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Giveaway Wednesday! – WPPI Pass & The Hodgepodge Mix!

I promised you more giveaways so here we go!  This week I’m giving away a full registration to WPPI ($399 value) and a set of our Hodgepodge Mix actions (separately.)  NOTE:  You are responsible for your own travel, lodging, etc.  The WPPI Registration is for the 90+ platform classes and the trade show.

WPPI (along with SYNC) is my favorite trade show of the year.  You can’t beat Vegas, 16,000 photographers, and the best line up of speakers on the planet!  This will be Life. Camera. Actions. third year exhibiting and we absolutely love it.  A little known fact is that I actually launched LCA at WPPI in 2010.  The website literally went live THE DAY BEFORE!  That is probably the most insane thing I have ever done but it was totally worth it and it helped put LCA on the map!

Because we have so much fun at trade shows, we have decided to start vlogging (video blogging for you old folks.)  This is our first vlog and we didn’t really have a “vision” of what we wanted it to be.  We wanted to show behind the scenes of what it is like to exhibit at one of these trade shows.  What we ended up with was something totally different (and way better!)  These videos will only get better from here!

Please let this load to about halfway before playing.  Enjoy!

btw, if you are on your phone, then this whole post probably looks screwed up.  You’ll have to check it out when you get to your computer.  Sorry!!!

Show Hide 40 comments

Amy Mariani - January 25, 2012 - 1:10 pm

Please consider me. My dream has always to be a professional photographer. I’ve been struggling to just purchase equipment. Please pick me. I would appreciate it tremendously.

Brett - January 25, 2012 - 1:14 pm

Hey Amy! The winner is picked completely at random so I can’t technically pick anyone.

Anyway, be sure to leave a comment about the video telling us what you like or didn’t like or your and then click “leave a blog comment” or your entry won’t count!

Rosie McCoy - January 25, 2012 - 1:47 pm

loved the video…

Paula Kennedy - January 25, 2012 - 1:54 pm

liked it , very cute , but too long !

David Posey - January 25, 2012 - 2:01 pm

I like your video; creative and funny. A little too long getting to the point, :)

Jason R. Meek - January 25, 2012 - 2:05 pm

It was great meeting you guys at IMAGING USA and definitely made it sooooo much easier for a lot of photographers! I think I you should use your “ESPN” to transport your thoughts to the completely randomized computer picker thingy and tell it to pick me to win well just because I am cool like that :) Anyway, great stuff guys and look forward to more!

Thanks,
Jason R. Meek
jm photographics

Latoyia bailey - January 25, 2012 - 2:07 pm

I hope it win :)

Brett - January 25, 2012 - 2:12 pm

Thanks for the feedback! There really isn’t much “point” to the video. Just hopefully entertaining. Keep the comments coming about the video, specifically about the length. If a majority feels that it is too long, we will try and shave off a couple minutes the next time around!

Conni Marleau - January 25, 2012 - 2:21 pm

WOW … What a great giveaway!!
Thanks for the opportunity!

Brenda Reynolds - January 25, 2012 - 2:22 pm

So happy to be able to enter your give away!! I love all you actions. Hope to win!!

Christi Weber - January 25, 2012 - 2:29 pm

Brett- I started “following” your work back in 2007 or 08 when dpp was pretty new..gotta say, it’s pretty inspiring when you look back at where you were and how far you have came at such a young age! And, you are freakin hilarious too! You and your wifey make a great team from what I can see in your Vlog..which, btw, totally rocks! Can’t wait to see more…better than SNL, with a great prospective!

Brett - January 25, 2012 - 2:33 pm

Thanks for the kind words Christi! Its amazing how much life can change in a short time if you pour passion into your work!

Tonya - January 25, 2012 - 2:48 pm

Loved the video! Wish I had been able to be there!!!

Felicia Montoya - January 25, 2012 - 3:27 pm

Love the video! Looks great:)

Courtney Tompson - January 25, 2012 - 3:27 pm

Pick me Pick me!

