aimee_pieters

<p>I have a photobooth and have started buying all kinds of photobooth products from my friend Ted at Neil Enterprises. They have all kinds of photomounts, magnets, frames and bookmarks. It's a great way to add to your sales....-Aimee</p>

<p>Interesting how photographers are the first to kick and scream when someone uses their images without paying them and also the first to try to work around paying full price for software. Just an observation.....-Aimee</p>

<p>I like Nikki's idea....-Aimee</p>

<p>Matt - Would you go away and leave your home unlocked with all the windows and doors open? The lesson learned is when posting something on the internet, the entire world has access to it. While stealing is illegal, it happens ever day, so why not minimize your risk. I realize that different people have different opinions, but this is mine....-Aimee </p>

<p>A couple of responses here:<br>

Mikael & Kevin - while it's important to properly compose the usage agreement, the reality is that the recipient is in posession of the file and it can be nearly impossible to police the usage. If in fact they violate the usage agreement, it becomes the photographer's choice to spend the time and expense to litigate the matter. So my feeling is to get paid adequately upfront and move on to the next client.<br>

Mary - You seem to be unhappy with the amount you're suggesting and they haven't accepted your proposal yet. If you're going to grant them use, then be comfortable with what you're being paid and also be prepared that they may negotiate down from your initial offer. That's how everyone does business.....-Aimee</p>

<p>H&H does everything mentioned above and it's all in one place. Certainly worth checking...-Aimee</p>

<p>You've found a niche and you have a reputation for your work, your service and YES, your pricing. If you want to make more money, you're going to have to move up the ladder and basically find a clientele who will spend more money because the clients you have now may be at their limit.<br>

Here are some suggestions and please don't use my numbers, they're just examples. If you have trouble following this, please email me throught this site.<br>

If you're current rate is $200 and includes 4 items (shooting, disc, posting, etc.), DON'T just raise the price!<br>

Offer a new product at $200 that only includes 2 or 3 of those same items and offer another at $300 that includes 5 or 6 items. This way when a former client or their friend call you and they're shocked by your price, you can say that your NEW product offers them more for more money OR for about what their friends paid, you also have a package.<br>

Let me know....-Aimee </p>

<p>My guess is that she has way more money that you do. Also, someone in a key position has probably already seen this post. You're not helping by providing her name and the publication it's going into. Also, I would think the magazine would require the release OR you to sign off that you have one. This could cost you more money than you could ever imagine.<br>

It's interesting that photographers all over this forum and others are so sensitive to unauthrized use of their images, but so willing to use commercial music in a slideshow, get a bootleg copy of PhotoShop or use someone's face for their own benefit....-Aimee </p>

<p>You will be much better off using something like MPIX that will provide a complete service. What they won't provide is getting your customers to the site so that they'll view and purchase. That's up to you. If handing out a card with the site, username and password is all you do, you'll get minimal results at best. Try these options:<br>

Put something in their hands with a discount offer for a limited amount of time.<br>

Run a contest with a free gift for those who sign up with their email addresses and USE those addresses to drive them to the site.<br>

You'll get as much out as you put into it, good luck....-Aimee</p>

<p>Use a good pro-lab like H&H at <a href="http://www.hhcolorlab.com">www.hhcolorlab.com</a> and don't spend time doing production -you can make much more money creating images and marketing yourself....-Aimee</p>

<p>While this is a bad and unfortunate situation, my advice is to consider this a lesson learned and move on. How much time and money are you doing to put into this with no guaranteed return? It's not worth it to teach them or the public a lesson. Your time and money will be better spent on positive projects....-Aimee</p>

<p>In an idea world, charge them what you would profit from making the cards. Remember, they can use this image for other purposes (or will), so 2 things will make this worthwhile for them:<br>

1) Provide a high-res fully retouched file<br>

2) Give them unlimited use (you don't really have much control over this anyway)<br>

