I see the Druids are celebrating the sun at Stonehenge, but Down South 21 June is the shortest day. Not that we have much to complain about. We don't even get frosts in Titirangi (loosely "fringe of heaven" in Maori) but it's sure cold in the wind and shade. Early morning I rugged up and took the dogs down to the beach and thought that, even when the tide's out on an overcast day in Winter, life's not too bad. Hopefully it's the shortest day for the economy too. The worst of Winter may still be ahead – the moneymen (and some of us) screwed up, and the consequences are still playing out ... but To View More >>

.. that you are selling to? I read Ian's post yesterday and thought he had some really good points, but I wanted to add to the discussion by drilling down another layer to ask, "Who is the man you are selling to?" Here are a few possibilities and I am sure you are easily able to add more (so feel free to contribute your thoughts): 1 The besot - hopelessly in love and a cinch for a big album. 2 The control freak - Needs to believe that they have choices. The choices empower them and allow them to "own the outcome". 3 The accountant - The value of the album is a number: that value equates to a certain To View More >>

Customer service edicts state that the customer is always right. Sometimes we disagree ... out of self defense. We don't like the implication that because the customer is right then we must be wrong. We defend our innocence and integrity!  Step back for a moment. There is a principle in Tai Chi that states that you can use your adversary's energy on themselves. Imagine saying the customer is always right. If you stop defending yourself and ask the client for a realistic solution to their own problem (a solution that, if they were you, they would see as fair)  you move away from being wrong To View More >>

There are times as photographers that we get approached by people to do a favour for them. Sometimes it is to talk at a photographic society, sometimes it is a request for help. We are happy to help people but we tell them that we work on the Genie Principle. We don't mind helping, but we don't like to be taken advantage of. We tell people that they have three wishes - only three. We remind them that they need to use those wishes well. Cheers, Johannes To View More >>