If you are wondering, “What is fusion and why I should care?” this is the meeting for you. Learn about the next generation of marketing opportunities by combining the old school still images with the exploding consumer demand for video media. Apple iPhones, iPods and iPads are driving fusion photography up to the next big step in the world of digital photography.

Wedding photography has traditionally been the recordiing of unions and celebrations. Although pictures engage viewers to lean in and study the details, it misses what cinematography can offer – sound, music, and motion. Photography and cinematography can independently offer amazing records. However, combining the two makes magic.

Jeff Jochum and I will be WPPI’s Sacramento Trip talking about two things:

1. What is fusion video and why it is important
2. How to market yourself better using this new form of media (even beyond fusion)

The landscape for business is always changing and ever so exciting! And we are delighted to share with everyone our experience and business tactics using this new medium.

Date: Wednesday, August 25
Hours: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Location: Hilton Sacramento Arden West
2200 Harvard St., Sacramento CA 95815
REGISTER

There are a variety of styles for fusion where some users favor more stills than clips, or vice versa. The following is a recent one I did at Beverly Wilshire.

Looking forward to seeing everybody there!

Yours truly,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Jeff Jochum is also my partner for a new business strategy thingy we’re doing. We have lots of exciting videos being edited right now and will soon be released for nom nom nom consumption.

P.P.S. If you’re wondering why you should care about video, read this.

Last Friday, Greg Bumatay invited me to speak at Cypress College amongst some of industry’s greats. I was very flattered.

I do not speak publicly very often. One of my greatest fears is an empty room. Some supporters promised to come to calm my nerves – thanks Julie, Rob, Jesse, and a few others.

By 2:00pm, people were virtually leaking out the door. Granted, the room’s capacity was only 30, but for that 1.5 hours I felt almost as popular as Jasmine Star. Put me in the lecture hall and this scene would look completely different.

**Note to self: always speak in small rooms.

I want to extend my gratitude for everyone who came despite the sauna-like room. If anyone needed clarification or had questions, feel free to comment below.

Aforementioned images courtesy of Greg Bumatay.

Also, I realized that I do not have a handsome JD to help photograph the event, so if anyone has pictures, I’d love to post them up. Twitter or comment below with jpg link – thanks!

Hope you all had a splendid weekend,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. So who bought an iPad? Fad / rad?

P.P.S. I have an iPad and I go to bed with it.

P.P.P.S. A couple of second shooter jobs went up this weekend on the job board!

I love cappuccinos, sidewalk cafes, Paris (France), baguettes and Kimberlee and Marissa! xo

Rather than enjoying each of them separately, The Boudoir Divas bunched them all together in a Parisian boudoir workshop. I would totally sign up except that it’s not easy to book boudoir photography gigs as a dude…trust me, I tried. So if you’re a dudette, I recommend this without reserve.

Dates: April 29 – May 1
Day 1 – Reception & Shoot
Day 2 – Processing
Day 3 – Optional Add-On Shoot

Cost:
$1300

Location:
Paris, France

Reservation:
Email Ashley at info@theboudoirdivas.com

Details:
The Divas prepared this convenient PDF for review!

Supplementary Information

Committed brides are more than likely to continue working with said photographer. Therefore, offer them an opportunity to feel and look sexy [all while maintaining comfort levels - people are conscientious about body flaws]. Learn how The Boudoir Divas handle these scenarios.

Plus, I’m confident that grooms / husbands-to-be will be thankful.

Sincerely,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. While there, have a crepe – go bold and try it as a meal (meat, egg, etc.) rather than a dessert.

So far 2010 is starting out pretty well. Although 10 days cannot be a testament to much, I will remain positive.

I’m guessing that many of you have made resolutions. I too have committed to some. Before I share with you all what I have in mind for 2010, I want to talk about something called “exit strategy.”

Exit Strategy

Exit strategy is one’s plan to leave a certain situation or circumstance (usually an unfavorable one). The exit strategy that I am talking about is removing yourselves from this wedding industry. For my sake, let’s pretend that you are all photographers (since I am one).

