I promise you there’s a point here.   While it might seem a little far fetched to link research for what at the time was an expensive instant camera to the buying habits of your customers, is it really that far out there?  A client is about to hire you to photograph their kids, their family or a wedding and you’re just going to offer them one 8×10?  Okay, that’s an extreme that nobody would do, but  I absolutely believe there are too many photographers not taking advantage of all the incredible products out there.

1) Albums:  There’s everything on the planet available, giving photographers the ability to virtually customize a client’s order.  In fact, I received the Albums Inc. catalog yesterday and it’s just about the same thickness of a phone book for any major US city.  If I was dealing with a client I could offer them anything and it’s all on line!   And, when you’re thinking about their album, think plural.  Everybody thinks multiple albums for weddings, but what about everything else you photograph?  Why would you only plant the seed for them to think about one album?  Doesn’t Grandma deserve one too?  Isn’t it the perfect holiday gift following a “Day in the Life” shoot of the kids?

2) Frames: Here’s one I’ve never understood, photographers who don’t take advantage of framing the print for the customer.  Everybody procrastinates and your clients are in the “everybody” category.  So, why wouldn’t you offer them a custom frame for that print they’re going to want of the family sitting?   And it’s not like you’ve got a hard time finding a supplier…again, they were right in the Albums Inc catalog!

3) BIG prints:  It’s another point I must be missing.  I realize that big prints aren’t for everybody.  In fact, I never liked them – that was until Helen Yancy gave me a gift of an over-sized watercolor print of my grandson and me (shown below).  And, it was matted and framed, ready to go on the wall the minute I got it home.

4) Canvas prints:  Again, like big prints, it’s not for every photograph or client, but it represents one more exciting element in the process of added value and enhancement to the consumer experience of working with you.  My buddy Joe Elario’s canvas print hangs over the fireplace in our living room.

5) Multiple prints:  It seems like an obvious choice, but if you don’t remind your customers of the various print sizes you have available they won’t figure it out themselves.  Make it easy for them with pre-selected packages.

6) Tech-stops:  I’ve heard some great stories about photographers finding ways to tie in a free iPod loaded with the wedding images, for example, to their clients.   It’s another product that can help make you different, but why stop there?  Digital picture frames are so affordable they’ve become “no-brainers”.  Sheila’s got a picture frame in our family room that runs non-stop with over 600 images selected at random of family, friends and vacations.

7)Slide shows:   Here’s another one, gaining popularity, but still too often missed.  We’re in a visual industry, so why wouldn’t you want to put together a little music with their images?   You’ve got some great companies out there like Photodex and Animoto to work with.   I love the fact that everyone is talking about “mixed media” when I’ve been doing it for years using Photodex technology.  And seriously, I should be a poster child for the technically challenged – if I can do it, anybody can!

 8) Novelty items:  From watches to mugs to mouse pads and calendars – while you might think they’re hokey, think about the impact of a surprise gift from you to a client you’ve loved working with.  How’s this for a scenario – you just shot a terrific engagement session and the couple loves their dog.   You’re working on building the relationship with them, both before the wedding and because we’re a word-of-mouth business and the bride has 8 bridesmaids ALL in their 20’s and all single!  Can you imagine the word of mouth advertising you’re going to create if you sent them something as simple as a watch with the pup’s face on it?  Or a coffee mug?   This isn’t about classic imaging, this is about being able to take something most people would think of as cheesy and make your clients laugh!

9) Websites and web pages:  Yes, I’m suggesting you really go high tech and utilize a template to give them their own custom page.  It’s minimal work and again, represents something you can offer to further enhance the experience.

I started this half an hour ago and just got carried away, but the reality is, everyone is always complaining about Uncle Harry!  One of the differences, in addition to Uncle Harry not being able to capture an image the way you can, is all of the things you can offer a client that Uncle Harry doesn’t even know about.  He’s got no vendor list, no relationship with a great album company, frame company or lab.  All Uncle Harry has in common with you is his wallet or credit card when he bought the same gear you did.

In the hierarchy of reasons why consumers hire photographers it goes Brides, Babies and Pets – in that order.  There’s no faster way to shut Uncle Harry down than to put together a complete imaging experience for every client.   If we’ve learned nothing else from McDonalds, we’ve got to ask every customer, “You want fries with that?”