Every business uses a combination of tools to make life easier, to protect their assets, and to share their products/services with the world. Below is a list of tools I use to keep my business moving smoothly. I'd also love to hear what tools you use!

• iPhone - while it sounds cliche, I do have to admit that without my phone, I'd be in trouble. Everything I listed above is accessible via my phone, which means I can do business every day of the week, around the clock, from anywhere on the globe. (Provided there's wifi or data connection, of course!)

I hope this list was helpful to you! If you have any questions on additional information, let me know!
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Happy Friday!
Autumn


As of January 2024, I no longer use these tools:

• LastPass and CrashPlan (Apple does these for me now)
• Greetabl and Ink Cards (I've found other ways to thank people)
• Planoly and Facebook (less social media usage these days)

Last month, I wrote a blog post on the same topic - except that it was geared toward women. As expected, I got some requests to write the same type of post for men.

"What do I wear for the photoshoot?!" is still one of the most frequent questions I get asked. The three tips I have for men deal with three Cs: 1. Clothing, 2. Cut, and 3. Chill.

1. Clothing
The most important thing you can do is consider why you'll be using these photos. Are they for LinkedIn? Your website? What do you want people to think when they see the image? That you're a buttoned-up, suit-wearing professional or that you're a laid-back, casual creative? Or maybe somewhere in between? This is the first choice you need to make. The only other clothing request I'll make is that you avoid patterns and stripes. Keep any clothing that you wear fairly simple.

2. Cut
When does your hair cut look best? Day of? Week later? This is important, so be sure to schedule your photoshoot accordingly. Same goes for facial hair - be sure to make a note of when to shave before the shoot.

3.Chill
This is like...so basic, but SO helpful. Lots of folks (not just guys) hate having their photo taken. I'm one of them - it makes me really uncomfortable! But the more you chill out for the photoshoot, the better your photos will look. Try to smile naturally (I'll try to make you laugh!), sit naturally, and just be you. It won't take long, I promise! If there's anything I can do to make you feel more comfortable, please let me know! (Pro tip: no drinking before photos. Sure, you'll feel more comfortable, but your eyes and smile won't look their best.)

Happy posing!
Autumn

Do you see the difference between the two photos below? Can you explain what that difference is? Is it a big difference? A small difference? Color? Lighting? Quality, perhaps?

Here's the difference:

• The left photo was taken with an iPhone, which creates a pretty high quality image when compared to point-and-shoot cameras, flip phones, or even disposable cameras from 5-10 years ago. iPhones are also not cheap - I paid $200 for this iPhone 6 two years ago. Now they're even more expensive.
• The right photo was taken with a DSLR camera - a Canon 70D with a Tamron 90mm prime lens. This creates a higher quality image than an iPhone - and reasonably so, since the camera + lens = nearly $2,000. (Not to mention the value of my time considering I had to learn how to use these tools.)

I share this example because I had a conversation with a client recently. It was my job to find models for a photoshoot we were planning. I sent photos to my client and asked for her to choose her 5 favorite models out of the roughly 10 photos I sent. (Photos were shared by the models - some were professional and some were not.) 

My client's response: "Just based on the quality of the pictures (because I had to choose somehow), let's go with these five models." ... which means she chose models for a shoot based on image quality alone. Imagine how people are choosing which products to buy, which restaurants to try, or even which stores to visit.

Image quality matters. Photography is compelling.

Happy Friday!
Autumn

Generations often love to prod at each other, saying how their generation is better than the next/last. While I try very hard to avoid this ugly banter, I far too often hear Gen X-ers complaining about Gen Y-ers or Millennials "playing on their phones.

​ Below, you'll find a list of how I "played on my phone" last week.

Here is the non-exhaustive list of WORK I did on my phone while shooting Cause Collaborative event highlights for nearly 9 hours this past Friday:

• Provided quotes to 4 clients
• Called a client to discus details so that I could provide a more accurate quote
• Schedule updated headshots for a client's new team member
• Scheduled tour of client's campus to learn how to best schedule a new shoot
• Connected with potential client who was referred to me by another client
• Confirmed with a client that there is a hold on a shoot date due to scheduling
• Confirmed with a client that they received images sent to them the day before
• Returned a call to a client (still playing phone tag!)
• Called a client to discuss a new product idea
• Scheduled meeting to discuss new office/studio space
• Posted two planned posts to Instagram (one blog-related, one 30-day project-related)
• Sent content to @columbusstories (to whose Instagram I contribute to once monthly)
• Kept all of the above updated on Basecamp so that I don't lose track
• Tracked mileage and income/expenditures (I do this daily) on the QuickBooks app

I caution folks who might assume "kids these days" are endlessly scrolling through Instagram, shopping online, or playing a game. My ability to embrace technology allows me to grow my business faster. (While occasionally scrolling through Instagram or shopping online - I can admit it!)

What are genius ways you use your phone? What stellar apps do you love that bring you joy, ease, and efficiency to your life? Comments are welcome below!

Happy Friday!
​Autumn

​Whether you're a business owner, restauranteur, or photographer, planning and shopping for a series of styled food shoots can take hours. The last thing you want to do is also spend a lot of money on props. Thanks to a little creativity and a lot of DIY-ingenuity, I was able to design and purchase props for 3 separate shoots - for UNDER $100!

STYLE SETUP #3: $49.50

• The sign had ugly wood trim, so I covered it with white duct tape. Pro tip: lightly spray the chalkboard with hairspray after you chalk it. Do a second layer of chalk for a bolder look.
• The bunting sets were hung straight down rather than sideways - a totally different look!
• To make the donut stand, use a drill bit matching the size of the dow rods to drill holes into the 2x4. (I had Lowe's cut my 2x4 into three 2' pieces.) Wipe with a damp cloth before stacking donuts.

Thanks to Vue for hosting me for this this triple shoot! Another thank you to Andrea at Metro Cuisine for connecting me to Vue, and for the linens! It's always a pleasure to work with such kind partners.

Happy Friday!
Autumn