January 26, 2010 : Written by NPL staff : Comments (12)
So, our team has been buzzing while putting our initiatives together for 2010, including new product lines, which is where you come in.
Sure, we’ve gotten some requests in 2009 which has gotten our wheels turning, but we want to know exactly what YOU want.
Submit your wishes and dreams here and we’ll do our very best to make them happen!
December 22, 2009 : Written by chris : Comments (0)
NPL is Nashville bound! We just confirmed our space for the ImagingUSA Convention January 10-12 at the gorgeous Gaylord Opryland Resort. If you haven’t seen the place, check it out. The venue itself is enough of a reason to go! BUT, if that doesn’t sell you, don’t forget that Nations’ will be handing out incredible giveaways to all ImagingUSA attendees. We won’t divulge these amazing giveaways just yet, but remember when we gave away FREE $25 orders at PhotoPlus? Yeah, they beat that. Keep checking back for the big announcement, I know you won’t be sorry!
Since we’re headed to the show in just under a month, we’ve already started researching Nashville hotspots. Obviously Nashville is known as “music city,” so that was on our radar. Check out what we’ve found so far:
For more tips, head to the ImagingUSA webpage.
Last but certainly not least, don’t miss NPL at booth 955 in January!
December 21, 2009 : Written by chris : Comments (0)
Nations Photo Lab received an early holiday surprise this year! It was actually a gift from our generous Founder/CEO…a pick-me-up during this busy holiday season. Needless to say, this gift has been one of the best we’ve ever received!
We are in the midst of our 1st Annual Nations Photo Lab Massage Day. That’s right, a full day of seated massages for each and every member of our staff. It is HEAVEN. We have had a fabulous experience with Infinite Massage, thank you Stacey and Chris Owen for helping us make this happen!
When the door to our spa, also known as our conference room, opens every 15 minutes or so, every expression has been the same: pure bliss. The office has been buzzing with spoiled and relaxed employees…see for yourselves!
November 17, 2009 : Written by NPL staff : Comments (3)
Hopefully you’ve already taken a peek, but just in case you haven’t gotten to it, let us bring you up to speed! NPL recently launched a series of Product Spotlight videos (currently available for Gallery Wraps and Albums) to help you better understand our products. Our team spent a day on-site at a stunning studio in Baltimore, filming, laughing and working our little hearts out on camera. We’ve compiled a gallery of photos from the shoot to let you see how the day unfolded. Enjoy! A special thanks to Dan Hack of Hack Stone Film Group for your patience and dedication with this fun project… we had a ball!
November 13, 2009 : Written by NPL staff : Comments (0)
We certainly do and since we’re rapidly approaching the holiday season, we know albums are even hotter than normal right now. So, we’re giving you 10% off all album orders now through November 20th. Yep, designer covers and all! Encourage your clients to give the gift of albums this year, be it from 2009 (and earlier!) weddings, family events, or just a collection of cherished images.
To redeem your 10% discount, simply enter the promo code ALBUM in the review order screen! Better hurry- this offer expires on November 20th!
Just in case you haven’t already realized Nations’ offers the ultimate in quality and price for albums, check out our just launched product spotlight video and see for yourself!
November 4, 2009 : Written by NPL staff : Comments (3)
We delivered on our promise to wow attendees of the International PDN PhotoPlus Expo, which took place in NY, NY from October 22nd to the 24th. Our booth was a buzz all weekend with current customers, new customers learning about all of our offerings, and thousands of $25 order giveaways getting handed out like candy. Some PhotoPlus attendees were stunned to receive the free $25 orders from our lab, but we assured them that it is our way of letting potential customers try our lab with no-strings attached. So… we came, we saw and we left satisfied! Hope it was the same for you.
To give those of you who were unable to attend a glimpse of what we just spoke about, we have inserted some great photos of our team, hard at work!
Have questions for us, want to drop us a line? Then click on the comments box below and let her rip!
November 3, 2009 : Written by jonathan : Comments (1)
Competition among photographers has grown exponentially in the last few years. With the advent of digital, lower pricing and a wealth of information on the Internet, there are more professional photographers than ever. And with this comes stiff competition.
