Donating Photography - Working With Charities

in ,

By Allen McEachern.

Relais Pour La Vie - Mont-Tremblant. Canadian Cancer Society.

Relais Pour La Vie - Mont-Tremblant. Canadian Cancer Society.

Non-profit organizations sometimes approach me asking for a donation of my commercial photography services. I often say yes, but I do have a structured approach. Here are the main points to consider...

1. Charities operate with very limited budgets. Volunteers and donations are what help these organizations maximize the use of the funds for the people they help. Adding commercial photography greatly increases the organizations brand, market presence, and advertising. Additionally, it helps in their internal communications and community relations. I try to align myself with projects that match my personal values. Sometimes it is ok to say no. Try to refer someone else if you are not available.

2. ROI - Return on investment. In this case, time. Through the organizations I work with I have meet numerous people I would not regularly have access to. Business leaders, other professionals, politicians, celebrities, and so forth. The amount of business generated from these contacts is often substantial. Additionally, increased visibility for my brand comes from on site branding at events, publication of my logo in printed communications, local and national media coverage, photo credits, publication in the annual report, etc, etc, etc. You get the point. The returns are often much larger than the donation.

3. It feels good. Taking a positive, active role in your community is hugely rewarding. Giving of your time and of your expertise can greatly enhance the lives of others. Working alongside like minded individuals creates a silent bond that follows you all year as you interact with your community. I highly recommend getting involved.

Personally, I try to be involved at least once per quarter with a non profit organization. I work with charities that help underprivileged children (something close to my heart), with the Canadian Cancer Society, and with foundations that ease the transit from life to death. What ever you choose, getting involved can have a huge impact on both the organization, and yourself.

 

3 Ways for Photographers to Use Pinterest

in ,

By Allen McEachern.

Pinterest offers the commercial photographer a unique, and powerful tool. Here are three ways that I use Pinterest in my business mix.

1. Create Inspiration / Mood Boards...I use Pinterest to create private mood boards to share images with clients and other team members. These private boards allow me to share images that I like, and that match what the client is describing. The client also shares what they like, what they want to create, sets that match their ideas, etc.. This is a powerful tool for getting everyone on the same page before any shooting starts.

2. Drive Website Traffic / Increase On-Line Sales...Pinterest offers free on-line permission based marketing of my images to a target audience. Carefully use of key wording and strong hashtags allow my images to be found by people who are looking specifically for what I am offering. I use Pinterest to get my fine art prints in front of buyers with back links to my on-line store. My images show up on Pinterest searches for Wall Art, Home Decoration Ideas, Custom Fine Art Prints, etc..Again, a very powerful tool.

3. Research...Pinterest is a great place to start when I am researching a location that I have never been before. A simple search of a place can result in hundreds of images that provide visual cues. I can see how other photographers have captured a place. What light can look like at certain times of day. I find inspiration from looking at the images of others. How did they create that image? What would I do different? What lenses will I bring? Again, often these images will link back to blog posts, and other sources of information useful in my research.

https://www.pinterest.com/allenmceachern/

​

Remember Montreal Fashion Week?

in , ,

By Allen McEachern.

Do you remember Montreal Fashion Week? Here is a shot from one of the last editions before La Semaine de Mode de Montréal stopped....Click on the image or http://bit.ly/Montreal-Fashion-Week to see more from my 10 years of photographing this bi-annual event as one of the official photographers...enjoy!

A Powerful Marketing Tool for Photographers

in ,

By Allen McEachern.

I have been working as a commercial photographer since July 2004. I have been using Photoshelter as one of my business tools since 2005. Originally, Photoshelter launched as a searchable on-line storage / archive coupled with an image stock agency. Today, Photoshelter offers on-line storage for serious photographers. Their site is searchable by keyword, so buyers can find your images. Here are some of the other things that I love about using their platform in my business mix...

1. Client Proofing Galleries...proofing galleries that I can share with multiple people. Each person has a login and their choices are unique. I can then review all the selected images - seeing which choices are mutual.

2. Image Delivery...I use Photoshelter to share images with clients through galleries. All the images can be downloaded in a batch or individually. There are multiple file sizes available, each automatically generated from my master file. This saves a lot of time when multiple people need access to the images.

3. Unlimited Searchable On-line Storage...all pro accounts come with unlimited storage. I can upload my entire archive and remotely access it anywhere in the world. RAW, TIFF, JPEG, PSD, etc. etc.

4. Customizable Website Templates... Photoshelter offers a lot of template options for websites. I can have a custom domain name, or a hosted domain with Photoshelter. Personally, I use this option as a add on to my portfolio site, a keyword searchable archive with a e-commerce back-end. http://archive.allenmceachern.ca 

5. On-line Store...I use Photoshelter to sell images, prints, and digital downloads of rights managed stock. Clients can order prints and check out. Clients can license images and check out. There are so many options for print vendors and products. My store is always open, and it is global.

These are only a few of the many powerful features available to professional photographers via Photoshelter. If you would like to find out more please click this affiliate link to learn more.

http://www.photoshelter.com/referral/AL6MC9BK5Y

2015 Gala Excellence - Chambre de Commerce de Mont-Tremblant

in ,

By Allen McEachern.

Congratulations to all the winners at the 2015 Gala Excellence - Chambre de Commerce de Mont-Tremblant. The Gala honours local businesses, employees, and self-employed professionals who excel through out the year. A special congratulations to Chateau Beauvallon, winners of Business of The Year.

