What's NewWhat's Newhttp://www.phototourdc.com/whatsnew/2012-03-27T22:57:51ZSquarespaceMoonlit Monuments returns, this week everyone uses the Duo Ratehttp://www.phototourdc.com/whatsnew/2012/3/27/moonlit-monuments-returns-this-week-everyone-uses-the-duo-ra.htmlPhotoTour DC2012-03-27T22:39:48Z2012-03-27T22:39:48ZNight photography returns with Moonlit Monuments Photo Tours, and this week everyone gets the Duo Rate.

On most of my photo tours, I offer a duo rate for a second photographer who signs up with you. On the Moonlit Monument Photo Tours, the Duo Rate discounts the regular price of $69 to $49. Through Saturday midnight, you can buy the main photo tour for the Duo Rate of $49, saving $20.

On the Moonlit Monuments Photo Tour, we learn the principles of night photography with the iconic monuments as our subjects. I'm keeping this group small, so register now to claim your spot.

Use discount code "Duo1" to trigger your savings.

Register now

 

]]>Hello from New Orleans - bloopers and allhttp://www.phototourdc.com/whatsnew/2012/3/15/hello-from-new-orleans-bloopers-and-all.htmlPhotoTour DC2012-03-15T16:11:22Z2012-03-15T16:11:22Z

Here's a quick hello from New Orleans and our weekend excursion. I kept the blooper because it is so New Orleans. :-)

]]>Signature Excursions resume - with early bird discountshttp://www.phototourdc.com/whatsnew/2012/2/14/signature-excursions-resume-with-early-bird-discounts.htmlPhotoTour DC2012-02-14T18:47:19Z2012-02-14T18:47:19ZSpring is around the corner, and that means the Signature Excursions resume, with a few changes. For the last couple years, I taught the 10 Steps to Great Pictures at the DC Icons, Adams Morgan and Annapolis Harbor. 

This year each of these locations will have very different curriculums. The 10 Steps will continue at the National Monuments. Adams Morgan will have a very different Abstracts Photography curriculum, and Annapolis Harbor will explore composition and creativity.

Just like I did with the Cherry Blossoms, you can register this week for an early bird savings. Use discount code "earlybird2012" to save $20 on any Signature Excursion in April and May. That discount is only good this week and expires midnight Saturday.

Register now

]]>The keys to launching and growing a successful photography businesshttp://www.phototourdc.com/whatsnew/2012/2/3/the-keys-to-launching-and-growing-a-successful-photography-b.htmlPhotoTour DC2012-02-04T01:24:14Z2012-02-04T01:24:14ZIt shouldn’t be this hard. You are a talented photographer. You’ve invested in the right tools and training. You have accumulated relevant experience. You have an impressive portfolio. You are networking and marketing regularly. But you still can’t get enough paying clients to sustain your photography business.

Maybe it’s because you are competing against all those people who got DSLRs for Christmas and now think they are professional photographers. Maybe it’s the craigslist freebie crowd who is depressing the market. Or... Maybe it’s not them. Maybe it’s you?

If you have ever expressed frustration or doubt because your photo business isn’t where you know it should be, I can relate. If you are considering launching a photography business but are hesitating because you aren’t quite sure where to begin, I’ve been there, too. In fact, I was stuck there.

Here’s what I learned. You can use your passion and expertise to attract, convert and retain clients as you grow a profitable business. 

Every day entrepreneurs grow successful businesses when they use four simple keys to unlock growth and profits. I’d love to share some insights that can help you launch or turn around your photo business. 

Join me in a free webinar where we discuss the keys to launching and growing a successful photography business. 

 

Is this you?

  • You launched a business and are frustrated because you can't get any traction.
  • You are marketing but not attracting clients.
  • You are getting lots of attention but no business.
  • You would like to start a business but don't know where to begin.

Join my free webinar to answer these questions:

  • What is the single most important ingredient in launching and sustaining your business?
  • What are six reasons your marketing isn't attracting clients, and what are the steps you can take to turn things around?
  • How do you consistently turn prospects into paying clients?
  • What is the one thing that will differentiate you from all the other failed businesses? 

If you are ready to launch or begin turning around your photography business, register now and join my free webinar.

Register now

]]>Get early bird rates Cherry Blossom Photo Tourshttp://www.phototourdc.com/whatsnew/2012/2/1/get-early-bird-rates-cherry-blossom-photo-tours.htmlPhotoTour DC2012-02-01T05:14:45Z2012-02-01T05:14:45ZThe early bird also gets the best price for Cherry Blossom Photo Tours. Today, PhotoTour DC launches its 2012 Cherry Blossom Photo Tours with a special early bird discount.

PhotoTour DC will celebrate the centennial Cherry Blossom Festival with daily photo tours around the Tidal Basin, and early birds who sign up through Feb. 5 can discount their tickets by $30 by using discount code "earlybird". The early bird rate reduces the 3-hour photgraphy and sightseeing workshop to $49.

