How's Your Merchandising?

There is something about walking past a storefront that is beautiful that just hits us and makes go "WOW". Even if you don't like to shop, you can't stop but to admire it. As long as it's not overpowering you with a million bottles of over-sprayed teen cologne (*cough cough*) or jammed with too many racks of disorganized clothes once you get inside, that visual merchandising can make you stop for a moment and really fall in love.

What makes the merchandising of a retail store so effective? 

Think about the sensory effect when you walk past the store in the mall. This is a 15 second marketing message in which a company introduces a prospect to the brand, its message and it's product and knows that they are about to make a choice. They invest in this 15 second impression more than almost any other part of their process because this impacts every other experience that client will then have with their brand. Merchandising is key because they have taken the time to invest in their brand and the presentation of it to their clients - not just the ones that they are trying to get, but the ones that they already have as well.

They impale your senses from every direction and take no chances on that "call to action". They want to make sure that there was nothing they could have done better or said in a different way that could have changed your decision, if you are their target market, right? When you walk past that store, it shines with their message. You can see plainly what their brand is, what the current trend or sale is. You see, smell, touch, hear, and sometimes even taste it. They've researched this, they make sure they get it right.

Merchandising elicits emotion. It creates connection, reaction, and interaction with a brand. I know that with the recent changes in our beloved {hated} social media, it's become harder and harder to do so - but I challenge you that maybe it's just that we need to get more involved in our merchandising strategies. Did you know that most (read: pretty much ALL) retailers have look books in which they outline their specific merchandising all the way down so that it is unified all the way across the board for every campaign they run?

I'm here to tell you, you can do this, but merchandising over social media needs to be strategic and cannot be accomplished with a one and done mentality. It is complex, planned, and integral to an actual marketing tactic. You need to put a strong marketing message in place, and then create ways to deliver the message to appeal to the range of senses over the course of a week at a time. Focus on a sensory appeal for the day, and make sure to hit it with strength.

Let's Analyze! How are your displays? When you're building your posts on social media, are you considering the senses? The 5 seconds (if that - your time is shorter on social) that you have of their attention to give them an introduction to your brand and message? How will you hit them hard and make them WANT to know more, to do more, to share more about you? This is about the click, the like, the share, the post. We need to generate movement. This is something you need to take the time and invest in. Your clients want to be invested in - they want to be important enough to you to be invested in.

First, create your action plan. Think about the stores your target market shops at. Research online and look at their visual merchandising, their window displays. Do Google image searches, look at their websites. Read the words they use, look at their social media campaigns, see what their Facebook pages look like, how they tweet. How do they interact with their clients? Take notes. Write down things that appeal to you. Can you make this work for your brand? Do you know how to do this for your business? What are they doing that is so different from you? Better yet - go shopping! Go to the mall and check it out (the store fronts, not the merchandise!)

Now, how to translate it. This is something you'll want to plan out as a campaign for things like Facebook and Twitter. With the Blog and Website it can take on more of an actual floor-set mode. I'll explain that in a minute. Let's get to starting your "look books".

Facebook and Twitter Campaigning/Merchandising Style: 

• With Facebook and Twitter you'll want to identify a message to communicate for an entire week, but spread it out incrementally over the full week. Make a daily plan. Write out your message for that day and what elements you'll use to share it (photos, video, blog, etc). Choose the time of day, and then share it throughout the day. 
• You're giving out pieces, sneak peeks, parts of the design throughout the whole week so that the audience needs to interact the full week to get the full experience. Build excitement, let them know there is more.
• The point of a campaign is to get reach across the brand. It could stretch into photos, videos, your blog, a tab, questions, your website, an event, a download - as long as it's something in it for them in the end and not just a win for you. 
• Ask people to share your posts/photos, etc with their friends. You don't get what you don't ask for.
• Another key is do not cross post from FB to Twitter. Yes, its easier, but people on Twitter want different information. Give them different tidbits. Shorter info, different links. Take them to different photos, different tabs, different exclusive content. Make them feel a different kind of special. Ask them to RT (retweet it), and use hashtags (#). 
• Use a different medium each day. Don't just hit a single sensory contact each day, try for a mix - and don't miss a day. Try vision/hearing, etc. 

