Going From Part Time To Pro.

Transcript from Photobizx Podcast number 231 on Going from Part Time to Pro as a Photographer.

1.  KNOWING WHEN YOU ARE READY.

2. BE PATIENT

3. PRICING

4. SHOOT ,SHOOT ,SHOOT

5. HAVE A SOLID SALES SYSTEM

6. GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

7. LEARN TO KEEP AND LOVE NUMBERS

8. DON’T FORGET TO ENJOY THE JOURNEY

9. KEEP AN OPEN MIND TO CHANGE

10. DON’T ASSUME EVERYONE IS YOUR CUSTOMER

 Hey, it’s Andrew Hellmich here from Impact Images and welcome to this episode of the podcast. Like I said in the intro there, the guest for today’s episode, the main focus is photography business coach Bernie Griffiths, and we are looking at making the leap from part time to full time photography. That is one specialty that Bernie knows so well because he worked with so many photographers not only in Australia but around the world, and not only does he take them from amateur to pro, he’s working consistently with pro photographers as well and he helps them to either get or remain successful in their business.

Andrew:           Now if you are running a super successful business, things are going good and you’re looking more for advanced marketing tactics, this probably isn’t the interview for you because we really are going back to basics, looking at pricing and marketing and getting your photography where it needs to be. All those things that need to be in place if you’re actually looking at going or turning pro with your photography business.

Andrew:           In saying that I’ve been shooting for 20 years and making money from photography all that time. And there were still things that Bernie was saying in the interview that I thought, “Yeah, I should be doing more of that or I should probably be starting to do that.” So yes, there probably is something in here for everyone, but the focus is definitely on the photographer at the start of their career. So I want to make that clear upfront before we get into the main part of the interview.

Andrew:           While I’m wrapped to have Bernie Griffiths back on the podcast. If you have been listening for any length of time, you would be definitely familiar with the name Bernie Griffiths.

He is the name, the person, the photography coach that came up with the Facebook ads promo, which we’ve had so much success with. That was the basis for the course that I put out as well. Anytime Bernie comes on the show, ears prick up and people get interested. So grab your pens, grab your paper.

Photobizx.com

Today the focus of the interview with Bernie is on new photographers and how to take your business from, I guess, a hobbyist to a professional photographer. So if you’re in that transition zone, then looking at going pro, these are the things that Bernie approached me for this interview to focus on. So he’s with me right now. Bernie. Welcome back.

Bernie:             Hi Andrew, good to be back.

Andrew:           So the hobbyist that wants to go pro, I guess first of all, how do you know when you’re ready?

                            1.  KNOWING WHEN YOU ARE READY.

Bernie:             That’s a good question. It involved, made list of 10 points, and that’s number one. How do you know you’re ready? Well, you know you’re ready when you’re willing to make that commitment. The most important thing I think is to have the want. Having the want is the most important thing. You’ve got to want to do this. It’s like getting married. Good times and bad, sickness and health from this day forward and forevermore. You marry your business. So you have to have that commitment, have to have the want. So you’ll know when you’re ready, when you get that want, when you get that feeling inside, which says, “Hey, I’m going to do this.” So that’s the first step.

Andrew:           Is it okay just to dip your toes in the water and see if it’s a good fit? The way to do that would be keep your full time job and give it a go. Do you agree or is there a better way to do it?

Bernie:             No, that’s exactly right. When I go swimming, I usually dip my toe in the water, but it doesn’t encourage me to go in. It really encourages me sometimes not to go in, but if that want is there that I want to go in, then I’ll jump in, even though it’s freezing cold. So it’s that commitment.

                        The other thing that I’ve got, is about that, is to have a strategy and set a goal when you are going to do it. Have a time period like say  “I’m going to keep my job and I’m going to work my bum off and at the end of the year I’m going to resign and I’m going into this full time.” The problem is, about dipping your toe in the water, is that you’ll find you won’t have enough time that you need with your marketing and your processes to put into the business to enable you to grow. So it’s like a double edge sword, on one hand you want to have the safety of income coming in, but on the other hand you won’t have the time that you need to have that income coming in. But as long as you have some strategic plan, I think that’s a good starting point.

Bernie:             For example, I’ve got a client at present, he’s got a good job, he’s earning good money, he’s been working with me for three months, but in July he is going to resign. That’s a done deal. So it’s something you really have to think about. But as I say, if you’ve got the want, you’ll find a way.

Andrew:           I guess it is a double edged sword because I know that once you leave the full time job, then you have more time to focus on the business and put more time and effort into it. But I guess even if you want to dip your toe in the water, you can still commit to that and go all in as best you can with the time that you have.

