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In-house sales work best with boudoir clients. But what does this mean? It means you have to find a way to show your client an album before they see their final prints.

Here are my tips and tricks for boosting book and album sales specifically for boudoir photographers!

1. Show and sell

Have particular products in mind for your boudoir clients? Great! Then, you must show them to sell them! When I shoot boudoir sessions, I have hair and make-up artists come to my studio, so clients see my books in front of them while they’re getting styled. They naturally want to look through the books. Initially, the client may be looking to see how other women have posed or what they’ve worn (or not worn!) in their sessions. But they always end up admiring the book! I have several sample books at my studio for my clients to experience. I only display books I want to sell and they range in price from as little as $150.00 to over $1500.00, so there is something for everyone!

2. Create a Clear à la carte System

While packages work well with weddings, the best way to boost boudoir product sales is to create  a clear à la carte system. In the past I offered packages that included books and a disk. But I discovered that clients consistently bought just the base package. Based on this experience, I revised my sales system. I start with one base package, which only covers the sitting fee, hair and make-up. All products are sold separately, including disks, retouching and books. By doing this I was also able to lower my initial fee and get more clients in the door. When I changed to an  à la carte system my profits increased dramatically!

3. Use the Disk as an Incentive

I only include the disk of edited images if the client buys a book. The best part about this? I rarely lose print sales because most non-professional photo labs will not print boudoir or “risqué” photographs! So my clients usually end up ordering prints through me! When clients realize that the price of a disk is equivalent to the price of a book – and is included with the book anyway – buying books seems like the most logical choice.

 4. Limit Retouching to a Specific Number

Immediately after each session my assistant sits down with the client and reviews the “untouched proofs.” Then, the client selects their favorite images using Lightroom. Initially my assistant advises the client not to worry about the number of favorites, because she will help them narrow down final selections after they decide which book they would like. In my base package I only include 10 retouched images. As the books increase in quality and size, the client receives more retouches. What happens? The client almost always selects more favorites than are included in the book. At this point, if they want more retouches they have to give up some of their favorite images, pay a per-image retouching fee, or buy a larger book.

5. Embrace In-House Sales Success!

Using these simple methods, and by keeping sales in-house, I’ve seen significant sales for my studio. By applying these small changes to my boudoir business, sales have increased so much that now approximately 90 percent of my clients buy books in addition to their base package!

Written by Kelly Segre

Kelly’s photography career started many years ago in her father’s darkroom. With a love for film and timeless, classic images, she strives to bring this style into every session she shoots.

By creating an environment that allows her clients to feel sexy and glamorous before ever stepping in front of her camera, Kelly is able to get the most out of each and every session. Using simple techniques and literally showing her clients how to pose, Kelly is able to set a fun, playful and sexy mood for her clients, turning a girls night out into a sexy boudoir session!

In my last three articles, I expressed my beliefs regarding the beauty of real life and I detailed ways to overcome client insecurity. With this philosophical platform under our feet, let’s discuss the session itself!

The only way these types of sessions can be effective is if the photographer believes the ‘Real Life is Beautiful’ mantra. Each session must be approached as an opportunity to capture something special, regardless of how mundane the subject matter may seem. If the photographer doesn’t truly believe that reality can be beautiful, he will be focused on all of the things that do not matter, rather than on capturing the things that do. To effectively orchestrate a true lifestyle session, a photographer must give up his desire to control and create, and allow himself to enjoy the opportunity to observe and document. With that in mind, I’ll share my approach to lifestyle sessions.

Prior to my sessions, I always ask a few questions via email. These questions are important to the process, as they allow me to understand what’s important to my clients. If this is my first session with a client, I ask all three of these questions. If it is a follow up session, I just ask the last question.

1. Introduce me to your family.

2. Tell me about your home. Where do you spend your time, and what do you do in those spaces?

3. What is it about your child/children at this stage that you NEVER want to forget.

I don’t give any additional instructions regarding how they should answer. Oftentimes, the way they answer gives me as much information about them as their actual answers do!

When I receive their answers, I do my best to commit the information to memory.

• I copy this information into the notes section of their calendar appointment, and I review it often.
• By the time I arrive at their home on the day of their session, I should be able to parrot their information back to them with ease!
• Armed with this knowledge, I ring their doorbell and excitedly greet them by name.
• The first part of each first session (after a big hug & exclamations about how adorable their child is!) is a walk-through.
• I always request that my clients give me a quick tour of their home before we begin our session.
• I refer to their responses to my email questions, and ask them to expound.