Let us know how it goes......-Aimee</p>

<p><a href="http://www.onediscmore.com">www.onediscmore.com</a> in Ohio will custom print your discs for about .60 including the disc. These are a spindle of 100 and all with the same print, so they're generic to your business, but not to each client.<br>

A great source for CD/DVD cases of all types is Neil Enterprises. Contact my friend Ted Suss there and he will help you and sell you individual samples to get started. They perhaps have what you're looking for and they're only about $1.50 each!!!</p>

<p>What size prints?</p>

<p>I have a lot of experience with on-site printing at events. I make a lot of additional money by using add-on products that I slip the photos into from Neil Enterprises. I only offer 2 or 3 products per event, but it makes a huge difference. I use a SONY SnapLab that prints a 4x6 for less than 20 cents TOTAL in about 15 seconds and it comes out dry. Regardless of what you use to print, the secret is in the additional frames, drinkware, key chains, magnets, etc.<br>

Contact Ted Suss at Neil Enterprises. He's a real expert when it comes to onsite printing. He's knowledgeable and low pressure and will truly help you....-Aimee</p>

<p>Check out <a href="http://www.hhcolorlab.com">www.hhcolorlab.com</a> <br>

You'll be thrilled with the results and CALL them initially and see what great customer service really is like...-Aimee</p>

<p>I hope that all goes well with you.<br>

Next, regardless of your health issue at hand or for any photographer who is completely healthy, there should ALWAYS be a backup plan in the event of a medical or other unforseeable emergency. That being said, IF you're prepared, why create unnecessary doubt with a potential client. There are so many available photographers to choose from. Would you hire someone in your situation if you had this information?<br>

Also, while it's good to model yourself after those who are successful, Jasmine herself says that no one is her and no one is you. Take what you can and apply it to who you are.....-Aimee</p>

<p>Somehow or other the terms "Photobook" and "Archival" don't seem like they should be used together.....-Aimee</p>

<p>Any quality album manufacturer/supplier who you choose to be affiliated with should be providing a nice presentation box with their albums. If not, they don't fully understand your business or your customer and it's time to move on....-Aimee</p>

<p>Try H&H Color Lab at <a href="http://www.hhcolorlab.com">www.hhcolorlab.com</a><br>

They are an experienced ProLab that offers just about any service/product you'd ever want. They make beautiful albums and their customer service is top notch. CALL them and see what great customer service is like....-Aimee</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I was given permission by the photographer to use these images in my portfolio: both online and print.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Maybe someone can help me understand this. Aside from the photographer's permission, did the Bride & Groom give you permission to post their images and use them in your portfolio? This may be what they are going to leverage you with. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I don't think that the photographer can extend his/her image release to you on behalf of his/her client.</p>

<p>Lisa,</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I do have enough weddings and portraits sessions booked and I am keeping busy.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I think that if this were truly the case, you wouldn't be taking the time to post the question and respond to the replies. You're clearly looking for a solution. Use the files as a hook and sell them at a reasonable price or include them with your higher end packages. You might also consider some other business strategies. I'm in the process of reading Dan Sanders' "Fast Track Photographer". It's at least worth the read....-Aimee</p>

<p> </p>

<p>DJ - just contact Gary at Just Rite. He's the owner and the designer and a former photographer. He's almost always accessible....-Aimee</p>

<p>If you're "allowed" 2 changes, then proceed as you say and use your remaining option to make changes if requested. If she requests changes, let her know that she has one option and to be careful about her requests. Also, let her know upfront what it will cost if she wants another round of changes. She may think it's $25 when it may be $100 or whatever. Either way, it's less expensive to have the changes made before the album is made....-Aimee</p>

<p>I like the Just-Rite Bracket from <a href="http://www.justritebracket.com">www.justritebracket.com</a> along with the Fong bouncer (depending on circumstances). The bracket is so sturdy that it's the last one you'll ever buy. Like all new equipment, it takes time to feel comfortable, but then again, so does a wedding ring!<br>

The combination of the 2 keeps the shadows to a minimum and places them where I want them.....-Aimee</p>