At the start of each new year, it is a tradition to name a “resolution,” whether it is a change you wish to make in your life, a goal you wish to achieve in the next twelve months, or a renewed commitment to continue a positive habit. At its core, a resolution is simply a promise to do better, aim higher, and grow.
If you’ve been keeping up with our social media, you’ve probably noticed a series of posts offering new year’s resolution ideas. (And if haven’t been, go like our Facebook Page or follow us on Instagram for weekly updates!)
The start of a new year is always busy for photographers. January and February are peak season for winter portraits. Newly engaged couples need photos for their Save-The-Dates. It’s tax season. And on top of all this, you have to set the camera aside and review your business plan, looking for ways to increase profits and broaden your exposure.
New Year’s Resolutions For Photographers
Ideally you should set two or three business-related goals as well as a time frame for completing them, so you can track your progress, finding areas that need improvement. If you have not set a goal yet, or you’re still thinking through the options, here are six resolutions to help you shoot for the stars:
Sell more.
Make a commitment to sell both a larger volume of orders and larger packages. Optimize your marketing initiatives and promote high-quality print products for a better chance at successful sales.
Upgrade your photo print products.
When you limit your product offerings, you limit your ability to “sell more”. Professional quality photographic prints are still widely popular but the demand has shifted slightly to include higher end photo gift items such as Canvas Gallery Wraps, Giclee Prints, Photo Books, and Museum Prints. At Lenzart we offer a variety of high-quality products to best fit the needs of your clients.
Products we know your clients will love:
- Canvas Gallery Walls (Read more in Canvas Gallery Wraps: The More The Merrier.)
- Large Portraits (Read more in Show Big to Sell Big)
- EZ Books (Read more in “Fall” In Love With These Print Products)
- Giclee Fine Art Prints (Read more in “Fall” In Love With These Print Products)
- Museum Prints (Read more in Museum Prints: Think Like An Interior Designer)
Do the opposite.
In some industries, employees struggle to overcome the “monotony” of their day-to-day tasks. The best part of photography, even when you specialize in a narrow field, is that every new client brings a fresh perspective. No two weddings are the same. No two smash cake sessions are the same. Your clients breathe life into your passion, stoking that flame.
But that does not mean we are immune to negative thoughts. Every once in a while we find ourselves feeling stuck in a rut, and that is okay. When you need a change, take a few days and do the opposite. If you favor brightly lit photos, try experimenting with dim mood light. Try a silver or gold deflector. Play around with photo editing filters. If you always photograph people, try photographing someone’s pet instead. Don’t worry if your photos are good, bad, or downright ugly. Just have fun!
Expand your services.
Think of this as the natural progression to growing your businesses. Are you a newborn photographer? Add in cake smash/first birthday sessions. Engagement photos? Add in a wedding or two. Studio portraits? Add in school photos. The key to expanding your services is to start small. Like everything else in this industry, it takes time, patience, and practice to get better.
Revamp your website/marketing.
When you spend your time focusing on your craft, it’s easy for marketing tools like websites, social media, and print materials–which do not always require continuous maintenance–to fall to the wayside. Update your website with the best photos from your most recent sessions and showcase your skill.
Find a new go-to location for onsite photography.
It’s easy to default to familiar locations where you know the layout, the lighting, and the best places to capture your subject. But with an entire world of possibility out there, take the time to find new locations to provide stunning backdrops for your clients’ photos.
At Lenzart Photographic Lab, we strive to provide you with high-quality print products, large and small, that help you showcase your talent and make it easier to sell your work. When you need a print lab, choose a lab that puts you first, and choose Lenzart!