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“Oz brought his solution to our offices when it was nearing completion. I was immediately impressed by the clean appearance and intuitive approach. It illustrated that he really knows what a photographer needs to keep track of, if they are to stay on top of the demands on their time. He has taken the power of FileMaker combined it with his domain expertise and created a solution that is a ‘must have’ for independent photographers. The fact that Foto SF was short listed in the FileMaker Cube Awards08 – Developers of Excellence, is a real testament to the quality of the product. It’s a real bonus that Oz is a really nice guy and I picked up a few tips as a keen amateur photographer myself!” |
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Tony Speakman, FileMaker, N.Europe |
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“A handful of elite photographers put their names to software packages such as album designs or Photoshop actions, endorsing them with their reputations for creative or business flare”
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“Foto SF offers productivity hike and slick admin for stressed snappers. The database solution for photographers who can’t stand databases could well bring an end to sleepless nights.”
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“This is a software which promises to revolutionize the way you run your office. Does it live up to its hype? Well, after trying it out for a few days I have to say that it really does seem to deliver. So, the big question: would I, as a working photographer, buy Foto SF myself? The answer has to be yes: in a heartbeat. I have to say I don't generally like databases software as I find them overcomplicated and ... well, quite frankly, they're a little dull. However, as Oz has taken all the hard work out of the equation and has developed a piece of software that is designed specifically for what we do as photographers and, given his in-depth knowledge of our industry, it really is a hard piece of software to ignore.”
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“Foto SF which runs on Ma or PC makes previous studio management software seem like a mental assault course. Foto SF is a thoughtfully designed client database."
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| Jeff Ascough Photography |
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Jeff Ascough needs no introduction, one of the world's leading wedding photographer pens a few words about his experience of using Foto SF for his business.
“There aren’t many things in this digital world that really impress me, especially where software is concerned, but after seeing Foto SF, I have to say it is incredible. It’s basically a database app to help photographers help their business, at least that’s what I thought. It is so much more than that though. Everything from client records, to book keeping, vat returns, email marketing, booking and client organisation are all covered along with many more features. The email side of the software is worth the price alone. At present if we were sending a client an invoice, we would have to create the invoice, make a pdf and then attach it to a standard email. Foto SF does all of this in one click including sending the email. The possibilities that this opens up in terms of massed marketing and promotion are endless. At present we pay a bookkeeper to sort out our VAT returns at the end of each quarter. The software will automatically do this for you, and produce the VAT return at the click of a button. The money this will save us will pay for the software in the first quarter alone.
One last thing that really caught my eye, was the way in which the software can be accessed by multiple users from anywhere in the world via a standard internet connection. So if I have a client call the office while I’m shooting a wedding, I can access that client’s details, and follow any phone conversations, emails, or discussions that have gone on with that client while I’m away. You’ve probably guessed by now that I’m quite excited about this product. It will undoubtedly help us to service our clients more efficiently, reduce our accountancy fees, and generally make the running of my business a lot smoother.” |
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Jeff Ascough Photography
www.jeffascough.com |
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CKP Weddings |
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Based in the Jersey, Channel Islands, Christian Keenan runs CKP Weddings. Rated as among the 'Top 10 UK Wedding Photographer' and '5 Star' by Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine, CKP Weddings turned to Foto SF for organising their business.
"We have been looking for the right system to suit our businesses needs for at least two years with no joy. Once we experienced FOTO SF it did exactly what we wanted in order to keep control of all of our client information. Most importantly is the access all of our team have to all of the data and the freedom that gives me to keep doing what I enjoy and that is taking pictures."
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Christian Keenan
www.ckpweddings.com |
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Contemporary Imaging/Julie Oswin Photography |
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Julie Oswin & Steve Walton run a very successful photography business. They also run workshops & seminars for other professional photographers. Their unique, creative & emotive photography has resulted in Julie winning the prestigious UK Wedding Photographer of the Year Award twice and Steve the British Professional Photography Awards Landscape & Travel Photographer three times.
"We were introduced to Foto SF upon recommendation at an event hosted by the MPA and were quite intrigued as to how much it can do for our business and how we would be able to save time doing repetitive administrative jobs. We purhcased Foto SF and immediately released the benefits of the software. We now have time to focus on the core running of the business. The database is run over a network where both of us can work simultaneously. We had the database tweaked to our requirements to cover the various aspects of our business to include the FineArt work, training and the Wedding & Portrait business, this was completed very efficiently and professionally by the tech support guys at Foto SF. Steve & Julie would not hesitate to recommend the software" |
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Julie Oswin AMPA & Steve Walton FMPA FRSA
www.julieoswin.com
www.fineartimages.co.uk
www.contemporaryimagingconsultancy.com |
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Keith Trainor is one of the leading Event Photographers in the UK. Based in Manchester, Event Portraits cover events nationally. Keith is a former recipient of the prestigious "Event Photographer of the Year" Award at the British Professional Photography Awards (BPPA).
