Category — Business

I went to the 2nd Annual New York Photo Festival on Saturday.  While I was a bit underwhelmed by the work, I really liked Tim Hetherington’s sleeping soldiers still and video project and “I don’t really know what kind of girl I am” curated by New York magazine photo director Jody Quon.  I also attended “Click, Tweet, Repeat. Why taking good pictures isn’t enough to succeed in the 21st century” presented by PhotoShelter.

If you’ve been reading this blog for a bit, you’ll probably remember that I used PhotoShelter Collection for stock; that is until they shut down.  Well, PhotoShelter itself is still around and I quite liked how approachable and knowledgeable they are about the business end of photography.  What the heck, I’m sure my online presence could use a boost.

Allen Murabayashi (Co-Founder and CEO, PhotoShelter) discussed three online areas that you probably need to work on more: website, blog and social networking sites like Facebook.  One technique he focused on was SEO.  Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a technique by which you bump up your site on engines like Google.  Ok, so I knew top-line what it was and, stupidly enough, thought that my site was optimized because I’d type in my name and BOOM!  Jocelyn Baun Photography, top listing!  Ugh, yea.  Actually, that was the very example he used to say, naw you ain’t optimized.

The point of SEO is to generate unsolicited traffic via keywords.  Right.  So begins my learning of SEO.  PhotoShelter has a free SEO toolkit that you can download and I’ll link to it below.  My site is through clickbooq and I know there is a Search Engine Setting box where I’ve put in some keywords.   Thought I was good to go.  Optimized? Nope.  Say you google Brooklyn+portrait+photographer, I don’t even come up in the first 10 pages of results!  (I didn’t bother to go further.)

Ok, I’m going to SEO-it tonight along with thinking about a business plan (yes, I was supposed to do that a while ago).   Check out the links below.

Toilet Seats, Photography and SEO

SEO Is Not Just For Wedding Photographers Anymore

PhotoShelter’s SEO Toolkit - FREE!

My website is finally updated!  Here are the changes:

• It’s now white.  Lighter, not as somber as the black background
• New images
• The “People” and “Places” sections have been consolidated into “Portfolio”
• Direct link to this blog by clicking “Blog”

I’m also contemplating adding a Cart feature, but for now will hold off.

Additionally, there’s now a badge to my stock photography on Alamy (on the right side).

On a totally different note, one of the blogs I regularly read is Get Rich Slowly.  Yesterday’s post on beating fear and building confidence is great for not only doing everyday things you don’t want to (i.e., public speaking) but also to help reach your dreams.

So I’ve been updating my website, you know, keeping it fresh for 2009!  It’ll be a different color and have new images.  I’ll let you know when it’s ready!

Even with the economy crashing all around us and an anticipated slower than usual season (Jan is typically slow and the fashion shows are in Feb so it doesn’t really kick off until Mar), I’m feeling positive about 2009.  Mainly because this year I am really going to control my destiny. That is, I’m going to be proactive not reactive and focus on what I can control not what I can’t (such as a slow season).   One of my main goals this year is

Transitioning from being a tech to a working photographer

Yes, that’s what I wanted last year, but last year I didn’t have a plan.  And it’s such a big goal so it’s going to be broken down into a few smaller goals:

• Finish my book (portfolio) by end of February
• Write a business plan
• Start an LLC
• Have 3 shows
• Attend more cultural activities

Finish my  book (portfolio) by end of February
Well, it’s nearly there.  With the help of my teacher/mentor, creative director Phyllis Levine, a lot of crap was taken out, which left about 30 images.  To begin filling it out, I’ve a couple shoots scheduled this month which, pending how they come out, might be paired with street or travel photography.  And that’s how my book is reordered - the pairing of portraiture and travel work to present a body of work rather than a portrait or travel book.  However, eventually I will have separate books for those.  It’s doable, especially with all the downtime these couple months.

