Fresh Perspective

A fresh start, really does mean just that and another big change in the works is my website. I have done a few posts on my current Livebooks set-up and it was exactly what I needed at the time. A site I could set up and update myself. However it has it's limitations and in this time of change and renewal it became more apparent that a whole new site was called for. 

Here is a sneak peek at the new site, I have signed up with APhotoFolio which still allows you to set up and update yourself, but also offers more customization and a much larger image field to display your work all at a very good price. I am very happy with the new look, for the first time I really think my photography is being seen as it should. Above is just half the actual page... I also created a new logo which I am pretty happy with. Simple and clean are my goals... so the photos are the star. I hope to finish it by next week and will post full details then.

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

Website Facelift

I spent a good portion of the last five days working on updating my photography website. I had gotten so behind that the task had become daunting. There was nothing to do but dive in and soon I was immersed in the process. I added a new portfolio section and changed the color behind the grey background to match Pie's. I wanted a bit more cohesiveness between the two. 

I am amazed at the amount of food images I have created since I started Pie. Enough to warrant an additional portfolio. I came up with what I consider a small stroke of genius; "eating out" consisting of my restaurant & street food images and "eating in" for my studio shoots. I've also added new work in every category and that often means retiring images you are attached to, editing is just part of the process. Now I must update my print portfolios and create a new promo piece.

Never underestimate the importance of selling yourself, talent is only a small part of the equation to becoming successful. Check out this excellent book by Amanda Sosa Stone & Suzanne Sease on marketing for photographers and Amanda's blog is a new favorite.

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

Thursday Three: 3 Tips for Freelancers

Whether it is photography, illustration or any other number of occupations...freelancing is a great way to go but it is not for the faint of heart. If you are the type that needs a reliable weekly paycheck and 401(k) plan, you may want to consider other options. However, as someone with 20 years of freelancing behind me, I can't imagine any other life. Sure, when work is slow or you have a difficult client, the security of full time employment sounds tempting. However, I love what I do and the freedom that comes with it. Below are my three top tips that have helped me succeed and survive the freelance roller coaster.

• "Go To Work": Whatever you do, you need to create a dedicated work space to do it in. Be it an office, studio or workroom. It could even be a laptop and a quiet corner but I think we are more productive when we are more professional. I love working out of my home (and in my PJs) where I have an office space and a small natural light studio but if you have kids, roommates or other distractions, you might want to consider renting a separate space. Then you need to set up "work hours"...some kind of schedule to go by. My work is not just taking pictures, there is all the prepping & post work, marketing, blogging and business managing that goes into it. I have learned through years of trial and error that you only get back what you put into it.
• "Pay Ahead": This is something I started doing after I moved down south and my cost of living became a little more reasonable. I began paying my rent "ahead". Sometimes 3 months sometimes 2, once I paid 6 months ahead. To me keeping a roof over my head is an inevitable cost and the most important. Because money comes in erratically, I would rather pay in advance when I have it. I would pay a whole year if I could. When the first rolls around it is one less thing I have to worry about. Now speaking of advances, you should also always request an advance when you work, especially when you have expenses involved. I usually request full estimated expenses + 50% of the creative fee upfront.
• "Create a Web Presence": A professional website is essential which probably goes without saying. The biggest key as I mentioned in this post, is to be able to update it yourself. Trust me you don't want to have to rely on others to do this for you. Now lets say you have a site, great but if no one can find it then what is the point? Make sure you are coming up on search engines and use networking sites like Facebook, Twiiter and Linkedin to publicize it. Also get listed on high profile sites in your industry that potential clients use to find freelancers. For photographers I recommend both both Alt Pick and Photoserve. A blog is another great marketing tool. If done right and well maintained it gives people a reason to keep coming back.

Creative, Inc. is from the women behind Craft, Inc. and the wonderful blog Oh Joy, and is getting rave reviews. It is on my wish list.

For more advice on the business of photography check out this excellent book by Selina Maitreya. It is on my book shelve.

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

Website Reno

new homepage with multiple images

I have been working on updating my site and adding a new "food & travel" section and a new homepage that shows off more of my range. I have written about my love for my site's host, Livebooks in a previous post. It is a lot of work and can be a bit daunting if not overwhelming. Much of my new section has come from work I have done for Piewacket and I am happy at how it has made me grow creatively, a very unexpected bonus.

Adding the section also required a reworking of my "Lifestyle" section, I thought about calling it "lifestyle & objects" but it seemed too fussy. Naming your portfolios is always tricky business. I think it is good to be specific about the content but you do not want to be too cute or pretentious. The creatives looking at your site just want to see the work that might be suited for their project, the easier you make it for them, the better.

Flow is also the other tough part, you want your images to work together but not to be boring. I like to stagger images between contrasting ones (people, object, people...). I also like to place b/w between color so they are not too close together. It is really a matter of personal taste and you just have to trust your instincts. 

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol