Business & Branding | Senior and Wedding Photographer - Lawrence Kent

Category Archives: Business & Branding

March 26, 2010

We’re Moving – Seriously!!??!!

So I’ll give a brief explanation to this, but yes, it’s true, we’re moving!!

BUT NOT FAR.

Next week, both me and my two adorable little girls are moving from Augusta, GA to Lexington, SC (which is just outside of Columbia, SC). It’s only about an hour from Augusta, so it’s not too far from where I’ve lived my entire 31 years.

So here’s a little story behind the move. Approximately two and a half years ago, my mom decided to take a job and move away from us. Mom could have been promoted long before that, but she choose to stay in Augusta, close to family, and raise me and a little brother and sister and see that we all finished high school. Thanks Mom, the sacrifices you’ve made for us, are unmeasurable and will always be remembered. Back to the story. She moved with the bank, but it wasn’t she’d be living in Atlanta or Charlotte, oh no, she and Dad and sister we’re moving to Syracuse, NY. Freakin Syracuse. Far, far away. While I didn’t necessarily like this, I knew it’s what Mom wanted to do to further her career. We all really missed having her around while she was there. She worked with the bank to only work in Syracuse for 2 years then try to find something closer to us in the South.

Two years passed, a low and behold her time was up and the bank had found Mom a job closer to us. The new position would be in Columbia, SC. Only an hour away. HALLELUJAH! So once Mom and Dad had found a house in Lexington, SC, I knew it was time to move. I’ve always been close to my Mom. She’s a savvy businesswoman, has a huge heart for helping and developing people. She is just an awesome person to talk to (plus her cooking rocks).

So, starting next Tuesday, March 30, 2010, Lawrence Kent Photography will be moving from Augusta, GA to Lexington, SC.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

1. Starting Tuesday, March 30, 2010, I’ll be closed for moving and setting up the business in Lexington, SC. I will be closed until April 13, 2010. During that time, I will very limited access to the internet. I will be checking email from my iPhone throughout the day and will try to respond in the evenings. Please bare with me during this transition.
2. I will no longer live in Augusta, Georgia. I will live in Lexington, South Carolina.
3. I will continue to be available for weddings, Georgia weddings, South Carolina weddings, wedding everywhere.

WHAT THIS DOES NOT MEAN?

1. I have not sold my business, portraits OR weddings. I have not gone OUT of business. I have not quit photography.
2. I have not stopped taking wedding commissions.
3. I have not dropped off of the face of the earth.

I am very excited about what is to come and thank you for allowing me to explain the move and what it meansand what this means to my clientele. Many exciting things are coming soon such as a new portfolio, new look, and general spring-cleaning of our online presence.

Here is the new contact information:

Email: kent@lawrencekent.com
Augusta Phone: 706-284-2022
Columbia Phone: 803-399-0588

March 7, 2010

WPPI 2010 – Las Vegas

Well folks, it’s that time of year again. Time to the annual trek to Las Vegas to attend WPPI. This week (Sunday – Wednesday) I’ll be in fabulous Las Vegas attending the 30th WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) convention held at the MGM Grand. This is my 2nd year attending and I love going and seeing everyone. Now while I love seeing everyone and networking with each other, I really enjoying the learning portion of the convention. I started organized my daily schedule for WPPI about 2 weeks ago. I really have an overbooked schedule this year. Some classes and talk overlap each other as well as configuring out time to visit new or old vendors at the tradeshow.

The tradeshow is really a daunting experience in itself. I’ll be scoping some new products and staying current to my vendors I use now so that a can continue to provide my clients with the best possible products and service I can.

To my clients – if you need me, please email me or message through Facebook. I will be checking my email throughout the days and will respond when I can. Also, be sure to check my blog daily this week as I’ve got a super engagement coming out, a few featured post on this year’s charity giveback, and my favorite webcasts.

Until then everyone – Viva Las Vegas!!!

March 1, 2010

Podcasts, Videocasts & Webcasts – Part 1

As a wedding photographer, a good bit of my days are spent behind the computer. Editing, designing, uploading and one of my favorites parts, LEARNING. I read an insane amount of blogs and forums on a daily basis. I never feel like I’ve learned too much. There’s always something new coming out, different points of view haven’t thought of or new ideas on various business practices.

One of the ways I soak in the insane amount of knowledge out there is through podcasts, videocasts and webcasts. Most of them come directly to me on a regular basis via iTunes. Most of the time I’ll listen to them late at night when my brain seems to soak in the information or I’ll listen during lunch. Many, but not all of them are photography related. I’ve got some photgraphy, business, geeky tech stuff and even a few radio shows. I’d like share a couple of those here and what each is about.