Bernie:             The only problem with that that occurs is that you do a lot of the wrong things because you don’t learn very quickly, and so the process takes a lot longer. I don’t know about you, but I bought a business when I was 23 years old and I just jumped in the deep end. That was it. That was the end of the story. That was going to be the income for the rest of my life. That was a commitment with me. And yeah, quite often I didn’t eat. Yeah, I slept on the floor. That’s the commitment I made. So everyone’s different. Everyone’s in a different position financially or family-wise, so each has to make their own decision, but it will take a commitment.

Andrew:           You mentioned you’ve got a list of 10 things. What’s the second thing on your list?

Bernie:             The second thing is that I think a lot of photographers expectations are that they can go into business and suddenly be successful. Now in business, it takes time. You have to be patient, be patient with getting results. And I remember many years ago when I had my studio, a sales rep came to the studio who worked for a new bridal magazine trying to sell advertising, and he said, “We’re going to start this bridal magazine and we’ve given ourselves five years. We know we’re going to make a loss.” And I was like, “Wow.”

Andrew:           Wow, that’s a long time.

Bernie:             I know that’s a long time. But they made that commitment. They’d said, “Okay, we’re going to give this five years.” And that’s the sort of commitment they made with the photographer. Just be patient. It’s not going to happen overnight, but it will happen if you put in the effort and do the right things. Now, how long will that take? It depends on how much time you can put into it. So there’s the double edge sword you need the time. Time is the most important commodity that you need to create a successful business.

HEAR THE FULL PODCAST

The Millionaire Photographer and The Photography Business Coach

It is not as difficult as you think to make a Million Dollars as a Portrait Photographer.

It simply can take a little time.

It’s all in the numbers.

A simple formula.

s x a = t x y = $1,000,000

s = number of photography sessions a year, a is the average sale, and t is the yearly turnover, y is number of years.

So 100 x $1,000 = $100,00 turnover.

Scale up……..

200 x $1,000 = $200,00 x 5 years = $1,000,000.

One Million Dollars!

So I guess in over 40 years as a Wedding/ Portrait photographer, I have seen MILLIONS of dollars pass through my business.

If you want to be a Millionaire Photographer (perhaps you already are) just follow the formula.

Any Comments? bernie@aswpp.com.au

Is Your Photography Business Going Nowhere?

New Year, New Mindset.
Now at the start of a new year is the time to work hard to rethink and reshape your approach to business in order to incorporate the values required for the task of weeding out the clients you don’t want.Major areas that I believe have the greatest impact on this weeding-out process.

Personality and Professionalism
You’re a professional photographer, not an amateur wanting to make a few extra bucks on the weekends (nothing wrong with that, by the way), but someone who has invested time, hard work, and money into the creation of a real business.You can’t expect your prospects to take you seriously when you’re sending them messages that you are not a serious photography BUSINESS.They may not consciously notice, but it registers with them nonetheless, in your general demeanor, the way that you dress, and the way that you act, and the level of professional enthusiasm you have for your business.For example, it’s very easy to get frustrated when things are not going well, but are you allowing your customer to see any hint of that?Mood and emotion come across very clearly in person, of course, but they can also be felt on the telephone, and even by email.Even when you write your emails, write them as you would a physical letter in a friendly business tone, and a professional sign-off.

The Look And Personality Of Your Website And Blog
You must have a premium website, but the way it’s presented makes all the difference in the world.Make sure you are using conversational marketing copy in an effort to build a relationship with the prospect or are you being “fluffy” and relying on just your photographs no calls to action?Make a stand and show your difference.You can’t afford to be the photographer who is willing to do anything and everything, as that comes across as appearing to be desperate.Focus on one major thing, and aim to be the absolute best you can be at it.

Your Social Footprint
Social media has ingrained itself in our society, and we can’t believe that there was a time when we didn’t have it.And that has made us lose sight of what social media really means for business.First, if you’re using your Facebook personal profile for business, stop it and set up a business page before Facebook finds out and terminates your account.Next, as business owners we can’t always use social media in the same way others do.That means keeping religious and political views to ourselves, not bad-mouthing other people, eliminating profanity, and not engaging in those viral “games” that seem so popular at the moment.As professional photographers, we are our own personal business ambassadors, and it’s important to make sure we put our best social footprint forward, as it were, at all times.