“Before we start, I’d love it if you would give me a quick house tour. I know that you mentioned that you do a lot of snuggling in the master bedroom, and she’s getting her bath in the kitchen sink, and you like to read to her in the nursery, so I’d just love to see all of those spaces so I can create a game plan for us to follow.”

As they are showing me their home, I mention the things that they’ve already told me. I want my clients to know that I listened to their responses, that they are important to me. On occasion, they mention something completely new during the tour. When this happens, I make mental notes, because this new addition is just as important as the list that I already committed to memory.

Once the house tour is complete, I tend to outline a “game plan” for my clients. This creates a flow for the session. I want to capture Real Life, and it can be hard to capture the nuances of my clients’ reality in just an hour and a half. The game plan allows me to set up expectations for the session, and helps us to be aware of what is coming next.

“Okay, awesome. This house is so adorable, and I’m excited about all of the places I get to shoot here! Since you said she just woke up from a nap, and is probably getting hungry, let’s start out nursing in the rocker. Then you guys can go ahead and give her a bath and change her, and we’ll do a bit of snuggling in the master bedroom. Then, as long as she’s still up for it, maybe we can go downstairs and read on the couch with the dogs for a bit. Does that sound like it will cover it all?”

Now there is no confusion about what might be going on. I am not dogmatic about this plan. It is a guideline rather than a strict directive, but having a plan in place helps create a sense of direction. When we’ve been in one place for awhile, and I’ve captured what I need from that activity, I can easily move the session along by referring back to the plan.

In order to stay true to the nature of Lifestyle Photography, I never pose my clients. In order to create flow during the session, I refer to our email questionnaire and to our game plan. I do not capture real life by telling Mom and Dad where to sit and what to do. Instead of putting myself in charge of the situation, I put my clients in charge. (It’s their life, after all. They know it best!) I ask them questions:

“If you three were just spending a few moments together in this room, where would you be?” When they answer, I say “Ok great. Go do that.” If they need additional encouragement, I say “Go snuggle in the bed with Baby. Pretend I’m not here.”

With a bit of guidance, parents will naturally fall into doing what they are most comfortable with, and it will simply be my job to capture it. With Lifestyle Photography, the focus isn’t on posing. Real Life isn’t poseable.

The keys to a successful lifestyle session are arriving armed with knowledge, creating a game plan, and allowing that information to guide the session. If clients are given the opportunity to interact with one another naturally, true emotions will emerge. My job is not to create moments for families, my job is to create an environment in which they feel comfortable interacting naturally. After I’ve done this successfully, the rest is simple. I merely point my camera in the direction of their love, and I capture it.

Written by Amber Holritz the lifestyle baby photographer

Amber is a wife, mom, and photographer based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. You can see more posts by Amber in the coming weeks here on the Pictage blog as well as at www.amberholritz.com.

©2011 Justine Ungaro

Within every man and woman a secret is hidden, and as a photographer it is my task to reveal it if I can. - Yousuf Karsh

It can be as simple as a photographer, a subject and a window. Or it can be as complex as a photographer, an art director, an entourage of assistants, a gaggle of stylists and multiple strobes.

Portraiture, in its varied forms, is one of the most powerful genres of photography. Perhaps it’s because humans love staring at each other? Perhaps it’s because creativity and curiosity go hand-in-hand? Regardless, humans seem hard-wired to engage with compelling portraits.

Since Spring’s seasonal shoots are often fueled by portraits, lifestyle shoots and engagement sessions, we wanted to share some words and images that will inspire and illuminate your work. Over the past year, a few seasoned pros from the Pictage community have shared their secrets to successful portraiture. Their real-world experiences and technical expertise could save you hours of trial-and-error and remind you why portraiture is playful and profitable!

1. Let There Be Light 

Veteran portrait photographer Frank Simon has spent over twenty years photographing portraits for high-profile (and sometimes high-pressure) clients like American Express, Hypercom and Westcor. His photographs have graced the pages of publications such as Vogue and W. All those accolades under his belt, and Frank still considers teaching one of his most fulfilling accomplishments. In his recent guest post, Creating a Soft, Romantic Portrait, Frank dissects a classic portrait and teaches you how to recreate a similar look for your clients.

2. Seek Signature Poses

Wedding and portrait photographer Justine Ungaro isn’t afraid to name those signature poses! In fact, she encourages photographers to keep it simple and name poses that are most comfortable for clients. She says, “It can be called anything. But the point is that you want them to remember it for the wedding day because it will be an easy go-to, and you and your clients will immediately feel comfortable. They might even just do it automatically.” Learn how to apply this tip on your upcoming Spring engagement sessions.

