Once again, an excellent interview packed with great advice -- as well as those gorgeous images. Preston, you are a very interesting person with a unique background and I think James is doing a great job of giving us a glimpse of you both professionally and personally. I, for one, really enjoy reading about you.

Jim

Thanks for the comments.

Laura, Part 2 is published now.

Penny, your message makes it worth doing the interview. So, thanks. I think there are a lot of helpful members here, so when questions pop up just ask.

Jim P, thanks. And I envy your action photos and those iPads.

Jim G. Thanks. I consider myself pretty boring, but I'll go with your opinion on this one. And yes, kudos to James to putting us all together.

Penny,
that's not just a question for folks starting out -- we all have to ask ourselves that question every year -- or more often -- as we evolve our business and the markets evolve around us. Preston's background in Strategic Planning is unique for us pet photographers but very valuable. That vision allows him to get outside of "what I love to shoot" and focus on "how can I make a living doing it".

For those of us that do it for a living, that's the essential question to answer. I thank both Preston and James for reminding us that revenue-production is the objective and great images are the way to get there. That's the essential difference between objectives and strategies. Preston gets it. And his images are truly outstanding.

Jim

Thank you for your thoughts and clarification Jim. I agree, Preston's photos are stunning, and I would love to meet him in person.

Am way way behind in the forums but wanted to chime in that I've read both parts of Preston's interview and really enjoyed it. Of course. He has great business advice which I have helped myself to a number of times in private emails. Besides he enjoys tech/geek talk as I do...
And ya'll are right, his images are gorgeous. The blue Aby and that Norwegian Forest Cat are especially stunning.

Diana

I just finished reading Part 3 of Preston's interview. Lovely! How much he loves cats and the humor came through the interview well.

Preston- I love the ragdoll kitten photo that you showed. Beautiful! Good thing I already have 3! Seal Point, Blue Point and a Bi-Seal. That little Turkish Angora in the cup is the cutest.

Hi Penny,

Thanks so much for the comments and praise on Preston's interview. I am really honored that he was willing to take the time to do this.

James

I think you both did a great job.
The interviews were interesting and informative

I was lucky to meet Preston, he is very nice and helpful.

Just catching up and read part III. Another good one that has us waiting for parts IV & V

Thanks for your comments.

The 'Japanese Lucky Cat' at the end of the article is an Odd Eyed White Manx.

When shooting a Manx, the owners usually want just one pose. It is a full body, standing shot with the cat standing on his tip toes...but only in the rear. That is 'The Manx Pose'. They don't want head shots, or reclining shots, or sitting shots. The only pose that showcases the compliance to standard in Manx is that rear end up pose. And it is difficult to get.