St. Louis Photographer » A Journal by Holly McCaig

It’s my favorite subject to photograph. High School Seniors. I love their personalities, their style, their fearlessness. I just love being on the session, making them look great and getting to be a part of a memory they’ll have forever. This year, I put together a program to promote my senior portrait business, a model program if you will. No, they aren’t super models! They are more like role models. The best sales people for your photography business are your clients. They have the true testimony of your customer service, skills and abilities.

Sometimes, I can’t keep up. The amount of emails or messages I get regarding my business and my senior portrait business is overwhelming at times. I want to take time to answer every one of them, but that just isn’t possible. I have much business work to conduct to stay afloat (and not lose my sanity). I also don’t feel that I’m “the” expert in the industry. There are plenty out there. In fact, I have my own heroes I look up to. But, I do feel like sometimes we’re called to help others. Maybe it’s just to share what we’re doing, how successful we’re doing, or what things we would change from experiences of learning.

I decided that I’d give this a go. I want to help so many, and while I just can’t do that like I’d love to, this is the next best thing. It justifies some of my time and hopefully helps you too!

It’s an online workshop/mentorship if you will. For the past week or so, I’ve started putting together everything I know into podcast format and worksheets and templates. I still have some to finish up, but wanted to really get a jump on the game with anyone that would be interested. It’s a four-week program, in which you’ll receive podcasts and more from me for two weeks. Then, through the fourth week, you can ask me questions and advice about my senior portrait model program. Everything is conducted through a private group. You’ll have access to the group for up to six months, but I cannot gaurantee that I can advise after the month-long program. I may be perfecting the program for future photographers, or hopefully too busy taking pictures for my clients!

Right now, it consists of:

• A private group limited to just 10 photographers
• Four podcasts with video screencasts (yes, you get to listen to my voice but not have to look at me)
• Two future webcasts after the fact on a few things your questions might trigger
• Class in handout format
• Working forms
• Specialty templates just for seniors and your business

I want to make this great, so for this I’m offering it for $189. It will start on February 15th so you can register now.

Sorry, not available to St. Louis photographers. It’s not that I don’t want to share this information, it’s more just to keep my program original to my business in this region.

Simply complete the signup form and I’ll notify on this post and a new one when we’re full (if we’re full. HA HA)

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Here’s my “official” description of the program – let me know if you have any questions!

Plan a successful senior model program for your business and get yourself noticed in high schools around your area. This program is a four-part program presented in podcast format. Each podcast features slideshows of important points while Holly explains the process and steps you need to take. Each part comes with a PDF set of notes and resources so you can carefully plan at any time of the year.

Throughout the program, Holly will provide you with worksheets, templates and actions to help your senior model program be successful.

Part 1 Welcome & Introduction
Holly introduces herself and gives you a little background about her and her business. She explains the program and how it will be presented to you, as well as ways to communicate with her during your four weeks together.

Part 2 Program Development
This is the meat of the program! Holly takes you through a podcast complete with screens and discussion starting with putting it all down on paper. She’ll help you get started with completing a planning sheet that outlines your program, model rewards, financial information and more. You’ll also receive a template and action for one of the products Holly gives to her senior models. Print the included planning sheet as may times as you like!

Part 3 Marketing Calendar
Determining when and how to start your senior model program can be a challenge. Holly will share how you can start it, schedule misc. events and even marketing of mailers and mailing lists. You’ll receive some templates for marketing your program too!

Part 4 Your Senior Models
You have to take care of them! They are your sales people now! This is the part where you’ll get to receive a copy of Holly’s contract, see how she manages her sessions through Tave.com, how she promotes for senior portraits throughout the year, and how her seniors can be successful too. She’ll explain her method of advertising in the right places to target seniors.

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(image from mpixpro.com)

Gallery wraps are my absolute favorite items! They look timeless and never dated. Plus, they are always ready to hang! When clients come into the studio, they automatically fall in love with the ones on my walls. They are wrapped around a 1.5″ wooden stretcher frame and make an amazing gift for someone (or yourself).

You can take 15% off any 2009 session Gallery Wrap order – applies only to sessions that you’ve previously ordered from. You can save up to $189 on your purchase! Sale ends January 30th, 2010.

To take advantage of this, please contact me with the session you’d like to purchase from, and I’ll re-instate your gallery and give you a special coupon code.

If you don’t get our newsletter, be sure to subscribe!

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Last week, I emailed all my clients this offer, and realized that I forgot completely to post it here on the blog.

For all my clients, if you want to order a sheet of wallets (regularly priced at $25) I will donate that money you pay for them direct to the American Red Cross in the Effort for Relief Aid to Haiti. Or, you may donate direct to the American Red Cross and I will accept a copy of your donation receipt for the same offer. This is just till the end of this month though. So far, we’ve raised $100.