Setting Proper Expectations
One way to make sure you keep a hold of the clients you want is to manage their expectations. Do they know, from the very beginning of the business relationship, what they should expect from you, and what they can do if those expectations are not met?Do they also know what you expect from them?You don’t have to go all “corporate”
 on them here, but this is where your policies should be clear and unambiguous. For example, what can they expect to happen if they miss an appointment with you, or want to cancel a print order, or need to reschedule a session?The sooner you can set the right expectations, the better off your business relationships will be.With respect and trust, comes prestige and a higher perceived value…Again, the people you should be working with will appreciate this level of openness, while the rest will quietly go their own way.

Pre-Booking Consultations
This is where too many photographers are making a big mistake – by missing out this step altogether.How are you going to really know if the client is a good fit for you unless you meet them personally, before you allow them to make a booking?The same applies to them, too.Meeting prospects face to face gives you the opportunity to make sure they know everything they need to know about you, your business, your policies, how you are the right photographer for them, and what they can expect from you.You can also discuss every aspect of the process with them, to make them see you truly care about them, and every element that goes into the creation of your photography.As before, this will weed out the remainder of the people you probably don’t want to work with, while keeping the ones who really resonate with you.

The Client Experience
Finally, what is the experience of working with you like for your clients?Are you over-delivering in every conceivable way, and wowing your clients to the point that they can’t help but rave about you?What could you do to make the experience of working with you utterly exceptional?Think about your own experiences with other businesses.Who would you rave about to your friends, and why?Which businesses have you dealt with lately that have been, well, totally forgettable?Trust me, your clients are not going to talk excitedly to their friends about you unless you totally screw up (not a good thing) or you sweep them off their feet.

I Deliberately Missed Out Price
Note that I did not include price as a means to filter your prospects and clients.Why is that?Because price should be the very last factor upon which a client bases their decision on whether or not to work with you…If a client doesn’t have the money to work with you, that’s one thing, but if the decision comes down to comparing your prices with another photographer, then you’ve failed somewhere in the communication process to establish a relationship, build trust, and demonstrate the intangible value of working with you.I hope this has helped give you something to think about – this is one area that many photographers are neglecting, meaning that you have a wonderful opportunity to be different and shineIf you haven’t made a decision to rocket your photography business this year, when will you make a decision
Have you seen the replay of the Photographers 5 Steps To Freedom??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtRHZR5ahRk&t=260s
Watch and see how easily you can bank $10,000 to $20,000 per
month in your Photography Business.
Bernie Griffiths International Photography Business Coach.
Awarded World’s Ten Outstanding Photography Professional
Awards for Business Coaching.
www.berniegriffiths.com
bernie@aswpp.com.au
+61418509228

Creating An Amazing Photography Business

How easy is it to get “sucked in” on the internet.or a successful photography business.

Secret 1… From zero customers to 20 a month without any marketing.

Secret 2… One photographer making $10,000 monthly in her portrait photography within 3 weeks of starting without any selling.

Secret 3… Position yourself with pricing so that customers will queue at your studio door.

Secret 4… A guaranteed way to create a photography business in a competitive market, that you don’t have to work in.

Easy to believe everything you see about making money in photography, and then buy things that you will never use, or that will never do what they promised.

Do you really believe that you can make money easily in photography?

Do you really believe that you can make money while you sleep without doing too much work?

Do you really believe that you can start a photography business and turnover $100,000 in the first year?

Some educators/photographers selling various products on Facebook will tell you can have a great photography business working just a couple of hours a week, or less.

Some claim that you can succeed simply by buying their free E-book.

I guess from time to time we all look for the easy way out, the magic wand, the goose that lays the golden eggs.

We are grown up mature adults right?

You will see some of these photography educators running Facebook ads, doing free preview webinars and seminars, sending numerous emails, doing podcasts, and generally selling their fantastic money making photography products on social media.

Maybe some photographers who succumb to these unrealistic claims will have a little success, but believe me, the majority will fail.

But when we get desperate or get “sucked in” by advertising we start to believe in anything.

So what is the reality?

Creating and sustaining a successful photography business takes a lot of commitment, willpower, planning and TIME.

And, of course it takes a lot of work.

The key is to work on doing the tasks that will give you financial growth, and I don’t mean sitting at your computer playing with your files!

The alternative is learning by trial and error, which can be a big waste of your time.

We all have a certain number of hours in each day, days in each week, and weeks in each year to achieve success in our photography business.

Untested methods may work, but if you just keep doing the same things and expect things to change, then you will be very, very disappointed.

In fact, Albert Einstein once said that the definition of insanity was “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. “

I believe you can only achieve a successful photography business, by trying new things, but you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

It is better to learn from those who have had many years of success, than trying to learn from a multitude of many different less experienced sources.

