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NoBS Member of the Month: George Dean

In one short year, NoBS member George Dean has been transformed from an avid amateur photographer to a successful professional and he credits NoBS with putting him on the fast track. As we have seen, his work is crisp and well executed. Congrats on being selected Member of the Month, George!

My photography career began with the pregnancy of my wife with my daughter. I wanted some maternity images and then images of my soon to be born daughter but I wanted to take the pictures. I was always the guy with the camera but I never took it seriously til my daughter came along. I knew the only way to do it right was to get a great camera, some studio lights, and top notch training. Everything just seemed to fall into place.

My decision to become a photographer was around March of 2006. I attended my first photography seminar in June of 2006 here in Dallas. A guy sitting behind me whispered in my ear during a break, "Go to NoBsPhotoSuccess.com" and thank goodness I did. NoBs was an oasis full of information, video downloads, tutorials, and a lively discussion forum. I found my new home.

Truly, NoBs taught me what I know today. It cut my learning curve dramatically. I studied and and studied and studied posts. I keep a notebook by my keyboard to take notes on ANYTHING I learn new. Then, I review those notes monthly. I read them over and over til they are a part of me.

I study other photographers images. I have a large swipe file I study and reference often. Sometimes, my friends ask me how I got so good so fast and I respond that I study more, experiment more, buy the best equipment I can afford, and attend the best workshops/seminars I can - like the NoBs Niagara Falls seminar last November.

My studio is in the front part of my home. The room is 14X27 with beautiful wood floors and rich colors. My lights are on a floating rail system (no stands or cords to trip over and it takes an instant to adjust them) and I do sales projection on a 110" screen with a 20X30 canvas and 30X40 canvas on the wall. These things add a lot of credibiilty to my home based business and cash to my bottom line.

By June 2006, I was getting clients. My average per session was around $250 when I first started and now they are around $800 to $1000 per session with an occasional $1500 - $2500 session (thank you projection sales). My clients are my best advertisements. They tell everyone and show everybody my images. I give each mom a 3X3 Rennaissance Album to show off their images. And show them off they do. They tell me all the time, "George, these pictures should be on the cover of a magazine." How cool is that!

My parents are so happy I am photographer. They told me 10 years ago this is what I should be doing. They were right. They said I have the "eye", the ability to connect emotionally with people, and the sales skills to pull it off. I feel this is a calling from a higher power and I am humbled by that power. To see people cry when they see their images truly makes all my efforts worth every moment of training.

I believe creating images is a gift, a gift from God. I praise him for this gift. Every image is from him but he lets me do it. I am just a conduit of his creations. What an honor.

George Dean

Dallas, TX

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