JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008

Nulab Professional ImagingWelcome,

2008 is shaping up to be the most exciting year for Nulab.

As our industry consolidates and shrinks, it was great to see the amazing growth many of our clients showed. Obviously they decided not to participate in the the downturn. All they did was market, promote and look after their loyal clients.

This is exactly what we plan to do in 2008 and beyond.

The launch of our Presidential Circle as part of our Loyalty Rewards Program will see many of our best clients sharing in special educational and social programs that will help them grow their business. We will have the best experts in the industry sharing their secrets with select clients.

PicPress professional press products are just around the corner.

This year will see the continuation of our Pride of the Nation and Brightstars projects. Last year they generated thousands of sittings for many of our loyal clients.

Our school and events photographers were able to take advantage of software programs such as Timestone and Presentation Gold combined with our Nulab Digital Express and fully automate their workflow. This culminated in savings in time and money. Those studios that have already installed StudioPlus have also been able to automate all their studio workings.

For you to succeed, you must be prepared to change and take advantage of the opportunities that exist.

How to Master the Art of Selling Portrait Photography: Installment 11

The Five Basics of Selling.

Prospecting- getting the right type of person through your studio

Contacts-Appropriately and professionally contacting the prospect-mail,phone,email, in person

Qualification-Make sure you talk to the right people for your business-those that make the decisions

Objections-need to handle objections effectively

Closing-closing contains elements of both art and science- and these can be learned.

Prospecting for New Business

Itch Cycle-this is working your existing client database ( StudioPlus) knowing when it is time to update their portraits. Your records will give you this information. Obviously if you keep in touch with your clients- email or letter- regularly, you will always have a live database and lots of relevant information.

You can do telephone market surveys at random from your client list and obtain this information. Portrait itch cycle is about 4 years.

Start your campaign to update old buyers about 2 months before the itchiest time.

Technical Advancement- did you know that every product is already obsolete in the minds of it's creators the moment it's scheduled for production?

Rarely do portraits wear out, but their owners are used to the best, so letting your clients know about your new styles and presentations gives you an opportunity to generate new business. People will update with new portraits if you can give them a reason to do so.

Newspapers- local newspapers carry lots of items about people who have been promoted or achieved something. Send them a congratulations note with a voucher for a portrait session. Do you think they'll appreciate that?

They'll not only appreciate it, but be very receptive if you pick up the phone a day after you know they've received your note, to see how you can help them.

Five Ways to succeed and hold on to your business.

1. Send every client a thank you note

2. Handle problems fast

3. Call people back immediately

4. Keep every promise made

5. Keep in touch - phone, letters, surveys, newsletters.

How to find Fortune with the Phone

YOU MUST MEET ALL QUALIFIED INTERESTED CALLERS IN PERSON.

More next month............

Freight Instructions

When sending multiple orders and you wish to have them shipped together, it is imperative that under special instructions you note how many orders you would like to combine. Something like - "Please combine the 3 orders sent 18/2 - PLUS on each order put in special instructions - 1 of 3 - (on the first order sent) - 2 of 3 - (on the second order sent) - and 3 of 3 - (on the third order sent) - ship when all completed. We will consolidate freight whenever possible. Please remember that if we are waiting for multiple order freight consolidation, there might b a delay in shipping until all orders are complete.

If you tick the "ship my order immediately" on an order and send another order later - please remember - we will ship an order when it is completed if the information supplied does not indicate to HOLD as more orders are coming. Which is why it is best to tick the "ship my order immediately" on the last order sent and indicate how many orders will be consolidated to maximize each parcel space.

Without any shipping instructions - your orders are left at the discretion of the Despatch manager & staff to try to use their best "guess" as to when to ship your order.