From my experience with over 40 years of running a successful studio, and with over 4,000 hours of coaching photographers, as a photography business coach, I can tell you that creating a consistent income stream in photography is not easy, and can be very challenging.

It also can be very fulfilling, financially rewarding, and a lot of fun.

So please mister internet don’t tell me all it takes is just an hour a week, or an 8 week online course to create my dream photography business.

In my experience what you do NEED is a real person that you can be accountable to.

A person who you can trust, a person who can guide, advise, encourage, motivate, and help you on your journey.

You need a person to SHARE your struggles and your successes.

You can’t get this level of support off the internet.

You need a person who cares.

Let’s face it, the Internet just doesn’t care, like a person does!

Try hugging your computer after you have had a bad in person sales experience and see if it cares.

You need a wife, a partner, a husband, a really good friend or a coach.

World’s number one photography business coach.

They care!

THE PHOTOGRAPHERS 5 Steps To Freedom

In this live webinar International Photography Business Coach Bernie Griffiths talks about the challenges Portrait Photographers have to grow their Photography Business. Bernie Griffiths has over 45 years’ experience running a successful wedding, portrait studio.

He started his photographic career in England, as a photographer on a local newspaper. Bernie photographed his first wedding when he was only 15 years old. He then spent a two years as chief photographer with P & O Lines traveling the world. He opened his wedding/portrait studio in Melbourne in 1969, and has photographed thousands of weddings, and thousands of portraits. After many requests from photographic colleagues, who wanted to know more about how he had achieved so much success.

He has conducted courses and seminars throughout Australia and New Zealand over many years, mentoring a number of now world known photographers. The selling systems he introduced are now being used by photographers around the world. Bernie has the sole aim of helping photographers gain success, both with their photography, and their financial reward. Bernie is a “down to earth“ person who can relate to all areas of a wedding portrait business.

He has walked the path as a wedding/portrait photographer, and knows the shortcuts that can lead you to accelerate your success, both as a photographer and business owner. As a Photography Business Coach, Bernie conducts many seminars, workshops and tutorials and also presents guest speakers from around the world covering all aspects of running a successful wedding and/or portrait studio, together with an invaluable one on one consultancy program, which will give immediate solutions to problems, and provide proven systems in all aspects of running a successful studio.

Bernie has given hundreds of presentations over his long career as a photographer, educator and presenter, from small groups to large groups of passionate photographers, including as Kodak Keynote Speaker at PMA Boot camp. His presentation style is down to earth, educational, entertaining and fun.

He draws from all of his years of life experiences, photography and business knowledge.

He speaks in a manner that challenges an audience. He makes them think! In an industry that is undergoing massive change, with a multitude of cheaper alternatives for the professional photographer, Bernie is able to encourage and inspire all who listen to his straightforward and much sought after advice. Bernie’s new book “Success Secrets of a Professional Photographer is fast becoming the “GO TO” book for professionals everywhere, and is available on Amazon. bernie@aswpp.com.au www.berniegriffiths.com

Photographers Love Facebook

Consulting, coaching and talking with photographers around the world, I am surprised by how many of them play roulette with the money that they cannot really afford to gamble. Too many of them don’t have real marketing strategies, and are just throwing money into different forms of advertising and hoping. Fingers crossed.

This practice is far too common. Passionate photographers starting out in business are vulnerable, and are targeted by various large companies who find it easy, with their well rehearsed sales skills, to extract long term dollars from virgin professional photographers.

We are all too busy, and often distracted by family or a new piece of photographic software.

We get so “busy” that we forget that the most important aspect of financial success is in being aggressive in our Marketing and promotion. No marketing, no customers, no sales. If you forget this you have to be prepared to suffer the consequences. I know that it is easy to work IN our business playing at a computer, rather than working ON our business, and working hard on creating new customers.

As a photography business coach I can tell the number one priority of photography businesses around the world, whether it be large or small, is to GET MORE CUSTOMERS. If you want to grow your business, then you had better put this up as a big banner in your head, and repeat it to yourself constantly every day……and ACT on it.

Do something about it. Don’t know what to do? Buy a book on the subject, Google “getting more customers”, attend a seminar, phone a friend etc. But do something that will cause you to ACT.

Thought without action, is like having sex in your head! It may be good fun, but it is much more fulfilling if you share the experience with someone. Talking of having sex with yourself, also remember that it is not all about you! It is all about the customer. Do not fall into the photographers trap of ego marketing, and talking all about you in your marketing material.

