New Introduction to Photography Class

Tonight we started a new 4 week Introduction To Photography class, which was a huge hit to all who attended. In all we had 11 people come along on the night from a wide variety of backgrounds.

One thing I find when we teach these classes is that so many people have never used their camera on a manual setting. Perhaps it is the fear of the unknown, perhaps it has been laziness, or perhaps they didn't even realise they could.....But I get no greater kick than seeing a person's eyes light up when they realise exactly what they have been missing out on for so long after they turn the magic dial to "M". It brings a smile to my face when I hear the "oooh" and the "ahhhh" of someone who has discovered where they had been going wrong for so long with their camera. To hear the ever so excited student nudge their neighbour and say, "Hey check this out", or "wow, look at that" never ceases to make me chuckle

And thats what we do week in week out. My job as a trainer (if you could call it a job....) is to bring that excitement to peoples lives; to light up the heart of a person who may have had a camera in their hands for years, or perhaps it may be a novice who just has a love for taking a great shot. I want to inspire people to greatness. I want to see the joy in someones eyes at finding out just how to take that magic shot. I want to give them the power to capture something amazing when they hold a camera in their hands.

I have no doubt that all of these people will come back for next weeks class. Why? Because you could see it in their eyes. It was like the penny had dropped. The light had come on and they realised that the magical "M" was something that they could use every day. Each and every one of these amazing people suddenly saw that just how much power one little button on their camera gave them. They will be back because they are excited about taking a photo now more than ever. A new journey has begun, a brand new world is suddenly opening up before them, like the kids who walked through that magical gateway in the book, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Each and every one is hungry to learn more, to find more information, to experiment, to take it to the edge. I hope that over these next four exciting weeks we would feed their passion to look at taking photos in a different way, to challenge them to reach greater heights. There was an excitement in the air as one by one our new students walked out of the room.

Stay tuned for some of the photos that we will start to upload, both here, and on Facebook of what these guys can acheive in the next 4 weeks.

And if you want to find out more about our classes, why not go to http://www.aspectimages.com.au and see for yourself what you can do with a camera in your hand. Your journey awaits you.....

Regards,

Adrian
Aspect Images

The Eternal Flame, War Memorial Melbourne Australia

Just a small sample of the photos that i have taken on a recent trip to Melbourne

The Eternal Flame, War Memorial Melbourne Australia

just a small sample of the photos that i have taken on a recent trip to Melbourne

Back Into The Swing Of Things

Having a small break from things can sometimes be the healthiest thing. It clears your mind, relaxes your body and allows you to get a whole new perspective on things. It recharges your batteries and helps you to refocus on what is really important in life.

I have just come back from a week long road trip down to Melbourne. I got back to basics with my photography and took some of the most amazing shots I have taken for a long time. I cleared my head. I took a fresh look at my business and found some time to come up with some creative and innovative ideas on what I want and where I want my photography to go in 2010

Let me encourage you if you are feeling a bit stale, or drained in your life. Take a break. Stop and smell the roses. Learn to relax and let go of those things that have become a weight around your life. Close your eyes and make a choice to let go of the things that are out of your control and learn to embrace the things that are in your power to change.

2010 is going to be an exciting year for me personally and also for Aspect Images as a business. We will be taking on new challenges and heading in new directions. The road ahead is certainly very bright, and the things we have planned for 2010 will totally rock.

I look forward to enjoying the journey with you, and hopefully inspire you to greatness in whatever you do.

Regards,
Adrian

A Bit of An Update

Aspect Images has undergone a major revamp in the last few months. The tired old site was in need of an upgrade, so, out with the old and in with the new

You can check it out http://www.aspectimages.com.au

Introduction To Photography Course

I have recently started teaching a course to people who have just purchased an SLR camera. It is an introduction to photography, and also is designed to help people get to know their SLR. The course has been an overwhelming success.

