5 Things I learned From Failing on Kickstarter

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By Allen McEachern

My Kickstarter campaign ABSTRACT NATURE ended last night at midnight. I did not reach my funding goal of $2500. A polite, but brief email from Kickstarter informed me this morning. I was not surprised, I was watching my campaign daily for the last 30 days. I started my campaign on Kickstarter to try to off-set the costs of printing and exhibiting 11 large format images. In truth, I had the images printed before I started with Kickstarter. I wanted to see what was possible, how Kickstarter worked. Here is what I have learned from failing...

1. Many companies exist to help promote your project. Within minutes of launching my project my inbox started to fill up with offers to help me reach my goals. PR, press releases, custom websites, Twitter campaigns, social media everything...Prices ranged from $5- $500 for the services. I was not expecting such a flurry of solicitation.

2. Crowdfunding is a great way to re-connect. After I launched my project I started to reach out to everyone I know to tell them about what I was doing. (also read ask for help) I wrote to old friends, colleagues, family, and so on. Many dropped conversations started again.

3. Free Marketing / Advertising. Kickstarter exposed me, and my work to a lot of people I would not normally have access to. People contacted me directly after seeing my project on the Kickstarter website. My website traffic increased. New friend requests on Facebook, follows on Twitter, and other social media engagement. Print sales on my website grew 700% during the time of my campaign. 

4. Say and do are not the same. People want to help, but not everyone comes through on their word. I understand, people are busy, life goes on. False promise creates false hope. Let it go and remember to smile.

5. You need to reach people outside of your network. Thirty days is a long time to keep showing the same people various versions of the same message. People tune out, i do. Getting your project in front of new people on a regular basis is the true challenge of crowd funding. I believe that without it you will not succeed. *Refer to number 1.

Here are a few links to companies that can help you achieve your goals:

https://www.crowdprguru.com

http://crowdfundbuzz.com

http://www.fundingsuccessful.com

 

Vernissage - ABSTRACT NATURE - 30 July, 2015

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Vernissage 5á7 30 Julliet 2015 - Les Mots Tremblant. Come have a glass of wine, some tapas and a chat. I would love to see you all! - Allen McEachern.

SOLO PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION - ABSTRACT NATURE

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On July 30th, 2015, I will present my first solo photography exhibition in 8 years. I am really excited. I have partnered with the wonderful wine bar / book store Les Mots located in the Old Village of Mont-Tremblant. The exhibition is title ABSTRACT NATURE and will include 11 images from this on-going series. Six of the eleven images will be printed at 32"x48" and five images will be sized 20"x30". All of the images are direct prints on acrylic. To help cover the cost associated with printing and exhibiting this series I am using KICKSTARTER  to raise funds. 

If you would like to find out more about my project, or to make a contribution to my campaign please click here.

Here are a few of the larger images I will be presenting...

 

C2-MONTRÉAL DAY THREE PHOTOS + PARTY

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By Allen McEachern.

C2-MTL DAY TWO PHOTOS

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By Allen McEachern.

C2-MONTRÉAL DAY ONE PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS

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By Allen McEachern - Highlights from the Forum Solotech at C2 Montréal. May 26, 2015. Click here for the Extended Gallery.

 

Philippe Starck in Photos

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By Allen McEachern.

As a follow up to yesterday's post...here are a few of the shots from Philippe Starck at the ground breaking, press conference,  and 5à7 of Yoo Montreal.  Yoo Montreal is a Starck inspired condo development in Griffintown, Montreal.

Photographing Philippe Starck

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By Allen McEachern. 

Today I am in Montreal.

I have been hired by an agency that specializes in media and public relations.

My mandate is to photograph 2 events in the day of celebrity designer Philippe Starck.

Mr. Starck is in Montreal to kick off the construction of a new condo development of his design.

10am-12pm - Ground breaking ceremony and press conference. Position battles with other media. Photos are sent to the client minutes after the event wraps. Images will be used as handouts for media.

5 à 7 in the showroom. Philippe, food, and cocktails. An opportunity to learn more about the project. Meet other key principals. Classic event photography - groups, candids, portraits, action and ambiance, food and drink, documentary. Image delivery within hours. 