Website and Blog/Floorset Mode:
First, I'll explain what a floor-set is. A floor-set is kind of like a map that retail managers are given when they need to lay out the design of a store's merchandising displays to maximize the sales and the displays of merchandise. It helps plan where the merchandise should go based on sales projections, planning, goals, basic merchandising structures, store layouts, marketing plans, and business structure. It's built around the brand and helps guide the business to make the right decisions about how to plan the layout of their marketing and sales decisions from the design on up to really maximize their profit for the upcoming season. Obviously, this is used in stores with actual space, but for right now, your space is your website and your blog and you need to make sure you maximize it wisely!

This is a lot about basic branding, but it's also about content and making sure that your merchandising is well thought out and all of the elements are in line with the impression of your brand and your experience. When you look back on the research you did or even through the images on this post, what was the impression you had of these brands? Would you shop there? What would people think of your photography business if they saw your website or your blog? What would they think if they read your blog posts? Is there a lot of fluff and junk that isn't selling you? Are you hiding your message or not showing the best of the best?

You've only got a few moments of your clients time when they first enter your site to hit them with your Visual Merchandising to make that impact decision of "do I stay, or do I go?" This is why you do not want to skimp on this. Focus on your visual merchandising of your blog and website just as much as you do your Facebook and other social media.

Are your blog posts engaging, well written, and not overwhelming? Do they show only the best few images? Are you being selective and speaking to both your current clients and prospects or are you posting just to post? This is your voice to your clients (past, present and future), how does it sound?

And just like the outside, the inside (offline) interactions are dripping with merchandising as well.

• Email
• Welcome Packets
• Phone
• Consults
• Session
• Sales

 How do yours stack up? If you need to revisit your merchandising, do it now! It's all about the first impression.

Designing an Effective Email

Email marketing: is it in or is it out?

The verdict is still out on this one. As with radio or television, email is a medium we've become numb to. We delete messages in our inbox with barely a glance. Only the most important, legitimate or interesting things are saved and read. 

The same is true of your clients and prospects. And yet, you've sent out those emails, haven't you? You know the ones I'm talking about - the ones with boring, obvious titles; the ones with way too much information that it gets boring; the ones that just stink like spam and look like a cookie cutter of the same email you sent last week on that awful blah template that looks nothing like your cool site. "D'oh!"

If we know all these things, why do we keep doing it? And worse, why do we keep getting bummed when no one opens our emails?

Don't worry, it's easy to fix. 

The rules for creating an effective (read: will get opened) email are simple.

1. Create an Interesting, Relevant Subject. 

          Ask yourself "Would I open this email?" If you wouldn't, why would your clients?

2. Be Branded. 

          Have your business name in the "From" section, have a custom designed and branded base for your message layout (want an awesome host that will help you do this as a part of their services? Try MyEmma or ConstantContact.) 

3. Keep It Simple. 

          Stay on track with the topic of the email. Even if it's a newsletter, don't talk about more than 3 major things in the main body of the email. If you want to share more, host the rest online somewhere and include the "read more" link. Be positive, and don't give too much information - give just enough.

4. Stick to the Rule of 3. 

          No more than 3 paragraphs/sections. Your business name 3 times in the email. 

5. Clear Call to Action.

         Make sure the reader knows what to do next, and when to do it by. Don't hint - be obvious and ask for it.

6. Contact Information

         Make sure it is REALLY clear how to find you online, email you back and to call you if they want to. 

7. Use Real Clients

         In every email, include images (1-4) and make sure that at least one image has a quote FROM THAT CLIENT next to it. 

Keep in mind, using that rule of 3, that you'll want to send any promotion emails at intervals. I recommend sending the first email, and then 4 days later send a variation with the same message, and 3 days later (2 days before the event) send the message again. Consumers usually need to hear/see things in advertising at least 3 times before they will take action on it. 

Using these tips and a strong email base, you're bound to have success with your email marketing. Of course, I'm always available for pre-send tests and critiques. Just contact me for more information. 

Websites: What's the Big Deal?

