I doubt it [...]]]> There is a specific Starbucks in Pasadena that I absolutely adore. I go there all of the time. In fact, there are many closer … much closer … but I still drive the extra miles because they know my name, my favorite drink and tidbits about me. They make me feel special.

I doubt it was the baristas’ intentions to befriend me, but we just happened to kick it off nicely. With increasing competition (especially in the photography industry), it’s more and more important to humanize your brand.

And one of the pioneers in creating this type of human connection, even online, is Jasmine Star, whom I find to be the cat’s pajamas.

Jasmine is hosting a 12-city tour called TheFIX. An FAQ can be found here.

February 27, 2012 – Phoenix, Arizona
February 29, 2012 – Dallas, Texas
March 02, 2012 – Miami, Florida
March 05, 2012 – Atlanta, Georgia
March 06, 2012 – Nashville, Tennessee
March 08, 2012 – Washington DC
March 09, 2012 – New York City, New York
March 12, 2012 – Boston, Massachusetts
March 14, 2012 – Chicago, Illinois
March 16, 2012 – Denver, Colorado
March 19, 2012 – San Francisco, California
March 20, 2012 – Los Angeles, California

You could [listen to] a podcast [or read a book], but it’s not the same as being there.
– Zach Gray

I’ve exchanged emails and text messages with Jasmine, but it’s not the same as playing Rock-Paper-Scissors for a P.F. Chang’s lunch bill. Her magnetic and quirky personality is something that can only be fully experienced in person.

Hope you all get a chance to enjoy her warm aura,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. I’ve attended a number of seminars and found the Q/A part to be equally rewarding (and sometimes too short). Not only does Jasmine have a Q/A session, she even integrated an open discussion section after the break.

For me, I’ve been catching up on television shows. I’m know that I’m a late bloomer for the following, but I’m all done! [...]]]> Happy new year! This is my first post of 2012. I hope your new year is starting out with lots of love and surprises. We can never get enough of those.

For me, I’ve been catching up on television shows. I’m know that I’m a late bloomer for the following, but I’m all done!

I’ve been obsessed with Mad Men. While many might enjoy the scandals, I love their depiction of history and its discussion of marketing and advertising.

I’m usually a martini guy, but I even ventured to try an Old Fashioned at a recent lunch. Ah, change!

Anyway, Sex and the City is another winner. I even streamed the first movie on YouTube Movies because I couldn’t wait for the franchise to share it on Netflix (if ever). I wish they were all my BFFs. They would talk about shoes, men and love while I sit and giggle.

One commonality about these two television shows share is that they showcase realistic flaws behind perfect demeanors. We are not perfect. One of my flaws? I eat an insane amount of chocolate.

Jasmine Star Exposed

Last week, my issue of Exposed arrived along with a box of See’s Candies. Like a teen flipping through Tiger Beat, I devoured both with great excitement.

Jasmine Star recently debuted her self-published magazine Exposed, which detailed the beautiful, ugly and fugly facts about her journey starting a new photography business. Despite all of the cow poo she went through, Jasmine still succeeded. I’m so proud of her.

More importantly, what’s really awesome about this magazine is that, although it is a nice compilation of her anecdotes, various sections end with applicable lessons — like how to make a couple comfortable in front of the camera. Really useful tips!

Read Jasmine’s blog.

New Journeys

How will you start your new journey? A new year is a new start. Let’s have some fun. And try not to worry about falling / failing. It’s all part of the adventure. Failure isn’t fatal.

Sending you lots of hugs,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Boom! I thought I was the only clever person to take pictures of San Francisco’s new year at Treasure Island. Ha. What a foolish thought … there was a ton of people already there way before me.

I was lucky that one SF peep shared his parking space with me (fitted two cars in one spot). Good thing our cars were petite … unlike the dinner I had moments before.

No matter how big or small, Steve Jobs suggested that we “… put a [...]]]> Another year is reaching an end. I sometimes wonder how insignificant we all are considering how vast the universe is; NASA just found another habitable world. I don’t mean to get Star Trek on you, but it’s something to ponder.

No matter how big or small, Steve Jobs suggested that we “… put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?” Personally, I’m not that ambitious. I’m okay with putting a dent in a few people’s lives (hopefully more). Maybe that will create a ripple effect.