A Friendly Freight Reminder - 2nd Delivery Charge
Please be aware that our freight charges of $13.00/ parcel cover the cost of delivery from Nulab to the address supplied. If no one is available at this address - parcels will not be left without an previously set up "Authority to Leave" arrangement. 2nd delivery charges will apply to all parcels that must be returned to the depot. Nulab will pass on the additional costs for these charges. 2nd delivery costs are also per parcel. Best to avoid these charges by checking your e-mails for when parcels are leaving or setting up an AOL ( authority to leave ). Contact Customer Service for more information.

Notification of parcels leaving Nulab via our current courier "Toll" contain both the consignment note number and a link for tracking your parcels. This service is free to all clients and provided by Toll couriers. If you are not receiving these e-mails - please contact Customer Service to check that your contact details are up to date.

PicPress

We are excited to let you know once PicPress is launched it will be one of the most comprehensive solutions for press products on the Australian market. We have listened carefully to our clients and we believe that we will have an option for all concerned.

The PicPress books will be from 12x18 inches all the way down to 6x6 inches. These will be hard cover bound , perfect bound and stitch bound .Books will be available from 12 to 160 pages. Options will include Varnish (gloss and matt) and laminate (gloss and matt).

The launch of our PicPress software (free) will allow you to design books, calendars, thank you cards, business cards and many more products. This software will link directly to our Indigo 5500 press.

If sending orders to the lab prepared in Photoshop, TDA, JAD or other similar programs, please make sure that you do not send panoramas, as it is impossible to print and bind them. All images must be individual, and sized to the sizes that will be available in PicPress.

Snapshots

Congratulations on the birth of a son to Ken Pryor - Ken Pryor Photography (Vic) and his wife Helen in Dec.

Congratulations also to Justine McLachlan of Sassi Photography on the birth of her baby girl.

Congratulations to Beth & Leigh - Driftwood Images - Crib Point, Vic on their wedding - Jan 2008

Lumedyne Portable Flash - New Hire Service

Many of you have seen the fantastic results obtained by using these high-powered portable flash units. Would you like to try them out before deciding what to buy? Well, now you can.

As sole agents for these flash units in Australia and New Zealand, we are delighted to be able to offer many of the system's components for hire.

Hire Information -

Kit consisting of power pack, head, set of Pocket Wizards and cables:

1 Day -          $132.00 inc GST

Weekend -    $165.00 inc GST

Week -          $440.00 inc GST

(plus freight where applicable)

Ring Flash -

This is a very unique piece of equipment that will give you a very different look for your images.

Rental prices include the Ring Flash and the power pack.

1 Day-           $132.00 inc. GST

Weekend -    $165.00 inc GST

Week -          $440.00  inc GST

plus freight where applicable.

For more information on pricing click here, exposure guides and product information.

 

Education

The International Portrait Wedding Academy has been very busy this year with a variety of educational seminars and mentoring programs.

Seminars planned for this year include a number of live-in workshops and specialised seminars on marketing and sales. More on this later.

MICHAEL WARSHALL'S MENTORING PROGRAM:

What is the dictionary definition of a mentor?

A mentor is an experienced person who provides guidance and support in a variety of ways to another person - by acting as a role model, guide, tutor, coach or confidante.

Dealing with individuals in order to advise, counsel, and/or guide them with regard to problems that may be resolved by legal, scientific, clinical, spiritual, and/or other professional principles allowing them to advance in an expedient time frame.

Students maintain ongoing contact with their mentors, preferably over several years, using them as resource people with whom they share, test and discuss concepts. Advise on actions or directions that lead to positive results………………………………………

As you are no doubt aware, there are tremendous demands on Michael's time, and places are therefore very limited in this program. While the investment is considerable, the program has been specially developed as a result of requests from those who want to succeed quickly, and save themselves many years of trial and error, ultimately also saving themselves enormous amounts of money by avoiding costly mistakes.

16If you really want to learn how to run a financially successful photography business, earn a handsome living (at whatever level you feel is appropriate for you) and enjoy the better things in life, it is important that you study with people who have a proven record. Read more about Michael here

17Attending seminars or even having a business coach is important, but having the opportunity to study with one of the world's most successful portrait and wedding photographers is a unique opportunity. Michael will teach you all the finer points that have led to his success, including specifics such as what prints to show, how to present them, how to price them and make them desirable for your client.

