Building a Business....It's Kinda Hard.

Business owners/fellow photographers:  Have you ever wished for a time machine??  A chance to go back to the beginning of your business and re-do the way you run things?  Me too!!!

I started out, (and this is embarrassing), giving away my sd cards so clients could just go plug them into a kiosk at a local retailer to get their prints.  (I can't believe I said that out loud!).  I only charged $30 for Kids and Families, $70 for Senior Pictures and a wedding was just $300.  But as I gained confidence and my images starting improving I raised my prices and went to burning discs for my clients.  At first, I was burning over 100 images. Then I 'narrowed it down' to 80....LOL.  When my husband staged an intervention, (not really....but kinda), I whittled it down to 30 images....and that's where it was last year and into the beginning of this year. 

Up until last fall, I thought I had a good thing going!  Clients LOVE getting a disc with their images/printing rights!  And for good reason!  For me, it was somewhat easy....take the pics, edit, burn, mail disc, done.  But then I booked more and more....and more.....and WAY MORE sessions than I've ever taken....EVER.  I was spending my entire weekends shooting from 9a.m. Saturday morning until sunset on Sunday evenings. Monday's thru Friday's were spent editing from 6a.m. until 9 or 10p.m.....sometimes 2a.m. if someone needed their disc in a hurry.   And all the sudden, my business was suffering.....as was my sanity.  When my family was playing a game or watching a Christmas movie, I was at the table in the other room working on edits.  It was sad.

My husband and I sat down and figured how much I was making per hour based on my rates.....and I think I cried.  (I can't remember clearly due to the lack of sleep I was getting at the time).  I think it ended up being the pay rate of a sweat shop in China.  And due to the fact that I barely took a break to eat or go to the bathroom, I looked like a sweat shop worker, too.  Not cute.

We then sat down and figured out how much I would make per year if I had filled my calendar COMPLETELY at the rates I'm charging..... Let's just say it didn't move me out of 'poverty level' income.  ARE YOU KIDDING!?  Not kidding.

So, things had to change.  Quickly. And they are.  And it's good! 

My Beautiful Girl

I can't believe my inspiration for starting my photography business is going to be 15 years old in March!  My sweet daughter, Bailey, has been my little muse since she burst on the scene.  I took her out a few weeks ago for a quick session and the images I brought home blew me away.  It's official: my little girl is all grown up!  We're so proud!

 

Welcome, 2013

Hello, 2013!!  I can't wait to see what this new year will look like!  So far, it's been pretty fantastic!  I've been behind the camera quite a few times already and have had a BLAST capturing some really fun images.  I'm venturing into more Lifestyle sessions and I'm loving the response I'm getting.  What is a Lifestyle Session?  Think fun, layed back, easy and adorable images of your kids, family and even pets in your own environment....whether it be your home, a sporting event or a day at the museum!  I tag along and capture images of your day....priceless!

I was planning on uploading some images from my sessions so far in January, but blogger isn't cooperating..... grrrr!

Huge Awesome News!

I'm so excited!

Beginning next week I will be offering prints through Zenfolio!  What does this mean for you and what changes will be going into effect?

Here's how it's going to work:

~About 2 weeks after your session, you will receive a flash drive with 5 edited images plus printing rights.
~All other images, (30 total), will be loaded to your Zenfolio gallery.  You'll be able to pick and choose which images you'd like to print/enlarge. 
~One of the best things about it: You'll be able to send friends and family to your gallery and they'll be able to order the prints they want.  No more passing discs/flash drives around to family members.... No more worry about losing your disc/flash drive.  No worries about uploading images to your computer, then to mpix or shutterfly and navigating their websites to order your prints.  Everything is at your fingertips for quick and easy ordering.
~I'll be able to set my own prices.  Don't worry!  I won't be charging an arm and a leg!!  You're NOT going to spend $50 on an 8x10..... More like $15 for a basic print:)
I'll be offering canvas', stand outs, mounting.....and other products! 

Don't like the new changes?  That's ok.  I can keep everything 'as is' for you: 30 images on a flash drive with printing rights.  BUT, the cost of your session will increase by $50.  Which isn't terribly expensive in the long run:)  You can't put a price on memories!! 

I hope that these changes don't throw you for a loop, but rather get you excited for the prospect of better service to you and your family! As my business has EXPLODED in the past year, I find it necessary to grow and change with the eb and flow.  It's been an amazing ride so far!  I'm looking forward to even bigger and better things!

