Running a photography business requires a lot more than simply taking a great picture. There are many aspects of business not related to taking a photo that determines your success. Part of any successful photographers’ business is planning seasonal photo shoots. Here are a few tips to help you better plan your upcoming sessions.
Major Holiday & Events Planning
There are only a few major holidays and events throughout the year that require long-term planning. For most photographers, these include Christmas, Easter/Spring, Homecoming, Prom and Graduation. While there are other holidays/events that could fall within this list, most practicing photographers use these events as primary focus areas. Maternity, newborn, weddings and family sessions are equally as important but can happen at any time throughout the year.
Planning for major holidays and events should begin no less than five to six months prior to the season. You’ll need plenty of time to scout locations and order backdrops. An important aspect to ordering backdrops is to have them in plenty of time to take promotional sessions for advertising purposes. You can’t wait until the last minute to get your new backdrop. Please do not use other photographers work as “inspiration images” for your work. Clients want to know what to expect from you before making an investment.
Smaller Holiday & Events Planning
Small holidays and events do not differ much from the larger and more popular holidays, other than just requiring less time to execute the shoots. Fewer people are looking for Thanksgiving family sessions than are looking for Christmas sessions. That means you, as a photographer, will have a little more time on your hands in order to get these sessions done, edited and shipped to your clients.
Order Quality Backdrops Well Ahead of Time
If you’re using a backdrop as part of your seasonal photo shoot, be sure to allow plenty of time to get your backdrops delivered. While companies like HSDBackdrops.com often have a quick turnaround, you’ll want to give them plenty of time to get your backdrops to you in enough time for the sample sessions we discussed previously.