Hello! I hope everyone is healthy and doing well. This has been such a weird and crazy time in all of our lives. Many of us are dealing with new schedules, new ways of learning, missed events and missed income. I just thought I would let everyone know what changes will be made for my business going forward.
This spring was going to be a good one! I had on the books a big soccer league, several Saturdays of prom shoots, two dance schools and several more senior sessions. These would have given such a boost for a normally slower second quarter for me. My business really picks up more in the summer. But with the virus all of this was lost and with the studio that I took on last year it has not been the best 2020 so far. So with that, I am letting the studio go. With the future being uncertain of a second round of the virus and other factors I can not have this overhead any longer. So I will not renew my lease and will be out by the end of July.
“So I will not renew my lease and will be out by the end of July.”
I pride myself in providing good customer service for my clients and part of that was doing in person ordering for their portrait sessions. I like helping my clients choose their images and showing them product options but I will no longer be able to do that. Before the studio clients came to my home and that was one reason I got the studio, but I do not wish to bring clients back into my home. I know everyone understands that. So my collections will look different now. I will offer digital portrait collections with the option to purchase products if you wish. I will show you product samples when we do our photoshoot. If I happen to find the perfect priced office in the location I want I would happily bring back in person ordering. But I don't see that on the horizon right at this moment.
“I have worked with some of the best people.”
I also used to do pre shoot consultations at the studio! I really think that made planning and communicating what I offer the most clear to my clients. I will still be offering consultations if clients wish, we will just have to meet some place else. We can also do planning over the phone.
I am working on some materials to give to clients, that will clearly show products so when they are home choosing they will remember what I had showed to them when we met.
The past few years I have split time between ACP and another business. But in the future this will be my side gig. I will have some limits on when I am available and how much time I can spend, so this may limit how many clients I choose to take. Usually this isn’t a problem except in the fall. Last year I worked everyday from September until the end of November with only a few days off. I won’t do that again this year because I will need to tend to my other job.
I would still like to book several leagues though out the year! I think it is important that children’s sports pictures should be worthy of hanging on the wall! Many families due to budgets and/or lack of time are not able to book many custom portrait sessions as their children grow up. So having these priceless portraits of their children through the years is important, and therefore they should be good images!!! Plus if any of them make it pro when they show images of them as a child on tv it should be a good one ;) Am I right?! :)
“I think that children’s sports pictures should be worthy of hanging on the wall!
I want to continue to book pet portraits as well! If you know me you know I love animals and love to capture people’s pets for them!
I want to thank all of my clients!! I have worked with some of the best people! All of my seniors have been delightful and I love seeing what everyone does after high school! Seriously, I have never worked with a senior that fussed or complained. They have all been the best and their parents should be proud!!
I wish you all a fantastic rest of 2020! Stay safe!
-Alison