DURANGO 5-19-2026
The Rule of Three: A Simple Daily Habit That Built My Photography Business
Here’s something painfully simple that most photographers ignore:
Reach out to three potential clients a day.
Not five.
Not twenty.
Just three.
Every day.
This is how I built momentum as a commercial photographer—not with ads, not with viral posts, but with steady, intentional outreach.
Three emails.
Three calls.
Three DMs.
Doesn’t matter how.
What matters is consistency.
You don’t have to pitch a big project. You don’t even need a “perfect” message. You just have to say:
“Here’s what I do. I like what you’re doing. Let’s connect.”
After a month, that’s 60+ people who know your name.
After three months, it’s nearly 200.
Some of them will hire you.
Some will refer you.
Some will ghost you.
That’s part of the game.
But there are ones who say yes?
That’s how you build a business.
One real connection at a time.
Try it this week. Three a day. Every day.
If you fall off the wagon, climb back on.
It’s a system.
And it works.
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TUESDAY'S MEETING NOTES
Quick recap
This was a photography group meeting where members shared their recent work and discussed technical issues. The group discussed website problems Don was experiencing with his HostGator account, which had been hacked and corrupted his database, leading him to consider switching providers after 27 years of service. Several members shared their photography projects including Michael’s bird banding documentation shots, Karen’s product photography experiments with color matching, and Luciana’s new website design using Claude tools. Lee demonstrated issues with Capture One’s exposure settings not transferring properly when exporting raw files, while Mike provided technical advice about using sessions versus albums in the software. Don conducted a live Photoshop editing session, showing how to improve landscape photos using masks, radial gradients, and color corrections. The conversation ended with Jay sharing photos of a rare crested saguaro cactus he had discovered at Cave Creek Regional Park.
Next steps
Derrick
Don
- Conduct free workshop on Skills and Claude at 5 PM Pacific time tomorrow, showing how to turn .md into a Skill and integrate into workflow.
- Consider moving website hosting from HostGator to another provider once the current site is restored.
- Notify attendees whether the Claude workshop will be recorded (for those unable to attend live).
Lail
- Attempt to recover Lightroom catalog by starting a new catalog and pointing it to the existing images folder as suggested by Don.
- Consider using Capture One for future photo management and attend the upcoming workshop on using .md files and Skills for workflow efficiency.
Summary
Photo Editing Software Technical Issues
The group discussed technical issues with photo editing software, particularly focusing on Capture One and Lightroom problems. Lee shared his experience with exposure settings in Capture One not transferring properly when exporting raw files, which was resolved by exporting as JPEG, TIFF, or PSD files instead of raw format. Lael reported corruption issues with multiple Lightroom catalogs and received advice from Don to create a new catalog by pointing it to the Pictures folder where original photos are stored. The discussion also covered Lael’s recent switch to Capture One, with participants praising its architecture and straightening tools, while Luciana presented her new web design work featuring responsive landing pages created using a design tool called Claude.
Skills Workshop and Photo Editing
Don announced a free workshop on Skills for Claude scheduled for Wednesday evening at 5 PM, where Luciana will learn how to convert an MD file into a Skills format. Don demonstrated photo editing techniques using Lightroom and Capture One, showing how to use masks to adjust lighting on faces and bodies in photos, particularly for a Texas magazine shoot. Don emphasized the importance of delivering high-quality work that exceeds client expectations to maintain business viability.
Bird Banding Photography Presentation
Micheal presented a series of photographs documenting bird banding activities at a local state park during spring migration season. He explained the process of capturing, measuring, and banding birds with licensed bird banders Joey and Nathan, who use the data to track migration patterns and population health. The images were taken for the banders to use in local flyers and community activities, with Micheal providing 20-30 images from the day’s work.