The Importance of Your Website

by Andy of Shutterhive 

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The value of a photographer's website has never been higher. A huge portion of potential clients begin their search for a photographer online, through search engines and social networks. Your website is your opportunity to make an amazing first impresssion on these clients and land the job. Yet, so many photographers put off building the website that allows them to do just this.

Photography is a complex industry these days! As a photographer, you are responsible for wearing the hats of self-promoter, image creator, marketing mastermind, and graphic and web designer.

The problem is that great design isn't easy. Putting together something that visually appeals to you does not automatically equal a good design. Good design requires consideration that many users just aren't aware of. Like animated flash sites? Consider the fact that most mobile users will see nothing when viewing your site. Furthermore, programming and the technical aspect of building a website is not something a lot of people know how to do.

These days, there are plenty of options available to photographers when it comes to building websites. With the abundance of options, photographers now have the choice of so many solutions to building a website. The problem is that all of these sites are to some degree a collection of templates.

I founded a company called ShutterHive that seeks to address all of the web design needs of photographers. With photography expertise, we have answers to the quetsions and challenges that photographers face in constructing great designs.

One of the challenges that we have faced in gaining clients is the hesitance of clients to invest in their business. Many people that we speak with don't want to spend more than $200 or $300 on a website. Others have opted for less expensive templates in a way to reduce costs. This is a difficult barrier to overcome if a client does not believe in investing in their business. The truth is that building a website is one of the best investments

What will you do to stand out? What will you do that will set you apart? If your client's first interaction with you is landing on your website, is your site enough to book them as a client? Choosing templates that don't fit your style as a photographer

You should decide what your brand is, and choose a design group that is in touch with your needs.

How should a photographer spend their money when building a website? I have a few key beliefs that I believe ever photographer should follow while building a website.

If there is one value that I believe in as a web designer to photographers, it is the worth of a blog in a photographer's repertroire. The blog is your chance to reach potential clients on a personal level and connect with a way that a simple portfolio does not allow for.

More and more photographers are opting to carry a blog to share their latest shoots. This is a chance for your voice as a photographer to really cut through the noise and reach your clients. Blogging requires a commitment that isn't easy to make. If you let your blog fall by the wayside and neglect to post new content, visitors may believe that you are no longer in business.

Second, I believe in minimalistic sites. By this, I mean that sites should be built in a way that serves to complement your portfolio. Embellishments and decorations are wonderful, but make sure that your site isn't so full of them that it detracts from your work.

These tips, and many other factors, are the keys to constructing a site that will wow a potential client. Ultimately, there is no one way to build a site that will guarantee success. Working with a good designer is really the key to building a quality web product.

If you are interested in learning more about how to bring your photography business to life online, my company ShutterHive offers free consultation to every photographer, as well as some tips on how to improve!

Andy Hive

Lead Designer, ShutterHive

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Free (and easy) Marketing Avenues for your Photography Business

* Write an unbiased, factual piece about preparing for senior portraits (or any market, really) and submit it to local papers and sites

* Partner with a local charity and do a big event (so you can get free PSA's on radio and in print). Think food drives, toy drives, school supplies, etc. 

* Do press releases when you make a business change thats newsworthy

* Get involved with the Chamber. If you have a studio you can host a business night out, if not, they're just great for networking. (note: chamber memberships aren't free, but you can usually still stop in at the morning coffee meetings or business after hours for free - or make your own. Emulate!)

* Get involved with your local Advertising Federation. 

* Most chambers and ad federations love local speakers - volunteer your time and knowledge.

* Offer to photo local service orgs (police, fire, city council, hospital board).

* Ask United Way if they need any photography for their new communications and marketing pieces (each county decides their own individual art).

* Partner with the local Susan G Komen foundation for their events

* Contact the local support group for deployed families and do something special for military families


Bring with you business cards, marketing pieces, and a mini-portfolio. Ask them to come to your Facebook page for recent promotions or to respond to a poll or see the photos from the event and tag themselves. It'll drive fans your way like you wouldn't believe!

A Social Brand

There are two things about social media that a lot of people don't realize --

1. You cannot rely on it as the "way to go" in and of itself. (it needs to be a part of a strong marketing strategy)

UNLESS ...