Media and public relation professionals are good contacts for me.

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WALL ART - PRINTS FOR SALE

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By Allen McEachern.

New additions to the ever growing WALL ART collection. Custom prints made to match any room in your home or office. Happy Friday!

See the full WALL ART Collection here: http://bit.ly/WALL-ART

Real Estate Interiors - Photos from Tremblant

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By Allen McEachern

Earlier this year I started to work with Sotheby's International Real Estate Quebec to photograph properties throughout the Laurentians. Mont-Tremblant has exceptional real estate opportunities, many of which are just amazing. Here is one of my favourites from the last weeks. If you would like to buy it, let me know. I'll put you in touch...

2 Great Books for Commercial Photographers

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By Allen McEachern

I recently completed reading two excellent books that I think all photographers should read THE 48 LAWS OF POWER and THE ART OF SEDUCTION. Both are part of a five part series by American author Robert Greene, that also includes: MASTERY, THE 33 STRATEGIES OF WAR, and THE 50TH LAW. All are available on Amazon.ca (yep - affiliate links!).

THE 48 LAWS OF POWER: I loved reading this book because of what it conveys. Power has always been a human pursuit through our collective history. People will try to bend situations to their favour, to manipulate, and take advantage. Cynical, I know, but unfortunately true as well. THE 48 LAWS OF POWER defines tactics for power accumulation framed within historical references. I recommend this book to photographers (or any freelance creative) due to a few reasons: 1. We often work within our own bubbles so it can be hard to be objective at times about the actions of others. 2. We are in business, so we need to understand the market and who is in it. 3. Recognizing when someone is manipulating you can swing the odds in your favour.  Consider client relations or negotiating. 4. Understanding the actions of others makes it easier to offer them what the are seeking. I could go on and on...simplified version...THE 48 LAWS OF POWER helps you discover the motives behind the actions of others in business and life.

THE ART OF SEDUCTION: Who doesn't want to be more charming, or seductive. A soft approach can be inviting. Again, Greene uses historical references to highlight the various character types employing seductive tactics. I recommend this book to photographers / creatives because of the power of the message. People use seduction to influence others. Understanding the personalities of seductive people will  better prepare you to defend against manipulation and offer you tools to achieving your goals. It all sounds  evil in a way, I know. But i think that the more we understand about others, the easier it is to communicate our goals, and needs. Communication, understanding, and competence are relevant in good business practice. Especially when offering services to create content for marketing and sales. 

Have you read either of these books or others by Robert Greene. Let me know your thoughts.

 

Food Photography from Montreal's Haricot Traiteur

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I recently had the great pleasure of working with Montreal's Haricot Traiteur and Mont-Tremblant based visual communications firm Le portique. Our goal was to create 10-14 images that Haricot could use for their new website launch and for general marketing. Here are a few of my favourite images form this great food shoot!

Snow Polo Tremblant World Cup Photos

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By Allen McEachern.

Snow Polo Tremblant World Cup, the inaugural match played between Team Canada and Team International on Lac Tremblant. Mont-Tremblant, Quebec. February 28, 2015. 


FIS Snowboard World Cup Slopestyle Final

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By Allen McEachern.

Stoneham, Quebec, February 21, 2015. The FIS Snowboard World Cup Men and Women Slopestyle Finals from Stoneham Ski Station. Cold, snow, wind, La Belle Province in February.

FIS Snowboard World Cup Big Air Finals

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By Allen McEachern.

Quebec, Quebec, February 20, 2015. The FIS Snowboard World Cup Big Air Men and Women Finals. This year marked the first time women snowboarders have competed at this event. Congratulations to the ladies!

 

What's In My Camera Bag - FIS Snowboard World Cup

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By Allen McEachern.

The FIS Snowboard World Cup makes a stop this week in Quebec and Stoneham for the freestyle events: Big Air and Slopestyle. The Half-Pipe event was cancelled due to lack of snow! The following is a break down of what I am bring in terms of camera, lenses, and other gear.

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Canon 1D Mark 4 x 2 - Allows two lens at the same time, back up camera in case one goes down.

Canon 300mm F2.8 - Allows handheld shooting, good reach, fast.