Ask yourselves these questions:

• At what age do I want to stop shooting?
• Do I still want to carry lots of gear around… at age 45?
• Would brides still hire me…when I am 45? If so, will I need to change my pitch from young and edgy to something else?
• Can I work 8-12 hours straight…at age 45?
• Can I still stare at the monitor for hours at a time…at you know…

Just to be clear, I am not making 45 some magical number. For some of you, it might be 60. I’m just using this scenario as an example. So let’s just say that by (whatever age), you want to get out of this industry.

Planning Backwards

Take into consideration your current age. At what age do you want to (blank – leave this industry, retire, change careers, etc.)? This is what I meant by planning things backwards.

1. What age are you?
2. At what age do you want to exit this situation?
3. Take the total amount of resources necessary to exit and divide it by the difference in ages (where you are and where you want to be)

The reason why I am writing this article is to remind everyone that, yes, the money can be good as a photographer, but it won’t last forever. We might not be as capable in the future. And even if so, we might lose interest by then.

Therefore, plan your exit strategy. Factor in retirement savings. As entrepreneurs, we do not have HRs to remind us to allocate funds to 401Ks or other deferred comps, so I am reminding you NOW.

Planning Forward

Now that we understand the importance of planning backwards, let’s plan forward! For 2010, I want to tone up. It sounds cliched, but you must understand that I’m pretty inactive when I’m not shooting weddings

As a distant goal, @bullysaurus and I plan to move to France within the next two years. We figured that life’s too short to stick with one area. Plus, we’re young and still have a lot of adventure left in us!

What are your plans? Do share!

Happy belated new year,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. That picture above was my view from Aria Hotel. I was working in Las Vegas during the week of the new year. It was my first attempt at HDR. If you want to check out more of my personal work, I intend to practice my HDR photography with a post every week.

P.P.S. ANNOUNCEMENT — January 25th — Jeffrey Neal is hosting his first workshop! He is the dude that taught me how to use a tilt-shift lens. For meat lovers, I think he’s offering steak as dinner

P.P.P.S. ANNOUNCEMENT — January 23rd — San Diego PhotogShootout is hosting a pin-up photo shoot with me as the guest speaker! If you want some portfolio images, these are great events to attend for a tiny fee.

How do you market your business? There are many ways to market yourself, but you can read about how I did it below.

Two months ago, I had the privilege of sharing what I had learned about strategic online marketing with many photographers ranging from top 10 in the world to those with less than 10 months in business.

My workshop focused on two items:

1. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – being found on Google
2. Blogging Techniques – converting traffic into inquiries (examples)

Reasons Why I Chose SEO

The traditional form of advertisement (word of mouth) is only effective amongst the current client base. Outside that circle of influence, there is a large audience that is untapped. The goal is to be found by those who do not know you.

Why This?

There is probably a ton of options out there all claiming to be SEO experts, but when it all boils down, I can prove it with my inquiries and online ranking. Plus, it’s more than just SEO that makes a sale.

Being found is only half of the battle. The rest is strategic marketing (sample) through blogging, which will convert traffic into clients.

Some Testimonials

I didn’t have the chance to put together everyone’s testimonials, so it’s incomplete and a bit scattered.

Lots Of My Heroes

Aaron Dieppa, Becker, Ann Hamilton

Jasmine Star

Gene Higa, Keats Elliot, Catherine Hall

Dane Sanders

Sara France, Jose Villa

Mike Colon

Robert Evans, Doug Boutwell, Shaun Austin, Peter Garr, and more…

Catherine Hall

Tiffany Fosnight (Adeline & Grace Photography)

Doug Boutwell (Totally Rad Actions)

Kameron & Lyndsay (Shooting Gallery)

Kara Schultz

If Interested…

There will be a digital download coming very very soon so subscribe!

1. SEO Volume I and Volume II
2. Blogging Techniques (sample)

Invest into your business by arming yourself with new marketing strategies (auspiciously for the new year).

Sincerely,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. If there is one thing you could get for XMAS, what would it be? My Honda Civic is looking a bit bleh… Hmmm…

Strategic online marketing was the crux in my business success. I have owned and operated a couple of other businesses before wedding photography [and Tofurious] and neither have compared to the results yielded by what I shared with my workshop attendees.

I am honored and humbled by the number of attendees who signed up for my strategic marketing workshop. Best wishes to you all!

