When it comes to preschool photography, one of the most common mistakes photographers make—whether newcomers or experienced professionals—is capturing an excessive number of photos per subject. This approach is widespread in the Australian market and related to the 'style' of photographing, often resulting in unnecessary costs and time-consuming processes that can hinder business growth and reduce profitability.
The Pitfalls of Over-Photographing: A Case Study
Consider a recent case where a company photographed a preschool with 70 children. By the end of the three-day shoot, they had taken a staggering 5,000 images, averaging around 70 photos per child. The photographer aimed to provide each family with a selection of 20-25 images for online sale, but this approach came with several costly downsides.
Understanding the Reasons Behind Over-Photographing
Let’s break down why photographers often take too many photos of each child and why they aim to deliver a large selection for sale.
1. Why Take 70+ Images per Subject?
“This is How I’ve Always Worked”: Some photographers follow the same habits and techniques used in other photography fields without adjusting to the unique requirements of preschool photography.
Lack of Confidence or Experience: Photographing children requires specific skills and timing; without confidence, photographers may take multiple shots to feel assured they’ve “got it.”
Lack of Planning: Without a structured approach or workflow, a photographer may default to snapping multiple photos without purpose, hoping that one will stand out.
2. Why Offer 20-25 Images per Subject for Sale?
“This is How I’ve Always Done It”: Established practices can sometimes carry over from other types of photography, where more options may seem desirable.
Quantity Over Quality Mentality: There’s a belief that more images translate to more sales. However, excessive choice can overwhelm buyers, potentially reducing overall satisfaction and sales.
Compensating for Quality: A high number of images may be used to make up for low-quality shots, especially if the photographer isn’t confident in the session.
Consequences of Excessive Photography (other than RSI)
The approach of capturing too many images and offering a large selection has several negative outcomes:
Increased Time and Costs in Photography: Taking more shots than necessary increases the hours spent on-site, raising the project’s cost. Each extra image adds time, and for a business, time is money.
More Culling and Editing: Sorting through 5,000 images requires considerable time and energy. Photographers often end up discarding over 60% of the images, which represents hours of work wasted on photos that will never reach customers.
Delayed Turnaround Time: The more images there are to edit, the longer it takes to deliver the final gallery to families. Parents wait longer to see their children’s photos, which can affect customer satisfaction.
Limits to Business Growth: With such a resource-intensive workflow, scaling a preschool photography business becomes challenging. The photographer’s time and efforts are consumed in low-value tasks, leaving little room to take on additional clients.
Finding the Optimal Number of Salable Images
Through experience and market analysis, the ideal number of salable images per child in the Australian preschool photography market is around 10-12 high-quality images. Any more, and the net profit starts to decline significantly as the added time and expenses outweigh the additional sales potential.
Strategies to Improve Efficiency and Profitability
Below are some actionable steps to streamline your process, enhance quality, and increase profitability:
1. Focus on Quality Over Quantity: Investing in capturing fewer, higher-quality images will pay off. Families are more likely to purchase when they see a curated selection of the best photos.
2. Pre-Plan Interactions with Age Groups: Prepare a list of 'one liners' and activities suitable for each age group, so you can quickly capture the right shots without spending excessive time on each child.
3. Use Props and Favorite Toys: Simple props or toys that children love can help you get natural smiles and expressions quickly, allowing you to capture the needed shots efficiently.
4. Ensure Consistent Image Count per Subject: Aim for an even number of images per child to streamline your workflow and simplify the final gallery for families.
5. Select Your Photography Area Wisely:
Minimize Distractions: Keep children focused by choosing a location with minimal distractions.
Watch for Color Casting Objects**: Avoid items that cast color, like certain shaded areas, which require extra editing time to correct.
Consistent Lighting: Use uniform lighting throughout to reduce the need for post-production adjustments.
6. Stick to a Defined Workflow: Avoid deviation from your established workflow, as it adds unnecessary time and cost. A standardized process ensures efficiency and consistent quality.
Growing and Scaling Your Preschool Photography Business
By embracing a streamlined approach that prioritizes quality, efficiency, and careful planning, you can significantly improve profitability and customer satisfaction. Avoiding the common pitfall of over-photographing allows you to deliver a curated selection of memorable images that parents will cherish while reducing costs and maximizing your potential for business growth.
Feel free to contact us for personalised business coaching.
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