In Person Sales V.S Full All Inclusive
In Person Sale or “IPS” focuses on a sales approach method. Typically, the client will be asked to pay a small session fee and then come back for an in person photo reveal and sales session. The benefit of this option is that you will leave getting prints and other products of your photos. In person sales focuses more on a personalized client experience. Many photographers that use this method do not allow you to print through anyone but them. Although you will likely spend more in this option, leaving with print and product to truly achieve your memories and experience.
Full/ All Inclusive photo sessions generally have you pick a package up front. There is not usually an in person sales or reveal session but the photographer might offer products that are available after your session. Many photographers that use this method deliver your photos digitally and also give you print release. This will give you the ability to print your photos where ever you choose. The downside of a package that many clients will not print their photos leaving them forever on your computer lost in a file.
- Kimberly Burleson Photography takes a All Inclusive approach. Personally, I like to give my clients the option of being able to print through whoever and where ever they choose. We do offer prints, canvases and albums to our clients if they would like a products through a professional lab.
Style
When you are hiring a photographer, ask them how they would describe and not describe their work. Take a look at the social media pages and online portfolios. Photographers are artists. Just as you would not ask Picasso to paint a piece like Rembrandt, don’t expect your photographer to completely change their artistic style to your request. For studio photography work, look at the colors the photographer uses often. Do they use light and bright colors? Or, do they use moody and darker colors a lot. Pay attention to the lighting as well. Some prefer more dramatic shadows on faces than others.
- Kimberly would describe her style as classic, shadowy, richer colors, darker colors, traditional and dramatic. Pastel and bright colors are not colors I gravitate to often.
Experience
For many events and specialized sessions (Newborn, Wedding, Event) you need to do a bit of research on the photographer. Putting a new photographer in a high stress situation like a large event or wedding may not be the best choice when it come to quality. If you have a photographer that is charging $50 and they will give you all the photos, they are likely not a legitimate business, are very new to photography, or worse going to show up with subpar equipment.
Take a look at the photographers reviews, website, and social media pages. Red flags on experience may be showing the same images over and over, sharing images from the same session for weeks, no reviews, no following and no contract.
- Kimberly Burleson Photographer specializes in newborn baby sessions. We have captured over 2,500 babies over the years. Our professional studio fully equip with lighting, props, and camera equipment. We have been in business for over 8 years and went through years of photography training before hand.
Print Release
Ask your photographer if they give print release. This will allow you to print photos on your own and not through them. Photographers that say no are committed to delivering premium photography products through professional labs. Forcing you to use them gives the photographer peace of mind that you wont be printing your photos through sub par labs that has sacrificed quality for lower price. Photographers that say yes are committed to giving their clients more options in the future to print their photos.
- Kimberly Burleson Photography gives print release with their packages. We do have a professional lab that we work with and encourage our clients to use their services but we do not require it. We feel that we want to make sure our clients can print their photos if anything were to happen to our photographers or business.
Personality
How to pick your photographer? Talk to your photographer! Trust your instincts. These key points above can help you make the best decision for your family and event. Ask questions, hear what they have to say. Read into how educated they sound on the subject. Are they clear on their packages, do they seem to know how to respond to your questions, and do they have a process for booking.
- As a photographer myself, I am very clear about my packages and have a booking and session process so that I may deliver consistent products to my clients.