Courtesy of 1997 Apple ad

Dreams and Happiness

Last week, Julie and I made a trip to Vancouver. While there, a friend invited me over to their home for dinner. Her kids asked if I wanted to play The Game of Life. This was my first time playing … I know, where was I this whole time? It was really fun to say the least.

The game requires players to pick a career. I chose to be a lawyer because it made a lot of money. Midway through the game, I lost my job and had to pick another career.

At first, I was dismayed by the interruption in my life plans, but this scenario reminded me of a friend I met in Europe. She was a lawyer who recently went back to school to become a teacher because the 16-hour days were too much.

… Now I get to fingerpaint and play with Play-Doh and all that other cool shit.
– friend

After recovering from her uncanny humor, I reflected on this decision. All I could think of was Dang. That’s admirable. Change of careers, especially leaving one of that caliber, is not easy … heck, change alone is not easy.

Whatever your dream may be, go for it. Failure isn’t fatal, but remember to have buffer during transitions.

All in all, think about your life path …

• Are you happy?
• What is your dream?
• What’s stopping you from achieving it?
• How will you get there?

With the holidays around the corner, there’s plenty of time for reflection.

Happy whatever you’re celebrating,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. What is your plan for the holidays? I’m going to eat, sleep and play with snow … and do my fiscal Quickbooks stuff sigh.

P.P.S. By the way, Tofurious is three years old! Thanks for still reading

Radio Flyer classic red tricycle

Catherine Hall is the host of TWiT Photo — an online photography show — and she recently emailed regarding TwiT Photo’s quest for the hottest emerging photographer.

Per the contest website:

You will have the rare opportunity to get your work in front of a prestigious judging panel made up [...]]]> Hey photo friends,

Catherine Hall is the host of TWiT Photo — an online photography show — and she recently emailed regarding TwiT Photo’s quest for the hottest emerging photographer.

Per the contest website:

You will have the rare opportunity to get your work in front of a prestigious judging panel made up of five past TWiT Photo guests, including Art Wolfe, Colby Brown, Tamara Lackey, Frank Doorhof and Zack Arias. Simply submit a portfolio of images based on a coherent theme to your favorite social media platform (choose from Google+, Facebook, 500px or Flickr).

Reward

The contest winner will be our guest on a Winter 2011/2012 episode of TWiT Photo and will be featured on the TWiT blog and Catherine Hall Studios blog. Two honorable mentions, including a selection of their work, will be featured in an article on Catherine Hall Studios blog, promoted through Catherine Hall Studios’ Facebook, Twitter and Google+ accounts, and mentioned on TWiT Photo.

Timeline

Deadline for submission: Nov. 22, 2011, at 11.59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (GMT – 7.00) (no exceptions)

Winner announcement: Dec. 6, 2011, on TWiT Photo and Catherine Hall Studios blog.

Submission Guideline

Entries must be from emerging photographers with 5 years or less professional experience who earn less than 51% percent of their total income from their photography career. To enter, submit a portfolio of 15-20 images based on a cohesive body of work that is a strong representation of your visual style.

More information about this can be found on Catherine Hall’s blog post – http://www.catherinehall.net/blog/2011/10/25/twit-photo-guest-quest/

Share with your friends! And submit yourself!

Sincerely,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Catherine Hall is sweeter than honey, so don’t use stage fright as an excuse not to submit.

P.P.S. Happy Halloween! Here’s a photo from a cafe on Degraves Street, Melbourne … cafe society!

In fact, I have tried my hand in a number of trades and continue to explore new ones. I find it not only fun, [...]]]> When you grew up, what did you foresee doing as a career? I doubt you popped out of your mother’s womb and declared interest in photography. At least, I did not.

In fact, I have tried my hand in a number of trades and continue to explore new ones. I find it not only fun, but important to grow as a person … to build human capital.

Human capital is the stock of competences, knowledge and personality attributes embodied in the ability to perform labor so as to produce economic value. It is the attributes gained by a worker through education and experience.
- Wikipedia

Essentially, building human capital is educating oneself. And I encourage learning all types of things (knowledge for your business and outside of your business).

It is important to build the stage before you even have a voice…

Chicken or the Egg

Most small photography businesses are created like this:

• I have been shooting for a while.
• I am pretty good at photography. At least, that’s what others tell me.
• What? I could get paid doing this?
• Let me get some business cards and get this ball rolling.

