We've just removed the password protection from the knowledge base on our Partner website, making most of it accessible to anyone. Most of it's just detailed product and service information that our clients might want to check out from time to time - so it's not like Wikileaks would be interested! - but some of it's a bit sensitive, which is why it's been restricted. Some of you've been saying it's frustrating having to log in, however, which is why we've put most of the content out in the open. The only exception is the Marketing and Business section which is still locked down. That's where all To View More >>

Photography by Johannes van Kan I hope you have a blog. They're a perfect marketing vehicle for photographers, and they're free. Photograph every album before you present it to your client, write a post about them, their day and their album, and send them the link. Just like all our new possessions (and this is a very special one) they'll want to show their friends and family, talk about it and (hopefully!) recommend the person who created it for them (you). What could be better? And don't forget to promote your blog on your website, in your email signature and in your fliers etc. To get you To View More >>

If capturing a fleeting moment thrills you … if beautiful colour makes your heart beat faster … if you dream about composition in your sleep… if you love telling stories with pictures - we'd love to hear from you. We're after images to showcase on our website and in our new season sample albums and books, as well as in our blogs and marketing pieces. We’re looking for sets of around 80 images, but to enter all you have to do is send us TEN low-res images* from up to TWO different events - a wedding, portrait session, or whatever you happen to shoot - and email them to us at showcase@queensberry.com. To View More >>

This post won't mean much to those of you who's knowledge of social media is limited to, "You know, Facebook and Twitter etc". But the rest of us are trying to get good at it without feeling like it consumes all our time. Anyway, I've just been asked my opinions about automation and social media. It's something I feel strongly about, and my advice is to "approach with caution". Here's why. 1. We're in the 'intimacy business', and automation is usually the the enemy of intimacy. If I skype my wife, "Hi darling – love you!", we both feel good about it. It was impulsive and heartfelt. Automate To View More >>

Simon Woolf is one of my favourite people. One of our longest-standing clients and quite possibly the most energetic person I know (if you don't believe me check out his Facebook page). He sells beautiful landscapes from his shop in Wellington's Cable Car Lane – access way to one of Wellington's top tourist attractions. One day Simon saw a tourist photographing one of his landscapes through the display window, and posted about it on Facebook. "I asked her for a look, and she stated, 'It wasn't a bad copy but was a little light'. I then told her I was the photographer, and she was being a bit To View More >>