School photographers have a very particular customer base in comparison to other photographers. They need to simultaneously appeal to parents, schools, and even the kids themselves. This offers a huge range of potential creative ideas to employ to best engage with this diverse audience.

The key to success is to demonstrate why your school portraits are worth paying top dollar for. There are so many different means available to do so, and finding the ones that work for you is key to managing the marketing side of your business. Experimenting and being creative with your strategies is not only fun, but allows you to test out new and dynamic ideas on the fly.

Worry not though, because we have compiled nine tips that are sure to help make your photography business stand out, gaining you the recognition that every school photographer seeks. You can also read even more GotPhoto tips for school photographers in our free school photography guide.

1. Launch a Referral Program

Hopefully, your photos already have people talking about your business, but even then, it doesn’t hurt to have a little boost. That’s where initiating a referral program factors in. Incentivising customers to recommend friends and family to buy portraits from you is mutually beneficial. It earns you new business and allows customers to provide meaningful suggestions to people who will trust their opinion.

There are numerous ways that you can go about launching a referral program. For instance, a discount can be provided on a per-session or a per-print basis. Just be mindful to only give referral bonuses to customers who successfully gain you a new client. Put simply, do not provide any discounts until the referral books and pays for a product. Pricing can be complicated for school photographers, so make sure to do yourself justice.

2. Interact With Your Network

Working within such a community-based industry as school photography means that you will constantly be meeting like-minded people. Make the most of this. If you meet someone from a school you’re not working with, be sure to make a good impression.

With a finite pool to work from, ingratiating yourself with those around you is vital to helping your photography business grow. Schools also often prefer to work with photographers they know, so networking is the best way to get your foot in the door.

3. Give Thank You Cards or Small Gifts

Along the same lines as thanking your customers for referrals, it can also be beneficial to thank your customers for their business. Showing your appreciation can take many forms, such as providing “thank you” cards after each photo day. These can either be standard cards, or you can enclose a personalised, handwritten note for each school.

Depending on the size of the school, providing the kids with small gifts could also entice orders. This could be something as simple as a pocket-sized photo from your portfolio. It also gets your images and branding into the hands of the parents. Emailing low-resolution or watermarked versions of some of your favourite photos from a shoot could also prove effective.

Families will delight in receiving free downloads, and will likely share the photos along with your business’ name across Facebook and Instagram. These marketing pictures will provide an excellent boost for your brand and business.

4. Get Featured

An easy way to reach a new audience is through advertising to an already established one. Many online blogs, local publications, and social media pages feature photographers. This occurs mainly through interviews or recurrent series such as “photo of the week” posts. School and preschool photography is a great example of a dedicated community that can offer helpful advice or simply a space to get your name out.

Reach out to these content publishers and see if they have an interest in you or your photography business. Receiving promotion via these channels will not only legitimise your business to current customers, but it is one of the many ways to promote your photography business and work to potential clients.

Another worthwhile medium to solicit is your local newspaper, especially as schools are such community-orientated spaces. Reach out and see if they would be willing to feature you to highlight local businesses. If they have an opinion section, submit relevant articles on behalf of your brand. It’s all about targeting as many avenues as possible!

5. Give Back

Another easy way to generate conversation about you and your business is to consider taking some photos for free. Providing photography services to community organisations will give you a new means of contact with potential clients, in addition to gaining you some sweet karma for being charitable.

Even if you typically do not engage in event photography, covering an organisational event for free is a quick way to build relationships and spread your business’ name through word of mouth advertising (more on that later). Find a cause that might appeal to schools and families to further awareness of your brand in relevant circles.

If you aren’t looking to photograph events, perhaps there is an education or child-related non-profit organisation that needs new headshots. In either case, you can include your watermark on the images you take or ask for a shout-out on any web pages where the photos appear. Even if the people who you photograph never end up using your services, they may pass along your name to their contacts who are seeking a photographer.

To approach these opportunities and form meaningful partnerships, use the organisation’s publicly available contact information and present your pitch. State that you are a local photographer who wants to donate their time and services to a worthy cause. Emphasise how you identify with the work the organisation commits to, and how donating your photography efforts is your way of giving them a helping hand. They will more than likely welcome your skills! From there, decide upon the venue, show up, and start shooting!

6. Utilise Word of Mouth Advertising

Give people something to talk about, specifically, your photography. Word of mouth advertising is the crème de la crème of marketing techniques. Most people trust the opinions of their friends and family members more than any photography advertising or promotional photography campaign that they see.

As such, you should focus on giving your clients a good reason to talk about your business with their peers. One way to do this is to launch a referral program. But, there are also additional methods to get your business’ name on everyone’s lips. Marketing photography has never been easier!

A classic approach is to under-promise and over-deliver with your service. For instance, tell clients that it will take a week to deliver their photos to them, and instead have their images ready within a couple of days. As we already mentioned, you can provide clients with gifts or thank you cards after the photo shoot, thereby enforcing the notion that you truly appreciate their business.

An easy way to make a long photo session more enjoyable for clients, especially kids, is to provide some snacks or refreshments throughout it. Making a pitcher of cucumber water or bringing out some fresh-cut fruit is a simple gesture that will make a great impression and get clients talking.

Using the method of under-promising and over-delivering, your customers will be more than happy to promote your business to their friends, without the need for you to prompt them. If you have a Facebook page, direct clients to it and prepare for them to leave rave reviews following the photo shoot.