One night a week over a 6 week period we go through the basics of digital photography and teach people everything from knowing what all of the buttons mean on their camera, lighting techniques, basic digital workflow, and how to make a living from photography. At the end of 6 weeks we go out on a day trip and put into practice everything we have learned throughout the course.

We are now entering into week three of the course and will be covering basic lighting techniques. As I have mentioned in previous blogs, this has been a huge desire of mine for many years. I have been greatly inspired by the amount of interest this course has created, and overcome by its immense popularity. So much so that it is almost completely booked for the next 2 sessions that I have planned.

I want to encourage you in your photographic journey. It doesnt matter what your dreams are. They are very acheivable if you put your heart and mind into it. If you have been hesitant about starting this photographic journey, why not take a step of faith and get started. I have realised that noone gets anywhere if they dont even take the first step. Your desire might be to start photographing people and doing portrait work. You may have an interest in food photography like a friend of mine in Melbourne. You may love taking landscape images. Or perhaps like me you want to become a full time photographer that wants to inspire others to greatness.

Take the first step.....and then take another.....and another. Before you know it you are walking. The journey is an exciting one I can assure you, and you never know where these steps will lead you on your path.

Until next time, keep shooting :)

Regards,
Adrian Matthiassen
CEO Aspect Images

Making Lists

Making lists is vitally important to the growth and success of your business. Brainstorming helps you get creative with your ideas. You will be surprised just how quickly your list can grow and what ideas can come from it.

My latest venture came as an idea I jotted down as part of a brainstorming session. I created a skeleton of an idea then gradually started adding flesh to the bones of that idea. Before too long it started to take shape. Now I am in a position to breathe life into this idea and launch a digital camera training program.

So be encouraged. Grab a pen and paper. It doesnt matter how big or crazy your ideas may sound when you write them down. You never know just where these ideas will take you on this fantastic photographic journey you have embarked upon. Some ideas will happen straight away, others may take a bit longer, but when you write them down something happens....your ideas will grow legs and run. The last major list I wrote has now been finally fulfilled. My latest list that i have written has a cost attached to it of about $45,000 but i know that it will happen.

Until next time happy shooting :)

Adrian Matthiassen
CEO Aspect Images

Keeping The Passion Alive

When I first started out in photography I remember how passionate I was about taking photos. I couldn't get enough of it. I would photograph absolutely everything!!! But as time went on, my passion slowed down a little.

It was the same when I decided I wanted to go into business as a photographer. I had so many dreams and aspirations about stuff that I wanted to do. But as time went by I slowed down a little. Obstacles appeared and rejections came. My heart would sink, and i wondered if i would ever make it in the business.

But I dusted myself off and would go back and revisit my dreams and visions for my photography. The question I kept asking myself was, Adrian how hungry are you to succeed at this? And I continue to ask myself, HOW HUNGRY AM I TO SUCCCEED?

Success is born out of passion, and passion is born out of hunger. How passionate and hungry are you? Will you keep going when others let you down? Will you stand firm, when things don't seem to go your way? Will you press on when the money doesn't automatically roll into your bank account.

I want to encourage and inspire you to keep going. You can do it. You can be a success in your photographic business. Stop and take a step back to look at where you started, where you are headed, and how far you have come since you first got excited about picking up a camera and taking those first amazing shots.

Get excited about your love of photography again. Remember what feelings you got when you took a shot and it took your breath away. Get determined to get back to that place. Renew your enthusiasm. Take a fresh look at some old ideas. Grab a pen and paper and start brainstorming again. Get out amongst it and be inspired. Start a blog, make a list, pick up the phone, send some emails, chat to friends, offer to take some portrait shots for free - just for the fun of it.

You will be surprised at where doing some simple things like this will take you. Doors that you thought were closed will suddenly be opened for you. People will start to talk about your work, strangers will start contacting you and ask you if they can get some shots done.

I have recently made a decision to start teaching the basics of digital photography. It is amazing just how many people out there are hungry to learn. So I started building an outline for the course. Before I knew it, 2 weeks had passed and an amazing idea was born. Before i knew it, my ideas had snowballed and now I am teaching a class, and the added benefit is that I am earning a decent income from it as well.

