The idea was simple: Why not make a photo of myself in front of a few ad agencies here in Charlotte? As if I was on a tour of agencies in Charlotte and had my photo made in front of them -- kind of like people do in front of Cinderella's castle at Disney World or in front of Niagra Falls or the Grand Canyon.

The next step was to turn the photos into postcards with a nice big "Greetings from Charlotte" slapped onto the front of the postcard, like so.

Armando Bellmas in front of Wray Ward © Armando Bellmas

Armando Bellmas in front of BooneOakley © Armando Bellmas

As you can tell, I wore a loud Hawaiian shirt, big shorts, socks pulled up to my knees, and slip on loafers to add to the cheesy tourist vibe.

Armando Bellmas in front of LKM © Armando Bellmas

Armando Bellmas in front of Corder Philips © Armando Bellmas

How I did it was simple: I visited all the agencies very early on a Sunday morning to keep the project as stealth as possible. I put a camera on a tripod, set the timer, ran to my spot, waved, and smiled.

I was only hassled by security once.

Armando Bellmas in front of Luquire George Andrews © Armando Bellmas

The final touch came on the back of the postcard. I wrote variations on "Having a great summer! Wish I was there!" and sent the postcards to the art buyers, art directors, and creative directors at each agency.

I've received great feedback from a few of the folks that received the postcards. And best of all, the postcard was the push I needed to finally get in and work with one of the bigger shops here in town.

Success!

What I liked most about this promo campaign was that is was quick and easy. No marketing plan, no nothing. We came up with the idea on a Wednesday, shot it on Sunday, designed the cards on Monday, sent them to print on Monday night, got them back a week later, and put them in the mail the following day.

Easy and effective. I like it that way.

One of the biggest parts of what I do is trying to persuade certain people — art directors, art buyers, designers, photo editors, creative directors, marketing execs, etc. — to hire me.

It goes beyond that, though. I’m really trying to convince them to trust in me enough to do an outstanding job so that they may keep theirs.

How I undertake this persuasion varies. I send emails, make visits with my portfolio, buy cocktails and lunches, use Twitter, go to networking events — that kind of stuff.

I started thinking the other day: why do I have to do all the convincing?

Sure, I have to earn their trust but shouldn’t the people I want to work with (and who, I assume, want to work with me) have to convince me that I really want to work with them? Shouldn’t they convince me that I can trust them as well?

Now I know art directors, art buyers, et al. are in the driver’s seat most of the time. When it comes to hiring photographers they have a big pool to choose from and often get to have their pick of the litter (so to speak).

Here’s where my head is at (and having just read the “Make Your Own Game” chapter of Chris Brogan and Julien Smith’s book Trust Agents got my mind going).

We both know I want to work with you. We both know I love making photographs and would love to do so with you. We both know you have a hundred other shooters to choose from.

However, my question to you dear art director, art buyer, designer, creative director, photo editor, marketing exec is:

Why should I trust and want to work with you?