Canon 70-200mm F2.8 - Standard zoom, goes everywhere i go.

Canon 24-70mm F2.8 - Standard Zoom, great for medium close.

Canon 16-35mm F2.8 - Standard Zoom, wide and fast.

Canon 85mm F1.2 - I carry this for athlete portraits.

Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT  - Great all weather flash.

Canon Speedlite 580EX II - Always have a back up flash. 

100+ GB Compact Flash Cards

LowePro Top Loader 75 - Allows me to keep one camera close, and dry if the weather turns.

Newswear Foul Weather Chest Vest - Great organizer for everything I need. 

MacBook Pro - Fast, on-site image processing and client upload.

500GB LaVie Rugged Hard Drive - Easy to carry, nothing to plug in, takes power from laptop.

Battery chargers, AA Ansmann batteries, lens kit, CF card reader, sunscreen, sunglasses, notebook, Hoya 77mm Polarizing Filter, Swiss Army Knife, Advil.

11 Inspiring Sites for Photographers

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By Allen McEachern

Everyone needs a little inspiration now and again. The following 11 photography sites might help.  A good mix of photojournalism, fashion, life, fine art, and technique. I hope you enjoy. Happy Monday!

1. The Big Picture - Some of the best photojournalism from around the globe, curated by a group of photo editors at the Boston Globe.

2. Many - "Many is a collective project exhibiting fine photography selected by fine photographers."

3. 50mm - A curated collection of images by Tokyo based creative director - Curtis.

4. Strobist - A blog dedicated to mastering camera flash. Excellent resource for learning.

5. FOTO8 - A great site for contemporary photojournalism from around the world.

6. Photography Served - A collection of the best photographer portfolios found on Behance.

7. Particulr - In their words..."Particulr is one designer and one photographer working to make the web a better place for photographers."

8. Lens Culture - A great resource for many many things related to contemporary photography. 

9. Great Photojournalism - A curated collection, by invite only, of great photojournalism.

10. A Photo A Day - Like the title says - every day, a new photo. 

11. Fashion Photography Blog - A powerful resource for anyone looking for insights into the world of high fashion photography.

Audi 2015 Canadian Unvelings - Montreal Auto Show

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By Allen McEachern

Audi Canada's 2015 Canadian unveilings and press conference at the Montreal Auto Show. Montreal, Quebec. January 15, 2015. © Allen McEachern.

Two Great Resources for Emerging Photographers

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By Allen McEachern

Photography is a tough business that seems to be almost continually evolving; like anything dynamic i guess. Last week I was contacted by an aspiring photographer, and asked for advice, and insights on how to start in this business. I was happy to meet up and have a chat about different resources, and tactics for getting noticed. Here are two of the tips I gave out:

1. The American Society of Media Photographers ( https://asmp.org ) I used this organization a lot when I was starting out. The two main resources for me were the on-line forums  ( https://asmp.org/links/22#.VIB5776Qu9U ) and their book " Professional Business Practices in Photography." 

Their on-line forums are a great place to pose questions regarding almost any aspect of commercial photography. The best part is accessing the collective experience of the members who frequent these forums. I learned so much just by reading past topics, and by posting my own questions. 

" Professional Business Practices in Photography" is an excellent tool for advancing your business knowledge regarding commercial photography. A lot of what you need to know is in this book. I highly recommend it.

2. National Press Photographers Association ( https://nppa.org) Primarily aimed at press photographers in the USA, but very relevant to any editorial photographer in North America. The best tool on the NPPA website for me is the "Cost of Doing Business Calculator."  https://nppa.org/calculator Great for figuring out exactly how much you need to be making to stay in business - very useful info when it comes to setting your prices / fees. It adds up all the exit points for money leaving your business and then asks you how many days you expect to shoot in the year. The resulting math is what you need to make just to cover your costs. Without knowing your cost of operating you are just guessing which is never good in any business.

 

 

 

AMT - Train de l'Est - Agence Métropolitaine de Transport

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By Allen McEachern

Congratulations to all the dedicated, and professional employees of the AMT on the opening of the Train de l'Est. I was happy to photograph this dynamic corporate event. I look forward to the opening of the Train de l'Ouest...