Upgrade to Aperture 3 or Not

Someone asked me on Facebook why I don't think it's the right time to upgrade to Aperture 3 from Aperture 2. I thought I'd share my opinion here.

Many of the features are not advantageous at this time to justify an upgrade. Looks are one thing, functionality is another. Cool brushes and gizmos sound great in A3, however A2 is still fantastic for its intended objectives. Things such as facial recognition and geotracking won't help much, especially if you're shooting weddings. If you need that, you can always use iPhoto '09, which has had these features for a year now. Video editing is nice, but you really have to identify your requirements before being sold on the novelty of it. If you're into the whole 'fusion' of photo & video, that's a different story, but then it's also safe to say your using video editing software already as well. The slideshow incorporation with video, photos, & music sounds lovely though.

At this time, I personally don't find it feasible to upgrade, especially with reports of it slowing down/crashing for users if you have anything 4GB or less. It's 64-bit, which makes it easier to add & utilize more RAM, however, this means you will need to purchase what?...More RAM because its made to utilize it knowing it will require it. What a conundrum. Another pain right now is migrating your A2 libraries to A3. If you try to do the entire upgrade in one go, it takes a crap and no one knows why for now. I guess the other option would be try migrating one project at a time, but boy that's gonna take up some time if you've got a bunch of those. It simply will not run fast enough or crash when on a MBP running at 4GB when you've cropped at 100% to edit a photo. So either upgrade the RAM or buy a new machine.

These additional stresses, headaches, & costs need to be considered and should probably be listed under *System Requirements* with "$99 for Software Upgrade Fee, Additional Hardware Costs Required, Motrin Optional." Best thing to do: Wait for all fixes or version 3.1, try a 30-day trial of v3, or explore other options such as Lightroom or Lightroom 3 Beta.

In closing, I see far too many photographers and independent businesses get sold on the marketing sheepdom of buying the latest equipment and the latest software. If you were running a 50-employee company all using the current software, you would make more logical assessments based on hardware/software requirements and costs for all 50 people. If you have to upgrade the hardware in addition to the software, you're talking more money regardless. You have to think like this even if you are running a one person studio. If you're in business, think and act like it.

The Company You Keep & The Friendships You Don't

Why do you keep the company you keep?

Humans are a strange bunch. We are motivated by so many good and bad things. There are people we already know and those that we want to know. Our goals are sometimes long term and sometimes short term. For each purpose, we end up utilizing people one way or another because we are smart enough to realize that who you choose to associate with can make the difference between failure and success in reaching a certain goal. At least that is what we would like to believe.

What people fail to realize is successful people had friendships before they reached the proverbial stage of success. There is a tight circle of bond and relationships that existed before wealth or notoriety discovered them, let alone other people. These can be childhood friends, cousins, sisters, brothers, or just about anyone. It is the real friendship unmotivated by greed or desire that helps them blaze their own trails. It is this friendship that lasts when the wealth and notoriety leaves them as well.

Either you are using people or people are using you. True friends don't do either, and there is dignity in knowing this in every relationship you choose to keep. If you couldn't be real friends with a person outside of your motive, the value of the relationship exponentially deteriorates over time, leaving you with truly much of nothing. It's like fighting a natural law; it just won't have the sustenance needed to maintain the connection nor leave you with much fulfillment. After a while, you'll lose interest and energy for trying to essentially 'force' a relationship, or worse, they will just tire of you.

So keep the following question in a back pocket and bring it out once in a while: Would you still be friends with someone if you weren't related by blood or driven by a motive?

Connecting With Your Clients in the Service Industry

How long do you spend with each client? When someone contacts you for your services, do you simply provide a quote and answer their questions, or do you leave a resounding impression of not only what you provide, but the client leaves knowing WHO is actually providing it?

Many in the service industry are sometimes bogged down the amount of inquiries they receive and at times forget how important it is to give each person the attention they deserve. Even the repetitive cycle itself sometimes gets old. At times, it is much easier to just answer the basic inquiry and wait for them to take the next step, but it doesn't create real value or even provide enough incentive for them to get back to you. Even if you're offering the hottest widget in town, you will have to back it up with great customer service.

In the service industry, such as wedding photography, the connection we establish with each client should encompass a personal one. You have to learn more about your clients in order to be able to know exactly what they need. Majority of the time, couples getting married are looking for a wedding photographer for the first time. With this situation, you have to educate and show real concern for each bride & groom. By showing you truly care, the basic 'trust seed' required to establish a working relationship can be planted.

Far too many established photographers tend to have the attitude 'here are my prices, call me if you want to setup an appointment,' but this is not evolving your methods, and for some client impressions, is a step backwards for your brand and the services you provide. Just because you've been doing it for a while, doesn't mean your client has.

You could pay a lot of money to an outside consulting firm to come in, analyze your business practices, and give you a written report concluding your clients just wanted to get to know who you are and feel more connected to you. Or you could be proactive by sticking to the basics of personal attention and good old fashioned etiquette. Give each clients the treatment you would for a guest invited into your home. After all, you want to get 'invited' into their home eventually. Take care of your clients, or someone else will.

Of course, as a client this is a great litmus test. If you don't get a warm fuzzy from the person who you may be working with, walk the other way no matter what. Go beyond just asking the boiler plate questions of how much, etc. Make the effort to connect and see how much they want to connect with you. If they don't care about you now, how much do you think they'll care about the service they provide you later?

Keep it simple my friends.

