I'm sorry updates are coming late, it unintentional kindly accept my apology.

27 -02- 2019

Mr Fred. A. Erunkulu a.k.a Eikonworld lectured on "The Multitasking Myth – How to Really get things done" at exactly 7p.m.

Mr Fred a Portrait and Event photographer, noticed must photographers are "one man Army".

This means you are the one doing everything from talking to clients, shooting, selecting or culling, editing, designing and presenting.

As a photographer do you take a lot of time to finish a photo project?
Do you get to be as creative as you want or there is not enough time?
Or sometimes you feel overwhelmed?

One of the problems we face as photographers is how to be "productive" within our "work time"... In the bid to do more. We unconscious multitask.. (kill two birds with one stone).

Most times lots of photographers lament this way!
"I have just finished shooting  an event... i have 1800 pictures to cull and edit and it is taking me a a whole week to get it done"

The truth is that.. 
with proper understanding of your daily task and right planning,  you can always get things done faster and better and be on top of your game "The multitasking myth"

We all do it: Texting while walking, sending emails during meetings, chatting on the phone while cooking dinner. In today’s society, doing just one thing at a time seems downright luxurious, even wasteful.

But chances are, you’re not doing yourself any favors by multitasking your way through the day. Research shows that it’s not nearly as efficient as we like to believe, and can even be harmful to our health.

Here are some reasons why you should stop and rethink the way you work.

1. You’re not really multitasking - What you call multitasking is really Task - Switching or Switch Tasking. Moving back and forth between several tasks actually wastes productivity, because your attention is expended on the act of switching gears—plus, you never get fully “in the zone” for either activity.
A good example is editing pictures and you are also chatting with someone on WhatsApp... !

2. It’s slowing you down - Contrary to popular belief, multitasking doesn’t save time. In fact, it will probably take you longer to finish two projects when you’re jumping back and forth than it would to finish each one separately.

What tends to save the most time is to do things in batches. “Edit your pics all at once, then send your emails all at once. Each task requires a specific mindset, and once you get in a groove you should stay there and finish.

3. You’re making mistakes - Experts estimate that switching between tasks can cause a 40% loss in productivity. It can also cause you to introduce errors into whatever you’re working on, Imagine discovering you made a mistake after spending a good amount of time on a portrait!

4. Your memory may suffer - It makes sense that if you try to do two things at once—Culling and watching television, for example—that you’re going to miss important details of one or both. But even interrupting one task to suddenly focus on another can be enough to disrupt short term memory, according to a 2011 study.

Each time you switch back, you must remind yourself about what it was you were doing, while dealing simultaneously with the slight distraction from the other task. This can increase your cognitive load (Mental Ability)

You end up feeling tired early,  or lose your drive... And you decide to call it a day and start again the next day... And before you know it.. A whole week has pass

Please understand that he's talking from a photographer workflow.

Here are some steps to help you

1. Plan tomorrow today.
Don't wait till you are up and about before thinking of what or who. You starting your workday wrongly.

2. Know how much "Work time" you really have each day.
What is work time?
Some of us work from home,  some have an office or studio which is some distance from home.. 
The time you have to work is different.

A person working from home can decide to be on his/her system by 6.30am. Another person going to the office or studio might not get to sit down to work until  9am. He will also want to close and get home to rest unlike the person who is working from home.

3. Know your mental strength and weakness:
He is at his best early in the morning till around 2pm and he has learn to maximize this over time..

4. Learn to *break* your *tasks* and *work time* into Chunks - Focus and Breaks

5. And Finally; Your WillPower.
You have to be discipline and in time, it becomes you.

Let's go back to no4. (Learn to *break* your *tasks* and *work time* into Chunks - Focus and Breaks)

You have just finished shooting an event, you have over 1800 images, you have clients to call or follow up and some balance to collect
How do you do all this?
He came across a simple but effective technique called "POMODORO"

Pomodoro has been used all over the world by different individuals in their place of work, it works

So what is Pomodoro?
While there are slight variations out there, the Pomodoro technique is a standardized productivity approach emphasizing the following

steps:
Choose a task.

Set your timer to 25 minutes and work uninterrupted on the task.
When the timer is up, take a 5 minute break.
Resume and repeat four times, giving yourself a 20 minute break after the fourth cycle

But can this technique work for us as photographers?

Yes with some modification
He personally use it and with little discipline, you too can.
You are free to increase your time but it shouldn't be less than 45 min

Choose a task e.g Culling.
Set your timer to 45 minutes and work uninterrupted on the task.
When the timer is up, take a 10 minute break. Get up and walk around or make a call or check your chats.
Resume and repeat four times, giving yourself a 30 minute break after the fourth cycle

Do the maths
You will find out that you have actually worked for 3hrs and also taken a break for 1hr.
You are *Focus* and also have time for *breaks*.