For those who did not get a chance to attend, there will be a digital download in the near future. The only difference is that I will not be able to give customized attention along with a few other things (that I will discuss later on).

Miami

Roy Llera Photographers – a fun team of Miami wedding photographers
Todd Good – is good
Lydia Shannon – spunky girl who recently cut her hair
Doreen Kline – not from Miami but close enough – Naples

Miami is a trip – the ocean is warm! Also, there are albino pythons everywhere!

Thanks to the Photogene App on iTunes for the good times.

Washington DC

It’s Capital Hill ahh! Too bad when I went it was rainy, so that means:

• Segway Tour
• Smithsonian
• Lincoln Memorial
• etc…

Jan Michele Photography – loves having all of Washington DC as her studio (lucky!!!)
Meaghan Elliot Photography – a chocolate connoisseur
Rodney Mickle – art and fashion wedding shooter

New York

The Big Apple! My week in NYC was quite interesting. I met so many interesting people!

Sunday

• Arrived and went straight to meeting at Mandarin Hotel with Yanni and Grace Ormonde; thanks Mike for connecting us!
• Went to have dinner with Jason Groupp and Susie
• Went to have drinks with Mike Colon, Ray Santana and Tracie

Monday

• Concept 2 Execution Workshop with Jason Groupp and John Michael Cooper

An inspirational image they used as an example:

Tuesday

• Day 2 of Concept 2 Execution
• Guest speaker for online webinar with Showit Web

Wednesday

• Tofurious SEO and Strategic Online Marketing Workshop
• Jason Groupp’s Pre-PPE party with One Light stickers by Zack Arias

Thursday

• Photo Plus Expo (PPE) – it’s like WPPI except for non-wedding photographers too!
• Went to Tweet-Up!

Friday

• Took train to Rhode Island to meet with Grace Ormonde, Yanni and Wedding Style Magazine team
• Made presentation and strategic marketing planning
• Had delicious dinner at Spain – I got baked swordfish with risotto. Yanni shared some of his veal with me and Grace gave me half of her lobster; I was stuffed.
• Dessert at Pistachio
• Dessert 2 at hotel – I got creme brulee
• Knocked out in hotel room chair

Saturday

• Took train back to New York
• Caught last part of PPE and met up with some cool peeps
• Had dinner with some old NYU buddies

Sunday

• Caught flight to Dallas then to Hotel Zaza

NYC Workshop Attendees –
Jason Groupp – NYC’s most awesome wedding photographer
John Michael Cooper – very different wedding photography
Seshu – Connecticut documentary wedding photography
Shannon Kelley – Knoxville, TN wedding photographer
Tim Dinofa – modern south NJ wedding photographer with very neat handwriting
Steven Young – amongst the most awesome NYC peeps
Willi Wong – NYC modern and lifestyle type of guy
Jacobus Photography – Jared + Rachel Jacobus!
Jason Miller – Washington DC guy but missed the DC workshop I guess
Jim Altieri – CT!
Tina Jay Photography – Philly!
Kim Percival – just Kim (leading a double life)
Darren Squashic – fresh and fun blog
Ahmetze – NY and NJ awesomeness

Dallas

The Dallas Hotel Zaza was not as good as Houston’s…just sayin’. Nevertheless, the attendees were great!

Meegan Weaver – needs a WordPress blog!
Scott Pickering – tried his hand in other things but now trying something new – photography
Table 4 Weddings – THE Southern Ninja Photographers
Jason Huang and Andrew – Sit in Table 4 because that’s where the cool kids hang
Catie Ronquillo – loves red velvet cake, big earrings and weddings

Nationwide Tour Ended

The other cities were mentioned in other posts. All in all, what a surreal experience. I have so many people to thank for helping me make this happen. You all know who you are – thank you so very much!

See you all in Tofu House,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. New England seafood is soooooo gooooooood. Maybe it’s because West Coast has more pollution and floating diapers [in Santa Monica]. Anyway, this workshop has been pivotal.