This first part will be focused on podcasts and videocasts. Part 2 will be about webcasts.

1. The Pictage Podcast – hosted by Sara France. Click here to listen in iTunes. To learn more about the Pictage podcast, visit their website here.

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2. Geekbrief.TV – hosted by Cali Lewis. Geek Brief TV is a Video Podcast with news about tech tools and toys featuring Cali Lewis. The format is fast, fun, fresh and flirty. Click here to listen in iTunes. To learn more about Geekbrief.TV, visit Cali’s blog right here.

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3. PhotoFocus – hosted by Scott Borne. Scott hosts the photography shows with the occasional guest and answers users questions. Highly recommended. Click here to listen in iTunes. To visit the Photofocus website, click here.

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4. TWiP – This Week in Photography – hosted by Frederick Van Johnson. Join Alex Lindsay, Frederick Van Johnson, and friends each week as they discuss camera technique, technology, and news. With in-depth guest interviews, and discussion around everything from taking family photos, to understanding how state-of-the-art cameras work — you’ll hear it all on This Week in Photography. Check here to listen in iTunes. Check out the TWiP Website.

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5. For Wedding Photographers – hosted by Louis Torres. Louis Torres provides encouragement, business development expansion and marketing ideas for Wedding Photographers Worldwide. Click here to listen in iTunes.

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6. Diggnation – hosted by Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht. Diggnation is a weekly tech/web culture show based on the top digg.com social bookmarking news stories. One of my favorites. Click here to listen in iTunes. Be sure to visit the Diggnation website. These guys are very funny.

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Alex has participated in the entertainment industry for six years. He founded and directed the popular, Los Angeles-based improv comedy troupe, The Misfit Toys. The group was featured in Stuff Magazine and on MTV. Alex subsequently appeared in a number of national television commercials for companies such as Volkswagen, Dominos and Dell. After a chance meeting with a TechTV producer at a wedding, Alex landed the co-hosting role on TechTV’s The Screen Savers. It was at TechTV that he met Kevin Rose, and one of the most successful Internet television partnerships was born. In 2004, Kevin and Alex decided to create a weekly podcast called Diggnation. The popular Revision3 show consistently ranks as one of the top podcast downloads available from the Apple iTunes Music Store. In addition to Diggnation, Alex has teamed up with his two buds Dan and Jeff to create the raddest show on the net, The Totally Rad Show. TRS is an eccentric mix of movie quotes and radness.

Kevin Rose is the founder and chief architect of Digg. He oversees all aspects of the management and development of the Web site. Kevin started Digg in September 2004 as a personal project. His initial idea was to conduct a social experiment in how masses of users could control and promote news and other content on the Web, without external editorial control. After a very short time, he realized the power of his idea, as Digg was becoming a resource for breaking news stories and developed a strong community following. Kevin is also a co-founder of the Internet Television Network Revision3 where as a member of the board he provides strategic direction to the company. Kevin co-hosts the extremely popular Revision3 show, Diggnation, a weekly video podcast based on digg.com news stories and content. Diggnation consistently ranks as one of the top podcast downloads from the Apple iTunes Music Store.

Prior to founding Digg and Revision3, Kevin was a co-host of the popular technology television programs Attack of the Show on the G4 Network and The Screen Savers on TechTV. During Kevin’s tenure at The Screen Savers, a live TV program focusing on computers and technology, it was the highest rated show on TechTV, reaching 55 million households. Before working at TechTV, Kevin worked for several technology startups as well as for the U.S. Department of Energy.

7. Camera Dojo – hosted by Kerry Garrison. Are you a camera enthusiast, photography newbie, or even a semi-professional that wants to make the most out your digital photography? Camera Dojo is home to a wealth of information about digital SLR photography with tutorials, product reviews, and tips to help you get the best pictures possible. Augment the learning you get in digital photography magazines or classes in this fun, conversational show. Learn about new digital photography software as well as hardware and maximize your photography budget. The Camera Dojo podcast is hosted every week by southern California photographer, Kerry Garrison with regular guest co-hosts and guests that all bring a different perspective to the world of photography. Each week Kerry and his guests will discuss topics of interest like shooting techniques, business related issues such as marketing and how to deal with clients, as well as the latest photography news. Camera Dojo covers the latest news in cameras, including Nikon, Canon, Olympus, underwater and safari products, panoramic formats, batteries and power, flashes, light meters, special effects, close up, fisheye, telephoto and macro lenses, filters and step up and step down rings, bags and cases, straps, tripods, digital picture frames and more. Whether you have a basic point-and-shoot camera or the hottest DSLR to hit the shelves, you are sure to get information and help from Camera Dojo. Click here to listen on iTunes.