Imagine sitting down by 6.30am or 9.00am...and by 10.30am or 1am, you have done quite a lot.

What do you do during your breaks?

You can put on simple calls or mails or chats during this time...
do not take a sensitive call or mail during breaks...
also use it to walk around,  stretch limbs.. Grab a drink
When you resume, your mind is relax and ready to pick up...

You will find that you are able to do your edits or selections,  make the serious calls and still have time for fun calls and chat.

please note he didn't advise that you group your serious calls or chat together as a task and not during breaks.

If you are doing photo related task face them and when done completely or at least to the point you wish to reach for the day. Then you can face calls or chats... Vice-versa

Now you might be asking..

Is there an app/software for this technique?

There are quite a lot for windows, mac and android, some are free and some are paid version.
He personally use RESULTIVE
It is free, simple, easy to use and it sit quietly on your desktop while you work....

Like the others, it tells you when to stop, take a break and start.
He also during *Focus* period have my phone either face down or on silent..

Whenever I get an idea or remember something urgent or fun that I want to do in the day,  i use another simple "To do "app called" *Microsoft To Do*

It is simple,  free, easy and have a clean interface
of course there are quite a lot of other options..  Find the one you are comfortable with and use it...

Remember you have to plan your tasks in order of importance or urgency.

!!!?KEEP CLICKING!!!

Your Target Audience

Your Target Audience

When I started photography it was kinda easy for me to understand the word target audience due to the few seminars and trainings I had attended but it was difficult for me to know my ideal clients.

Clearly there are many factors that go into a strong inbound marketing strategy, however, photography is not one to be overlooked. It can actually make or break all your marketing efforts. 

Many photographers make much sales on Instagram but my sales are from Facebook, I sat down sometime last week to do a background check on my pictures I wouldn't mind rebranding myself, if it also means paying for it.

With the continual research and development on technology there are many tools or ways to advertise and sell pictures, whether you’re photo savvy or not, it’s important for every business owner to educate themselves on what it means to use (and have) strong photography.

What is Target Audience?

Target audience is simply your ideal clients - those clients that are meant to patronize you, as a photographer depending on your niche not everyone should be your client. (Let pause this for now)

How to reach your ideal clients

• Good Photograph

Can we face it? Some of us don't take time to checkmate our pictures, there should be a big difference between the amateur and a professional, lately ve been doing some background check on my pictures, photography is much more complex than just pointing and shooting.
I'd starve to invest in good photographic kits rather than dropping from the qualities I have started with.

As a trained professional photographer your pictures are to capture emotions, convey quality, and communicate value. They are capable of capturing a specific message you’d like to portray to your target audience.

• Using The Right Hash tags{#}

Hashtags create great visibility and help you reach your target audience, by using the right hashtags that you know your audience is already following. When you promote an event, the hashtag not only connects you with your followers, but your followers with each other.

For instance, if I hashtag #bellanaija# in any of my pictures I'm automatically in their page, therefore if anyone search for #bellenaija# my pictures becomes visible too on their page.

The downside of hashtag is making use of the irrelevant ones,  we all might be a photographer but our #hashtags# differs so i suggest you discover your niche (that is your kind of photography). It advisable  to add your location(s) too, make research to guide you with your appropriate hashtags.

I know typing hashtags can be weird 😂 so I'd advice you create a personal notes to make it easier to copy and paste, you can as well add more.

• Right Techniques

You may have over 10 years of experience in photography business, but it doesn't matter if your pictures doesn't speak a language to your ideal clients,
we are creatures that are victims to “first impressions" it might take a longer time and conviction to win their heart. Don't forget your ideal clients will glance ➡ judge ➡ and make up mind.

What are the techniques?

• LIGHTING • There may be brands in which dark photography is acceptable (perhaps you’re in the haunted house industry), but chances are your business would benefit most from well-lit photos. Good lighting can be achieved through white balance and ISO settings. 

• ANGLES • Try changing up the orientation of your camera to your subject. Shots at different angles can affect the style, by making the subject appear more interesting. Try shooting your subject from above, below, or the side versus straight on.

• BACKGROUND • Your choice of where photos are taken have a major influence on how your service or product is received. The background should appear like it was given thought and effort. Don’t just position someone or something and take the photo. There needs to be a sense of consistency that is creatively integrated within your brand’s style guide.

• RESOLUTION • Avoid cheap, grainy looking photos shot with your smartphone by investing in a higher resolution pro camera. This will help your shots look great on the web!

PS: Everyone, including myself "we all are work in progress" keep doing you, do not relent in your efforts, make your photography growth count and be more intentional about it.

