I felt like sharing. And, since this is my 600th post, I felt it would be a fitting topic. Here is a bulleted list of why I go against the grain and give the disc of images to my clients with every session and every wedding:
- Times have changed. Yes, people still need prints to decorate their home, however so much of our life is digital now. I’m starting to get more and more business from Facebook vs. just internet searches. People share alot of their lives on Facebook, and it’s probably going to continue heading in that direction.
- Instead of having to choose between a few of the images from your session, you can have 50-80 images documenting a period of time in your family’s life. That is a big reason people come back to me for repeat business, besides the fact that I take awesome photos. 😉
- Along with having to choose images from your session to print, there is the sales aspect. I honestly don’t have enough time as it is. I really don’t want to spend more time worrying about trying to sell you prints in order to make my goals for the year. And, you don’t need to go through me trying to sell you prints. I charge for everything up front, so you know exactly what you are getting with your session.
- I may be sacrificing some income by giving out the disc of images. However, I feel as though I would loose a good chunk of my current clientele if I choose to do that. I love the families I work with now!
I am definitely a black sheep when it comes to my business practices. I am not running my business for other photographers. I am here to run it to cater to you and my life as a wife and mother. This way obviously doesn’t work for most of the photographers out there, yet it works great for me and my business.
Not sure why I felt like voicing my opinion now, but it’s been on my mind for a while. So, now you know! 🙂
Lisa Stewart says
Jackie, you DO take awesome photos!! We also love that you give the disc. I recently put the images of Corbin and Emma as my screen saver at work. Now people say, “Where did you go to have those taken?” and I can tell them. Honestly, you might make more money just from the referrals. Lisa
Shadow says
Jackie…first and foremost you take AMAZING pictures! I love the cd concept, because it gives me the opportunity to showcase many more pictures than would be possible otherwise. With photographers we have had in the past it would have cost atleast $150 dollars or more for a proof of all the pics and like you mentioned the cd allows us to look back and remember the experience (as thus far they have all been quite memorable) and not just the beautiful pictures. Keep being different, we love it!!
Stephanie Benedict says
I think you’re ahead of the curve quite frankly. And I think it has been a good business decision, we’ve come back four years, referred at least 3 people to you, and it has a LOT to do with getting the disc. That and the fact that you take awesome pictures!