Opnions on something please (not Disney related)

[pyrxtc]

I want some public opinions on my postcard design that I am sending out for upcoming seniors in high school. Thanks for looking!

 

[ukcatfan]

Going along with your "How do you want to be remembered?" theme, have you considered having multiple models that are each dressed in a different style? For example, keep that one but add someone in skater clothes and another one in hip hop clothes. It might get a broader response of people.

 

[pyrxtc]

I wish I could but just starting out, i don't have the photo options. this would be my first time sending anything by mail. Some of the students hvae younger siblings that are in school with my kids but most do not and I want to let them know I am here.

I am hoping to get more sittings for this years Seniors so that at the end of the year I can design a new one with kids who graduate this year for the kids who graduate in 08.

 

[spoon2003]

I agree with the previous poster about having multiple poses. What about your DD's friends? or even your DD in different outfits and different poses? The postcard right now doesn't "grab" attention, you need to showcase your photography skills with this postcard.

Sue

 

[jann1033]

I really like the background and general lay out .

I might put the yellow questions on their own lines rather than together for more impact

... and maybe say "Beautiful.... or Amazing... or somethng along those lines... Portraits" by your name instead of the "have them done beautifully".( short simple thoughts so they remember it)

...and maybe make it an "I" or "We" statement rather than just "take your pictures"...you want to take their pictures in their favorite place, not have someone else take them in their favorite place

..and last but not least( aren't you sorry you asked ) since you are directing it at high school seniors i might change the picture . She is very cute and it's a good picture but looks a little young for the age you are trying to attract. That would be great for kids pictures but maybe someone in their late teens or early twenties would be more appropriate here?

hope you get tons of business!

 

[Anewman]

I would say that if you want the postcard to hold the interest of your TARGET customers you really should use a more traditional "senior portrait" on the card. With the current picture one has to read the postcard to get to the point, and if any persons that may have been interested toss it without reading...

Look at it this way, if parents are shopping for a CLASS RING for their soon to be grad and they get a postcard with a huge picture of a CLASS RING it will catch their attention. If they get a postcard that shows generic jewelery they may toss it without reading the print, and never realize that the store has class rings on sale.

Also You have to be logical in order to compete with the pro companies, here is the way it is in our area. EVERY SINGLE incoming 12th grader has pictures taken by the "pro company" and is not charged a dime unless they choose to make a purchase(if not just call it yearbook pictures). The company makes its money on SALES of the prints not sitting fees, so as a parent "why would I take my child to you?"

Maybe if there was no obligation or cost along with that free print, but the postcard does not mention that...


I would also flip flop the 8x10 and 5x7 offers, give a free 5x7 with postcard and a free 8x10 for "refer a friend"(as referral must make purchase).

 

[pyrxtc]

well this is just a layout, I'm gonna grab my babysitter when she comes back from camp and take some of her. I know she will love it! I think I'll change the wording and use this to market to the elementary and middle schools.

Kind of "Don't like the school pictures? Want more control over how your childs photo looks and more options to choose from?" Something to that effect.

The high school does have somone come in at the end of junior year to take pics on the school grounds but it is a bidding contest and I'm not ready to do that, don't know that I ever would want to! This will give the kids a chance to have a photo that more reflects their taste and interest. Last years pro pics all looked the same.

Relaxed photos is the preferred way to do pics around here. parents like them more and they are easier to get some nice shots. I would do pictures just like this for a Sr pic. Add the person's name and grad year where my text is and your all set!

 

[RadioNate]

just from a marketing standpoint, have you been in touch with the local highschools? I know mine required a specific background for our yearbook picture. They also had an 'approved' photographer list who would do shots with that background in addition to the more personalized shots. Do the schools in your area have lists like that? If so getting on them will be a huge way to drum up business.

Like Anewman pointed out, ours were also no obligation. You could get the one standard shot for the year book and be done with it. I think they did 10 or 12 other shots w/no sitting fee. If you did several outfit changes or brought props I think there was additional cost.

As for the postcard. I like the design. I LOVE the 'how do you want to be remembered' theme. The other wording is somewhat awkward, but I'll have to think about what would flow better.

I also agree with Jann about the model. Cute girl, good photo but doesn't seem like someone becoming a HS senior to me. Maybe I'm just old and watch too many shows with 20-something's playing highschoolers but the girl seems young.

Hit up friends and neighbors for a free photo shoot and see what you get. I also agree with showing several models in different types of shots. I'd maybe do a traditional studio yearbook headshot, something outdoors and something prop heavy and 'personal.'

Yep you're probably sorry you asked.

 

[jann1033]

...

