Going Full-time... - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

12/18/2007 06:18:40 PM · #1

Hey, guys! I haven't mentioned this to my family of friends at DPC until now because I needed to get my head around the solution - not the problem... but this is the situation:

I'll start with a little back story. Like many have, I have been quietly running my photography business over the last 6 years with a studio in my home(s) and word-of-mouth marketing while I enjoyed the comfort of a steady work-from-home day job that easily covered my expenses. Well, Merry Flippin Christmas!, I recently discovered that the "security" ends in about 2 weeks.

I worried for a few days, then started making a plan. I'm going full steam ahead with my studio work and will be my own bitchy boss! :)

Since I found out, about 3 weeks ago... I have changed my website completely (would love your thoughts), from a "where I show-off" website to (I hope) 100% customer-facing with a more professional tone. I have begun marketing like mad in my community including introducing myself to all of the dance studios, karate teachers, and day care centers around. I started volunteering time in order to get my name in front of new faces. And I'm working on some mass email materials that I hope to send out by Jan 1 also some monthly specials that will post on the website & email to my customer list.

I prefer children and family portraiture, but really can't afford to say no to anything at this point. After my 12 weeks of severance I'll be on my own and my current client flow is far from the volume I will need. I've done the analysis and know how many portrait clients I would need per year to do well and this means I need aobut 60% increase in volume.....

I'm working on a new business plan, then I think I may have to borrow some working capital (something I REALLY don't want to do, but see the knowledge of it).

I know I may not sleep again, for the next 4 or 5 years anyway, but I'm going to give it a go. Would gladly accept any suggestions, comments, criticism you might offer as I know there is a lot of knowledge in this community.

By the way, here is my first marketing piece; I plan to make a series of 12 for 2008. Is it compelling enough? Too elementary? Ugh so many things in my head right now I almost stand & spin.

[thumb]623706[/thumb]

Ozzie

Nikon D90

12/18/2007 06:23:20 PM · #2

Cindi, I'm sure you will succeed very well. Good luck, at least you are halfway set up.

I can't really offer advice on what you are doing but it seems you are doing well with the marketing.

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

12/18/2007 06:25:10 PM · #3

Cindi as we have discussed many times before about this you will do good I know it. I love the new design of the website and if you need any more help just let me know.

Maybe your new nickname can be"}"

:)

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

12/18/2007 06:26:49 PM · #4

Originally posted by rex:

Hahahahaaaa I hate you! :D (sorry, inside joke.)

andrewt

Nikon D810

12/18/2007 06:28:34 PM · #5

Cindi, Just my two cents on the marketing piece. Looks great with the exception of the combination of the brownish strip and color of the font "precious". Anyway all the best wishes to your endeavours. Taking the huge step is already a milestone !

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

12/18/2007 06:28:43 PM · #6

Like the flyer by the way. I think the "Precious" needs to stand out more. Maybe make it bold. The color works cause it goes with your site. At first I thought that photo was not a good fit but after looking at it I think it fits your style well and feel they(customers) will love it.

Message edited by author 2007-12-18 18:29:50.

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/18/2007 06:29:14 PM · #7

Well, it certainly sounds like you're poised for success!

Reading your post brought back memories of the numerous times I've gotten the "good news" that my services were no longer required at various places. When I was working in radio, it was a pretty regular occurrence.

I must say, I would have given my right leg to have been in your position! 12 weeks of severance (sweet!), and a full studio set-up to begin a new business -- that would have been an awesome situation to be in! Not to mention having tons and tons of talent like you obviously already have.

I know that getting the ax is no fun whatsoever, but looking at this from an unbiased perspective, I would bet that you're going to mark this as the dawn of an awesome new beginning. You've positioned yourself over the past several years for just this kind of situation, and now it's your time to shine.

Again, I don't mean to downplay how bad it sucks to lose a job, but I'll bet that next year at this time, you'll be looking back at this date and realizing that this was the best thing that has happened to you in quite some time. Grab the situation by the horns, and do your thing!

You're going to be more than fine -- you'll be doing what you were born to do, and getting paid for it. You've found your passion, and I'll enjoy hearing how things go for you. Best of luck!!

Mike_Adams

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/18/2007 06:37:56 PM · #8

Hey Cindi,

First of all let me say I am big fan of your work here at DPC. You have already done lots of paid work so the big fear is what I would assume everyone faces. Making your living at this is totally different than using photography money for fun or equipment. That being said, I have a couple of other venues/thoughts of how to make some money. It says you are in Florida, and while I don't know where I do know (since I lived in Florida while doing my master's degree) that there are tons of colleges in FL. So, I have a couple of big money makers depending upon if you want to explore it. First, college and university graduations. Usually getting your foot in the door is not tremendously easy, but colleges and universities are always looking for graduation shooters. I work for a company and we have 2 shooters (at least) at all the college graduations we do. One for the platform (handing of the diploma) shot and one for the immediately as they come off stage shot. There is also composites for fraternities and sororities. HUGE money makers. Essentially you typically come to them and bang out the entire group in either one or two settings and they overpay for it. High school graduations, high school proms, school portraits. With your talent you can get into any of these if that is a direction you want to go in to ensure some income that is more of a sure thing. Soooo, good luck and I think you have a magnificent start because you have tons of talent, a great plan, and what seems to be an excellent marketing plan.