Unfortunately, photography schools and colleges offer little or no education in such important aspects of making your business a success.

Over a period of years, Michael has personally coached the select few, with great success.  If you think you qualify and want to fast track your business, contact Michael for a confidential discussion on warshall@nulab.com.au or call (03) 9588 2600.       (International +61-3-9588-2600)

Investment AUD $11,000 for a 3 month Program

 

Includes:

  • 1 studio site visit in person (half day)
  • 7 sessions at 2hrs each
  • 12 hours additional telephone or internet support
  • Some of the topics covered are;
    • Marketing
    • Selling systems
    • Digital workflow
    • Profit creating strategies
    • Staff training
    • Accumulating net worth
    • Passive income

You will also have Michael on tap, to help you with things such as designing a telephone script or learning the finer points about portrait lighting. But most of all, you will learn how to sell your products and services effectively, by learning the words, body language and the presentation methods to use. 


2Seminar on CD - Now Available

Michael's acclaimed seminar - "How to Master the Art of Selling Portrait Photography" has been recorded and mastered to audio CD.

Beautifully presented in its 5 disc set, you will be able to re-play those crucial notes that could increase your wealth exponentially.

If you missed this seminar, or enjoyed it and would like to keep it as an excellent reference, it is now available through the lab for $220 inc. GST. Purchase your copy today at www.nulab.com.au/nushop or contact Customer Service.


Mitche Graf - Boot Camp in a Box

This excellent resource consists of 3 crash courses incorporating 3 CDs in each of the following sets:

  • Power Marketing
  • Power Selling
  • Power Pricing

If you attended his seminar, you'll know how valuable Mitche's techniques and philosophies are.

Purchase your copy today at www.nulab.com.au/nushop or contact Customer Service.

SPECIAL PRICE OF $412.50 INCLUDING GST.

3


Upcoming Seminars

20 High Profit Success
Los Cabos, Mexico

September, 2008

We have acquired one of the most luxurious beachfront properties in Mexico and use it every year as the location for one of the most exclusive live-in schools for photography in the world.

Michael Warshall will teach you all about the business of photography and much, much more in a luxurious holiday setting.

Click here for more details

 

PRIDE OF THE NATION

This year the project continues. We have just had a National TV campaign, to be followed by a radio campaign on MIX FM.

This is then being followed by displays at Centro shopping centers throughout Australia. Due to the large number of children photographed last year 2 books were published.

This culminated in generation of much needed funds for the Bonnie Babes Foundation.

If you are interested in joining, contact warshall@nulab.com.au to see if you qualify.

Natural Film Grain

Final image

Use this simple technique to create a natural film grain effect in your images.


Step 1 - Open your image
Select and open an appropriate image that you wish to apply this effect to, this effect works best on high resolution images.

Step 2 - Create a new layer
Create a new layer by clicking the new layer icon on the layers pallete, choosing the layer>new>layer menu then rename the layer to 'FilmGrain'.

Step2

Step 3 - Fill with 50% grey
Fill the Film Grain layer with 50% grey, do this by selecting the new layer, then choosing the Edit > Fill menu option and selecting the 50% grey option from the drop down menu. Now set the layer blend mode to 'Overlay'.

Step3

Step 4 - Add noise
Choose Filter > Noise > Add Noise, and ramp up your noise to a high percentage.

Step4

Step 5 - Blur
The noise effect now just looks very digital, to re-create the film grain effect we need to blur the noise. Choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian blur and apply the filter.

Step5

Step 6 - Reduce opacity
To produce a subtle effect simply reduce the opacity of the FilmGrain layer.

Step6

Done!

