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Get a Blog:
One Photographer’s Insights
By Ethan G. Salwen
Patrick Bennett
I’ve been writing and photographing for my blog about life here in South America since moving to Argentina this past February. I’ve been an ASMP member since ‘89 and previously lived in Seattle. Buenos Aires Blog: web.mac.com/patrickfifth/iWeb/Buenos_Aires/Bienvenidos.html
ES: How does your blogging relate to your move to Buenos Aires? Was this just a way to keep up with people and share your adventures, or was this a concerted marketing effort for your business?
PB: A bit of both. Digital, in general, made this move to Argentina possible for me. Now that I am able to send images, post assignments, and otherwise serve my clients needs, it can be done from anywhere with Internet connections. (Though sometimes that can be a real challenge!) The blog is just an extension of that. The timing was perfect, as far as the ability to set up and maintain a blog with ease. I simply use Apple’s iWeb interface.
ES: Has your blog helped you professionally?
PB: Yes. But this has been more in terms of subtle marketing. I definitely had marketing in mind when I began my blog, but my true motivation was really more about self-assignment to shoot and publish what I was discovering in Argentina, as well as to write like I’ve never written before. I’m particularly thrilled with the compliments on my writing skills from both friends and clients.
ES: When you write your blog postings, how much are you aware of your client readers, and how does this affect your writing?
PB: I’m aware to the point of being sensitive not to post too much of the political opinions I have regarding this foreign country. I don’t mind discussing these topics with anyone, but I feel that blogs can be abused in that way. I want my clients and potential clients to know more about me and, in turn, how I make the images I do. I am hoping this will assure them that they can look to me to provide imagery of the highest caliber when I return to the US.
ES: It looks like you are truly enjoying Argentina and blogging. Is that completely true, or are you also using the “friendly factor” to appeal to clients?
PB: For better or worse, I just don’t do fake. If it is viewed as a friendly factor, that’s OK, but I am doing this blog as a shared travel journal more for my own satisfaction than for anyone else’s. The modern Web has made this possible. You know, I’m a photographer. I love to show my photographs.
ES: What kind of response have you gotten from your blog?
PB: One friend of mine, the wife of a pretty close friend, told me, “I’ve known you for five years, but only after I sat down and read your entire blog did I discover who you really are. I know you on a much deeper level.” On a professional level it’s an important means of staying in touch with people. Nearly all my clients have welcomed the emails announcing updates and have said they look forward to more. Although, some say I’m just having too much fun!
ES: Are you making a conscious effort to link your blog and your main Web site in terms of your marketing strategy?
PB: Yes, though it is still with more subtlety. There are links in either direction, but are not a lot of bells and whistles to grab attention.
ES: Do you think that blogging is particularly appropriate for travel photographers?
PB: Absolutely. It is a travel journal that keeps people aware of what you are up to on a mass level. It keeps your name in front of clients.
ES: Going forward, do you think you will keep blogging at the same rate?
PB: I will be in Argentina for at least four more months and will blog the entire time. After that I haven’t decided. This blog is all about living in Argentina. After I return to the U.S., I will have to adjust to life there to see if I continue this blog or start another. But clearly, if I return to Argentina I will keep this blog going.
ES: And if you travel to other countries?
PB: Yes, the blog lends itself to reporting on specific events, assignments and projects, and I can see using blogging to report on these in the future.
ES: Any blogging advice for other ASMP members entering the blogoshpere?
PB: Don’t wait too long between entries, or you’ll forget all the good stuff. I carry a little palm LifeDrive with me at all times — along with my camera, of course — to take notes when I need to. I use the recorder on it to make even quicker notes to add to the blog later. Photographs from a particular day also jog my memory about various events that make it into the blog.