The new logo by DM Design

Faced with the toughest economic environment for decades, there is really only one thing that a business can do.

Rebrand.

Or at least commission a new logo.

That sounds a bit silly, I know, but a new logo can be part of a deeper realignment of a business – an external signal that a business is changing, or has already done so; that new goals have been set and a new course charted. Certainly, that’s the way it is working in this office.

Last week, I said that I would explain how I’m rejigging my business as a result of the tougher business climate. This isn’t that blog post, I’m afraid. A few more days’ patience. Rather this is intended as a public testimonial to the wonderful duo at DM Design, in particular Siobhan Duggan, who designed my new badge.

One of the reasons I wanted a new logo was because I felt I needed to change my message, especially as my thinking was starting to turn to higher-end assignments. I wanted a logo that inspired confidence in potential clients that they would get quality photography. My old logo was about being approachable. The new one, more about luxury and dependability. I wanted something that felt like a seal of quality.

I think Siobhan has done a great job. I look at this logo and I see everything I wanted. It also evokes a sense of connection within me. Looking at it makes me feel good about myself.

I think that being able to design something for a client that resonates so well with them is the mark of real craftsmanship. So, if you do need any design work done, I can’t speak highly enough of DM Design.

PS – You should see the concept business cards Siobhan sent the other day. Sumptuous.

People like to be able to pigeonhole photographers, but for some reason there isn’t a “Documentary Photographer” category. There are “Wedding Photographer”, “Commercial Photographer” and “Photojournalist” categories and, mostly, I get put in with the wedding photographers. My own fault for showing so much wedding work.

To help me get round this when I next go on the road to meet prospective corporate clients, I’ve been working on my website. Specifically, I’ve created a landing gallery of sorts that shows the range of ways in which documentary photography can be used. I’ve also beefed up the corporate portfolio section of the website.

In doing so, I came across a lot of work that I haven’t had a chance to show yet.

Here are some favourites:

(c) Roger Overall 2011

(c) Roger Overall 2010

(c) Roger Overall 2011

Roger Overall 2010

And not a wedding photograph among them.

Mind you, just wait a few days – I have loads to show you from the Christmas holiday period.

An airport is a good place to realize just how big the market is for photography. It is global and huge, which means that your dream assignment is waiting for you somewhere. (c) Roger Overall 2011

Sitting in the gargantuan departure area at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport with time to kill, I reflected on my trip to Holland.

There were good bits.  And there were not so good bits. Thing is, you can learn from both in equal measure, so in a way it’s all good.

I was most excited about a flash-of-the-blindingly-obvious that struck me following a conversation I had on Sunday with a bride-to-be who is getting married in Lapland later this year. It is something that has given me a great deal of cheer. I’d like to share it here because I think it’s something that may help others.

What occurred to me is this:

At this very moment, someone somewhere has a photographic requirement for which I am the ideal photographer.

Let me expand on that.

There are billions of people in the world. Lots of them need photographs taken. Such is the size of the global demand for photography that it is almost a certainty that a section of that market needs photography for which I am the best provider.

On top of that, a share of those immediate photographic requirements for which I am the ideal photographer are fascinating and lucrative projects that I would give my eye tooth to be associated with – dream assignments, if you will.

Interestingly, some of these will be assignments that would never occur to me. Every day we come across new and exciting things that we’d never seen or heard of before. The same goes for assignments. We tend to think the market for photography is limited to what we have already experienced or read about. But of course it isn’t.

So, at any give time, there is a dream assignment out there for me.

By that token, someone somewhere always has work for me.

The same applies to you.

Isn’t that a comforting thought?

The trick is connecting with these people before they end up commissioning someone who isn’t me. I’m working on a strategy to make that happen.

Thing is, she nominated the blog In the Business Blog category. We thought we’d apply some lateral thinking in light of the direction the business is going in. That didn’t work. It was sifted out early on in the game.

So whoever it was who nominated the blog in the Photo Blog category, we’re very grateful. It made the final five.

Unfortunately, on the day of the awards ceremony in Belfast, I’ll be hosting my IPPA Happy Faces event here in Cork at The Ambassador Hotel. More about that tomorrow.

In the meantime, it’s really nice to get recognition for the blog.

How to make a podcast

I have a very small public profile.

I don’t have a flash car to make up for it, but I am starting to receive invitations to speak at events. I’m presenting twice in the coming week.

