Press
Release for States and Guilds
The
hottest seminar in years is coming soon to the Indianapolis
area.
How’s
your business? Is it up?
Is it down?
Is it sideways? Has the digital
revolution produced a double edged sword in our industry?
Yes, some of the technological advancements have been incredible- but this has also created many challenges in our profession as well. Capturing and manipulating images has never been easier in the history of photography. Unfortunately, this also applies to the general public as record numbers of digital cameras go flying off the shelves all over the country, not to mention the record numbers of established studios closing all over the country as well. Building and maintaining a successful studio is something we all strive for, so what’s the answer? Is there an answer?
25 year veteran, Bruce Hudson feels he has the answer to these scary questions and is sharing them in 50 cities across the country during his New Directions/Reality Check Tour. One of his stops will be in Indianapolis on November 19th from 5 pm to 10 pm.
“Since
9/11 the business has really changed”, Bruce states.
“Traditional forms of marketing just aren’t yielding the same
results as they did in the past. Even
some of my best clients are now producing amazing Christmas cards using
online
printing sites!” Bruce’s 5 hour seminar
will cover the 4 Major Areas (or what he calls Pillars) of Studio
Success.
1.
Innovative
Marketing
2. Consistent
Image Creation
3.
Projection
Sales
4.
Studio
Management
“While
we’ve all had our heads in the computer embracing the digital world, we
have
been neglecting our businesses and clients!”
Bruce believes that even the best Photographer or PhotoShop
Expert needs
to market effectively, sell their work passionately, and manage their
business
efficiently. “Its all about balance-
yes, creating exceptional images that your clients would gladly pay top
dollar
for is important, but is only one of the pillars of having a successful
studio.”
If
you’ve never been to one of Bruce’s seminars at a convention or studied
his
educational materials, you’re in for a treat!
He packs his programs with amazing content and No Fluff! From the look of his New Directions/ Reality
Check Tour agenda, he’s held nothing back.
“My goal is for each of the attendees is to go home
understanding:
ŸBe
able to Separate Yourself from the ever Growing Competition
ŸLearn
the Hottest Marketing Strategies that not only Attracts the Affluent
but
Affluent Clients that Will Invest in Photography
ŸProduce
High Impact Images Capable of Commanding Top Dollar
Ÿ
Create
Images in the Camera, Avoiding Countless Hours in Front of Your Computer
Ÿ
Have
a Step By Step Plan for Pre-Portrait Consultations-
Resulting In Non-Speculation Sales
ŸStart
Projecting Your Images & Doubling, Tripling, Even Quadrupling
you’re Sales! Trust Me… It Is
Possible!
ŸFinally
get Your Business Organized! Time Is
Money!
Believe
it or not, Bruce is a former High School Band Director.
He and his late wife Sue took a hobby that
started back in High School and turned it into a multi-million dollar
business. “I’m a product of many
instructors over the years. Sue and I
went to every State convention and Seattle Guild meeting they had! We were literally sponges and sucked every
piece of information we could from the speakers. We
took their ideas and applied them to our own business”.
One of the things Bruce loves about our
profession is the way everyone shares.
That is why he credits his local guild, State, and National
associations
for much of his success.
Bruce
and Sue started their full time studio in 1982. After
consistently winning awards in competition and grossing
well above average revenues for a studio their size, they started to
receive
invites to speak around the country. In
1996, after 20 years of marriage, Sue lost her battle with melanoma
cancer. Bruce recalls, “You bet it was
tough when Sue passed away! Our kids
Josh and McKenna were only 11 and 13. And
because Sue played such an important role at the studio, it was hard to
know
where to start and how to delegate her responsibilities to me and my
employees. In some ways it was
reinventing ourselves and the studio”.
Bruce’s 18 year team member Debbie Durand took over the role as
studio
manager after Sue passed, she recalls, “It was so tough, Sue was half
the brain
of the business, how could I fill her shoes!
