Daniel Doyle Pleasantville Shares What to Offer Clients Who Only Want to Book One Hour Of Photography Services

Many new photographers wonder what to offer clients who would like to book only a one-hour photo shoot. It is easy to offer too much and undercut yourself out of any profit whatsoever.

We spoke to Daniel Doyle Pleasantville about what to offer clients who would like to book just an hour photo shoot. Doyle has made a name for himself in Queens, New York, as a professional photographer who specializes in events, studio work, architecture and landscape photography. He has also branched out into videography. In addition, Doyle trains budding photographers in his Queens studio as well as in his new studio in his hometown of Pleasantville, Ohio. Doyle attended Ohio State University and studied fine arts and photography.

Location

If you are not going to shoot in the studio, Dan Doyle Pleasantville suggests that photographers have some really picturesque locations that they use regularly. The reason for this is that you already will know the light in those locations. Also, you do need a back-up plan. What if it ends up too hot? What about an emergency or other bad weather? There needs to be another location that you can seamlessly get your clients to quickly to save the day.

The Modern Tog suggests that photographers come up with ideas for themed sessions that you will only offer on certain days. This helps to get fence-sitters to try your services. Since you will have the ideal location and any props for those days, it streamlines the number of clients you can work with on a given day.

Some photographers choose to charge a fee to arrive on location, or you can incorporate it into your fee schedule. A big tip is to make your fee schedule simple and not complex.

Get High-Quality Photos

Dan Doyle Pleasantville suggests that one big mistake that budding photographers tend to make is to be a scattershot. Thus, they will be using the burst function on their camera and just shooting more than carefully posing and taking readings of the light. New photographers tend to do this in the mistaken belief that they will be able to provide more quantity for the customer.

Too many photos is a mistake. You will find that you will have a high percentage of poor-quality shots. Families would like a smaller number of really great, authentic shots. A sweet spot is about 30 high-quality shots per hour, but it is dependent upon the type of photography you are doing.

Provide Some Options on the Finished Product

Many photographers upload some unedited photos for the family to choose from. Then, they edit those the family prefers. Choice is always a good thing, and it helps build repeat business. The Modern Tog suggests having a second appointment for an in-person viewing of the photos because you can upsell more in person.

Often, photographers provide the disk of the edited photos. You will have to decide what printing rights customers can have, and what rights you will retain.

If you want to provide more options, you can provide prints for an additional fee. It is important, though, that any additional fees are spelled out on your website in advance. For a fee, some photographers even create a special book with the photos and an option for the family to purchase more of the books.

A Tip About No-Shows

One tip to deter no-shows is to either charge up front online for the shoot or to charge a non-refundable deposit. Of course, if the family has a legitimate emergency, you would not want to hold their funds, but such an arrangement makes it more likely people will not get cold feet.

Follow Up

After a great session, you will have a family that is very happy with the results of their shoot. It is essential to follow up. Get their birthdays from them on your website when they book. Send out emails for birthdays and Christmas along with coupons for new shoots.

Send out some blog information when you have something new to offer, like a themed shooting date. Also, try to get them to like your Facebook page. When their friends see the great candid photos that you take, they will want to book as well.

Photo Blog recommends that photographers keep track of the little things you find out about clients so that you can look them up before their next photo shoot. Clients tend to come back when they feel they are understood and are special.

Daniel Doyle Pleasantville reminds photographers that the keys to great one-hour photo shoots are excellent locations, high-quality photos and that the customers find the experience fun. Then, they will remember you when they are ready for their next shoot