Every organization needs photograph start making research, irrespective of the experience keep upgrading. If you feel you're not getting things rightly ask questions, talk to someone in the community be free, do not feel intimidated.

Like they always say, “A picture is worth a thousand words . What is your brand’s photography telling customers? Imagery should convey your quality. So go ahead and start inspiring your target audience with better images, to want to know more, and ultimately gain their trust!

Thanks for reading!
I'd hope to buzz you soon!

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Keep Clicking!

#SPLASHOFMEMORY2018#

Thank you for choosing Librafotography to capture your memory.

The relaxed and colorful atmosphere created at the different shoots were really outstanding.

The memory you just watched took place September 2018, Lagos Nigeria.

As always, i hope you enjoy this COLLECTION so don't rush through it. Take your time to savour and absorb all of it rich moments.

At Librafotography, we strive to capture the Joy, Happiness and Elation of your special day.

Thanks you once again for your time, we wish you #SPLASHOFMEMORY#
and to the newest couples #HAPPYMARRIEDLIFE#

UNDERSTANDING CAMERA MODES

TODAY'S CLASS WITH STUDENTS WAS WOW, WE LEARNT ABOUT UNDERSTANDING YOUR CAMERA(CAMERA MODES)

Camera body can affects a user in different ways, a person who has small hand may have difficulty with large bodies and conversely large hands might have difficulty with small bodies

The little differences in body design can have a significant impact on their ease of use, it is advisable to understand{test} it yourself before going for any events.

CAMERA MODES
There are various modes on your camera dial and each can affect the quality of your pictures

The pictures below shows the different modes and its function

MANUAL MODE: I love this mode because it enables me to take charge of the camera, whatever you set is what you get ranging from your SHUTTER SPEED, APERTURE and ISO, with this mode you're the captain of your camera and it comes as M on the camera dial

AUTOMATIC MODE: I'm not an automatic mode photographer because it does all the work, the A+ mode doesn't care if the picture will come out nice or not, however it can be of great advantage when it freezes moving subjects
that is, it has automatically set the exposure triangle itself{ SHUTTER SPEED,APERTURE,ISO}
This mode also causes noise on an image therefore I don't approve this mode if you need quality pictures

PROGRAM MODE: The (P) mode has some attributes with that of A+ mode, it also automatically work on the SHUTTER SPEED and APERTURE but the ISO can be   configured manually.
I use this mode too depends on the purpose of the picture(s), when using this mode take note of noise on picture

SPORT MODE: I really really love this mode because it has to do with capturing of motions, though it automatically work on your exposure triangle too, yea it can cause noise if it automatically increase the ISO but it good for wedding photography_ That moment when the couple are kissing and it's like they don't feel like stopping, for me I use this MODE to capture continuously to get different shots of their motion.

Many photographer believes you're not a professional unless you always use MANUAL MODES on your camera

I won't dispute that fact, but I believe you're the captain of your camera, therefore you should know what modes works for you and where it necessary to use .

However, understanding your camera setting is very important so has to avoid any unforseen embarrassment like loosing important moments

CHIGBOGU BIOGRAPHY

Nworie Chigbogu is a young Nigerian actor and a cinematographer. He was born in to the family of Nworie Peter of Ugwueke Inyimagu  Ikwo Local Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. He is the CEO of Uwa Images and Films, a videography and photography set for shooting of movies, music videos, Portraits, Events and Candid photography. He is a co-founder of Life hope Africa Foundation. A professional with a difference.

HIS FAVORITE QUOTE: Don't let the difficulty of actually achieving a shot make you think that the shot is good.

For further inquiry, you can  contact him with the details below.

EMAIL:, chigboisalife@gmail.com, uwaimagesandfilms@gmail.com

PHONE NUMBER: +2348082374061
/ +234701 162 8783

Biography

Douye Mercy is a photographer who specialises in evocative image of the living world. Born October 10th 1986 from Ondo state Nigeria.

Photography began has a result of heart break, during that period of emotional trauma, she started seeing life through the lens,capturing and documenting the memories.

She later went for training in photography and editing for a year

Douye Mercy concern for humanity is strongly evident in her images, she strives to capture the people's memory of moments. 

Her venture into documentary photography was a continuation of her exploration of different genres of photography.

Her goal is to teach how to take great photos and to use images to communicate with the entire society. 

She believes the power of photography has a piece of personal communication.

Douye Mercy is also a teacher, writer and a business vendor. She loves to travel, read, write and cook

She see's the subtitles of every moment and the candid connections between people, her greatest joy is to savour those moments and give them a place to be remembered and cherished

For further inquiry or suggestions, you can  contact her with the details below. 

EMAIL: librafotography16@gmail.com

PHONE NUMBER: +2348066644017/ +2348106663502

LIBRAFOTOGRAPHY CORPORATE SHOOT