It’s about the personal brand.
There is a certain language that we are developing around business and our expectations as owners and customers. They include terms like relevancy, authenticity, and accountability. The days of hiding behind a logo or a companies policies are waning as more information, and the speed and accuracy of that information, becomes accessible not only to your customers but the whole world. It is more important than ever to look to the local community to build trust and develop relationships based on openness. Why? Because it can save your ass when you mess up, and you will mess up. These relationships will be that attachment to the human part of you that will allow for your customer to forgive you as a person. Really, lets face it, it is easy to hate a compnay (or a person) that claims no fault and easy to forgive your friends.
It’s about you.
As a photographer, it is the purpose of any portrait to capture that moment when you are most human, most yourself and exactly like you imagine yourself at your best. A good portrait will develop trust and convey meaning beyond what you can tell people about you or your brand, in this way a photo is a 1000 words. The avatar is this concept times a million, especially if you are involved in the communities on twitter, facebook, linkedin, etc. With people actively tweeting on average 10-20 times a day, that is a lot of seeing your poorly chopped and shopped photo for your followers and it makes a difference.
The deal.
I am the best portrait photographer in Phoenix and I want to photograph your avatar. I think it is vitally important to your business or personal brand especially if you are using any of the tools mentioned above. The normal price for personal portraits is $300.00+tax (see pricing page on tysoncrosbie.com for full details) and you get one image for use across all media from the session. I am offering an avatar session and one avatar image for use across all digital media for $150.00+tax. This isn’t entirely a discount, just a product I don’t normally offer. I am offering this product through the summer, it will end 08/31/08. This is a chance to get a photo session from me at 50% the normal starting cost. Obviously if you want more of the images from the session they will always be available in whatever format you would like.
Ready? Call me at 602.254.2880 for an appointment.
Not ready yet? Check out the soft edits page if you want to see what the Phoenix community thinks about avatars.
If you are a past avatar session client please leave a comment on this post incase others need help deciding. 
Thanks.
Do it … Tyson’s great! This is a great way to engage your own community online and get attention for yourself or your business you normally wouldn’t. I was really surprise at how many people enjoyed giving their input on which photo to use and how great the comments were. All around a great experience!
When can we expect to see your mug as your twitter avatar?
But seriously, sounds like a great deal and a good way to generate some business. Good luck!
I am shamelessly proud to have been your first subject. I regret not making the time to comment on your more recent shoots, but I’ve seen each set and really enjoy watching the process and your presentation of each new subject’s personality. I love your work from portraiture to documentary to fine art. How many times can I say that? I feel like a broken record player, but in a good way.
@clayton as soon as I determine who the second best photographer in phoenix is and have them photograph me.
@msherr and @chasers– Thank you.
Tyson,
I have an award from 2 years ago that says 2nd place on it, Last year I didn’t get the physical trophie for second because the PPA decided to be cheap and you had to buy your own award. (lame eh?)
Maybe we could both go to JC P. portrait “studio” or even worse one of those low end mall “glamour wannabe places”. We’ll get a “buddy shot” then cut it down the middle and we’ll each get new headshots! It’ll be $14 divided by 2!
@everyone.
If you’re a networking junkie take the session fee , divide it by all the sites you’re on. (at least 10) Then divide that number by 365 days and this is the price it will cost to have an awesome photo per site. I did the math, it’s less then $.05 / day (actually .041 but that’s before gas) If you use the photo longer than a year, it’s less.
So this is a good deal fokes, take care of your brand and step away from the camera phone!
~Adam
Tyson-
I haven’t scheduled my shoot, because I’m having some teeth I knocked out 22 yrs ago redone, which is putting a damper on my cheesey smile. As soon as I feel comfortable, I’ll be calling.
Tyson, please. You expect me to convince someone of the value of this deal? If they’re smart, they can see it for themselves. If they can’t see it, how could I convince them?
Could I convince someone the sky is blue? That water is wet? That the best cheeses are stinky cheeses? We hold these truths to be self evident, as some document once claimed. Those who are wise will avail themselves of this offer…
…those who do not, the gaping maw of wrenching eternal blackness will forever hold their regret in suffering silence.
I hope that cleared it up for anyone on the fence. Cheers!
I’m in the Phoenix area and very interested in this. Can you contact me at the e-mail address I provided on this comment with your rates?
@acmephoto My greatest reward is a satisfied client ie: @msherr @chasers @jmoriarty
@stevebelt I understand. I know you are a fan, and soon will be a client becoming just as happy and satisfied as my other clients.
@jmoriarty thanks, I think. lol
@scott-o-rama - Sent. Thanks.
HEY! Water is wet?
Great post