There wasn’t one thing that triggered the action of another. It’s unlikely that you woke up wanting to start a photography business with no photography experience whatsoever. The process was not cyclical like the debate of whether the chicken preceded the egg.

Rather, it was progressive. Imagine that practicing photography for fun was building the stage. Validating your style with paying clients through the business was your voice.

Just as how a photography business could have evolved from learned experiences, imagine what other opportunities are out there if you exposed yourself to them (through the building of human capital). Who knows what else is out there?

Fastest Ways to Build Human Capital

Learn. I love books, magazines, blogs and etc. I observe. And I don’t learn with the intention of building a business with it. I study anything that piques my immediate interest – even Las Vegas casino decor, restaurant service, prices … everything.

Experiment. For fun, I experiment what I have learned at seminars, conventions and even on this blog (tee hee). And if the experiment fails, I reflect.

Risk. When the stage is set, that means an opportunity is ripe for the picking. Alas, it’s usually out of our comfort zones. So, build the courage and just do it.

To risk is to open up chances for failure. And failure is something we all try to avoid. What’s the worst that can happen? Lose time and financial capital?

And if so, who cares? You have one thing that no one can take away, which is your human capital. You can always start over.

So…

Opportunities have a short shelf life. But before you can even see opportunities, you must first expose yourself by constantly learning.

Learn for fun and share with friends! If you want to share this article, Facebook, Twitter and Google+ buttons are below and a click away! xo

Next, comment one thing you started doing because the stage was built through knowledge and experience.

Sincerely,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. I’m leaving for Australia this Sunday. Excited for some meat pies!

On July 28th, I’m going to an event called, “Thursday Throwdown,” which is a free networking event for wedding vendors hosted by Girl Friday Weddings. Come hang out!

July 28, 2011 at 6:30PM
271 Pacific Hwy
Crows Nest, Australia 2065
Map

A warm thank you to Milton Gan for graciously inviting me.

P.P.S. I got this lovely email from Brandon Bartee about my pricing ebook.

I just wanted to say thank you for writing the pricing ebook! Since reading it, I have actually tripled the income from my portrait business almost over night!

To my surprise, a photographer I revered was an arm’s length away. Naturally, I tapped him on the shoulder. “Are you Kenny Kim?”

After introductions, [...]]]> In 2009, I was at Skip’s Summer School helping a friend, Candice Cunningham, setup a booth. When everything was completed, I decided to sit in on the lectures.

To my surprise, a photographer I revered was an arm’s length away. Naturally, I tapped him on the shoulder. “Are you Kenny Kim?”

After introductions, he invited me to have Starbucks on him. Caramel Frappuccino on a hot summer day? More reason to play hooky.

Fast forward a couple of years and lots of sushi lunches, Kenny Kim publishes two books.

When he told me about his second book, I almost couldn’t believe it. Please understand that his first book was already amazing, so outdoing himself was not an easy feat. And as consistent as his amicable character, he did it again.

Digital Wedding Photography | Photo Workshop

While his first book emphasized poses and how a wedding day unfolds, his second book Digital Wedding Photography | Photo Workshop expounds on equipment used, lighting, composition, delivery of goods and etc.

The following is an image from the book coupled with a caption denoting external lighting settings, exposure time, lens used and so forth.

I enjoyed reading his perspective behind every photo illustrated in the book. As photographers, we all think different things during a shoot – lighting, backgrounds, distractions…

As for me, I think about what flavor that evening’s cake will be. Click. Click. Move it, move it, let’s hurry to cake!

All in all, if I had to rate it on a standard 5-star system, I’d give it a 6.

Good job, Kenny!

Lawrence Chan

P.S. My favorite cake is chocolate.

P.P.S. Another book I’m reading is Water For Elephants….so good.

P.P.P.S. New article just posted – 3 Reasons Why Selling is is Making More!

On Saturday, I was at Nordstrom and saw this wickedly cool watch that revealed the cogs inside. I’ve been wanting something like that for a while.

In the video tutorial below, I mentioned that I didn’t want to reveal the brand because I didn’t want others to have the same watch But what [...]]]> Howdy,

On Saturday, I was at Nordstrom and saw this wickedly cool watch that revealed the cogs inside. I’ve been wanting something like that for a while.