This coming Monday, Peter Cox and I are delivering a talk to the Irish Professional Photographers Association (IPPA) annual conference. We’ll be discussing how photographers can thrive in the current economy – or any economy for that matter. I’m very excited about it. Not least because we have a few things up our sleeves that the audience won’t be expecting.

Before that, tomorrow in fact, I’m a guest speaker at a new media seminar. I’ve been asked to talk about how social media has impacted on my business.

My main topic will be podcasting – specifically The Circle of Confusion. While great fun, this isn’t a vanity project. It is driven by hard-nosed business considerations. I’ll be outlining these in my talk at the River Island Hotel in Cork sometime between 8.30 and noon tomorrow. No doubt, my talk will turn into a blog post here at some point in the future.

Meanwhile, as we’re on the topic, the latest episode of The Circle of Confusion is available for your listening delight.

Want to know what the photograph at the top of this post is all about? You can find out here.

In between stints in front of Lightroom, I’ll be recording the September episode of The Circle of Confusion with Peter Cox on Monday. On Tuesday evening there’s another Help Portrait Cork 2010 planning meeting. We’re hoping to have a live video link with Jeremy Cowart, whose idea Help Portrait was. I’m also speaking at a social media seminar during the week. And shooting another wedding.

I’m tired just thinking about it all.

In the meantime, if you’re engaged and happen to be in the Cork area on Sunday, why not stop by the Fota Island Resort wedding showcase and say “hello”? I’ll be there from 11.00 to 17.00, with Anne taking over from 17.00 to 19.00. We’d love to meet you.

Admiration. (c) Roger Overall 2010

One of the reasons the exhibition gets such phenomenal viewing figures is the choice of venues throughout Ireland – all of which are public spaces.

The photographs will be on show at Cork airport in the arrivals and departure hall for several weeks before moving on to Limerick.

Already, we’ve had an enquiry from somebody who saw my work while traveling.

I was back at the airport on Tuesday, this time as a passenger, and I took this grab shot of the exhibition.

The 2010 National Photographic Exhibition on display in Cork airport's arrival and departure halls. (c) Roger Overall 2010

I also took this one. It makes me smile how children and adults have such different ways of passing the time while waiting for their flights.

Waiting. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Nor do they have to make mortgage payments. Banks generally give them their houses for free.

In fact, they never have any bills to pay. Ever.

It’s great!

At least, it would be if it were true.

Yet somehow a lot of people see the world this way. None of them photographers, mind.

How else to account for the large number of requests we get for free pictures?

And nearly always we’re told that giving free photography will benefit our business. The classic one is that the picture  is for newspaper use and that it will appear with a byline – free advertising!

Rubbish. Bylines are often omitted and even if they aren’t, they are useless. Do this quick test: Without looking, who is the most published photographer your daily newspaper? The paper you read everyday.

Most people can’t answer this. Most people can’t name a single photographer from their daily paper. Nobody reads picture credits, except for photographers and their mums.

Yet a single mention is going to propel me to fame?

At the recent BNI Big Breakfast, a number of people came up to me for free photographs of themselves at the event and gave exactly that reason.

It’s insulting.

So how should people ask and make it an attractive proposition?

Offer something tangible in return. Ideally money, but how about this:

“Hi, I see you’re taking photographs. I’d love to get one to use for some self-promotion, but I’d like to give you something in return before you do. Where do you get most of your business from and which of my business contacts could I introduce you to with a personal recommendation? Let’s meet for coffee and I’ll bring my contacts book along for you to look at.”

Now, there’s a proposition. And it’s applicable to any business. Importantly, it gives proper balance to the proposal. Reciprocity is key to any healthy business relationship.

Or, in my case, I will shoot for cupcakes.

A shot from a recent shoot I did for Margaret Smith of Um Num Num. A box of cakes came home with me. More on this shoot soon. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Who doesn’t?

Mine is specifically geared towards my wedding clients, and is designed to encourage interaction between couples and the business.

Thing is, I don’t get on with Facebook at all. Having moved from PC to Mac just over a year ago, I can best describe my feelings towards Facebook as follows: It was surely designed by a PC guy.

Fortunately, I have help. My wife runs the page for me in her role as the business’s marketing angel. I have to say, she does a pretty fab job too: Roger’s Facebook Page.