2. You have created a strongly social brand OFFLINE.

----------------

Think about the photogs we love because of the social feel of their brand -- (J* anyone??) ... they have built a social brand.

This means their clients have been "trained" to interact with them on a higher level because that is how their brand works. If we want "conversations" in our social media, then we need to inspire them with EVERY way we interact with our public.

Teach them that their input will receive real responses, that their voices will not only be heard but listened to. Create a link between every piece of your marketing, build response from your videos to your pages, your emails to your pages, your print pieces to your pages.

Call them to action to interact, to share, to respond.  This means more than just putting your URL on a piece or linking a post to your page. Give them a REAL reason to come check it out. You need feedback on a new product or there's a new program you're launching. You NEED their input, because they're your trusted clientele and prospects, and no one knows better than they do about what they like ;)

It takes a high amount of energy to be a social brand. It can't be sporadic. It has to be consistent, authentic, informational, funny, different, inspiring. It takes the most energy to create this part of your brand, but if it's real, it will be the easiest to maintain once it's in place. 

Brand Binders

Whether you run one segment or five, a Brand Binder is one of the most important things you can put together for your business. In previous posts I've given an overview of my binders, but now I'd like to go into more detail.

Each binder should be all about the brand (seniors, kids, families, weddings - one per binder). I like to use the View Binders, because I like to put the logo, tag line and value statement on the front.

Your office and operations should look and feel as professional as your photography, the experience, your sales and your finished orders. The more you "feel" your own brand and make it a part of the entire adventure (even for yourself and your staff) the more you will be able to successfully and authentically communicate it and make choices with it in mind.

To start you'll need:
Binder
Monthly Tabs
Pocket Folios
          1. Color Swatches and Word Bank Pocket
          2. Past Marketing Pieces Pocket
          3. Inspiring Marketing Pieces (from other photogs, etc) Pocket
          4. Tear Sheets Pocket (Images that appeal you, marketing from stores from your demo, etc)
   
Setting up your pockets:
1. Exact color swatches from your brand colors. You will use these as reference if you ever feel a color is just a little off; The Main Word Bank you created for the brand.
2. Any previous marketing pieces/promos from this target, to date. Go as far back as you have on file.
3. Any marketing pieces from other photogs you've saved, kept, etc. Print it out if it's online, and put it in this folder.
4. Images that appeal to you or inspire you. Ideas about new poses, marketing from stores that target your demographic.

Working with the Months:
In each monthly divider, you'll keep the promos from this year. Let's say you're starting your new month divider:

First, put in your month overview calendar. Make sure it includes your workflow. When will a promo go out, when do you need photos for the next promo, when can you expect the highest call volume, when will you have production time, etc.

Next, the inquiry log for this month. Use this. It'll help you keep track of how effective your promo is.

Then, your benchmark sheet.  This is a sheet with your projections and estimates, and where you can place actuals. (Sample on our Documents Page) You'll need one for every promo you are running that month.

Next, your ads, emails, contact with clients, brainstorming sheets, designs, word banks for the promotion. You will want to take notes on all of these things, during the promotion and after. Make sure everything has dates on it for when the ad started.

Make notes when you check your effectiveness, how many people viewed or clicked through within 24 hours, within 48, etc. How many phone calls, etc. Be as detailed as possible.

What Now?
You can use the first few pockets to help build promotions and marketing pieces. They should be your go-to reference for keeping all of your communication and ideas brand right.

As every month closes, take a look back over the notes you made, what worked, what didn't. Make note of ideas you had that you want to work on again, what words prompted the most action.

Make sure to fill in your actuals on your benchmark sheet. Save a few actual photos from that months sessions (prints, in an envelope), and put it at the front of the month, with the benchmark sheet. Leave it in the binder, but use a binder clip to "close" that month.

This can help you make real time adjustments to marketing and wording for future promotions and ideas. The more detail you have, the more effective your changes will be.

Overall, the binder can help you keep tabs on marketing when you just really don't have the time or the staff to hold the position full time ... and if you do have staff, it can make sure that everything feels and sounds the same, even with so many people involved in the process.