Product Photography Technique Demonstration
Karen demonstrated her photography technique for consistent product shots using colored backgrounds and Photoshop color adjustments, explaining how she used different colored construction paper to match the can colors before finding it easier to use gray backgrounds and color adjustments in post-processing. Don provided technical feedback on the lighting setup and suggested improvements for future shots, including using pins for consistent positioning and acetate overlays for better alignment. Mikala shared her photos from a Sony Camera event in New York City, showing dancers in a historic ballroom, though she encountered challenges with Photoshop when attempting to remove a chair from one of the images.
Photography Techniques and Event Planning
Mikala discussed her experience photographing a Sony event where she used different lenses including a 28-70mm G Master and a 200mm lens, shooting between 70-100mm most of the time. Don provided advice about getting different perspectives in photography, suggesting techniques like shooting from heights or getting lower to the ground to create different angles. Mikala mentioned she has another Sony event upcoming at the Brooklyn Army Terminal where she will photograph artists in their studios.
Photoshop Editing Techniques Demo
Don demonstrated Photoshop editing techniques to beckystinehour, showing how to adjust highlights, create masks, and use radial gradients to enhance a landscape photo. He explained the importance of delivering unique photos that couldn’t be easily replicated on phones, and used AI tools to remove a person walking out of the frame. The session included discussions about camera equipment and trade-in values at photography events, with Mikala sharing her experience upgrading to an A7C camera through trade-in offers.
Photo Editing and Analysis Techniques
The team discussed photo editing techniques, with Don demonstrating how to use Camera Raw to adjust colors and create masks for specific elements in images. Derek shared his success using Claude to analyze 1,087 loan files, creating a slide presentation that impressed management. Owner shared photos of a rare crested saguaro cactus at Cave Creek Regional Park, describing it as a genetic aberration occurring in about 1 in 2,000 saguaros.
Cacti and Website Hosting Discussion
The group discussed cacti, including teddy bear cholla cacti and their growth patterns, with Don sharing a personal experience about his brother’s emergency room visit after backing into a cholla cactus. Don then addressed technical issues with his website hosted on HostGator, expressing frustration with the company’s lack of support and considering moving to a different provider after 27 years with HostGator. The conversation ended with confirmation of the next day’s schedule, including a regular meeting at 10 o’clock Pacific time (12 o’clock Arkansas time) and a separate evening event with Claude.
WEDNESDAY'S MEETING NOTES
Quick recap
The meeting was a group discussion where members shared updates and discussed various topics including AI in photography and content creation. Don led a conversation about the increasing use of AI tools like Claude and Gemini for creating skills and content generation, sharing examples of AI-assisted photography and music creation. The group debated the ethical implications of AI in creative work, with participants sharing personal experiences about AI’s impact on their industries. Becky shared her ninth cover photo for a publication and recent commercial work for a landscape company, while Larry presented his urban lifestyle photography shot on a Fujifilm GFX 100. The discussion also covered camera technology, with participants discussing Sony’s new R6 camera and printing options through various vendors like Bay Photo and ProPrints.
Next steps
Don
- Double check and, if necessary, post the link for the 5 p.m. Pacific skills workshop in the mentor group and/or relevant page.
- Send a picture of the new washer-dryer unit to beckystinehour as requested.
- Order a large print to cover the vent hole in the wall, considering recommendations from the group about print services.
Donn
- Continue reaching out to local organizations (e.g., mountain lion rescue group, Audubon) and individuals for potential collaboration and blog post material, and prepare updates for next one-on-one session with Don.
- Send sample files to Square Prints for 4×6 canvas samples to evaluate print quality for future large canvas orders.
beckystinehour
Summary
Personal Updates and Health Discussion
The group discussed personal updates and health issues. Trish mentioned stopping Tuesday night meetings due to negative vibes and planned to attend a skills session later. Becky shared about cooking brisket and dealing with high temperatures. Laura discussed experiencing migraines and shared details about her medication, including a negative experience with a high dose of sumatriptan that caused jaw locking. Trish then shared a story about her late husband’s experience with kidney cancer and migraines during his hospital stay.
