I'm nervous, tell me it will be OK ...

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After having done a few shoots with cats/kittens and then the recent puppy shoot ... I have decided it's time to pop an ad in the local paper for pet portraits :eek:

I'm going to do a special offer for starters to get the ball rolling. So how does 5 x 9"x7" prints, plus a CD with web usable images (they will be 500pxls longest side + water marked tactfully) for £50.00 sound? Is that an attractive enough price to bring me some business to start with do you think?

I am so nervous about taking this step, but things seem to be changing for the positive right now, so I'm going to go with the flow and add to it.

I also have a model coming for a TFP (trade for prints/time for prints, not sure which it is :lol:) on Saturday, plus another during the week next week. I am also nervous about this, but because they know my capabilities (talked with them both in depth) and are not expecting miracles, I'm not as nervous for this as the other.

Tell me it will all be OK ... :help:
 
Seems fairly reasonable to get the ball rolling Jo.

I don`t know the definitive answer , but best of luck with it..........:thumbs:
 
bst of luck with it. let us know what kind of response you get.
 
Hi Jo,

Ive been told not to start too low to get customers started... because it is then hard to put your prices up. But I now its difficult to start high when you are not over-experienced.

Im wondering if you can call it a "special offer" or something. .. so you will be able to up it a bit later? Oh b****r... just read your post fully!! :D:D:D

Yes thats sounds good. they will be getting a very good deal with 5 9x7" for £50!
 
Best of luck Jo :thumbs:
 
Got to ask Jo...

Why 5 prints???

We do pets and few ask for that many the same size, more usual is just one bigger one or a canvas

Why 9x7"???

Again, if people are not buying a framed image they will want to frame it themselves. My local shops carry some great and ridiculously cheap frames (i.e. 20x16" for a 14x11" print for £9!!!), but they have NO 9x7" frames. This means people will have to cut their pics or have gaps round them, not a good idea

'Free' model shoots are best done as TFCd as it costs you nothing (ok, 10p maybe)

Good luck anyway

:thumbs:

DD
 
Thank for your support so far folks ... Janice & Joe; I did say 'speacial offer' :lol: ;) I know what you mean though.
 
I totally agree with Dave (well it had to happen once!! ;) ) about the 9x7"

I was doing those and there are NO frames to be bought in normal stores which are where lots of people get them from.

I changed to 9x6" (which is the same ratio as 6x4" and 12x8") and all went much better.

And about 5 prints the same size.... I also agree! People have the same size as family portraits to give to grandmas and aunties etc......but I dont think grandmas and aunties and cousins etc will be gettin shots of their puppies?
 
DiddyDave said:
Got to ask Jo...

Why 5 prints???

We do pets and few ask for that many the same size, more usual is just one bigger one or a canvas

Why 9x7"???

Again, if people are not buying a framed image they will want to frame it themselves. My local shops carry some great and ridiculously cheap frames (i.e. 20x16" for a 14x11" print for £9!!!), but they have NO 9x7" frames. This means people will have to cut their pics or have gaps round them, not a good idea

'Free' model shoots are best done as TFCd as it costs you nothing (ok, 10p maybe)

Good luck anyway

:thumbs:

DD
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I'm glad you ask Dave :) I chose 5 because it sounds like a bargain, plus it means they can have a few different poses, or if they have more than one pet I can do 2 of one and maybe one each of the others (presuming they have 4 pets). It gives me more scope to play with, without making it too complicated. At the moment I'm trying to attract business with a special offer, if it looks like a bargain it will hopefully attract more. Obviously I'll revise the situation once I have a reasonable number under my belt. EDIT+ Besides you can't get much text into a 3cmx3cm box ad!

As for the size ... you have a good point. I should really have looked into that a bit better. I'll revise that before I place my ad :thumbs:

The model thing ... you also have another good point, but both of these girls want prints to put into a portfolio, and TBH I am grateful to them for spending some time with me to get some decent shots. A few prints are a small price to pay IMO. They will get a CD each too though.

Honestly though, thanks for asking the questions, it's helped!
 
That explains it!!!

I thought the 5 prints were all the same!! :bonk:
 
To explain a wee bit more...

We put all 30-50 images on a music backed DVD, hence when they buy prints it's only their favourite and as a biggy

If you're not doing the DVD, then 5 poses as prints makes sense - here's an offer that's had loads of interest from us...

"A framed 12x10" print FREE with every sitting"

The print is an 8x6" in a nice silver framed with a simple bevel mount - the print/frame costs me £3.50 in total, but looks to be worth many times that

Just a thought

DD
 
That's a good deal Dave, and I may 'borrow' the idea at a later stage if you don't mind? :D Perhaps when I come to doing Christmas stuff.
 
Jo

Here's an idea you may want to try. Not mine it's a Kodak idea from way back, when they used to run competitions to encourage portraiture.

You need to sell this to the local paper. The idea is that the paper sponsors a" top pet " competition. Entrants have to have their pet photographed by yourself to be entered. No "holiday snaps " allowed. The newspaper publishes the pictures in a supplement , to which they can sell advertising to local pet stores etc. Readers vote with a special voting form in the supplement. (So they have to buy the newspaper). Winners get various prizes donated by pet stores. The money maker for you is that you take 3 or 4 pictures of the pet and the owner has to come back to choose the pic for entry into the competition. This is your chance to sell pics to the owner. The picture they choose is submitted into the competition. In this digital age it's in CD if the paper will accept it. If not get some prints (6 x4) produced at your local Tesco or similar ( less than 5p each normally)

That's the basic idea but you can fine tune it as you want. One point to bear in mind, This is run as a high volume low price operation, so don't spend too much time on each sitting. and do it when you have time available, An try to do it by appointment. maybe giving 15 mins to each sitting. Plus tell them when they can come back and choose the print.