P.P.S. So who’s going to WPPI? You should. I will be offering literally the ultimate giveaway(s). Nothing’s permanent, but lots of good ideas are flying. I might need some helping hands too – any offers? Thanks in advance! xoxo

On October 14, 2009 (Wednesday), some of industry’s leading photographers came to host the first Portfolio Plus Workshop. It covered a variety of topics for operating a wedding photography business.

• Ray Santana – workflow and presentation
• Kenny Kim – business inspiration
• Kenny Nakai – Chicago helping hands
• Becker – passion, profit and community
• Lawrence (ME) – strategic online marketing

IF YOU ARE A BRIDE, I still encourage you to peruse and check out some of my wedding pictures taken at Biltmore Hotel despite this being a post on a workshop – contact me!

After covering topics on business and marketing, 3 real brides were invited to come to be models. We had the opportunity to photographs all throughout Biltmore Hotel and the chapel across the street.

Historic Biltmore Hotel and Resort Coral Gables (Miami)
http://www.biltmorehotel.com

1200 Anastasia Ave
Miami, FL 33134
(305) 445-8066

This awesome image was taken at the penthouse suite at Bilmore Hotel where Al Capone used to reside. It was also used for the movie Bad Boys I in the opening scene. Isn’t she gorgeous?

What an infectious laugh! I love her positive energy!

There was a 3rd bride, but I did not get a chance to photograph her because I was trying to conserve energy for my presentation that followed the photo shoot. Plus, I just hosted my own workshop the day before!

Here’s me teaching (image courtesy of Kenny Nakai):

Here’s a group photo:

Contact me if you have any questions!

Lawrence Chan

P.S. After visiting the Al Capone suite at Biltmore Hotel, my Ritz Carlton suite looked plain.

P.P.S. Did I win, Ray? Hehe

When I visited Houston and Dallas for my Coffee Tour, I asked a number of people where I should host my SEO workshop. It was unanimous – Hotel Zaza.

Hotel Zaza Houston – boutique hotel
5701 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77005

It is awesome place to host a wedding! The Zaza Hotels are as unique in service and accommodations as my fingerprint is to yours. Just imagine this – they have a complimentary shuttle service to anywhere within 5 miles (no biggie, right?). The exception is that they drive you around in either a black Escalade, stripped down police cruiser or Mercedes van…interesting.

Hotel Elevator Backgrounds

Lobby Furniture

This is Julie (@bullysaurus) sitting on their grand piano.

While there, I hosted my workshop with a number of attendees – a combination of wedding and children photographers.

Allison of Phreklnose Photography – an ultra cool children photographer in The Woodlands
Joanna Garcia – Houston wedding photographer living the dream
Eric Yeh – work hard, play harder. Shooting happy people and living their dreams
Kim Ashford – mom, wife, Baton Rouge wedding photographer
Morris Griffin – starting out but eager to learn
Clark Lara – Clark (photographer) / Rica (wife and better half) are lovers of ice cream
Aaron Hogan – lighting and emotion freak

Over and out,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Hotel Zaza is seriously this shiznits!

Seattle was so much fun! I met new peeps (non-wedding photographers too), learned about other businesses, and caught a fish!

Follow @tofurious for twitter updates
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I hosted my wedding photography marketing workshop for various photographers at Grand Hyatt in Seattle. The view from the hotel was breathtaking! I was on the highest floor (30th) and I had a wonderful view of the water. Every morning I would trek down to Pike Place Market to see new things!

Workshop Attendees

Chris Waters – known as the “C” in JAC
Eternal Reflections Photography – spaghetti loving wedding photographers specializing in all things glamorous and fabulous
Jenny GG Photography – cool chick / cooler photog
Rockie Lee – Image Explorations dude
Candice Cunningham – octo-shot espresso camera-slingin’ photographer
Josh Thompson – Ventura photographer exploring Seattle for a day
Paula Wessels – need your website!

The very first Starbucuks in Pike Place!

I just had to seek it out! I even got their special bag of coffee beans. I can’t wait to get home to grind them – slurp!

I am a coffee fiend – yum!

Space Needle

Since I did not get to go to the top of the Space Needle, it only gives me an excuse to return to Seattle in the future. There is a restaurant at the very top! I wanted to eat there, but @bullysaurus and I arrived 2 minutes too late – ah boo!

