Last week, I asked some former, current, and prospective clients to weigh in on a few issues to help me make some business decisions for 2015.
One thing I heard loud and clear– ECP mamas want styled minis.
The vast majority of survey responses indicated an interest. The catch, though, is that what I’ve always called a “mini session” isn’t conducive to that set-up. Most photographers use the “mini” term and mean that you just get a few photos (under 10, maybe even less than 5) digitally. For my mini session, clients were getting 15-20 (in both color and b&w, so really 30-40 images). When you’re doing a pretty specific look (say a winter theme, for example), you generally aren’t looking for 20 images; you’re looking for a few that will look great on a Christmas card or to print and display that time of year.
Since the mamas have spoken, I am already brainstorming and researching ideas for styled shoots I could do in 2015. Pinterest and I are going to be good friends after spending so much time together. Ha! Having the studio space now allows me a much easier way to run something like this (if you haven’t gathered by now, I’m pretty stoked about the studio).
Anyway, with offering seasonal/special mini sessions (in that less than 10 image notion), I have to come up with a new name for my old mini. I thought about calling it “the session formerly known as mini,” but that seemed a bit too complicated to explain. Please tell me someone got the Prince reference. Moving on… I think what I’m going to call it is a “half session”. It will still have the same guidelines as my old mini, however.
Here’s the rundown of my session types:
- Mini: only offered for special themes/seasons. Will be announced and booked on certain dates.
- Half: 15-20 digital images in both color and b&w. Available year-round, but only in select downtown-area Franklin locations outside.
- Full: 30-35 digital images in both color and b&w. Available year-round, either in studio or outside (Williamson/Davidson county*)
- Newborn: 30-35 digital images in both color and b&w. Available year-round, either in studio or at your home (Williamson/Davidson county*)
*Travel fees apply for sessions outside of those two counties.
Want to see the survey I sent out and participate? It can be totally anonymous. http://bit.ly/ecp2014survey
