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.

Anyway, on our way back, we passed by a number of rest stops. To my dissatisfaction, many signs had burned out lights. Sure, I sometimes have [...]]]> Last week, Julie and I drove to San Francisco to play with some friends. The spontaneous idea spawned from her craving crab. “Happy wife, happy life,” right?

Anyway, on our way back, we passed by a number of rest stops. To my dissatisfaction, many signs had burned out lights. Sure, I sometimes have a burned out light bulb at home too, but these are businesses.

This reminded me of Disneyland. From my years of going to the theme park, not once have I caught them with a burned out light bulb. I don’t know how true it is, but I understand that they change the light bulbs way before their expiration dates.

Disneyland Electrical Parade courtesy of Disneyland

This post isn’t really about preemptively changing light bulbs. It’s about …

Adaptation

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.
– Charles Darwin

The lesson we can learn from Disneyland is simple. Don’t wait until the last minute to adapt [or change light bulbs].

Stay hungry. Stay foolish.
– Steve Jobs

Always learn. Always adapt. And execute preemptively.

Always New Strategies

Part of the reason why I wrote Social Media Marketing for Digital Photographers is because there are many unexplored strategies that I have successfully executed for companies I’ve consulted, but haven’t seen used by boutique studios.

And social media marketing goes beyond tagging clients on Facebook or the ones I’ve written briefly about:

• content strategy
• attractive titles
• building trust
• understanding social relationships

So, while having a burrito in San Francisco, I was inspired by a local magazine 7×7 to host a seminar on my book … sort of a CliffsNotes version. It sounds random (burrito, magazine, seminar …), but I’ll explain it to the attendees.

Tofurious CliffsNotes Seminar

Anyone in LA / OC interested in this? I’m considering October 28th or November 3rd. I won’t charge for it, but I will need some help. I need a venue / studio / mansion lol.

All in all, remember to learn, adapt and stay ahead. And hopefully, what I will have to share will get you there.

Cheers,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. I really miss Steve Jobs.

P.P.S. 7×7 represents the size of San Francisco, which is 7 miles by 7 miles.

P.P.P.S. Also inspired by my burrito, I want to conduct a photo shoot after my Tofurious CliffsNotes seminar. You’re encouraged to stay to be my models

P.P.P.P.S. Speaking of photo shoots, this Friday, I will be photographing the table top that was used for Kim Kardashian’s wedding. It will be used as a national ad. I doubt it will happen, but I hope she swings by … and we go out for lunch and become the best of friends. And then I’ll make appearances on Keeping Up with the Kardashians (e.g., Bora Bora).

P.P.P.P.P.S. Yes, I watch that show.

If you are a bride, please check out the [...]]]> I had the great honor of meeting a number of wickedly cool wedding photographers yesterday. Just like Chicago’s workshop, many of the attendees were not local to the hosting city, but still came out. I had attendees coming from all over California and from Canada!

If you are a bride, please check out the photographers below! If you are a photographer, follow @tofurious and subscribe to the mailing list!

The San Francisco SEO and marketing workshop was hosted at Hilton in the Financial District. I had the privilege of staying in one of their business suites and had a pretty wicked view (not the best, but very nice at night). I don’t mind having an office like this.

Right next door was Chinatown where R&G Lounge was a skip away. For those who have not been there, try the salt-and-pepper crab!

