Hey DC Puggers,
I hope that we will see many of you for our Feb PUG meeting. The very generous Chris Smith has offered up his studio space in DC for this months meeting.
Last month we had a super turn out, I hope that we continue on that path. This month we have a fun meeting planned, and if you didn’t get a chance to read my January meeting notes on our DC Facebook page, here is a recap…
I was encouraged with the turn out last month because I believe that we all have something unique that we are good at, that can and needs to be shared. We have such a vast array of photographers in this area, there is no reason why we can’t all help one another to become the best business person and artist we each want to be (does that sound too much like the army slogan).
A post comes to mind that our very own Pictage CEO wrote not long ago with the title – “It’s not always pricing”. In reading Jim’s post, he reconfirmed something that I have always thought, but have never been able to eloquently express. In his post Jim talks about gaining a better understanding of your clients before meeting with them. We often look outside ourselves when the work isn’t coming in. We wonder why clients are calling, and when they call, why they don’t book.
I do believe that one of the major factors of our success or lack there of hinges a fair amount on how we present ourselves to the client. The more we can understand why a specific client is contacting us before setting up the first meeting, the better.
If you get the chance you must read Jim’s post http://lifenotes-justuff.blogspot.com/
So, with that said, the plan for our Feb 21st meeting which will help address sales as well help us all to take a long hard look at how we present ourselves, we will be…..drum roll please….
ROLL PLAYING! I know what you are all thinking, but wipe that crazy thought out of your head! We will divide ourselves into groups of three and switch rolls, going from, photographer to bride to groom, and we may even throw in a MOTHER OF THE BRIDE!
I think that many of us underestimate the power of the face to face meeting. It never hurts to reexamine how and why we present ourselves the way we do. At the end of each round of photog, bride, groom pairings, there will be time for feedback given to the one in the photog hot seat.
So come prepared with what you would bring to a normal meeting, and lets take this opportunity to help one another with constructive critique on our presentation and sales.
Thank you all for being a part of this fantastic group, I see us all working towards and accomplishing the businesses and personal photography goals we all really want this year.
And stay tuned, I will be asking all of you to contribute to a new note on our facebook page where I would like for all of you to write down your suggestions and desires for future PUG meetings.
And last but not least, next on our agenda, I would like to talk about setting up portfolio reviews. Next to understanding the hows and whys of the ways in which we interact with our clients, it is vital that we continually revisit our photography and get constructive critique on the images themselves.
So come on out to the PUG on Monday and lets get this new year off to a great start!
There are some special instructions to gain entrance to Chris’ studio.
1. His studio space is located in a Federal Building, so PLEASE bring your ID with you.
2. Studio room number is G0-31
3. Phone number to the studio is 202-604-8675
4. The entrance is on C St SW
5. Closest metro Federal Center SW – Blue/Orange line. To get to the Cohen Building get off at Federal Center South West, take the escalator up to the street level turn Left go one short block to “C” street and turn left, cross the street and your at the Cohen building the entrance it in the middle of the building, about a two minute walk.
As always our PUG meetings are open to non-Pictage members as well, so feel free to spread the word.
Sarah
sarah@blinkdc.com
A map to the studio can be located here
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=wilbur+j+cohen+building&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=il








