Your guide to the PhotoDay world. Tips, tricks, industry news, and more can all be found right here.
We conducted a survey using SurveyMonkey and Social Media to figure out how exactly parents of school age children perceive Picture Day. There has been many times I’m with photographers and I hear one or more of the following statements:
“Parents don’t buy pictures anymore. They can just take pictures on their phones.”
“Parents don’t value photography like they used to”
“People don’t spend money on something they don’t need, and no one really needs pictures.”
“Participation is down or low. Picture Day used to be so important to leagues and schools. It just doesn’t seem like a priority.”
“Coaches don’t see the value in participating anymore. They are annoyed and Picture Day has become an inconvenience.”
“Schools just need their images for the Yearbook and ID cards. They don’t really help raise awareness for Picture Day sales as a fundraiser.”
All of the above are simply just assumptions based on circumstance. We went straight to the parents, grandparents, children, coaches, teachers--- to ask the question, "What does Picture Day mean to you?" Watch the video below to discover the answers and make moms happy by signing up for our Mother's Day promo. You can find this promo as well as many others by visiting our 2019 Promos Calendar. Make sure to set it up properly so you can gain the benefits from all the promos we offer throughout the year.
All in all, our survey told us what a powerful tool in the volume photography market PhotoDay will become. Change is long overdue.
Make moms happy this year by signing up for our Mother's Day promo. You can find this promo as well as many others by visiting our 2019 Promos Calendar. Make sure to set it up properly so you can gain the benefits from all the promos we offer throughout the year.
So many great quotes that identify the danger of staying in your comfort zone and resisting change while all around you change is threatening the status quo, disrupting markets and impacting your business. History has shown that maintaining the status quo in dynamic markets can be lethal as technology enables new ways to serve customers and consumers follow into new habits and purchase propensity.
Digital has certainly had its impact on the professional market, eliminating film (and its profits), reducing proofing and printing (and their profits), introducing “iPhoneography” and social media, creating constantly connected consumers, and opening the market to millennial behaviors and their digital lifestyles and ecosystems. And we don’t need to change to serve these new cravings and satisfy this new wave of consumption! Change is inevitable and absolutely necessary to transform your business to meet the needs to today’s digitally savvy consumer.
The spoils of failing to change is seen all around us, from Blockbuster (hello Netflix) to retailers (hello Amazon) to Cable (hello cord-cutters and cord-never’s) to music downloads (hello Pandora and Spotify) and many more examples of incumbents who were run over by technology and did not (or could not) react to new ways of doing business and delivering value. In the portrait market we see reduced sittings and buy rates, lower AOV and prices, greater demand for digital files and alternatives to print and albums (canvas, wraps, wall art and décor). All of this imploring us as an industry to change our ways of doing business with mom and meeting her evolving needs for choice/convenience/control, for engaging her online and on her mobile device, and satisfying her need for both physical and digital output.
Change does work, look at Bose (superior sound from digital streaming), Garmin (services beyond basic navigation), Apple (from Mac computers to iPhones and more), and many other examples. So if change is needed, why do we put up such resistance? Basically for a few very good reasons –
So, change is hard and understandably risky, who doesn’t long for the old ways where everyone made money and knew what to do and how to do it! But the old ways are gone and ain’t ever coming back so change is needed to compete in today's digital market to remain relevant and competitive.
Let’s face it, in spite of mobile devices and digital photography, social media and online shopping, and new consumer behaviors, the professional market has many advantages. Professional capture is differentiated through style, composition and artistry. Professional output is unique, innovative and offers far greater quality than retail alternatives. There are compelling reasons for consumers (moms!) to use professional photographers and labs to memorialize children and families and to chronicle physical maturation and the coming of age! There are quality advantages and conditioned behaviors that leverage habits and practices of even today’s millennial mom, especially with sports and school where the portrait creates a memory of participation and achievement and serves a rite of passage, something very important in today’s social currency.