Talk about the customers wants and needs, and tell them how you can fulfil their needs.

The purpose of business is to gather leads and CREATE customers from the leads.

If you don’t have a well thought-out, clearly defined, and written down continual marketing strategy, AND you aren’t making it the number one daily priority of your business, then you are just wishing and hoping.

Why not set aside just one hour a day, for two days a week and see what marketing and promotional ideas you can create. What have you got to lose? What have you got to gain?

Why Facebook Is A Go To For Photographers.

Over the last 3 years I have set up hundreds of Facebook Boosted Ads for photographers around the world, that have brought in thousands of dollars into the photographers bank accounts.

The great thing about Facebook is that we can target our customers and get leads instantly. Once we get them as leads we can contact them, and then decide whether they are the customers that we are looking for, and engage with them immediately, or add them to our database and nurture them for the future with regular newsletters.

Forget what you have read about Facebook algorithms. Facebook is what it is and we have to learn how to use it in a slightly different way to give us the results that we want.

Get started at growing your business…..CONTACT bernie@aswpp.com.au

#Photogtraphybusinesscoach

#worldsnumberonephotographybusinesscoach

7 Reasons Why You May Be Still Working 50+ hours A Week In Your Photography Business

Don’t have a business plan.

The difference between an amateur photographer and a professional photographer is COMMITTING to a plan and process. 

You Are A Workaholic. 

You are working hard and doing it yourself, rather than how to work smarter.

You don’t know any better.

Hard to overcome, until someone arrives with a solution.

Don’t Understand Marketing. 

Probably the biggest obstacle that is stopping any photography business from growing.

Most things will be ‘in your head’ and that means your business depends on you.

No Systems

A very shaky position if something should happen to you.

Small Cash Flow

If cash flow is tight, you’ll be living a stressful life.

You don’t like doing your “numbers.” because you don’t understand them.

Don’t Have A Coach

A lot of photographers see a business coach as an expense rather than as an investment.

I good coach will create many times over the fees they charge, and a select few even offer a money back guarantee.

What have you got to lose.

Don’t Know What KPIs Are.

You must know what your Key Performance Indicators are to allow you to make the right decisions, whether it be financial or strategies.

You just need a strategized business plan and then you have a direction to follow. 

Ready to take your business to the next level? 

Let’s get you started……Enquire bernie@aswpp.com.au

Are Your Photography Prices Too Cheap?

Living in New York I had the opportunity to go to a rare Bradford Rowley seminar evening. Held at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square it was an easy 15 minute walk from my apartment off 6th Avenue. Bradford is known as “The Millionaire Photographer” and his 3 studios in the U.S. I believe, turn over more than 3 million dollars a year.

That is one very successful photographer! Bradford has a very simple price list and only sells to types of canvas finishes in sizes and prices ranging from 10×8 inches at $1,000 to 72 x 50 inches at $50,000. All prints are plus frames. Working out pricing for a photography business can be a difficult thing to do. There is heaps of online advice, and of course your photography friends always like to give you their opinion.

Here is an email I came across last week from Amy Fraughton from Photo Business Tools.

“I talk to photographers literally every working day of the month, and the one common thread that always comes up is their pricing…

And so in case we haven’t talked yet, the answer is YES, you are priced too low…

And not just because you have to figure in your expenses.

Not just because you want to value your time more.

One of the biggest reasons you need to raise your prices, is because your prices are telling your clients you are not that good… and in some cases, that you really stink!

I always use this comparison – if you went to buy a pair of jeans and there were 2 stores right next to each other that sold similar jeans, but one was priced at $20 and the other at $250, what would you think about the $250 pair of jeans?

They are definitely the jeans everyone wants to buy.

They are better quality.

They will last longer.

They will make you look amazing.But do we really know if the thread is thicker, the fabric stronger? No, but we assume so because of the price.

It’s the same with everything from ketchup to diamonds… the price tells us whether it’s good or faulty.

I don’t know about you, but I want my clients to know my pictures are good. In fact, amazing!

If you are priced too low right now, I promise there are clients out there looking for a photographer in a higher price range, but when they see your prices, they don’t call you because it’s too low, and your low price is telling them you don’t have good work, don’t have good products, and your customer service is lacking.

So… be brutally honest with yourself… what are your prices telling your potential clients?

Are they telling them you are amazing?

Are they telling them you are so so?

Or are they telling them that you kinda stink?

It’s quite possible that your low prices are actually deflecting your ideal client…

It’s time to change that.

Make sure your prices are telling your clients that they are going to get amazing products with an amazing service!

