Elevation Photos Blog

What Are We Waiting For? #PDN #TOGS #photography #pictures

I've been talking about Smart Tagging photos for years!  Literally years I've been saying that the power of the image is hidden in the MetaData and the image sells itself!

There are a multitude of apps and products that allow consumers to tag whatever image they take but very few that allow the photo taker to earn money.  It's getting a little better for agencies but for everyday folks not so much,

I'm always hesitant  (although I do it now and again) to upload cell phone pics to CNN or some local news channel with images.  They get it for free and most joes just want to see their name on a screen for 3 seconds!  Yes, you can sign up with Deomtix or other citizen journalist mobile enabling licensing site but good remembering to do that. It's not that auotmatic.

Eventually, users will be able (via Facebook, Google +, Twitter) to real time track their image uploads and literally see if anyone has picked it up, whichm in turn, creates an equitable return on the users investment, time and know how to do just that.

No longer will we need the agency to represent what everyone sees everyday. All of a sudden micropayments become accessible and everyone profits just the same. It's a jackpot when that image scales to "Susan Boyle AKA X Factor" proportions. They are few and far between moments but why can't that happen instantly.  That day is coming I guarantee it.

In the meantime, the image driven world we live in ( let's face it, the Daily Beast, Business Insider, HuffPo, Etc.) online creates the user to delve more to that story and helps it gain life and gravitate to more users.  Most of them cheap tricks to engage the users and drive more traffic to what is probably a boring story but you get my point.

So what we are waiting for is actually here but now it's time for content craving platforms to figure out a better way to pay and reward those who share what they see!

 

 

The Image As The Focal Point For Social Media #instagram #gettyimages #facebook #PDN #togs #outfrontcnn

Now that Facebook has acquired Instagram for $1billion dollars no one can ever argue against the relevance that the photograph or image now represents as the central point in social media. If you look at Pinterest, Newser, Stipple and Luminate ( formerly known as Pixazza) these are all applications applied to or driven by the image as the force behind the message. 

Pundits will argue that Instagram hasn't produced a dime in revenue but to be honest that's not what matters ..at the moment. For now, Facebook realized that eyeballs were being drawn away from its platform on to Instagrams beautiful, yet elegant and simple easy to use platform that allows its users to harken back to the days of vintage or classic or just plain everyday life viewed by the all important user. Couple that x 20, 30, 40 million users and now introduced to Android users and boom you have an instant competitor in your space. The mere fact that Instagram was only formed in 2010 and currently has about 30 emloyees ( maybe even less) is mind blowing and is a case against large social media companies with tons of overhead but nothing to scale!  Instagram has scaled, with less people and was able to hone its product and message into a billion dollars! 

Sure, there are competitors but as Google + is showing, once a social media platform ( like Facebook) gravitates and takes hold of the user/consumer it's very, very difficult for another one to move in to its space.  As Roger Mcnamee from MoonAlice ( prime partner in Elevation Partners) said the other day, for him to hand over his mobile number to Google + doesn't seem like a fair trade since he doesn't know what he'll get in return and he's already vested his social presence with that of Facebook. Which is more than enough for people in the 25-40 year old demographic to share with the world. 

The same can be said about Instagram's competitors.  Companies can try but the space has now closed and you'll be lucky to even get your name in the door with this idea. As I mentioned, monetizing people's personal photos, styles and uploads can prove difficult but I told my wife the other day you're always happy to hand over your CVS or Vons or "said" store rewards card before every purchase which is the ultimate companie's item tracker, trends and frequency behind your sales. So, my point is once you've uploaded a personal photo with some sort of tracked item who knows where it will go and how far companies will try to market your tastes!  

Today's move by Facebook is a positive sign for the image business. Yes, photographers , agencies and the rights questions continue to concern many professionals in the business but i've always believed that once the image is liberated and allowed to circulate on the web, go viral and the Facebooks/Instagrams of the world are able to monetize and circle back these digital dimes to real photo users the sky is truly the limit. 

The next step for Facebook will be to internalise search functionalities ( if only to compete with Google) so that users will never have a reason to leave its platforms the landscape of search will forever be changed. Trust me they will announce that sooner rather than later.  And so the image in this search field will only promote the importance and pinpoint the relevance of images that much further.  

Imagine searching for an image via Facebook, sharing it via instagram and companies making pennies of the search, the image and the user!  A company like Getty Images would be a perfect fit to fill the search , match the query and find relevance with the user to share and link back to!

First things first though, I need to download Instagram for my Android! 

