Make Money By Photographing Kids
Digital photography as a hobby can provide many useful ways for a skilled and innovative digital photographer to being a home based business. Here are some ideas to get you started in your own digital photography business.
Start by visiting some department stores, clothing stores, bookstores and toy stores, those that do cater to children. Locate the store manager and negotiate a deal of being on hand taking photographs at detailed times, Friday evenings or Saturdays will be the best times.
When the stores advertise their regular specials, they will promote your digital photography service. This will attract the attention of their customers, which is beneficial for them. You benefit by taking orders, the parents, and the children benefit since they will receive some good photographs for their memory albums and sharing.
It is a set up that is an all win situation. Items you will need for your digital photography business.
1. A background set.
In many cases, the store will have a suitable form nearby from other displays. Alternatively, you may choose to build your own set, by creating a draped form using fabric or sheets. Remember, you do not want a busy background that undermines from your subject’s appearance. Solid colors always work best for a set. A black or neutral shade compliments any color clothing the subject might be wearing.
2. Special lighting.
If the store does not offer acceptable lighting, you can purchase photography lights at various photography stores. Always test the lighting in advance, so you are not taken by surprise on the day of the photography shoot.
3. Promotion posters.
You will need an attention-grabbing poster that promotes your digital photography service and your prices. You may be able to do this yourself if you use your personal computer and a desktop publishing program such as MS Publisher. Although, most in home printers are not able to handle a poster of the size required for good promotion techniques, you may consider paying for the service of printing a promotion poster. If there are no local printing services, you can always use the Google search for poster printing services.
4. An order book.
You should purchase an order book or some other type of notebook for taking orders. Your business name and the type of photography you offer as well as your contact information should be on the front side of the page. The reverse side should include areas for the customer name as well as their contact information and any special notes on their photographs. A copy for your records and a copy for the customer is a given.
5. A record book.
You should always keep good records. Keeping a record book helps you to keep track of the digital photographs you are taking. By using a record book, you will not confuse the Sheffield family photos with the McCoy family photos. When you take the photographs, you should also collect either payment in full or a down payment. When taking down payments, make sure that the payment is sufficient to cover your printing costs if the customer does not follow through on their order.
Remember to discuss delivery methods, when consulting with customers. One good idea is to suggest leaving the prints in the store where the customer can make an easy pick up. Be sure to remind the store manager, that by doing so, the customer will return to the store, where they may possibly shop once more. When you do happen to make delivery of the photographs, you may want to consider including a discount for the next purchase of photographs or you may want to include a share with a friend coupon, so you bring in even more business.
One smart strategic move is to offer a free photography session to any of your clients who refer three new paying customers to your digital photography business. Freebies are always a welcome event. On the other hand, you may choose the delivery option of uploading the photographs to a website and then allow your clients to download and print their photographs as they choose doing so will safe you the money and effort of printing and delivering.
The start of the school year as well as Easter, Halloween and Christmas are some of the ideal times to promote these types of photo shoots for children. One thing is for sure, there will always be proud parents interested in obtaining professional images of their children. Money making with digital photography is a sure winner!