Now I am a fairly organized person. Members of my family come to me on a regular basis asking me where stuff is and I can tell them exactly where it is (even if I am in the middle of something else.) So I didn’t really think I needed to attend this “Workflow” workshop being taught by Sandy Puc and Jack Davis. But it came as a bundled purchase with the Workshop Sandy Puc is teaching later this summer. I am so glad that I signed up for this Workflow Workshop now! Plus I got to travel out of the desert since the workshop was being held at the Hilton Executive Meeting Center in Long Beach. Oh how I miss the beach!
Sandy shared a very detailed and thorough workflow that she has put together during her many years in the Photography Industry. Being the Type A Organized person that I am, I was already using many of the tools and ideas that Sandy suggested, liking getting a signed model release for every person I photograph and conducting design consultations with clients prior to their session. I am also a big believer in conducting Viewing/Ordering Sessions in person. Some new procedures I plan to incorporate into my routine is a simpler way of selecting my favorite images from a session and utilizing a mirror hard drive properly to further back up my images.
Sandy also shared a simply system for calculating the financial goals for your photography business so that you can hopefully achieve some semblance of balance between your business and your family life. I think just about every photographer I know struggles with this issue. I’m also going to explore further the idea of using a Credit System to simplify the ordering process for my clients. Anything I can do to ease the process for my clients is always a big plus.
And then came the moment when my mind was blown away. No offense Sandy, but Jack really stole the show when he shared his Lightroom editing techniques. I’ve taken some Lightroom courses in the past but they pale in comparison with many of the tips and tricks that Jack Davis showed us during the workshop. WOW! I am so thankful that my Smartphone had a voice recorder because my hand could not keep up with all the techniques that Jack was sharing. And even then I am not sure I got everything so before the night was over, I decided to purchase the DVD of the Workshop so that I can experience these mind blowing techniques all over again in the privacy of my office.
As I was sitting there absorbing all this information, in the back of mind I was thinking that I could not wait to get home and upgrade my software to Lightroom 4. One thing I can’t wait to try is editing video in a very creative way. And a host of other techniques I learned.
So if you are looking to invest your hard earned money into some education this year Photographers, I would highly recommend purchasing a ticket to Sandy’s Workflow Workshop. It is more than worth the price of the ticket. And if you can’t make it to a Workshop or there isn’t one near you, you can always purchase the DVD from the Workshop. Sandy has it available in her Ukandu Store online. But it’s always more fun to go in person and network with other photographers. Not to mention the fabulous prizes that are given away during the workshops. 