I have a friend going back to work full time after working part time for six years to raise his kids. Some weeks ago he phoned me, incredibly disheartened after many job applications and many knock backs. No one wanted him. I encouraged him to stop treating each job interview as make or break, and to start playing. To apply for jobs he thought he couldn't get. At salary ranges he thought he couldn't justify. To mix it up, try something different each time and see what worked. The trick, I said, was to remember that his next interviewer would know nothing about his past interviews, and it wouldn't To View More >>

Today we're announcing free album design and free standard colour correction on all our professional albums - Flushmount, Overlay Matted, Classic Matted and Duo. Here's why... When we're discussing how we can improve our products and services, we ask ourselves three questions: Can we make it fun? Will it save you time? Will it make you money? This time we're aiming for all three :) Many of our customers pay us to colour correct their images. Many pay us to design their albums as well. Many more wish they could afford to do the same. ALL OF YOU are going to enjoy one of two things. A fresh chance To View More >>

[caption id="attachment_17731" align="alignnone" width="500"] © James Yeats-Brown[/caption] James Yeats-Brown is a leading UK social photographer specialising in children's portraiture and the creation of family albums. He asks why shooting for a fee or commission shouldn't work in the social sector, since it's common in other areas of photography, and thinks a sales model based purely on speculative product upselling is dangerous these days - mainly thanks to new consumer-oriented products from Apple, Blurb, Photobox etc. This began as a comment on Ian's post suggesting the Shoot and Share model To View More >>

When was the last time you opened one of these? Ours go straight in the recycling. What happens when you (or your customers) decide you're over Facebook, or stop clicking on Google Adwords? In this video Gary Vaynerchuk asks a bunch of event marketers how many of them said five years ago that they'd never have a Facebook account … but now they do. He says we need to ask ourselves where our customers will be hanging out in two years time. Hey, you could be on Snapchat or Vine! There's no point fishing in the wrong spot, and those fish are schooling all over the place. Partly because marketers To View More >>

"How much for that album?"If you ask us that, and you have an approved account, we're happy to tell you.But in 40+ years, while we’ve often offered guidance, we’ve never ever told customers how much they should charge.Well I'm going to be brave and make a suggestion. Then I'm going to ask youwhat you think. But first, some background... For decades many photographers charged really high prices for their products (albums, prints, framing etc). They did this to avoid asking a reasonable fee for theirservices. You can see why. Even our wealthiest acquaintances think photographers charge To View More >>

OK, you've just started with Queensberry? Or you've bought a beautiful new sample? Stephen wrote about how you can get an immediate pay-off on your investment by sending a simple message to your past customers and current bookings - those who haven't bought or committed to an album yet. His promotion can bring in thousands of extra dollars and set your business on a completely new trajectory - but instead of jumping in and having a go, people sometimes get sidetracked by doubts and questions. Like... I don't have time. No problem! We can design and colour correct for you. What if I get too busy? To View More >>

Here's how to enjoy a stress-free December. Place your orders as soon as possible so you're sure to receive them before the holidays. Even if you order in late November / early December we’ll do our very best to get them to you, but if you definitely want your Album or Press Book before the holidays, we’ll need your order by the 10th of November. Here’s what you can do to ENSURE DECEMBER DELIVERY • Get your order (and all image files) in to us before the 10th of November. Make sure everything’s included - no missing files or information (eg text for titles). • Answer any queries, confirm To View More >>

Our recent 50% discount offer on sample albums was hugely successful. But if you bought a new sample why wait until next year to get a return on your investment? Here's how to bring in some cash and set yourself up for a good 2014. Send a simple message to last year's customers, the ones who haven't bought an album yet... Hi, I've just received a gorgeous new album from Queensberry, and I'd love you to see it. I think your photographs would look wonderful in an album like this, and I can offer you a special introductory price if you order now. In fact you could have your album for Christmas. Call To View More >>

Everyone is a media company these days. How often have you heard that? You need to get content out there - content your audience (and customers) look forward to - words and photos, blog posts and image galleries... But media companies have editors, sub-editors, graphic artists and on and on. You have you. If it takes half an hour to create your content and half a day (or a hired hand) to format and publish it, you're screwed. It just won't happen. The only people who need high production values are people who get hired to practice them. Video producers need awesome videos. You need awesome photos. To View More >>

Last week I wrote about the latest David Jay hate war, and said that if a courtroom attorney asked whether I agreed with his Shoot and Share strategy - and demanded a Yes-No answer - I’d have to say, “Yes I do.” Why? Because social sharing is a reality whether we like it or not, because social sharing is a powerful new form of word of mouth, and because Shoot & Share is a big step up the social scale from Shoot & Burn. Also I don't like hate wars. But this is not a TV courtroom drama, so if you're thinking of building a career in social photography, we believe the typical Shoot and Share To View More >>