articles/Business/wantbus-page4
Published 01/12/2013
This brings me to one of the principal challenges you will face: the client's pre-existing perception of portraiture. Before they meet you, it is almost certain that they will think that all they are doing is 'coming to have their photo taken'. It is only through how you deal with them before arrival and then when they are in their shoot, seeing the fun and uniqueness in some of the images, that they begin to understand that this could be something quite special!
As already said, your shoots are geared to capturing the character of your subjects. This means that, by definition, they are bespoke - everything tailored to that client. The poses may be similar to other shoots you have done, but the people are unique which makes their pictures unique.
Now, all this needs to be communicated to the client at every stage of their experience with you, from initial literature, website and Facebook page, through first contact, the confirmation letter, the shoot, the sale (viewing) and finally the quality of their purchased portraits.
We always remember we are selling - EMOTION - and your clients needs to be gently educated!
NEXT TIME
The Product (Leg Two)
We will be covering:
The Shoot
The pre-shoot briefing/sell.
Awards, how much use are they in the real world.
How to pose and shoot efficiently, with minimal hassle, to guarantee saleable images under different lighting conditions, often involving moving targets, children, all the time making it as easy and stress-free as possible for the clients!
The pictures that sell and those that don't.
The post-shoot product walk.
Image management & production Fast, efficient, archiving. As professionals, we are not allowed to lose images!
Post-shoot processing, ready for the Viewing.
Post-viewing reprocessing to guarantee outstanding print quality every time, fast.
The under-promise and over-deliver.
Why we have brought ALL production in house and the control that gives us and money that saves us.
Q & As
In the meantime, if you have any questions relating to building your business, let me know and we may start a small Q & A section in future articles where specific queries can be addressed.
A Final Thought!
As you read these articles, get inside my mindset, it will save you a huge amount of time and grief. How I think is the single biggest thing I had to evolve to build our business to where I need it to be.
As Henry Ford said once:
"If You Think You Can or You Think You Can't, You are Probably Right!"
See you next time! Jonathan
Tlbs.mpb@gmail.com
This content is extracted from My Portrait Business, the most tested, comprehensive and complete guide to building a profitable portrait business available anywhere. How to do it plus ongoing support.
For more details, checkout
www.cavendishstudios.co.uk/mpb
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