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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I’m back in my hotel room. It’s 1:30 a.m. and I have to drive home tomorrow. A little tired, but not yet sleepy for some reason. Trying to wind down. So, I downloaded my images from today. We shot a few things and I LOVE that we were hands-on with this workshop. Before I give a full-on review, I figured, I would show you a couple images that are completely straight out of the camera. Don’t you love? Lighting is my new friend. No editing TOTALLY rocks my world.

Talk to you all when I get back to St. Louis!

Ahhh, home sweet home. It’s always nice to get off the plane, get your luggage and come home to wagging butts of my doggies. I was away for a week. I loved every minute of my trip this time. It’s never enough either. When I leave, Audra and I always say, it’s just not enough time! This time though, I really suffered from my allergies and the dust that was blowing around a lot in the Phoenix area. It’s actually nice to get back to the humidity and rain for a little relief.

One of the purposes of my trip was the MJ2Day workshop for photographers hosted by Melissa Jill. She’s one of the most sought after wedding photographers in her area and was a wealth of information that will be invaluable to me for years to come. I came away with so much inspiration. It will totally set me apart from what other photographers are doing and I cannot wait to implement the ideas and my own revelations.

Read Melissa’s post today!

The first day together, Melissa hosted a mock engagement session. Seeing how she interacts with her couples is amazing. It flows so well and I love this shot of the couple. I didn’t shoot much because I really wanted to watch what she was doing.

Here’s some of the photographers that attended, getting in on the action!

I can’t say enough about these people that attended. I know that I was rewarded with an amazing group of friends that I’ll have for a long time. People that had the same thoughts and concerns about business, as I did. People that want the same things I want in my business. It’s a gift. On the last day, we all went to Gilbert to get headshots from Melissa and to photograph each other. I didn’t have enough time to get to everyone. We were having so much fun! Here’s a few!

This is the talented, Amanda Pair! She’s adorable. Got to see her at the airport this morning as I was waiting at the skycab!

This is the sweet, Anna Swarin – from CT! Love this chick and how she wanted to twirl for me…like I have my seniors do!

Robin first had me play with “the ball” but then we had her splash the water towards us! SO CUTE huh? Love this! And, Robin Watson below!

Bruce came all the way from Canada and was the only dude. But, his adorable wife came and joined us for dinner one night. They are so cute! Go Bruce Clarke!

Dallas was full of good info and very photogenic!

Jessica is the most excellent cook that fixed our dinner the second night. And, talk about a FUNNY lady! I truly enjoyed her!

Lucy was one of the carpool buddies with my group. I had fun talking to her about our thoughts about the workshop on the drives.

What can I say about Kelly? SO cute! She got in the fountain for us! She’s in Atlanta, and I sure hope to get to see her again since I will be down that way in a few weeks.

I didn’t get any of Denise, Janna, Courtney – I could have spent hours with these guys! I can’t say enough about how important it is to continue to educate yourself. Budget for the really rewarding workshops – you owe it to your business!

Now, back to the grind of work tomorrow!

On Wednesday, I head back out to Phoenix for a week. Gosh, how I love that city. I love the desert. I love that you can go a little ways north to Prescott and see such a change in terrain, and a little further up to Sedona then Flagstaff. How can one state have that amazing changes in weather and landscape? It’s breathtaking. There is nothing like it.

I’m lucky, I finally get to meet the newborn, Reagan. My friends, Audra and Jeff had her just a few weeks ago. I am beyond thrilled. When I was there last, I found out that Audra was pregnant. So exciting. Then, I’m also attending this:

Audra turned me on to Melissa’s blog last year and I started following it religiously. Her posts about the business and techniques has helped me a lot. When I saw that she was going to host her second workshop, I debated for days. I mean, that’s a lot of money. I finally just ripped off the bandaid, knowing I was going to learn something very valuable about the wedding industry and how Melissa runs her business. She’s so successful. I’ve heard of other top photographer workshops not being all they were cracked up to be. But, when you hear about Melissa’s, you know you’re getting what you pay for and so much more. Education is important, but expensive. I’m at the point in my career where I don’t need more fancy equipment. I need to grow my business and improve on what I’m already doing. It should be quite rewarding. Visit Melissa’s blog and learn a few things. (photo credit above to Melissa Jill).

This summer included so much travel, and I had purchased my workshops for this fall back then. I am having to turn away business or postpone those that aren’t urgent until I am back home again for some time. I’m certainly going to have to start opening up more shooting days and am happy to say I have a another assistant that I use now too. If you’re a local person that is very flexible with your time and schedule, and want to make a little extra money, contact me about being one of my assistants for shoots. I’d prefer people with a strong desire to learn the business and can be flexible with reschedules and earlier afternoon shoots during the winter. Preferably someone in school that is looking for an internship and doesn’t have a lot of other commitments that would hinder the need for flexibility. Email me if interested!