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Retainers Revisited: Create a Base Clientele

Retainers Rock, Dudes and DudettesWhy Retainers Might Be the Smartest Play in Your Photography Business Let’s be real: one-off gigs are exhausting. You pitch, you shoot, you deliver, and then… you start all over again. There’s no rhythm. No predictability. Just a...

Is Your Portfolio Ready for Tomorrow’s Meeting?

Is Your Portfolio Ready for Tomorrow's Meeting?Building a Market-Ready Portfolio A portfolio isn’t a scrapbook. It’s not a memory wall or a “greatest hits” reel. It’s your visual sales tool—the clearest expression of what you do, how you think, and why someone should...

Make The Shift… the Mindset Shift

From Passion to Professional: The Real ShiftFrom Passion to Professional: The Real Shift Most photographers start with a burning passion. The love of light, the joy of creating, the thrill of capturing something beautiful. Passion gets you in the game. But let’s be...

Stop Being the Best Photographer No One Knows About

Stop Being the Best Photographer No One Knows AboutThere was a time — maybe 10, 15 years ago — when having a solid portfolio and being a decent human being got you work. Word-of-mouth. A few referrals. Maybe a feature in PDN if you were lucky. That time is over, gone,...

Stop Fearing Failure: Be Terrified of Regret.

Stop Fearing Failure - Be Terrified of Regret.Failure Sucks Less Than Regret. There’s a quote I heard recently that nailed a truth I’ve been preaching for years:"Stop fearing failure, but be terrified of regret." Many of the photographers I work with—especially those...

CREATE A “DREAM FIFTY” FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT

DO YOU HAVE A DREAM 50?Create a “Dream Fifty” for maximum clarity and impact. Dream-50 If your marketing plan is sorta like “post some stuff and hope for the best”, well… You’re not alone. But you’re also not in control. Drumroll please! Enter the Dream 50 List — a...

IF CLIENTS CAN’T FIND YOU, IT’S NOT THEIR FAULT

IF CLIENTS CAN'T FIND YOU, IT'S NOT THEIR FAULTSEO is no longer enough.AI search has changed that game forever. We're entering a new stage of AI-driven search, and having a well-crafted landing page is no longer optional—it’s essential. Tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity,...

BUSINESS: SEO IN THE AGE OF AI

SEO IN THE AGE OF AI: CHANGES ARE COMINGWhy SEO Is So Tough for Photographers (And What to Do About It) If you’re a photographer trying to get your website to rank on Google, you’ve probably noticed it’s a lot harder than it sounds. Your site might look gorgeous—full...

PITCHING EDITORIAL CLIENTS

Pitching Editorial ClientsIdeas and strategies for today's photographers.Summary This document explains how to pitch a photo story to a magazine or publication. The author, Don Giannatti, advises photographers to research the publication, understand their style, and...
HOW TO WIN AT EVERY CLIENT MEETING EVER

HOW TO WIN AT EVERY CLIENT MEETING EVER

How many of us get sweaty palms, stomach churning, and anxiety pains when we are going out to meet a potential client for the first time?It can be a real cause for high blood pressure and stress.It doesn't have to be that way.At all.I think a lot of it can...

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WITH DELIBERATE DELIBERATENESS

WITH DELIBERATE DELIBERATENESS

Sounds like a word game, eh? Deliberate Deliberateness. What does it mean? It means you are deliberate in being deliberate. Nothing is left to chance. Nothing is left unexplored. Commitment to the extraordinary is a deliberate choice. And being...

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FOCUS ON BEING DELIBERATE

FOCUS ON BEING DELIBERATE

I could barely make out the song playing in the little bar in Ouray. I knew the melody, but it was damned hard to hear it over the clanking of glasses, conversation, and the air conditioning. The chorus did it for me, and I smiled big enough...

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MY RULES FOR SHOOTING FOR FREE

MY RULES FOR SHOOTING FOR FREE

Do I want to do this photograph? This is very important to me. If it is something that I think could be a great piece in my portfolio, then it gets consideration. Have other photographers been paid for this same shot? If so, then why are they not wanting to pay me?...

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WE BECOME WHAT WE FOCUS ON… NATURALLY

WE BECOME WHAT WE FOCUS ON… NATURALLY

There is an old saying: "I'll believe it when I see it." That's a problem, you see. Because if you don't believe it, you will never see it. It is out of your field of vision. You cannot focus on what you cannot see. And our brains want to make damn sure we...

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Don Giannatti, Mentor

I’m Don Giannatti-mentor, creative consultant, and passionate supporter of photographers and creatives at every stage. Whether you’re looking to refine your craft, build a standout portfolio, or grow your creative business, I’m here to help you achieve your goals. Reach out with your questions or ideas-I look forward to connecting and helping you take the next step in your creative journey!

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