Elizabeth Golob - January 25, 2012 - 4:27 pm

Great video – looks like a fun trip. Thanks for the giggles this morning (love the humor)!

Leanne H - January 25, 2012 - 4:48 pm

LAUGHING!! I loved it! My son has planked all over NO, too! And I want to go on a road trip with you guys! Too much fun. Oh..where did you get the cool floor that you took up? Okay..loved the video! Thanks for the contest!

Chelsey - January 25, 2012 - 5:04 pm

Came across y’all at Imaging USA in New Orleans. Would love to win a set of actions :)

Dian - January 25, 2012 - 5:26 pm

Couldn’t. Stop. Watching.

Mel Carll - January 25, 2012 - 6:00 pm

I think the video was great. Nice job and of course the actions rock. Love the beginning with forgetting the camera. LOL funny! Nice sense of humor, although just a tad too long. But worth the view.

Kristen - January 25, 2012 - 6:14 pm

I thought the video was cute!!! You guys have a great energy about you! Although- I have to disagree with your planking- most of the time you weren’t planking- you were just laying down on stuff face first!! LOL. :) Wish I could’ve met you guys at Imaging USA, but we cancelled our trip at the last minute!

Stacy Crawford - January 25, 2012 - 6:40 pm

I love humor! Thanks for sharing with us all. Good luck to everyone!

Jennifer Dworek - January 25, 2012 - 7:33 pm

Brett, Loved this video! I have been a faithful fan for over a year now. Have your actions and love them! It was great to meet you at SPA last year. Thanks for sharing your creativity with us! Keep up the vlogging!

Anna Mollet - January 25, 2012 - 7:52 pm

You guys are so awesome! Love your actions and would LOVE your new set (or to see you in Vegas)!

Angie - January 25, 2012 - 7:56 pm

Cute video!! I love the first song and the little snippets of you guys – I think it’s great for your audience to see your personality. The singing in the car was hilarious! :) Thanks for a great giveaway.

Betsy Schipper - January 25, 2012 - 8:10 pm

I hope I win!

Sharon Turner - January 25, 2012 - 8:14 pm

This is so great. I really enjoyed talking with ya’ll at PPA. Keep up the great work!

Erin - January 25, 2012 - 10:45 pm

Loved it! Thank you!

alison Casey Mignery - January 25, 2012 - 11:39 pm

Looks like you guys had a blast! What kind of camera did you use to video? Was it your canon, or a video camera? Loved the blurred effect… did you use diffrent lens if on your canon?

Lora - January 26, 2012 - 12:52 am

Fun video with lots of silliness! Love the music :)

kathleen frank - January 26, 2012 - 1:47 am

love the video! the intro was super cute, and you picked a great song :)

Laura - January 26, 2012 - 1:56 am

WOULD LOVEEEE to win this and LOVE to go to Vagas BABY!:) Thanks so much!

nancy - January 26, 2012 - 3:13 am

cool prizes

Shannon - January 26, 2012 - 3:51 am

The video was too funny! It’s inspired me to try planking! :) I’d love to win a pass to WPPI. I was considering going anyway so this would be perfect!

Ainsley Sherrie - January 26, 2012 - 3:59 am

Totally disagree with the “too long” comments… I enjoyed EVERY second of it. I was smiling the whole time. It’s interesting to see the view point from a visitor to your own city, they (Y’all) appreciate the things we take for granted. I hope y’all got to eat some good gumbo or friend shrimp (not the junk they were serving at the expo…THAT was NOT Deep South Louisiana cooking) I hope y’all had a blast in my home town, it was SUCH a pleasure to meet y’all at Imaging and I got a feel for y’alls humor when we stopped buy to purchase the new actions, but didn’t realize just HOW much fun y’all really were. I’m excited to see where your creativity takes you on your next Vlogg :)

OH, and PS… Cane’s….They Franchise ;)

PSS – I was the one who was like, why do you have your disc’s on the floor… you need a better system (same one who bolted when the video camera came out – and boy am I glad I did, no make up and fonky expo hair… I would have DIED if I would have seen myself on this Vlogg :)

Keep up the great work, excited to see what your team comes up with next. Y’all are AWESOME!!!

