p.1 #1 · My 2017 Senior Ambassadors (and some guys!)
I post a lot of my dance photography as it tends to be my creative outlet and so I like to share that. But the truth is, dance photography is a very small part of my business. Aside from dance, I probably enjoy my senior portraits most of all. This year, my first real year of having a formal ambassador program, I have seven ambassadors from three schools. They all pay to be in the program, and the incentive program is two-fold: one is discounts on an album and prints they'll purchase at the end of the year; and two, they get two individual sessions and three group sessions. The group sessions are a downtown Chicago shoot, a fashion shoot at my studio using clothing from local clothing boutiques that style and fit our models with clothing, and then a concept shot -- this year, an Ice Queen shoot in the vein of Narnia. I'll be heading up to Upper Michigan to shoot an ice scene for the setting, and then will photograph the models in January in my studio.
Another incentive is that I do a lot of shoots for some local regional magazines in the area and I usually shoot a couple covers a month, along with features. The magazines often rely on me to provide models, and I often turn to my ambassadors for these paid opportunities, as well as others who hire me to shoot modeling comps.
The idea has been to spread out these shoots throughout the summer, fall and winter to keep the interest going throughout the year. They get free social media JPGs after each shoot, and accordion books after their individual sessions so they can show their classmates their images.
There seems to be questions about how people run their senior programs and I don't think there's any one right or wrong way. This is just my way and seems to be working pretty well, and so I thought I'd share what I'm doing.
p.1 #3 · My 2017 Senior Ambassadors (and some guys!)
These are all very nice! I'm sure they'll be great student ambassadors.
A long, long time ago when I was a pro we had contracts with three local high schools. Lifetouch came in and offered 40% of their gross to the biggest of the bunch. All schools had contracts. We decided to go into "kidnapping". Between a marketing campaign and using student ambassadors, we were able to skim off the cream. We worked less and made more money!
It's amazing how hard your student ambassadors will work for you! I'm sure it will be a success, especially with the added perks you can offer. I hope you have a great season!
p.1 #4 · My 2017 Senior Ambassadors (and some guys!)
Jonathan Brady wrote:
These are awesome Ron! What a great opportunity for these kids and I'm SURE they love it!
Thanks, Jonathan. it's a pretty cool match as a lot of girls who like having their picture taken are drawn to a program like this, and that works perfectly for me.
p.1 #5 · My 2017 Senior Ambassadors (and some guys!)
dmacmillan wrote:
These are all very nice! I'm sure they'll be great student ambassadors.
A long, long time ago when I was a pro we had contracts with three local high schools. Lifetouch came in and offered 40% of their gross to the biggest of the bunch. All schools had contracts. We decided to go into "kidnapping". Between a marketing campaign and using student ambassadors, we were able to skim off the cream. We worked less and made more money!
It's amazing how hard your student ambassadors will work for you! I'm sure it will be a success, especially with the added perks you can offer. I hope you have a great season!...Show more →
Lifetouch is definitely here in Chicago under the same model. My freelance editor shoots for a company similar to them. They don't even necessarily hire photographers as they have their entire set up down to a t, and they just need someone to push the shutter.
I don't even want to compete with them. Just like you said, I'd rather work less and make more money.
p.1 #6 · My 2017 Senior Ambassadors (and some guys!)
Some of the school's around here don't even have a contract, they just decide they will only use yearbook photo's from one studio. I have a senior who is furious because that studio told her she has to smile for the photo and they refuse to edit out her braces. She told the school she's only going with us, or just won't have a yearbook photo. I completely understand a school having requirements for the yearbook photo, which we would easily be able to meet. But after that I don't understand why they would make some students so unhappy.
p.1 #7 · My 2017 Senior Ambassadors (and some guys!)
agelessphotog wrote:
Some of the school's around here don't even have a contract, they just decide they will only use yearbook photo's from one studio.
Whenever we came across that requirement, we reminded Seniors that they don't have to buy any photos from that studio. Furthermore, they must offer a basic sitting with no sitting fee. As a marketing ploy, we offered to pay the basic sitting fee if required, but we never had to.
I had a knock down drag out fight with the principal of a large high school because the student's parents refused to allow Olan Mills to photograph her. I offered to duplicate the standard photo, but the principal refused. She was famous for being a bi... er, unpleasant woman. She ended up hanging up on me. I responded with an ad campaign, including a newspaper ad, aimed at students at her school. We ended up photographing several of her Seniors!
p.1 #8 · My 2017 Senior Ambassadors (and some guys!)
Nice business model, Ron. I'm happy for your success. 16 and 23 jump out of this excellent set. Great composition and backgrounds. That silhouette is magical.
p.1 #9 · My 2017 Senior Ambassadors (and some guys!)
I can't choose a favorite man, they are all so good. You seem to excel at every genre you photograph, great job. Love the tidbits about your business model, thank you for sharing!
p.1 #11 · My 2017 Senior Ambassadors (and some guys!)
#16 is insanely good. As a portrait, as fine art. Very nice. I also like Paige in #13. She is striking and is not overwhelmed by the creative surroundings. Really perfect choice for her. I also like #10 as a more traditional senior portrait. I might like to see her legs less shadowy. Some of the others are a bit bright for my taste and not quite as natural as I might like. I would suggest simplification but you seem to be doing quite well without my tips.
p.1 #12 · My 2017 Senior Ambassadors (and some guys!)
Thanks Jim and Brev!
Thanks for the comments, Brev. I'll probably lighten her legs a bit more in 10 per your suggestion, totally agree with that. As for the brightness, that really is kind of the way I do things. I appreciate your comment and I'm constantly looking at my work thinking about whether I want to change things up a bit. Sometimes I try something new, and I like it; other times, not. But I always like thinking about how others see my images.