Awesome San Francisco (and Canadian) Wedding Photographers

The Memory Journalists – wedding photography led by Jennifer Dunham Starr based in Folsom, CA
Tiffany Fosnight – Adeline and Grace are wedding and boudoir rockstars in Napa Valley
Marin Kristine – Bay Area boudoir and wedding photographer
{ WLQ } Photography – San Francisco based engagement and wedding photographer
Rebecca Wilkowski Photography – SF and Bay Area Green photojournalist
Jessie Cho Photography – SF and Bay Area wedding photojournalist
Dave Shilling Photography – a tall white guy from Sacramento who shoots rad pictures
Lori Paladino Photography – SF and Bay Area wedding and lifestyle photographer
Jerry Yoon Photography – San Francisco wedding photographer woot
Kirstie Tweed – wedding and portrait photographer based in Banff, Canada
Sara Goetz – wife of Chris Goetz and operate from the Bay area
Ashley Summer – a girl who shoots all types of things – bang!
Kameron Olds – Shooting Gallery with brides as targets

I love the city of San Francisco. I’ve even considered to move to the Bay Area and start a new wedding photography business. Who wants to let me second shoot?

Be well,

Lawrence

P.S. Seattle’s Dick’s Burgers < In-N-Out

P.P.S. I am using this post to do some test If you guess right, I’ll think of a cool prize to give away.

@tofurious | subscribe to mailing list

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Like the video? Embed it to [...]]]> Okay, wait no longer. The curtains are about to open.

@tofurious | subscribe to mailing list

Intro

Details About Workshop

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More Kind Words

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<object width="550" height="340" data="http://blip.tv/play/g54rgZzAZAA%2Em4v" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="src" value="http://blip.tv/play/g54rgZzAZAA%2Em4v" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object>

Want to watch older videos / testimonials?
http://www.tofurious.com/category/search-engine-optimization/

Intro
Jasmine Star
Mike Colon
Gene Higa – Keats Elliot – Catherine Hall
Dane Sanders – Sara France – Jose Villa
Robert Evans – Doug Boutwell – more from OC

SEO Workshop

What is traffic if you cannot convert inquiries to clients?

1. Part 1: SEO and all you need to know to drive traffic to your website
2. Part 2: Blogging Practices – learning how to convert inquiries into clients

I get an average of 2.4 bridal inquiries a day and have a traffic of 24,000 unique visitors a month (all achieved in a short amount of time)

Check Out My Daily Wedding Inquiries:

Check Out My Traffic Stats For My Blog

Official Workshop Dates And Locations

Got a studio you are willing to lend? Contact me!

SALE ENDED :: CONTACT FOR AVAILABILITY

DISCLAIMER:

• Purchases are not refundable (even if acts of God prevent you from being able to show up)
• Tofurious reserves the right to refuse service to anyone
• One purchase equates to one seat (not couples/companies/partners)
• Workshop only offers tools for SEO; bonus stuff like admission to Tofu House (SEO community) and link building is offered at the discretion of Tofurious to maintain a network of credible websites

ORANGE COUNTY – $2000
Monday, September 7, 2009
1pm-5pm – Location: Costa Mesa Hilton
Sale Ended

CHICAGO – $2000
Thursday, September 24, 2009
1pm-5pm – Location: TBA

SAN FRANCISCO – $2000
Monday, September 28, 2009
1pm-5pm – Location: TBA

SEATTLE – $2000
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
1pm-5pm – Location: TBA

HOUSTON – $2000
Monday, October 05, 2009
1pm-5pm – Location: TBA

DENVER – $2000
Thursday, October 08, 2009
1pm-5pm – Location: TBA

MIAMI – $2000
Monday, October 12, 2009
1pm-5pm – Location: TBA

WASHINGTON DC – $2000
October 16, 2009
Friday, 1pm-5pm – Location: TBA
EMAIL ME – tofulawrence@gmail.com

NEW YORK – $2000
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
10am-3pm – Location: Jason Groupp’s Studio (lunch provided)

DALLAS – $2000
Monday, October 26, 2009
1pm-5pm – Location: Hotel Zaza!!! Concept Room – Far East
Potential model shoot afterwards

City Not Listed

Email me for details about getting your city listed. If you can get 5 people, I can host a semi-private workshop. You can be the Satellite Tofurious Director! Rad title, eh?

