British study on design for increased profits

The British Design Council has a post on their site regarding design and marketing. Companies investing in design (beyond basic slapped together ads) are twice as likely to see its turnover grow compared to companies that don't. As well, a £100 investment in design saw a return of £225. The studio also shows a marked improvement on their performance in the markets in bull and bear times as well as having an 83 per cent increase in their market share compared to the British average of 46 per cent. I'm sure the figures for north America would be similar. You can read more here.

The "Bad Guys" seem to have won.

A Patt Morrison LA Times opinion piece is just one more example of how terrorists seem to have won the battle in the USA. Photographers all over the US - and sometimes in Canada too - are getting harassed for taking pictures in public places. This harassment is against both the claim of being "the home of the brave and the free" as well as several portions of the bill of rights. No matter, "since 9/11" is the refrain of police, security guards and general citizens all over that "great land."

So, forget the fact a terrorist would use a hidden camera or shoot from inside another building or car - someone taking a picture out in the open "must be dangerous."

So obviously the US would be more secure if everyone had to stay in their homes, except to go to work, be at work or come home from work. Possibly to go shopping - although that can be done online now so its not as necessary. Anyone just "out" must be dangerous.

Another one (Search engine that is)

You'd think most people would believe Google is the top dog and its not worth trying to compete. And then you get an email inviting you to list your web site on something like theGokodo Web directory. They have a couple of features other that straight web directory; and it is a directory - not a crawling search engine, at least right now. There's a dating component, travel and social bookmarking - which lets you log in and let others know about interesting sites you seen lately. This feature almost takes one back to the early days of surfing where you just follow links around the web and find all kinds of interesting ideas. Well, good luck to the Gokodo team.

Joining the Startup Nation

If you're just starting up your business or looking to expand it and you don't already know about StartupNation.com, I'd suggest going there and finding out more. They offer podcasts, resources, lists of ways to improve your business, and a forum for like minded entrepreneurs to ask questions and give feedback. Great place to go.

Image and branding

I've been working like mad to rebrand my photography site and have spent a lot of time considering the subject of image (instead of my usual contemplation of images). I gave a speach at a business club the other day that likened how the look of your marketing – such as you ads, web site, logo, etc. – is much like your body language when you're doing a presentation.

When you're talking face to face, the words you use are only seven per cent of the communciation the other person recieves. Thirty eight per cent is the tone of your voice. The remaining 55 per cent of the communication you project is your body language.

So obviously visual clues make a huge difference to the person you're communicating with. The message: make sure your marketing is not like wearing jeans to a black tie dinner (or a three-piece suit to a rodeo.)

Great quote

Read a great quote last night -
"Branding is all about presnting yourself to the world in a way that makes it easy for people to know who you are, what you stand for and why they should care." Bob Barker - author of Branding Yourself Online.

This is a subject I've been thinking about as I rebrand my photography company to do commercial, industrial, advertising and corporate photography.

More changes

Well, like I don't tinker enough, my commercial, industrial and editorial photography site speersphoto.com has been through a major rebuild and I've been getting some really nice responses from people about it. Loaded lots and lots of image and I think its a really good improvement.

Engagement photos are a great way to get to know your photographer

If you haven't thought getting your engagement portrait done was important, you might consider a couple of things. First, you get to know your photographer - you become more comfortable with your photographer and as a result your wedding day portraits are better. As well, you photographer gets to know you and can figure out how to communicate with you on a more personal level - which again results in better wedding day photography. As well, one new idea is to have your engagement photo mounted with an oversized matt which is used as a "guest-book" at your reception - people love signing it and you have a great memento of your wedding day. And, if the photographer doesn't offer to shoot your engagement photo as part of the package - if you ask he or she will probably throw it in just to get your wedding (it certainly never hurts to ask.) One last thing with engagement portraits, if you're unhappy with your photographer at that point - it gives you enough time to find someone else.

Clothing can make the shoot when getting a family portrait done. The best group portraits have eveyone wearing the same or similar colours. Solid colours are best for groups or individuals as paterns take attention away from the face(s). As for specific colours, medium toned colours in blues or greens work well. Dark colours and black are okay. White isn't bad but unless the light is soft like an overcast day, in the shade or in the studio, white can wash out in the prints. Long sleeves are better, but if you have to wear sleaveless - make sure you don't have an uneven tan on the arms such as a "farmer's tan."

BlissWeddings.com - wedding planning site. Found this site today and thought you'd like to see it too. They several downloadable forms and information packages in pdf format as well as other resources for planning your wedding.