Are you a purple cow?

I have never wanted to be referred to as a cow until I read Purple Cow; now I want to be a cow and better yet, I want to be a purple cow. : )  If you have read any books by Seth Godin, you will know what he is passionate about.  Every business owner should read it.  It is all about being noticeable, having something worth noticing or simply not wasting your time.  This book challenges your thinking, challenges the norm and the average.  It also questions what you consider good and more than good-REMARKABLE.  The Purple Cow has helped me recognize what I can do to differentiate myself in this market full of photographers and has taught me to be ok with not being everyone’s photographer.  What I mean is, it is ok to stick with what I know and what I want to know and what I do best.  It is my job to figure out how to reach those people that want what I have and what I do.  ; ) 

My husband and I were having a conversation about a poor experience with Avis.  He mentioned that after each rental, he receives a survey which he is usually too busy to complete.  He typically deletes the email and gets back to his important stuff.  BUT, this time will be different, he pointed out.  He is anxiously awaiting the survey.  He will be making time to clearly point out his negative experience and share what was done and what they can do to make it better.  I had an a-hah moment and was able to relate it to Purple Cow…  everybody expects GOOD but GOOD is no longer enough.  You need to be REMARKABLE and NOTICEABLE.  Sometimes that comes in form that is not so appealing to others but at least you are being noticed! 

So, with the rental situation…  he is going to take the time to write all about it because is was less than good.  He also would have taken the time to write something on each survey if it was remarkable or something well beyond the expected “good”.  Being/doing good isn’t enough. 

The follow up book is The Big Moo as a collaboration of business persons with excellent insight on this Purple Cow type business.  I highly recommend these reads!  There is always room for improvement, change and growth-no matter how long you have been in business or what kind of business you do! 

Business errors | Queen Creek Photographer

Have you ever called a business, emailed a business and had no response or reply? Annoying huh!  Well, I have an error to confess and correct but I can’t.  I had a phone call on Thursday when I was headed out of town and promised to call back after the weekend.  So far, so good…  By the way, I am super fantastic (typically) at returning business phone calls and emails.  Anyhow, I grabbed the first paper I could find, jotted the information down and promised to call back.  The weekend passed and I was taking note of Monday’s to-do.  I remembered the phone call and couldn’t locate the paper anywhere.  It probably didn’t help that we were shuffling papers all weekend BUT I went through my trash, I went through my stash.   NOTHING.  I feel awful, I’m not sure what to do but maybe by apologizing here, she will call me again!   I don’t want to be THAT kind of business! (I’m not-do you believe me?)  I am sorry, please call again!  : )

Real moments | Queen Creek Photographer

Well, so long are the days of, “sit and say cheese” and thank goodness for that!  Don’t you think this is more of a natural look?  : )  It may be funny but true.  This represents stages in a family life.  I love pulling pictures from past photo sessions.  Things stand out differently after time has passed.  During this session, he was simply not interested in sitting by the family-probably because we were asking him to.  Well, looking back, this is one of my favorites since it tells time, tells the story!  You can assume he is pouting and mom and dad are trying not to be frustrated.  I’m not sure if they were bribing with ice cream at this point or not.  ; ) 

If I could let each family know the importance of real moments, I would use this as an example.  It is ok for children to be not quite on board with the moment.  It usually stems from a little “pre-session” stress when mom is trying to get everybody dressed, running out the door, forgetting something, and all along the way reminding the children to hurry so, “we won’t be late.”  Then, when the moment comes and the camera comes out, they have their own way of expressing their dissatisfaction with the process.  Sometimes kids don’t like me before they have even arrived… no fair.  My goal is to change that, to interact, to enjoy the moment.  My goal is to capture a unique moment for the family, a moment that shares real feelings.  Enjoy being a family and know that this picture will be the one remembered.  One like this sums up the entire session.  One more thought-I would love to walk in a home and see this- a large printed version!  Nobody has this kind on their wall but its original, its real. 

How much is that doggie… | Queen Creek Photographer

Oscar is the nicest dog I know.  I used to be a dog lover/owner myself but since then I have grown away from my love of dogs-weird, I know.  I suppose when you live with them and serve them by feeding and cleaning up poo, you can’t help but be a dog lover.  Anyhow, I do love a cute puppy and I love to play with them but I am not dying to own a dog again (unlike my daughter who is begging for a dog for her birthday…  she says she doesn’t want anything but a dog, not even a cake).  Back to Oscar.  He is kind, gentle and obedient.  You can’t ask for much more from a dog!  I will call myself the dog grandparent because I can play and enjoy their companionship but I can walk away without the responsibility of raising it and caring for it.  Yep, that is the type of dog relationship I enjoy.  Even Oscar can’t change my opinion (today).

Changes for those summertime pictures

You will just have to watch this!  I found this a bit ago and then was reminded of its awesomeness this morning on one of the photography forums I participate in. It is a great tutorial about several Photoshop tools BUT it is hilarious too.  Who needs to diet anymore?  Sorry that the picture for the page is a picture of ummm, well her backside but maybe it draws your attention a bit more?  All I can think about is how this woman feels with her picture being used as the example?  Maybe she is completely unaware and was just out for a fun day at the beach?  Go. Watch. Learn!

The road less traveled | AZ Photography

This was another find in AZ.  I was immediately drawn to it due to the condition, texture, and location.  It was tucked behind some old houses and buildings, just past an old bridge-ish looking path.  It seemed ancient and rugged, beaten down. As I sat there at the bottom of those stairs, I wondered what I would see at the top… something as interesting or maybe even more unique?  Unfortunately I didn’t have the guts and bravery to go on with it since a dog was barking at me, alerting the entire city that a stranger was lurking AND I was alone.  I did consider for a moment the roads less traveled in life, sometimes a tough road but maybe the reward (or lesson or view) is worth the journey.

This ‘ol car | AZ Photography

Discovering other parts of AZ can be so fun, especially when you realize that it is totally normal (in other smaller cities) to leave old cars that don’t run on the side of the building.  This city-Miami, AZ, had so much character and texture.  I am sure the residents wondered what I was up to taking pictures of alley ways, buildings, old cars, signs, etc.  It was an adventure!  Time for me to take some more adventures in AZ!