[caption id="attachment_2679" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="Click on the images to view them larger"][/caption] We often talk about albums catching our eye... This one by Josef Isayo certainly did. He shot Porsche and Adam's wedding in early 2007. The couple, two ER doctors from San Francisco, came to Josef and asked him to shoot their wedding in Cuixmala, Mexico- an opportunity many photographers strive for. But as an experienced destination photographer who's shot several weddings in Mexico, Josef knows it's no walk in the park - you've got to be prepared. I asked Josef to share To View More >>

Tupperware 'fan boys' are everywhere. Prodding the skeptical, hosting Tupperware parties, and enthusiastically trying to convince their peers of the benefits. Their argument: Once you try it, you'll understand. And most people do. The experience of using Tupperware's product is usually enough to quickly switch a sceptic's loyalties, and soon enough they'll be passionately promoting the product themselves. That's (loosely) Tupperware's business model, and you can see how it would have a snowball effect. They've built a brand around positive customer experience and word of mouth marketing.  As To View More >>

More feedback on my email, Your next album company It's hard to compete ... We've seen a massive influx of photographers from Eastern Europe charging very low prices and supplying reasonable products.I understood the impact of this EU "migration" in British hotels and restaurants, but I honestly hadn't thought about the impact on photographers (Jo and Kirsten will be shaking their heads!). Even so I feel that this kind of competition is always with us ... in one form or other. The purpose of outstanding presentation is to add value to your photography. That's why,whoever you use, your albums must To View More >>

More feedback on my email, Your next album supplier Changing to Queensberry is like changing my Ford Focus for a top range Audi ... Not sure many people are going to cope with that. Depends what you mean by "many". But certainly we never expect most people to choose Queensberry. Products that differentiate need to be aspirational (ie more people want them than can have them). That applies to your own "products" too, of course. In business, rather than ask how much something costs, it's useful sometimes to ask how much it's worth. And how it positions you in your market. There were 42 album companies To View More >>

Prompted by the unfortunate demise of Spicer Hallfield, which was once the UK’s foremost album manufacturer, I emailed our list in the UK yesterday. The gist of my message was that their ex customers should think twice before choosing a replacement supplier – especially if their gut reaction was to look for someone offering a similar product at a similar price. My email generated quite a lot of enquiries for Sonya's team, plus some feedback that I thought I'd discuss over the next few days. But let me start with the tough one... Someone called my email an "unbelievable bit of ambulance chasing". To View More >>

We asked one of our print consultants about their commitment to sustainability a few days ago, and they were rather puzzled by the question. "But of course," they said. "It goes without saying doesn't it?  Sustainable plantation paper ... ECF processing ... vegetable-based inks. We don't beat the drum about it, that's just the way it is these days." We feel the same way, but we're regularly asked the same question, so here's Queensberry's philosophy on the environment and sustainability... Humanity's biggest impact on the environment is generally from our daily practices. That coffee is gone in To View More >>

Sad as it is, it's no secret that one or two of the traditional album manufacturers in the USA and UK have had serious problems, and not just because of "the economy". It's hard for everyone when a company struggles, hard for their staff, hard for their suppliers. Harder still when you know the people involved. Hard for their customers too, who've spent a lot of time getting to know their people, understanding their systems and foibles, making bookings with couples who will expect one of their albums... So why have they been in trouble? Because companies like Queensberry started eating their lunch. To View More >>

If you're finding this year tough, and you've said, or thought, what's wrong, I'm not doing anything different... right there may be your problem. Just as things changed when you switched from film to digital, or PC to Mac, or Nikon to Canon, things have changed with the end of the party economy... Have you heard how much the Las Vegas convention industry is suffering because it's not a good look for corporations to go there to "party" when times are tough? This is probably not the best time to be selling party souvenirs. Your work needs to be significant, worthwhile, to survive the end of the To View More >>

We are about six weeks off having a child ... holy moley! Actually, Jo is pushing for an early arrival ... Our child will do no wrong, and it will certainly never vomit or cry inappropriately. We know this because we'll be the proud parents and our pride will blind us to our newborn's shortcomings. Or maybe it's love, not pride... Stepping down a level, our pride in our albums, the stories they tell, and their look and feel, help us to talk passionately (not blindly) about them. It's our passionate gestures and words that gives our pride a voice. It's infectious. Only six weeks!!!!!!! (or less) To View More >>

Tom Waits has a cranky, croaky voice. I am listening to his CD 'Orphans Brawlers and Bastards' as I write this post. You could argue that his voice lacks 'quality' ... The words are often run together, mumbled, and broken. That collection of imperfections is the quality that makes his work so unique. It's a different type of 'quality' to the one we describe to sell our albums. We talk about the personal elements in the creation of the book. We talk proudly of the craft involved and the quality of the raw materials used in the album construction. We do this because we are proud of their perfections To View More >>