Customer Reviews

Fast Track Photographer: The Definitive New Approach to Successful Wedding Photography

5 star:		(72)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It has been quite a while since I read through the book, and I haven't felt the urge to go through it again. On the plus side, while many books on the business use outdated references and images, Fast Track is definitely written for today's photographer. I also appreciate that it is about business and not photographic technique, equipment, etc. I enjoyed reading the author's story ad even his overview of the different kinds of wedding photography businesses. What I don't love is the P-DNA concept; like any magazine-style personality quiz it presents you with a number of choices/preferences (which may or may not apply to you). I found it difficult to relate to some of the questions, which weren't always worded very well/clearly. So in the end, I ended up choosing the least false options, rather than the ones that were most true (hope that makes sense). After taking the PDNA, you get a result which is supposed to tell you what kind of photographer you are, and you're encouraged to retake it every year for $20 or so.

It might work well for some people, but even though I give Sanders an "A" for effort (b/c to my knowledge, no one else has attempted to create something like this) , I still think that the PDNA is poorly designed. I'm even not sure that it could have been better, as these sorts of questionnaires are inherently limited anyway. We're all unique. It helps to look at others' experience, but most people find success by learning from others, making mistakes AND forging our own paths--NOT by simply adopting others' techniques and business practices before evaluating how well they will work for us. For instance, Sanders really sells the idea of outsourcing many time-consuming tasks--and file processing/editing/retouching in particular--in order to focus on marketing, finding customers, etc. I think that it's wise and necessary to spend the most time on what you do best, but I don't think that everyone will need to outsource the same things. And I don't think that you're necessarily harming your business by doing your own editing or album design. In other words, you still have to figure out what works best for you, your business and your customers.

No one tool, book, seminar etc. can give you all of the answers, so I'm glad that this has been helpful to many others starting out. It did give me some ideas, and insight into different personality traits, business models, etc. But when I need to move beyond the philosophy and into the practicalities of running a photography business, I've found The Business of Studio Photography by Edward Lilley (there's a 2009 edition now) and Best Business Practices for Photographers by John Harrington to be great resources....Glen Johnson's Digital Wedding Photography is also a wonderful book about wedding photography. The Strategy Avenue program by Laura Novak also gives you some good tools when developing a vision and plan for your business.

This is a very fine book, written by an obviously intelligent and thoughtful guy. I agree with other reviewers about the book and especially its applicability to professions far distant from wedding photography, BUT ... If you want to get the full benefit of the book, DON'T buy the Kindle version! Two problems; one annoying and the other serious: First, the formatting for the Kindle is about like a text file dumped into a word processor. The chapters run together, there are no links from the table of contents to the locations in the text of the book, and the tables (important tables to understand the main point of the book) are totally unusable. Second, the whole book orients itself around a concept he calls "pDNA" which others have discussed. With a print copy of the book you get a code which allows you onto the website which the book describes as an essential part of the book. You don't get the code with the Kindle edition, and they (the author's website) won't give it to you if you ask and explain that you bought the Kindle edition of the book. You can buy the code from the website for $20. That makes your $9.99 Kindle book cost $29.99. There is now a warning on their website that you don't get the code with the e-book, but you do with the print or audio versions. I don't know if that was added after my complaint or before. It was not a part of the advertisement for the Kindle version.
So, it's a really fine book, but the e-book version is incomplete and defective.

I had high hopes for this book, after reading all the glowing reviews. At the end of the day, it is the same thing written over and over. I was really hoping for a real insight into ideas and techniques for wedding photography business. Instead, it is just a rambling of your typical feel good, small business "go for it" ramblings. There are one or two "real life" stories over a few pages which are nice, but, they're never expanded on. I read the whole thing in a couple of hours, and walked away with no new insight or ideas into expanding or adjusting my business. Too much talk about "pDNA" and blah blah blah. Don't waste your time or money.

This book truly gives you the 'BIG PICTURE'. Dane is acutely aware of the times we live in and how technology is changing. He gives practical reasons for why those elusive few are so successful and what that means to you. Typical? No. Useful? No doubt. This book isn't a nuts and bolts of having a business (though that is referenced for beginners), it's really about something more. And it will change your business and your life if you're on board. It's already changed mine. Incredible advice and some really amazing tools you can use to work out your dream on your own so you can actually live it. I can't thank Dane enough for his willingness to share such valuable things with the world. Not everyone is willing to tell you the truth about success. So if you want it, get this book.

This was an incredible book. It contained really valuable insight into what kind of photography a person (you) would most likely thrive in whether it's for business or hobby. Also, Dave explains in really practical terms - the incremental steps needed to establish yourself as a photographer in both the literal and figurative senses. I would recommend this book to anyone involved in photography, and will more than likely end up re-reading this book in the time to come.

This has to be the best book written in the subject of how to be a wedding photographer. I could not put it down. Well written, funny, full of real life examples, transparent and lots of wisdom.

There are many excellent books written about photography, on how to take better images and even on marketing. This book is none of those. You won't learn about aperture or shutter speed here or how to create a mailer or a promotional piece. That isn't the purpose of the book. This book is about the Photographer and not about the photography. It is one of a kind. It is the book that was missing in my library.

This book will help you understand why some photographers thrive in a depress economy and in a crowded market place while other don't. Deals with the changes that the new "Digi-flat" world brings and how to deal with them. It will also help you (with the help of the pDNA) to understand your strengths as a photographer and how to leverage them.

One of the most important things about the book is that it will help you avoid all the pitfall of professional wedding photography and how to stay in target.

Beware, this is not a formula book. or a get rich fast scheme. It is not a fluff book or feel great book (although you will feel great after you are done reading it) but it is full of content. This is a very serious book about the wedding photography industry and business. It is written by a well respected wedding photographer and educator in the industry.

I was experiencing some slow growth in my business and had spent countless hours trying to figure out what I was doing wrong and what I had to do. I had try everything I was suppose to do but wasn't seeing any growth. I honestly was stuck and could not figure it out. Fast Track Photographer was a God sent.

So, if you are starting out or are a seasoned professional that feel stuck or want to know how to thrive in the new economy, this is a MUST READ BOOK.

This book is not only for the aspiring photographer but also for anyone wanting to build a business with their own uniqueness in mind. Dane's writing style is inviting and engaging. I'm not one who typically likes to read, but Dane kept my attention from beginning to end!

I just heard about this book a week ago from David Jay and I'm so glad that I started reading it! I'm a brand new photographer and this book has so much information for those who are just starting out in the photographer business! Dane gives so much information and I feel blessed to be reading this before I go all out with my business. By doing this, I feel that i will be a step ahead. This is a book that I will read again and again!

Dane have definitely change the way we approach photography from a business to a lifestyle. I first read this book, then I bought the audio version, then went back and got the Kindle version; I couldn't get enough. Fast Track Photographer is not just a clever title, but an honest approach to a passion that can turn into a career.

I highly recommend this book.

I purchase the Kindle version as I love having my books with me for reading when an opportunity strikes. After buying the Kindle version of this book I discovered that it does NOT include the pDNA Photographers Assessment Tool - one of the key tools to make the book worthwhile. If you plan on getting the book - get the book itself or the audiobook. I'm not sure why they would not consider the Kindle version worthy of providing this. Beware - if you want to get the pDNA assessment tool after the fact, it will cost you $20.