As photographers we have to embrace the creative bug at every little opportunity.

As new media social networking digital photographers we also need to learn to use the networks that we have for helping these creative bugs along.

Sometimes the hardest part is recognizing a photograph, series, story, whatever, even when it’s staring right at you in the face.

These ideas can be BIG or they can be small.

The big ones can fizzle out and disappoint and that can be really frustrating.

The small ones can ripple, then bounce around a bit, gain a little traction, and the next thing you know you’re riding a wave of creativity or production or success!

Here’s a quick example:

A few minutes ago I was perusing through Amazon adding books to my Amazon Wish List (BTW there are over 780 and counting items on my list) and I was wondering if there were any really great photo books that I’ve missed.

So I asked on Twitter if there were any photo book recommendations.

Even in the middle of the night I got some really great responses.

I had missed some great looking photo books that are going to be emptying my pockets soon.

What’s more?  It gave me an idea to share some of these findings with the readers at the Your Photo Tips website.  You know…something to inspire creativity.

Small thought.  Little tweet.  Some great responses from twitter followers and all of a sudden I’ve got an interesting blog post idea.

The people that offered suggestions are going to get their twitter account linked to and perhaps gain a few followers.

It’s all about spreading the love.

So I thought I’d offer you guys and gals the same opportunity.  I’ll also be posting this on Buzz to see what else we get for recommendations.

Send me a photo book recommendation (NOT instructional) and if I like it I’ll share it with the readers.  Of course I’ll also link to your twitter/website/blog/whatever so you’ll maybe get a few followers/readers/viewers as well.

Spreading the love.

BTW – If you have a photo book of your work and you’d like to plug it you can send that one as well.

Send it to damien[at]yourphotopromo[dot]com with “Photo Book” in the subject line and don’t forget to let me know what profile/website/blog of yours you want me to link to.

Deadline is Wednesday March 3rd Midnight PST.

The latest buzz in the social networking area is all about Google Buzz.  After playing with Google Buzz as a photographer for a while and looking at quite a few other’s reviews on Google Buzz there are some things to consider for photographers.

So what is Google Buzz?

If you’re familiar with FriendFeed you’ll see that Buzz isn’t much different.  It aggregates your content, allows you to share things from around the web, participate in open conversations, and connect with like minded individuals.  While Buzz is still in it’s infancy it holds one major advantage over FriendFeed.  It’s from Google.  That means that while FriendFeed may have pioneered this type of social networking platform, the footprint and reach that Google has will make Buzz the next giant in social networking regardless of the security issues and complaints (they’re wrong BTW) or how buggy and cumbersome it may be right out the gate.

Do you need to use Google Buzz as a photographer?

I think it depends.  While Buzz is a great tool for discovering new content from those you connect with and follow it can be a time killer.  This is, of course, something you have to consider when you join any social networking platform.  It’s all about your return on investment.

Who are you marketing to?  What are your goals?

If you focus your goals on local clients/businesses then Buzz may not actually be that beneficial yet.  It’s unlikely that you’ll find instant returns from Buzz because most people don’t know what to do with it.  If you’re business of photography networking scheme is based on garnering more incoming links and driving traffic to your website then I think Buzz is a great tool to add to your arsenal.

Right now Buzz is filled with great photographers crushing it in the social networking world.  You’ll find some familiar names to connect with and follow.  People like Shawn Duffy, Thomas Hawk, Trey Ratcliff and Jim Goldstein are all on Buzz and they are participating in conversations and sharing great photography content from all over the web.

So while we’re all trying to find out exactly how Buzz is best for our photography businesses it’s good to get connected with the early movers and shakers in the industry.  Social networking is still all about connecting.  Getting involved in the conversations is important because it puts your name and brand in front of the types of people that can push your content in front of bigger audiences.

It’s the early adopters that will get the most benefit from new platforms.  Especially when one of them is coming from a giant like Google.

My advice is to get your buzz on.  You probably don’t want to be left out of this one.

How am I using Buzz?

Right now I’m sharing photography articles and interesting things that get sent to my Google Reader.  I jump in on conversations when I have time and they interest me.  I’m using the “like” feature to push other people’s content up and I’m observing how other photographers and social media movers are using the network.

