https://portraitmastery.com/insight

Portrait Mastery, 663 Victoria Street, Abbotsford (2026)

01/07/2022

THE "LURE" OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHY USING INSTAGRAM IS DILUTING YOUR WORK⁣
⁣
A self proclaimed "fashion – headshot photographer" booked in a call with me to see how I could help him increase his business. He has nearly 4000 followers on Instagram and he says that's his where he gets most of his work. ⁣
⁣
I said, so how much revenue are you making from a Instagram per month he said under $1000. ⁣
⁣
So I said to him "It doesn't matter whether you've got 50,000 followers on Instagram – followers or likes don't pay the bills or put food on your table!" ⁣
⁣
He had hundreds of posts – all headshot – half length photos of women. The work wasn't real "Fashion and it wasn't a Portrait!" All of his clients are single women just pretty headshots and he does most of the work for free. I didn't have the heart to even ask how many hours he spends per shoot on the editing of the photos which he gives freely to his clients! ⁣
⁣
I cut the call short because I don't have the energy to even try and explain the difference between a professional portrait photographer and a hobbyist. ⁣
⁣
He thinks his work is different and it's not! It's exactly the same as every other headshot photographer – "fashion photographer" using Instagram! ⁣
⁣
He represents the 60% I talk about. It won't be long before he will go out and get a real job! Then he can sell his SLR and just use his iPhone. And then just use his Instagram for what it was meant to sharing pretty pictures.⁣
⁣
Simon Barnes, a highly regarded professional fine art portrait and landscape photographer out of the UK talks about photographers need to get off Instagram. He points out that it's not viable any more for still photographers to be using that platform. "Reels' has taken over and video is a lot more attractive to the viewer. If you've seen one pretty girl half naked on Instagram you've seen them all! There's nothing unique or different or awesome about this stuff! And they don't have the money, more importantly! ⁣
⁣
So, what's the take away?⁣
⁣
I'm not going to explain it! Read between the lines and use Instagram as a container to show off your pretty pictures! But don't post your best work and continually dilute the value of your photography for the sake of a few likes!⁣
⁣
If you want to know a better way DM me jump on a call and let's strategise together!⁣
⁣
"Shift your mindset – change your outer world"⁣
⁣
Darren "Offering Solutions" Tilnak signing off⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣

16/06/2022

How to tune into your audience like a radio station⁣
⁣
When we look at marketing it doesn't really matter if you're selling relationships, exotic automobiles or exclusive high-end wall portraits! ⁣
⁣
The message in this post is that you always must start with the end in mind and then tune your frequency so that it resonates with your audience. ⁣
⁣
I'll give you a case in point!⁣
⁣
Recently I used this exact strategy on a dating app for one of my friends and decided to put this "tech" to the test. ⁣
⁣
We addressed who his audience was, you know – blonde, brunette, redhead, age, location, hobbies, vital statistics -haha, etc. Then we went to work! ⁣
⁣
We penned his profile, added "rockstar" photographs and tuned into THEIR frequency and was astonished at the response he achieved within only a few hours of him launching his profile live. ⁣
⁣
He told me that he was already getting some talent responding to his profile I thought to myself, "wow this stuff really works" – ha ha⁣
⁣
It's what I call your 'million-dollar message', and it is your marketing message to the perfect target audience.⁣
⁣
⁣
Let's unpack this sucker further shall we?⁣
⁣
If you were to go back through my posts what you'll notice is I continually keep talking about with any project or goal the very first thing you need to do is... ⁣
⁣
⁣
"Always start with the end in mind"⁣
⁣
I know, I know, this sounds elementary but as I'm coaching photographers, they seem to be very confused and uninformed about this very thing!⁣
⁣
⁣
So let's do the ABC's so that it's crystal in your mind – moving forward!⁣
⁣
Know this firstly! In order to craft the perfect content, you must understand your avatar completely. ⁣
⁣
Figuring out your avatar is the most crucial step, and once you have that, the second step is to allow your ideas to flow, seamlessly, to bring about the perfect content.⁣
⁣
If you don't get the first part right, It's like driving a car without a steering wheel. ⁣
⁣..And we all know that that's not going to end very well – you're going to crash and burn!⁣
⁣
So spend the time and work out what your perfect avatar looks like and where do they hang out? ⁣
⁣
From that point, it will be simple to get your word out that you are trying to say to your ideal client!⁣
⁣
Until we meet again⁣
⁣
Change your mindset – change your outer world⁣
⁣
Darren "The Million Dollar Message Man" Tilnak, signing off!

