Instaproofs - Blog

A few years ago we developed an iPad application where you could load contract templates into the app and have your clients sign and email the contracts directly from the iPad. The application took quite a bit of work and a very significant amount of money to design and develop, but it never really caught on in the App Store and we ended up [...] Read more

Damu the Wolfdog, from the Project Wildsong Photography Event. Photographers are generally running around other people's events snapping photos - but sometimes the photographers themselves host the event. Holding your own photography event can be a fantastic way to bring in more clients, give past clients a ‘quickie’ session, and make a fast [...] Read more

Model: Desiree Perkins. Using Orange Filter Camera Hacks for the Creative Photographer Necessity is the mother of innovation- and creativity is its father. As photographers, we find ourselves dealing with a wide-variety of clients and situations every day, and each job has its own unique sets of requirements and expectations. With this being our [...] Read more

Model: Derek Jochmann Although an artistic eye cannot be bought for any price, we do need equipment to bring our visions to life. Gear does not define the photographer, but instead breathes life into the ideas, making them tangible. Camera products and supplies are very subjective, but through my own working experience, there are a few things that [...] Read more

Alex Engelmann and Chris Bam Gonzales Like any business or profession, being a photographer requires some legal knowledge to both protect yourself, and your clients. However, a lot of us artists don’t think about these important pieces of information until we are struck with a problem. That is completely understandable, being an artist equates to [...] Read more

With the coming of lovely weather, beautiful flowers, and flowing dresses- Spring is in the air and there is no denying it! The approach of this colorful and vibrant season brings with it a slew of opportunities to attract new clients. What better way to really get the year going than by photographing some fresh faces? Similar to that of winter [...] Read more

The fuel for our fire, the spice for our dish, and the bread to our butter is our clients. Our clients are the reason that we photographers are able to do what we do! Maintaining that wonderful relationship is just as important as cleaning your lenses and servicing your cameras. As you may have noticed through your own experience, owning a [...] Read more

Photography Equipment to Look for in 2015 While most people may be starting (and promptly abandoning!) their New Years resolutions around this time, at Instaproofs a new year means new photo gear check out! We want to help you sell photography in every way we can, and that includes keeping you up-to-date on new releases in the world of photography. [...] Read more

Oh, the classic white wall shot. Clean, simple, elegant, the subject is your only focus. The wall is slanted, so there is no horizon line, just a seamless image. This, my friends, is what many of your clients will want. Unfortunately, many of us do not have the space in our humble abodes to build such a thing. The only solution to the matter is [...] Read more

Model Luna Marie with Cael, the wolfdog. The New Year is almost upon us- it’s a chance to change ourselves for the better, whether it be through resolutions or an overall better mindset. One of the most common struggles artists face- whether they be photographers, painters, or anyone else in the creative field- is confidence. What is confidence? A [...] Read more

6 Great Blogs and Workshops That Photographers Should Check Out In the fast paced field of photography it is important to stay versed on the latest techniques and trending advancement. Developing your skills with further insight and continued learning can be the difference between a booming photography business and a sluggish one. That’s why [...] Read more

The merriest time of the year is nearly upon us- and as photographers, we know that this is one of the busiest seasons for photo shoots! Between the Thanksgiving holiday, Christmas, New Years, and everything in between, families keep photographers quite busy. So, what are some sales strategies that can help maximize this season for both the [...] Read more

Sticking Out From the Crowd of Weekend Warrior Photographers With the ease, quality and affordability of digital cameras today, many people that have great gear, but no skill, practice, or formal training under their belt, are currently selling themselves as photographers. These types of photographers are often called weekend warriors because they [...] Read more

Boost Sales with In Person Selling Some of you reading this might wonder why I’m highlighting in-person selling (IPS) on a blog for an online storefront. The answer is because they are both wonderful tools for boosting sales, and you shouldn't limit yourself to using only one sales-method. My whole business model changed once I was introduced to [...] Read more

James Drhaven promo image. The bane of most photographers’ existence is the dreaded 'low-light photography'. This simple-sounding little thing turns out to be one of the biggest headaches! However, nighttime and indoor photography with low light sources can yield some beautiful imagery, so low light shouldn't stop you from taking those images. [...] Read more