7. Engage in Local Marketing

A frequent mistake from school photographers is relying strictly on online marketing to promote their business. The assumption that everyone looking for photography services will seek information online leads to potential customers, particularly old-fashioned ones, being neglected. This means missing out on sales from such clients, as well as any referrals or word-of-mouth advertising they might generate. You should therefore not dismiss local marketing as a valid form of generating business.

Marketing in your locale is a relatively cheap way to promote your business to clients who will most likely use it. Even the best school photographers find difficulty in attracting far-away schools. Thus, local marketing helps ensure that your clients are readily available to access your services. Some ways to gain exposure locally include advertising at popular events, such as community fairs or sport games for kids. Additionally, photographers have found success in joining photography associations or related clubs to promote their services.

A bolder approach involves handing out leaflets or business cards wherever possible (such as around a town hall or taking them directly to school offices). Additionally, many photographers seek to engage in cross-promotion with local businesses. This includes photographers putting up posters in popular cafés or hair salons, and in return advertising such partnerships on their website.

8. Use Your Time Wisely Throughout The Year

There is only a finite amount of opportunities to photograph clients throughout the year. For instance, if you’re working with a school, your photography business naturally aligns with the seasonality of the school year. This does not mean that your photography business needs to be a seasonal endeavour though. There are numerous opportunities for photographers to gain new business during the off-season, which will actually strengthen their regular photography sales.

Use off-season times of the year to work on your brand and business reach. For the tips we’ve mentioned above that require some time investment, be sure to make the most of the months with fewer shoots. You’ll thank yourself in the long run. Doing the legwork early will benefit you with more jobs later in the year when you’re in full photography mode.

9. Engage in Regular Self-Promotion

The key component to implementing any of the tips on this list is to simply take action and show commitment. Make promoting your business a habit and incorporate little pieces here and there at times that suit you. You can craft a to-do list for the week or month ahead, or simply improvise what you are going to do each day. The ball is in your court.

In any case, approach each week with the mentality that you will assist your business by doing just one thing. This can be as small as joining a Facebook group and promoting the services you offer or as radical as launching a referral program.

No matter the scale of your action, after a few weeks you should begin seeing the benefits of your work. Rest assured that once daily promotion becomes a habit, marketing your business will seem more like a routine than a chore.

To enhance the marketing of your school photography business, it is not essential to incorporate every suggestion on this list. At the end of the day, it’s your business and and strategy you implement should work for you. Take our ideas here as a springboard to breathe fresh life into how you communicate with your clients.

Regardless of the method you pursue, implementing even one new marketing tactic will position you and your business to get the recognition that you deserve. It is all about continuous improvement, and at GotPhoto, we engage in it every day.

What has proven successful for your school photography business? Share your own experiences with us and our community in the comments on our related Facebook post about marketing tips for photographers.

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Looking to simplify your photography business and boost your sales? GotPhoto makes managing your photo orders a breeze, streamlines your workflow, and helps you spend more time doing what you love—taking photos. With an easy-to-use platform and tools designed to maximize your profits, GotPhoto is the ultimate solution for growing your business.

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Dance photography can feel challenging at first, especially if you are unsure of which poses and angles photograph well. Thankfully, there are plenty of useful tips and tricks that can make it easier to take professional and artistic pictures of dancers. With our guide’s help, you will better understand the variety of dance poses, from single to advanced, that can make capturing stunning pictures a breeze. 

Make Sure You Are Comfortable With the Basic Dance Poses

Mastering the most simple and easy dance poses for pictures is the foundation of great dance photography. Just because these poses are classic and simple, it does not make them any less versatile. Therefore, they are ideal for dancers of all levels, from beginners to pros, from ballet to hip-hop dance.

2. The Arabesque

Another ideal dance pose for pictures is the arabesque. The arabesque is also a ballet staple, best known for showcasing the dancer’s balance and strength. In this pose, the dancer extends one leg straight behind them while standing firmly on the other. Their arms should be extended to create a long and graceful line.

You should aim to shoot this pose from the side to capture the full beauty of the arabesque. This angle will help highlight the length of the leg extension as well as the alignment of the arms. By capturing the pose from this angle, you will create a striking visual effect.

3. Jazz Hands With a Wide Stance

If you are looking for an energetic pose, this jazz staple is an ideal choice. The pose combines strong, wide-legged stances with expressive hands. It is a fun, dynamic pose that brings a sense of energy and attitude to the dancer as well as the picture.

To capture this dance pose in a picture, shoot it from a low angle to make the dancer appear more powerful and commanding. Try to focus on the sharpness of the hand position as much as possible and the stability of the wide stance. This pose works especially well with bold, vibrant lighting to match the dancer’s energy.

Try Your Hands on Contemporary Dancing Poses for Extra Elegance

Contemporary dance is known for its fluidity, expression, and creative freedom. This makes many contemporary poses great for pictures. But to capture these poses correctly, you need to focus on dynamic movement and striking poses. When done correctly, however, you end up with some truly breathtaking pictures.

1. The Side Leap

The side leap is a powerful dance pose for pictures because it perfectly captures the fluidity and energy of contemporary dance. The dancer needs to propel themselves into the air, creating a stunning horizontal line with their body. Try to experiment with different positions of the arms and legs to create a pose that highlights the dancer’s strengths. 