Summer Wedding Madness Special Savings - Win iPhone 3GS

WIN ALL NEW APPLE iPHONE 3GS or $200 APPLE GIFT CARD

It's summer wedding season at Asim Soofi Photography. To celebrate the crazy fun madness, two brand new Apple iPhone 3GS models will be given out in the form of Apple Gift Cards to two lucky winners. Apple's iPhone 3GS is the newest version of the already hot and popular cell phone, and you know you want one. Especially if it's for FREE. If you'd rather use the $200 towards something else from Apple, by all means do it! All you have to do is to enter by July 31st! Continue reading below for all the details on how to enter, plus extra savings on wedding photography packages!

HOW TO ENTER THE CONTEST - TWO WAYS: TWITTER or FACEBOOK

Contest Open to ALL U.S. Residents!

TWITTER CONTEST ENTRY

1. First, start following me on Twitter (http://twitter.com/asimsoofi).

2. Second, copy & paste the following into your Twitter status, minus the quotes: "RT @asimsoofi FREE $200 Apple Gift Card From http://AsimSoofi.com/ ★ Full Details http://bit.ly/I0XP0 ★"

IMPORTANT UPDATE: If you start to follow me on Twitter, please remember that does NOT enter you into the contest. You also have to update your status with the RT line given. I don't want anyone to miss their chance!

FACEBOOK CONTEST ENTRY

1. Update your Facebook status/wall with the following, minus the quotes: "RT @asimsoofi FREE $200 Apple Gift Card From http://AsimSoofi.com/ ★ Full Details http://bit.ly/I0XP0 ★"

2. Send me a message through FB so we can confirm your wall post and enter you into the contest. Make sure to add me as a friend so I can see your wall! http://facebook.com/asimsoofi.

SPECIAL SAVINGS FOR BRIDES
Now for a limited time, any destination wedding being held outside of the U.S. and booked by July 31st will receive 25% off your entire wedding package. So if you or someone you know is looking for a photographer and wants to have their wedding in a far off destination (such as India, the Caribbean, Mexico, Paris, Italy, etc!), this is the time to book. For all other non-destination 2010 weddings being held will receive 15% off their entire wedding package. This is the BIGGEST savings I've ever given and will be available for a limited time. The clock is ticking!

WEDDING REFERRALS RECEIVE $50 GIFT CARD

If you refer a friend and they book their wedding date with me, you will automatically receive a $50 Apple Gift Card. All you have to do is email info@asimsoofi.com with your friend's full name, phone, email, and CC: your friend in the same email letting them know they should visit www.asimsoofi.com. Just make sure I receive this email before they contact me. That's it!

FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS & WEDDING PROFESSIONALS

Not to leave out my fellow wedding professionals, all private consultations and mentoring is now 20% off until the end of July as well. This is not just for photographers, but any wedding professionals such as make up artists, planners, and more. Limited availability and spots, so don't wait too long. Time is of the essence in your business and can be very costly. Don't let second guessing drive your business. Take control of it! Click HERE to learn more.

TERMS

No purchase is required to enter contest. Odds of winning based on number of entries. Winner will receive a $200 Apple Gift Card good towards iPhone purchase, or for any other purchase from an Apple Store. For all wedding clients, intent to book email must be received by 7/31/09 at info@asimsoofi.com email and wedding contract must be signed and a non-refundable retainer submitted by August 31, 2009 in order to qualify for savings. Wedding date does not need to be finalized at this time to qualify. Apple iPhone 3GS contest ends 7/31/09. All consultation appointments must be scheduled by 7/31/09 and completed by 12/31/09. Apple iPhone 3GS taxes, activation, service plans, and any other fees are the sole responsibility of contest winner(s). Contest winner(s) will be notified via email. Please email info@asimsoofi.com with any questions.

Catching Up

I have been so bad! No blogging for days...how could I do such a thing! Actually, I find myself busier on Facebook and Twitter more then ever. I love how quick and to the point it is...If you're not following me on Twitter or Facebook...what are you waiting for?? I'd love to hear from you!

Anyway, here's a short recap of what's been going on...About two weeks ago, I was at the WPPI convention in Las Vegas, which was awesome! If you're a portrait or a wedding photographer, you need to come next year and totally come hang out. Everyone had such a great time...So you're officially invited for 2010.

After coming back, I've been swamped with finishing up a few weddings...I think I've gone through over 12,000 photos in the last two weeks alone...burning the midnight oil! Things have been sooo crazy, my head is spinning. Such a blessing to be busy, but I might have to cut back back just a little on traveling for weddings this year...So much fun to go to different places, but it really can take a lot out of you sometimes. Who am I kidding? I love my clients and I have a hard time saying NO anyway! :)

Then for this weekend, I came down to my sister's in Richmond, VA to visit and attend a photographer's get together to meet up with some awesome friends and make some new ones as well. We talked shop, business, marketing, and even shot some high school seniors and a few brides. It was like a free workshop for everybody...Everyone had a great time and had so many great questions and insights. Afterwards, a bunch of us went out for some dinner and hung out while being a complete public nuisance with our crazy photographer antics. We're going to have another one next month in Maryland/DC area, so if you're interested, send me a message and I'll keep you in the loop.

Also, if you want to see all the awesome photos and even a video from the GTG (Get Together), make sure to add me on Facebook! Click HERE.

Okay, my nieces and nephew are waiting for me to play Guitar Hero (my new addiction btw!).