3. Capture Authentic Emotion

Boudoir photographer Christa Meola knows a thing or two about eliciting a response. She’s passionate about helping women “honor their bodies, emotions, choices and impulses through photography.” And her photographs are a conduit to authentic emotion. But those beautiful photographs begin with an honest, honoring process that she describes in detail HERE.

4. Learn the Power of Projection

Orange County portrait photographer Paul Gero is a true believer in the power of projection sales. In his post, he outlines his step-by-step strategy for projecting photographs for maximum impact – and maximum sales! Learn how you can distinguish yourself from your competition, create higher levels of service for your clients and “increase sales to make the work that you do both fun and profitable!”

5. Take the Next Steps

As you incorporate these portrait tips and tricks into your Spring shooting strategy, don’t forget to opt-in to Pictage’s Portrait Promo.  It’s super simple – just opt-in so Pictage can invite your clients to book a shoot with you!

tnorm posted a photo:

A Panoramic stitched together from several photographs from the view of Lookout Mountain during sunrise on January 1, 2012.

tnorm posted a photo:

Two people watch the sunrise over Golden, Colorado to start the new year.

A panoramic stitched together from several photographs from the view of Lookout Mountain during sunrise on January 1, 2012.

tnorm posted a photo:

The sun rises on New Years Day in the Rocky Mountains near Golden, Colorado.

A panoramic stitched together from several photographs from the view of Lookout Mountain during sunrise on January 1, 2012.

tnorm posted a photo:

The Rocky Mountains near Golden, Colorado are caressed by the morning light of the new sun on New Years Day 2012.

A panoramic stitched together from several photographs from the view of Lookout Mountain during sunrise on January 1, 2012.

tnorm posted a photo:

The light rail sits empty waiting for passengers and tram. It doesn't sit this way for long.

Some photos I made with the Meetup.com Front range Focal Plane group at Commons Park while playing with some light painting and enjoying the diversity of visuals that surround the park.

tnorm posted a photo:

Wires grow out of a pole as a building is constructed next to it. I liked the juxtaposition of the angles and lines.

Some photos I made with the Meetup.com Front range Focal Plane group at Commons Park while playing with some light painting and enjoying the diversity of visuals that surround the park.

tnorm posted a photo:

No the pole isn't leaning, it is just the warping of a wide angle lens. But I like the lines.

Some photos I made with the Meetup.com Front range Focal Plane group at Commons Park while playing with some light painting and enjoying the diversity of visuals that surround the park.

tnorm posted a photo:

I find something intriguing about the curves and the chaos along with the negative space.

Some photos I made with the Meetup.com Front range Focal Plane group at Commons Park while playing with some light painting and enjoying the diversity of visuals that surround the park.

tnorm posted a photo:

A couple spends a moment on the steps.

Some photos I made with the Meetup.com Front range Focal Plane group at Commons Park while playing with some light painting and enjoying the diversity of visuals that surround the park.

tnorm posted a photo:

Light strafes across a piece of art at Commons Park in Denver, Colorado.

Some photos I made with the Meetup.com Front range Focal Plane group at Commons Park while playing with some light painting and enjoying the diversity of visuals that surround the park.

tnorm posted a photo:

Light is painted on portions of the walkway to help bring out the structure at night.

Some photos I made with the Meetup.com Front range Focal Plane group at Commons Park while playing with some light painting and enjoying the diversity of visuals that surround the park.

tnorm posted a photo:

A mother and her children walk down the lit steps.

Some photos I made with the Meetup.com Front range Focal Plane group at Commons Park while playing with some light painting and enjoying the diversity of visuals that surround the park.

tnorm posted a photo:

A group of people walk the stairs near Commons Park to 16th Street.

Some photos I made with the Meetup.com Front range Focal Plane group at Commons Park while playing with some light painting and enjoying the diversity of visuals that surround the park.

tnorm posted a photo:

Lights fill the Platte River in a long exposure.

Some photos I made with the Meetup.com Front range Focal Plane group at Commons Park while playing with some light painting and enjoying the diversity of visuals that surround the park.

tnorm posted a photo:

Lights fill the Platte River in a long exposure.

Some photos I made with the Meetup.com Front range Focal Plane group at Commons Park while playing with some light painting and enjoying the diversity of visuals that surround the park.

tnorm posted a photo:

Lights fill the Platte River in a long exposure.

Some photos I made with the Meetup.com Front range Focal Plane group at Commons Park while playing with some light painting and enjoying the diversity of visuals that surround the park.

tnorm posted a photo:

Light from a flash paint a structure at Commons Park in Denver, Colorado

Some photos I made with the Meetup.com Front range Focal Plane group at Commons Park while playing with some light painting and enjoying the diversity of visuals that surround the park.