I’ll give you an example: when I asked Lori if she would share a personal story for the Coffee Break, she told me,  “We just experienced a favorite family memory recently! It revolved around my Grandmother passing away, but was a great weekend of getting together with extended family and old friends.

My Grandma lived a great, long life and while I’ll miss her, I know she’s out of her broken body and dancing with the angels! That makes me smile. After we got together to celebrate and honor her life (I suppose some call that a funeral), my brother and niece and my son Jaxon and I all went to spend the day at Cedar Point.  We rode every ride and had such a fun day together.”

I love how even in a sad situation, Lori sees the bright side of it and celebrates life.

As a PPA Master, Craftsman, CPP, & ABI (approved business instructor), you can find Lori all over the globe teaching photography workshops and classes… she recently traveled from Texas School straight to Canada for Image Explorations.

Lori started in photography about 10 years ago by photographing her kids, and absolutely fell in love with hand-painting black and white photos.   When you check out Lori’s work at the end of this article, you’ll see that she has clear knack for this art–I love the subtle way she brings out details in her images through the use of color.  Lori has had retail studios, home studios, been completely “on location” and now lives above her retail space in what she calls her “studio home.”

Not only is Lori an amazing photographer and instructor, she’s also an inventor/designer!  I’m thrilled to share this months’ contest prize with you… Lori’s very cool camera straps. Do you need a little Spice in your Camera? Try Pepper! Lori has designed super cute camera straps in a variety of colors and patterns to spice up your shooting style!  Pepper was born out of Lori’s desire to break free from the ordinary and create a completely fresh new look for photographers.  For years, Lori searched for a camera strap that would be as individual as the person wearing it.  Not finding it, she did what we all want to do:  She went out and designed one herself.  Designed with quality and stability in mind, this camera strap is easy to change and can suit any mood.  I’m so excited to get mine!

I think you’ll find Lori’s take on our Learn Grow Share questions very interesting.  Lori says you can plan all day long, but the only way we grow is by actually taking the steps: by doing something.  Well said, Lori!  She’s got some great tips on marketing, and something thought-provoking to say about measuring the quality of your life.  Now grab your coffee and settle in for some wisdom from my new favorite bundle of energy.

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

A: I want to learn something new every day! I love to read and really try to stay saturated in business, sales, marketing and personal growth books. I want to learn more about people and why and how they tick! People fascinate me – learning about habits, needs and motivators. I’m continually learning to nurture the relationships in my life. Tony Robbins says that the quality of our lives is in direct proportion to the
quality of our relationships.

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

A: When I began my business as a photographer, it was after owning a hair salon for 10 years. I thought I was a good business person because I loved sales and I loved marketing. What I found out (the hard way) was that being a good business person is all in the numbers. Learning to schedule every part of my workflow was also something that certainly came the “hard way” for me. We all want to “find balance”. And, really, the only way to find any sort of balance, is to have every part of the workflow completely scheduled.

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?
A: I’ve learned that the only way I can grow is to give. By giving and sharing and letting go of things, we make room for new.

How would you recommend others grow?
A: We grow by doing. I can read, plan, etc but the only way to move forward is to take the steps.

Do you have a favorite marketing tip?
A: We are all marketing all the time! Know who your target client is, know what motivates her and know what her priorities are. How is your target client spending her time and spending her money? Larry Winget (Pitbull of Personal Development) says “your time and money always follow your priorities”. When we know more about our client and what motivates her, what her needs are, we know how to market to her, talk to her and match
the right products and services to her. Help your client design her space (based on needs, priorities and motivators) before the sales appointment. I could go on and on! Marketing your personal brand is something I love to talk about!

Do you have a workshop suggestion, or convention to attend?
A: I love networking with other photographers. Join your state associations and get involved. There are some fabulous workshops out there – too many to mention! Find photographers you connect with and make a list. Set priorities to study with one photographer on your list each year. I recently started www.phototalkforum.com It has been such a great way to connect with other photographers and get to share something every day!