Learn more about the Cherry Blossom Photo Tour

]]>News Release: Learn to Photograph New Orleans During Weekend Excursion and Photography Workshopshttp://www.phototourdc.com/whatsnew/2012/1/22/news-release-learn-to-photograph-new-orleans-during-weekend.htmlPhotoTour DC2012-01-23T00:32:59Z2012-01-23T00:32:59ZNew Orleans, LA (PRWEB) January 22, 2012

PhotoTour Excursions is hosting a New Orleans weekend photography workshop where you learn to take great pictures while experiencing the best of the Big Easy.

“Our New Orleans photo tour lets you capture the culture, history and energy of the Crescent City through a series of excursions that pair a photography instructor with a licensed local tour guide,” said Lynford Morton, PhotoTour Excursions lead instructor.

The weekend will consist of photo tours that focus on the: 

  • Distinct architecture of the French Quarter;
  • History and influence of the music throughout the city;
  • Unmistakable wildlife of the Alligator swamplands;
  • Picturesque decay of cemetery tombs;
  • Majesty of historic plantations;
  • Serenity of the Mississippi River at night; and
  • Allure of the famed St. Charles Street Cars.

During the excursions, you will experience workshops that develop your skills in:

  • Architectural Photography;
  • Night Photography;
  • Storytelling and Photojournalism;
  • Landscape & Nature Photography;
  • People & Street Photography; and
  • Food Photography.

“You can expect daily lessons, personal assignments, photo coaching during your excursion, and individual critiques,” says Morton. “This is a learning vacation like no other.”

Photography workshops are led by Morton, a New Orleans native and second-generation photographer who founded PhotoTour Excursions in 2009. He has since trained thousands of photographers on his signature excursions.

Learn more about the New Orleans Experience Photo Tour at http://www.phototourdc.com/photographneworleans.

About PhotoTour Excursions 
PhotoTour Excursions teaches photography principles during walking workshops. 
We are best known for teaching thousands of photographers around Washington, DC’s picturesque neighborhoods, earning a 98 percent approval rating from attendees. In addition, PhotoTour Excursions helps photographers learn, share and grow with: 

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]]>PhotoTour DC launches Punchd Passport Programhttp://www.phototourdc.com/whatsnew/2012/1/14/phototour-dc-launches-punchd-passport-program.htmlPhotoTour DC2012-01-14T12:34:00Z2012-01-14T12:34:00ZPhotoTour DC offers you the opportunity to earn a free photo tour when you purchase four outings with its new Punchd Passport Program.

Punchd is a loyalty program that runs on smartphones. It works exactly like paper loyalty cards you use at your favorite cafe, except you never forget it at home. Punch, or scan the QR code using the Punchd app at your photo tour. When your card is full, we will email your discount code for your free photo tour. 

The Punchd program is good for any four photo tours, with only one being a discount voucher.


]]>Who gets a 98% approval rating in Washington?http://www.phototourdc.com/whatsnew/2011/12/21/who-gets-a-98-approval-rating-in-washington.htmlPhotoTour DC2011-12-22T03:34:40Z2011-12-22T03:34:40Z

]]>Give a PhotoTour DC experience to your photographerhttp://www.phototourdc.com/whatsnew/2011/12/6/give-a-phototour-dc-experience-to-your-photographer.htmlPhotoTour DC2011-12-06T20:52:05Z2011-12-06T20:52:05Z

]]>Tips for taking better street portraits, AUTO ISO advicehttp://www.phototourdc.com/whatsnew/2011/11/17/tips-for-taking-better-street-portraits-auto-iso-advice.htmlPhotoTour DC2011-11-17T21:10:38Z2011-11-17T21:10:38Z 

Frank (left) and Scott, tattoo artists at Tattoo Paradise in Adams Morgan

I walked by Scott and Frank three times before I stopped and asked to take their photo. The two tattoo artists were joking around outside Tattoo Paradise in Adams Morgan, and I was out shooting street portraits for my 100 Strangers project. 

I love taking street portraits of strangers, but sometimes the first one is always the hardest to get out of the way. I thought of this when I heard Brandon Stanton reveal that if he gets "cussed out" on his first photo request of the day, it is sometimes hard for him to recover. 

If anyone has mastered the art of photographing strangers, it would be Brandon. As the creative force behind the Humans of New York blog, Brandon has taken more than 5,000 street portraits on his photographic census of New York City.

With that kind of experience, I thought he might be a good person to help motivate those of us who enjoy street photography but still stall every now and then. My latest blog post shares some of tips we learned from Brandon when he spoke at our recent Free Photo Webinar.

Read it here

 

When should you use Auto ISO?

For a long time I've preached that you always turn off the Auto ISO feature on your cameras. I've recently come up with a scenario where it makes sense to use it. The answer is part of my response on the latest Dear PhotoCoach podcast.

Listen here

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