STICKY: How to photograph a high school Senior - Part 2

umphotography wrote in post #16582010
Then we are on the same page. I typically will work with 2-3 people a year. Their package costs $150.00 and they get 12 poses to print in any size they want up to 11x14. If They send me 3 referrals they get it for free. I apply a 33% discount to every order for each referral. So 3 and its free for the people i choose to do some modeling for the program.

Also, I have applied a discount for everyone. Any referral from their friends gets anyone a 20% discount. So 5 referrals gets then their base packages for free and discounts up to 40% for wall portraits and albums.

After 5 yrs of shooting seniors I know what we have all been taught by PPA instructors Does not work for the senior market anymore. Every new senior photographer out there gets 5-6 spokes models. Its ridiculous what has happened to the senior market. And all the kids are very aware. I have kids coming up to me every years asking what i going to give them to Be a spokesmodel. The program idea has been beat to death. My suggestion to everyone is to avoid it like the plague.

I'm going to do a spokemodel program but it's going to cost enough to more than break even. I have to figure out the details yet though. Where I do business, the main photog does all his sittings for free then makes up for that with mega expensive packages.

rjharris wrote in post #16582353
I'm going to do a spokemodel program but it's going to cost enough to more than break even. I have to figure out the details yet though. Where I do business, the main photog does all his sittings for free then makes up for that with mega expensive packages.

What does he charge for his packages?

umphotography wrote in post #16582010
Then we are on the same page. I typically will work with 2-3 people a year. Their package costs $150.00 and they get 12 poses to print in any size they want up to 11x14. If They send me 3 referrals they get it for free. I apply a 33% discount to every order for each referral. So 3 and its free for the people i choose to do some modeling for the program.

Also, I have applied a discount for everyone. Any referral from their friends gets anyone a 20% discount. So 5 referrals gets then their base packages for free and discounts up to 40% for wall portraits and albums.

After 5 yrs of shooting seniors I know what we have all been taught by PPA instructors Does not work for the senior market anymore. Every new senior photographer out there gets 5-6 spokes models. Its ridiculous what has happened to the senior market. And all the kids are very aware. I have kids coming up to me every years asking what i going to give them to Be a spokesmodel. The program idea has been beat to death. My suggestion to everyone is to avoid it like the plague.

Ive learned to turn every senior into a "spokesmodel" and reward them for referrals.

Ive based my program on what Tiffany shared 3 or 4 years ago and modified it from there. I dont think there were to many of us that did it for free, that or I just didnt pay attention.

I use to limit how many spokesmodels I had per school but now as many of them can sign up during their junior year as they want. Ive found the more pics I share the more I get noticed and the more bookings I get.

I'd like some advice on using my 40D & 580EX II, 17-55 2.8 lens to shoot an indoor event.
I have done some, such as my high school reunion with reasonably good results, and have been asked to capture a formal event of a couple hundred people standing and sitting in some large indoor rooms.
I have typically used f3.5, iso200, with the flash TTL, angled 45*, and the little reflector card up. I have a Rogue 5x9 flash bender, but have never tried it.
I attached a couple of typical shots (with PP).
I do it as a hobby and usually ask only for gas$ (and a nice meal in this case).
Thanks for any settings advice.
http://trailguy.smugmu​g.com …Cr8/0/M/SAT-NIGHT-1-M.jpg

http://trailguy.smugmu​g.com …DINNER-1%20%2840%29-M.jpg

Hi Trailguy, wrong thread perhaps? This one is for High School seniors, not Senior Seniors

My referral program is $25.00 cash for any referrals and the person referred also gets a $10.00 print credit. I'm going to also give them a mini accordion picture book at 5 referrals. I haven't been shooting seniors long and only a few have used it but they really like seeing the green stuff. I really like the idea of no limit spokes model for a fee and think I might try to incorporate it into what I'm doing. Still just a hobby for me though.

Gerry, I'm not exactly sure what he charges for packages as no one will give me a sheet. I will say that from what they tell me they must start at close to $500.00 though. I know that his school team photos are very high for their quality.

GerryDavid wrote in post #16582602
What does he charge for his packages?

Ive learned to turn every senior into a "spokesmodel" and reward them for referrals.

Ive based my program on what Tiffany shared 3 or 4 years ago and modified it from there. I dont think there were to many of us that did it for free, that or I just didnt pay attention.

I use to limit how many spokesmodels I had per school but now as many of them can sign up during their junior year as they want. Ive found the more pics I share the more I get noticed and the more bookings I get.

Gerry

Kind of in a similar boat. Thats why I do the percentage booking for everyone. Refer a friend and get 20% off you order. 5 friends and the order is free for the print package and they get a 16x20 gallery wrap for free.......Everyone is a spokesmodel

You are brave with the percentage.....can't control your costs that way.....eeks!

That offer could easily be taken advantage of. She could order a $3k package, and pay 5 friends to order a $200 base package and come out way ahead.

Dave Jr wrote in post #16583001
Hi Trailguy, wrong thread perhaps? This one is for High School seniors, not Senior Seniors

Didn't see a thread for "senior seniors", thought this might bring some useful response, but it looks like I got the attention of a 5th grader.

sevillafox wrote in post #16592515
You are brave with the percentage.....can't control your costs that way.....eeks!

Glad to see you back

trailguy wrote in post #16582824
I'd like some advice on using my 40D & 580EX II, 17-55 2.8 lens to shoot an indoor event.
I have done some, such as my high school reunion with reasonably good results, and have been asked to capture a formal event of a couple hundred people standing and sitting in some large indoor rooms.
I have typically used f3.5, iso200, with the flash TTL, angled 45*, and the little reflector card up. I have a Rogue 5x9 flash bender, but have never tried it.
I attached a couple of typical shots (with PP).
I do it as a hobby and usually ask only for gas$ (and a nice meal in this case).
Thanks for any settings advice.
http://trailguy.smugmu​g.com …Cr8/0/M/SAT-NIGHT-1-M.jpg

http://trailguy.smugmu​g.com …DINNER-1%20%2840%29-M.jpg

Something like this I would slow my shutter speed down to let more ambient light in (shooting in manual). I usually go up to 400 - 800 iso on my 7D. I also have a 40D but use it only as a back up. Then I'd try for F4 to get a little sharper and better depth of field. I'd shoot the pictures you posted on your smug mug site at probably 1/125 or so with on camera flash, stofen and pointed to the ceiling so I'd have more mobility. I also like to have the flash on camera in this situation to aid with the focus in lower light. I've done a few sweet 16's and quincenira (Spelling is way off there) this way and they seem to turn out fine for what people want. I try to work something like this so that the flash freezes most of the motion when they're up and dancing,that's my goal and just play with settings for a few minutes till I get it right then leave it alone.

GerryDavid wrote in post #16592670
That offer could easily be taken advantage of. She could order a $3k package, and pay 5 friends to order a $200 base package and come out way ahead.

Sorry

should clarify- 20% off the basic print package. Maximum costs for a print package is $285.00. These are numbers of prints up to 11x14. If they give me a paying referral i will take 20% off anytime. 5 referrals and they get it for free plus a free 16x20 gallery wrap. I dont want to post what my actual costs would be but you guys that do this know and will understand why i apply these discounts.

Good that you limit it to the basic package only. I've done the % off thing before and it's always painful. I'd rather give a bonus item that they perceive at a higher value. What I've always heard is be stingy with the discounts....it costs you more to give a % off or $ off than it does to add on a bonus product.

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