Gotta love the internet!

Ron:

The internet has really leveled the playing field for artists. Maybe you've heard that before but the technology has made local artists like myself accessible to anyone in the world who has the internet. Before it required the help of major label record companies to get that kind of access. Now artists can build direct relationships with distributors like Tunecore, iTunes and Amazon and their fans.

Below is a my live acoustic CD "Cover-ed" recorded about a year ago. I've seen a great jump in downloads and streams from this CD in the last four months which translated means CHA-CHING! Have a listen and let me know what you think... or maybe you want to download a few songs?!?!?! CHA-CHING! ;)

Two out of three 'taint bad...

Rayshawn:

but it's not perfect. Those who read the blog on the regular know that my Re. Solutions were to: do something creative everyday, visit at least three art galleries a month and write a blog posting once a month. And those who read the blog on the regular know that its been longer than a week since my last blog. Self disciple really only works for me if there are serious consequences. But if there aren't any consequences, I'm a master at talking myself out of something that I promised myself that I would do (which in theory is not self-disciple at all, it's like anti-self discipline) I think a lot of people are like that. Which be the problem. Anyway I'm back on the horse!

My teachers lately have been my cats. They are far more entertaining to watch then television. Which by the way, I'm adding an amendment in my Re. Solutions to watch less to zero television. I really can't say anything new that hasn't been said about how terrible tv is but lately after watching tv I just feel dirty. Dirty. Like you remember this scene in Planes, Trains and Automobile? Television.

So my cats. I love cats 'cause they sleep like they got a job, like they just pulled a double shift at the steel mill.



I've been experiencing insomnia for the past several months(more about that later) and it's been really great watching the cats sleep. Total guilt, worry free sleep. Who knew feline laziness could be so inspiring. Keep pushin people..

Peace

R

Update on my ad campaign...

ezra:

Well, it's been 2.5 weeks since my ad came out in a local newspaper/magazine guide...and it's been a couple of days since my ad in a magazine bridal guide came out...and I have had a handful of friends tell me they saw my ads...but that's about it.  Now, it might be too premature to say whether or not the magazine bridal guide will be successful...we'll see....

Now with this said, let me tell you my intent of putting these ads out - to book 2 or 3 weddings...that would be my definition of successful...

I wanted to run those ads to link me to 2 or 3 more couples who would help in my Word of Mouth campaign...but perhaps, print ads is not the way to do it...this actually sounds contradictory...perhaps, I was trying to take a short cut....

The experts have been saying that print ads and other traditional forms of advertising will not be the future of the wedding photography industry.  Now, via experience, I agree with them...the future is definitely Word of Mouth, Networking, and Relationships!   

Do you hire a plumber b/c of an ad you saw in the Mint Magazine?  Or do you hire the plumber b/c  your neighbor said he was awesome?

moving!

Boese:

I am in the process these next 2 weeks of moving from Sterling, GA to JAX. Finally. I do work entirely in Jacksonville now, so it's about time. This will hopefully lead to a more productive use of my time than driving 3-4 hours a day to get to and from work. Here's a picture of my new studio to be used for pre and post production on my upcoming films. Also, March 15th is coming with the Miami International Film Festival screening of a film I produced, "Sally '58 Baby", so that should be a blast on South Beach. Here's also what I'll be camping in near South Beach. I built this over the winter break.

-Boese

Be yourself...

ezra:

This Monday I met with another photographer (well known photographer) to discuss possibly assisting her on a freelance basis.  She was very nice...even awesome...very down to earth.

So after meeting her, I felt a little discouraged.  See, she has the clientele all photographers would like to have -  the affluent ones.  She asked if I was comfortable being around people who are political figures...people with clout...or in other words, rich people.  

This really left me thinking that my approach might be all wrong.  Look at my business name - freewise fotography.  Look at me...or my experiences - both my parents come from poverty that you don't even find in the USA.  And get to know my personality -  it's kind of crazy...a little hyper...maybe carefree...not the norm (I grew-up on hip-hop and in a neighborhood where black, latino, and white had to be down or else...).

After a night of slight doubt, but substantial doubt, I woke-up the following morning refreshed and confident as ever.  I recalled the ridiculous success of furious photographer and the image is found.