Photo Biz Trending Today

Here are some interesting stories trending in the Photo Biz today I wanted to share;

 

1) F Stoppers posted this the other day and it doesn't shock me at all

http://fstoppers.com/shocking-getty-licenses-nick-laham-photographs-of-ny-yankees-taken-with-iphone

This is the business, this is the future and this is a wake up call to everyone who thinks the mobile camera movement is a fad.

2) Corbis Launches Greenlight Music to compete with Getty Music

Smart move for Corbis to enter music licensing biz with Greenlight http://bit.ly/1Q9yW

3) PhotoShelter Founder's post on " I Love Photography" is really awesome and I can't get enough of it..it's trending all over

http://www.wired.com/rawfile/2012/02/rant-i-love-photography/

4) August partners with France Based MODDS ( Love their work google them)

There's a ton more but wanted to share that with you....keep moving and working...

 

 

2012 Independent Spirit Awards

It was a breeze, sunny day yesterday for this year's 2012 Spirit Awards down in Santa Monica. It's a laid back, informal award show that has kept its low key tradition for a long, long time

 

Although, over the years it's been more and more supported by corporate America such as Audi, Stella Artois and various other gifting sponsors who the public don't see behind the walls of the awards backstage. 

Elevation Photos has been covering the award show since its inception in January 2008 and am proud every year of the work we produce.  And the fact that it's 10 blocks from the offices makes it that much better.  A little local knowledge goes a long, long way!

Photographer Chaz Niel from D.C. came out here to shoot this and tonight's Vanity Fair party for Elevation Photos!  Great guy, great shooter and you should follow him on Twitter @chazniell  

So, without further ado here are some images from the arrivals yesterday from Chaz Niell/Elevation Photos ( All photos below are Chaz Niell/Elevation Photos)

Kate Beckinsale ( Santa Monica Resident!) showing the Toga look! 

 

Not sure Rashida Jones was here but she looked great in this piece! 

Elisabeth Olsen looking chic on the carpet 

Michelle Williams holding a Catcher in The Rye pocket book...nice! 

Lastly, Zac Efron showing the shaggy , woke out of bed look 

JEREMY LIN ..for now #NYKnicks #NBA #ballers #espn #outfrontcnn

I'll get in to Linsanity over the weekend but in the meantime, good article by Time Magazine's Sean Gregory about how Linsanity is changing hoops culture!

As a hoops junkie, Asian American I know exactly what this guy is talking about

"But Lin’s impact is most personal, and most satisfying, among a subset of Asian Americans: those who, like Lin, grew up with a true passion for basketball, but are often stereotyped on playgrounds, in pick-up gyms or in rec leagues as guys who can’t really play the game. Now that one of their own, Lin, has made the NBA – he’s not only Asian-American, but a guard, and not a seven-footer like Yao Ming — these Asian Americans hope that Lin can change views in a place where race or ethnicity has always affected behavior and mindset: the basketball court."

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/02/16/asian-american-inspiration-how-jeremy-lin-is-changing-hoops-culture/#ixzz1mYp0KWQk

 

 

 

http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/02/16/asian-american-inspiration-how-jeremy-lin-is-changing-hoops-culture/

The Maturation Of Facebook #facebook #IPO #CNBC #PDN #Togs #outfrontCNN

I enjoyed this article in TIME Magazine about "Why Facbook's IPO Matters" by Time Magazine writer Sam Gustin

"Facebook’s success demonstrates the power of the Internet as a force for social connection and, over the last few years, for social and political change. This new power has three main features: it’s democratic, because everyone in the free world has access to the same internet; it’s meritocratic, because success on this platform is a function of the power of one’s ideas, not traditional categories of wealth or class; and it’s viral, because the web enables good ideas to spread at light-speed and reach millions. The democratic, meritocratic, and viral nature of the web has shaken existing power structures worldwide, so it’s not surprising that repressive regimes have responded by trying to crack down on web activity in order to clamp down on dissent. This push-and-pull between old-world, legacy power structures and upstart digital communities will continue for some time, but if you believe the digital idealists — and Zuckerberg clearly is one — history is on their side."

Read more: http://business.time.com/2012/02/02/why-facebooks-ipo-matters/#ixzz1lF186ONc

Finding Opportunity In A Crowded Marketplace #PDN #togs #photog #photographer #smallbusiness

The Photo Industry, more than ever, has become a challenging space for independent agencies, studios and photographers to make a living. Aside from what some may view as negative impacts of companies such as Getty and Corbis on the industry, the fact remains that with the implosion of mobile and tablet devices, the relevance of the image has become that much more prevalent in today's media landscape. 

