you order. Is it entirely in French? Are the prices listed clearly? Are there ...

JUN

03

2013

No such thing as a professional ...

Last week Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer said: “There’s really no such thing as professional photographers anymore.” Say what? As ...

MAY

31

2013

Workflow Puzzle part 2 - Post Sale ...

We’ve discussed some basic procedures that can simplify your pre-sale workflow, but as you know, that’s only the beginning. Here are some ...

MAY

30

2013

PHOTOGRAPHING EQUINES: Peg Buckner's ...

To get the horse to focus attention toward the camera, it’s best to have an assistant make noises, such as clicking, whistling, snapping, or ...

MAY

29

2013

Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone by ...

I am a portrait photographer. It is what I do and I am pretty good at it. Not fantastic…have a long way to go…but pretty good. I ...

MAY

29

2013

Context and Values: Part 2 by Stephanie ...

It's not hard to make decisions once you know what your values are.~Roy E. Disney In the first part of this segment, we covered the actual ...

MAY

27

2013

Follow the Yellow Brick Road: Staying ...

Time for a little honesty. In your mind, answer the following yes or no questions: 1. On Facebook, I ...

MAY

26

2013

The Workflow Puzzle: Pre-Sale by Sandy ...

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend! Summer is officially here. It's the best time to be outside and not always the most enjoyable time ...

MAY

24

2013

Presley Claverie: A True Hero

One of our favorite clients has a special story to share. The Claverie family has a beautiful little girl named Presley. We have had the pleasure of ...

MAY

23

2013

Context & Values - Part 1 by Stephanie ...

The written elements of your marketing can be fairly common sense. After all, it's a session name, short description and the contact information to ...

MAY

22

2013

The Pinup Secret by Sandy Puc'

Building a pinup business in this day and age can be a daunting task. Although digital capture has made our jobs easier and morecreative, it has also ...

MAY

21

2013

Tail Wagging Adventures – Preparing For ...

If you have been following my blogs, you have seen the portrait of the cat peeking up from the basket. Now, in the world of everything you photograph ...

MAY

18

2013

Rockabye Baby: Tips for Sleepy Newborns ...

We all know that the best possible scenario when creating gorgeous newborn images is to have a happy, sleeping baby. There are several ways to ...

MAY

15

2013

Teen Body Builders – A Studio Session ...

In my last post, I described a session in which I had to build a location studio in a church. This session is in a REAL studio. I am fortunate that ...

MAY

15

2013

Senior Marketing Schedule by Sandy Puc'

A good senior program can really boost your sales throughout the summer and fall months each year. With a few helpful tips and the right timing, ...

APR

02

2013

Much ado about Iphoneography by Nadia ...

The New York Times recently published a photo by sports photographer Nick Laham. So what’s the biggie? It turns out that this specific photo, ...

APR

02

2013

Photographic Image Competition: Step ...

How many of you turn and run when you hear the word “print competition”? I know I did the first time I heard about the process to become ...

MAR

29

2013

Super Clamps, Magic Arms, and Justin ...

It is fun to read about—and fun to play with and review—sexy lighting gear that can cost as much as a small car or the newest camera that ...

MAR

28

2013

CYA: Covering your Assets with Proper ...

We’ve all learned the hard way some time or another. Many of you have probably had a bad experience with an offer or promotion that a client ...

MAR

27

2013

From Basic to Brand: Using Marketing ...

When I joined SPU (formerly SWU) almost five years ago, I was in seventh heaven. As the sole employee in my business, I wore many hats: photographer, ...

MAR

26

2013

Website design made easy by Mimika ...

Years ago business was conducted on the main street where the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker were right next door to each other. Times ...

MAR

26

2013

Attention Colorado Photographers!

The Body School is an incredible place. It all started with my personal trainer John Drury. Over the years he has helped me achieve my fitness goals ...

MAR

22

2013

[Framed] Network's Humanitarian of the ...

As many of you know Sandy was recently awarded the [F]Award for Humanitarian Photographer of the Year by the Framed Network. This was ...

MAR

19

2013

Chimera Octa2 Beauty Dish: On-Location ...

OK – two things you should know:First, have no financial interest in Chimera, and second, I did not actually buy the product but WON it ...

MAR

18

2013

The Twenty Minute Toddler

Most of my newborn sessions are my client’s first baby but I regularly do sessions that include the baby’s older brother or sister. Just ...

MAR

16

2013

Sell it: 7 tips for successful portrait ...

When it comes right down to it, photography is a business. Just like any other, it does have a bottom line. You can't do what you love unless you're ...

MAR

15

2013

Eye See You: Tips for enhancing the ...

It's no secret that the eyes tell a powerful story. Whether you are photographing a baby or a senior, a new bride or an entire family, this is where ...

MAR

15

2013

Looking for Inspiration: When your ...

kay, let’s be honest. How many of you have ever found yourself in a creative slump? You’ve started using the same backdrop, ...

MAR

12

2013

Lights, Camera….hold on, did you say ...

When I was first starting out, money was tight and buying loads of gear was out of the question - I think we have all been there. Besides, there are ...

MAR

11

2013

Lens selection: Which one should I use ...

No question about it, we have a huge selection out there—zooms and primes, the camera brand lenses, third party offerings, and then the ...

MAR

09

2013

The one light challenge: Learn the ...

few months ago, I was working on some competition images and complained to another photographer, “You know, why is it, when I capture the ...

MAR

08

2013

Facing your fears – Whoever said ...

I'm not a person who opens up very easily so I am a bit surprised that I am sitting here writing this blog entry which forces me to own up to my ...

MAR

08

2013

And… Action! Writing an effective call ...

There are a lot of important elements to any marketing piece, whether it's a website home page, a mailer, an email, a blog post, a newsletter, a ...

MAR

06

2013

Home Sweet Studio: How to find balance ...

When starting out in the photography business, it's difficult to generate the startup capital and the client base to operate out of a studio location ...

MAR

06

2013

Let’s Get Organized – Part 3

“Organization isn't about perfection; it's about efficiency, reducing stress and clutter,saving time and money and improving your overall ...