Hey everyone out there in photo land! As I dream up unique concepts, merchandising ideas and packaging... I got to thinking! Very few ideas today are truly original... they always tend to be a spin off on "something" someone else has thought of first. So I thought, I bet SOMEONE out there has one really cool concept for how they offer their wedding "packages."

I'm looking for something REALLY unique-- far more original than:
You get "this many hours"
You get "this many prints"
You get "this album"

You get 'my point!" SO... I'm running a bit of a contest for the most original, most unique AND effective (not to mention profitable) merchandising idea you've got! The winner will win $50 bucks! YES... that's right... $50 bucks! I figure this will be both an incentive as well as a "courtesy payment" to compensate you for copying your idea! Afterall... if I like it, my intentions probably are to use it!

If you don't want to include prices... that's fine but an explaination of the markup and profitability would be helpful.
If you don't want to post it for the world to see... PM me and send it privately.
If you happen to be in my marketplace... don't feel obligated to enter.

I will plan to pick the winner by February 15th--
As as side note, I've been in the business for over 15 years, been a studio consultant and studio / small business marketing consultant... I've seen JUST ABOUT everything! I need something "different"! Show me whatcha got!

Questions?
Email me! I can't wait to hear from you!

Therese
www.seasonsportraitdesign.com

For wall portraits (weddings are all we do) we have decided to get away from standard sizes. Everything is custom printed to the appropriate width/length needed. They get cropped in some quite unusual ways. We've done 17x36 for example. It's basically cropped as a pano, but since it is a couple sitting on the end of a pier with their feet hanging down, shot from an angle, including much of the water, and little of the sky was perfect for it.
This does require custom sized framing, which we make available with some apparent discount.
We are considering offering all wall portraits priced including frames, and have several in the same price range from which to choose. If they want to upgrade, they can.

Mark

GREAT idea... It sounds like this is a profitable move on your part and very likely, no one else in your area has the same products! I like it! It only really deals with "frames" and "wall portraits" though... any other cool ideas in how you "package" your coverage, printed offerings, etc?

I had tossed around a "one package" concept... here's what it costs, it includes all of this... ya wanna book me? (obviously not being literal here) but the bottom line is, Brides like to feel like they have a little control and that they have choices but not too many choices. (they're so fickle! he he) Going with this approach of can both alienate the bride (or mother) who wants choices and also limits my ability to maximize profits... offer one package to a customer who "would have spent" $1,000 more with add ons once and you'll see real quick... there are holes in that approach.

I LOVE your framing idea... my wall portraits have always included the frame in the price. Upon delivery, it's done and ready to hang on their wall! I think you're smart to do that!
THANKS so much for the feedback. We'll see what else comes in... you've been entered to win! Therese

We no longer offer 'packages' but do a predesign and upsell.
We include an engagement and bridal session, but no images.
Over the years, I've done it both ways, and this returns far more dollars in the long run.

Didn't post for the award, though.
Save it for an up-and-coming.

Mark

TOTALLY agree... something I've been working with to see how we can pack the "perceived value"-- SO many other photographers offer prints with their "packages" so there's perceived value but in the end, if I had to use my last 15 years as a guage... they never want X number of X size ANYWAY! They always want to alter the print number one way or another...



HA HA HA... at this point Mark, you're the only one posting! Two reasons:
1) No one has any original ideas
2) No one has any original ideas "they're willing to share" no matter what the reward
3) No one cares about my post! ha ha

Either way, THANKS SO MUCH for your "participation." We have some lovely parting gifts! he he

Checked out your site... VERY NICE work! I wanna know how you go the bride into the rafters in her dress?? Aftershoot or wedding day?

Blessings to you Mark!

Thanks.
She's a witch, and just popped up there
I can't look at those without thinking of the old Bewitched series.

Seriously, two ladders. We left one in in one of the images.
Going up, she climbed up one and I helped her get turned.
Coming down, we got her onto the ladder I was on, and she climbed inside my arms.
Comind down got tricky, so I got down and just lifted her by the waist and set her on teh floor.

Aftershoot. Actually, more of a model shoot. We had fun.
We didn't shoot her wedding, but my daughter helped with her wedding planning and accessories.
She came back in to show Randi her photos and saw some similar shots on our wall, and inquired.

Interestingly, these shoots have been a huge marketing opportunity.
We've had couples watching while we were doing one at a venue and call. One venue loved the images at their place so much they have been sending at least one bride per week our direction since the first of the year.
So, there's another marketing idea for you: Model Shoots.

Mark

MODEL SHOOTS: GREAT marketing idea... and your right, they WORK for sending referral business better than any bridal show or advertising I've ever done! I've actually done these before...more so for Seniors however in my "previous life as a studio owner."

I did see the one ladder so I figured she wasn't a witch...however, I did need to confirm!
Very nice job... half if not 3/4 of being a great photographer is the having the ability to get people to do what you want them to do and then making them look like they wanted to do it in the first place! You've done a great job... keep in touch!
Therese