Senior/Graduation Photos - DPChallenge Forums

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

01/28/2007 10:56:47 AM · #1

Anybody do this type of work? I think I might have an intrest in starting to pick up some of this type of work. How much can you get for these now adays?

angela_packard

Canon EOS-20D

01/28/2007 11:09:54 AM · #2

I am not sure either, but it would be nice to know!

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

01/28/2007 12:15:35 PM · #3

I've done some Sr. shoots, I bill for them same as any portrait session (which is considerably less than the $400 the school's recommended studio wanted). Google other photographers in your area & see what they're charging and base your prices off that.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

01/28/2007 02:16:23 PM · #4

How do you handle the prints?

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

01/28/2007 02:33:52 PM · #5

Originally posted by boomtap:

How do you handle the prints?

I have them to my house for viewing proofs and if they place their order right then (most do), I order the prints myself from Smugmug and hand deliver. If for some reason they can't order prints when they view proofs I set up a gallery for them on my website, then they can order by themselves any time they want.

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

01/28/2007 03:03:37 PM · #6

Good info. Thanks!

Prof_Fate

01/31/2007 06:29:47 PM · #7

Senior photography is a competetive area of photography, mainly because it can be one of the most profitable.
But, to be profitable you need to work at more than just taking the photographs.

Know your competetion - who they are, what they sell (style as was as products) and pricing.

Do it right and you can make a lot of money. Do it poorly and you will still make money, but no where near as much.

I've tried the hard way and attended a seminar by the Antisdel's and Jen Hillenga. I also took a week of instruction from Ralph Romaguera and got marketing tips from Michael Redford. I also attended a seminar by Vicki Taufer.
If you don't know these folks, google a bit. Romaguera has 4 studios and sales of $1.8 million, Redford has one studio and does $2 million. Antisdel's averge $2400/kid, Hillenga $1800 and Vicki in 5 years has gone from a basement in her home to a studio that fills a former bowling alley.
I have implemented some of what I have learned and my average sale per senior has moved form $275 to a bit over $800. Shoot 5 kids on a saturday and that's $4000! For 2007 I hope to get that average to $1200.

Look at my pics - most are nothing spectacular (i wish they were!) - most of it is a)my competition shoots images like your grandmother got when she graduated (the clothes and hair are different is all) and they all sell wallets and 8x10s and big portraits, and use proof books.

People will pay for an experience.
people want convenience.

Shoot for an hour - have a plan on what you're shooting (full length, 3/4, 1/2 and face shots, facing both ways, in every outfit). Shoot for your product - and that is NOT an 8x10 print.
Send them away for a week- pick 70-100 images and do the PS routine - finish all images.
Bring them back, use a DLP or LCD projector and home theatre sound system to project the images as a slideshow - to their favorite music. Mom will cry. When mom cries, you get paid - a lot. They don't ask 'how much' anymore. It's true - i didn't believe it till I saw it myself.
This is the experience part. (as well as the shoot itself)

Use ProSelect software to sell and select images. Fully functional free trial, and the $300 cost will pay for itself on the first senior.

Contact a framing company - culver is one, there are many others. FOr $50 to $70 you get a complete frame, mat and glass that holds 3 or 4 to 5 or 7 pics (4x4 to 8x10 and a mix). Price it at $300-400, including prints, assembled and ready to hang.
this is the convenience part.

You show them 80 nice images - getting them to choose 7 is not easy...they'll want 10. The only way to get a pose in a wallet is to have it in a framed item, or pay $50.
So they want 10 poses/images - pretty much gonna buy 2 framed items,and the kid will want wallets too.

And one idea i've yet to implement but Michelle Celentano uses it for babies and families - if they love all 80 images or something close to that what to do?? Put them in a 20 or 30 page low-end wedding album or coffeetable book for $1000.

muckpond

Nikon D200

01/31/2007 07:22:14 PM · #8

you're a good seller! gosh i'm glad i don't have kids. :)

Message edited by author 2007-01-31 19:23:02.

Prof_Fate

01/31/2007 09:11:49 PM · #9

Originally posted by muckpond:

you're a good seller! gosh i'm glad i don't have kids. :)

The amazing thing was the parents said 'I want this, I want that' witout asking about the price of any of it, and they said 'I hope it's not gonna be too expensive'

Not one question about price, no haggling, no questions about any incentives (the typical 'spend $400 or more and get a free folio' type of thing).

And these sessions took place the week before Christmas- a hard time IMO to get cash out of people's pockets!

I can hardly wait till the prime season starts!

I just have to figure out hot to get the wedding money - did my first bridal show on Sunday - got interest, but the one photog there that was 2X or more my price booked 2 at the show and another photog about 50% more than me booked 1. Hmmm...makes me think I'm too cheap to be believed?