One simple idea has ignited and renewed a passion in me that I forgot I once had. Now I am hungry for more. My brain is overflowing with ideas.

Anyway, I will start sharing more on this blog over the coming weeks.

Until then, keep the passion alive

Adrian Matthiassen
CEO Aspect Images

A Great New Stock Photography Site

I have been involved with KeyImagery for a while now. At first I didnt have many downloads, but in the last few months they have been steadily increasing. Why not go and check it out. They are a New Zealand based company, and are starting to shoot a few goals. Their site is very easy to navigate around and has alot of useful information regarding entering the world of stock photography. I look forward to sharing alot more info about KeyImagery as I begin to upload more images to their site.

Until next time, keep shooting

Regards,
Adrian Matthiassen
CEO Aspect Images

Squidoo - Another Handy Marketing Tool

Hey there,
I have found another useful tool to promote yourself and your business. It is a site called SQUIDOO, and it is lots of fun. Why not go there now and check it out. On it I have information on how to make money from your photography. Let me know what you think.....

Until next time, keep shooting

Regards,
Adrian Matthiassen
CEO Aspect Images

To Lease or Not To Lease, That is The Question

When alot of people think of buying an SLR camera for their business, the last thought that usually goes through their mind is renting their equipment. For most people, they don't give renting a second thought, or they don't even realise that you can rent your gear.

Obviously individuals circumstances differ, however renting is becoming a very popular option amongst pro photographers. I personally rent my Nikon D300 and a few of my lenses simply because it gives me more advantages. The company I rent through offer me full insurance on all of my products, not only that, if I need to send any of my equipment off for warranty repairs, they provide me with loan equipment until mine has been repaired. At the end of my rental agreement I have the option of keeping my camera, or upgrading to new equipment. And the best thing of all is that under Australia's current tax laws I can claim my repayments back as a tax deduction in full.

So when you are thinking of purchasing an SLR camera, take a moment to consider whether it will be better for you to rent or lease your equipment instead.

Until next time, keep clicking

Regards,
Adrian
CEO Aspect Images

The Camera I Use

Many people ask me in my photography mentoring sessions, "Adrian, what camera do you use?". I have been using Nikon gear for nearly 20 years. I remember the first camera I received was a gift from my beautiful sister Marina. Little did she realise the path she had set me on with that gift.

Now I use the Nikon D300 It is a fantastic camera, and suits me fine. My next major purchase for my photography business Aspect Images will be the Nikon D3x, which is an awesome 24 megapixel camera, but that is a purchase that I will be saving long and hard for

If you would like to read more about the Nikon D300, just follow the link to my blog on this wonderful camera

Until next time, keep snapping

Regards,
Adrian
CEO Aspect Images

Using Your Camera To Create Passive Income Streams

I chat to alot of aspiring photographers every day who feel a little lost with what to do with their amazing photos. I am asked all the time to review someones portfolio of work. Some shots can be breathtaking, while others....well.... But the one thing that all of these people have in common is an inner yearning to do more with their images, yet they dont know quite how to go about it.

Part of my role as a photographic mentor is to inspire and encourage people to acheive greatness in their work, while at the same time showing them ways to gain some type of financial reward for their hard work.

Alot of people think that earning an income from photography is unacheivable and wouldnt have the slightest idea of how to go about it. When I first started out in the game I was in exactly the same boat. I would knock on doors, do leaflet drops in the neighbourhood, anything I could just to get a gig. But it was never enough to earn a living from it so that I could leave my day job.

Then i started thinking smarter about things, and realised that there were ways that I could make a passive income, without investing too much time or even any great outlay of money. There are many passive income streams that you can use to bring in a few extra dollars each month. I am involved with a few stock photography agencies such as istockphoto and shutterstock. These sites allow you to upload your images for free and sell them for you. In return you get a royalty payment for whatever sells.