This reminded me to be myself, be me...that's how I'm most successful...it's worked for me my whole life...why change....

Be yourself.

The Common Enemy

Ron:

False evidence appearing real.

This is one way to define fear. In the midst of this economic recession, it seems fear can be the greatest enemy of all despite what we see in the news or read in the paper.

Terrorism.

Corporate greed.

Irresponsible behavior.

It’s easy for us Americans to rally around a common enemy. Finding a commonality that binds each of us to the next gives us a reason to unite. To me, these aren’t the real enemies. I believe right now the greatest enemy is fear and the success of my business as a musician will depend on my ability to manage my emotions and my attitude towards it. Even President Obama understands the paralyzing power of fear as he seeks support for his $787 billion stimulus package. Some call this fear mongering. To me, it only emphasizes the need to manage fear in these troubling times.

In response to a Ezra’s blog, I wrote this:

“personally, i try not to focus on fear. now, i'm not saying i'm living with my head in the sand but we choose where we spend our mental energy. being cautious is one thing. being fearful is another. focus on success and i believe you will have success even if success means just surviving these economic hardships!”

“in this current climate, we all have fears. from the corporate giant to the small business man, we're all plodding through this downturn very carefully. we're all pulling back on expenses; we're all managing debt; we're all looking for future opportunity; we're managing margin. big or small, we're no different except for the size and scale. imagine if you had 10-15 employees and their families relying on your success to stay afloat? “

The one caveat I believe to all of this is that you must operate your business and your life with integrity. We can point to A-Rod, Bernie Madoff and “The Octuplet Mom” and examine each on the basis of integrity. And right now, the lack of integrity is being purged out.

The flip side of all of this is a simple question… what do you believe in and what do you have faith in? For me, this is what we are all being called to declare right now and is the true antidote to fear.

Ok, I promise I will get back to writing about music, gigs and funny stories about being a musician. I know I strayed away from it in the last few blogs. I’ve been watching a lot of news lately and it’s the BEST reality TV out there! My hope is that all of this will start to reflect in my music especially lyrically. I will also have an update on my new song and how the recording process is going…. thanks everyone!

Balancing Act

Kaci:

Now, brace yourself…this post will totally be from a parental (mostly Mom’s) perspective. It is not a mindless rant, but more like a sad realization of necessity of give and take. As a mother of two (age 3 and 22 months…and no, I am not crazy!) Needless to say, I have one major full time job in addition to being a photographer. I have to constantly be creative when planning the maximum efficiency of just how to balance entertaining, refereeing, feeding, cleaning, educating and playing with the kids and staying on top of business. As a Mom, I feel torn and there is a nagging voice that I really need to leave the laptop alone and just focus on the kids and then the determined independent business woman in me says that I have to keep my nose to the grindstone and work as hard as I can to market, process images, learn more, promote, create and drive current and new business (not to mention keeping up with all the social networking…whew!). And I am not unique to this predicament; everyone else has something that they sacrifice in order to enhance something else in their life… career, hobbies, school, relationships and recreation…

So, is there an easy solution? The short answer…no: the long answer…well, yes eventually. From my core beliefs, I will always conduct my life in a series of permanent priorities:
1. GOD
2. FAMILY
3. WORK
If I am to succeed at my passion of photography (which for the most part is going really well, especially in a recession!) what would that success really mean if I abandoned my real priorities? If at the end of the day I have more business than I can handle and have no time to spend quality time with God or my family, then ultimately I have failed…(I know, sorry, I am a very deep thinker)…

When you become a parent there is a switch that goes off, it is hard to explain but from that moment on your life becomes about ensuring your little baby (and they are still babies no matter how old they get!) has the best opportunities in life and that you give them unlimited and unconditional love, encouragement and attention. It is no secret that for many Mom’s their needs, desires, thoughts, feelings, etc. become the lowest on the totem pole. So, as you can imagine when I even start to think that I am putting myself before my children, I start to feel selfish and disappointed. But at the same time I grew up in a house where my Mom ran her own business and that inspired me! I did not feel neglected, in fact it gave me so much confidence to pursue the goals I set for myself in life.