The Word Bank

What on earth is a "Word Bank"?

This is my go-to resource for anything that I am branding, marketing, writing about, choosing images for ... it's basically your beginners guidelines for what to say and how to say it. And more importantly, how NOT to say it.

You need a Word Bank for every market you photograph: seniors, children, families, weddings, couples, engagement, maternity, you name it.

A Word Bank is your guide. This is how you start to communicate your brand. It should include as many words - even sentences - as you can think of.

Don't worry about all of them being brand-right at first, just go with your gut. This is probably the most simple, but one of the most helpful things you will do for your marketing.

1. Get a sheet of paper. Write the market at the top (Seniors, Families, etc). One per page.

2. Write your Value Statement just under that.
                                                           If you don't have a value statement, now's time to create one!

3. Write down every single word/sentence that that market makes you think of. Aim for emotion words. Emotion words sell.

4. Brainstorm. Ask all of your friends, families, clients, colleagues what they think of.

5. Now its time for brand check. Go through the list and cross out any that aren't brand right, or they don't feel natural to you.

6. Type up the list of what you have left over. I know this sounds silly, but it will help you feel more organized, and give you a tangible piece to start your effective writing with. Put it in your binder for that market.

The next time you have a post to write, a tweet to share, a marketing piece to create, start with your Word Bank. It'll get you going in the right direction!

Tip of the day: Leave out the backstory. They don't need the why, they just need to know what's in it for them. We see so many photogs who give out WAY too much information: "We're making changes, we will make your session amazing, we we we"... if it's not about your clients, leave it out. Talk about them and the benefits to them in EVERYTHING you write. It'll make a BIG difference.

Planning your Marketing Year

You're ready to plan your marketing year ... but what should you do, and why? And when? The first thing you need is a marketing plan. 

A marketing plan is similar to a business plan. You should have one for each market you target. 

It will talk about your overall goals for that market, each marketing medium you will use (print, direct mail, email, twitter, facebook, blog, web, etc). 

It will outline objectives, plans, ideas and truly define how you will use them. 

It will also identify your major promotions. Under each promo, you note which mediums you'll be using, and how. You will also note your low projection for response, and high projection, plus projected expenses and income. 

A marketing plan looks a little like:

Summary of plan

Specific Goals for the plan

Analysis of how you're currently doing in the area, as detailed as possible

Analysis of Ideal Clients and Current Clients (how do they shop, age, income, sex, household, lifestyle, social media interaction, etc)

Analysis of competition, as detailed as possible (they're marketing, charges, etc)

Strength and Weakness Analysis of your business (where do you realistically think you'll have a hard time, where will it be easy for you)

Your promos and detailed goals, plans etc

Marketing Strategies (what, how, when, why -- FB, twitter, web, etc)

Short and Long term projections, low range and high range, and summary of estimated costs vs. income

**

The calendar then pulls from this.

I recommend using a binder for each target market. Include the marketing calendar for that market, along with the marketing plan, marketing pieces you've used or ones that inspire you, the word bank, the color swatches, and then a benchmark sheet where you can keep track of actual bookings, actual responses to ads, number of inquiries from the promotion, and actual expenses and income, etc. 

Then, have a master calendar (on the office wall) of promotions. It should be color coded (one color per market), and tells you when you'll need photos done for a promotion, when to send out email blasts, when you need to post on FB or twitter, when it needs to go live on the blog, mailers, etc. 

It takes a lot of the guess work out of the year, and helps you focus on doing what you love best. You won't be trying to come up with promotions at the last minute, or try to remember if a promotion worked last year. 

Mommies Make the Best Marketers!

For me, the SpokesMom program is pretty simple.

As with any referral program, always remember not to give away the farm (in other words, not too much credit given for any one activity). Remember, when giving referral credit, it should be less than the lowest priced gift print, so they need to refer more than one person to get something "free" from the credit they've earned.