I have been doing it for over 3 years, and am now earning roughly $300-$400 per month. Initially it took a little while for me to get started, but when I saw the potential of stock photography, I started uploading like mad. The benefits are that it costs you nothing, and you can start earning money without too much effort.

Stay tuned and I will post more about stock photography sites in the near future and give you a greater understanding of how they work in greater detail. Meanwhile, why not go and check them out for yourself.....Shutterstock and istockphoto If you like, you can join them for free while you are there and get started earning a few extra dollars each month.

Until next time, keep smiling

Adrian
CEO Aspect Images

Photographing Pets

Another way to be able to make a few dollars from your photographic passion is to photograph pets. Everyone wants to have that special shot of their dog, cat, bird or even their turtle. It's also a good way to build your portfolio.

Animals are lots of fun to photograph, so why not grab your camera and go to the local park, or even a dog show. Dont forget to print out a small contact card to give to the owners of the animals in question. You will be surprised just how many people would be interested in getting a shot of their pet. It is also a good way to network your business. You can get so many leads when people realise that you are doing your photography for a profession. Let them know that if you get a referral because they told a friend about you that you will give them their prints for free.

Building your business isnt a hard thing to do. Opportunities abound everywhere. Get creative and dont be shy.

Until next time, happy shooting

Regards,
Adrian
CEO Aspect Images

Making Money From Google Ads

Today I discovered the power of passive income for my photography business. Passive income is income that you have not had to put much effort into earning for your business. It is an income that just ticks away in the background earning you a small amount of money each month, without the need for a great amount of capital outlay.

My father once said to me that many small streams make a big river. He was a wise man. I have tried to take his advice as often as I can in regards to this. If i could combine all of my small income streams, I realised that they would actuall make a large some of money in any given month. It is not something that happens overnight. There are no free rides in life. There is always some initial work that needs to be done on my part. But with consistency and diligence my income has been steadily building over the last year or so.

I still work a nine to five job, although i believe those days will be short lived. I want to be able to free up my time to concentrate on the passion I love the most; my photography. But to do this I need to create some alternative income streams to supplement my income. I won't go into great lengths in this post, but rather as the days and weeks go by, I will pass on some handy hints I have picked up along the way, so make sure that you stay tuned

One of these income streams that I hope will turn into a river I will be discussing in greater detail in my other blog makingmoneyfromgoogleads.blogspot.com

I have also created a blog at squidoo.com/aspectimages

Until next time,

take care of yourselves

Step Three

Tonight I have spent the night continuing on in my steps to becoming a professional photographer. The third step that i feel is vitally important in being successful in photography is to be organised. I cannot stress this enough to people when I chat to them about entering the world of photography, whether it be as a wedding photographer, sports photographer, or a stock photographer.

Being organised and somewhat methodical when it comes to your work is vitally important to the success of your business. Be sure to put into place very early on a correct and proper workflow for all that you do. Filing, emails, photo projects, editing of shots, cataloging etc all require some form of organisation.

Don't wait a few months before you start. Get into the habit now. Believe me, it is alot easier to sort things out if you have correct procedures in place from the start, rather than trying to wade your way through multiple emails, website links, thousands of images that you have taken over time.

I have created a few simple steps for myself that in the long run will save me hours of pain. This includes:

emails - create proper folders for your mail within your inbox. It is very easy to do this. Also make some simple rules for your emails to go straight into those newly created folders. For example, I have created new email addresses for every stock photo agency that I host my images with, and then in my email inbox I have created sub folders for those emails to go to. Windows Mail and Outlook allow you to create a rule so that when you receive mail from someone, you can tell it to be placed straight in that folder name

websites - how frustrating is it when you have found an awesome website, yet you can never remember where it is when you need it in a hurry. Bookmark your webpages. Catalog your bookmarks into simple folder catagories. Hopefully you have already bookmarked my blog for future reference :)

images - I have spoken to so many people over the years that i have been photographing, and I am still amazed at how many people do not keep a master file of their images. Some people take their photos and put them into different folders, others have the same picture in multiple folders. This makes it very difficult indeed to track down a shot in a hurry. If you are as enthusiastic as me about taking shots, they probably number into the thousands each month.

