» photography tips

How to get beautiful shallow depth of field portraits.  Enjoy the video, and be sure to join us over at Shuttermom University for more photo tips and business coaching.  See you there!

I came across this article featuring photography students donating their time and framed prints to families in need.  From the article:

Photography students from the Art Institute of Salt Lake City came up with the idea to take the photos and give each family a print, beautifully framed by Roberts Crafts, as a way of providing hope, said Dave DeAustin, who teaches photography at the institute.

And the students win, too, DeAustin noted, getting great experience taking the portraits.

What a great way to give back to the community!

For the full article, click here.  For more photography tips and business coaching, join in with over 400 other photographers at Shuttermom University.  See you there!

Wow…I wish I would have started my photography business at age 17!  From the article:

To teen photographer Alison Beck, one important sign of her success as an artist and businesswoman came recently when she typed her name into Google’s search bar.

To her surprise, her photography business popped up first in its drop-down menu.

If Google prioritizes such links by the volume of searches performed, then “that’s exciting,” she said, “because Alison Beck Photography, Alison Photography, Alison B Photography and Alison Beck all appear in the drop-down menu.”

This Rider High School senior’s business is just one successful part of her passion for photography.

Her creativity has also earned her $182,000 in scholarship offers from three prestigious art schools, from which she selected the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga., as her destination in the fall.

Click here for the full article and we’ll see you over at Shuttermom University for more photography inspiration and business tips!

I came across this article and wanted to share.  It is full of tips for taking better family / group photos.  Tips include:

1.  Getting everyone as close together as possible (even more so than you might think!)

2.  Everyone should be touching

3.  Letting them get comfy

4.  Taking charge of kid expressions

5.  Not worrying about having everyone looking at the camera, and more!

Click here for the full article on taking better family photos, and be sure to visit us over at Shuttermom University for more photography tips and business coaching!  See you there.

I love these old commercials…

Enjoy! See you over at Shuttermom University for more photography tips and business coaching.

Hi There!  I came across this natural light tutorial and thought that you might enjoy it.  By the way, I just added my popular Natural Light Project to the members side of Shuttermom University!  Be sure to check it out.  Enjoy the video, and I’ll see you there.

Okay, so this is basically a commercial for Tamron, but there are still some good tips (and cute kiddos).  Enjoy the video, and for more photography tips and business ideas, come join in the fun at Shuttermom University.  See you there!

Check out this fun promotional video from Sarah Rhoads Photography.  What a great way for her clients to get to see her at work!  Want to find out more about creating a promotional video for YOUR photography business?  Then be sure to join us over at Shuttermom University.  Once you join and log in, click on “classic Shuttermom University,” then scroll down to month 11 where you’ll see a video I created on this very topic.  Enjoy the video below and I’ll see you over at Shuttermom University!

Here’s a fun video from CMAX photography.  I love these “photographer at work” promo videos.  What a great way to advertise your photo business!  Enjoy the video, and I’ll see you over at Shuttermom University for more photography tips and business coaching!

You had a great shoot and captured some fantastic images. The client raved about
how much she loved them, but it has now been over a month and still no order. Sound
familiar? Here are some tips to get clients to complete their orders in a timely manner:

1. Charge session fees
Most of you probably already do this, which is good. If you don’t charge session
fees, and then the clients don’t place an order, you are simply out of luck (and
money !). You NEED and DESERVE to be paid for your time and talent. The
session fee is a way to make sure that this happens.
Some photographers go the route of charging a very large session fee, and then
charging very low print prices. This way, they make their money up front (for their
time and talent), and do not have to rely on selling prints or packages.

2. Build print credits into your session fees
Building a print credit into your session fee encourages your client to order, and it
also guarantees that you are being paid (at least for a few prints) even if the
client is slow to order. I would recommend doing at least $50 as a print credit.
So, for example, if your session fee is $150, then $50 of that goes toward a print
credit. Make this clear to your clients so that they understand. This credit can be
applied to a package or ala carte prints.

3. Show proofs in person
It has been proven that your sales increase when you show proofs in person
(projection is optimal). The emotional impact goes way down with an online
gallery only. Ideally, you should strive to take orders immediately after the proof
showing, but of course this isn’t always going to happen. If you can, show
projected proofs in person, and THEN make the online gallery available so that
they can complete their orders at home.

4. Limit the number of proofs that you show
I would say no more than 10 to 15 images. When you offer too many images,
the client simply has too hard a time making a decision (especially if some of the
images are very similar). Narrow down the options, and the client will have an
easier time ordering.

5. Enforce deadlines
Have deadlines in place and then enforce them. Don’t cave. Offer to have
their online gallery up for one week, and then start charging a hosting fee. Also,
if you offer a print credit, have an expiration date when that credit will expire.

6. Give incentives for ordering on time
Tell your clients that they will save 10% or so by ordering within 5 days. After that,
no discount will be offered. Make sure they are very clear on this (state it in your
contract and remind them). If you don’t want to do a discount, you could offer
them an additional free print if their order is completed within your chosen
timeframe.

7. Remind them by email, phone, or postcard
First reminder – at the in person proof session
Second reminder – email or call after two days to see if they need assistance
Third reminder – the day before the gallery or discount expires (phone call is
best)

Bottom line: don’t feel like the bad guy for having and enforcing policies. You are
in business to make money. If you clearly state all of your policies (and go over
them in person with the client), then there should be no arguments about time
frames and ordering.

Like this blog post?  It was taken directly from Shuttermom University! For more photography business and technical tips, come join in the fun.  See you there!