Tag Archives: professional networking

Blog, Business, career, photography, San Diego

Do you belong?

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I have been a member of ASMP ever since I opened my own photography business.  It gave me a sense of community, I belonged.  When you have your own business, it is you against the world.  Whether you survive or prosper is up to you and only you.  But does it need to be that way?  When you belong to a group you immediately improve your chance to be successful.  Groups like ASMP or APA have education, business and advocacy programs.

Meet people that share a common link.  Network and you might find new opportunities at the least you will meet people you can talk ideas or point you in a right direction.

Asmp has over 7,000 members and growing.  As our industry has evolved, so has Asmp.  The local chapter has a wide range of programming.  I know, I’m the new Program Chair along with Matt Janecek.  Come take a look.  Our next meeting is at San Diego City College and features internationally renown photographer Vincent Versace.

If you like what you see then join us, and “Belong”.

My work is displayed at www.zwink.com, Interested in Asmp visit www.asmp.org or locally www.asmp-sd.org

career, photography, San Diego

Are you LinkedIn……?

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IMG_2230  I guess the real title should be why I don’t connect with other photographers.

I consider my self fairly successful, at least for the market I work in.  That’s why I finally started marketing better a few years ago at the suggestion of a millionaire friend of mine.  We talked and the reality was I needed to change, to expand my network.

First I revamped my portfolio www.zwink.com and then after doing some serious soul searching decided to focus my marketing on architectural photography even though I love to shoot it all (well almost).  One of the marketing tools my friend Bob suggested was Linkedin, a professional networking site used primarily at that time for people looking for job opportunities and business connections.  The basic idea is to network, to explore and gain new opportunities.

When I was new to Linkedin there were not a lot of photographers using the service.  Now that has changed.  I constantly get requests from other photographers wanting me “to add you to my professional network”.  I don’t think so.  A lot of my contacts are people I either work with or want to work with.  Why tell others who my market is?  Is it paranoia?  No, I had someone I thought was a friend steal one of my clients.  Approached them offering to do the work cheap and for trade.  He is no longer working in this town….  His business model didn’t work and I learned my lesson.

So….. if you’re a photographer meet me on Facebook, @zphotog on Twitter, or better yet email or call me.  I’ll still be your friend.

My website is:  www.zwink.com            And my older work is archived at:  www.bigstudioz.com