If you have been concerned about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) lately, you’ve probably heard of Lawrence Chan. Lawrence is a Los Angeles wedding photographer who worked with his brother in their joint  venture, Furious photography until in 2008 he decided to spend more time with his new business, Tofurious, marketing “Digital Tools for the Modern Photographer.”

Since he has started offering workshops to help photographers navigate the confusing world wide web, and SEO in particular, you could say Lawrence is getting a reputation as the king of SEO.   To learn more about what Lawrence offers, check out his site here.  He has started a Coffee Tour around the country, taking his SEO tips nationwide! You can click the link to see if he’s visiting a town near you!

Essentially, Lawrence’s point is this:  it doesn’t matter how good of a photographer you are if someone can’t find you on the web.  Knowing about internet searches and how to manage your online marketing is critical in today’s industry.

Along with championing the quest to figure out SEO, Lawrence offers several other digital solutions for photographers such as pre-designed album templates and blogs. Lawrence is donating one of his super cool album templates to a lucky winner on Jules Cafe! Check it out here: If you want to win the entire set, go to Olive’s monthly contest on Jules Cafe!

Grab your cup of coffee and let’s see what Lawrence has to say.

LEARN: What’s something that you feel like you’d like to learn more about, something you are continually learning?

A: An area that I would like to explore more would be cinematography. Our current cameras have the ability to offer so much! Technology is changing the way of how business is conducted in our industry.

What is something that you wish someone would have told you before you had to learn it the hard way?

A: I wish someone would have told me how awesome WordPress is before I had to learn to hand-code my own websites and experience the limitations of other web platforms. I had spent two years figuring out features that WordPress already had created. This is why I like to share this Open Source platform with everyone so that they don’t have to learn it the hard way like I did.

GROW: How have you grown in the past five years in your business, in your own personal quest for growth, in your awareness of the world around you? How would you recommend others grow-do you have a favorite marketing tip,workshop suggestion, or convention to attend?

A: In the past five years, I feel that the biggest growth in my business would be my online presence. I have been able to target a wide demographic of brides from all around the world based on my website. On a parallel note, someone could be the best photographer in the world, but without the ability to be found, his or her skills will never gain full appreciation.

I suggest that everyone attends WPPI at least once (if not every year). The convention has so much to offer through educational programs, workshops and trade floors. This year was my first year and it was eye-opening!

SHARE: How do you feel that you contribute to the industry? What is something you would like to share with your follow colleagues? How can they turn around and do the same for others? Favorite charitable contribution?

A: My biggest contribution to the industry is what took me two years to learn and master – SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and blogging. What is the point in being the best at anything if one cannot be found? My goal is to offer photographers the tools and resources to bring in business through their websites.

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THANK YOU Lawrence for your thoughts!

I just love Lawrence’s images below… really fresh and fun perspective on food and travel… my kinda guy.  Take a sip of your coffee as you peruse through a quick trip to Europe, through the eyes of Tofurious!