And start attracting the right clients!”

What About Alternative Pricing?

There are a lot of good points in Amy’s article.

BUT, in my opinion as a photography business coach, it is not just about simply raising your prices.

In my role as a photography business coach, the photographers that I coach come from various levels of expertise, quality and experience, and so after a lot of “test and measure,” I have devised three different price structures, and we select the structure that suits the photographer the best.

Structure one is what I consider the “old way” and is based on the primary premise of selling various sizes of images. This is a simple structure that does restrict high sales, and is used by the majority of photographers in the marketplace. Expect your average sale to be around $600 with this price list.

My second structure is based on years as a photography business coach on having four collections as it’s base, which gives the client a choice of prints and files, with additional extras like wall art, print boxes, and digital file collections also available. Average sales are generally $1,000 plus.

The third price structure is for a higher end photographer who looks for an average sale of $2,500 plus.The emphasis here is on wall art in all of it’s forms…canvas, acrylic, matted and framed, etc. To encourage high sales it also has a bonus gift incentive that gives the client a high perceived value gift if they purchase two or more of the higher priced items. This price list structure has led to two of my clients doing individual sales of over $9,000 in the past week.

When you revisit your pricing try and think a little more strategically and see if you can can come up with a structure it to encourage your customers to purchase more.

Need help? Feel free to email me ….info@aswpp.com.au

Changing Photographers Lives

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your help this year.

We had another record month for December with 32 sessions booked in for next year.

I also wanted to tell you, I used your suggestion of a baby plan with newborn clients. I charged them $25 to add a 6 month and 1 year session after doing the newborn session. One family today came in and spent $3,090 for the 6 month session, so it is definitely working. Thank you Bernie” Kate & Chris Beuchner Uber Photography

Photography Business Coach

Scared Of Selling ?

October 30, 2019

In my experience as a photography business coach, I find some photographers do not enjoy the selling part of their photography business.

But of course if you do not sell images in print or digital form, your business life will be very short.

You need to get that mental attitude of realising that the only reason that you are photographing is to sell the images.

It was certainly the only reason I photographed.

I was in it for the money.

The photography (which I loved) was just a vehicle to enable me to earn a great income and have a fantastic lifestyle.

I guess that’s what you want too as a professional photographer.

Your client is coming to you because they want to buy heaps of images.

Right?

But what about the client that I have pulled in via a Facebook ad and have offered a free photography session and a free print you say.

But you have spoken to them on the phone and told them that when they come to view the photographs they may really like some of them, and you are going to ask them if they would like the opportunity of purchasing some, right?

And you tell them that some of your clients that love their photos when they see them, and often buy something for the wall, or digital files, or an album of their favourite images, spending sometimes a $1,000 or more.

You also have told them that of course, the only time that they can decide is when they see their photographs. Right?

You don’t have to feel like you’re selling something to them that they don’t want.

They are there at the purchasing session looking at the photographs taking up the opportunity you gave them, to spend as much money with you as they want.

You should not prevent them from doing this.

Ask any successful photographer and they will tell you that it is a fact that the more money your clients spend, the happier they are.

Make your clients happy!

Grab my FREE e-Book “7 Ways To Market Your Portrait Photography.”

FREE “one on one” Coaching included with my Marketing For Photographers Online Course.

When you are ready for some really serious long term coaching to help your business….info@aswpp.com.au

How Much Do Photographs Cost?

“Just because someone owns a camera doesn’t mean they know how to use it.”

In the digital age, where anyone with an iPhone and a Facebook page can market himself or herself as a photographer, it is important to find a photographer that you can trust to capture your memories. After all, those precious moments disappear in a flash.

When considering a photographer, it is a good idea for you to find out about the photographer, their experience, reputation, and business policies.

Photographers’ prices tend to be based on an industry standard equivalent to their skill, experience and number of years that they have been in business.

A high end photographer probably uses a $10,000 camera which of course produces high quality files, while cheaper photographers use cameras producing lesser detail and quality.

Photography Techniques You May Not Know.

Being a Photography Business Coach I know that good Professional photographers do a lot more than point and shoot, hoping to get a great image.

If you are looking for experts in the field of photography, they have the knowledge, expertise and equipment to produce high-quality images that produce creative, perfectly printed portraits.

General-use cameras continue to improve, and so does the equipment used by professionals.

If you want images to frame and put on your wall, quality albums or even digital files to do it all yourself, be aware that a professional-quality printing service can provide much better prints than those you might get at the local discount store.

Archival Photographs Or Digital Files?