Gwen - January 26, 2012 - 4:14 am

The video was fun, and loved the music! Made me want to go on a road trip, actually. ;)

p.s. Pick me please!

karla ruiz - January 26, 2012 - 4:36 am

I want, I want, I want to GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! love the video!

Angela Crowe - January 26, 2012 - 9:54 pm

Liked it, very cute. But too long

Dawn N - January 27, 2012 - 5:29 pm

Cute video. Thanks for the LOL at the end :) Hysterical with the slowmo!!! Been watching LCA for a while and love how you guys are pushing along doing your thing. I hope that Imaging was successful cuz it’s clear you had a lot of fun :) Just keep livin’!

Stephanie B - January 27, 2012 - 11:47 pm

I’ve got to say this was pretty entertaining, a little long, but still good, and the song choices were GREAT. Is it hard to drive while making those faces? Hahah, j/k. Anyway, seems like y’all had tons of fun. I think we would be friends if we knew each other in real life, haha, just sayin. Is that a creepy thing to say? I hope not, that’s not how I meant that…….*awkward pause*……I’m going to shut up now.

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Random Giveaway!

With over 450 entries, our first giveaway was a huge success!  Thanks to everyone who entered.  You can expect to see A LOT more giveaways from Life. Camera. Actions. and we will be bringing in other vendors who want to give away some awesome prizes!  Keep checking back and “like” us on Facebook for updates!

————————————————————–

5 seconds ago I just felt like giving away some actions. So here we are!

We are doing a giveaway of our BRAND NEW Retrolux Actions and Hodgepodge Mix.
Click the names to see before and afters!
There will be 2 winners.

Check out the widget below to enter!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Show Hide 13 comments

Ginny Velting - January 9, 2012 - 1:02 am

Completely love your actions!!!!!

Tracy Turner - January 9, 2012 - 1:13 am

Love your actions

Tiffany gale - January 9, 2012 - 1:15 am

Awesome actions. Thanks for sharing your talent.

Janelle Morte - January 9, 2012 - 1:56 am

I hope I followed the widget right. I would really like to try these actions!!

Kim - January 9, 2012 - 3:24 am

This is an awesome giveaway! The link to FB post is:
https://www.facebook.com/kimaichermiller/posts/110357895751168

Paula - January 9, 2012 - 4:25 am

So exciting!

wendy robinson - January 9, 2012 - 10:11 pm

Great actions and they are able to be manipulated

Betsy Schipper - January 10, 2012 - 8:19 pm

I have had so much fun and have had many complements using these actions! Keep them coming and me posted!

Lyn - January 10, 2012 - 9:18 pm

Love the actions! I have shared this everyday hoping that many of my friends will check out your actions too. Thank you!

Brett - January 10, 2012 - 10:33 pm

Thanks for helping me spread the word guys! (and thanks for all the kind words!)

Fay Gordon - January 11, 2012 - 1:01 pm

The new actions look awesome. Would love them

Stephanie Goodrich - January 11, 2012 - 5:50 pm

Love your actions thanks for the give-away!!

Brett - January 11, 2012 - 5:51 pm

Well Fay they are on sale for today only!

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LCA for PSE Available NOW!

The day that you’ve been waiting for is finally here! Life. Camera. Actions. for Photoshop Elements 9 and 10 is now available!

Check out this video to see the actions in action and to find out how you can get 25% off all our PSE actions when they release!  You can also check out all the actions buy clicking “Actions for PSE” in the menu bar above!

So to recap, go share this video or a link to this site on two places online and come back and leave a comment with links to where you posted it. I’ll check them out and send you a discount code for 25% off so you can get the best actions on the planet for an amazing price!  This offer will be good for 1 week after the actions launch so you may post your comment any time between now and then.  If for some reason you don’t hear from me by the end of the week, email me at brett (at) jarnaginphotography.com

If you are a regular Photoshop CS2 or above user and would like the 25% discount you may share the video as well.  Just specify in your comment what version of PS you have!

