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!
