Leroy Tademy

Just a quick heads up I dropped my GotPhoto trade show booth talk into the Course section. It’s the session where I break down how I’m using one light to create creative images for clients. Real-world setup. Nothing fancy. Just how I’m thinking through it and making it work. If you’ve ever felt like you needed more gear to get better results, this one will help you slow down and really see what one light can do. It’s in there. Go watch it when you get a minute and pull something from it you can use.

New comment 2d ago

Leroy Tademy

0 likes • 2d

@Dawn Gilmore yes ma’am. It was a good talk we had some fun with it. Some love demo as well.

Leroy Tademy

0 likes • 2d

@Dionne Blakemore Of course here to help.

Leroy Tademy

6d •

General discussion

Community update

I officially survived Mardi Gras season. If you’re in South Louisiana, you already know what that means. It was a full sprint — pageants, balls, royalty portraits, on-site printing — and now we’re wrapping up the final wave of preorder fulfillments. It was intense, but it sharpened the systems and the team like always. Right after Mardi Gras, Miller’s had me represent them at SYNC in the Sync Lounge doing live demos. It was a fantastic experience. I was able to help a lot of photographers in real time — breaking down lighting setups, workflow, and practical tools they can actually use in their businesses. Huge thank you to Denny Manufacturing for supplying the backgrounds and Westcott for providing the lighting. We had a strong setup and it showed. Because of that relationship, we now have special community pricing available specifically for Westcott gear. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your lighting or adding to your kit, just let me know you’re interested and I’ll send you the details. We also have something coming soon with Cheetah Stand — more on that shortly. As for workshops: • Next stop: Pineville, Louisiana • After that: North Greater Houston area with Westcott at Precision Camera - The Woodlands Store Momentum is building. More access. More opportunity. More growth for all of us.

Dionne Blakemore

25d •

General discussion

Reaching out to schools

I am brand new at the photography biz, and volume work has been the most fun for me so far. I want to reach out to smaller schools in my area to try for their fall school photo work. I have a short and terribly simple email written up to reach out to admin, but I don't know if it's solid enough. Can any of you give me tips or guidance on how to put my best foot forward and not look like I'm winging it? (which i totally am!)

New comment 6d ago

Leroy Tademy

0 likes • 9d

updated: Hi [Name], I know school portrait days can sometimes create extra work for staff — coordinating schedules, collecting forms, answering parent questions, and making sure everything runs smoothly during instructional time. My name is Dionne Blakemore, and I’m the photographer behind Vivid Focus Photography here in Southeast Kansas. As a lifelong local resident and small business owner, I work with schools and youth organizations to provide organized, low-stress portrait days that are simple for families and require minimal extra effort from your staff. Here’s how I support schools: • Efficient, well-organized photo days that stay on schedule • Clear parent communication provided in advance • Simple prepay ordering (online or paper options available) • Professional studio lighting for consistent, polished results • Direct delivery options to reduce distribution work for staff Whether it’s traditional school portraits or activity portraits (band, choir, theater, clubs), my goal is to make photo day feel smooth, predictable, and easy for everyone involved. If you’re reviewing options for fall portraits, I’d be happy to answer questions or see if there’s a way I can support your school this year. Thank you for your time, Dionne Blakemore Vivid Focus Photography Here’s why I suggested those changes (quick + practical): 1) Lead with the school’s headaches first. Principals and office staff aren’t reading thinking “tell me about your lighting.” They’re thinking: “Is this going to create more work for my team? Is it going to disrupt class? Are parents going to blow us up with questions?” So I opened with that reality to show you get it and you’re solving it. 2) Make “less work for staff” the main theme. That’s the #1 buying trigger for schools. Your original email says it, but it’s buried. I pulled it to the front and repeated it in a few ways so it sticks. 3) Keep the local/native piece (trust), but don’t over-explain the process. Being a lifelong SE Kansas resident is a big credibility win — it builds trust fast.

Leroy Tademy

0 likes • 6d

@Dionne Blakemore of course you pretty much had it there. Let me know how it goes.

Leroy Tademy

29d •

General discussion

Package Delays

Is anyone else having the packages delayed? Missed some banners for a senior night. We had to print off 16x20s as a pivot just to have something to present that night.

New comment 27d ago

Leroy Tademy

0 likes • 29d

Thats insane! I think the weather is really bad up north.

Leroy Tademy

0 likes • 27d

@Jenee Warner that makes a lot of sense.

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