Northwest District - Photography on Tap

Photography on Tap Bellingham

PPW Northwest District and Bellingham Photographers

Monday, March 4, 2013

Social Time:  6:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Program:      7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

New Location:

Where:         Turner Photographics Studio

                   1106 Harris Ave., Suite 205, Bellingham, WA 98225

 Cost:     PPW Members: free

              Non-members: $5

 Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages included.

 RSVP by noon on March 4 to
                        Mark Turner <mark@turnerphotographics.com> 360-671-6851

Business Model Roundtable

There are many ways to run a profitable photography business. No matter which business model you use, please join the discussion, learn how others profit from their way of doing things, and share what makes your model work for you.

Some photographers choose a high volume, low price model. School pictures and sports team photos are common examples.

• At the other end of the scale, a boutique portrait business provides a high level of service to a small number of clients at a much higher price for framed wall portraits.

• Other photographers choose to set a flat fee for a certain number of images, delivered as digital files with permission to print granted to the customer.

• Wedding photographers might choose to provide coverage of the event based on time, delivering digital files. Others in the same business include a basic album in the package price and upsell add-ons once the couple is happily married and falls in love with the photos.

• Fine art photographers could sell a lot of small prints at art shows and fairs, or they can price their art high and sell a small number of prints through a gallery.

How do you run your business?

Come prepared to answer these questions about your business at the roundtable:

• Describe your business model in a few words.
• How do your customers preview their photos and make a purchase decision (online, printed proofs, projection)? Why?
• Do you deliver prints, digital files, or both? Why?
• How much time do you invest in each client?
• How many images does a typical customer purchase from a session?
• What is your “happy place” for a client purchase, the number of dollars they spend?
• How many paying clients did you have in 2012?
• How much do you charge for your best-quality 8x10?
• What was your cost of goods sold percentage in 2012?
• What percentage of your family’s income was from your photography in 2012?