But Bruce and I came together, stuck to Sues principles of
studio
management, and it turned out fine… even though he drives me nuts from
time to
time!”
Today,
Bruce still has a passion for teaching and sharing the successful
strategies
and techniques that are consistently evolving in our profession. He has a new partner now… his son Josh. After graduating from Washington State
University with a degree in Political Science in 2005, Josh decided to
join the
family business. “I never thought I
would ever work in the photography business, let alone develop a
passion for
it”, Josh confesses. “Growing up in the
business, after the years of lugging equipment, putting stamps on
marketing
letters, and mowing the lawn in the portrait park, I guess I never
realized
what a special profession an image creator really is.
Plus, working side by side with my dad has been amazing; his
wealth of knowledge in business, marketing, photography, and just day
to day
motivation to always challenge yourself has truly been an educational
experience. Don’t tell my dad this, but
I have learned more about business and life in a year at the studio,
working
with him, than I did in 5 years of college!”
Josh
has also played a managing role in Bruce’s passion for sharing and
educating
the photography industry. Josh states,
“My dad has so much to offer, which is why I convinced him to let me
put
together this 50 City Tour before he gets to old…just kidding!” Josh has also spent the last year developing
a new educational website for his dad called
www.MyStudioMentor.com, which is set
to launch
in October. “You have to check it out!”
On
a personal note, Bruce (in his spare time) just finished his first book
entitled The Relationographer- The Art of Relationship Marketing. This book was not just designed for
photographers but all businesses. It
discusses how to turn a customer for life into a generational client. Exactly what he has done in his own business
for 25 years. Check out www.Relationographer.com!
Bruce
is also getting married in October to his lady Terri and is in the
process of
moving his business to his new home and developing the current studio
property
into town homes and light retail space.
Is he busy or what?
All
in all Bruce’s New Direction/Reality Check Tour promises to be
an
incredible educational experience for all of us. I
don’t think your going to find anything that can compare for
the $47 investment. In addition
pre-registered participants will receive a sponsor’s packet worth
$150.00 in
value. It’s almost like being paid to
learn!
Finally,
Bruce was excited to mention that, “My generous sponsors have come
together to
donate over $1,000 in door prizes in each city! In
addition, all of the attendees will have the opportunity to
win a Fuji S5, compliments of Fuji and me.
I can’t wait to get started!”
For
a complete outline of Bruce’s program and registration information, go
to www.NewDirectionsTour.com
for more details.
Our Michiana Professional Photographers, Inc will be at the event to promote membership, so bring some friends that you think would benefit from our MPPI. Hope to see you November 19th/ Check back for time and place.. for some education, motivation, and inspiration at Bruce’s New Directions/Reality Check Tour seminar!
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Seattle area native, Bruce Hudson, has led a colorful life. As a musician and Educator he's had the opportunity to play with such greats as Bob Hope, Oscar Peterson, and Kenny G. As a nationally recognized photographer he's photographed President Bush (41), future Hall of Fame pitching great, Randy Johnson, and night time radio celebrity Delilah and her family.
After leaving a teaching position in 1982 as a high school band director, Bruce along with his late wife Sue turned a photographic hobby into a multi-million dollar studio business. Together they photographed over a thousand weddings and ten's of thousands of famiily and senior portraits!
A much sought after speaker and lecturer on the topics of photography, marketing and sales, Bruce has lectured in 49 states, Canada, Puerto Rico, and New Zealand. He holds the degree of Master Craftsman from the Professional Photographers of America and is one of only 40 active members in the prestigious organization, Cameracraftsmen of America.
Bruce has a passion for sharing ideas and concepts that have made his portrait studio extremely successful for the past 25 years. He feels that, "Producing outstanding photography is only a small part of my business. It takes innovative marketing, salesmanship, and business savvy to navigate through a constantly changing business climate."
Bruce is not just a master photographer, but is also considered a master at understanding the digital revolution and how it has effected our profession. We can all us a reality check now and then.