03/06/2022

TOO MUCH INFORMATION CAN ACTUALLY BE A BAD THING IF YOU ARE RUNNING A PORTRAIT STUDIO!⁣
⁣
⁣
Hey Facebook friends and colleagues.... Did you miss me?⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
I don't know about you but I am bombarded with information from all sides. It's overwhelming at times ⁣
⁣
Remember that information is only useful if it is transformed into knowledge!. ⁣
⁣
I wanted to point out the problem with "information overload" and the importance of taking action. ⁣
⁣
Let's also explore the difference between information and knowledge, and how you can use knowledge with some sort of support system in place to achieve your revenue goals in your portrait business.⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝⁣
One of the biggest dilemmas we face with information overload is that it can be overwhelming! I'm sure you've experienced that. However, you can choose to filter out the noise and focus on the information that is most relevant to you. That's part of the reason why I took a sabbatical in the last few months. It was time to take stock and do a summer – Winter clean and now I am laser focused!⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧⁣
Another problem with information overload is that it can cause us to feel paralysed and prevent us from taking action. You should take action and use the information you have to make progress towards your goals.⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞! 𝐒𝐨, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞?⁣
Information is data that has been collected but has not been interpreted or analysed. Knowledge is information that has been analyased thoroughly.You use knowledge to achieve your goals, rather than just information.⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬⁣
So how can you use information to achieve your goals? The first step is to filter out the noise and focus on the information that is most relevant to you. Once you have relevant information, you can use it to take action and make progress towards your goals. Remember that information is only useful if it is used to achieve your goals.⁣
⁣
In closing, information overload can be a problem but it is important to remember that you are in control of your life. ⁣
⁣
Remember that there is a difference between information and knowledge. Knowledge is potential power! I say potential because if you don't action the knowledge then it ends up just being information! Using and actioning your knowledge that helps achieve your goals.⁣
⁣
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 “𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭” - 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 “𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝗪𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝”⁣⁣⁣
⁣Soon to be your ⁣⁣⁣
Darren Tilnak⁣⁣⁣
PORTRAIT MASTERY

03/02/2022

⁣
CAN YOU REALLY PHOTOGRAPH YOUR PASSION AND STILL MAKE A HEALTHY PROFIT EVERY MONTH?⁣
⁣
What is the easiest way to find your ideal target market. It's a combo of passion and profit. Let me explain!⁣
⁣
I was talking to a photographer yesterday – a lovely guy from Colorado. He is an executive portrait, head-shot photographer. That is his specialty and may I say his work is very good.⁣
⁣
He's doing really well right now and happy with his business.⁣
⁣
However I couldn't help thinking to myself there is so much money left on the table.⁣
⁣
Speaking with him I was thinking to myself every attorney he photographs and every middle to upper management head-shot he takes, has other products that he could exploit.⁣
⁣
So you're probably asking what do I mean? Well, most high-powered executives have a family.⁣
⁣
Ha ha, I think you're already getting the gist of where I'm taking you with this!⁣
⁣
What if each one of these executives were offered some deal or "offer" whereby you could now photograph their family portrait. ⁣
⁣
If you are reading this post right now, would you take the opportunity to do that or not? I would love to know your thoughts on this. ⁣
⁣
I spoke to another photographer recently who "hated" the dads when it came to family portraits. She won't go near them with a barge pole. Me, I love them! They all become advocates for me.⁣
⁣
So of course the reason for this post is working out who your ideal target market is.⁣
⁣
As I said earlier, the #1 in photography is what is your passion?⁣
⁣
#2 what yields the highest average dollar sale? ⁣
⁣
There is a gamut of portraits to be taken. Let's start with headshot's, then editorial, then bo***ir, then newborns, then event portraits, not to mention fine art children's portraits and how about senior portraits and of course there's couples and families. ⁣
⁣
The list is nearly endless! Let's not even talk about, the genre of portrait you are going to take. ⁣
Or how you want to finish off the portrait in terms of modality whether it's black-and-white or high colour or high noise, etc. ⁣
⁣
There is so much fun to be had and so much money to be made in the portrait space if you only work out a couple key areas that is paramount! ⁣
⁣
Now I have touched on these before but the first thing is who is your ideal client? ⁣
Then, is it going to pay you handsomely for your work? For instance why would you do a mini shoot, be rushed for the next one then spend the next few days editing files for pittance? ⁣
⁣
Of course I'm talking photography and specifically portrait photography but the same rules would mostly apply to every type of business and every type of genre within the business also.⁣
⁣
What is your passion? What yields the highest profit? Do they tick both boxes?⁣
⁣
I'd love to know your thoughts on this as it evokes a Plethora of viewpoints and emotions!⁣
⁣
Let's crush 2022 together…⁣
⁣
Shift your mindset! – Change your outer world!⁣⁣⁣
Darren Tilnak⁣⁣
PORTRAIT MASTERY⁣

18/01/2022

What’s Your Struggle? Revenue? I Have Overcome that! Let Me Share My
Journey With You.

I've been getting some incredible feedback from my last post. Mostly positive but there was a negative comment that I wanted to address today.
Someone said...

"Yeah but, you're a great photographer and so it's easy for you to pull $2000 per shoot every time. Your talented and it's no effort for you! I'm in a totally different situation!"

What do you need to understand is I wasn't always on the top of my game!

