2:25 AM
Dana M Lane
Hi guys! I just wanted to alert you to some changes I'll be making... In the next month, I’ll be re-evaluating my business plan, and making some changes that I feel will benefit not only myself, but my clients as well. Here are a few highlights:
1. As of the beginning of 2013, I will no longer be selling digital files ala carte. I know this sounds like a bad thing, and a lot of people are going to be upset- at first. (And trust me, this is a scary step for me to take, as I worry that some clients may pass me over because I have decided not to give you a disc of your photos. But hear me out!) But I’ve been doing a lot of research, and I’ve found some very compelling arguments for NOT offering up all of my digital files in a session.
For one thing, when you get a disc of your photos, or a digital download of them from my site, what do you do with them? If you’re anything like me, they go into the “I’ll do something with these soon” file, and you kind of forget about them. With my new system, I’ll be focusing more on getting you tangible, artful photos for your walls, albums, shelves… Because ultimately, isn’t that what we intend to do when we have our photos taken? I’ll be implementing a series of packages, along with incorporating some beautiful wearable photo items and other fantastic items! There will be opportunities to receive your photos framed and ready to hang in beautiful, artful frames that are color coordinated to your home. (You can click the link below to see just what I am talking about- not sure of the pricing just yet, but that will come soon!)
Frames: http://issuu.com/wildsorbet/docs/catalog12-20-12?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222
Jewelry & Accessories: http://issuu.com/mykotori/docs/catalog2011/4
Essentially, what will change is that, instead of getting 100 pictures or so on a disc that you might not ever do ANYTHING with, you will be able to apply that money to prints and other items that you can share with family & friends, and cherish for many, many years! (And, as a bonus, I will give free digital copies of any prints you purchase for free, all ready to post wherever you like!)
I also plan to offer photo books, which will allow you to have more photos from your session all in one neat, pretty, professionally styled place! I’m in the process of hooking up with a company that I think will be an awesome fit to get those started!
2. Another thing I’ll be implementing is a more interactive approach to handling your photo session. I want you to have the perfect session, and I know that sometimes when we go into these things, we don’t really know what to expect, how to dress for the best look, how the ordering process will go, etc. I plan to spend the rest of the year getting organized, and learning as much as I can, myself, to help make the process smooth for everyone! I’ll be conducting pre-session “interviews” where I will learn your expectations for your session, and answer any questions you may have. I’ll be offering “what to wear” advice, and build your session around what YOU want out of your photos. Then, after your session, we will sit down together and I’ll walk you through the process of ordering your photos, books, etc, to make sure you get exactly what you need. I really feel that this will make my sessions better, both for you, and for me!
3. Portrait events! I’ve recently attended an online workshop given by Lori Nordstom (kind of one of the rock stars of the photography biz!), and one of her big things is portrait events. It’s really quite ingenious, and I can’t wait to start doing them! Essentially, you can “host” an event at your home, where I will come & set up, and shoot sessions with your friends and family over the course of the day. Each client that you bring to the party gets a special package at a great price, and you can earn $$ toward your sessions for each client you bring in! All of the shooting & ordering is done on-site, and we will make kind of a party of it! I have some great ideas on this one, guys! (Think door prizes, raffles, etc!) : ) Can’t wait to get this organized and start these!!
Anyway, if you’re still with me after all my long-windedness, then hopefully you are as excited as I am about these changes! The new year is looking like a good one! Here’s to 2013!!
1. As of the beginning of 2013, I will no longer be selling digital files ala carte. I know this sounds like a bad thing, and a lot of people are going to be upset- at first. (And trust me, this is a scary step for me to take, as I worry that some clients may pass me over because I have decided not to give you a disc of your photos. But hear me out!) But I’ve been doing a lot of research, and I’ve found some very compelling arguments for NOT offering up all of my digital files in a session.
For one thing, when you get a disc of your photos, or a digital download of them from my site, what do you do with them? If you’re anything like me, they go into the “I’ll do something with these soon” file, and you kind of forget about them. With my new system, I’ll be focusing more on getting you tangible, artful photos for your walls, albums, shelves… Because ultimately, isn’t that what we intend to do when we have our photos taken? I’ll be implementing a series of packages, along with incorporating some beautiful wearable photo items and other fantastic items! There will be opportunities to receive your photos framed and ready to hang in beautiful, artful frames that are color coordinated to your home. (You can click the link below to see just what I am talking about- not sure of the pricing just yet, but that will come soon!)
Frames: http://issuu.com/wildsorbet/docs/catalog12-20-12?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222
Jewelry & Accessories: http://issuu.com/mykotori/docs/catalog2011/4
Essentially, what will change is that, instead of getting 100 pictures or so on a disc that you might not ever do ANYTHING with, you will be able to apply that money to prints and other items that you can share with family & friends, and cherish for many, many years! (And, as a bonus, I will give free digital copies of any prints you purchase for free, all ready to post wherever you like!)
I also plan to offer photo books, which will allow you to have more photos from your session all in one neat, pretty, professionally styled place! I’m in the process of hooking up with a company that I think will be an awesome fit to get those started!
2. Another thing I’ll be implementing is a more interactive approach to handling your photo session. I want you to have the perfect session, and I know that sometimes when we go into these things, we don’t really know what to expect, how to dress for the best look, how the ordering process will go, etc. I plan to spend the rest of the year getting organized, and learning as much as I can, myself, to help make the process smooth for everyone! I’ll be conducting pre-session “interviews” where I will learn your expectations for your session, and answer any questions you may have. I’ll be offering “what to wear” advice, and build your session around what YOU want out of your photos. Then, after your session, we will sit down together and I’ll walk you through the process of ordering your photos, books, etc, to make sure you get exactly what you need. I really feel that this will make my sessions better, both for you, and for me!
3. Portrait events! I’ve recently attended an online workshop given by Lori Nordstom (kind of one of the rock stars of the photography biz!), and one of her big things is portrait events. It’s really quite ingenious, and I can’t wait to start doing them! Essentially, you can “host” an event at your home, where I will come & set up, and shoot sessions with your friends and family over the course of the day. Each client that you bring to the party gets a special package at a great price, and you can earn $$ toward your sessions for each client you bring in! All of the shooting & ordering is done on-site, and we will make kind of a party of it! I have some great ideas on this one, guys! (Think door prizes, raffles, etc!) : ) Can’t wait to get this organized and start these!!
Anyway, if you’re still with me after all my long-windedness, then hopefully you are as excited as I am about these changes! The new year is looking like a good one! Here’s to 2013!!