One of the most ingenious, if not coolest, uses for still photography is documenting rapid actions and tiny fractions of time. From the moment cameras were given the ability to increase their shutter speeds, Muybridge set out to prove that horses truly do lift all four of their legs off the ground at the same time while in a full gallop. Today, [...] Read more

Some of the most common questions I see amongst photographers are how to get new clients, where to advertise, and how to stretch their advertising dollars. Although I’m certainly not a marketing guru, I have learned a few lessons recently upon relocating to a new state and market, and lucky for you – I’m willing to share! 1. Network, Network, [...] Read more

Model: Sabrina Moiseyev We all love to decorate our homes with beautiful artwork- taking those walls from ‘bland to fab’ as they say. What better way to do that than by hanging and displaying sentimental, personal photographs? As photographers, one of our top goals is to give our clients beautiful prints of their favorite images. Online photo [...] Read more

Being a photographer can be as tough as it is rewarding, especially if you are trying to make a name for yourself in the sports photography world. Sports photography is inherently challenging and requires a photographer to have incredible patience, skill, and raw talent. Not every photographer has what it takes to pluck a single dramatic image out [...] Read more

I don’t know about you, but the term “full service” makes me think of old gas stations. But in the world of photography – it means opportunity. It’s an opportunity to set yourself apart from the sea of other photographers. It’s an opportunity to connect more with your clients. It’s an opportunity for you to earn more in your business. Being a [...] Read more

Escape the Fate - Wiltern Theater - 2014 Social networking and online photography galleries are some of the most powerful tools available to you as a photographer today. Through websites such as Instaproofs, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter you can reach a slew of potential new clients and share your art with the world. A few simple clicks can get [...] Read more

Coyote There is a community cleverly hidden in this world, one that most don’t even consider possible. This surreptitious group is one of the most fascinating doors you can have access to as a photographer- and believe me, the photographs will be mind-blowing. After I found myself pulled into this world, there was no turning back. I’m talking [...] Read more

Wedding Photography: Tips and Tricks Nowadays with everyone carrying around phones with decent quality cameras, wedding guests can easily take their own pictures and upload them on social media for everyone to see and share within minutes. So how do you stand out from the every-day run-of-the-mill camera wielders? In addition to offering a [...] Read more

Engagement Sessions: Offer Them If you are looking to boost your wedding referrals, increase your wedding sales, or even just build a better name for yourself in the wedding industry, then look no further than engagement sessions. It may sound silly to say that engagement sessions might be the answer to all of these items, but read on to see why I [...] Read more

If you’re like most people on this wonderful planet, you probably share your home with a non-human creature. Furred, scaled, or feathered- animals are as much a part of our life as the air that we breathe. Dogs are dressed up like children and cats inherit million dollar estates; animals are our world, and as a direct result of this, the pet [...] Read more

Online Photo Ordering and a Happy Bride Nobody understands better than brides and wedding photographers how hectic a wedding day is. Amidst the ensuing chaos and excitement, you’re expected to take meaningful, stunning photos that capture every special moment. It’s a lot to handle, but by utilizing a simple and straightforward process to sell [...] Read more

SHOOT TO SELL Do you want to sell more images to your clients? What if I told you that you’ve already blown it if you’re waiting until the sales session to talk about prints? The truth is, in order to sell more of your work, you need to talk with your clients about their print expectations well before the sales session. Most of our photography [...] Read more

Anathema, 2014, House of Blues Hollywood I am a music photographer. Oh, and I photograph dogs. Wait, but I've also dabbled in fashion editorials. Hey, you can see my fine art photography hanging in galleries. What is my photography forte? I don’t have one. Often times, professionals will tell you that a nook is the only way to truly reach success [...] Read more

Every once in a while a new business model comes along that forces other businesses in that particular area to take notice and potentially make some changes. We've seen it done with airlines, computers, phones, music services, and many other things. In our industry, a new business model that has been seeing a lot of growth lately is called Shoot [...] Read more