To capture this pose, you need to use a high shutter speed to freeze the dancer’s movements mid-slide. This ensures that the leap looks crisp and sharp. Try to position yourself at an angle that emphasizes the height and extension of the leap. For this pose, timing is crucial, so anticipate the moment and don’t be afraid to reshoot as needed.

2. The Floorwork Pose

Floorwork is a hallmark of contemporary dance, focusing on movements closer to or on the ground. This grounded pose often highlights the dancer’s strength, flexibility, and connection to the floor. When done correctly, photographing a dancer in this pose can add a dramatic and emotional element to the image. Experiment with different poses on the floor to capture the unique beauty of the dancer.

Try to capture this pose from a low angle to enhance the sense of depth and drama. As the dancer is closer to the ground, shooting it from a higher angle might make them look smaller. Pay attention to the dancer’s lines and how their body interacts with the floor. The contrast between the dancer and the ground can create a stunning visual effect – especially when combined with dramatic lighting.

3. The Lunge With a Reach

This pose is a versatile contemporary dance pose that showcases the dancer’s lines, balance, and extension. The dancer will extend one leg forward or to the side in a deep lunge while reaching forward, upward, or even down to create a strong and elegant silhouette.

Make sure to position the dancer in a space with a clean, minimalist background to keep the focus on their lines and reach. Aim to capture the dance pose from a slightly lower angle when you’re taking pictures as this will emphasize the extension and create a sense of expansiveness.

Add Actions and Movements to Your Photography

Action shots in dance photography are all about freezing the dynamic movement at the exact right moment. And this is harder said than done. Not only do you need to catch the movement at the right angle and timing, but you also need to pay attention to the dancer’s body and facial expression. But when done right, an action shot can convey emotion and energy in a whole new way. Mastering these types of shots allows you, as a photographer, to showcase the power and grace of a dancer in motion.

1. The Grand Jeté Pose

The grand jeté is a quintessential dance leap that every dance photographer should aim to master. In this pose, the dancer propels themselves into the air with both legs extended in opposite directions, creating a breathtaking display of strength and flexibility. 

To capture the perfect shot of the grand jeté, you need to anticipate the peak of the jump. Use continuous shooting mode to increase your chances of getting the ideal shot without having the dancer repeat the movement over and over again. Focus on the dancer’s form to ensure both legs are fully extended, and arms are aligned to enhance the visual impact of the final photo.

2. The Pirouette

The pirouette is a classic spinning pose that requires both the dancer and you, as the photographer, to have precise timing and focus. The dancer will spin on one leg while keeping the other in various positions. This creates a beautiful circular motion that is great for pictures.

To get a beautiful picture of this dance pose, use a fast shutter speed to freeze the motion while maintaining sharpness. Try to keep the dancer’s head centred in the frame to highlight the spin while focusing on the fluidity of the movement.

3. The Attitude Turn

The attitude turn is a dynamic spin where the dancer lifts one leg, bent at the knee while rotating. This pose can add flair and drama to your photos, making it a fantastic action shot for any dance style. 

When trying to capture the full effect of the attitude turn, try shooting from multiple angles. Remember to always focus on the dancer’s form and expression. Play around with different shutter speeds to capture sharp stills and a slight motion blur, depending on your desired effect.

Unique and Creative Dance Poses for the Professional Dancer

If you are looking to capture a truly memorable, unique, and creative picture, dance poses are a great way to start. And to make it extraordinary, especially for professional dancers, you should aim to challenge not only yourself but the dancer as well. And this is where creative dance poses for pictures come into play.

2. The Fan Kick-Pose

The fan kick is a high-energy pose often seen in contemporary and jazz dance. The dancer swings one leg high in a circular motion, creating a sweeping arc that is powerful and elegant.

Shoot the fan kick from the side to highlight the height, form and motion of the leg. This angle will also allow you to showcase the extension and flow of the movement. You might also consider using burst mode to ensure you catch the peak moment of the kick.

Upgrade Your Dance Photoshoot Poses with Our Help

Photographing dancers is highly dependent on the general dance style and personal style of the dancer. Therefore, it can be a challenge to get the ideal dance pose. But with our help, you will have a great selection of poses for dance pictures to help you get that amazing shot.

When shooting dance photography poses, remember to experiment with different positions of the arms and legs. This can help you create a unique pose best suited for the dancer. And in the end, that is usually the best way to get the ideal shot.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these dance photography tips. Let GotPhoto help you take your dance photography business to the next level today – sign up for a free trial!

When it comes to capturing the spirit and camaraderie of a sports team, having the right group poses and composition can make all the difference. In this blog post, we’ll share some creative ideas and tips for capturing harmonious sports team poses in your photography sessions. Whether you’re photographing a youth football team or a high school basketball squad, GotPhoto has got you covered with inspiration and advice to help you create standout team photos as well as headshots of each team member.

How to Get the Best Sports Team Photos 

Getting the best sports team photos can be a tricky task, especially when trying to capture a large group of athletes all at once. For that reason, it can be helpful to follow a few simple steps as your own guidelines to either learn or improve your work as a sports photographer:

Be Organised and Plan Ahead

Being organised and planning ahead are key components to achieving great results in sports photography. By taking the time to plan out your shots and anticipate any potential challenges, you can ensure that you capture the best possible photos of the team. 

