We head back to Seattle today after a wonderful week in San Diego. But first, I have to give a huge shout out to Dana, our fearless San Diego Workshop hostess!
Dana, you went above and beyond the call of duty for being the hostess!! Thank you so much for all your help!
On Monday we had our Add On Day that covered Business and Marketing. It was held at Dana’s house. We covered everything we could in our time from pricing, structuring your business, when to outsource and what to outsource, marketing strategies and much more. It was an amazing time together (and thank you Dana for letting us use your living room!).
But we have to thank Dana for one more thing! She had the BEST idea for building a portfolio that I’ve ever heard!!
For those of you who want to build a portfolio but are not comfortable with charging people just yet, Dana did something you could do too! She told her friends that to take their pictures takes the same amount of time to make dinner. So if they wanted to compensate her, they could make her a dinner. Last year, she ended up getting handfuls of gift certificates to all different restaurants with credits ranging in $50-$150! Her family loved it! The kids are already asking her to take pictures again this year! Don’t you love that!
What a great idea to give your friends so you’re not “giving” your time away. Your time is precious, valuable, even if you’re in the “building” stage of your business. Plus, it’s a great way for friends to show their thanks to you!
Dana, you are the Queen Bee!! Love you and so thankful for you and ALL your fabulous ideas!!!
(thanks for the photos too!)
Great idea Dana! Looks like you had a great time in San diego can’t wait to hear more about it! =)
Wow. Never thought of that before. In fact I just did 6 sessions for free last weekend to enhance my portfolio. What a great idea!
can you send invoices for restaurant gift certificates? π Don’t laugh…I’m not a photographer….
What a great idea, thanks for sharing. I’ll share one idea as well. I am going to train to run a half marathon this summer with team in training. Since I will be doing this as I work on building my portfolio, I am going to make my portfolio building “fee” a set donation to my fundraising. Anyone could do this with a local non profit. A good way to practice, drum up business and do something good!
Great idea! I’m definitely going to try it. I have asked for lunch from the family I’m doing portraits for soon (we were scheduled for a few weekends ago but got weathered out). Thanks for sharing your idea, Dana!!!
A few groups at my college did this and I thought it was a great idea – go somewhere with lots of families (like the park on a nice weekend or the orchards in the fall) and offer to take pictures for families there. Give them your business card and tell them to go to your website to find their pictures under that day’s date. It will generate some great pictures for your portfolio and lots and lots of traffic to your website – and probably some word of mouth, too. I plan to try this, too, this summer.
I actually did that this morning. I met my friend with 3 kids at the park… she provided lunch!! I am working on it and am lucky to have kids with super kiddos!! I asked her if she liked them to frame them and when people comment on them tell them who did it!
I love your advice!!!! I want to come to a workshop so I can really work on my confidence!! π
abbey
WOW! Me Ra! You are so very welcome!Thank you to you (& Brian)!!! We all learned so much, and had so much fun!!! I can see the light pouring through my windows now – an artists pallet waiting to take new form! I am making big business plans for the future. I have to say that the Monday business day was my favorite – I don’t know what it was exactly (bonding, for sure), but I will never forget it! We need to pull you back to San Diego for the advanced class as soon as possible! I will forever treasure the friendships I have formed with the other women over the past weekend. We had such a classy group of ladies! I wish I had a picture of the creme brulee because that is what the weekend was to me… a divine dessert! I enjoyed every moment!
Hugs & kisses!
What a great idea Dana!!
Fantastic!!
What a wonderful idea! I am a very new student of photography (just took my first class, and just got my first camera), and I love this idea when thinking about the future! I am FAR from feeling comfortable charging people, but want to be able to build a strong, diverse portfolio. Thanks for sharing this great idea! I also LOVE the idea that Michelle had; taking donations for a charity…I hope to do something similar in the near future! Thank you for the encouraging and inspiring ideas!
Blessings!
Kara H
Me Ra.. Just wanted to say it was great to meet you. Thanks for letting me come help out for picture time. I had lots of fun. π
Tell Julie and Chris.. the Tolsons said hi! π
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