| Emotion first, logic second. A marketing fact: | | | | difficult. Many times, relying on the "8x10 package" |
| Consumers are emotional beings who make | | | | formula saves the day, but the profitable wall |
| purchasing decisions based on feelings. Logic, in the | | | | portrait and frame sale then becomes more of a |
| end may be used only to justify what one likes. | | | | rarity. In the end, each subject (senior) or family |
| Successful photographic portrait studios over the | | | | may become a clone of all other sessions: lacking |
| years have recognized that they were in the | | | | in soul. |
| "emotion business." Portrait photographers | | | | Also, when one is forced to become a technician |
| captured emotion; and when needed, took the | | | | and software specialist overnight, losing sight of |
| time to create emotion. The portrait selling | | | | the emotional aspects of good portraiture can |
| process emphasized how the photographer | | | | easily happen to the best of photographers. A |
| captured emotions unique to each client and how | | | | good photo lab can easily take on the |
| their portraits would be enjoyed for decades to | | | | "technology" burden to free up valuable time |
| come. | | | | needed in the camera room where revenue is |
| A good receptionist asked the necessary fact | | | | actually generated. |
| finding questions to determine what made the | | | | Ignoring the heart results in lost revenue. Losing |
| subject unique. When done properly, such | | | | sight of the fact that the lens must be "shooting |
| information was invaluable in the camera room. | | | | for the heart" can be detrimental to the livelihood |
| Simple words or phrases elicited genuine smiles | | | | of any studio. Simply stated: A professional |
| and that all important sparkle in the eye. The | | | | portrait photographer must connect with the |
| person's true self (soul) was then captured. With | | | | subject whether an adult, senior or baby. The |
| the aide of a proof book, each client | | | | photographer's persona and personality are also |
| enthusiastically engaged in the "show and tell" | | | | crucial and critical factors to a successful and |
| process proudly showing their images to friends | | | | profitable photo studio, but only when combined |
| and relatives. Word of mouth combined with the | | | | with the ability to elicit emotions from the subject. |
| visual aspect of proof books was a sure way to | | | | This combination will 9 out of 10 times produce |
| build business. The subject's enthusiasm blended | | | | more revenue. And this process can be totally |
| well with the selling process. Portrait sitting | | | | natural and need not be staged. Emotions do |
| averages were commonly high because wall | | | | matter when building or maintaining a successful |
| portraits were usually ordered. That was the way | | | | studio. Good portraiture capturing the true |
| it was. | | | | essence of the human being is still in demand. |
| Today, digital photography has created a new | | | | Note: Adopting the "department/box store" |
| culture based on "speed" which has led to far too | | | | format for taking pictures will lead a professional |
| many "turn style" studios. As a result, those | | | | studio into uncharted waters filled with potential, |
| photographers in many cases may have lost sight | | | | economical disasters. Remember, there is a |
| of what portrait photography with emotion is all | | | | significant difference between a portrait and a |
| about. Low sitting averages are not always | | | | picture. Professionals need to sell portraits |
| attributed to the economy. Missing the heart in | | | | complete with passion and emotion, not "say |
| the camera room can often lead to minimal | | | | cheese" pictures. |
| orders, plus making the selling process very | | | | |