It's funny how hard you try to ensure your clients and future clients are aware of the services you offer and value in these services. The market is heavily saturated with other photographers and we each have to work hard in reaching out and setting ourselves apart. The one good thing about there being so many photographers to choose from is that you are bound to find the photographer that fits your needs perfectly. There are lots of things to consider and to appreciate: their style of shooting, their available packages and services, their prices, their consistency, their location and, yes, even their personality! After all, if this photographer is the right fit for you, they will become a part of your family and capture all of your important memories. You should trust and love everything about them!
There's a million things to the business side of photography that I never even considered when I first started on this journey. I have learned so much. I am learning every day and I will always continue to learn. (I'm like a learning junkie. Sad, but true.) But in all the midst of learning everything I feel I should know...I seem to have fallen slack in the area of ensuring you all know about everything I have to offer. So I thought I would make a little blog that covers a broad range of information. The information within this blog post is compiled of questions I have received from many current and future clients through Facebook or email. Hopefully the question that was asked by you was answered here and you're willing to share so others can see the light as well!
1. BOUDOIR. Why, yes. Yes I do offer Boudoir sessions. I have a Barely Boudoir Signature Series that I have offered for about a year. The reason it is so popular is because I swear to the utmost secrecy. I run my Boudoir side a bit differently than most photographers. My boudoir sessions are all about classy, sensual, fun, beautiful images. It's about YOU. It's about making you feel as beautiful as you truly are...inside and out. To give you images you can be proud of whether you show them off or not. I'm not in it so show them off either. Don't get me wrong...I get a bit bummed when I can't share all of the beautiful images I take of all of these beautiful women, but again, that's the reason most book their session with me! I understand that the images are for your eyes only and anyone else YOU choose (i.e. your sweetheart). I do not plaster them on Facebook or my website or anywhere else. I only post if I get confirmed permission from you and even then I allow you to choose the specific images that get posted whether it's none, one or all. I know that some of you may not want your children, parents, grandparents, extended family, friends, coworkers, boss or straight up pervs to ogle over your intimate photos. I know I would not be comfortable with that.
Boudoir sessions are either held at my home studio, your own home, outside or one case I had a women book a suite at a hotel for a few hours to achieve a very luxurious feel in her images. (I'm sure she had a hook-up to get the deal she got!) I also have professional hair and makeup artist, Liz, available to pamper you prior to your session while I get to know you better and we can go over the session as we get comfortable. Below is a sample from a recent session where I did have permission to post and as you can see...classy, sensual, fun and beautiful!
2. STUDIO. I was dumbfounded recently when a client I photographed last summer had no idea she can book during the winter months, because she did not know I had a studio. Why, yes. Yes I do have a studio. I have an in-home studio in Albion. It is warm, inviting and spacious. I utilize it mainly during the winter months to photograph when clients don't want to be in the cold snow. I use it to photograph maternity, newborns, children, mini sessions, cake smash sessions and boudoir. Here, I have tons of backdrops, props and gear to make every session fun, easy and unique. I do not often photograph families in my studio as the space in somewhat limited. I can easily accommodate a small family. For larger families or events that I must shoot during a time of year when Maine weather doesn't permit us to be outside, I utilize a studio space in Waterville.
Now, someday I may venture into either building my own studio or obtaining a space in town closer to all the hub-bub, but for now...I love my home studio. It's private and quaint. Clients are able to sit comfortably on a couch or chair and even raid my fridge if they wish! I've been known to cook for clients and offer coffee. It's more of a home environment and not a structured, cold studio. Children tend to be more relaxed in the environment and even play with my son and all his cool toys :) I'm able to give clients a more "part of the family" feeling when they come over. And honestly, when warm weather comes around my butt is back outside for my favorite kind of session...outside, on location in the fresh air and beautiful sunlight! During that time the studio is mainly used for newborn sessions or rainy day sessions that can't be rescheduled.
3. ACCESS. I know that not everyone follows or uses the same form of social media so I try to maintain several forms of it in the effort to reach you all. Nothing makes me feel worse than a client telling me they missed out on a mini session, event or promotion because they were unaware it was going on. Facebook is used by pretty much ALL of my clients, but Facebook unfortunately does a crappy job at helping me inform my clients of everything happening. So for those of you who don't know all of my social media access...here are the links. It's honestly best to choose at least 2 forms so you have a better chance at getting all of the current updates on mini sessions, events, contests, coupons, promotions, specials and breaking news.