Good luck
 
I've seen that kind of set up before Chappers, and it's a good one. Though I don't think for a minute I could handle that kind of volume straight away. Definitely something to think about for in the future though, so thanks for reminding me of that one :thumbs:
 
Jo, might be worth putting an ad up in the local vet(s) too. I've seen people advertise in our vet and it's the right audience. Local paper adverts, at least in my area, are a big waste of money :(
 
pxl8 said:
Jo, might be worth putting an ad up in the local vet(s) too. I've seen people advertise in our vet and it's the right audience. Local paper adverts, at least in my area, are a big waste of money :(
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O b****r !!! :eek:

I had my dog in the Vets a few weeks ago and I offered to put a nice photo on their wall for them...

"Goodo, leave me some leaflets & business cards" they said, "We get asked about pet photos often"

Have I done it... have I chuff !!!

DD = pillock

:D

Thanks for the reminder !!!

DD
 
All I can say add is a good luck wish, since there's been a lot of good pointers here and you seem to have things very well under control, not to forget you're really good with your camera.

Please do keep us posted as to how things mature .. it's always exciting to see someone take their hobby on to the next level.
 
pxl8 said:
Jo, might be worth putting an ad up in the local vet(s) too. I've seen people advertise in our vet and it's the right audience. Local paper adverts, at least in my area, are a big waste of money :(
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:clap: Good idea, thanks for that!

LadyLens said:
...and pet shops for that matter.
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Thanks! :D

DiddyDave said:
O b****r !!! :eek:

I had my dog in the Vets a few weeks ago and I offered to put a nice photo on their wall for them...

"Goodo, leave me some leaflets & business cards" they said, "We get asked about pet photos often"

Have I done it... have I chuff !!!

DD = pillock

:D

Thanks for the reminder !!!

DD
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:lol: You pillock! (love that word!)

Wail said:
All I can say add is a good luck wish, since there's been a lot of good pointers here and you seem to have things very well under control, not to forget you're really good with your camera.

Please do keep us posted as to how things mature .. it's always exciting to see someone take their hobby on to the next level.
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Aww thank you very much :) I will most certainly keep you all posted :thumbs:
 
Well, having a look at you website, I don't think there is anything to worry about - it all looks great :)
 
Jo,

Might I suggest that you throw in one of your fantastic little cards...maybe the odd person will order a wad of them into the bargain.

Bob
 
Best of luck with these shoots. Hope they go well :thumbs:
 
Hi sounds really exciting, well get proactive find out with a web search about local dog clubs, they have them for specific breeds, i know as my dad used to show Staffordshire bull terriers, get yourself along to a show with a display board and you will get results, these people are manic about there dogs,my dad had 8 staffys all in purpose build kennels with central heating :eek: these dogs where his life, + don't for get to approach the kennel club for a list of approved breeders a good picture will sell there dogs, i mean my dad would make a fortune from breading, he did not bother with crufts as it is all a big con, it's a bit like the eurovision song contest thats a con as well, but local shows are the way to go......

regards Mark..
 
You are going to be fine, you take lovely pictures so get yourself out there and go for it :D
 
hyperfocal said:
Well, having a look at you website, I don't think there is anything to worry about - it all looks great :)
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:$ Thanks :)

Canon Bob said:
Jo,

Might I suggest that you throw in one of your fantastic little cards...maybe the odd person will order a wad of them into the bargain.

Bob
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Oooh, good idea Bob! Have you sent any of yours out yet?

billandben said:
Best of luck with these shoots. Hope they go well :thumbs:
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Thank you!

mercmanuk said:
Hi sounds really exciting, well get proactive find out with a web search about local dog clubs, they have them for specific breeds, i know as my dad used to show Staffordshire bull terriers, get yourself along to a show with a display board and you will get results, these people are manic about there dogs,my dad had 8 staffys all in purpose build kennels with central heating :eek: these dogs where his life, + don't for get to approach the kennel club for a list of approved breeders a good picture will sell there dogs, i mean my dad would make a fortune from breading, he did not bother with crufts as it is all a big con, it's a bit like the eurovision song contest thats a con as well, but local shows are the way to go......

regards Mark..
Click to expand...

Another good idea, thank you! The lady I did the kitten shoot for (where I ended up with one of my own :lol:) has actually dedicated a page to me and my work on her website. Which is a lovely thing for her to do. I can certainly see a gap in the market around here for such work.


susie said:
You are going to be fine, you take lovely pictures so get yourself out there and go for it :D
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Thank you hon ;)

rdh said:
You have some excellent photo's online Jo. Big fan of the Senegal Tiger shot.

No doubt you'll do well, there is no reason for you not to judging by your work. Enjoy it!
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Thank you also, but do you mean the Bengal Tiger shots? :shrug:


Both local rag ads have been paid for now. I have also created a news page about the offer on my website, and am going to create a special kind of flyer for the vets around here to go out this weekend. I'm going to use a print, stick it to come glossy paper that has the details printed on, laminate it, and then add a little box to it where I will slot in a few business cards for people to take. I'll try and take a pic of the finished product once it's done.

So fingers crossed it will all go well!
 
Hi Jo,

It would appear that you have already recieved lots of good advice from experienced folk, so I'll just say enjoy it, trust your abilities and best of luck with it, I hope it works out for you.:thumbs:

Mark
 
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