Professional cameras produce images of much higher resolution than smartphones and standard cameras, and professional lighting techniques, and the understanding of light, can make the difference between a so-so image and an image that can “pop” off your wall.

Using more flattering angles and unique perspectives and settings, clearly separate “real” photographers apart from their amateur or part time counterparts.

Experienced professional photographers use refined editing techniques to clear up imperfections and provide controlled contrast and colour balance.

Professional printing companies have the right equipment and correction services and supply a range of archival photography materials such as metallic and art papers, Italian canvas, acrylic, and more.

If your prints from a discount store fade over a short period of time, don’t be surprised, as only a professional photographer will supply you with your photographs on lifetime archival paper.

The Hidden Risk You Take

Some of the photographers that I coach are full time professional photographers that have strong reputations, since what they do is both personal, creative, and image-based. Their work is easy to check out on their website or Facebook page, and look for a photographer that specialises in the particular genre that you want photographed.

Do your research to find a professional who works in the style you want for a price that you are willing to pay.

Quite simply photographers with the most expertise in their field, the more you can expect to pay.

Set up a consultation appointment with those whose work seems to be what you like. Use this initial meeting to find out more about the photography experience, products and pricing.

When looking at the work, take note of the style and variety of images, and how that matches your personal preferences. Pay attention to poses, angles, lighting and other techniques.

Check a photographer’s Facebook reviews, references, and written testimonials.

A photographer who is a member of a professional organization shows a high level of commitment.

The photographer is also bound by a set of professional rules of practice, a code of ethics, and adequate public liability insurance. The organization also certifies photographers, which involves submitting images and reaching a certain high standard, and through a long qualification program a photographer can be awarded the title of Master Photographer.

How To Get The Best From Your Photography Session

Every photography charges according to their positioning and reputation in the marketplace. Just with any other product or service there are those who are super cheap, up to the very expensive.

You will find that most part time inexperienced photographers offer very little customer service, and so will put your images on an online gallery for you to make your selections. Obviously when they do this you will be unable to ask them any relevant questions about the images like cropping, removing unwanted facial blemishes, making the images black and white etc.

A personal “one on one” purchasing sessions with the photographer is the better way as your photographer will help, guide and advise you on getting the best from your images. Let’s face it, the only time that you can decide on what you want, is when you see the photographs that your photographer has taken.

So keep an open mind on how much you intend to spend. Most people tend to spend a lot more than they had anticipated once they see their photographs.

You Want A Guarantee Don’t You?

Most photographers charge a fee of around $95-$250 for the photography session, at their studio or at an outdoor location. Newborn sessions usually take a lot longer, so expect these fees to be higher.

Individual small print and digital file prices can vary from as little as $25 each for the part time hobbyist photographer to $195 and above for an experience award winning Master Photographer.

In my opinion as a photography business coach, if you are looking for a photographer to produce stunning décor photographs for your wall to add that warm personal touch to your surroundings, choose a photographer who specialises in wall art, and shows examples on their website.

Expect prices from $1,000 upwards from these more upmarket photographers. It is common for some clients of the top photographers to spend upwards of $5,000 and more on photographs for their wall. Make sure that any wall products that you order come with at least a 10 year guarantee. This is normal procedure with full time photographers, but you are unlikely to get this with a part time one.

Purchasing wall art is like buying furniture for your home. Quality always comes at a higher price.

Connecting By Phone Is The Key

You should definitely shop around and find a photographer whose work you really like, rather than simply making your decision based on the cheapest price.

If you do go with a lower rate, make sure the photographer you hire has the skills and experience you are seeking and produces a reasonable quality of work.

There is a price to be paid for a good professional photographer, and as the old saying goes you almost always “get what you pay for”.

Beautiful lasting memories on your wall don’t happen by chance, they happen with an appointment.

Calling the photographer and having a 2 minute chat is the quickest way to have all of your questions answered, and to find out if they are the right “mix” to preserve your priceless memories.”

Article by Bernie Griffiths from Advanced Success for Wedding and Portrait Photographers.

www.berniegriffiths.com

Copyright 2018

So How Much Do Photographs Cost?

“Just because someone owns a camera doesn’t mean they know how to use it.

In the digital age, where anyone with an iPhone and a Facebook page can market himself or herself as a photographer, it is important to find a photographer that you can trust to capture your memories. After all, those precious moments disappear in a flash.

When considering a photographer, it is a good idea for you to find out about the photographer, their experience, reputation, and business policies.

Photographers’ prices tend to be based on an industry standard equivalent to their skill, experience and number of years that they have been in business.