Write a business plan
Initially I felt like dork when I thought about this.  It feels so uncreative.  Why can’t I just start shooting and see what happens? But would I open a clothing store without having a business plan?  What if I wanted a loan?  It may not be that fully fleshed out, but at least I’ll have some guidance for myself.  I can be the most talented photographer but if I can’t deal with my business properly, that might bring me down.  The Small Business Administration has a wealth of info on business plans and starting a business in general.

Start an LLC
Writing a business plan helps me start an LLC.  Right now I am a sole proprietor but that gives me no legal protection.  Anyone know a good lawyer?

Have 3 shows
This was one of my goals last year and I accomplished it!  Sutra, Red Horse and Think Gallery.  The goth project could work.  And there’s always continuing NYC street food.  This year, Jen Beckman sounds good.

Attend more cultural activiites
I live in NYC - with tons galleries, world famous museums, theatre, opera.  But like many people I know, I take it for granted.  It’s always here so yeah, I’ll go next week.  Being around the arts is inspiring and soul nourishing.  Like when I went to the William Eggleston show.  I felt motivated.  This year I aim to do one per month.  A couple years ago I read The Artist’s Way and tried a gallery a week.  Once a month is more manageable.

I just read on Leslie Burns-Dell’Acqua’s blog a good way to motivate/feel inspired if you’ve got some down days ahead.  Check it out here.

Here’s to a way better year, 2009!

I signed up for etsy last night so you can buy prints of my street/travel photography.  My shop’s site is jocelynbaun.etsy.com All prints are on Kodak Professional Supra Endura VC Digital Paper (aka Traditional E-Surface Paper) which has a matte finish.  I’m adding images so keep checking back!

From PDN

Lawsuits Claim Leibovitz Owes $778K For Photo Services

That’s it til after Christmas.  Happy Holidays!

I just read Doug Menuez’ piece on success as a photographer, especially in these uncertain economic times, and his journey and epiphanies for a long career.  Seeing as how I’m just starting mine, I was really interested.  It’s a very inspiring article and boils down to:

• It’s scary and you’ll probably fail.
• But if you don’t try, you WILL fail.
• Be true to yourself and what you really love to shoot.
• In order to better prepare yourself, have a solid business plan.

The first point is, sadly where I’m at now.  I know I’m a great tech; I’d say one of the best in NYC.  I know what my worth/rate is and that pretty much I can handle any situation.  I’ve worked with some of the top fashion photographers in the world and some crazy-ass average photographers who’ve put me through mental beatdowns.  However, I’m not looking at teching as a career and really, I started assisting and teching in order to start shooting.  That’s the scary part.  I get my book together and what if editors don’t like it?  How will I deal with making less money in the short term when I’ve so many bills?  What if I never become top of my field and just be a middling photographer?  What if I can’t get any assignments in this horrible economy?   These are the types of fears that I know are holding me back.  It’s easier to just keep doing the same thing even though I’m not happy/fulfilled, at least I know what to expect.  I really just need to understand and acknowledge these fears and do it anyways.  Greatness does not come without taking risks.

Bing Bling Dollar Bill Yo,
originally uploaded by Murtasma.

I think most bloggers write the night before so there’s something new to read in the morning. I just can’t do that. I guess that’s why I’m a photographer and not a writer.

This afternoon I FINALLY opened a business checking account at Chase. I don’t why I didn’t do it earlier - laziness? I’m still a sole proprietor and eventually, will probably open an LLC. So until then, yes, I am (unfortunately) personally liable for debts and actions incurred as part of my business. What’s the difference between Sole Proprietor, LLC and Inc?

While I’m most definitely not a tax consultant/accountant, if you’re filling out a 1040 plus Schedule C at the end of the year, it’s best to keep separate accounts for business expenses and personal. That goes for checking, savings and credit cards. Until today, I had (2) personal checking accounts - one for personal and one for business. And I have two Amex - green for personal and gold for work (even though both cards are technically Amex personal cards). It’s a couple more cards to carry around, but at least the money isn’t mingling, which looks better to the IRS. Here’s some reasons why you shouldn’t co-mingle business and personal funds - Small Business Banking 101

Remember, even though you aren’t Inc or LLC, you ARE a business.