"I bought FotoSF because I knew it would make life a lot easier with our busy events business. I can retrieve customer data and orders extremely qiuckly saving us so much time. We have now started using it in our studio as a management tool.Great work Uzair...well done". Keith Trainor |
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www.eventportraits.co.uk |
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| Just Pictures |
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“Probably the best product I have used this year!” says professional photographer, Mike Orr, about Uzair Kharawala’s ‘FotoSF’ photographic business management software.
Mike has been a professional photographer for over 20 years in the fields of wedding, portrait, model, commercial, and event photography and has been a guest speaker for such events as Nikon Solutions, Focus on Imaging as well as the SWPP & BPPA Convention in London. Mike also works as consultant photographer for System Insight, event photography specialists, and co-hosts their training course for event photographers.
One of the major problems Mike has had with his business over the years has been keeping track of the many jobs, contacts, enquiries and bookings he has to deal with.
“Trying to co-ordinate a couple of diaries, a PDA and some calendar software on the PC has been a bit of a nightmare” said Mike “and has not been very efficient in respect of time management!
At the beginning of the year I was introduced to Oz’s new FotoSF photographic business management software and was absolutely bowled over by it!”
Mike freely admits he struggles with computer software and had given up on a couple of database programs he had tried as they proved far too complicated and time-consuming to use.
“FotoSF, however, is absolutely awesome” says Mike “It was straightforward to set up, is very intuitive and does exactly what I want photo management software to do in the variety of situations I come across from day to day. It keeps track of bookings and appointments, reminds me to follow up assignments and shoots and I am presently working with it to deliver mailings and e-mailshots as part of my ongoing marketing plan”
Mike was also impressed with the wedding and event organising functions and is using the bookkeeping and invoicing functions of the software to streamline his finances.
“I knew that a product from Oz would be excellent as he is a well-known and respected member of the photographic community” says Mike, “and I will certainly be recommending FotoSF to the attendees at the System Insight training courses. It is the best photographic business management software you will have seen and you won’t be disappointed!” |
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By Tim French |
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Tim French is a photographer covering a wide range of Events, Weddings, Proms & School photography. He uses Nikon gear for his work and tells us the reasons why he chose Foto SF for organising his business:
"I started out as just a wedding photographer and soon turned my hand to other spheres and now found myself needing a way to manage the growth I can see. I never had a system that collected all my contacts and helped me see those as assets, not just the work knowing those people brings, but the people themselves as part of an intrinsic network. It has made me collect emails vigillantly at events and reminds me to target, I could say alot more,....all you guys need to know is that it does what it says on the tin.....I would pay in advance for the next FotoSF upgrade!!
My business started to grow at a rapid pace and went from 5 weddinsg on my books to 24 in a matter of months...then also at the same time from 3 events to 18 events, meeting a lot of people. The other decider was the sincere advice given to me by Oz while inquiring about FotoSF. I do not mind giving hard earned cash to hard working and gracious people. I will never forget the look of approval on my wedding couples face when I presented them with the wedding sheet printed via FotoSF with all the wedding details like venue addresses, emergency contacts, shot list, etc. There words were, 'we know we are in good hands'." Tim French |
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Tim French
www.bytimfrench.com |
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awg Photography |
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Based in NE Scotland, awg Photography specialises in contemporary wedding & lifestyle photography. Andrew also enjoys his passion for wildlife & nature photography.
"Having tried other contact management packages, I selected Foto SF because of its clean design and simplicity. It provides excellent management of my client and supplier contact details with the ability to simply and quickly assign activities and events to them. There are plenty of relevant information and details to both my contacts and events such as detailed information required on a wedding day shoot. It also comes with a full licence for FileMaker and has allowed me to bring all my client information and activities into one application. Integrating Foto SF into my business was simple and quick. I have received excellent and prompt support to my queries during the initial setup of Foto SF and would be more than happy to recommend Foto SF to other photographers". |
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Martin Grahame-Dunn needs no introduction. A very well respected photographer and a brilliant trainer in a career spanning 30 years of professional photography, he now runs his academy for inspiring photographers from his beautiful villa in the heart of Spain. He is also the author and administrator of the "Mentor Me" programme for the SWPP & BPPA. Over almost the entire period of his professional career he has been actively engaged in the training of photographers from the four corners of the globe covering every major discipline. Here are his views on Foto SF:
"In my many years in the photographic industry I have tried and used many forms of software, but I can't think of any that have come close to Foto SF.