This gets updated bi-weekly with new images. It also has a "Specials" page where I post the latest contest, mini sessions or promotions that I'm offering. It's chalk full of wonderful things!
This is updated almost daily with images, updates, news and tons of fun stuff like contests and giveaways! It's the most frequently interacted by myself and my clients, but is not always good to depend on giving you the updates you need when you need them.
I try to create a new blog post weekly if I have the time. I try to blog about different aspects of what I do and is related to photography. I also take suggestions from readers on what they'd like to see me blog about next! In the right hand column is a spot to sign up for my blog feed through your email. That way you know the moment something new is added. Posts are never boring :)
This is where I pin items of interest related to all areas of photography. Go check out my boards and follow a few! You may get inspired too! I'm always adding new boards and sharing fun ideas :)
I have recently started using Twitter and it is not heavily used at this point, but it is my intention to try tweeting more often for those wishing to follow. In fact, click the link and follow me! You'll be glad you did!
My VC Club: Text PHOTOME to 555888
Yes, you read that right! This week I have began a VC (Valued Client) mobile alert Club! With cell phones becoming everyday necessities and with texting as fun, fast, easy and popular as it is, I just had to jump on board! The best part is that the service is FREE! You can opt out at any time and during your membership to my mobile alert club you could receive up to 3 messages a month but never more. You have first access to any specials, contests, coupons and promotions sometimes days before I release it! You even have access to VC Club ONLY deals! So join now! You won't regret it :)
4. THEMED SESSIONS. <----- These are my favorite!!! Especially children's themed sessions! I'd like to start off with a quote that I coined myself "Childhood is magical so therefore, children are." How incredibly accurate is that?! Last summer I spent some time delving into an area of photography that really ignites my heart...magical children's sessions. This is also what I intend to work on again this summer. I eventually want it to be a major part of what I do. And I'm sure you can see why...
I will soon be looking for more children to model themes I wasn't able to do last year. Another reason why following me in more than one social media is important to ensure you know what's going on! So look for a blog post in the near future when I reach out to parents for children to model some of the fun, creative themes I have planned this year!
5. DIGITAL FILES. This is a big question and every client always asks. So I will go over the options for digital files so you know what they are. My portrait investments are set up with a session fee which varies from $100-$400 for full sessions depending on what you book me for. There is a 10 image minimum, though I tend to produce up to 20+ images per session. Some images get posted to Facebook and my website. All images get uploaded to your own private online viewing/ordering gallery. This is where you can order prints and products. The most popular product is the digital files, of course. There are 3 options to purchase the digital files. A Print Release will be included so you can print locally if you wish.
Customized USB: This is becoming the more popular choice and is a new addition to my product line. They are large capacity and universal. It will eventually replace the Disc option. I say this because so many of our popular devices nowadays do not have a disc drive in them and will not be of much use to you. Thumb drives can be used on many more devices and local printing labs as well as digital frames for those of you that use them. The initial cost is $65, but once you own a custom Laura Lee Photography USB drive, you can then use the USB to load future sessions at only $50 per session for the digital files. The thumb drive will contain all of the hand-picked, professionally edited digital files from your session. Delivery times are 3-10 days.
Disc: This is a popular choice as well. The disc is currently $50 and contains all of the hand-picked, professionally edited digital files from your session. It is given a customized label and a Print Release to print locally. I even wrap them in organic, recycled sleeves and mail them within 24 hours of placing your order.
Digital Downloads: This is the first year offering the digital downloads. It's actually quite simple and very convenient! For those of you interested in knowing, this option has replaced the disc option for Mini Sessions. Which means no more mailing you a disc for mini sessions, you can now download the files directly from your gallery! Once your order has been placed, you will receive a special code to enter to download your images. After you download them, you can burn them to your own disc or save them to your own USB or memory card. (I also suggest backing them up on an external hard drive if you have one.) It means you don't have to wait to get the images since the process is immediate.
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| I will end this blog with an image of my son that I took last week! I'm just so gosh darn proud <3 |
OK! So for now, I believe this post answers the most common questions I'm asked. I will release other similar posts in the future when more frequent questions become obvious. In the meantime, I am more than happy to answer all of your questions! This is not my attempt to discourage you from asking questions...these are just FAQ's that I though would be nice to address :) In fact, if there are any other questions you'd like to see covered in the next FAQ blog post, please comment with the questions below so I can address them! THANK YOU!