Classifieds

We are proud to be the Australian and New Zealand distributors for:

  • StudioPlus
  • Sensor Swabs/Eclipse
  • BRUSHOFF
  • Virtual Backgrounds
  • Lumedyne Portable Flash System
  • Expodisc   - NEW!

and a variety of educational tools.

Contact customerservice@nulab.com.au for more information or order online

Stock Run Out - Nikon D200 and Fuji S5

We have one Nikon D200 ,onw Nikon D2xsand two Fuji S5 cameras for sale. These are brand new, of course, come with full Australian warranty, technical support from Nulab, and are priced to clear.

NIKON D200 - $1,999.00 inc. GST

FUJI S5          - $2,299.00 inc. GST

NIKON D2XS -  $4,000.00 INC gst

 

Demo Unit - Virtual Backgrounds Scene Machine Universal - Mint condition!

ONLY $5.299.00 inc GST. This is a saving of over 40%!

ALSO 5 foot (150cm) wide roll-up screen $2,016. inc GST.


Lumedyne
Portable Flash System

13Lumedyne builds the highest quality portable flash system in the world.  No other brand of portable flash offers as much versatility or will even claim to perform to guaranteed standards. These units are basically hand-built in a 7,000 square foot factory in the USA. 

More than 40,000 photographers count on the consistent performance of Lumedyne flash equipment to light their location assignments. These photographers come from all walks of life to shoot fashion, wedding, media, portrait, architectural, commercial, news, documentary, archaeological, travel and editorial photography among other things. In all cases, they recognize that the quality of light is the basis for the magic of photography, whether on location or in the studio.

We are proud to be able to offer this wonderful array of modular systems to you.

Click here for information on the powerful Lumedyne specifications (including very fast recycle times)

Download the Lumedyne pricelist


12

"Dragon Image is dedicated to bringing true value to Australian photographers. For too long it seems, prices propped up by the excuse of distance, population and exchange rates etc. have meant Australian photographers have been paying high prices for equipment."

View the brochure here.

Please visit the website for more information on these great professional products and systems.


StudioPlus

Industry Leading Management Software!

14 More and more photographers are beginning to realize that, without a powerful management and marketing software solution, their business will not grow. Join many of Australia's leading studio's and install StudioPlus NOW.

StudioPlus Software has been recognized by Professional Photography magazine for three years in a row as the leading studio management software. Each year, Professional Photography evaluates every studio management program and StudioPlus has come out on top for the last three years. The Hot1 Award is given each October to the hottest photography products on the market and StudioPlus is among the winners each year.

"Having been awarded the Hot1 Award is an affirmation of our philosophy at StudioPlus Software - to provide user-friendly and powerful management software that offers completely integrated solutions for the profession digital photographer." - Matt Hunt, President

Check out www.StudioPlusSoftware.com and learn more about these award-winning features:

  • Calendar and Scheduling
  • Client and Prospect Tracking
  • Invoicing and Sales Analysis Reports
  • Advanced Marketing Capabilities
  • Digital Workflow Tracking
  • Sales Presentation and Ordering


StudioPlus 2007

StudioPlus 2007 gives you greater control over your workflow, with more options and new ways to increase your sales. Would you like the ability to create custom Composites and Templates, Render Images for proofing and printing, some new features for Social Event photographers, and Windows Vista compatibility? StudioPlus 2007 has it all!


Click Here to read more about the new features in Version 7.0.

Click Here to download Version 7.0 now!

StudioPlus is an exciting, easy to use software product, designed to revolutionize the way you work. By using computer technology to help manage the operations of your studio, you’ll soon discover what you’ve been missing. With StudioPlus it won’t take long to see the results – you’ll be up and running within minutes.


Whether you’re scheduling a new session, viewing critical client information, creating an invoice, setting up a dynamic marketing plan, or tracking your entire digital workflow, StudioPlus is at the hub of everything. Take control of your business today with StudioPlus.