Changes to the Biz!

A few weeks ago, I sat down and revised my business plan for 2013.  This year, there are a few changes, but they're minor....  Don't panic! :)  These changes will be implemented beginning January 1, 2013.

Here's what's new for the new year:

~Due to being stood up on multiple occassions, (even after confirming sessions), there will be a NON-refundable deposit when you book your session(s).  This will be taken from the total of your session, so it's not an additional cost.  The remainder of your balance will be paid on the day of the session.

~Prices are going up slightly on a few of my Sessions. 
Family Sessions: $200
Senior Sessions: $350
Weddings: $1,500

~Large family group prices will be determined by the number of family members in the photos. Large family groups will not be considered for my regular Family Session price.

~Mini Sessions are scheduled for specific days only.  If you cannot make it to a mini, I will not schedule you on a different day for a mini.....UNLESS there is a family emergency or event that otherwise is considered an 'emergency'.  No, Razorback games are not emergencies;)  lol

~All Mini Sessions will be $50, EXCEPT my Halloween Sessions.  Halloween Minis are $25 per child. $5 extra for each additional child if you have multiple children.

~Sessions are specific.  Meaning, if you book me for a Kids Session, ($150), but you and your husband want to jump in for a few, the cost goes up to a Family Session price, ($200).  If you book a Newborn Session, ($200), but want to have some done with your other children as well, the cost goes up by $25 per additional child.  (Parents are automatically included in my Newborn Sessions).

~I will be booking Saturdays.  When Saturday's are full, I will move on to Sundays.  I am trying to keep Sunday's for family time.  However, during my busy seasons, I will fill both days.

~THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT!!  Payment is due at the time of your session.  I WILL NOT hold your check until payday.  If you do not have sufficient funds, please cancel/reschedule your appt. so I can make your time slot available for paying customers. 

~I will be getting 'Square'!!  So, beginning in January, I will be able to take debit and credit cards!  Yay!

~Tax must be paid on each session.  If your session cost is $150, there will be tax added.  Mileage is also added.  I will be more disciplined to charge tax in the coming year.  I have to pay it monthly, so it's a necessary 'evil'.

There will be more changes coming down the line, but these are primarily it.  See?  Nothing major! :)

Bring It ON!!

It's begun!!  My busy season is in full swing and I'm loving it!  I took it slow this summer, mostly due to the crazy head, but also because I really enjoyed spending time with my kids and working on lots of fun Pinterest projects;)

I still have a handful of spots available this fall/winter, so it's not too late.  Don't procrastinate any longer! 
Here are a few images from the past week.  Enjoy!  Then call me and book your's!!

It's That Time of Year!

There needs to be an official 'Back to School' song celebrating the day that our kids go back to that lovely institution of learning!  If there was such a song, I would have played it all day long........dancing around the house with my hands in the air and maybe even jumping on the bed!  Don't get me wrong......I LOVE my kids!  They are my world.  BUT after one hundred and four days of summer vacation, (hey, wait...isn't that Phineus and Ferbs song?), I was ready to let go.  heehee

It's been two weeks since they've been back and I'm happy to say, they're loving every minute of it!  The boys are in middle school now, so they feel much more independent and grown up.  Bailey is in 9th grade and is enjoying her friends and all of her classes.  We're so proud of her!  This is her second year in honors and AP classes.  She gets her brains from her dad!

And me, well, I'm enjoying the quiet days of cleaning the house, (and it stays clean for more than 30 minutes), editing sessions, marketing my business and well, just laying around the house some days watching the Hallmark Movie Network.  Life is good.

My real reason for posting today is to remind you of this:  It's that time of year!  Time to look at your schedule, (and the Razorback game schedule), and pick a date for those annual family photos!  I teamed up this year with Living Social and they brought in so much business that my calendar is just about full!  I can't believe how crazy it's been answering calls, emails and messages on facebook!  My date book is filled with both old and new clients and friends and I am so grateful and blessed!  So, don't put it off much longer!  I want you to have the opportunity to enjoy a fun morning or afternoon with me!  (I've been told by my clients that their sessions were fairly painless;)).

So, let's get together!  Call, email, text or message me on facebook!  I'd love to hear from you! 
501-303-7383