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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
How to compete with this?

 
 


Postal Boy
Veteran


May 24, 2007, 5:07 PM

Post #1 of 10 (911 views)
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How to compete with this? Can't Post
Just got our daughter's class portrait today (she's 8) and it is fine, but nothing special. In other words, I would be able to do the same thing.

Here is the thing, though. A major (national) company is doing the school portraits in this area. I'm sure that I could offer the same type of photography service, but they also offer child ID kits, education programs, and so forth, and I am sure that they sell a "package deal" to the school.

Does anyone else have this going on at their schools? And if so, how do you work your way into that kind of market where so many "additional services" are offered by a company? Or do you just say "oh, well" and look at other markets?

-Postal


DarrenS
Veteran

May 25, 2007, 1:29 AM

Post #2 of 10 (887 views)
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Re: [Postal Boy] How to compete with this? [In reply to] Can't Post
I don't think you can compete Postal. I don't think you wanna compete, either. I know a guy who did that for many years and it's basically 'smile, click, smile, click,.....' very boring work. Steady income, but mind-numbingly boring.

I get a big kick outta shooting weddings. Drunk people in party mode make me happySmile Maybe because I haven't had any real bad ones yet; maybe because I grew up with a Dad who likes to party hard and can blend-in easily. Dunno. But so far so good. I love this stuff. So much different than programming stupid computers.

Hi Darren;

Thank you so much for your feedback on our wedding...it was so nice to hear all of those wonderful words and were happy that you shared in the joy as well!! The picture of Viamede....spectacular....thank you...it looks incredible!! Hope you're sending it to Jennifer..or I would be more than happy to do so. Just to let you know, everyone complimented us on our choice of a photographer and you were very well-liked, made everyone feel at ease and definitely suited our wedding and our needs...thanks again! My family is still raving about you!

Would love to catch up. Let me know when you are in the studio. When the pictures are complete, let me know and we can review the prints/costs etc...perhaps over a glass of wine or a beer!! Hope everything is going well with you...looking forward to hearing from you when you're not so busy!!

All I can say is...ACES!




Jeko
Enthusiast


May 25, 2007, 8:10 AM

Post #3 of 10 (868 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] How to compete with this? [In reply to] Can't Post
School photos are very competitive these days. The ID kit is kinda like adding fries with your order.

Unless you are streamlined to compete in that market (including add-ons the bigger studios are offering), I would try a different approach that might have similar sales levels. Try doing photos at their school events (musicals, talent shows, field day or large field trips) and offering those for purchase. Do groups there -perhaps the class as a whole, or any other logical sub groups. Also, they can be more fun as you tie them to the event/theme and possibly mix-up the backdrops by moving around. The stickler is trying to schedule the shots during the event.

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.


Shadow
Veteran


May 25, 2007, 12:30 PM

Post #4 of 10 (862 views)
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Re: [Postal Boy] How to compete with this? [In reply to] Can't Post
It's hard to compete with that kind of thing. My sister is a teacher, at their school they use a local photographer for class portraits but one of those large companies for the year book. Same at my sister in law's school.

Try looking at it from a different angle, maybe you could do something different in terms of giving back to the school, or donating a portion of the proceeds to a book fund or something (work this into your pricing). Give them something different to think about instead of trying to compete directly with the big guns.

Good luck with it.


__________________________
My boring blog: www.pawspun.blogspot.com


Aaron
Novice


May 29, 2007, 1:08 PM

Post #5 of 10 (815 views)
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Re: [Postal Boy] How to compete with this? [In reply to] Can't Post
 


Jeko
Enthusiast


May 29, 2007, 7:26 PM

Post #6 of 10 (790 views)
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Re: [Aaron] How to compete with this? [In reply to] Can't Post
Aaron, sometimes we say too much.... but sometimes not enough.

You trying to get your post count up??
TongueLaugh

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.


Brackish
Veteran


May 29, 2007, 7:44 PM

Post #7 of 10 (788 views)
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Re: [Jeko] How to compete with this? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Aaron, sometimes we say too much.... but sometimes not enough.
Oh, I don't know ... I can see Aaron's point there. LaughLaugh


----------------------------------------------
"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."


Jeko
Enthusiast


May 29, 2007, 7:52 PM

Post #8 of 10 (784 views)
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Re: [Brackish] How to compete with this? [In reply to] Can't Post
In Reply To
Oh, I don't know ... I can see Aaron's point there. LaughLaugh



Gotta admit that there seems to be no way I can see both sides of this issue. I even tried to read it like those "Magic Eye" pictures that I've never been able to see....

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.


Aaron
Novice


May 29, 2007, 11:23 PM

Post #9 of 10 (778 views)
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Re: [Jeko] How to compete with this? [In reply to] Can't Post
Oh man, my bad. I didn't even notice that nothing came through. I wrote my reply at school and for some reason it didn't get through. I probably got more response from my non-response that I would have otherwise.

Here's basically what I had meant to say...I'm a HS math teacher at a smallish Christian school (approx. 900 students K-12). I'm the yearbook adviser and I shoot about all the sports shots for my book, but there are lots of schools out there that don't have anyone to get quality action sports shots. This may be a way to get in good with a school and then it could possibly open some doors for other things like prom, homecoming, band, choir, special events, etc.

The kids at school all know I'm the guy with the camera and some say I should shoot the regular headshots, but that does not appeal to me at all. I like to attend events and shoot things as they happen. That's why I like to shoot and video weddings. The big-name companies have the headshots down, it's the areas where real talent as a photographer are in need.

I hope that this works this time. I am still a novice as you can see.

Aaron


Jeko
Enthusiast


May 29, 2007, 11:46 PM

Post #10 of 10 (772 views)
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Re: [Aaron] How to compete with this? [In reply to] Can't Post
Much better, and I'm glad you reposted. Good idea if your there shooting anyway (when my kids reach HS).

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.