Create a simple system for numbering your images. I find it easiest to number them like this. Year/month/day00001. So my master file number would look like 2009010100001 Your computer will find it so much easier to sort your files when they are in number order. If you are using a program like Adobe Bridge or Adobe Lightroom, they have an automated function that allows you to rename your files straight from your camera or memory card.

I hear some people out there screaming at me - "but how do i find the picture of Aunty Jean if it is with all the other images.....". Thats where I will move on to my next helpful tip

Keywords - Get into the habit early on of keywording your images and attaching it to your metadata on your image file. Metadata is just a fancy name that simply means you can attach a whole heap of info to your file for future reference. Keywording is just on piece of info you can store with your file.
So in the above example of the photographer who wanted to be able to find his pictures of Aunty Jean, it is as simple as putting the keyword "Aunty Jean" in his metadata. You can then use programs like Photoshop, Lightroom and Apeture to sort through your master file and bring up all of the relevent pictures that have keyword "Aunty Jean"

Diary - if you dont use a diary of some sort in the photo game, you should. It goes the same for our address book. These are very important tools for the photographer, that if not kept in some sort of order could mean the possibility of lost income for your business. If you get given a business card or contact of some sort; store it somewhere. Dont just scribble it on a piece of paper and stick it in your shirt pocket. Chances are it will go through the wash and you may never get the chance to call that person to book in their wedding or portfolio shoot.

Diaries never go out of fashion. it might be a book of some sort, or you might get an electronic device that will automatically remind you the day before of what you need to do for the day

Anyway, I hope that some of these tips will set you on the path to success in any photographic venture you may persue. Until next time, keep shooting, and enjoy the adventure

Step Two

I am greatly encouraged at how things have progressed with the setup phase of the website. There have been some major developments with regards to a photography training course that I have been working on with a mate these last few months. Things look as if they are about to take off in a major way.

I have managed to aquire a training venue, which will in the short term double as a studio. This is a huge leap forward in my plans for Aspect Images, as it will give me the freedom to focus on what I love doing the most - taking photos and passing that passion on to others.

There are a few more steps that need to be taken to get me to the point of leaving my day job and making photography a full time occupation, but with these exciting turn of events I am well on my way to fulfilling my dream.

As always, stay tuned for more news

The First Step

Well. It is done. I have taken the plunge and purchased a website. The guys at Photobiz.com have a very easy to use interface for setting up your website and I couldn't be happier.

The next few days should keep me very busy indeed sorting out and finalizing the final layout for my site. Once that is done I will get my best mate Anthony (who just happens to be a musician) to write a catchy tune for the site.

Stay tuned :)

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The Next Step Forward

Well, it's finally happening. My photography experience is moving into next gear. I am in the process of redevolping my website aspectimages.com.au and am considering hosting with a fantastic company called photobiz.

The site has been in need of a well earned overhaul for quite some time now, and will have a totally new look and feel to it. Part of the process will be to design some new logos for my business, Aspect Images, and to select some killer shots to host on the new site. I will be using the new website as an important tool for driving the business, and also to showcase alot of my new photos that are hosted through the various stock photography sites I am affiliated with.

I am also in the process of looking for a photographic studio to set up shop on a more permanent basis. It is getting a little overcrowded in my tiny apartment, and my girlfriend is pleased that she doesnt have to dodge around my light stands, tripods and other stuff that is lying around. The new studio will also be used as a training base for people wanting to learn more about using a digital camera, lighting techniques, editing images with Photoshop etc.

All in all it is going to be very exciting times in the next month or so. There is much enthusiasm at the moment about all the changes that are coming, and I will keep everyone posted on the progress of things