The perks I run are:

• Free modeling session for advertising use (this is the super creative one, photographer vision lead, not catered to the client themselves)
• Free Sessions (2 kids sessions and 1 family session)
• 20% off every order, or 10% of the value of previous order in credit towards your next order (whichever is greater)
• Free 4x5 magnet from every session
• Facebook album from each session, which they can share, but not edit or distribute in any other way
• $25 for every referral that books
• $15 for every networking lead above their 3 required
• A mommy themed item of their choice (tote, water bottle, necklace or t-shirt)

They get a preview book from the modeling session (proof level, so minimal retouch, watermarked images, and bound. 5x7 size
They get referral cards to hand out with their favorite image from the session. It gets the recipient a free facebook image, and 8 free wallets, plus 50% off their first session (new clients only).

They have to:

• Allow use of the images for advertising
• Write a review about the studio/photographer
• Secure at least 3 network leads in the area 
• Provide the email addresses of 30 mommys they know in the local area that would be likely to come to you
• Post once a month about the studio, with their digital referral card as their profile pic

Yes, its a lot of freebies, but like I've said before, a referral program is an intentional loss leader. It's the best way to get word of mouth you can count on.


I add a lot of things here and there, but this is the basic overview. Keep an eye out, I'll be posting some of the materials soon!

It's a Rep Sale!

Ok, so here goes. The "Rep 10-hour Sale". (I avoid using One Day Sale in any marketing/advertising. A big name retailer uses it and it now draws only those looking for brand name at garage sale prices - not the kind of clients we want, right?).

First, contact all your reps and find out when most of their friends are online or see FB. You only need a day, not the hours. Choose the most popular day. Give yourself at least a week to prep so you can email blast, prep your reps and they can hype it up to their friends.

How it works – Each rep chooses an image from the ones you've provided them (even better if it's a digital version of their rep card). It has to stay as their profile pic during the entire day. It has to have your logo on it (no cropping it out). They also change their status to your marketing message for the day.

Then they post the marketing picture (you provide this – a nice jpg with pictures and info about the special), and they share it/tag friends with all their friends on their page that are seniors within your target market. They also post a note with the marketing message you've sent them and share it with their friends as well (with a link to your Facebook page)

Note: Everything is about Urgent Call to Action. But don't sound sales-y.

The special I run is usually 50% off the session fee (more than the studio's current discount for regular clients, so they feel special), and 1 free Facebook image plus 16 wallets (this is what they get from the rep card anyways) if they call today, mention the 10 hour sale and book their session (pay their session fee). Depending on how much response I want, sometimes I do 3 Facebook images instead of 1.

Reps then earn a free sibling session for taking part in the promo (you can do credit or points, its up to you. The free session averages $500 sales when I use it). They also earn double credit for each referral that day only (huge call to action for them, and it pays off) … plus they can earn another Facebook image. Keep in mind, they don't get credit until the person is photographed.

A Facebook Status Messages for Reps: “Class of 2012 friends – I got my senior portraits done! Have you? I had the best experience ever, because I went to ________. Just for knowing me, they'll give you 50% off your session and a bunch of free stuff, but you have to call by 5pm today! Don't forget to tell them _______ told you to call!”

They can re-word it a little, but you need to approve it before they do. They should have their status message to you by the day before if they want to change it up so you can say yes or no.

Your image should include all of the sale info – details about session fees, when they have to call by, your facebook and webpage, etc.

Also let your reps know, if their friends leave a comment on your page during the week before, both that friend and the rep will be entered in a drawing for some great prizes (think free wallets, $10 iTunes gift card, etc). Hold the drawing every hour on the day of the sale and post winners – they have to be a fan to win.

The reps can compete against eachother as well, the rep that gets the most referrals booked that day wins a prize, too!

Then, be prepared for phone calls from an hour before the sale to a couple of hours after. :)

Trainer Tuesday: Coaching Your Seniors to Ask the Right Questions

This post was recently featured at Inside the Locker and Senior Portraits 101

When it comes to establishing your senior program, one of the first things you need to think about is the questions that parents and seniors will ask you -- and all of the other photographers they call -- to book their session. It's a little about what they do ask, and also what they don't.

Almost always, they will ask you how much you cost. Like, you know, for an 8x10?

They don't necessarily want to know this. What they want to know is HOW are you different, WHY should they hire you and WHAT makes other people choose you. But they don't know what to ask. It'd be like calling an author about writing your life story and asking "how much is it for a page?"