Along with the image, the rapid accelerration of multi-media , HD Video and citizen journalism ( whatever that means) have all impacted the professionals in the industry. While I agree that these new mediums and methods of expanding the media message are a natural evolution of change in any media driven society, I often disagree with the creators of these mediums and how they often times de-value their work by lowering their price point.  

I saw an interview the other day with the former CEO of Jet Blue, David Neeleman (who similar to Steve Jobs was fired from the company he started only to re-lauch AZULE down in Brazil), and he said that in any business one starts you'll always win customers on servicing them best in class while lowering price points to make you competitive. As customers do, they will come in droves and flock to that service. 

Now if you take that analogy and apply it to the photo industry, you'll see that theory sometimes does not equate with reality. Many, many times I have heard from my clients ( and photographers) that although large company A offers great pricing ( the lowest price point) they have lousy customer service. On the flip side, some clients have said that large company A loves their rep but found that the lowerst price point doesn't necessarily mean the price doesn't increase with some value added options that enhance the service and make it that much more serviceable. And there, my friends, are the riders ( similar to airlines) that can make a promising price inflate due to extra baggage. 

This is just one example of what many of us in the industry are up against. It's the reason why, perhaps, some of us have been able to navigate the last few years all the while maintaining excellent customer service and maintaining a respectable price point for that service.  I believe it's why, here in LA, a place like In-and-Out will always be successful, maintain its independance and not cower in the shadow of McDonald's for example. You can never count out customer loyalty that is a priceless bellwether for any succesful company.

So, finding oppotunity in a crowded marketplace has its challenges but the rewards will be well worth it. The thing about opportunities, they are always there right in front of you most of the time. I think the rep or the agency or the company that wants it the most will usually be succesful in obtaining it. The most critical thing about opportunity is that once you get the chance you should try your hardest to not blow your opportunity for a second one! 

 

 

Photographer Eve Arnold Dies

Rest In Peace Eve Arnold http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/news/Photographer-Eve-Arn-4283.shtml

The Photo Industry In 2012 #togs #photographer #PDN #photo #apple

Happy New Year! 

The first resolution I have is to get back to blogging more than I did in 2011!  I forgot how much I enjoy sharing my toughts on everything ( not just the Photo Industry) with my customers and people who have continually come back to my blog.  For that I thank you!

Over the holiday, I read the Steve Jobs biography by Walter Issacson and thouroughly enjoyed it. Not only was it insightful but it also crafted how a genius like Steve Jobs grew his business, lost it and came back to grow it to what it is today.  The recent passing away of  Steve Jobs was not only a sad day for the Tech community but also for society as a whole.  Because not only did his contributions over time change the landscape of how we live and communicate within our society but more importantly, it changed how we treat technology and how we have learned to live with it. The Iphone, the ultimate manisfestation of the genius of Steve Jobs, is just one part of a series of amazing products Apple allowed the world to be part of.  While not being an engineer himself, what he did engineer at Apple was a brilliant marketing campaign that not only captured the hearts and souls of Apple's loyal followers but also that of the everyday consumer around the world. Apple's products, from what I've gathered from the book, have  always been carefully crafted and poured over by Steve Jobs to the tenth degree. At times, it drove his team mad and out the door but in the end he knew what the consumers wanted and was not about to settle for less.  Just like Michael Jordan, in my opinion, mastered the art of Basketball, Steve Jobs will forever be the master of high quality, desired consumer technolgical products backed up by brilliant showmanship and marketing! 

It was very interesting to read recently that Steve Jobs had big plans for photography so on that note it will be interesting to see what photo products Apple will come out with over the next few years. Now that Kodak declared bankruptcy the other day ( no surprise there) will Apple lead the charge to the everyday consumer on images, photos and photo sharing? I wouldn't bet against it that's for sure. 

2011 for the photo industry wasn't much of a bang. Other than Corbis buying Splash ( really? ) and a few other mergers and acquisitions while other small agencies closing their doors, 2011 proved nothing too exciting. 

The Photo business in 2012 will be interesting to watch. I believe that the industry will go two ways; more consolidation among the big agencies, more breakout boutique agencies specializing in particular work while partnering with other bouitques to offer more for their clients. New pricing points that will be innovative and linked back to social media, online platoforms that I believe will benefit the content creators. 

