Week 3: Portrait Photography

Portrait Photography

Service
$150 for weekday portrait
$220 for weekend portrait
Incentive: weekday
Usually 90 min sitting

Portraits
`different mentality to weddings - people aren't prepared to pay as much
` low sitting fee, high re-print prices

Christenings
`$660 for couple of hours coverage

Package
`prints that are mounted
`in a bag with logo
`gift cards
`voucher, 'pass this on to your friends'

Contract
` 'referred by_____________'
`if there are a lot of referrals from one client, free enlargement
`what to wear
`if your child is ill, pospone
`how to pospone
`photoshop and what to expect

Locations
`home
`garden
`park

Your Selection
`narrow it down to less than 50 images

Folders
`jpg screen
`web
`high res

Selection Process
`first shows slideshow of pics with music, then client can pick which ones they like
`do not bring children (also says this in contract)
`happens 1 week to 10 days of photo shoot
` 1 week for clients to look at photos online. Usually when they come in they still don't know what they want, you help them
`uses PROSELECT.com.au as a viewing program for clients. Royalty free music
`actually show them sizes to real life - e.g. 5x7, 8x10 etc

Reprints
`3 weeks
` + framing + album = 6 weeks

Lenses
16-35mm 2.8
50mm 1.4
70-200mm
24-70mm
`shallow depth of field

Kids
`bring colours

Lighting etc.
`shade
`mostly natural, with use of mostly silver reflectors, or black blocking off sun
` assistant
`mornings and arvos best
`depth

Editing
`you can download photoshop actions

Links
Slideshow software: Proselect.com.au

Week 2: Wedding Photography

Wedding Photography

Wow, what a fantastic first lesson! So much useful information from a business perspective. Loved the style of teaching and especially content, so much better than us sitting there listening to general business theories

Here are some of the things I learnt:

` enter as many comps as you can - great recognition as a photographer
` wedding photographers average income per wedding: $5000 - $8000. Can earn $10 000
` most of H's potential clients are via referral
` average advertising costs about $15 000 per year
` takes about 1 week to create 1 wedding album - 40 hours
` be aware of your competition i.e. other photographers


Getting out there:

` competitions
` website
` paying extra for stronger links in Google. e.g. $8/per month for google add words
` listings on generic Wedding websites
` advertising in wedding magazines e.g. Canberra bride. Costs about $1300 full colour a4 ad
` wedding expos
` charaties for portraits
` work experience
` join AIPP

Useful Links

`slideshow: slideshowpro.net
`website music: royaltyfree.music
`business cards: temmcoau
` printing: nulap ($20 000/year as opposed to $40 000 with Bica Prolab)
`mounting: photomounts.com.au