How do you feel that you contribute to the industry?
A: I love this industry and the people in it. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to teach and share with other photographers, and always leave inspired and fulfilled.
This business gets rough! So many that begin from a hobby and something that they love, and it turns into this ugly monster and crying in front of the computer at night! I talk to so many women who’s families are hurting and I have been there!

When you have the opportunity to teach/share there is sometimes the facade that comes along with that… “You make this look so easy!” is something I hear so often. Well, I’m here to tell you, it’s NOT easy! I love getting to share what I’ve been through (the good, the bad and the ugly) with others in the business, especially young women.

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Lori, your answers were so helpful and thought provoking… I appreciated your advice to find photographers you admire and “follow one a year”… just enough to make it not so overwhelming!

Lori didn’t mention her charitable contribution to the industry, so I wanted to add it here:  Now in its 6th year running, Lori devised a “Little Angels” Calendar that contributes to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.    All images from the “little angels” portrait sessions she offers are considered for the Little Angels Calendar, and all proceeds from the calendars go to the LLS.  Its a truly creative way to give back and “celebrate life with photography.”  Thank you, Lori.

www.nordstromphoto.com
www.spiceupyourcamera.com
www.phototalkforum.com

Some of Lori’s gorgeous and very unique images…

Post & Photo by Joe Farace – Follow Joe on Twitter

It may seem obvious to most of you but it’s a good idea to carry your camera by its neck strap, or hey, maybe even wear it around your neck or shoulder. In some parts of the world, shoulder carry makes the camera vulnerable to theft, so be aware of what’s going on around you when you find yourself in dodgy surroundings. The neck strap is part of the camera’s basic equipment and fulfills the important role of protecting the camera from being dropped. While you may protest, “this would never happen to me,” I saw it happen twice during a workshop I was teaching in Montana.

Both photographers were experienced and should have known better but I watched one drop an expensive pro digital SLR onto extremely rocky ground while we were traversing it. While the damage was relatively minor, the camera was damaged and required expensive repair. During that same workshop another photographer dropped a mid-level digital SLR cracking its top-mounted LCD panel. We’re all human and make mistakes but taking a few precautions such as simply using a camera strap not only saves money by protecting your camera from harm but also keeps you from looking like a bozo in front of your friends.

Using a strap not only makes carrying your camera easier, it increases your readiness to shoot. No fumbling around, just grab the camera and shoot. Even changing lenses is easier and safer if the camera is securely attached around your neck. Inquiring minds want to know but there is no right and wrong in strap lengths. The length of the strap should match your body (not the camera’s) and attaching the strap manufacturers include is not all that hard. Make it part of your standard unboxing procedure when purchasing any new camera.

I’ll use the camera brand strap if I have to and while they’re generally better than nothing, I hate to advertise for the company, especially for free. I’ve been using Lowepro straps and like their Speedster model. It costs less than twenty bucks and has anti-slip rubber thread woven into soft nylon webbing to protect your clothing and keep the strap from slipping. Two quick-release buckles make switching from one camera body to another fast and easy while double ladder-locks ensure a secure connection between strap and camera. Lowepro offers four different straps, (http://products.lowepro.com/catalog/Camera-Straps,41.htm) each designed to suit the kind of shooting that you do.

I never liked to hang two cameras around my neck during a shoot because something always seems to go awry. The cameras always end up banging into one another and in one infamous incident I set one SLR down on a table while photographing a beautiful model on a movie set and later bumped backwards into that same piece of furniture only to be greeted by the sound of crashing, busted metal and broken glass accompanied by the destruction of my EF 135 f/2.8 SF lens. Who needs this hassle? CameraSlingers has an ergonomic solution for two camera shooters and offers a camera strap that hangs two SLRs around your shoulders and whose clever design protects both you and your gear. In the above photo a heavier version of myself is trying one on at the PMA show. You can use whatever kind of camera strap suits your fashion sense, just remember to use one.

Joe Farace is author of the new book “Studio Lighting Anywhere”

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