It is always nice to be appreciated and acknowledged for the hard work that you do. Being a young entrepreneur and creative, I have worked hard to get to where I am both in my business and in my personal life. I am proud of my accomplishments and am privileged to work with so many amazing people in my day-to-day life.

I have recently been honoured by the Business Link (a local business-to-business newspaper) with a "40 Under 40 Award". The 40 Under 40 Awards are an annual award ceremony that honour 40 outstanding business owners in the Niagara region, all under the age of 40. I am proud to stand up with 39 other individuals who have made a difference thorough their businesses in Niagara. Among the winners are a few of my very close friends and business colleagues:

Dave and Matthew from Niagara Classic Cars and Cabs
Jeff from Urban Image Landscape and Design

I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me - my family, my friends, and my colleagues. I'd like to thank all of my amazing couples, families and clients. While I have worked very hard to get to where I am today, it wouldn't be without the support, help, and love of those around me.

Check back later next week for some photos of the 40 Under 40 Award Ceremony. I won't be photographing it, because I am a recipient (I get to enjoy the banquet), but there will be a photographer there.

Congratulations, again, to all of the winners!

Posted May 07, 2010 by Bryan Caporicci  |  Category: Chit-Chat

This post is for small business owners and entrepreneurs. To my wedding and portrait clients, feel free to skip over this blog post, or enjoy a conversation about a very interesting topic.

Social Media (for example, Facebook, blogging, Twitter, YouTube, Blip.TV and LinkedIn) are a huge part of business today. The traditional forms of marketing are now being complemented, and, in some cases, replaced, with these new, instant-notification, real-time marketing/networking avenues. Businesses today who are participating in the online conversation are seeing huge advantages. Adam White, who's wedding I photographed last year, has created an amazing resource for small business owners to help them in the transition to social media, social networking, and the "now" economy. He has a website name Social Media Niagara, and he hosts monthly seminars on topics such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn. At the end of this month, I am co-teaching a seminar with him on the topic of "YouTube", so check back here soon for more information on that.

I had the pleasure of hanging out with Adam last week for an interview on social media and how I am using it to build my business. Adam's uploaded the video to Social Media Niagara, but I've also embedded it here for your convenience:



Check it out and let me know what you think. If you're interested in this topic and would like further consulting/coaching on it, be sure to get in touch with Adam. He is doing social-media consulting for small businesses, and he'll do wonders for your company!

You can check me out in the Social Media World via the following:

- Facebook Profile
- Facebook Group
- Twitter
- LinkedIn
- YouTube
- Blip.TV
- Blog (you're on it)

Ciao for now :)

Bryan

Posted April 01, 2010 by Bryan Caporicci  |  Category: Chit-Chat

I have blogged before about all of the great workshops and seminars that I have had the pleasure of giving to other photographers. Together, Robert Nowell (my EnlightenMe business partner) and I have spoken and taught on:

- Adobe Lightroom
- Off-Camera flash
- Album design
- Portrait lighting
- Embracing change
- The business of photography
- Wedding photography

I have a HUGE passion for teaching. For as long as I can remember, I have been involved with teaching in one way or another. I was a camp-counsellor for 4 years throughout high-school, I taught swim-lessons for 6 years throughout high-school and University and I have tutored, assisted and taught fellow classmates throughout my high-school and University career.

When I started my photography business, I knew that my love for teaching would eventually come full-circle and that I would have the opportunity to teach again. Now is that time, and I am totally loving it.

Most of the time, we speak and teach on the technical aspects of photography (lighting, posing, flash techniques, editing, retouching) and the technical aspects of business (marketing, advertising, branding, and so on). While I love teaching on these subjects, it was time for a change, and we had the opportunity to speak and teach one something totally different this past weekend.

Dave and Charlotte (Al and my wedding photographers) hosted the first-annual, two-day Awaken Workshops, this past weekend. The purpose was to awaken the spirits and inspire photographers. We had the room packed with over 100 new, experienced and aspiring photographers, to whom we were excited to share, motivate and inspire. Instead of taking our normal route of speaking and talking on the technical aspects of our business, we decided to take a completely different route.

Our program was entitled "The Lie of Busy" and we spoke about how personal growth and focusing on our lives is just as important (if not more important) as focusing on our business. We have found that photographers typically work around the clock, don't have business hours, don't have set policies, and often sacrifice family, personal time and friends for their businesses. While it is important to be flexible and accommodating for our clients, it is also important to have a personal life outside of our businesses.

We really enjoyed speaking on this topic, and we have plans to take this topic and project further to inspire more and more photographers. Keep your eyes peeled on this one!

It really was an inspiring weekend, and we were honoured to be speaking aside some of Tonroto's best wedding and portrait photographers:

- Dave Biesse
- Taylor Jackson
- Assad Mecci
- Rebecca Wood
- Charlotte Leonard
- Amina and Justin of StillMotion

Our good friend and official photographer of the Awaken Workshops, Scott Willams has given me permission to post these images that he captured throughout the weekend, I hope that you enjoy them.

Also a huge thanks to Andrew and Emily, of Sorlie Arts, who were the event's official videographer. Andrew did a bang-up job with the videos from what I've seen; I can't wait to see the final product!

Keep your eyes and ears peeled for next year's Awaken Workshops; you do NOT want to miss this! And also check back, here, frequently, to stay updated with our speaking schedule.

Have a great day!

Bryan

Posted March 23, 2010 by Bryan Caporicci  |  Category: Chit-Chat

Attention: Photographers

Looking to pump up your business and take it to the next level? You DO NOT want to miss this amazing seminar, being given by Craig Riesebosch, from Dale Carnegie Niagara.



Find out more information, and sign up, over at http://www.ppocohn.com

See you there!

Bryan

Posted March 12, 2010 by Bryan Caporicci  |  Category: Chit-Chat

Check out this stellar teaser/promo video for the upcoming Awaken Workshop. You're going to love it!

See you there

Awaken Workshop 2010 - March 20-21 - Toronto, Ontario from Andrew Sorlie on Vimeo.

Posted March 05, 2010 by Bryan Caporicci  |  Category: Chit-Chat

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