p.1 #1 · What Info Do You Put On Your Studio Book?
This is a total noob question and I'm a little embarrassed to ask it, but getting it wrong would be even more embarrassing. I'm in the process of having some studio books made up to show potential clients and vendors. Do you typically have your studio name printed on the cover along with website address and contact info? I did a quick search of this on the various wedding forums and came up empty. I assume the answer is yes but wanted to be sure before I invested the $$. Thanks.
p.1 #2 · What Info Do You Put On Your Studio Book?
What you put on the books depends largely on what purpose you intend for them to serve. If you don't know exactly what you are using them for they tend to be an expense you won't get a return on them.
Is the purpose to get your contact info in their hands? A business card does this pretty well. Is it to sell your work? There are alot better communications tools for sales than a brochure.
Do you know exactly what you want the studio books to do for you?
p.1 #3 · What Info Do You Put On Your Studio Book?
Thanks for your reply and questions. I thought a beautiful book or two would be good to show potential clients so they could (a) see the quality of my work in a clean, contemporary presentation and (b) hopefully open their eyes to the possibilities of ordering their own book after their wedding. I imagine showing them quality work in a quality book might give me an edge above other photographers less inclined to go the extra mile.
Also wanted to be able to show wedding planners/vendors my work in a thoughtfully designed and printed book. Hopefully present myself and my work as someone they would like to work with or recommend to their clients. Is my thinking off on this? Thanks
p.1 #4 · What Info Do You Put On Your Studio Book?
Aha - are you talking about studio sample albums? I'm kind of thrown by the comments about contact info. Are you talking about books you would send to/leave with vendors?
p.1 #5 · What Info Do You Put On Your Studio Book?
Yes, sorry... not totally up on the wedding vernacular. You have a point with your question though as I don't think I'll be sending/leaving books with vendors initially. I can't really afford that at this point. They would be used primarily for face-to-face presentations. So in that case would you suggest just having my studio name printed on the cover? Or the name of the couple who's photographs are inside as if it was an actual book? Do you do anything similar? Appreciate your time and input.
p.1 #7 · What Info Do You Put On Your Studio Book?
Great, thank you. That makes sense and I will proceed accordingly. (Unless some of the book/album companies require differently to qualify for studio sample album discounts.) Thanks.
p.1 #8 · What Info Do You Put On Your Studio Book?
Mitch,
If the book is not something they will take with them... there's no purpose in having your contact info (especially on the cover). When they need your info, they won't have the book... when they have the book, they won't need your info... you'll be right in front of them!
I would second the thought of just designing the book to look exactly like what the client can expect you to produce for them. Putting your info on the front would just cheese everything up.
And yes, some album companies stamp "studio sample' on a book if you order it as a sample and get a discount. If you want to avoid that, you'll likely have to pay full price.
Some companies do allow you to order a second copy of an album at a discount. This is intended for the client wanting a second copy for a mother or whatever, but they typically don't mind if you order the second album for yourself. So just wait until you are ordering an album that you really like for a client, then get yourself a copy at a discount.
p.1 #9 · What Info Do You Put On Your Studio Book?
Thanks for that, Jeff. Good advice which I agree with. Do you include your studio name/info inside the book though? Just in case a few years down the road someone sees the client's book, loves it and decides they would like to use you as well? I assume there is standard information, more or less, that is included by most when putting together albums/books. Thanks. Sorry for what probably seems like really obvious questions. Once I'm clear on it I hopefully won't ever have to revisit them again!