I also believe that more traditional print magazines will increase their digital photo spend in order to have more to offer their readers and subsrciber base. Whether that's in custom assignment shoots ( i.e more photo galleries) or video /photo montages that more and more assignment photographers are engaging with. In the end, while there is more and more content, clients who want to seperate themselves with the rest of the pack will spend more to be unique and therefore high end quality assignment work will increase by leaps and bounds. 

The industry, now more than ever, is at a critical junction.  The drastic price drop these last few years for traditional licensing and to some extent editorial assignment work has dropped a bomb on a lot of photographers in the industry.  Times have been difficult for editorial shooters and hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel. True, editorial photographers will be shooting more for less, spending more time for less money while equipment and costs continue to rise. So, I always recommend to photographers to not spread themselves thin, continue to grow your portfolio, create a professional website and take jobs that are out of ones comfort zone. It will only help ones professional growth and diversity! 

As for Elevation Photos, I'm looking to make radical changes to the website by the 1st of February that will highlight more of my assignment work. I think this is the path that has always led the way for my agency and 2012 is looking stronger than ever in terms of working with Fortune 1000 media companies to deliver the images they want to represent their company and products! So, look for that change and I'll be sure to update everyone on the status of that. I am excited and re-invigoratted for 2012.  

So, be healthy, safe and prosperours this year!  Let's make this happen....

 

 

Four Score And Many Economies Ago! Happy 4th Birthday Elevation #PDN#Photographers#togs#photogs

Elevation Photos turned 4 years old last week and  I almost forgot about that epic milestone. So, Happy Birthday!

So, without boring you with another long, winded story it's better to just highlight some key moments that I can remember these last 4 yeears in no paticular order;

-Elevation landed its first ever image in Life & Style a week after it launched. I rememeber calling my Mom from some Barnes and Noble like a kid calling their mom saying they've hit their first home run! 

-Exactly a year to that day, Elevation landed its first ever cover ( Kim Kardashian) on Life and Style.  When I called my mom this time she said, "who's that?

-The first Oscar arrivals Elevation ever covered I remember pulling over on the side of a highway and seeing an image of Seal from the Oscars and pumping my fist in excitment!  It's like the unknown swimsuit desinger landing a spread on a model in the Swimsuit Edition for SI minus the sex factor more about the credibility! ..Again Mom said, "Who's that?"

-Just last week, Elevation re-connected with a major retailer clothing store and knocked out 2 city openings complete with Photography and sizzle reels for both events.  I've never been prouder and more satisfied in this company.  Little Engines can survive in this economy based on hard work, persevearance and believing that not everyone needs to work for the 1%! ...I didn't call Mom about this but I know she be proud!

-Halle Berry, leopard tight dress...Elevation's first Page Six NYPOST appearance! Now that was sexy!   I told my brother about that one this time around!

-The Germans..I can't thank these folks enough because whenever these image agents come to town they buy fancy drinks, pick a hollywood hangout and get you wasted , make funny jokes and ogle at every butchered up girl this town has to offer. And when Elevation used to be in the image licensing business Das Germans would be so prompt and detailed it was all worth the while!  

-Elevation's assignment business has had its peaks and valleys these last four years with 2009 being the edge of the cliff but certainly bouncing back in 2011 to pre-depressed industry standards.  So, if that's a barometer of success it's a real one because business has ticked up this year and clients are willing to pay for a valuable sercice that offers a formidable, competitive offering. 

-Corporate clients have driven Elevation Photos assignment business with less emphasis on editorial based assignments with an occassional major magazine hire now and again. I've learned that while the initial idea was to base busines off of the entertainment space, many opportunities in the assignment business can and has ranged in other areas that have paid just the same if not more. 

-If Elevation is the brand, it's been the advances in technology and social media that have been the engine that has helped drive the brand. Running an agency can be cost-effective and instead of hiring a PR guru to market your brand one can find free tools to help you do just that.  If you're smart, saavy and have a good command of the English language you're on your way.  I'm the best adovcate for the Elevation Photos brand and I've paid no one to help spread the message.

With all this in mind ( and there are so many more things I can post but I'll spare you), I have no regrets on ever launching my agency four years ago. The best advice I've ever gotten was from one of my short-lived bosses at Getty Images who had since left but I sought him out when I wanted to leave.  His advice was that have all your ducks in order and when you're ready to launch leave on that Friday and be up and running the following Monday as if nothing ever changed. 

The best thing about that Monday morning was I was so nervous, excited and eager to see the first event ever to be posted on the site and when I went to look...the site was BLANK!  ( minor technology glitch that was easily corrected) ...And from that minute on I knew I was in business for better or for worse!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELEVATION PHOTOS!