In the video tutorial below, I mentioned that I didn’t want to reveal the brand because I didn’t want others to have the same watch But what the heck… It’s a Kenneth Cole New York Automatic Mesh Bracelet Watch. Go get yourself one!

Pretty.

Makeshift Studio Setup

On Sunday, some college friends graced us with a visit and donuts. They left around 10:30AM for a dog show. Having about one hour before a lunch meeting in Pasadena, I decided to take a photo of myself.

It took about 20 minutes to setup a seamless charcoal backdrop, two lights, a reflector and a chair. I immediately got dressed and took about 10 snap shots. And it took about another minute to edit the final image. The total session was about 30 minutes; leaving just enough time to drive across town.

Since I think Leonardo DiCaprio is super charming on film, I decided to imitate him. Here’s the final juxtaposition.

I’m obviously not as chiseled as him, but it was all for fun. Anyway, I posted this on Facebook and a few people liked the idea of a tutorial. Here it is!

Here are some of my notes.

• Make sure to have a dark place to shoot because ambient light will affect the exposure
• I used a large diffuser for the main light to get a soft shadowy cast
• The two lights are equal in power, but varied in distance (for fill light)
• Shooting a tight focal length requires a higher f-stop

Below is a video tutorial on the editing part.

Okay, that’s all. I know that this post has nothing to do with marketing, but thought it would be fun to share.

Ciao,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Dear Kenneth Cole – Should you read this, I’ll gladly be your photographer. Have your people call…um, my people.

P.P.S. Dear Leonardo DiCaprio – Should you read this, let’s hang out. Like aforementioned, have your people call…um, my people.

P.P.P.S. Today I was at the driving range. Rather than aiming for 300 yards, I was aiming for the cart collecting balls…missed every time. I need more practice.

Anyway, with a Root Beer in hand, I chatted with a close friend. Our conversation reminded me of my college days.

So, we were able to conclude the following.

I attended the Interactive (technology) section. This is where the newest ideas and technologies are shared. It was [...]]]> I almost can’t believe that one month has passed since SXSW Interactive. For those who don’t know what that is, SXSW is an annual convention in Austin, TX that debuts new technologies, music and film interests.

I attended the Interactive (technology) section. This is where the newest ideas and technologies are shared. It was quite a fascinating experience!

On the trade show days, I perused the convention with curiosity. (This was my first time). Not that I was even trying, people gave me goodies, t-shirts, samples, and mounds of other stuff I probably won’t use.

Anyway, about 30 minutes in, I saw a red booth with a Justin Bieber cardboard cutout sporting a min.us t-shirt. It sure made me do a double take.

They had a pretty catchy tag line, “photo sharing so easy, our moms could do it.”

Well, later learning that the founders of this startup were students from MIT, Harvard or some other prestigious U’s, I’d really hope that their “moms could do it.” A little skeptical at first, I asked them to demonstrate.

Too Easy

And golly gosh, it was easy. A little bit too easy. You don’t even need to register, which is rare nowadays. No special Sliverlight or Flash plugins required; all HTML5. You could drag a photo right onto the website and it’ll start uploading.

Multi-File Gallery

Then they demonstrated uploading a full gallery of images…same easy peasy approach. Full HTML5 upload statuses. Dang!

AND, you could send a .zip file of all of the photos afterward.

They also provide private URLs that you could share. If you want to customize your URL, you need only register for free.

Photo Gallery Slider

After all of the images are uploaded, it automatically creates a beautiful gallery that you can view and share (even individual image URLs). This is such an easy and quick way to share photos – even album design drafts, etc. Sure beats FTP…

Registered Users

If you register, you can have metrics to see number of views and all that jazz.

Additionally, it’s a micro social network where you may follow friends and family members for updates. John Xie could be the first person you follow – he’s one of the cofounders of min.us.

Framework

Aside from photos, you could also share songs and videos! The only limitation is 50MB per file. The goal is to prevent the site being used to pirate movies.

On the bright side, how often are our photographs over 50MB each? Unlikely. The other limitation is the gallery limit is 50 photos. I think the reason for this is for the .zip archiving limit.

Anyway, check out min.us – @mindotus! And watch their intro video on the front page.

Hope you all enjoy this gem,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. I tested it on someone’s mom…worked like a charm.

P.P.S. I’m having a 24-hour promotion for my fab psychology of pricing and packaging ebook before a permanent increase. Ends Friday, April 15th, 2011. Take advantage!