At the end of the day I have to just realize that I have placed all these deadlines and expectations on myself because I want to be the best photographer I can be, but ultimately I value being the best mother I can be much, much more. So, when my boys want me to just sit with them and read a story or watch their favorite show and even play G.I. Joes- I have given myself permission to take a “kid break”. I guess the type of worker I am makes me want results (now!) and move on to the next task. It is hard for me to justify anything that detours my progress. On those merits, I am a great employee but a terrible boss (just keep working, no breaks…don’t stop, work, work, work!)…Who in their right mind would argue with themselves about taking a couple minutes to do something at any corporate job? It’s a balancing act that is constant and there is no quick fix. I can not schedule appointments with my children and limit them to certain hours, but I can squeeze in some time when I am needed (and even when I am not) and take a little longer lunch, block out an afternoon (or a day!!!) to help Spiderman and Hulk stop the bad guys…After all, isn’t that the freedom of being your own boss and owning your own business? Yes! Balance…it’s a constant process (and that’s ok!)...So, do not stress (too much) over the details of your life that fight for your attention and time, in the end it is a give and take...and with a lot of practice (and prayer) you will find the "balance" that suits you best!

Business Note: #3 - First & Last Impressions

ezra:

I have had some very interesting interactions this past week...so this topic is inspired by last week's experiences...

First & Last Impressions...make sure they're both good ones...

First Impressions:
The will make you or break you...instantly!
I see plenty of new photographers (I know...I'm one too) that are making a major mistake with their first impressions.

I see plenty of people who purchase an entry level Digital SLR (the camera with the interchangeable lenses)...shoot a family, a friend, their significant other or whoever....then they get a website...and place all those pictures of the same person on their portfolio...and the pictures typically aren't great...

Me, as a client would never hire that person...now or in the future...

This is about first impressions...make sure you're showing your best stuff...make sure it looks like you have some experience...make sure of these things, because you might ruin your business before it even gets going!

This goes for all services and products...make sure they are good...make sure that they work. If the product or services has problems, fix it first before you start advertising yourself!

Last Impressions:

These are just as significant with first impressions. If you blow your Last Impression, your business will cease...it won't grow...you'll lose that client and prospective clients...you're ruining your "Positive Word of Mouth" advertising campaign!

Real life example: I purchased new cards last week. This is how it went:
Three weeks ago, I went into a card shop I dealt with in the past (but now they have new owners)...I talked with them for about an hour regarding what fresh and unique things they could do to make my business cards stand out from the rest. See, I didn't want your typical 2x3 card...I wanted something more memorable...something more difficult to throw in the garbage!

So we talked...they discussed their capabilities...I liked what they offered...and the price was right...
The next time I saw them...about a week and half later...I had a design...I brought my laptop in to make sure I did the bleeds right (card talk)...and as it goes, the bleeds were wrong. The designer helped me out for about 15-20 minutes to correct the bleeds...then I burned the image on a cd and turned it in to them. The owner came out the charge me for a little "down payment" so they could go ahead and print the cards...in the payment, was a charge for $30 because of some design fee. I'm passive...so I said nothing....

After the long drive home, I kind of got really upset about this and e-mailed them...I expressed my concerns about this hidden fee. They responded that this was protocol because of the 1 and 15 minutes I spent with them discussing the cards...

That was the wrong answer! I printed my cards with them...but only those cards, because they already had my "down payment". But I had a second card...I wanted to do two cards. Needless to say, they're not printing my cards any longer...nor will they be printing the cards of a whole bunch of prospective clients, because I will never refer others to them...

This card company's Last Impression was awful. They had a chance to redeem themselves...to make a good Last Impression. They didn't. They lost business.

Everyone out there...make sure your First & Last Impressions are good...great...awesome...it's the only way your business will survive!

And if you're a single man, it's the only way you might get married??? Sorry...had to throw that out there...

When your desire becomes the daily grind

Rayshawn:

Whoa! I've been MIA. I got called out on my bullshit though. Thanks ez.
I've been thinking a lot about discipline and perseverance, stuff that is really hard to do but is necessary so you can do what you want to do. Being free isn't free. In my art appreciation class yesterday we talked about the space that exist between work and leisure time. More specifically, for me and my fellow bloggers, the line between work and art. We're trying to blur that line so that art, work and leisure are all rolled up into one. That's were the discipline and perseverance comes in. I'm currently enrolled in 5 classes in one of the Chicago City Collleges (3 studio classes and two art history classes) and I'm still working full-time teaching art and peace to 4,5,and 6th graders. As well as running an after-school program with 1st and 5th graders. I don't think I'm doing anything overwhelmingly special. I do question my sanity for taking on so much. Desire makes you get off the couch. Desire helps you deal with the daily grind. Keep pushin people...

peace

R

p.s welcome kaci!!