Claude Training and Website Updates
Don announced a Claude training session scheduled for 5 PM that day to teach participants how to create skills, with a potential follow-up session on Gemini Gems the following week. Don showcased a new website page featuring an About Me generator tool and highlighted the rule of three concept based on feedback from photographers. The meeting included casual conversation about house purchases and technical issues with Hostgator, but no specific decisions or action items were established.
Marketing and AI Strategy Discussion
Don and Becky discussed the importance of consistent marketing efforts, with Don emphasizing that marketing activities should be planned two months ahead rather than just for the next week. They explored the impact of AI-generated content on user perception, with both agreeing that knowing content was AI-generated doesn’t diminish its quality or appeal. Don shared insights about viewing AI as a tool rather than a hindrance, supported by examples of AI-assisted content creation in photography and writing.
AI Ethics in Creative Work
The group discussed the ethical considerations of using AI in creative work, particularly in photography and writing. Don and Larry compared AI-assisted creation to existing practices like James Patterson’s collaborative novel writing process, arguing that the percentage of AI contribution doesn’t determine the ethical nature of the work. The discussion highlighted how technological changes have historically affected creative professionals, with Don referencing how the disappearance of Polaroid typesetting affected thousands of artists.
Technology and Data Center Regulations
Don and Larry discussed the impact of technology on their field, with Larry sharing his experience using Polaroid Type 55 film during his graduate studies. Don expressed concerns about AI potentially replacing workers, though he noted that AI itself doesn’t replace people but affects processes higher up the chain. The group briefly discussed proposed data center regulations, with Laura mentioning opposition to a Meta data center near Mobile Bay due to environmental concerns, and Don expressing support for restrictions on data centers.
AI Content Perception Discussion
Larry and Don discussed the utility and perception of AI-generated content, with Larry arguing that if AI creates useful content that satisfies end users, the origin of the content matters less. They examined examples of AI-generated music and art, noting limitations like the 8-second clip length constraint. The discussion revealed generational differences in AI adoption, with younger millennials showing resistance while older demographics are more accepting, and they noted a successful AI-focused lifestyle Substack with thousands of paid subscribers.
Photography Work Updates Discussion
Becky shared details about her recent photography work, including her ninth cover for a publication featuring a horse calf demonstration at Fort Hood. She also discussed a job in Georgetown where she photographed new employees for a landscape company, capturing headshots and documentation of their training event. The discussion concluded with Don and Larry briefly discussing bird tagging and research organizations.
Lifestyle Athletic Photography Discussion
Donn and Larry discussed Larry’s photography work, including a series of lifestyle athletic images shot with a hired model using a Fujifilm GFX 100 S2 camera. Donn praised the authentic, gritty feel of the images and compared them favorably to early fashion photography styles, while noting the distinctive look achieved with the medium format camera. The discussion also touched on technical aspects of the photography, including post-processing work to remove bird droppings from one shot and the use of off-kilter angles to add energy to the images.
Advanced Camera Features Discussion
Don and Laura discussed a new camera with advanced features including 8K video, 30 frames per second shooting, and pre-capture capabilities, with a price point around $4,500-$4,900. Laura praised the camera’s specifications, particularly its sports and wildlife capabilities, while Don noted the irony that while traditional print photography is declining, camera technology continues to advance beyond most photographers’ needs. The discussion included details about the camera’s crop sensor and storage requirements for 8K video.
Camera and Project Planning Discussion
The group discussed camera technology, with Don sharing his satisfaction with his Canon 6D Mark II while others mentioned their preferences for different cameras. Donn shared plans to purchase a new washer-dryer unit that doesn’t require venting, leading to a discussion about print services where Laura recommended ProPrints.com as a more affordable option than Bay Photo due to their acquisition. The conversation concluded with Donn and Don agreeing to follow up on previously discussed ideas for a website or project, with Donn planning to reach out to local organizations and continue developing content.
