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Archive 2010 · Central IL Photographers
  
 
drawin2
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p.1 #1 · Central IL Photographers


Question for other central Illinois photographers out there. We are finally booking ourselves out of several dates and months for this year's wedding season. Our clients are now asking us who we can refer them to that has a similar look and style. I'm curious...who else out there on FM is from this area? Who might be willing to work within a referral system? Networking means everything with us...but we just want to make sure we're sending to people we know and trust as its an automatic reflection on our own company.

If you're curious to see what our work is like...we have a new website that we are almost ready to launch (our old site has a lot of out-of-date stuff). Check us out: http://www.southernreflectionsstudio.com/newsite/

If you're interested in having us refer other clients to you, please PM us with your work/site.

Thanks!

Feb 09, 2010 at 03:47 AM
TRReichman
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p.1 #2 · Central IL Photographers


Do you have a price point that you are looking to refer within?

- trr

Feb 09, 2010 at 04:19 AM
gravy graffix
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p.1 #3 · Central IL Photographers


I can come down to central area as well. I am in Joliet but have no prob driving there...

http://shannonpricephoto.com/main

I am in the 2400 to start range.

Feb 09, 2010 at 04:25 AM
drawin2
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p.1 #4 · Central IL Photographers


Our current pricing starts at $1450 base (low I know compared to Chicago areas)...but we're still building our portfolio and establishing a strong client base). With that said, we only have about 25% of all clients actually book us for price. Everyone else has booked based on word-of-mouth reputation and our work. I say that knowing that many would probably have paid more for the same service.

So feel free to charge whatever you want.

Feb 09, 2010 at 05:02 AM
liza
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p.1 #5 · Central IL Photographers


I own a studio in east central Illinois and would welcome referrals. And your pricing is in keeping with the downstate market. Our range is $1200 to $3200 with an average of $1800 per wedding.

I'll PM our site to you, as posting it here screws up my Awstats.

Feb 09, 2010 at 05:14 AM
ryantimm
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p.1 #6 · Central IL Photographers


I would welcome referrals. I am 45 minutes south of Chicago and an hour and 15 minutes north of Champaign. I travel through out central Illinois.

My website is www.ryantimmphotography.com



Feb 09, 2010 at 07:03 AM
gfrasur
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p.1 #7 · Central IL Photographers


I work in Champaign/Urbana.

I'm also getting booked up, especially July and October, and would like to be able to recommend other trusted photographers.

Thanks
Greg

Feb 09, 2010 at 01:04 PM
drawin2
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p.1 #8 · Central IL Photographers


Thank you to all who responded. I'll look through the PMs and websites this morning and get back with you. My closest referrals will probably go to those that live closest to me (Bloomington, IL) but there are quite a few of you from the Chicago area that do some outstanding work too who we would love to network with.



Feb 09, 2010 at 02:44 PM
Lovesong
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p.1 #9 · Central IL Photographers


I think Manuel Crispin is based in Bloomington.
http://www.photopalma.com/

Feb 09, 2010 at 03:20 PM
drawin2
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p.1 #10 · Central IL Photographers


Thanks again everyone. I think I have finally responded back to everyone. If I missed someone, please let me know!

Feb 10, 2010 at 04:35 PM
Aberdeen Photo
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p.1 #11 · Central IL Photographers


Where in Bloomington are you? I lived there before moving to suburban Atlanta...

Feb 10, 2010 at 04:43 PM
 



drawin2
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p.1 #12 · Central IL Photographers


We actually live and work out of our home just south of Bloomington by about 15-20 minutes. But, nearly all of our clients come from Bloomington/Normal or are atleast within a 10-15 mile radius of the city.

