Back when I was doing weddings exclusively, I made huge mistakes. Big time.
Mistakes like- never creating print packages for my clients and only selling them digital files.
.
.
or like over-committing myself to perform a task that was out of my own reach (Like.. saying yes to photographing a wedding with 400 people and taking group photos of every family that came through the door, capturing the couples’ first dance, individuals and candid photos in a span of just 4 hours. I hired two additional team members to help me with this and it still was bananas.
Then, I had a family Christmas party that had around 100 people in it, who needed family photos on a crummy, 5×7 backdrop and almost every single photo had to be photoshopped to fit the groups on the backdrop properly.
I felt ready to throw the towel in.
I wanted to quit my job at the portrait studio. Quit offering photo sessions. Stop working with other photographers on how to manage their own businesses because mine felt like it was failing.
Why am I sharing?
Because when it comes to giant photo opportunities that include 100+ people- maybe I’m not your girl, but I have learned a thing or two from these experiences and from the many other years that I have spent behind the lens and at the table with my clients.
One of those things is how to close a sale, which I KNOW so many of us photographers struggle with,
So here it is: the Photography Guide for IPS
This simple tool has helped me take sales from $100 to over $5k and I know it can easily do the same for you, if you let it.
I’m proud of you for working toward being the best photographer in your area and not being afraid to do it wrong so that you’ll throw in the towel later.
Good for you, bestie.
How many times have you sat down with your clients at your IPS meeting and delicately went through the ordering process, only for them to reach out the next day or week later and say, “Oh no! I forgot to order a 16×20 for grandma. Can you PLEASE add this to my order?!” Too many to count? Me too.
I was brainstorming with a client of my own the other day and we realized how often this happened and then it hit me
—-I. Can. Fix. This.—-
So I tightened my bob the builder belt and got to work and now I’m super excited to share the solution with YOU!
Are you ready?
I created an IPS order guide to use at the beginning of your meeting.
But Emily, I already have an order form
Not a form. A guide.
Here’s how you use it:
When your client comes to meet with you, sit them down and ask them to list any and everyone who they would even consider giving a printed portrait to- whether that be wallets or more intricate wall art. Have them write their names down on this list and then check off which product they think they’ll want to order for them. Do this before any prices have ever been mentioned and any dollars have been passed back and forth for their order. This is a DREAM worksheet- it’s solely for planning purposes and has no pressure affiliated with it.
Here’s the benefit:
When you have reviewed your portraits with your client and you choose how many prints / albums / cut outs and coffee mugs you’re going to order, you can refer to the list of people they knew just have to have a special portrait for their own home. This list helps to make sure no one is forgotten and will help you build the best collection for them- and helps them to mentally go through their inventory of people to consider. I know that when I have gone to my ordering sessions as a client, I don’t think ahead enough to consider who I want to GIVE portraits to, I think about what I personally am going to do with them. The others are always an after thought (sorry if that’s selfish), it’s just how I function at events like these!
Here’s where to get it:
You can grab this canva template for just $5 right here:
