Thursday 19 May 2005
(A day later than I would have liked, but I've been busy taking photographs - remember, that's what I'm supposed to be doing, not writing you this silly newsletter all the time!)

Today:

• Wanna fight? A googlefight, that is
• I publicly 'diss' one of my clients
• A couple of recent snaps
• In case you missed an issue

Hi,

No time for any of that 'on this day in history' nonsense today, we've got a lot to get through, and I know you're busy. So I'll get straight into it.

Oh, and remember: I need your feedback. What was stupid about this newsletter? And what was cool?
Is there anything about commercial photography you'd like to know about? email me.

Client 'dissing'

No, I won't name names...

A few weeks ago I did a shoot for a non-profit organisation which provides aged care services. They were furnished with a large selection of great shots of the carers 'in action' with their clients.

So you can imagine my surprise when I got an e-mail from the client saying that they couldn't use some of the shots. Why? Because the carers weren't wearing their standard-issue disposable rubber gloves!

Now, I'm not trying to criticize the client in question or rub salt into the wound (yes, they do subscribe to this newsletter!)... merely to illustrate an important point that may save you some grief in the future.

It's all too easy to overlook important details in the heat of the moment. But expensive little errors like this can be avoided by preparing a checklist of all the key points for your shoot. I advise you to do it for your next shoot. Airline pilots do.

Time management expert Brian Tracy* sums up the benefit of preparation with this cute phrase:
Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance
So simple, yet so true! (And in my opinion a bit more enthusing than the old, prescriptive, 'Be Prepared' motto of the scouts)

Which reminds me of the quote from management theorist Peter Drucker I have up on my wall at the office:
"Efficiency is doing things right, but effectiveness is doing the right things"

*I own a copy of Brian's audio CD 21 Great Ways to Manage Your Time and Double Your Productivity. It's cheesy. It's American. But it's actually full of great ideas you can put to work immediately to increase your productivity. I recommend it!