Written by admin
Last Updated: April 28, 2009
Many high school seniors will soon be in the market for senior portraits! There is a huge market for this in almost any city or town, so make sure YOUR studio stands out!
1. Get some great samples. If you are just starting out, this may mean that you will need to do some low cost or free sessions just for the portfolio-building. Make sure that you have signed model releases for all of these images so that you may use them on your website and in your advertising. Remember, if the subject is under 18 then their parent or guardian will need to sign. If you do any free sessions, make sure to encourage the student to show off his/her portraits to friends at school and even pass out business cards for you in exchange for any free portraits they receive.
2. Bulk Mailing. This is a great way to reach a wide audience. You can create some great looking postcards at places like vistaprint.com. Mailing lists of high school seniors are available through places such as www.studentlist.com. Remember that only doing one mailing probably won’t be enough. Plan on repeating your promotions fairly often – up to 5 or more times a year. It’s a good idea to offer some kind of incentive for replying to a particular promotion (such as a free 8×10 print, for example). Vary your mailings so that each one looks different than the last, and be sure to have all of your contact info in an easy to read font.
3. Cater to teens. This might mean that you offer two or three images digitally (with your logo or website address on each) for the student to put up on their “myspace” page. The senior will love this and it will provide some free advertising for you as well. Allow the seniors freedom of choice when it comes to things such as clothing choices, locations, props, etc.
4. Consider advertising in high school yearbooks and football programs. Contact your local high schools to find out how to do this.
5. Offer a two for one friend special: two sessions for the price of one when you bring a friend. This is a good promotion for those just starting out and needing more business.
My friend Steve Bedell is an expert on high school senior photography.
Go to http://www.ephoto-photo-school.com/seniorsSM.html to read more about how to successfully market to seniors!
Written by admin
Last Updated: April 15, 2009
This isn’t photography-related, but it is so inspirational. Unfortunately, embedding was disabled by request on YouTube, but here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Written by admin
Last Updated: April 6, 2009
I’m so excited about the upcoming release of the Little Graduates Portrait System! I love these portraits, and moms go crazy for them. They definitely have a HIGH “cuteness factor!” I also love seeing how proud the little ones are of their achievement.
I wanted to give you something that you can use “right out of the box” - meaning that I wanted you to be able to start as soon as you get your package. All you need is your camera and lighting equipment. I’m including EVERYTHING ELSE you need - from a background and the caps and gowns to the final portrait delivery envelopes! Here is a listing of what you will receive:
1. The complete hard-copy business system manual that explains each procedure (from marketing to creation to selling) the graduation portraits, STEP-BY-STEP. (no fluff, no filler…just the info you NEED to get started). I’m leaving nothing out (I’m even including a script of what to say on the phone to give you some ideas!).
2. Fifteen “fill in the blank” ready-to-send professionally copy written marketing brochures (If you would rather use your own design and images, you are free to copy or modify all of my text and wording). These are GORGEOUS and include several of my graduation images. All you have to do is place a sticker with your contact info on the back, and they are ready to send!
3. Fifteen “fill in the blank” ready-to-send proposal letters (again, you are free to copy or modify the professional copy writing)
4. Fifty ready-to-send portrait announcement pre-pay fliers (printable on back for your custom info)
5. Three digital image files to use as samples, on your marketing pieces, and on your website
6. Fifty portrait delivery envelopes for finished portraits (up to 8×10 in size)
PLUS:
Check out these BONUSES that will get you started even faster:
Bonus #1) One scenic muslin background (similar to the one in my sample image at the top of this post)
Bonus #2) Four complete children’s cap / gown / tassle sets (one red, one blue, one green, and one white)
So, as you can see, this is a complete system that will allow you to get started the very same day if you so choose - and NOW is the time to start booking appointments for these portraits since the end of the school year is approaching.
The official sales page is going to be up tomorrow (Tuesday, April 7th), and
pre-sales will begin on April 8th. There will only be 50 systems available initially, so mark your calendars! 
See you then!
Written by admin
Last Updated: April 3, 2009
Hi Everyone!
If you have been following my emails, you know that I have something HUGE in the works - The Little Graduates Portrait System. I received a flood of emails after yesterday’s ezine announcement, and wanted to answer them here for all of you to read. So, here we go!
1. The big companies already dominate the school market…how can I compete?
This is an excellent and very valid question. Here’s the good news. While it can be tough to compete against the big companies for a contract to photograph an ENTIRE SCHOOL, what I’m offering is the opportunity to photograph just one SMALL SEGMENT of a school or daycare (just the Kindergarten and Preschool Grads). Most often, big companies won’t come out “just” to do a small population at a school. This means that you - the individual photographer - have a great chance at getting hired to do these specialized portraits that are “too small” of a job for the big school companies.
2. I don’t have enough time to get started before school is out
The Little Graduates Portrait System has EVERYTHING you need - right out of the box - to get started (all you need is your camera and lighting equipment). You can start calling schools to schedule sessions the same day you receive your system. Much more on this to come in the next few days.
3. I don’t know how to approach schools / daycares
I know that this is something that holds many of you back. You simply do not know what to say or how to present your business. I’m including tips on contacting schools, and I’m also giving you a script of what to say if you need it! You’ll also get marketing materials ready to mail out the same day you get your system!
4. I’ve never done school photography - can I do this?
YES. I’m making this so easy that really any photographer can do it! Everything you need is there to help you at every step of the way. From beginning of your marketing campaign to the final delivery of each portrait.
5. When is the system available to order?
More info is coming your way very soon (including a FULL description of everything that is included)…but I’m planning on opening up pre-sales for the first 50 orders next Wednesday, April 8th. Why just 50? Like I’ve said, this is a HUGE package and I only have enough stock to fill the first 50 initial orders.
MUCH more info to come - so stay tuned! Shuttermom will be a whirlwind of activity next week! Have a great weekend!
