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10/26/2007 05:16:46 PM · #1 |
I have a friend trying to help me get the job of shooting their church directory.
I have only witnessed 2 church directories being shot...The first the guy did not use a laptop and he was a church member compiling the directory for the church and did not offer photos with the directory.
The second offered photos with his services and the cost of the directory was covered in the photos purchased. This guy had a laptop to show 4-6 proofs to the family immediately. They would then choose the photo they liked best and make their purchase.
What is your process? |
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10/26/2007 05:20:37 PM · #2 |
my husband and I have been toying with this same idea. every thing we have come up with would end up costing us $$$. while we don't look to make any money on it (it would be for our own, small church), we can't go way in the hole with it either. :)
so, I have no help to give, but am watching this thread to see what others say. |
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10/26/2007 05:43:29 PM · #3 |
| I worked for Life Touch many years ago. If I recall correctly, they did the directories for free and made a killing on the print sales. My job was to sit with the families to help them choose the photo for the directory. At that time I would try to sell them a package. The large canvas prints were a huge hit. |
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10/26/2007 06:09:21 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by rbryan22:
Anyone shot a church directory? |
;-P sorry, it's the first thing that came to mind. |
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10/26/2007 06:12:11 PM · #5 |
I haven't done a directory but years ago my church compiled a cd of photos of the church family to send to missionaries. The photos were not available for sale. If I was doing the directory I would go the laptop method, I use it for work - childrens portraits - and it really works well, especially with canon remote shooting.
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10/26/2007 06:14:10 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Originally posted by rbryan22:
Anyone shot a church directory? |
;-P sorry, it's the first thing that came to mind. |
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Thanks for that. :o) |
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10/26/2007 06:50:00 PM · #7 |
customer fills out their contact info (name, address, etc for the directory)
Shoot tethered to one laptop, RAW + small JPG, custom WB so the JPGs look good.
Second person with laptop pulls the JPGs off my machine (using wireless network).
Second person uses ProSelect to show the pics, crop, and generate invoices, collects money.
If you want to make any money at this then sell framed portraits, if the customer declines, then then sell prints.
Better than 80% of family portraits are done at churches as part of a church directory.
After you are done and back at the studio, the people's info is entered into a database - that info is then used in the directory (either manualy cut and past or if you have directory software you format it into a file that it can read).
It's also helpful to put the photos on a website for a week or two for additional sales. Use higher prices than on the picture day. It's an incentive for them to buy right NOW and not waffle about it.
Marathon press does directories and have software (it's essentially free with an order - by all means if you're going to use their software DO A TEST RUN before picture day. It wants file names and info in a very specific way and it's MUCH easier to know all this BEFORE picture day!)
Marathon's book are very nice - I think you need to order at least 50, but full color, a couple of sizes, pages from 8 to 50 (maybe more), will take the files in several ways (i just do it like wedding albums - a JPG per page, sequentially numbered). Prices are good IMO, very good and so is the quality.
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10/26/2007 07:19:07 PM · #8 |
Prof, just like you to be so vague. So many unanswered questions - what should the photog wear? Where should they stand? What color socks are most effective for sales? My list goes on and on just like I do. :P
On a serious note - this is a great thread and I always appreciate the amount of detailed advice you provide. |
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10/26/2007 08:00:54 PM · #9 |
Hmm...I guess I didn't get this one right from the title. Myself and two others in our church took, gathered, and processed pics of our congregation and sent them to the printer along with the name and address info.
Didn't make a dime.....did it for our church congregation.
I'm thinkin' that's not what you're doing here......8>)
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10/26/2007 10:33:31 PM · #10 |
Thanks for the information and advise. I'll check back tomorrow to see if there is new info. If I do get this job I want to be prepared before picture day.
I'm new to DPC and I have already learned much by reading through old posts and look forward to learning even more.
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10/28/2007 12:23:04 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by NikonJeb:
Hmm...I guess I didn't get this one right from the title. Myself and two others in our church took, gathered, and processed pics of our congregation and sent them to the printer along with the name and address info.
Didn't make a dime.....did it for our church congregation.
I'm thinkin' that's not what you're doing here......8>) |
It's big business. These two are probably the biggest in this field.
//churchdirectories.olanmills.com/
//churchdirectories.lifetouch.com/
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