Whether it’s scouting out the best vantage points, familiarising yourself with the teams and players, or ensuring you have all the necessary equipment ready to go, being organised will help you to be prepared for any situation that may arise. So, take the time to plan ahead and set yourself up for success in capturing those unforgettable sports moments. 

Place the Teams in Rows

When it comes to sports team photography, one of the main challenges is fitting all the players into one frame. To overcome this challenge, it is important to strategically place the team members in rows. Depending on the size of the team, you can determine how many rows are needed and how many players should be in each row. 

By adjusting the length of the rows and alternating the number of players in each row, you can create a harmonious photo that fits within the traditional aspect ratio. This method allows for all team members to be included in the photo while maintaining a visually appealing composition. 

Make Sure There Are Levels 

Ensuring that there are levels in group photos is essential to creating a visually appealing and organised composition. By thinking in levels, you can make sure that everyone is visible and no faces are blocked by others. This is especially important when working with larger teams, as it can be challenging to fit everyone in while still maintaining a cohesive look. 

By alternating heights and positions, such as lying down, sitting, kneeling, and standing, you can create a dynamic and balanced group photo. For larger teams, utilising bleachers or a ladder can help accommodate everyone while still keeping everyone’s faces visible. 

Begin with the First Row and Work From There

When it comes to organising group shots, it may seem like a simple first step, but starting with the first row is a wise choice. By beginning with the first row, you can easily see where gaps need to be filled and how to position the people in the next row to create a unified composition. 

This method allows you to build the photo layer by layer, ensuring that each row complements the one in front of it. By starting at the beginning and working your way through each row, you can create a visually pleasing and well-organised group photo. 

Create Symmetry 

To create symmetry in a photograph, you can ask all team members to use the same pose. This might include facing left, facing the middle, or sitting in the same position with their knees or feet. By ensuring that everyone is in sync with their posture and positioning, a sense of balance and harmony can be achieved in the group shot. 

Whether it’s having everyone face the same direction or mirroring poses on opposite sides of the group, creating symmetry adds a visually pleasing element to the composition of the photograph. This attention to detail can make a big difference in the overall aesthetics of the image, resulting in a more polished and professional look. 

The key to success is planning and organisation, and you might benefit from communicating with the team beforehand to coordinate outfits, locations, and more.

Use the Surroundings for Sports Photography 

When it comes to sports photography, utilising the surroundings can greatly enhance the overall look of the photo. By placing the team in their natural environment, such as the locker room, on the bleachers, or on the field, you can capture the essence of the sport. 

For instance, if you photograph a football team, positioning the players on the field with green grass and goals in the background can create a dynamic and visually appealing image. The surroundings can help tell the team’s story and add depth to the photo, making it more engaging for viewers. Don’t forget to consider how the surroundings can enhance your photography. 

Use Extraction, Graphical Elements, and Composites

When capturing youth team sports photos, the use of extraction and composites can elevate the visual storytelling of each image. Extraction involves isolating players from their background, allowing for a clean, focused representation of each athlete. This technique is particularly effective in sports photography, where the action can be chaotic. By isolating subjects, photographers can create dynamic images that showcase individual talent while also allowing for unique compositional elements.

Composites can further enhance these images, combining various shots into a cohesive design that narrates the story of the game or season. This approach not only highlights the players but also integrates elements like team logos or memorable moments, making the final product a cherished keepsake for families.

Graphical design plays a pivotal role in the presentation of team photos. By incorporating design elements such as team colours, fonts, and layouts, photographers can create a polished, professional look that resonates with both players and parents. Customisable graphics can be layered onto photos to commemorate achievements, such as championships or personal milestones, adding emotional depth to the images.

Furthermore, using graphical design to create collages or posters allows for a creative expression that reflects the spirit of the team, fostering a sense of pride and unity among the players. At GotPhoto, we believe that combining these techniques not only enhances the visual appeal of sports photography but also celebrates the collective journey of youth athletes in a way that is both memorable and impactful.

Individual Headshots Versus Team Pictures 

When it comes to individual headshots versus a team photoshoot, there are different considerations to take into account. Individual headshots are essential for showcasing each team member’s unique personality and style. These headshots can be used for a variety of purposes, such as yearbooks, websites, or promotional materials. 

While a sports team picture is important for showing unity and cohesion within the group, focusing on each person individually allows the photographer to capture each team member’s best angles and expressions, allowing their personality to shine through. Individual headshots highlight each person’s individuality, and team pictures emphasise the collective strength and teamwork of the group. Both types of sports photos serve their own purpose and are valuable in their own right.

Get More Inspiration for Specific Sports 

At GotPhoto, we offer a wealth of inspiration for photographing a variety of sports, including: 

• Dancing
• Softball
• Football
• Cheerleading
• Gymnastics

Whether you’re looking to capture the grace of a dancer, the intensity of a softball game, the teamwork of a football match, the spirit of cheerleading, or the strength of gymnasts, our platform provides tips, ideas, and examples to help you elevate your sports photography skills. From action shots to candid moments, we have everything you need to capture the essence of each sport and create stunning images that truly showcase the athletes’ talents and passion. 