The easiest way to share is just to click the “Share on Facebook” and “Tweet This Post” links below

Show Hide 10 comments

Janelle Morte - December 3, 2011 - 2:45 am

I Shared on Facebook and Tweeted on Twitter. I have Photoshop CS5. I hope I can get the discount too!

Brett Jarnagin - December 3, 2011 - 3:04 am

Yes you can get the discount! Please leave the links to where you posted so I can check them!

Thanks!
Brett

Bridget Simbila - December 8, 2011 - 4:41 am

I waited for your actions for PSE forever and then the week before you release it, I get a gift from my husband for CS4…go figure. Still would love the coupon though because I’ve been wanting your actions for a long time. Shared on facebook:http://www.facebook.com/bsimbila

Brett - December 9, 2011 - 1:52 am

That’s how it always goes! The good news is that a discount code is on its way to your email!

Lyn - January 9, 2012 - 1:14 am

Posted the link on my Photo Fan Page Photography by Lyn and my personal page Lyn Tindell….I also tweeted it lynsphotography.

Brett - January 9, 2012 - 1:16 am

Try to keep your comment on the same post as the giveaway!

Lyn - January 9, 2012 - 1:22 am

Oops forgot to add that I have CS5 and I would love to have the 25% off coupon. I have many friends on FB that use PSE so I am sure they will also enter.

Brett - January 9, 2012 - 1:24 am

Well you are on the wrong giveaway! The elements deal expired a long time ago. Sorry that I didn’t make that more clear in the post. It said, that it was good for 1 week after the elements actions launched.

Brett - January 9, 2012 - 1:24 am

Check out the post above because if you don’t enter there you can’t win!

Michelle Tassin - January 16, 2012 - 3:40 am

These actions look great. I have never used actions before but after looking at others these seem to be the ones that I want to get. I have left links to this site on my facebook page michelle tassin and roberta tassin and on my web site http://www.imagesbymichelle.info in order to receive the 25% off.

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Free Action!

Show Hide 9 comments

lauren - December 6, 2011 - 5:53 pm

clicking, but nothing is downloading.

Amanda - December 6, 2011 - 6:29 pm

I am trying to click too and nothing is downloading here either.

Kathleen Kraft - December 6, 2011 - 6:39 pm

Same here..clicking away…no download..

Jayme Peters - December 6, 2011 - 6:54 pm

Clicking does nothing…no way to download!

Mariann Asbury - December 6, 2011 - 7:34 pm

Action is not activated……….nothing happening.

Brett - December 6, 2011 - 8:26 pm

I’m an idiot! Worked about 110 hours in the past week and my brain was melting when I set this up. I think I’ve fixed it so give it another shot! If it doesn’t work, email me at brett @ jarnaginphotography.com and I’ll hook you up!

Rob - December 7, 2011 - 1:27 am

Works for me! Thanks so much~

Ofelia Gonzalez - January 11, 2012 - 9:15 pm

Can I use it with Lightroom3? Because i want to purchase this..and I want to make sure it is compatible with lightroom..

brett@jarnaginphotography.com - January 11, 2012 - 9:19 pm

It may work if you set it up as a droplet but we don’t claim that any of our actions are lightroom compatible.

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The Referred Photographer

We’ve all heard that “word of mouth is the best advertising” but how do you spark those conversations? How do you get people to want to talk about your business?  I’ve built my photography business purely on word of mouth and today I want to share some of the things I’ve learned through experience and through reading.

Why People Refer

Have you noticed that you have a handful of clients that are always referring new people to you and others that never send anyone? Even if everyone gets the same level of service, some clients are just naturally wired to send referrals. This type of person is invaluable to a business.  So why do they do it?  Referrers want to make sure their friends get the best of something and have a great experience. In return their friends appreciate the referral and think of them as a “go to referrer.” The book, The Referral Engine, talks about how this most likely goes back to our hunter-gatherer days when we were dependent on each other to find food sources. A fisherman who always knew the best spots to cast and shared that information with the tribe would be a very valuable member of society. So, it is important to recognize that most people want to give referrals because they are wired to do so. We also have to realize that people only want to give good referrals because if they didn’t, it would make them look bad. Think back to our fisherman analogy – if he were always telling people the wrong places to fish he would never be trusted and would have a lesser social status.  Sending others to the best fishing spots makes him feel important because he is important!