As a photographer, it's your job to educate your clients on not only your value, but the value of photography in general. As a start, this is something I'd written for a website a couple of years ago, and it's a tool for parents and photographers alike. Parents, to get an idea what to ask. Photographers, it can be so much more.

As a photographer, this is a good place to start thinking about what makes you different. How would you answer these questions? If you have employees, how would they answer them? Are you all on the same page? What would your other clients say ABOUT YOU if they were asked these questions? What about your Senior Reps?  I encourage you, take a few minutes to think about these things ... and feel free to add anything else you think is important to think about in the comment section below.

The biggest thing that will show a quality photographer is expression. It has to be authentic. Whether serious or smiling, there needs to be the twinkle in the eye that so many miss. The color and quality should be true to life. It shouldn’t need a ton of editing to look amazing, and there should be a wide variety of options available.

A portrait photographer should guarantee their work, 100%. That means reshooting or fixing a finished print with no additional cost to the client. It’s their work — not your problem. What is their guarantee?

Are the photographers professionally trained, or just someone who bought a nice camera and took a few quick classes? How does their studio look? How many seniors have they photographed in the last year? How long have they been in business?

What types of sessions do they offer? Do they have the ability to take outdoor portraits? Where, and how will your child change outfits while they’re there? How many outfit changes can they have? Are they allowed to bring props?

How long will it take to see your images? When should you expect to place your order, and then receive it? What is the process you will go through?

What about yearbook portrait? Do they get it to the school for you, or is that your responsibility?

Look at the lighting in their finished prints, not only in their studio, but on their webpage. When you call them, ask them how they choose the images they put on their website.

Make sure you give them plenty of information about your child. Most professional studios will have time that they can consult with you and your senior about what you’re looking for and what their personality is like, but it makes it a lot easier for the studio to make recommendations if we know that the senior is shy, loves pictures taken, is involved in sports, has certain important hobbies, etc. The more information you can give us, the better.

If you have a daughter, do they provide makeup? How long has their artist worked with them? What products do they use? How do they usually apply the makeup? Is mom allowed to watch? If they don’t provide it, can they recommend an artist, or tips on how to apply makeup for photography?

What about hair? How long as the stylist worked with them? Can you see some of their work? If they don’t have one, who do they recommend?

Look at photographs from last year’s seniors – on their ads, in their studios, and in person. Ask your friends with past seniors if you can look at their portraits. The way you see other kids in their work should make them look natural, not overly posed.

While your photographer should be on the “same page” as you and your child, most photographers won’t have a complete vision until they’re in the session, working one on one with the senior, alone. That’s when real personality and real involvement comes out. If the photographer is good at what they do, they will be very personable and someone you feel at ease with quickly… and that will translate to real expressions.

Pricing shouldn’t be the deciding factor, because you get what you pay for. Yes, in this digital age, its easy to get things quickly and cheaply, but that’s exactly what you’ll be getting — quick cheap work. A real artist knows the value of their skill, and their prices will reflect that. And yes, really, most families can plan on spending at least $1000 on senior portraits ... most spend more.

This is one of the only times your child will have special portraits made of just them – its worth every cent you put into it, because you will never have this time back and you will always want to remember it.

What We Believe at The Studio Trainer

1. Every photographer can be successful.
2. Photography is about life, vision, passion, art, skill and love. Photographers should be able to focus on that.
3. Photography is also about business. Understanding business, marketing and copyright are must-haves.


This is the Studio Trainer.


We aren't about hoopla and the latest tricks. This isn't the same thing written 20 different ways every day. We will bring you the real concerns from real photographers - individuals, small studios, big studios - that impact our business and our field every day. We will give you the answers, the ideas, and inspiration to take your business to another level.


Ambassador/Rep Programs
Seniors
Families
Children
Weddings
Pricing
Advertising
Marketing
Social Media
Packages
Agreements
CDs
Software
Client Relationship Management
Branding
Studio Design
Sales Appointment Techniques
      ... and these are just a few of the things we can't wait to share with you!


We are here for you --  if you have a question for us, Get Connected today.