I am willing to do 4 more cities before I take a long vacation in Orlando, FL at Disney World (childhood dream)! My availability is:

• November 09, 2009
• November 12, 2009
• November 16, 2009
• November 19, 2009

Hope to see you at the Coffee Tour and SEO Workshop!

Best wishes,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Today I was Dane Sander’s interviewee. That guy ROCKS! And it’s not because he drives a Vespa, which does give him extra brownie points. He is overall a pretty cool guy.

It is a chance for me to answer all questions and to meet everyone in person. I will buy the first 20-30 people coffee and share some powerful blogging tips

subscribe | follow @tofurious

If you are a BRIDE, please check out some of the top San Francisco / Napa Valley wedding photographers [in the world].

Did I ever mention that I normally live under a rock? Coming to San Francisco to do a talk to some of the world’s top [...]]]> Hello everyone,

subscribe | follow @tofurious

If you are a BRIDE, please check out some of the top San Francisco / Napa Valley wedding photographers [in the world].

Did I ever mention that I normally live under a rock? Coming to San Francisco to do a talk to some of the world’s top wedding photographers was quite frightening. I had to prepare all week for this private workshop. I will elaborate more on this, but here were the attendees! A special thanks to San Francisco wedding photographer Gene Higa for graciously lending his beautiful home for us to use.

Overall, it was a pleasure to be working with these San Francisco based wedding photographers. Please check out their wedding photography websites as they are inspirational!

Everyone got one of of these cool leather portfolios! After a five hour workshop, I am beat.

Images courtesy of Lan Bui

Here is a little plug for some other San Francisco based wedding photographers:

Kameron Olds – http://shootinggalleryphoto.com/blog

Ashley Summer – http://ashleysummer.com

Sara Goetz – http://saragoetzphotography.com

Outtie,

Lawrence

P.S. Gene’s house is really really really nice. It is very cozy. I could fall asleep here.

The plugin is done! Please visit here

My buddies at Made By Simple created a trial plug-in for WordPress. Here are the limitations:

The future version will have unlimited images and there will be more sizes to pick from to fit your [...]]]> Howdy,

ANNOUNCEMENT:

The plugin is done! Please visit here

My buddies at Made By Simple created a trial plug-in for WordPress. Here are the limitations:

1. limited images
2. limited sizes (small and large)
3. MBS tag

The future version will have unlimited images and there will be more sizes to pick from to fit your blog. This is an awesome addition because you do not have to individually add 80+ images or something anymore. Just add one line and it magically makes you a slideshow – can’t complain about that! 

By far, the coolest feature is FULL SCREEN! Imagine your brides or clients looking at their images as a screen saver.  This is definitely wicked – agree? Just make sure to upload larger sized images like 1600px wide and etc. It is based off a 3:2 ratio so standard 35mm cameras.

[mbspremium slideshow=1]

The images are from a recent trip I took to San Francisco where I photographed Aaron Dieppa’s engagement session with his spunky and beautiful fiance Barbara “soon to be” Dieppa.

We were very fortunate to have Gene Higa and Ann Hamilton come along with us! Just from watching the two of them shoot, I learned so much!

Anyway, you can get your own slideshow plugin from http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/made-by-simple-slideshow

Make sure to import the zipped file through WordPress’ dashboard and follow the instructions from the link above. You can also rearrange pictures by hitting the “gallery” tab after uploading. The premium version is coming out shortly per our last conversation.

I will be heading to a wedding in San Jose tomorrow and then to Vancouver, so I will be gone for over a week. I know you all will miss me dearly (I hope haha), so please do not email me questions about how to use the plug-in. Read the instructions!

I will, however, make tweets so follow me on twitter – @tofurious as you know I will post pictures about my dining experiences hehe!

Also, please please please subscribe because my list is a little small and it makes me glum.

Have a good weekend,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Please retweet to spread word –
RT @tofurious check out this awesome WP slideshow plugin! http://bit.ly/XFXsD

P.P.S. Got suggestions? Twitter / email me!