Sunday, June 12, 2011

Naughty but Nice Seminar

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Jennifer Nagy - www.exclusiveimages.com.au
Haley Richardson - www.haleyrichardson.com.au

This weeks seminar was held at Haley Richardson's Hume Studio. We had 2 models, Bec who was 5 months pregnant and Clare for the Boudoir style session.

We started with a slideshow of both Haley & Jennifer's work followed by a brief run through of the process from enquiry through to shooting.

Client Interaction -
Meet with client beforehand & show products.
Ask lots of questions about why they want the portrait, what are they going to do with it?
What they do & don't like about themselves
Decor of house, where will the photo hang?
Be enthusiastic honest & open.
Treat every job as a collaboration
Talk about the outcomes & make sure they bring a robe, variety of lingerie, shoes & accessories, ask about what they have to wear
Get them to sign a contract
Being able to sell your work & the experience is just as important as the quality
Have the products you are selling on display
Sell the shoot or put together a few packages that you think the clients would like in a variety of price ranges.
Don't sell high res dvd's until the client has spent a minimum amount
Most of the sale time is spent helping the buyer justify intellectually the emotional decision that has already been made, which is to buy.
Assume that your client always wants the best
Cost & size main things to overcome-wall portrait can be enjoyed by everyone where as a desk portrait can only be seen close up

Relaxing the Client -
Know what you are going to do, theme/look
Think about lights, props & background
Have model wear robe between shooting
Take your time
Communicate, keep talking to them, explain what you are doing, show them some shots to build confidence, give feedback
Confidence is sexy

Posing -
With each pose take a variety of shots with different facial expressions: serious, smiling, looking away
Lying on tummy with head near the camera
Lying on back with head near the camera
Kneeling with feet tucked under bottom
Lying on side
Head & Cleavage
Suggestive detail
Full length against wall/in doorway with heels to lift bottom & elongate legs

Different Body Shapes -
Focus on assets
Larger women- light from side & shoot bust up if front on use drpaes, arms or hands to cover tummy or slim legs
Flat Chest - arms above head, lying on tummy or back, use arms to boost cleavage & create shadows. Folding arms increase bust.
Saggy Breast - shoot front on, bra's & corsets for lift
Fat Arms - hold away from body, create a gap

WOMEN - recline the body, put on 45 degree angle, focus on assets, create a waistline, push arms back & create a gap.
MEN - use shadow, open the posing up, create big angles, hang the body.


Fusion Photography - Part 2

The Sales Process

Client Questions-
* Do I want to do business with this company?
* Can I afford them?
* Do I want to do business with this person?
* Are my needs going to be met?
* Is there someone else better
* What is the advantage of booking now?
* I need to make a decision
* Did I make the right decision?

The most important things to remember during client interviews is to connect on an emotional level, sell yourself & sell your expertise, reliability & confidence.

Qualify the Client -
* Can they afford us?
* Are they looking for what we do?
* Can we meet their needs?

Ask the right questions -
* Get commitment early & often
* Overcome their fear
* Inspire confidence
* Demonstrate expertise

The Enquiry -
* If first question is price say you are happy to give all the pricing info but you would like to get some details first.
* Ask about their location & comment on your experience with the venues.
* Ask about date/guests/bridal party
* Ask if they have set a budget, may be reluctant to answer as they either have no idea or unwilling to reveal just yet.
* Mention your starting price
* Ask them how that fits in with their expectations
* Ask for meeting, if object, need to check with fiance etc, try to make a time anyway and say you are happy to re-schedule if need be.
* Text reminder of appointment on the day.

The Consultation
* Meet at high end venue if you do not have your own studio.
* Keep everything clean & uncluttered.
* Create an environment client will feel comfortable in.
* Details are important, the client will look beyond the facade to try & work out the real you.
* What to wear, dress at a level your clients aspire to NO JEANS! Dress with style & to match your style.
* Refreshments - client is not likely to accept anything too fancy, water is fine.
* Set expectations, explain the purpose of the meeting.
* Get to know each other first before you talk about prices
* Number 1 selling tool - Passion. Show them you love what you do, passion & enthusiasm is infectious.
* First half of meeting should be to establish rapport - no photos or prices.
* Ask questions about the wedding, relationship, work, hobbies but be genuine not nosy.
* Don't talk continuously, portrays a lack of confidence.
* Ask what their perfect wedding album would look like, and show an album that reflects this.
* Observe them & their body language-are they a detailed person, romantic, relaxed, fussy?
* Be a resource - the more you can apply your expertise to their needs the more respect they'll have for you.
* The more value you provide the less price matters - give give give!
* Don't give slideshows-breaks flow, focus on album sales.
* Don't show albums while talking, they need to be focused for this.

Closing the Sale -
* Ask how that album fits in with the ideal album they discussed earlier.
* Explain prices clearly don't make excuses.
* Explain delivery process
* Ask how the prices fit their expectations
* Leave them alone to discuss
* Ask would you like to go ahead with the booking?

Selling - Clients love to buy
Sell additional products
Transition them to portrait clients




Fusion Phptpgrahy