2009 June | Virtual Photography Studio - Resources for photographers

Art or Job – How Do You View Your Photography Business?

There’s no putting a price tag on art. It’s subjective, and in the eye of the beholder. The more popular your artwork becomes, the more you can charge. And the bigger you can build your name and your business.

Today a press release cam through my email box from a photographer announcing:

…the release of copyrighted material to its customers. This will allow all wedding photography customers to reproduce their wedding pictures at will for anyone they want. In the past, customers needed to purchase all pictures from the photographer because the photographer owned the copyright. Customers will now receive a CD or DVD with all the photography taken at their wedding. These pictures are copyright free and can be emailed to family members or taken to any photo shop for printing.

The photography industry is currently producing two types of photographers. the art of photography

1. A photographer who simply wants a job, a paycheck, and a way to bring in a few bucks to pay for their current lifestyle.

2. A photographer who is passionate about his or her photography, looks at it as an art form, and truly offers a unique, artistic experience for his or her clients.

There is a difference.

The photographer who simply wants a paycheck doesn’t care about the art. He simply takes his list to an event, walks around covering the event being sure to check off each picture as he snaps them. He grazes through the buffet line the entire reception. He watches the clock, wanting desperately to “punch out” and get back to his normal routine. He charges accordingly.

Sell To Clients On Location? New Tool To Help Sell Your Photographs

by Virtual Photography 1 Comment

I’ve long been a fan of using projection to motivate prospective clients to book with you, and to sell your post 060409 work to clients after the shoot. The only way to bring in large sales is with projection.

When we first started out in the 90’s, projection was unheard of for small businesses. Instead we put everything together using multiple slide projectors. It was noisy and hard work, getting everything to align properly. But the outcome was so worth it.

Then slowly computers improved, and projection became affordable for the small business. And you could do so much more with your “show”!

I’ve been watching projection change over the years, and every year I’m amazed by the size, weight, and portability of the newest projectors. I picked up the June 2009 edition of PC Today magazine, which is all on making the most of your mobile photos and videos, to learn more about the latest and greatest devices.

Think Outside The Box To Find More Photography Clients

by Virtual Photography Leave a Comment

Let me ask you a question. Which would make better copy for your website?

Where does the photographer’s job end? The day of your wedding? After the images have been presented to you a few weeks later? Or, does it continue from the minute you choose your photographer, and continue for years?

We believe in 100 percent service. After the wedding, our service doesn’t end. We are now a part of the digital revolution, and will provide you with images to share with family and friends all across the world, thanks to the wonders of the Internet. We will provide you with a custom designed storyboard that shows an artistic rendition of your final wedding album. We will provide you with all of the tools necessary to create an elegant story album depicting each moment of your special day. We will provide you with top quality photographs and products that you will be proud to display in your home. And to give as gifts! We will be there for you as other members of you family announce their engagement. We will be there for you to remember how one day changed you life forever!

Or This?

Increase Your Sales With Multiple Poses

by Virtual Photography 1 Comment

Photographers like to take close up images. And for very good reason: People love to buy close up images.

But will a customer really buy a 20×30 of an image if it shows just a face?

Probably not. So instead of snapping a few close ups from different viewpoints, why not take environmental images as well?

One of the reasons we’ve always enjoyed on-location portrait sessions (as opposed to in-studio) is the ability to capture a part of the environment in the image as well. And if the subject is very small in the image, it’s almost required that a larger print is made for displaying.

1. Start by taking the more traditional poses. Take your standard images close up, capturing great smiles and angles.

2. Back it up. Now take a look around you, and find a way to make your client a part of the surroundings, not just the main focus of the image.

rox park

image by Crystal Touch Photography

3. Talk to your client ahead of time to find out what she loves. Maybe she has season tickets to the theater – why not incorporate your local theater into the background. Or maybe she loves hiking in the great outdoors. Add trees, flowers, mountains – whatever you have in your local area into the background.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Portrait Photography Tagged With: selling your photography

Online Photoshop Alternative – Splashup

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The great thing about having access to the Internet is the possibilities are endless.

I’ve reviewed in the past photo editing sites Picture2Life and Picnic. Today lets look at photo editing tool and photo manager Splashup.

Splashup works with any of the major photo sharing service (Facebook, Flickr) on the web today. Or simply upload your images directly from your computer. From there, you can manipulate your images using a variety of tools.

Try blending your photos together. Splashup allows you to work in layers, merging them together to create a final combined image.

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