Kind of "Don't like the school pictures? Want more control over how your childs photo looks and more options to choose from?" Something to that effect.

...
Relaxed photos is the preferred way to do pics around here. parents like them more and they are easier to get some nice shots. I would do pictures just like this for a Sr pic. Add the person's name and grad year where my text is and your all set!

our area also...my daughters' and their friends senior pics were very much like this one. i think that's a great idea about the younger kids...school pictures are really bad sometimes and it would be nice to have another way to get a picture every year...could be good possibility for return business if the price is competitive( or maybe at least in our area they have elementary" graduation", middle school graduation,,,maybe market toward that?)

 

[Kelly Grannell]

or you can use Landak Photography's tagline: "Free Your Image"

 

[pyrxtc]

or you can use Landak Photography's tagline: "Free Your Image"

Huh???!!!

 

[pyrxtc]

just from a marketing standpoint, have you been in touch with the local highschools? I know mine required a specific background for our yearbook picture. They also had an 'approved' photographer list who would do shots with that background in addition to the more personalized shots. Do the schools in your area have lists like that? If so getting on them will be a huge way to drum up business.



.

no approved photographers or anything like that. I know there are some schools that you have to go to this one person only. I had 3 pics in last years yearbook and 1 in the year before. The last years yearbook, most of them were outside with trees. The ones I did had mountains and lakes in them.

As far as getting an in on the elementary school pics options. I already am a classroom parent and in good standing with the pTA. I also ahve donated my photography skills and time to the town for this coming Christmas party so that every kid walks out of there with a picture of themselves with Santa. They'll also walk out with a business card from me!

 

[Anewman]

The high school does have somone come in at the end of junior year to take pics on the school grounds but it is a bidding contest and I'm not ready to do that, don't know that I ever would want to! This will give the kids a chance to have a photo that more reflects their taste and interest. Last years pro pics all looked the same.

Relaxed photos is the preferred way to do pics around here. parents like them more and they are easier to get some nice shots. I would do pictures just like this for a Sr pic. Add the person's name and grad year where my text is and your all set!

I think I did not explain it properly.

I am NOT saying you should take over(or even bid) the school contract, I was saying that they are the ones you need to compete with for a finite amount of monies.
If the "pro company" doing the sr photos does not charge me as parent a cent until I decide to order prints, "why would I take them to somebody else?" (It is a retorical question)

And Yes "relaxed" photos are very popular(but IMO secondary purchases) I did not mean to imply that they would not sell. It it just that your first post gave the impression that you had a "target"(Seniors or their parents) customer in mind. Your layout is nice, but it does not call out to your target. Just from a marketing standpoint I think it would help keeping your target customers attention long enough for them to read the flyer. Once they pick up the phone sales of "relaxed" photos should be easier. Maybe a RELAXED photo with the subject wearing a graduation cap(and tassel) on the postcard would have the same effect.

Good luck, and I was just trying to play the devils advocate.

 

[pyrxtc]

the other photographers charge a lot more to take the pics, I know that already. It's not free for anyone! Plus even if they didn't charge for their services, parents will take their kid and pay to have their picture done if their going to get a better product in the end.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Huh???!!!

We always give the full resolution digital negatives to the client. Hence freeing their (digital) image(s).

 

[majimikate]

I agree with the PP about using someone more age appropriate, and using a more unusual "grab the attention" kind of picture. This is just my suggestion, but I would not let my model cross his/ker arms in the picture...it makes the model look somewhat awkward. I think your "how do you want to be remembered" is a great line, make that as prominent as you can, and Good luck!!!

 

[jann1033]

funny how different areas have different things..i would say at least 90% of packages for senior pics have a pose like that (in our area), leaning against wall, arms crossed and/or leaning against tree/ post of some kind arms loosely around that object or one arm resting against said object, other by side

 

[pyrxtc]

We always give the full resolution digital negatives to the client. Hence freeing their (digital) image(s).

Why would you do that? A Cd from sitting is at least $250 from a wedding it is more like $600. Those are at the very least prices. Then they take your beautiful photography and any work you've done to them and print them at some crappy store or at home and then they are showing off a crappy picture saying you are the photographer and you lose business!?

If they get a CD then there goes any chance of print orders or future reprints.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Why? because it garners more business for me. I already colour correct everything and told the customer that if they want to print, ask the printer to print them AS IS.

And no, I don't lose business. Since I started the business, my client have more than octuplet. I also do not believe in squeezing every single penny from my client for every print. That's why they keep coming back to me.

Also, I charge enough not to penny pinch for prints. $250 for a headshot, starting from $3k for a concert, starting from $1.6K for a wedding (up to $3.6k).