Ideas on attracting more family portrait clients

[dnpayne]

So, I have a fairly decent port time wedding photography business going (about 20 weddings a year), but I want to get more of the family portrait crowd coming in to offset some slow times. I have done a few of these, but I can't seem to have a steady amount of clients for it.

Any ideas on what avenues I should take? With Weddings, it's pretty easy to get business. I'm just having a hard time with the family portrait side.

Thanks!

[Melio]

That's great you're getting that many weddings. That seems to be where the most money is. I'm trying to get my business off the ground as well and it seems the more you put yourself out there, the better. Have a webpage, a like page, a blog, twitter, etc. Then find people around you that have kids, are pregnant, getting married and just offer. I have some people at my current job who have little ones or are pregnant and I basically just asked if they'd like to have pictures done. It's amazing how easy that can be. Best of luck with your business!

[scootermcq]

I don't know your market, but what are you doing to get the wedding business? Could you not apply the same practice to family portraits?

[dnpayne]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

I don't know your market, but what are you doing to get the wedding business? Could you not apply the same practice to family portraits?

Most of my wedding business has come from paying for bridal bag inserts at bridal shows. It's a relatively inexpensive way to get your name in front of brides. I usually get a bride list as well with that. I've gotten a few online search hits and referrals, but most of my luck has been with those inserts.

If I could find the right avenues, I could probably apply this same tactic to families. I just don't know where to start, what shows (if any), to get going with. With bridal shows, you are right there in front of the brides. Where in the world would that translate for mothers?

[scootermcq]

Here in Toronto, we have a baby show coming up in April. The newborn / infant market is huge and more appealing to parents than regular family portraits. Maybe something like that is in your neck of the woods?

Baby Show - The Baby Time Shows - Pregnancy, Birth, Baby and Toddler

[superduperwesman]

I'm doing a family photoshoot for my cousin next month. The thing that I like about this shoot is that she has 4 girls that are all in dance. All those dance moms are all over each others facebook ever day. So I'm hoping that once I do hers all the other dance moms will see them, ask who did them, and also want to get some done.

I got to think there is a bit of underlying competition among them? "I hope my daughter gets the lead in this one" That might translate into a keeping up with the Jones' type situation. "Oh you have to get some family photos done because..."

Maybe... maybe not. Guess we'll see.

At the end of the day I think all mom's want family photos so I just need to make it easy. Give my cousin some cards potentially, hope they facebook me if I post the inital one on my page and tag her. do the shoot outside (meaning I can go to them vs them having to come to me)

Long story short, I guess I'm thinking find a family with lots of friends and let word of mouth do the work?

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Here in Toronto, we have a baby show coming up in April. The newborn / infant market is huge and more appealing to parents than regular family portraits. Maybe something like that is in your neck of the woods?

Baby Show - The Baby Time Shows - Pregnancy, Birth, Baby and Toddler

Very nice point. I know lots of people that get newborn, then get 6 month (incld some family pics), 1 year and then yearly family pictures after that.

[dnpayne]

Originally Posted by superduperwesman

Very nice point. I know lots of people that get newborn, then get 6 month (incld some family pics), 1 year and then yearly family pictures after that.

I'll admit, I really struggle with newborn photos. For starters, I don't have all the setup to make it work, and two... I'm just not good with other peoples babies. 1 year plus kids? No problem. I need to really work on those skills.

Typically, when someone has newborn photos taken, I'd assume they would keep going back for more. On the other side, I don't see many moms having their newborn photos taken somewhere, then going somewhere else for the older shots.

Something I need to really work on if I want to grow this side of the business it seems.

[spinmerightround]

When shooting weddings, you are in a prime position to get your name out in front of lots of families of all ages/stages. Word of mouth is your best marketing tool in such a saturated market, so by presenting yourself at the weddings you shoot as a confident, capable professional, you are more easily remembered by the guest (or bridesmaid, groomsman, cake cutter, etc) who needs someone to take pictures of their family.