One strategy is to just give your clients a disk of the high resolution images and send them on their way. Sure, it’s the easy way out; shoot, burn and move on to the next client. While this approach simple and neat, it may not be in the professional photographer’s best interest. Once you give that disc out, it’s like handing over your artwork and letting the consumer paint whatever they want on your finished canvas. There is no telling where the images will get printed and what you intended to shoot could become misrepresented. The pictures will likely be passed around to family and friends (who could also be potential clients) and your name is associated with prints that you had no chance to approve. The moral of this story: the perception of your prints is as important as anything in your business model.
On the other hand, I think that the client has the right to a disc of the high resolution files. I do not think there is anything wrong with burning a disc, especially because of the high demand for that service.
That being said, I think the best approach is a combination- one that offers professional prints, albums and products combined with a high resolution disc. This approach will satisfy your clients, keep you competitive and ensure that you have provided them with high quality prints that will be passed down for generations to come.
September 9, 2009 : Written by jonathan : Comments (3)
So, you have captured the best moments of the wedding you recently shot. You’ve edited your images and even had beautiful prints made for the couple. Now what?
What is the best way to present these wonderful memories to your client? There is a simple and elegant solution; Boutique Packaging. You will make an amazing impression when you present your clients with their photos in beautiful custom boxes. The perception of your prints is taken to a whole new level. Rather than handing your client their photos in a clear bag or envelope, have them open their box of pictures like a present. The packaging can also serve as long term storage as well.
To get a better idea of what I am talking about, take a look for yourself at
http://www.nationsphotolab.com/boutiquepackaging.htm
You are sure to please your clients when you use boutique packaging!
August 5, 2009 : Written by jonathan : Comments (2)
Please Note: “Stock Tips” is intended for new and emerging professional photographers
When I discovered digital photography back in 2000, one of the most common problems at that time was overblown highlights, or what we would describe as “waxy” digital skin tones. Since then, improvements in technology have vastly minimized this issue. However, I still see new and even experienced photographers producing these unwanted results. Once you overexpose your image there is virtually no going back. When digital information is gone from the image, you will be hard pressed to recreate it.
There are many variables that can contribute to this. Generally speaking, there are easy preventative measures you can take to avoid overexposure. With digital photography, something as simple as frequently viewing your histogram should keep your images properly exposed during a shoot. For more information on histograms, check out this link found on www.dpreview.com:
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/key=histogram
Another simple rule is to bracket your shots. Try taking different exposures by changing your shutter speed or aperture. On the other hand, many photographers are overexposing their images to achieve a certain effect. I would be careful with this trend as the images may not look as good printed, especially when ordering metallic paper. Metallic paper will exaggerate color and exposure, giving an overexposed image a very undesirable print.
My advice would be to limit this style and stick with finding that perfect exposure, while mixing a few of these trendier shots to add variety. You are always better off underexposing a bit and optimizing that photo later in post production…… or just let us take care of it for you!
June 30, 2009 : Written by ryan : Comments (1)
Ryan Millman
In the famed 1992 business movie Glengarry Glen Ross, Alec Baldwin states the ABC’s to be “Always Be Closing”. I take issue with that. I believe the ABC’s of business are “Always Be Customers”.
Nothing can drive a business’ success more than to always put yourself in the shoes of your customers or potential customers. In fact this principal is so important you should spend an ample portion of every day not only thinking about your customers but talking to them and listening.
Do you know the one thing I love to hear more than customer raves? Customer complaints! I love customer complaints. Well, of course the goal is to satisfy each and every customer and never get a single complaint, but I believe there is ALWAYS room for improvement with any business.
Feedback and listening is what has driven Nations Photo Lab to become a leader in the world of photofinishing and it can drive your business as well. Our company motto can be found on every employee’s desk “Every Customer, Every Order, Every Day!”
So how does listening to your customers turn into running a successful business? Collectively your customer’s ideas and suggestions are better than your own. They will tell you about what new products and enhancements they are looking for. They will tell you why they have decided to be a customer or what you can do to gain their business. More importantly they will appreciate your willingness to listen and evolve with them and they are 10 times more likely to refer you to their friends.
Success is defined by how your customers define you. So no matter how large or small your company is or will become, never forget the ABC’s.