Lets take a look at some of the things we can do to motivate people to refer others to our businesses.

Be Remarkable

It sounds obvious, but if you want your clients to remark about you, you have to provide a remarkable service (check out Seth Godin’s The Purple Cow.) Step one of being remarkable is exceeding your client’s expectations – not just meeting them. Have you ever heard anyone just say, “I was satisfied with their services”? If someone said that to you, would you be excited to hire that person? Would them just being satisfied be enough to make you pick up the phone and call?  Definitely not!  You act on a referral when your friend passionately tells you why you should use that product or service.  To exceed our clients expectations we must first define what they are.  Photographers are lucky because most people don’t expect much more from them than just delivering good pictures. Surely you are already doing that, but to blow your clients away you need to bring a lot more to the table. Think about what you could do that would be so impressive that it makes your clients WANT to talk about you to others. Here are a few things we do and have done to blow people away. Please put your own ideas in the comments field so we can grow our list!

-send out a thank you card and brownies
-do a same day slideshow at the reception
-memorize the names of the entire wedding party and family before the wedding day and use them often
-post our favorites to Facebook when we get home from the wedding
-post a sneak peak slideshow the day after the wedding
-blog the wedding before the proofs are up
-post their proofs in a week
-send them a card and a gift card to a restaurant on their anniversary
-give them a free session when their first child is born
-do the unexpected

Ask For Referrals

If you go above and beyond your client’s expectations they will want to return the favor but sometimes they don’t know how. Believe it or not, simply asking for referrals can help “train” your clients to refer you. We let our clients know that if it weren’t for amazing people like them who send us their friends, we wouldn’t be in business. We also give them the tools they need to make referrals. For seniors we make “senior rep cards” that have a handful of their images on them and a discount code so they can give them out at school. When they book using the discount code, the friend gets 20 free wallets and the referrer gets $20. Many photographers do referral contests where the top referrers can get prizes (gas card, iPad, xbox, etc.) What is important is to implement some referral systems in your business and be sure to recognize your top referrers publicly, which brings us to the next point…

Thank Your Referrers!

Have you ever done someone a favor and then not been thanked for it? Chances are, you weren’t so quick to do that person a favor again. Photographers get referrals all the time and often take them for granted (or don’t know where they came from.) Make it a habit of asking new clients where they heard about you and then going out of your way to thank the referrer. You can even post a blog, Facebook status, or something else public about people who refer to you. Doing so reinforces that behavior and encourages them to send more people your way. It also shows your other clients that sending you business is very appreciated which will make them more inclined to do so. Not only that, but other potential clients see that your business is good enough for people to talk about, which means it is good enough for them to hire you. Soon everyone wants to talk about you and spread the word!

Have I Mentioned Being Remarkable?

Yes the very trait that gets you referrals in the first place is what keeps them coming. If someone went out of their way to refer their friend or family member to you then you have to provide amazing service. If I refer you to an accountant and he screws up your taxes, then I look like an ass and I’ll never refer anyone to that accountant again! We always have to be on top of our game providing the best possible service to each and every client we get because, after all, “word of mouth is the best advertising.”

-Brett Jarnagin

Show Hide 4 comments

Wendy - September 6, 2010 - 1:47 am

Good advice!

Vicki - September 7, 2010 - 3:28 am

Great blog post! I’ve just been working on how to step up my customer service this past month. Thank you for posting this. Good tips.

Lori Geiger - September 30, 2010 - 1:29 pm

Great article!
At the end of the article it says:
« FREE ACTIONS! – LIMITED TIME ONLY!
Are they still available?
Lori

Julie - March 29, 2011 - 4:14 am

I’ve heard so many times from other photographers that word of mouth is what there business was based on. It was nice to see actual ideas and inspiration!! Thank you!!

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