To preface my feelings about what is happening, it is completely breaking my heart, every single day. I have a hard time watching actual video footage because I just cannot fathom. I remember what 9/11 did to me and how I was so consumed with the news, how I felt fear at times with panic attacks about leaving my house, and how sad I was when I heard of the pain of loss so many were experiencing. How can you really compare tragedies? However, a third world country, that is poor and suffering as it is, to experience such a horrific incident. I just can’t help but hurt for them.

We must start thinking about human-kind and the value of life and how we can do our part. If you even just wait a few months to help, every little bit will aid the bigger picture. For years, the recovery efforts of Haiti will be trying and challenging. It will be emotional for so long and long after we’re gone.

For some pictures to encourage you to help, visit The Big Picture.

When I posted for the new year, the top goals I wanted to achieve in 2010, one was to establish some sort of real work schedule. I often can sit in my office, in front of the computer for hours on end. But, then I question myself as to how much am I really dedicating to work and how much am I wasting farting around with surfing, social media, and silly emails? I really have not been responsible about holding myself accountable. It’s the 3rd week of January and it’s time to consider making this a reality.

I thought that by posting some of these challenges I face, as a business owner, on my blog, that people struggling in the same capacity could maybe help or learn from my mistakes. I know that nothing ever has to be set in stone, and that I can change these things, but for me, I need to get some structure.

I’ve been in business since June of 2005. As a little background for those that don’t know…I started my LLC when I was still working full time. Over the years, I also sold products digitally to scrapbookers online as well as did custom design work for scrapbooking companies and other individuals. I no longer do these as of last year. I eventually went to work part time while trying to build my business and soon full time. If I can remember right, it was in 2007 that I broke free, completely on my own. I have also done everything in my power to start and run my business based on money I have and very little using credit cards. No loans at all. My process is slow and I actually feel really good that I could do this. I still sell digital products online through my website, PinkInkStudios.com but for professional photographers – and no custom design work.

Over these years, it’s been easy to just let things run as you have time set aside for them. Or, remember you have to do something and get right back out of bed to complete a task. I know that I can’t survive, or grow my business this way.

I know that I need to plan two days per week off on my schedule, every single week. NO work! None. This is probably the hardest part. In the past, I’ve always said I’m closed Sundays and Mondays. But, last night I was editing images and today I’m here on the computer catching up on emails, requests, paperwork, accounting, etc. I have to remind myself that everyone else gets at least two days off so I deserve this too. If you don’t, you burn out.

If I put it in motion that I AM off those days, I need to be better at sticking to it. I know that I’ll be more successful when I actually set up the office at my studio, and not in my home. Separating the two will be the best thing for me. I just don’t have that sort of control that some people have. It’s too easy to just go back into the office, sit down, and get lost in work, or whatever else.

The next step that I have to seriously consider is my work hours and the days we’re open for business. I’m a one-woman show right now with help from my mom and my assistant on a part time, as-needed basis. Reading up in popular industry magazines about how streamlining, choosing your shooting focus, etc. will help you to work smarter, not harder. You shouldn’t over-staff, you shouldn’t shoot every job that comes to you, and you should never negotiate prices. These are things that have taken me nearly five years to learn. I hope that in the coming weeks, I can really analyze what will work for me, try it and then adjust.

Wish me luck on this journey. It’s never easy, but I enjoy a good challenge for myself!

And, because I don’t like posts without images! Just a shot of one of Tammy Tutterow’s upcoming classes that we photographed last week!

Thank you to everyone that came out to the Open House this past Sunday. What a great crowd! I hope that I got to chat with all of you and didn’t miss anyone. The response was so good and everyone loves my new space just as much as I do! It such a huge amount of work, but so worth it. While I’m primarily an outdoor, natural light shooter, in this cold weather, you just need a place to be able to do some inside work – and our warehouse area is huge with really tall ceilings. PERFECT! Plus, the client lounge area is so “me” – I have to get in there and get some photos for you all.

Oh – and thanks to Amy Kant for the awesome WildTree. Message me for details on how to contact her and place an order if you loved it!

It was so busy and so much happening that the only photos that were taken were from our little mock photobooth setup that my mom ran for us. It kept the kids entertained and anyone that was brave enough to get silly with some of our props are featured in this little slideshow. If you would like your photo, just drop me an email at holly@hollymccaigdesigns.com and I’ll send it over!

And, we have some winners! I gave away five different prize packages at the event and everyone that attended was able to take a coupon for 50% off a regular priced session fee. See what you missed?

Our winners (these were numbered on each sheet and winner was drawn by my brother’s fiance that didn’t attend – to be fair).

Thank you again to everyone that came, signed up to win some things, took some fun pictures and just supported me during this endeavor! I can’t wait to see how 2010 goes for us with you as a part of it. THANK YOU!