Call Michael Warshall on 03-9588-2777 or email warshall@nulab.com.au

NEW REDUCED PRICES

Single License: $2,330
2 user: $2,743
5 user: $3.155
10 user: $3,705

All prices include GST

To download demo. version CLICK HERE


NEW - E2 for TIN OXIDE Sensors

Eclipse 2, the highest purity Tin Oxide sensor cleaner, is now in stock. It contains less than 5 parts per million (ppm) of contamination (the whitish residue left after evaporation). It dries as quickly as it can be applied, leaving absolutely no visible residue, making it the only recommended cleaner for Indium Tin Oxide coated CCD and CMOS sensor cleaning when used with Sensor Swabs. Check the camera compatibility sheet


NEW - Digital Survival Kit

Also from Photographic Solutions, we have a new Digital Survival Kit. It's all you need to keep your sensors and optics clean while on the road. The kit comes in a nylon pouch which has a belt loop on the back.

Kit includes: 0.5oz. of Eclipse (or E2), 10x PEC*PADs, 4x Sensor Swabs & 1x E-Wipe packet.

Available in each of the 3 Sensor Swab sizes. Only $33.00!!!


SENSOR SWABS

16Sensor Swabs™ are designed for cleaning CCD chips and other delicate or hard to reach optical and imaging surfaces. Clean-room manufactured and sealed, these swabs are the ultimate in purity.

View our current cleaning solution pricelist

CCD Sensor Guarantee:
Photographic Solutions, Inc. guarantees that its Sensor Swab and Eclipse products will cause no damage to the CCD or CMOS sensor when used in accordance with the instructions provided by the camera manufacturer and/or Photographic Solutions, Inc. (PS).

If it is determined that these products caused physical damage to the sensor, PS will reimburse the camera owner for the full cost of repairs upon presentation to PS of proof of purchase, camera manufacturer's repair invoice and the damaged sensor. Use of non-approved methods, procedures or products will void this warranty. This warranty will cover any camera, whether or not that manufacturer recommends our products or not, and is good in any country.


PRESENTATION GOLD

Presentation Gold has many powerful features and benefits, these include:

  • Sales Tools
  • Image Editing
  • Album Design
  • Output Options
  • Additional Tools and Features
  • Preview Gallery

A new version of this software is now available and can be downloaded from http://www.performerpro.com/Documents/products.htm


EXPODISC –The Digital White Balance Filter.
Get accurate color in all kinds of lighting situations with the patented Expodisc, the fast and easy to use custom white balance filter.

13Spend more time shooting, and less time on post-production workflow. Simply read and set Custom White Balance with the Expodisc in place before shooting, and you’ll reduce or eliminate the need for post-capture adjustments.

Get the white balance solution that is quickly becoming the preferred method of achieving accurate color balance for professional photographers today.

NEWSFLASH!

Since taking over the agency for Expodisc, pricing has been able to be reduced! Just order the Expodisc to suit your largest diameter lens, as it can be held over all smaller lenses.

Order on line here. View our current pricelist.


BRUSHOFF

NEW HI-TECH SENSOR CLEANING BRUSH

Photographic Solutions’ “BRUSHOFF" Brush is unique in the digital cleaning world (see below). 

12BRUSHOFF, by Photographic Solutions Inc.,  is unlike any other sensor brush on the market. The BRUSHOFF design evolved from a NASA design and was engineered to meet their rigorous requirements and specifications. It is not  just an ordinary artist supply brush with a fancy name and high price tag!

Hold the BRUSHOFF, and one instantly can see this is a solidly designed and built electronic tool, utilizing science to produce unparalleled cleaning power! Although the brush head is remarkably soft, the brush core is entirely electronically conductive, through an ingeniously designed grounding plug. 

BRUSHOFF is conductive because the dust and lint that attaches to the sensor or lens surface is attached there electronically [dust has a negative charge and the sensor/ lens a positive one]. Breaking that electronic bond is the only way to both remove the debris and discharge the sensor or lens surface so that new particles are not immediately attracted to it again. A mere artist's brush cannot clean all of the dust, nor can it prevent dust accumulation, which can occur again immediately after its use.