Introduction

Navigating the world of nursery and school photography pricing can be daunting, especially for those new to volume photography. Whether you’re an established professional photographer or venturing into school and nursery photo packages for the first time, understanding how much to charge is crucial. This guide will help you set competitive and fair prices, ensuring that you cover your costs while meeting market expectations.

Understanding Pricing Factors

Before jumping into specific numbers, it’s essential to understand the various elements that influence school and nursery photography prices:

• Experience and Skill Level: Seasoned photographers generally charge more due to their expertise and reputation.
• Geographical Location: Prices can vary significantly based on the location of the nursery or school.
• Package Inclusions: The number of photos, types of prints, and digital options all affect pricing.
• Market Demand: High demand in your area might allow you to charge more.
• Operational Costs: Equipment, travel, insurance, and other overheads should be considered.

Price Categories

As with everything in life, there are a multitude of different options in pricing for nursery and school photography according to the situation. We’ve broken down the three most important categories for you here.

Photo Sales

This method is highly dependent on making sales. On photo day, you head to the school or nursery and take all your photos, without getting paid in advance for your travel or equipment, for example. Getting revenue from sales afterwards is at your own risk.

Fixed Price

With fixed price sales, you are paid a confirmed fee for your labour. This could be anything, from three hours at a corporate event or half a day at a wedding. Family photoshoots or portrait sessions in the studio are also often settled according to these principles.

Invoice and Photo Sales

Lastly, there is a mixture of the two. In this case you would be paid a small amount in advance to cover your travel and other potential expenses. In addition to that, you can make further profit after the session by selling more pictures.

Prom is a prime example of using this combination. Variations are often used for weddings and studio photography to win over new customers. You need to be careful in these cases that customers do not book a large package in advance, as it could put them off any further sales.

The Five Principles of Photography Pricing

Once you’ve decided on a price category for school or nursery photography, the most important part of the process now begins. Although the appeal and value of your work is of course down to individual taste, you should ask yourself these five questions when setting prices:

1) What Are My Aims?

What do I want to achieve with my product pricing? Maybe you are just beginning your career as a school and nursery photographer and need to establish yourself. In this case, you need prices to help you break even.

Or maybe you have your sights set on so-called ‘competitive pricing’ to set yourself above the rest or gain new customers quickly. You should be careful in this, however; your competitive prices shouldn’t last for a long period of time.

2) Is There Strong Demand for My Pictures?

It’s only logical – to sell profitable photos, there must be a general interest in your services. When you’re focusing on a specific photography niche, you must first always check that your products are actually needed. Perhaps you have actually uncovered a crucial gap in the market and can even raise your prices!

As a rule, school and nursery photography is often in demand. But this can of course depend on regional differences as well. When there are already many photographers working in your area, you should at first keep your prices low to establish yourself.

To make sure your brand is unique and valuable to the market, developing your own personal style is vital. Check out some of our top tips for establishing your own photography style.

3) How High Are My Costs?

The lower boundary for your prices is always decided by the hidden costs. Otherwise, no school or nursery photography business can survive for long. You must not only pay attention to fixed costs, but also variable ones.

Fixed costs could include the rent for your studio and office, equipment, insurance and retirement plans. Taxes are naturally also a big expense to consider. With a few tips and tricks, self-employed photographers can save themselves some money already. Small Business Taxes for Dummies takes a light-hearted and clear look at taxes and offers some handy tips specialised for small businesses.

Variable costs include, as the name might suggest, all costs that can vary from time to time. For example, in nursery and school photography, travel costs are a common variable cost. In addition, compensation for your labour, such as during preparation, shooting, and post-production, can also come under this heading.

4) What Do My Fellow Photographers Earn?

Before you decide on your prices, it is always a good idea to take a look at what else is going on in school and nursery photography. Get an impression of the offers of your competition. A bit of easy internet and social media research can be extremely helpful. You can also find more information at industry-specific trade fairs, like SPAC, SYNC, or TPS. Sometimes you can even find out a lot about competitors just from speaking to your own customers.

5) How Do I Calculate My Prices?

Only after the general factors have been considered can you calculate the exact price. Here are three different techniques to help you out:

• Cost orientation: The easiest approach. The previously calculated costs are simply added to industry-standard mockups. However, there isn’t much room for the perspective of the customer here. This can mean that prices don’t quite match expectations or demand.
• Competitor orientation: With this method, you use the prices of fellow nursery and school photographers as a yardstick. Prices can be set either the same, higher, or lower. What you decide depends on whether you want to establish yourself in a new market or create an image of quality through higher prices. This method is relatively easy to use; however, it can mean you focus too much on other people’s costs, rather than your own.
• Customer orientation: Here, you would try to make sure that the customer gets the best possible prices. The prices should then reflect the value of the products for the customers. To find out this value you might need to undertake time-consuming surveys and tests, but the end result is more than worth it.

All of these techniques have their own advantages and disadvantages. You should base your decision on your own personal preferences and requirements for school and nursery photography.

How Much Do Photographers Charge for Nursery Photos?

When it comes to nursery photography, pricing needs to reflect the value of capturing early childhood moments while being accessible to parents.

Average Nursery Photography Package Prices

Tips for Setting Nursery Photography Prices

1. Offer Packages in Tiers: Provide basic, standard, and premium options to cater to different budgets.
2. Include Digital Options: Parents increasingly prefer digital files alongside traditional prints.
3. Run Promotions: Seasonal discounts or introductory offers can attract more clients.