NOVEMBER PRINT SALE

in

By Allen McEachern.

Are you looking for limited edition photography prints for your home or office? Have you started your Christmas shopping early? All Landscape and Abstract Nature prints are 20% off for the rest of November. Visit the gallery by clicking here....and enter PROMO CODE: YJYLMQ2 when you check out.

5 Reasons For A Good Portrait...

in ,

By Allen McEachern.

A good portrait can do you a lot of favours. Ask yourself, when was the last time you updated your professional profile picture? Are you using an image from 10 years ago? Are people going to be surprised when they meet you in person? It might be time to update. Here are five reasons to do it now...

1. We all age, it's part of life. Not accepting this is a major mistake in business. Imagine you are to meet someone for a contract. You do your background and look into their on-line identity...usually accompanied by a photo or two...then you meet and the person looks nothing like their on-line portrait. Wow, you have aged...

2. People trust people who are confident. Show a strong, confident and current photo. Establish trust before you even meet.

3. Professional photographers will see things that you don't. Allowing someone trained in looking at people objectively might capture the true you. 

4. This one is a bit dark, but nonetheless true. Say you die tomorrow. Could happen. What will be the picture for your obituary? I know, crazy thought process, but listen...I have been contacted numerous times by grieving family members asking me to "photoshop" a picture for a funeral...something to think about.

5. A professional portrait for business is tax deductible. Engaging photographers helps the local economy.

Here is a portrait I recently shot for a member of the Save The Children Board of Directors


Three Images for Tourism Labelle

in , ,

By Allen McEachern.

Over the last 3 months, I have been working slowly to produce images for la Municipalité de Labelle. Labelle is a small village in the Laurentian mountains of Quebec. The surrounding landscape is gorgeous, and outdoor activities are the main attraction. My mandate was to create two sets of 3 images for both summer & autumn. Here are the three they chose for autumn...also on display in the Labelle Tourism Info Centre in Labelle.


Searchable Photography Archive

in

By Allen McEachern.

A keyword searchable image bank for rights managed photo stock and fine art prints.


DES LAURENTIDES - EN PHOTOS

in , ,

By Allen McEachern.

Are you looking for stock photos from throughout the Laurentians mountains in Quebec?...Wildlife, landscapes, village life, autumn, winter, spring, summer, outdoor sports, lifestyle....click the image below to view an expanded gallery collection of Laurentian photography.

2015 Governor General's Literary Award Winners

in ,

By Allen McEachern.

The 2015 Governor General's Literary Award winners were officially announced yesterday. I had the pleasure of working with The Canada Council for The Arts to produce the images of all the winners in Quebec. The images below are the ones that were selected. Click here to see the full preview gallery from which the final images were chosen.

Festival Mode et Design - Day 4 Highlights

in , ,

By Allen McEachern.

Photo highlights from the final day of the Festival Mode et Design Montreal. #FMD15

Festival Mode et Design Montreal - Day 3

in , , ,

By Allen McEachern.

Photo highlights from the Passerelle Casino de Montreal - #FMD15


FESTIVAL MODE ET DESIGN MONTREAL - DAY 2

in , , ,

By Allen McEachern.

Photo highlights from day 2 of the Festival Mode et Design Montreal.

Festival Mode et Design Montreal - Day 1

in , , ,

By Allen McEachern.

Photo highlights from day one of the Festival Mode et Design Montreal.

Allen McEachern Collections

in , ,

By Allen McEachern

July 2015 marked my 11th anniversary working as a commercial photographer. I am proud of this achievement. Photography is a tough business, but one with many benefits. One of the biggest benefits for me is the accumulation of images, an archive, or image bank. I use my archive all the time for print sales, image licensing, marketing, blogging, and for learning. A power on-line searchable storage and deliver platform is crucial for my archive management and image delivery. Since 2005 I have used Photoshelter to store my media on-line. If you would like to find out more about what Photoshelter can do for you just follow this link. https://mbsy.co/clZVQ If what they are offering to you makes sense and you sign up, you will also be helping me out - affiliate link. Below is an image I shot on a Canon EOS 1D Mark II back in 2006. Click on the image to view how I am using Photoshelter.

Mont-Tremblant Landscape Photographer

in , , ,

By Allen McEachern.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Creations Aquaterra of Mont-Tremblant to produce images for their marketing. Creations Aquaterra creates amazing custom landscaping, and outdoor living spaces. Here are a few of my favourites from our shoot together.

 

Original Artwork Certificate of Authenticity

in , ,

By Allen McEachern.

 

 

A certificate of authenticity is an important document that accompanies every fine art image that I sell. The certificate lists the name of the piece, the date it was created, and the date it was printed. It also includes the number of the print if it is a limited edition series and bears my signature and date. This document informs my clients that I stand behind my work and that my limited editions are tracked and documented. Certificates of authenticity also serve as a warrantee. Click on the certificate image above to view the limited edition fine art print series I am currently offering.

ABSTRACT NATURE - 11 IMAGES FOR EXHIBITION

in ,

By Allen McEachern

Following my failed crowd funding campaign, a number of people have contacted me to buy prints directly from the series. Click on the image below to link to the full series that I will present on July 30th at Les Mots Tremblant.