PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

Most professional photographers agree that their best form of advertising is a photographic print display at a bank, library or any place the public gathers. A key problem many professional photographers face, the cost of the digital photo prints for their display. Here is another method to get sample display prints at a profit.

Method 3. Include a letter or a personal note in the customers portrait delivery package. This letter states that their portrait would be just perfect for the next display you will be having. In the letter, express that the customer was so photogenic and how they just ‘Made’ the picture perfect. The sales person should act surprised when finding this letter in the package. This gets the customers attention and they wonder about the letter. In explaining the letter to them, talk about the display and how much fun it is when the family goes to see the print. Sort of forget but remember just in time to mention to your customer that you will also give them five invitations for them to address and send to their friends announcing the display dates. All they have to do is ok the use of their print and place a small deposit on the print today to get things started. They can pay the balance when they pick up the print after the display. $25 works well for 16×20 size prints. This will cover most of your costs. When they pick up the print after the display you will collect any balance due. You could also offer they a frame at this time explaining that you have several used frames from the displays. Show the styles and ask which goes best with home furnishings. Offer to use a brand new frame just for their picture if they would like to purchase it after the display. This way the customer gets a new frame at a used price. Get a deposit to cover your cost plus shipping of the frame. Even if they never pick up the frame, you have a sample for free.

We welcome your comments or suggestions on other print display techniques.  -Bryan

Method 2. Sell display prints during your portrait sales presentations. You show several larger size portraits to your customer. Assume she is balking at the price or the idea of a wall print. The pride and prestige of being in a photographic print display can overcome both of these objections. Get her excited about your current or next portrait display. The idea of being in a display will melt her resistance to a wall picture. Ask her if someone on your staff had mentioned your ‘Display Option’ to her. She will be curious now. Explain you could let her have the picture she had been considering for $x because she would let you borrow it for a few weeks while it is on display. You could alternately offer her a print one size larger for the regular price of the print she had picked, sort of a display BONUS. This way you would not be discounting, just giving more value.

Remember that a photographic print display of quality digital photo prints is a professional photographers best form of advertising. Check out the current discounts for display prints at Pics4Pros professional photo lab.