But in spite of its advantages today’s portrait experience is in need of change. Mobile is the defacto device for all of mom’s activities and needs to be the epicenter of her portrait engagement – from immediate access of images, to socializing in Facebook/Instagram/Snapchat, to ordering and upselling, to pushing to friends and family. Online is her constant connection and Amazon her preferred shopping tool, and portraiture needs to follow into her online world and Amazon-like experience. Today’s millennial mom seeks authenticity, social causes, digital payments, experience over products, and much more.
So, what change is needed – pretty simple to identify and a bit more complex to deliver, but here’s what’s needed to win today’s portrait customer:
In addition to the changes aimed at adapting to new consumer behaviors there are changes needed to streamline workflows and lower operating costs, improve integration with labs, and reduce the overall stress facing today’s photographers and labs. Tools are needed to increase automation, reduce labor, enhance image and data management, and so much more!
Let’s face it, change is hard and change is scary. It’s risky and it’s highly uncertain. But its absolutely necessary to remain current in today’s ever changing and volatile market. People who fear change are crippled by its paralyzing grip and are run over by disruption. People who embrace change are rewarded with opportunities to ride disruption and succeed in the new frontiers.
Change opens opportunities and can lead to real competitive advantage as others fail to change with you. The market is well served with tools and platforms that enable the changes needed, but it’s up to you to embrace change and to make it work.
Maintaining status quo may feel good in the moment, but it risks your future and sets you up to fall further behind in the market. Embrace change, follow into new ways to serve your customers and deliver value, and remember you do for mom what she can’t do for herself, both with capture and output – do it in the ways she wants you to and win her business!
There are many deciding factors as to what makes a great taco. You see, tacos are all about amazing architecture. The tortilla, meat, and toppings must balance perfectly. One cannot overpower the other. Then there’s the ambiance surrounding you---The music... That bass 4 measure drum beat. The smell of freshly fried corn tortillas.The muffled sound of everyone’s dinner conversation while sitting in a corner booth in dim lighting.And an ice-cold beverage to wash it all away.That, my friends, is what makes an amazing taco. It’s an experience. So what in the heck do tacos have to do with PhotoDay? I’ll start from the very beginning…
It was at the Southeast Photo Convention on January 26th, 2017. There were only a few vendors there. When I say few, I mean two of us on the second day. Reedy Photo and Snapshots. We were in the basement of the Aloft downtown Orlando. While the class was going on, we just hung out and did our own work. Jon and Brian walked over and introduced themselves to Deb and me. Brian said he had been a customer of Reedy Photo in the past. Jon asked what exactly we did. I answered, “we’re a local pro lab!”.
The conversation went back and forth, then we decided to get together with just the two of us to talk some more. At this point, I don’t think either one of us knew what was going to happen, but we had some time to kill so, why not? I’m not even sure what got me on the topic, but it was most likely one of my clients texting/emailing me about designing their order form for spring. I vented to Jon a little. I’ve been designing forms for 15 years, I’m so tired of this. He says, why? Why don’t they just all order online? I immediately laughed, and it was an obnoxious laugh. I said, “there is no way any of my photographers would abandon this paper envelope”.
Jon wanted to know more. He was knowledgeable in the portrait and wedding industry, but not so much in the volume market. The volume market is where I started and where I have stayed through thick and thin my entire career. Whether it was production, shooting, sales, template creation, designing marketing collateral, websites, campaigning, reporting, lab sales, equipment sales, support, sales directing, general managing... I’ve done ALL OF IT. I gave Jon a basic overview of what our workflow is from Photographer to Lab to Consumer and watched his jaw hit the floor. He said, “you know, technology can do all of that for you”. He told me about the technology he had access to. About things he has seen and some of his ideas he felt could be implemented to help solve so many of the pain points. I went home that weekend with my mind in a whirlwind.