Feb 10, 2010 at 04:49 PM
Aberdeen Photo
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p.1 #13 · Central IL Photographers


Heyworth? I have a friend from there? Lots of little burgs near B-N. I know a couple of photogs in town, however, no one I would rec. Isn't that sad. They are both pretty solid portrait photogs, not-so-much with their wedding work.... ;-/

Feb 10, 2010 at 04:59 PM
drawin2
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p.1 #14 · Central IL Photographers


Atlanta actually But a lot of work comes from Clinton, Minier, etc...sadly nothing from Heyworth yet...and its so close.

Even worse...the other wedding photogs in Bloomington that I had known about...were considerably higher than our starting price. It's hard to refer a client to someone who costs that much more than you.

Feb 10, 2010 at 05:02 PM
TRReichman
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p.1 #15 · Central IL Photographers


My studio is located in a suburb of Peoria (Dunlap) but most of our work is done outside of the area. If anyone would be interested in trading referrals you can put me on the list. I do think its valuable to understand peoples approach and price point when referring, or at least giving a sense of the qualifications that they might want done before offering a referral.

thanks

www.reichmanphoto.com

- trr

Feb 10, 2010 at 05:06 PM
TRReichman
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p.1 #16 · Central IL Photographers


drawin2 wrote:

Even worse...the other wedding photogs in Bloomington that I had known about...were considerably higher than our starting price. It's hard to refer a client to someone who costs that much more than you.


Maybe that's a sign?

- trr

Feb 10, 2010 at 05:15 PM
drawin2
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p.1 #17 · Central IL Photographers


TRReichman wrote:
drawin2 wrote:

Even worse...the other wedding photogs in Bloomington that I had known about...were considerably higher than our starting price. It's hard to refer a client to someone who costs that much more than you.


Maybe that's a sign?

- trr


I agree...it is a definite sign. But I still consider ourselves new enough that I want our prices to increase gradually. Typically, we raise prices about every 6 months. If a client refers us to their friend, its easier for them to accept a $2-300 increase, rather than to realize that they are going to pay almost double.

I look at the other photographer's prices as a goal that we'll achieve over time...until then, we are focusing more on spreading our name and building our portfolio.

Feb 10, 2010 at 05:24 PM
TRReichman
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p.1 #18 · Central IL Photographers


drawin2 wrote:
I agree...it is a definite sign. But I still consider ourselves new enough that I want our prices to increase gradually. Typically, we raise prices about every 6 months. If a client refers us to their friend, its easier for them to accept a $2-300 increase, rather than to realize that they are going to pay almost double.


I think its a good thing to have a plan to build. I just always encourage people to not feel they have to wait too long, or to have strong numbers and managerial accounting facts to back up a gradual increase. I can say that we often get referrals who pay 3-5 times what their friends paid (amounting to many thousands difference) and its never been an issue.

- trr

Feb 10, 2010 at 05:46 PM
drawin2
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p.1 #19 · Central IL Photographers


TRReichman wrote:
drawin2 wrote:
I agree...it is a definite sign. But I still consider ourselves new enough that I want our prices to increase gradually. Typically, we raise prices about every 6 months. If a client refers us to their friend, its easier for them to accept a $2-300 increase, rather than to realize that they are going to pay almost double.


I think its a good thing to have a plan to build. I just always encourage people to not feel they have to wait too long, or to have strong numbers and managerial accounting facts to back up a gradual increase. I can say that we often get referrals who pay 3-5 times what their friends paid (amounting to many thousands difference) and its never been an issue.

- trr


That's honestly encouraging. Maybe we'll have to take another look at where we stand on our next increase. I'd love to be up higher...I've just been cautious to go there too fast.

Feb 10, 2010 at 05:50 PM
drawin2
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p.1 #20 · Central IL Photographers


Aberdeen Photo wrote:
Where in Bloomington are you? I lived there before moving to suburban Atlanta...


Out of curiousity, where you a photographer here before moving? If so, I was wondering how the transition in moving would affect your business...

Feb 10, 2010 at 05:57 PM
Aberdeen Photo
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p.1 #21 · Central IL Photographers


yes I was; I will pm you my thoughts...

Feb 10, 2010 at 06:46 PM




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