Pay It Forward | iPad Consults for Senior Portrait Photographers

After a brief hiatus at the studio, I had taken my TV home that I used to use for my presentations and order sessions. Focusing solely on the high school senior portrait market now, I knew that I’d pick back up again this fall. And, I have. I am grateful. But, my TV wasn’t up at the studio, and my new thing is doing consults with the client after they book me.

I feel like this addition to my senior portrait work has really benefited me this season. I can’t wait to improve on it and make it that much better in the future. We talk about their interests, clothing options and locations for their shoot. It not only hashes out the details together, but let’s my client be part of the planning process. I have them bring in lots of clothes, clippings from magazines and whatever else they have ideas about. Now, the client has met me before the shoot. And, any butterflies are minimized when it’s time to start taking pictures. They see who I am, what I’m like, and that I’m just a goofy, nerdy lady. I admit it.

Because the TV wasn’t up at the studio, doing any type of presentation needed to be remedied. Insert iPad!

I have the iPad original from when it was released from Apple. I use it to check email, play games, and Facebook. The beauty of the iPad was that I could use KeyNote – an Apple based software that is similar to PowerPoint. Because I’m all Apple, I use the iWork software in lieu of Microsoft Office.

You can create your presentation directly on the iPad – as I did one evening, or be a bit speedier and do it on the computer and just send it to your iPad. The iWork software is available for purchase for the iPad as well and I highly recommend it if you commute or meet up with clients at coffee shops or in their homes. It’s lighter weight and easier to manage than my laptop. Plus, my clients think it’s cool that I have an iPad. Duh!

Before putting together a presentation for a consult, create an outline of what you want it to include. It will make it easier to have this together first. For me, I wanted to include:

1. Get to Know You Questionnaire – we go through about 8 questions and it helps me know who they are. Don’t just ask them random questions. You need to develop questions that will benefit you. Like, tell me what images here in the studio (or on your website) are you drawn to. This will take some time but relevant questions and not “who is your favorite singer” will make all the difference.
2. Locations – I talk about the types of locations and together we figure out which they are drawn to. Most clients “think” they know where they want to go, but let’s face it. Some locations are best during the week, some best on weekends, some evening, some not during certain celebrations in that town. You have to really be careful in choosing locations to make it fit them.
3. Clothing Choices – Here is where I take screenshots from my Polyvore.com creations and input types of outfits. I pick four specifically different types of looks that they should achieve. I take the time to go through each and explain how they could modify to their style.
4. Reminders – all the little things they need to remember like, wear the right bra with that tank top!
5. The Day – we talk about how the day will go and what I expect of them and what they should expect of me.
6. Questions? Here I let them ask me questions.

There is a lot more detail to this and I’m happy to go over each of these more specifically to anyone interested in mentoring with me. I can’t give away all my secrets!

The beauty of the iPad is that I have images in there from my portfolio in the presentation, along with clothing screenshots and more. It’s specifically catered to the high school senior and helps me go into the consult more prepared. The senior leaves feeling more confident and understanding of how things work when I photograph them.

It’s an upgrade that only a boutique photographer can really give to their client. It’s a selling point and helps you build that relationship. Sure hope this helps you!