Looking from a business view point



Brand image is all important and if promoting your own personal business I think it always helps to incorporate a self image together with your experience in professional photography. Just putting a name may mean your 150 years old with bad eyesight and go around in a pushchair, or a young teenager with her first point/shoot camera.

If I were looking for a photographer for a special event, thenI would be more drawn to contacting someone who gives a little bit about their photographic history.

Look at what your advertising from the clients side.

Also I wouldn't ever quote prices on a flier, a definate NO NO, costs can vary depending on situation. better to quote if you must prices FROM and say if VAT is included or not .

Just one other thing you don't mention what part of the country you are prepared to cover, you really don't want to spend all your time travelling at a price loss.

Without trying to appear rude, you should really get your business head on and consider all aspects of running a business large/small, especially insurance ie Third Party as a minimum, and contracts drawn up by a solicitor to stop being sued by a disgrunted client, believe me it CAN and DOES happen. An example could be not photographing children under a certain age without a parent/gardian present, also being police checked/certificated and approved regarding photographing children.

This would apply for the occasional once a month shoot as well as multiply shoots a day, golden rule "WATCH YOUR BACK AT ALL TIMES"

I can't advise strongly enough to get everything in place before you start sending out fliers and advertising your services. That is just a fraction of what you need to cover which is why you need a solicitor to advise.

Looks great,love the colour scheme.

Have to be honest, I would do the same as Em, wait another week, and book the child session, instead of the newborn, because of the price difference.

Hope you get a ton of bookings xx

LMAO! Bazza in all due respect our family business has been running well for over 50yrs now and i have also single handily managed and independent business too My flyers dont need to be filled with a ton of info. Thats what the website is for The main objective of a business flyer is to draw the attention of a prospective client. They are simple and basic outlines on what I do and who i am As for parts of the country, im sure clients will either A) look at my site for more info and/or B) Ask me over the phone. The pricing on their will stay. People do not like surprises and will pay the money or they wont. Id rather they know the prices straight off than waste either my time or their own

If you would like to view my contracts and insurance papers which i have had for about 18months + you are more than welcome Please dont make assumptions on what i do and dont have.

Moonie /LM ... Thats the point The idea is for it to be a more of a bargain plus older babies are much easier!!

can I also point out Bazza, you can't get a "self" CRB check. as I don't know of any other way of getting police checked/certificated and approved regarding photographing children.

the flyers are very nice Sam! as always very nicely put together. I was wondering what type of pricing model to try myself? the low sitting price and large print mark up or the larger sitting price with free digi files (as you have) you'll have to keep us posted on how your doing Sam!

but I love the flyers!

Yup your right
Unless you work for a group CRB checks for photographers are not necessary. Iv spoken to them on the phone some time ago. Also as Finbar pointed out, you cannot get a check as a self employed person. Its not something i would be keen on obtaining as A) i do not agree with the principal and B) Children are never alone with me as a parent/guardian has to be present at all times during the shoot.

I think both methods work well. It all depends on what the competition in your areas offers and what would work for your current market.

I offer package details as parents/families like to know what to budget for upfront x

I hate business models that are based on, get them in with low prices, and then hold them captive at the viewing and show them the very scary prices.

I personally, prefer everything upfront, several packages, that can be tailored to the clients needs with add ons. I hated taking my kids as babies into a studio, and then afterwards , getting pushed into buying overpriced prints.


Sorry, I thought you wanted to do newborn babies? but, if you want older babies and kids, then it's perfect. that is why I mentioned it, wearing my "Mum hat"

xxx

Oh well it was just my thoughts to try and give some ideas, but in this case obviously they are not needed. So sorry to have mentioned them.

Bazza

If you are not that fussed about drawing in the newborn market why not give that quarter of your advertising over to your photoshop skills - you could have a fairy magic package.

Bazza chillaxe man! lol your input is always welcome!