Let’s connect!

If you want to connect with me on Buzz here’s where you can find my profile.

Now you can put your Google Buzz profile in the comments and we’ll all follow each other as photographers and see what all the Buzz is all about.

Promo opportunity

Just wanted to throw out a quick art photographer promo opportunity I found and a few articles worth looking into.

International Print Center New York – New Prints Program
Deadline: March 5, 2010

International Print Center New York is pleased to announce a call for submissions of newly created artists’ prints to be considered for exhibition in the NEW PRINTS Spring exhibition opening in May 2010.  In keeping with our mission to promote the greater appreciation and understanding of the fine art print, IPCNY presents a selection of new prints four times per year.  Read the rest at Artist Marketing Salon.

How To: Sell Art on Facebook, Twitter, Digg, and more

Take Action! Don’t just read. Do!

Quick Tip: There’s no substitute for Quality!

Until next time…keep shooting and keep promoting!

I believe books are probably one of the most under-utilized tools/resources that ANY photographer can use to get their business to the next level.  This is especially true when we consider YOU.

Yes…I’m talking to you Mr./Mrs./Ms. photographer who is bouncing all around the web looking for content to read and ponder.

Yes this is a blog.  Yes we talk about social media and the internet and all information can be found online…but books…books, I think, are still special for a number of reasons.

• Sitting down with a book offers more undivided attention to what it is you are actually reading.  Not being attached to your computer is a good thing.  This means you’re most likely to actually absorb what the author has written and not get distracted by the pinging of your email.
• Books can take you from the beginning to the end of a subject matter in a more cohesive and concise manner.  Blogs and websites (including every single one I own and run) tend to jump around due to topic changes and newness of subject or topical shifts in niche.
• Reading books will increase your own vocabulary and make you a better writer.  News Flash: Being a social media photographer will require you to write more than ever before as you add content to your blog/forum/facebook/twitter etc.
• Reading multiple books by varying authors on the same subject will help you gain a better grasp of the knowledge in that niche.  This is true because every writer has his/her own style and every reader learns in different ways.

Here’s the part where I suggest some books for you to read and why.  I believe that every single one of these books will help you, in one way or another, become more successful in your photography business online as well as off-line.

Think and Grow Rich – If I were to give you just one book to read ever…it would be this one. It’s the foundation of every self help, success, business, leadership, etc book that has come out since 1937. Napoleon Hill, with an introductory letter from Andrew Carnegie, set out to interview over five hundred successful people including Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, John D. Rockefeller, George Eastman, William Wrigley Jr. and Charles M. Schwab.  Two decades of interviews reveal several commonalities amongst all of these people.  You’ll have to pick up the book to find out what they are and how you can implement them.

Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion – From social media guru Gary Vaynerchuck it’s a quick read with tons of insight sure to get you off your butt and back on the computer or behind your camera. It’s current, it’s quick, and it will specifically deal with what a photographer, in today’s marketing online world, can do to increase exposure and broaden your brand.

Purple Cow, New Edition: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable – It was really hard to pick just one Seth Godin book. I’ve read almost every one of his books and could easily recommend them all but I’m going with Purple Cow because Seth really delves into the whys of being remarkable and how that can really set you apart. In the online world where noise is only getting louder we need to do our best to set ourselves apart form the herd.

Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur – Those of you not familiar with Sir Richard Branson may not know that Virgin is actually a group of small businesses. Photographers would do well to know how one of the most, if not THE most successful “small businessman” in the world, thinks about business, life, and everything else.

Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity – Hugh MacLeod is an artist living in West Texas who’s been killing it online since blogging was a baby. His success and ideas are brash, concise, and will make you think about who you are as an artist. Hugh’s blog gets over 1.5 million views a month and Seth Godin gives him 5 stars while stating “Hugh will change you (for the better)”. I can honestly say that Seth is 100% correct.

Sometimes we have to reach outside our own realms to get fresh ideas.  None of these books are about photography yet I would argue that every photographer would do well to read them all.

What are your favorite books on success, business, marketing, leadership, etc?