Mike

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/18/2007 06:39:00 PM · #9

You can do it! You are good! Now go kick some ass!

Good Luck!

:-D

FireBird

12/18/2007 07:08:42 PM · #10

I wonder if you do any beach photography Cindy? It would require portable flashes and such. I knew a person in South Carolina who made a darn good living on weekends only doing this. They shot mostly at sunrise and sunset and balanced the light between flash and sun. Went to check the website but it was defunct. I'd suspect there is a lot of this down in flallalalalal land. It might be a good income producer. Good luck on your new endeavor. You'll miss being able to complain about the boss!

surfdabbler

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II

12/18/2007 07:10:59 PM · #11

Well, I hope for you that this is indeed the perfect push for you to a new successful career! It sounds like you are taking a good solid business approach, which is exactly right. Some people would concentrate on the photography, and that's not how to run a business. You already have enough experience to know how to be successful.

On the flyer that is posted here, I don't know that this is the best choice of photo or colours. People go to a photographer because they want to look like the photo they see. Unfortunately, this photo has a feel of a threatened child clinging to their mother's leg, which is impersonal and comfortless, but the only security they have. I don't know that many people want to see their own family/children portrayed this way. :) I know this is a harsh critique, but I give you my honesty in what I see. I know you have tons of great work, and there are many other great shots for you to choose from!

Photos that make me want to go and get portraits done are photos of children running barefoot across a beach with big smiles on their faces, beautiful clean family portraits, soft emotional moments that show the comfort of loved ones, or the peace of a private moment. Bright colours, powerful BW compositions, etc. All the things that make a good DPC winner. :) I know it's all very cliche, but that's what makes me want to have better photos of my family.

Your website is great, and has the perfect style of photos on the homepage slideshow. I also prefer the colour schemes there. There's some funny white dots coming up on the homepage slideshow. I don't know if it's the original images, but particularly the "family" shot, "loved" and "merry christmas" have hot pixels on them.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll make a great business out of this, and look back on losing your old job as the best thing that ever happened!

12/18/2007 07:13:33 PM · #12

Aweeee thanks so much for the kind comments, guys!

Alan, I'm with you. I know this will be a good opportunity for me in the long run & I'm just trying to see that and ignore the negative thoughts that creep in. Its scary, but I really think I can do it.

The one thing I know is that without this little surprise I would have continued to keep the photography business on the back burner. It will be very very nice to give it the time and energy I've wanted to put in it all along. I just hope..... well, ... yeah....

Anyway, you guys are awesome. I'm glad to have some friends who actually "get" what I'm talking about.

btw - my family (father) thinks I'm insane, he also thinks I shoot palm trees! lol

Prof_Fate

12/18/2007 07:14:53 PM · #13

Good luck, I know you'll succeed. You're gonna grow a LOT in the coming months and years. Enjoy the experience!

One or two thoughts though...
$89 for a framed 11x14? That's cheaper than most photogs sell a framed 8x10. I know a LOT that sell a 4x10 framed piece for $70! (HS senior type stuff, hence the odd size).

Try $249 (with matte, glass, etc). Even $169 is cheap - you're gonna want the money, er, need the money.

I bought an off-the-rack frame/mat deal for use at receptions as a signature frame and it costs, COSTS me $49, plus the print ($8). Rule of thumb is the markup should be 2.5 to 3.3 times the cost.

You'll have to feel out what your time is worth (to you) and to the customer. What market do you want? What market do you have with your weddings? What is your full time competition charging?

I recently got the opportunity to advertise directly to the newborn baby market, so I devised several packages that make it worth my while to photograph the babies. So far a few calls but no takers. Is it the packages or the prices? I don't expect more than 2 clients a month - I could lower prices and probably get 20, but I have no intention of working myself to death for pennies on the dollar. Yeah, I'm not as cheap as Sears or JCPenney. But ask a mom what they spent at Picture People - $300, 400? Easily.

I'm working on my 08 senior pricing and am looking intently at packages that very successful photogs sell - seems the give a LOT of product but FEW poses. I'll give that a go and see how it works. My next round of baby promo materials will focus on more wallets and see how that goes.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/18/2007 07:25:31 PM · #14

Heh, I guess I could have mentioned - the 11X14 I give free (have already given several away as thank-you gifts to clients) is a very simple black modern wooden frame that I got in bulk a while back. They ended up about $5 each, but I had to buy 50. So my profit is built in on that one.
The frames clients normally order come from FramesUSA and cost a good bit more. My average wall portrait (20X30ish) framed sells around $350, though I don't sell a lot of them. Did sell a 16X20 today though!

I'm also working on a baby package since I seem to have more of those lately than anything else (which is damn fine by me, mommies love to spend!).

fotomann_forever

12/18/2007 07:29:42 PM · #15

Well, Cin, I've told you this already... but I think you needed your security blanket yanked to force you to do what you know you can do. I don't think I can add a lot of info that will help you, but I do know you WILL make it.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

12/18/2007 07:30:30 PM · #16

I like the idea of giving away free "large" prints. Myself, I've been spotting a free 16x20 or 16x24 here and there. The idea is that the people that get the free prints put them in a prominent place in their home and thereafter I have free advertising. (note that the frame costs money, I only give the print away for free but them offer to frame it for them if they like, and if they do, I make some money that way)

Good luck Cindi! You've already got word of mouth. It won't be long before you settle into your new routine.