New Friends

I must thank @SeattleMaven for all of the wonderful tour / food advices while in town. I even got a chance to meet her along with @moniguzman (blogger for Seattle PI) at Top Pot (a delicious donut place).

Ah – a social media tweet-up! Good times!

When I was at Top Pot, I could not resist the smell of the wonderful donuts, so I bought 4 dozen to Dane Sander’s Pictage talk that same evening…so delicious *salivating

So many wonderful places with so little time to visit them,

Lawrence Chan
@tofurious | mailing list

P.S. Rockie Lee invited me to speak for Image Explorations in Canada next year. I was honored and happy to do it. The only part that worried me was the fact that I’M OPENING ACT! For those of you who know me, I’m a bit of a recluse.

Chicago – a beautiful city blend of modernity and history. The neighborhood combines tranquil, tree-lined blocks with commercial streets, which are filled with lively dance clubs and world-renowned bars. These luxurious cultural attractions also make fantastic wedding venues to celebrate unity.

Chicago is paired with some of the world’s top wedding photographers! It is a blessing to have access to historians who will capture your wedding in the most artistic ways – providing black and white, contemporary, digital, informal and documentary style wedding photography.

John Hancock Signature Room / Lounge

Amongst the many locations, John Hancock Signature Room on the 95th floor offers a breathtaking view of Chicago. Imagine a romantic reception filled with music and dancing in the heavens.

Chicago Wedding Photographers

Otto Rascon Photography – part graphic designer / part photographer – it will be the perfect marriage of art and photography
Kenny Kim – life style wedding photographer
Bob and Dawn Davis – celebrity wedding photographer
Kara – Chi-town wedding and boudoir photographer
Ray Pryor – Emotia photography
Jules Wiegand – quirky Louisville photographer
Jay Crihfield – Chicago wedding photographer who rocks Navy Pier
Kenny Nakai – once a teacher, now a rockin’ historian
Eclipse Photography – Toronto awesomeness
Molly Michel – a girl who titles her blog posts, “Wow” because it is expressive of her fun personality
Dan Georgia – a photographer who captures the one’s uniqueness

Giant Chrome Bean!

I saw a similar picture in my suite at the Knickbocker Hotel, so I just had to duplicate it. I love this giant chrome bean in Millennium Park!

P.S. Good luck attendees! Rock the wedding scene!

Hello!

@tofurious | subscribe to mailing list

On Monday – September 7th, 2009 – a number of Orange County wedding photographers attended the very first public Tofurious SEO workshop! I was humbled to see so much talent in the room – especially those whom I admire as heroes.

Check out these phenomenal OC wedding vendors!

Joel – Los Angeles based wedding photographer
Jay Hsiang (studio) – Destination wedding photographer based in Los Angeles
Amanda Rae – an awesome Ventura County wedding photographer
Chris Schmitt Photography – another cool LA wedding photographer
Henry Wang Photography – Los Angeles wedding and portrait photographer
Kien Trinh Photography – Orange County wedding photographer
Miguel Pola Photographers – Orange County wedding photographer
Scott Land Photography – a selfless Southern California wedding photographer
Caren Lazarus – Wedding and bridal hair accessories!
Peter Garr – Southern California wedding photographer & LA Smug Leader
Michelle Johnson – Los Angeles engagement photographer
Chelsea Elizabeth Photography – Sassy Santa Barbara portrait photographer
Shaun Austin – Kiss Wedding Books (World’s Simplest Album Company)
Jeff Jochum – cool marketing guy from Smug Mug
Robert Evans – Celebrity wedding photographer
Candice Cunningham – awesome inventor of Camera Slingers
Doug Boutwell – The most rad photoshop actions for wedding photographers
Jenny Liu – sassy girl with a camera
Jeff Neal Photography – guy who taught me how to use the tilt-shift lens
Lynnette Coalson – one fun San Diego photographer!
Furious Photographers (blog) – Doug the edgy fashion wedding photographer
Gayla Elizabeth – who owns a rad print lab
Lynnette Coalson

Make sure to subscribe to the mailing list | and follow @tofurious for more updates!

Sincerely,

Lawrence

P.S. NEVER reserve a seat in front of the emergency exit row on an airplane because the chairs DO NOT recline!