Pricing for School Photos

School photography often involves dealing with larger volumes and a diverse range of orders, from individual portraits to class photos.

Average School Photo Prices

Tips for Setting School Photography Prices

1. Understand the Market: Research what other photographers in your area are charging to stay competitive.
2. Offer Customisation: Allow parents to choose from various backgrounds and formats.
3. Volume Discounts: Schools might appreciate bulk order discounts, especially for class photos.

Crafting Competitive Packages

To stand out, your photography packages need to offer value and flexibility. Here are some ideas:

Additional Considerations: Upselling and Add-Ons

When pricing your services, consider offering add-ons and upselling opportunities:

• Framed Prints: Offer to frame photos for an additional fee.
• Photo Gifts: Keychains, mugs, and other personalised items can be popular.
• Retouching Services: Offer basic retouching for an added cost.

Conclusion

Setting the right prices for nursery and school photography requires a balance between covering your costs, staying competitive, and offering value to your clients. By understanding market standards and effectively communicating the benefits of your packages, you can attract more clients and build a successful photography business.

If you’re looking to refine your pricing strategy or need more personalised advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at GotPhoto. We’re here to help you succeed.

Ready to take your school and nursery photography to the next level? Contact us today for a consultation and start crafting the perfect packages for your clients!

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For more school photography tips, download our free guide!

When speaking of high-volume photography, time is of the essence. Whether you’re photographing bustling school events or lively preschool sessions, the need for swift, efficient, and high-quality editing is paramount. Luckily, groundbreaking AI-powered photo editing tools can help optimise your workflow.

We’ll explain how these tools can transform your editing process, saving you time and enhancing your productivity and quality across a large volume of images!

What Are the Benefits of AI Photo Editing?

Are you wondering how to use AI to edit your photos? More and more AI photo editing software is available, offering different benefits regarding anything from colour correction to exposure correction.

AI photo editing enables impressive creative possibilities that will transform your photography workflow. Tools powered by AI technology have revolutionised the editing process as they provide automatic adjustments that meticulously analyse each photograph. The tools can calculate optimal exposure, correct colours, and adjust shadows, ensuring every image shows its full potential.

By streamlining the photo culling and editing process, AI allows you to achieve faster and more customised results. This means you can spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time focusing on your creative vision. In the end, AI photo editing elevates the quality of images while making the entire editing process more efficient and enjoyable. You can try different solutions for photo editing, including AI-based tools, at GotPhoto and improve your editing.

Optimises Large-Scale Photography Projects

AI image editing is particularly beneficial for large-scale photography projects. By streamlining the post-production and retouching processes, AI significantly reduces the manual labour and time required for editing. This way, you can focus more on the creative and artistic aspects of your work.

Traditionally, post-production has been a time-consuming task, but with AI automation, photographers can quickly and efficiently edit large batches of photos. This time-saving capability enables you to take on more projects, increase your output, and ultimately explore your creativity further. AI photo editing optimises the entire workflow, making it more efficient and productive.

Ensures Quality

AI photo editing plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality of every piece in larger-scale projects. As the workflow becomes more automated, the risk of missing any details during editing is significantly reduced. AI tools meticulously analyse each photograph, making precise adjustments to exposure, colour, and shadows, ensuring that every image meets high-quality standards.

This level of consistency and attention to detail is difficult to achieve manually, especially in large batches. However, by relying on AI for these tasks, you can trust that your work will be polished and professional, maintaining the integrity and excellence of your projects from start to finish.

Discover AI Photo Editing Tools for Professional Photographers

A professional photographer has a variety of AI photo editing tools at their disposal, each offering unique advantages. These tools are designed to enhance efficiency, streamline workflows, and elevate the quality of images. This will not only save you time but also help you increase revenue and keep a consistent, top-notch quality in your work.

Are you trying to find the right tool? At GotPhoto, we highly recommend Perfectly Clear, 36Pix, and Pure Photos, which all display great features when it comes to automated photo correction and enhancing your post-production process. Below, we will take a closer look at Perfectly Clear’s automated basic editing, 36Pix’s automated background removal, and Pure Photos’ automated background removal.

The Power of Perfectly Clear Automated Basic Editing

Perfectly Clear automated basic editing is the first of many AI image editing features to be released, offering a cutting-edge service that provides a wide range of options for automatic photo corrections, including:

• White balance correction: Ensures your photos have accurate colour temperature
• Colour and tone adjustment: Enhances the overall colour and tonal balance of your images
• Exposure correction: Corrects underexposed or overexposed images for optimal lighting
• Light sharpening: Adds a subtle sharpening effect to enhance image clarity

With these features, the tool can reduce your editing time from hours to mere minutes.

Perfectly Clear’s technology helps keep your images professionally polished with less effort. It ensures high-quality, professional-grade images with minimal manual intervention. Additionally, the scalable tool can batch edit both single images and thousands of pictures quickly, ensuring speed, accuracy, and ease.

36Pix Automated Background Removal

36Pix’s automated background removal is an AI-powered tool that removes unwanted backgrounds from photos with remarkable speed and precision. The tool guarantees:

For the best results, photos should be taken against a solid background – preferably a green background – to provide the highest quality extraction.

Ideal for school photography and preschool photography, it delivers a one-hour turnaround time so you can achieve efficiency in high-volume settings.