Then, I called a few photographers. I pitched them the idea of…What if I told you, that you’d never have to record another image number again? That all of your sales could be automated? That consumers could verify and select products and send them directly to the lab? That all communication at that point could be between the consumer, and a piece of software… and alleviate customer service? That fundraising for a league or school could be an interactive experience among a community and extended to scattered and transient families?THEY LOVED IT. And I quote...
So… I blew up Jon’s phone via text and he told me he’d get back to me Monday. That was a long 24 hours. I had no idea what would happen but I just decided (with the support of my best buds) that I had to do SOMETHING. For the next few days, we talked a lot. A LOT. Like hours. I pitched it to my boss, Stan Reedy, and he loved it. It was time to introduce Stan to Jon.
After the introduction, Jon told me if I was serious about executing this idea, to meet him in Vegas at WPPI. So, I booked a ticket a few days before the event. I’m still not convinced he thought I’d actually show up, but I did.I met the team at Snapshots… most of them. I found that they have a solid, equal foundation. Each person compliments the next. It’s a perfect balance. The ambiance of the office environment is unlike anything I’ve seen. It is straight out of Silicon Valley. Even Stan had to write on the whiteboard-lined walls at some point.
That is how PhotoDay was born. The architecture is solid, the team is balanced and our future is limitless.
Job Title: Photography Poser & Studio Assistant - Join Our Creative Community!
Company: [Your Studio Name]
Location: [City, State]
Job Type: Full-Time
About Us:
At [Your Studio Name], we don't just capture moments; we create memories. As a growing volume photography studio, we're passionate about our craft and dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences to our clients. Beyond photography, we believe in building a community that thrives on creativity, collaboration, and making a positive impact. If you're ready to be a part of something special, we want you on our team!
Responsibilities:
As a Photography Poser & Studio Assistant, you'll play a vital role in our studio's success:
Growth Opportunities:
We're committed to nurturing your professional growth:
Compensation:
Work Conditions:
Personal Touch:
We want to get to know you beyond your resume. In your application, share a brief personal story, your favorite photography style, or a memorable photography experience that resonates with you.
Join Us:
If you're passionate about photography, excited to contribute to our creative community, and ready to grow with us, we'd love to hear from you! Send your resume, portfolio (if available), and your personal touch to [Your Contact Email].
Engage with Us:
Follow us on [Social Media Links] to stay updated on our latest projects and events. Join our community of photographers, and let's capture the world together!
At [Your Studio Name], every click of the shutter is an opportunity to make magic. Join our team and be part of something extraordinary!
Job Title: Studio Guest Experience Coordinator - Join Our Creative Hub!
Company: [Your Studio Name]
Location: [City, State]
Job Type: Part-Time
About Us:
At [Your Studio Name], we're not just photographers; we're storytellers and community builders. As a thriving volume photography studio, we cherish the art of capturing moments and forging connections. Join us in shaping memories and contributing to our vibrant, creative community.
Responsibilities:
As a Studio Guest Experience Coordinator, you'll be the first point of contact for our clients, ensuring they have an unforgettable experience:
Growth Opportunities:
We're dedicated to nurturing your personal and professional growth:
Compensation:
Work Conditions:
Personal Touch:
We believe in the power of personal connections. Share with us a brief story about your experiences with creative communities, your favorite artistic endeavor, or how you envision contributing to our dynamic studio.
Join Our Creative Hub:
If you're passionate about forging connections, creating memorable experiences, and eager to grow with us, we can't wait to hear from you! Please send your resume, along with your personal touch, to [Your Contact Email].
Engage with Us:
Stay connected with us on [Social Media Links] to keep up with our latest community events, artistic endeavors, and photography projects. Join a team that believes in the power of art to unite and inspire!
At [Your Studio Name], every interaction is an opportunity to build bridges within our creative community. Join us, and let's create and connect together!
Job Title: Volume Photography Artist - Join Us in Capturing Joy!