My humble beginnings were just the same as everybody else's – back in the 70s. In fact maybe even more humble than most, particularly in this new digital age where everything is handed on a silver platter to photographers!

Let's see whether there's a "Roadmap" to my success, shall we?
When I first started out in photography, I bought the best quality camera I could at the time. I couldn't afford a Nikon, so I bought myself a secondhand Nikkormat. I think I've still got it somewhere.

So I had probably an inferior camera than most photographers.
I had less experience and know-how, than most photographers.
I probably had less time than most photographers because I was working two unskilled jobs. Both jobs were working in factories – Spraypainting.

… No I won't spray your car, not for all the Crypto, invested in crypto.com!

So the question is, what fast tracked my success to becoming firstly, a professional photographer - part time – then full-time and finally becoming the youngest master photographer in Australia at the time? Then, becoming a studio owner – and creating a multi six-figure business that has given me a great lifestyle!

Here is the roadmap, in it's simplest form!

1. I found a mentor, who helped me shape my mind and my future as a professional photographer. So I worked on my mind on a daily basis by doing a visualisation which had a huge impact on my mindset.

2. I created a photographic system. I began to write a journal of every shot that I took in my early days and created a shooting formula. Then I bought the best books on the best photographers and aspired to shoot just like them.

3. I started producing a high quality portfolio that got me the best paying jobs in the industry and then I became a manager of one of the most successful studios in Melbourne – then I bought the business off the studio owner!

It was a struggle, every day working on myself – my mind – my systems, my photography but eventually it paid off. After receiving my masters, I turn my attention to my client and realised that they are the ones that are the true barometer when it comes to the quality of your work!

I don't need awards

I don't need recognition

I don't need my peers telling me how good my work is

What I need is to be paid handsomely ( serious coin ) for what I create!

I create high value – high end "Lifestyle Portraits" and I expect to be paid in direct proportion to the value that I bring to my client and the difficulty in having someone else replace me!

If this resonates with you in any way shape or form, reach out say hi and let me know how you're fairing. Don't be part of that 60% that I talked about last post, where you end up being like "Tumbleweed" from a spaghetti Western where Clint Eastwood shoots of s**t out of everything and you just disintegrate in the wind!

Now is the time to act, like your livelihood depends on it! Because it does!

18/01/2022

60% OF ALL "PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS" THAT SHOOT AND BURN WILL END UP BURNING OUT, BARELY MAKING ANY MONEY!⁣⁣
It’s a downward spiral! ⁣⁣
⁣⁣There is always 20% of photographers at the top who actually crush it, and the other 20% at the bottom, also doing pretty well. However, the rest try to survive doing what they love to do, but can hardly pay the bills.
I sincerely hope that you are not in that middle sector that does represent the 60% of photographers.
Closer to home, here in Australia, the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers (AIPP) has shut its doors. Part of the reason is the other 60% of photographers here in the country wouldn't or couldn't even pay the measly $300 a year subscription. Every lab now asks for payment upfront before they even go to print to make sure they get their money.
I mentioned earlier it's a downward spiral, and it is!
It is sad to think that someone that is passionate about photography, doesn't even take the time to learn how to light and compose a portrait properly.

But that's just the start!
They never learn about having the right "MINDSET"
They never learn about having the right "SYSTEMS"
They never learn about how to become an "AUTHORITY"
If you are a portrait photographer reading this right now, do you have these three key areas in check?
Most of the new-age photographers I have been speaking to from around this spinning planet, don’t. The sad thing is that they won't be around in 12 months from now, because they didn't learn the most important parts of running a successful, thriving and award-winning portrait studio.

However, on a positive note, this morning I had our weekly zoom call with one of my team in the united states and we were talking about our consulting program that I am revamping at the moment. When showing him this, Michael turned around and said, "wow it's like a business in a box!"
That's exactly what it is!
⁣⁣If you’re a wedding or portrait photographer earning between $3k/month and $5k/month⁣⁣, working your arse off, hear this!

I will double your monthly sales within 90 days of you working with me, without going into overwhelm or burnout! But also hear this! I won't work with just anyone!
I'm only interested in inviting – committed photographers that want to put in the work and learn a system that is going to generate minimum $10K/month every month for the rest of their natural life. From there you can just scale it to $30K/month or beyond!
⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
PS: I am opening up my diary now to Portrait photographers in both the United States and United Kingdom. In mid February, there's only going to be a couple spots available to go through the program with me. If you want a clear path, to producing high-quality – high value portrait photography and earn 2K per shoot, there's never been a better time. But you need to act now to make sure I will be available.
Direct message me today and I'll send you an invite to a 15 minute to chat, where I will show you what I'm talking about and see whether we are going to be a good fit!

Change your “Mindset” - Change your “Outer World”⁣
⁣Soon to be your ⁣ in 2022
Darren Tilnak⁣
PORTRAIT MASTERY

⁣⁣

Portrait Mastery

01/07/2022

16/06/2022

03/06/2022

03/02/2022

18/01/2022

18/01/2022

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category