The tool works with JPG format images, streamlining the editing process and allowing you to focus more on capturing great shots and managing your projects effectively.

Pure Photos Automated Background Removal

Pure Photos’ automated background removal is also an efficient tool designed to seamlessly and quickly remove backgrounds from any photo. Utilising advanced AI and computer vision technologies, it can handle a variety of backgrounds, including natural settings and complex images with props.

Additionally, the tool offers hyper-detailed extractions, ensuring high-quality results for all picture types, but is especially well-suited for:

Not only does it save time and money compared to competitors, but it also allows for instant background replacements, enhancing sales by offering multiple background options for users to select from. Integrated within the GotPhoto platform, Pure Photos ensures flawless extractions with no disruption to your workflow.

Using AI Photo Editing While Keeping Your Personal Touch

Some photographers might worry that AI photo editing will take away their personal touch, but as you get accustomed to using AI tools, you can teach them to align with your personal style and preferences, ensuring that your artistic vision remains intact.

AI can learn and adapt to your unique editing techniques, offering enhancements that complement your approach. By integrating AI into your workflow, you can benefit from its efficiency and precision while still maintaining the individuality and creativity that define your photography.

This balance allows you to produce high-quality images in larger volumes that still reflect your personal artistry. You’ll save time while improving the consistency and quality of your photos, allowing you to focus more on the creative aspects. It can be a steep learning curve, but you will most likely witness great results during your creative process.

Family portraits are cherished keepsakes that capture and showcase the love and connection shared among family members. These images tell a story of unity, family, and love by freezing a moment in time for everyone to look back on for years to come.

Creating a memorable family portrait that stands the test of time requires thoughtful planning and having the family pose in a natural setting. Creating the right kind of setting that truly brings out the right atmosphere and sense of love might seem difficult. Thankfully, we have gathered our most essential tips on how to shoot family portraits, what poses to use, and what ideas might be worth considering.

Looking for more information on how to sell your images? Check out our blog, “How to Sell Your Photos Online”!

Prepare and Set the Scene for a Family Photoshoot

A successful family photoshoot relies on thoughtful planning – especially on your part as the photographer. Make sure you choose a location that holds special meaning or offers a beautiful backdrop that suits the family, such as:

• A park
• A beach
• Their own garden
• In front of their family home

Coordinating wardrobes in complementary or similar colours is also a good idea, as it creates a more cohesive and unified look; avoid outfits that are overly matching or clashing. When shooting outside, you also need to be aware of the weather and the time. Aim to photograph during the golden hour as this provides soft and flattering natural light for your photos.

For authentic and joyful family portraits, you should strive to make everyone, especially children, feel at ease. Encourage comfort by keeping the atmosphere light and fun to capture true smiles and relaxed postures in your pictures. While keeping ideal lighting in mind, don’t be afraid to take breaks if needed.

Try Our Top Family Photo Poses

Not everyone feels instantly at home or at ease in front of a camera. This can create a challenge for you as a family photographer, as you need to be able to guide your subjects. Posing can be difficult, but with the right guidance and a positive atmosphere, you can help all family members pose naturally and comfortably for their family portrait.

The Classic Group Pose

The classic group pose is a timeless choice for family portraits. In this setup, family members stand or sit closely together, all facing the camera. The pose highlights family unity and connection, making for a memorable photo.

To achieve the best results, focus on symmetry and balance. Position taller family members at the back and centre while ensuring everyone’s faces are clearly visible. Remember to encourage the family to relax their shoulders and smile naturally for a warm and inviting portrait that is as traditional as it is intimate.

Image: Julia Buck

The Candid Interaction Pose

For a more dynamic and lively family portrait, you can experiment with candid interaction poses. These types of images showcase family members engaging naturally – laughing, playing, or walking together.

To create these memories, use prompts that encourage interactions, such as asking family members to share a joke or play a game. Make sure to shoot continuously, as this allows you to capture spontaneous and genuine expressions and connections. This way, you will end up with photos that feel authentic and full of life.

The Triangle Pose

Photographing families is all about capturing that feeling of love in a visually pleasing way. For that, the triangle pose is a popular choice. This pose creates a balanced and visually appealing composition. In this arrangement, parents are usually positioned with their children in the middle – whether to the side or behind the kids. This forms a triangular shape that not only draws attention to each family member but also creates a sense of harmony and structure. This is a great pose for any family, making it a must-try, no matter whether you are doing a small or large family photo session.

Seasonal Poses

When possible, incorporating seasonal elements into a family photo adds a unique and timely touch. For autumn family portraits, consider using leaves, pumpkins, or a warm, earthy colour palette. In winter, try to pose in the middle of a snow-covered landscape or cuddled up under a big, cosy blanket on the sofa. During summer, visit the beach or a lake and take advantage of the brighter evenings and how the light reflects on the water.Using natural surroundings as props can help enhance the seasonal theme. Encourage the family to interact with the props or use them as a natural way to get the conversation flowing for those natural laughs and smiles. The best part is that you can experiment and let the family play around, such as by throwing colourful leaves into the air, building a snowman, or running along the shoreline. A Christmas mini-session might also be an ideal way to capture the holiday spirit in a candid way.

Make the Children Feel Included and Comfortable

When doing a family photo session, whether big or small, you will almost always have children as part of the picture. Children are a bit different to work with compared with adults, and this requires a different set of skills in order to get the best photos.