Company: [Your Studio Name]
Location: [City, State]
Job Type: Full-Time
About Us:
At [Your Studio Name], we're not just photographers; we're memory-makers and storytellers. As a thriving volume photography studio, we specialize in capturing moments of pure joy at schools, sports leagues, and dance studios. Join us in embracing a culture of fun, creativity, and endless possibilities.
Responsibilities:
As a Volume Photography Artist, you'll be at the heart of our studio's mission, responsible for bringing joy to our client's lives:
Growth Opportunities:
We're committed to helping you reach new heights in your career:
Compensation:
Work Conditions:
Personal Touch:
We believe in personal connections. Share a brief story about a moment that brought you immense joy, your favorite photography style, or what inspires your creativity.
Join Our Joyful Team:
If you're passionate about bringing happiness through photography, love embracing fun and creativity, and are eager to grow with us, we want to hear from you! Please send your resume, portfolio, and your personal touch, to [Your Contact Email].
Connect with Us:
Follow us on [Social Media Links] to stay updated on our latest photography adventures and fun-filled sessions. Join a team that believes in the power of joyful moments and storytelling!
At [Your Studio Name], every click of the shutter is an opportunity to spread joy. Join our team, and let's capture happiness together!
Job Title: Studio Operations Maestro - Join the Fun Behind the Scenes!
Company: [Your Studio Name]
Location: [City, State]
Job Type: Full-Time
About Us:
At [Your Studio Name], we don't just capture moments; we craft memories that last a lifetime. As a thriving volume photography studio, we're all about creating an atmosphere of joy and creativity. Join us in our vibrant work environment, and let's continue to grow together!
Responsibilities:
As a Studio Operations Maestro, you'll be the driving force behind our studio's efficiency and success:
Growth Opportunities:
We're committed to helping you reach new heights in your career:
Compensation:
Work Conditions:
Personal Touch:
We believe in the power of personal connections. Share with us a brief story about a moment of joy or fun in your previous roles; what you find most exciting about joining our creative team, or a favorite office event or tradition you'd like to bring to our studio.
Join Our Fun Team:
If you're passionate about making work enjoyable, love being at the heart of a creative environment, and are eager to grow with us, we can't wait to hear from you! Please send your resume, along with your personal touch, to [Your Contact Email].
Connect with Us:
Follow us on [Social Media Links] to stay updated on our latest photography adventures and office shenanigans. Join a team that believes in the power of joyful moments and creating lasting memories!
At [Your Studio Name], we're more than a photography studio; we're a family that enjoys every click of the shutter. Join our team and help us continue crafting smiles and unforgettable memories!
Job Title: Photography Production Specialist - Turning Creativity into Reality
Company: [Your Studio Name]
Location: [City, State]
Job Type: Full-Time
About Us:
At [Your Studio Name], we're not just photographers; we're creators of magical moments. As a thriving volume photography studio, we believe that work should be fun, creative, and full of possibilities. Join us in turning imagination into reality!
Responsibilities:
As a Photography Production Specialist, you'll be instrumental in bringing our creative visions to life. Your responsibilities will include:
Growth Opportunities:
We're committed to your professional development:
Compensation:
Work Conditions:
Personal Touch:
We value personal connections. Share with us a brief story about your most memorable creative project, your favorite aspect of working in a fun and creative environment, or a unique idea you'd like to bring to our studio.
Join Our Creative Team:
If you're passionate about bringing creative visions to life, enjoy working in a fun and dynamic atmosphere, and are eager to grow with us, we can't wait to hear from you! Please send your resume, along with your personal touch, to [Your Contact Email].
Connect with Us:
Follow us on [Social Media Links] to stay updated on our latest creative projects and photography adventures. Join a team that believes in the power of imagination and making dreams a reality!
At [Your Studio Name], we're not just creating photographs; we're crafting a culture of creativity and fun. Join our team and help us turn imagination into reality, one click at a time!
Get more info on PhotoDay and begin your picture day transformation!