Features & Benefits

  • designed in conjunction with and engineered to NASA specifications
  • unique blend of fibers designed to neutralize charged dust particles AND to neutralize the sensor surface to prevent further dust attraction
  • detachable grounding cable
  • retractable shaft to protect brush when not in use
  • protective cap
  • insulated handle
  • the brush barrel is its own solid carrying case
  • very competitively priced
  • not just a high-priced artist's brush and, most importantly, backed by the company that invented sensor cleaning  in 1998 - Photographic  Solutions, Inc. Expertise you can count on.

Order online at $102.00 inc GST.

Remember, no other company has any sensor cleaning product which is officially recommended by any camera manufacturer. We can supply several - the choice is up to you!


Discover the Power of
Virtual Backgrounds!

15Many photographers spend a great deal of money creating or collecting traditional backgrounds for their studio. They go to the trouble to transport themselves and their clients to specific locations in order to capture a background at just the right moment.

In contrast, the Virtual Backgrounds System enables the photographer to have a whole world of backgrounds instantly available in their studio, where they have total control and are not subject to the weather.

How Virtual Backgrounds Work

Creating virtual backgrounds is made easy with the Scene Machine and Spectravue projection system. It involves taking any ordinary transparency or slide and inserting it into the projector. Making use of a beam splitter and specially coated, retro-reflective screen, the image is projected behind the subject. The image is flashed simultaneously with the studio strobes used to light the subject(s), creating a backdrop during the exposure. Any imaginable scene can be used, including indoor, outdoor, canvas, graphics, and much more.

For more information and a live demonstration of this fantastic technology, please contact Michael on
03 9588 2777.


Equipment we Recommend

and Stock for YOU
Our equipment comes with full support!


   
Fuji S5 - run out stock reduced $2,299.00
Nikon D200 - run out stock reduced

$1,999.00

Expodisc - various sizes click here

NEW REDUCED PRICES FOR ECLIPSE DIGITAL CLEANING PRODUCTS

 
BRUSHOFF - SENSOR CLEANING BRUSH $102.00
Sensor swabs - 12 swab pack to clean your digital camera's sensor $88.00
Eclipse Cleaning Solution (2oz bottle) $25.00
Eclipse 2 Solution (2oz bottle) $25.00
Digital Survival Kit $33.00
Pec Pads 4x4” - 100 sheet pack $18.00
Colorvision Spyder 2 $340.00
Colorvision Spyder 2 Pro $499.00

Educational Books & CDs - Order Online

 

How to Master the Art of Selling Portrait Photography
by Michael Warshall
Audio CD (5 CD Collection)

$220.00

Mitche Graf - Boot Camp in a Box

This excellent resource consists of 3 crash courses incorporating 3 CDs in each set.

$412.50

Virtual Backgrounds Systems

 
11 Spectravue 300 machine $7,130.00

Scene Machine Digital

(similar to Spectravue 300, but far more adjustable)

$8,970.00

SCREENS

 
4ft x 6ft Rollup $2,335.00
5ft x 7ft Frame $3,135.00
5ft x 7ft Rollup $3,360.00
6ft x 8ft Frame $4,115.00
6ft x 8ft Rollup $4,620.00
8ft x 8ft Frame $5,840.00
8ft x 8ft Rollup $5,950.00
9ft x 8ft Frame $6,285.00
9ft x 8 ft Rollup $6,375.00
10ft x 8ft Frame $6,860.00
10ft x 10ft Frame $8,430.00
12ft x 10ft Frame $9,965.00
Slide Sets  
Type I/69 $130.00
Type II/85 $157.00
Type III/99 $179.00
Type IV/139 $249.00
Type V/199 $340.00
Type VI/259 $524.00
Type VII/285 $538.00
Accessories  
Lens Adapter Ring $44.00
Discs $44.00
Designer Disc Set $578.00
Colored Gel Set $240.00

 

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