Our top tip for making children more comfortable during a shoot is to keep it fun. You can try to incorporate games or props that encourage the children to play and thereby smile. Playful activities, such as blowing bubbles, tossing a ball, or holding a favourite toy, can help keep their attention while adding a childlike sense of warmth and innocence to the pictures.

If the family has requested a specific type of pose, such as the triangle pose or everyone sitting on the stairs in front of the house, you will need a different approach to keep the kids engaged. When advising everyone on what to do, remember to keep the instructions simple for younger family members. By sticking to simple poses, they will be able to move more naturally and, by extension, more comfortably.

Finally, pay attention to the children. Each child is unique, and a good photographer can reflect this individuality in a family photo. You can encourage the children to be themselves – whether shy, playful, or curious – and allow them to express their personality. This will result in pictures that are not only stunning but also reflect who everyone in the family truly is.

Image: Julia Buck

How to Make Your Pictures Even Better

Once the photoshoot is complete, you can enhance the photos with some basic editing. Minor touch-ups like colour correction and exposure adjustments can make the final image pop without changing the initial photo too much. By keeping the edits subtle, you can ensure that each photo looks polished while maintaining a natural appearance.

Remember that if a family has ordered several pictures from the shoot, they will most likely put them together in an album or hang them next to each other in their home. This makes it even more important to apply a consistent style across every single photo.

Capture the Moment and Let GotPhoto Handle the Rest

Creating timeless family portraits starts with thoughtful poses and a relaxed atmosphere. From there, it will be easy to engage each family member in friendly conversation or fun games to keep each smile natural and the setting authentic.

Once you have captured the photos and worked your magic, simply upload them to GotPhoto. Our platform makes it easy for the family to choose their favourites, making the whole process more streamlined and easier for everyone involved.

Are you looking for a clever way to sell your photos online? There are several ways to sell photos online, but we’ll explore the benefits of using online platforms and marketplaces that help you automate some of your work. 

Whether you’re a professional photographer or a hobbyist looking to grow your business, this post will provide you with valuable insights on how to sell your photos online successfully. So, if you’re ready to learn more about how to sell photos online, read on for our tips and tricks. 

Get Started Selling Photos Online

Selling photos online can be a great way to make life easier for yourself as a photographer. By finding the right platform to sell your photos from, you can streamline your workflow and increase your sales. With online platforms, you can reach a wider audience and increase your revenue. 

Selling photos online is easier for you and your clients because all they have to do is download the photos or order prints and gifts directly from the platform. Whether you’re an established professional photographer looking to expand your business or a part-time hobbyist looking to establish yourself, selling photos online is a convenient option to consider.

Finding the Right Platform to Sell Photos Online

When it comes to finding the right platform to sell photos online, there are numerous options to choose from. The GotPhoto platform offers several benefits to make the process of selling photos much easier for photographers.

With GotPhoto’s help, you can easily capture photos and save time with capture options like QR cards, barcodes, Entagged, and more that automatically sort images into individual galleries upon upload. This eliminates the need for manual organisation and streamlines the process of creating online galleries.

Additionally, you can sell your photos in your own modern, mobile-friendly online shop, offering multiple pictures for customers to choose from. With GotPhoto, you can also promote galleries to your clients through automated email and text messages, notifying them when their photos are ready for viewing and purchase. Fulfilling orders is made simple, with the option to send paid orders directly to the lab for fulfilment or to handle them themselves. 

A platform such as GotPhoto provides an overall better purchasing experience for customers with secure, password-protected galleries and a user-friendly online shop interface. When choosing the right platform, you can enhance your online photo-selling business and provide a seamless experience for your clients. 

Streamline Your Workflow and Expand Your Business

Selling photos online through a platform like GotPhoto can bring numerous benefits to photographers looking to streamline their workflow and expand their business. By automating tasks such as sorting payment forms and sending orders to labs, you can save valuable time and focus more on what you love – taking pictures. With features like reminders for purchasing, multiple pose options, and upselling opportunities, you can increase your revenue potential and offer a better experience to your clients.

The platform also provides personalised onboarding to ensure a smooth start for new users, as well as outstanding support from a robust help centre and a dedicated team ready to assist with any inquiries.

Lastly, we offer you valuable resources such as guides, white papers, and webinars to help you grow your business and succeed in the competitive photography industry. By partnering with a platform, you get more than just a software solution. You can get a trusted ally that helps you reach your goal and thrive in your business. 

Get advice on how to market your business

Promote Your Work Online 

When it comes to selling photos online, promoting your work is essential in order to reach a wider audience and attract potential clients. This can be done by: 

• Utilising social media
• Creating a strong online presence
• Networking with other professionals
• Sending out newsletters

One of the most effective ways to promote your work online is through social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. By sharing your photos on these platforms and engaging with your followers, you can increase your visibility and attract more clients. 

Additionally, creating a strong online presence through a professional website or portfolio can help showcase your work and attract potential clients who are searching for a photographer.

Networking with other professionals in the industry is another important aspect of promoting your work online. By connecting with other photographers, artists, and potential clients, you can expand your reach and attract new opportunities for collaboration and exposure. Lastly, sending out a newsletter to your email subscribers can help keep them informed about your latest work, promotions, and upcoming events.