I had heard about Foto SF on the grapevine and spoke to Oz at the Nikon Solutions Expo for more details on this software which at face value seemed to be quite a complete package. I was given a very comprehensive demonstration and was immediately impressed at both the simplicity and functionality of the programme. The price is also attractive and if it could save me valuable time then it would be an invaluable resource.
Unifying my client and supplier records from our Excel spreadsheets was the simplest of operations. I now have all my records in one place and the ability to generate reports, invoices and handling enquiries is a dream. This has saved me so much time and has enabled me to concentrate on more important business issues.Personalising the product was a 'piece of cake'! Integration of my business logo was so simple and as for inputting the variation in currencies and tax codes into Euros...it couldn't have been easier. This is clearly software without borders.
Photographers are traditionally their own worse enemies, often using much of their valuable time in ways that fail to enhance their businesses. The 'make do' approach by attempting to make non bespoke software manage their businesses prevents them from doing the most important thing...generating more work. Not only does Foto SF undertake the essential management functions, file handling and basic book keeping, it is also a tremendous marketing tool. I would heartily recommend it to anyone in the photographic industry wanting to run a successful business!
I am happy to endorse Foto SF to all my students at the Illuminatus Academy of Photography as an absolute winner!"
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Illuminatus - The Academy of Photography, Spain
www.illuminatusnow.com |
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WPS Media is a web development and PR company that specialises in online news delivery for companies such as Fujifilm, Master Photographers Association and Kenro. Set up in 2000 by former photographer and journalist Darron Hartas, WPS Media specialises in design, editorial communication and marketing for the photo imaging industry.
"One area of marketing that is often overlooked by photographers is to contact your existing customers. FotoSF's integrated email mailing system is so easy to use and allows you to target just the customers you want to with special offers. I always recommend that you should send an e-newsletter to your customers every 4-6 weeks which includes news about what you've been up to (winning competitions and awards, gaining qualifications, attending training courses, etc) as well as your current sales promotions. e-Newsletters are very cost-effective and can bring in good results." |
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Darron Hartos, WPS Media |
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"The power of FileMaker comes into its own when combined with a specific domain expertise. The FileMaker Business Alliance (FBA) is a network of independent solutions developers who deliver such expertise. SF Digital are member of the FBA and Uzair Kharawala as a respected and experienced photographer, has combined his real world knowledge as a working photographer with the power of FileMaker to create Foto SF which will enable you to manage your photographic work and service your clients, as efficiently as he does." |
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Tony Speakman, Filemaker Int. Ltd. |
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"A simple and very effective database which has been designed in a very logical way. No more excuses for any part of your business being disorganised! This is a powerful piece of software which will immensely increase your productivity." |
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Jakki Moores, Nikon UK |
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"Foto SF is the complete back office solution for the professional photographer. The software is capable of managing nearly everything in your photographic business. Foto SF puts together all the essential tools needed to run your photography business in one easy to navigate package." |
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Sean Kelliher, Mitsubishi Electric UK |
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"Foto SF which runs on Mac or PC and makes previous studio management software seem like a mental assault course. Foto SF is a thoughtfully designed client database.
Oz Kharawala continues to amaze us. His studio, SF Digital, is successful; he conducts training courses for Nikon; he has produced a DVD explaining wireless flash location lighting for events and social photography.
Now he has harnessed the power of the best database ever designed, FileMaker Pro, to create a standalone application called Foto SF which runs on Macs or PCs and makes previous studio management software seem like a mental assault course. Foto SF is a thoughtfully designed client database which can be set to prompt all the necessary reminders (anniversaries, birthdays, seasonal shoots) and deliver well designed mailings or e-mail shots without using additional word processing or web design programs.
It includes modules for organising events and weddings - pre-shoot planning - as well as all the post-shoot selling and production. Oz has written this to meet his own exacting requirements and in the process delivers a 21st century update to all those photo business management progs which updates to Mac and Windows systems seem to have stymied.
Foto SF will also handle some basic sales and purchase ledger functions, replacing manual book keeping and raising very tidy looking custom designed invoices. But it is not an accounting program, does not offer an audit trial or deal with depreciating assets, Euro VAT, payroll and similar things. The idea is to use Foto SF to record all routine income and expenditure, control credit and stay on top of cash flow. The reports are suitable to passed to an accountant for VAT and annual returns. It is possible to try Foto SF free by downloading the runtime application. When purchased, you also receive FileMaker Pro 9.0, which comes with templates for dozens of other tasks and can even run a photo library."
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Master Photo > Digital Magazine |
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"A well thought out and logical piece of software which will increase your productivity and profitability. Foto SF includes powerful features that automate repetitive tasks and speeds data entry. Runs seamlessly on a Mac and PC and can be run over a network." |
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SWPP Convention Show Guide 2008 |
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