articles/Profiles/haley-page3
Published 01/10/2001
One thing I have learned in the business is that Turnover is not Profit. I once had a turnover of over £110,000.00 PA. but no money in my pocket to spend. I generate portraits by buying the CMC (UK) Ltd leads of new born babies. I do home sits using a Nikon D1, showing the photographs instantly on a Laptop and selling at the time. The photographs are nowhere near as good as when I had a studio but people buy more now than they did - Profit is up - not Turnover - remember? I keep the lighting very simple just one umbrella on a Bowens monolight and try to take about 3 different poses of young babies of 8 to 12 weeks old. Many families then get back to me later for family groups and although I haven't done it yet I do intend to start signing people up on a 3 to 5 year birthday sitting for all the spending customers. All my weddings come from internet enquiries or word of mouth. Again, I use the D1, printing a book of 8 per A4 page thumbnails at the reception while the Bride & Groom are having food and give them the booklet after the speeches.
They LOVE IT. I think it's great because I know everything is OK without having to wait for the films to be processed and my work is finished about 1 hour after the last frame is taken.
What's in my "Wish List"? Well, how much do you want me to list? The new Kodak 760 looks interesting, I wish there was a fast machine I could print up to 16X12 within 1 minute to archival or at least RA4 quality that I could carry around in the car and 80% conversion of leads to bookings would be wonderful - but we can't have everything because no one promised it would be easy. Realistically, I'm happy the way things are - producing work that my customers love, that I still enjoy doing and having a bit of money to allow me to buy and appreciate fine Red wine.-"Cheers"
Paul R G
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