This month I was lucky enough to attend the PhotoPlus Expo at the Jacob Javitz Convention Center in New York, NY.  I’ve been going to these for several years. 

This year I took a seminar on Building Your Business in the Digital Age.  It started off like most seminars: a guy talking.  Then all of a sudden it turned in to a massive complaining session.  People were talking about how their clients don’t appreciate them, how some don’t even want to talk to them when they arrive on site, how they hold on to information like it’s their last penny.  And this went on and on - more and more people standing up, talking about how terrible their clients and working situations are to deal with. 

At that point I looked at my brochure to make sure I wasn’t in the seminar for child portraits or wedding photographers, but no, these were commercial photographers like me.  And then I sat there and realized: I like my clients.  I’m very lucky to have clients that I actually get along with.  I enjoy coming to a job and getting big hugs from my clients. 

For instance, when I get a job with Health Partners in Philadelphia, I go, “Yay!  I get to see my friends at Health Partners!”  I always get big hugs when I see them.  I sometimes think the hugs are mostly because they’re surprised I was able to find the location of the event, but either way, they’re appreciative. 

After doing a job for Jaclyn D’Amico or Monica Bersani at Harrah’s Casino in Chester and saying goodbye when I leave, they say, “Thank you , Kevin, you’re the man!”  I feel very good and proud that they appreciate my effort and my work. 

I have clients that I like that I’ve never even seen - my client in Texas, Garrett Pettus of Southern Bleacher Company.  We shoot emails back and forth and we do speak on the phone from time to time.  (I like speaking to him because he always calls me “Sir”. I guess that’s the Southern upbringing.  I keep reminding him, no, I’m not a “Sir,” you can call me Kevin.)  I wouldn’t recognize him if he walked in to my studio today, but we work great together. 

Understanding instead of confusion in dealing with clients, I love it.  Like Harry Giordano at City of Hope; we sit down, have a great meeting, totally understanding both sides of the situation, he tells me everything I need to know.  I just know the nature of the business for special events photography, which is: things will change.  I’m able to flow with it.  I try to flow.  I think I flow... I hope I flow... with whatever the client may need, because I know things will change. 

So after that seminar I left thinking I am very lucky to have friends and clients that hire me to do a job I really enjoy.  These other guys should really check themselves.  I think you get back what you put out.  If you are able to speak to people, able to laugh when things don’t go exactly as planned, your clients will feel the same way. 

That brings me to this time of the year, like last year, where I give thanks to my friends and clients who help me keep my business going.  Some of you know my staff, I would not be able to run this place without my staff:  Fran who answers the phones and keeps the office going; Nick and Steve and Peter, my photographers who help me out; Robin and Victoria, my assistant hosts when I need someone to help me with crowd control.  I really appreciate you guys, and thanks for all the things you’ve done for me in the past and will do in the future. 

And there are some people who just make my day go by easier, like the people at McDonald’s where I have breakfast in the morning.  And the women at Penn Photomounts, when I walk in there not knowing what size I need, what colors are available, they’re able to help me out with a very warm smile so I’m able to satisfy my client’s needs.  And all the people at the Apple store who always help me out whenever I have to go in there because I’m  totally confused. 

People say that the Christmas season starts after Thanksgiving.  Are you kidding?  The Hallmark stores have their Christmas decorations out in July.  But this is the beginning of the season where people are in a hurry.  So I think people should just slow down every now and then, just to say hi to somebody, maybe smile, it doesn’t cost anything.  This time of year people are having some hard days, so say hi, wave, do something to try to put something nice into a stranger’s day. 

So to all you last minute shoppers who let it go until the last minute, and to all of you who put the turkey down to run out to the Black Friday sales, relax, and have a good time.  If you see me out there, just give me a smile.  I’m going to be laughing at all the people rushing around. 

Next month we will not do a Photo of the Month.  I feel that’s a time when everyone starts going on vacations and taking breaks, so this way I can at least do my part to not add to the pile of emails you’ll have when you return.  So I will see you all on the other side - Happy New Year, and I look forward to seeing you in 2012.  This Photo of the Month is dedicated to all my single friends and clients out there.  When the clock strikes twelve on New Year’s Eve, just be careful who you’re kissing. 

-Kevin S. Nash

Photo Details:

Taken at The Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ.