The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) has recently done the entire professional photographic community a service by launching their new “Strictly Business” blog. As the site states:
“The American Society of Media Photographers provides this forum to encourage the development of critical skills and to foster new ideas. Our goal is an informed and savvy professional photography community.”
This is indeed a forum – with multiple contributors and an impressive amount content posted since its inception in March, as well as in depth comments from readers whom are clearly engaged.
“Strictly Business” does not cover topics in relation to the business of photography in the strictest sense, but in a more overarching sense. For example, while there is a post on “Knowledge is Power in a Negotiation” by Blake Discher and “Selling Solutions” by Judy Herrmann, you will also find “Taking Pictures for No Reason at All” by Sean Kernan and “Ideas Worth Spreading,” also by Herrmann.
So there is business and creativity.
Of course, there is a lot of content that falls into greyer areas of the intersection of art and business, such as the “My Greatest Hits for Understanding Social Media, Recession Marketing and Branding” by Jack Hollingsworth and “Tips For a Better Facebook Experience” by Ed McDonald.
On of the most enticing features of “Strictly Business” is the inclusion of multiple high quality videos featuring a range of notable photographers. “Thoughts on Pricing, Business and the Impact of Digital” features a number of photographers. In “Everything You Do Is Marketing,” Leslie Burns-Dell’Acqua shares her insights on “tools beyond your website, portfolio and mailers.”
Another nice aspect of “Strictly Business” is that it links directly to select, useful content within ASMP’s main Web site, such as the “Bad Contract Tutorial” and “Property and Model Releases.”
Like all Web-based forums, “Strictly Business” is a work in progress and is sure to improve over time, which is wonderful. But even as is, it is an amazing resource, taking total advantage of Web 2.0 to allow all photographers – even if not ASMP members – to gain access to the insights and dialog among some of the association’s most successful and thoughtful members.
Great going ASMP!
Welcome to the Blogosphere “Strictly Business!”