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8. Pro Photography Show – hosted by Gavin Seim. Pro Photo Show is the informative and informal podcast, hosted by Gavin Seim and a plethora of world renowned guest photographers. It’s the show for serious photographers, pro’s and enthusiasts who want to stay up to date and share fresh ideas. Click here to listen on iTunes. Be sure to check the articles and forums over at the Pro Photography Show wesbsite.

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Those are the podcasts and videocasts I listen and watch. Stayed tuned to Part 2 about Webcasts.

View My Online Portfolio : Contact Lawrence Kent : Follow me on Twitter : Be My Friend on Facebook

February 3, 2010

ProPhoto Blog Theme

I get asked at least a few times a week about my blog and who designed it and how it’s run. Now I could into to this long dissertation about WordPress on a Linux server and custom CSS and PHP code but usually 99% of the time I proudly tell them that the good folks over at ProPhoto Blogs designed the theme and appearance options and the people at WordPress designed the actual backend administration area.

I been using ProPhoto Blogs since version 1 and WordPress since version 1.5 (of something close to that). It’s the most stable, most flexible, most user-friendly system around.

So if you’re looking for a custom blog or blogsite, head on over to ProPhoto Blogs and get yourself a custom theme for WordPress. Use code LAWKEN334 during checkout to receive $10 off your purchase. Below is an overview of the theme ProPhoto offers. They even offer a 110% money back guarantee. Check it out!

ProPhoto 2.0 Blog from jared on Vimeo.

January 27, 2010

The Apple iPad

I’ll admit it. I am an Apple addict. I have an iMac, a MacBook, an iPhone, a sweet new Apple Magic Mouse, the sleek wired and wireless Apple keyboards and my kids both have iPod nanos. I love how they all work together. I love the smooth and modern look of everything.

Well today, Apple announced it’s next BIG thing. Their big spin on everything was that they wanted something to bridge the gap between the smartphone category (iPhone) and the laptop/desktop category (iMacs & MacBooks). The answer was the iPad (I don’t know if I care for the name to much). It’s such a revolutionary device/computer.

I’ve already begun to list things I want to use these for in my business as well as a personal life. A few things for the business are of course my entire portfolio for potential clients to view, a custom-designed price guide for them to look over. Then once they’ve decided on a wedding package, I can just open the wedding photography contract with the Pages app and draw up their contract on the spot and e-mail to them to print, sign and return. I could even take it one step further and take them right to my website and have them pay for their deposit.

This is just make everything so much easier, user-friendly and efficient. The iPad was announced today, but won’t be shipping until probably April 1, 2010.

You can click here to watch the keynote Steve Jobs gave and learn all about the iPad.

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View My Online Portfolio : Contact Lawrence Kent : Follow me on Twitter : Be My Friend on Facebook

January 27, 2010

Georgia Bridal Show 2010

Well, I’m finally feeling better and I have about 894 things on my to-do list, but first I wanted to show off my booth from this past Sunday’s bridal show at the Bell Auditorium. This was my first bridal show and I really didn’t show what to expect. I took the advice of fellow photographer, Dale Benfield, and went all out. The room was built as a room and invite potential clients in “the room” to chat about their wedding. The biggest and most important piece, I my mind was the couch. Everyone loved it. It gave them the opportunity to sit down, rest their feet, take their time looking at albums and talk longer about their wedding.

All and all it was a great day. Many thanks go out to my mom, my sister Amanda (who getting married in February), Ryan, Kyle and Joe. Without your help, there’s no way I could have done this. Here’s a few photos of the booth, which stayed packed all day.

If you missed me at this past Sunday’s bridal show, I’ll be at the Creme de la Cream bridal show this Saturday, January 30, 2010 from 5pm to 8pm at the Peter Knox Conference Center in Olde Town Augusta.

January 18, 2010

The Georgia Bridal Show

This coming Sunday I’ll be doing my first bridal show. The Georgia Bridal Show is coming to the Bell Auditorium on Sunday, January 24, 2010. The show is open from 12:30pm to 4:00pm. If you plan on coming or would like to come, you can click here to get a coupon from Elite Bridal Events.

I hope to see you. Elite Bridal Events has a short promo video you can see below.

Elite Bridal Events – Georgia Bridal Show from Balanced Video Solutions on Vimeo.

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