A high end photographer probably uses a $10,000 camera which of course produces high quality files, while cheaper photographers use cameras producing lesser quality.

Photography Techniques You May Not Know.

Good Professional photographers do a lot more than point and shoot, hoping to get a great image.

If you are looking for experts in the field of photography, they have the knowledge, expertise and equipment to produce high-quality images that produce creative, perfectly printed portraits.

General-use cameras continue to improve, and so does the equipment used by professionals.

If you want images to frame and put on your wall, quality albums or even digital files to do it all yourself, be aware that a professional-quality printing service can provide much better prints than those you might get at the local discount store.

Archival Photographs Or Digital Files?

Professional cameras produce images of much higher resolution than smartphones and standard cameras, and professional lighting techniques, and the understanding of light, can make the difference between a so-so image and an image that can “pop” off your wall.

Using more flattering angles and unique perspectives and settings, clearly separate “real” photographers apart from their amateur or part time counterparts.

Experienced professional photographers use refined editing techniques to clear up imperfections and provide controlled contrast and colour balance.

Professional printing companies have the right equipment and correction services and supply a range of archival photography materials such as metallic and art papers, Italian canvas, acrylic, and more.

If your prints from a discount store fade over a short period of time, don’t be surprised, as only a professional photographer will supply you with your photographs on lifetime archival paper.

The Hidden Risk You Take

“Good full time professional photographers have strong reputations, since what they do is both personal, creative, and image-based. Their work is easy to check out on their website or Facebook page, and look for a photographer that specialises in the particular genre that you want photographed.

Do your research to find a professional who works in the style you want for a price that you are willing to pay.

Quite simply photographers with the most expertise in their field, the more you can expect to pay.

Set up a consultation appointment with those whose work seems to be what you like. Use this initial meeting to find out more about the photography experience, products and pricing.

When looking at the work, take note of the style and variety of images, and how that matches your personal preferences. Pay attention to poses, angles, lighting and other techniques.

Check a photographer’s Facebook reviews, references, and written testimonials.

Being a member of a professional organization shows a level of commitment.

The photographer is also bound by a set of professional rules of practice, a code of ethics, and adequate public liability insurance. The organization also certifies photographers, which involves submitting images and reaching a certain high standard.

How To Get The Best From Your Photography Session

Every photography charges according to their positioning and reputation in the marketplace. Just with any other product or service there are those who are super cheap, up to the very expensive.

You will find that most part time inexperienced photographers offer very little customer service, and so will put your images on an online gallery for you to make your selections. Obviously when they do this you will be unable to ask them any relevant questions about the images like cropping, removing unwanted facial blemishes, making the images black and white etc.

A personal “one on one” purchasing sessions with the photographer is the better way as your photographer will help, guide and advise you on getting the best from your images. Let’s face it, the only time that you can decide on what you want, is when you see the photographs that your photographer has taken.

So keep an open mind on how much you intend to spend. Most people tend to spend a lot more than they had anticipated once they see their photographs.

You Want A Guarantee Don’t You?

Most photographers charge a fee of around $95-$250 for the photography session, at their studio or at an outdoor location. Newborn sessions usually take a lot longer, so expect these fees to be higher.

Individual small print and digital file prices can vary from as little as $25 each for the part time hobbyist photographer to $195 and above for an experience award winning Master Photographer.

If you are looking for a photographer to produce stunning décor photographs for your wall to add that warm personal touch to your surroundings, choose a photographer who specialises in wall art, and shows examples on their website.

Expect prices from $1,000 upwards from these more upmarket photographers. It is common for some clients of the top photographers to spend upwards of $5,000 and more on photographs for their wall. Make sure that any wall products that you order come with at least a 10 year guarantee. This is normal procedure with full time photographers, but you are unlikely to get this with a part time one.

Purchasing wall art is like buying furniture for your home. Quality always comes at a higher price.

Connecting By Phone Is The Key

You should definitely shop around and find a photographer whose work you really like, rather than simply making your decision based on the cheapest price.

If you do go with a lower rate, make sure the photographer you hire has the skills and experience you are seeking and produces a reasonable quality of work.

There is a price to be paid for a good professional photographer, and as the old saying goes you almost always “get what you pay for”.

Beautiful lasting memories on your wall don’t happen by chance, they happen with an appointment.

Calling the photographer and having a 2 minute chat is the quickest way to have all of your questions answered, and to find out if they are the right “mix” to preserve your priceless memories.”

Article by Bernie Griffiths from Advanced Success for Wedding and Portrait Photographers.

Copyright 2018