Business Note #2: Desire vs. Fear

ezra:

"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure."

I ran across this above quote by Bill Cosby on the header of one of my e-mail accounts..
Very inspirational.
With this said, I admit...I have chosen the worse time to start my own business! The economy...well, you know...no need to explain...
Like others, I have fear...lots of it...

I fear that my business won't succeed and that I will be doing Social Work for the rest of my life (and end up insane b/c that's the path of a life time Social Worker...really...sort of...).
I have fear that I will be stuck with my debt.
I have fear that I might screw-up really bad and have my house foreclosed...
I have fear that my wife's car will breakdown soon and I won't get a loan to purchase another one b/c of my debt...
I have fear that I might not book another gig...
I have fear that my fotos suck...
I have fear that clients won't like me...
I have fear that I might do or say something wrong to a client...and then the word will spread to every bride getting married in the next couple of years...
I have fear that while I'm at a gig, my contact lens will break and I will have forgotten to pack a spare one...
I have fear that b/c there's 1 million photographers in Jacksonville alone, I don't stand a chance...
I have fear that b/c the economy is the way it is, people cannot afford me...
I have fear that my style of photography might scare folks...
I have fear that I might not book a wedding b/c I do not shave...
I have fear that people won't take me serious...
I have fear that people might think I'm too serious...
I have fear that people won't like my blog and will not consider me for their gig b/c of it...
I have fear that my gear might get stolen or damaged...
I have a desire to try to do something I love, because if I don't, I will have blown my chance to find a better way of life for myself and my family!

See, my DESIRE to succeed is greater than all of my fears put together, multiplied by every imaginable number (including infinity)...maybe I'm out of my mind, but My DESIRE conquers all my fears!

In another post, I will make a Desire List.

In the meantime, I encourage everyone not to let their fears get in the way of their dreams...or goals...
Go after what you want...don't hold back...you might miss out on an opportunity to make your life better!

Maybe you've seen this on Facebook

Ron:


The rules state you're suppose to tag 25 people in this note including the ones who tagged you but after reading #25, you'll see why I passed on that.


“25 Random Things”

25. This “25 Random Things” survey is really annoying.
24. The Foreman Grill is my favorite kitchen appliance.
23. Someone needs to give impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich his own talk show.
22. I graduated from Towson State University with a BA in mass communications.
21. I bought an Xbox just so I can play Madden 09. It’s an addiction.
20. I’m confused by people who add you as a friend on Facebook and don’t communicate.
19. Why did it take Axl Rose 14 years to release something as horrible as “Chinese Democracy”?
18. I wish my New England Patriots would go back to the old uniform and logo.
17. I realized recently that I didn’t know that many people in high school.
16. I heart peanut butter!
15. I worked in broadcast television for 11 years, including five years working for CNN, Headline News & Sports Illustrated.
14. I became a victim of this current economic downturn when I was laid of from my job at the local CBS & FOX affiliate back in March of 2008.
13. Costa Rica is where I want to be.
12. I always sleep with socks on. Always.
11. I currently do not posses a valid driver’s license.
10. Of the 14 guitars I own, my most prized guitar is my black 1994 CE 24 Paul Reed Smith.
9. I believe there were some questionable calls at the end of the Steelers/Cardinals Super Bowl.
8. Larry Bird… enough said.
7. You can purchase and download my original music on iTunes. (shameless, I know!)
6. I saw my first Patriots game back in 1984 in the old Foxboro season.
5. Jager bombs are in fact, the bomb!
4. I’m not sure if American Idol winner David Cook rocks or not.
3. My middle name is Anonuevo which means new year in Spanish.
2. I enjoy reading John Mayer’s blog more so than listening to his music.
1. I love God and I’m thankful for the life He has blessed me with.