The highlight of Imaging U.S.A. was meeting you & your team. Definitely a huge defining moment. I took down notes on everything you said. I am already moving forward with a much stronger business model. And now I’m binge watching your videos. Thank you.
Hey Sal - I recently completed my first Senior Shoot based on your Creative Live video series. I don't know where else to go to thank you for your guidance. Of course no ones workflow is going to completely work for someone else, I made my own tweaks given the circumstances I was working with. I was shooting a senior that we have known for about 6 years and is at the same grade level as my daughter. They are both heavily into theater. This kid is incredibly photogenic, she could model if she wanted to. Shooting her was incredibly easy. We did about a 4-5 hour session - locations and studio - about 6 different looks. Yup, way more than most might want to shoot. But my personal attention and willingness to do whatever was necessary for the client really paid off. Not to mention I had an absolute blast - could have gone on for hours more. Full disclosure - I am retired, have a decent retirement income, so additional income is always nice but not a huge concern. Hey it gets me out of the house. Sorry to get a bit off topic with all that. We ended up finishing off the experience with an IPS. Pretty much modeled after your CL videos. I had purchased a number of samples from H&H to be able to get the clients juices going. They were definitely WOWed with the offerings. To be honest ( I mentioned circumstances above) I knew all this crew wanted was a guest (signature) album. But I went thru the whole process anyway - hey I got a free IPS experience. Sure, my expenses didn't match the sales, but I am still looking to get established and there is no way these guys could have anything but positive comments on the experience. Thanks again for your guidance!
I agree with so much of this! Before last year we had NEVER sold anything over 24x36 and NEVER sold an acrylic wall piece (only acrylic blocks) we added a 30x40 acrylic print to our IPS room and the VERY NEXT family session we photographed the dad turned around and said "I want that" and pointed to our acrylic 30x40! Show what you want to sell!
I always enjoy Your Videos !!!! This is important info for the entrepreneur !!!! I may reconstitute my photography into a business as in the past (71yo) I did very well but it was in the past and primitive by today's standards !!!!! Very inspiring :) :) :)
Incredibly helpful, Sal! You always provide great tips, but not offering IPS is definitely one area that I have failed my clients and ultimately myself. Thanks for the kick in the arse!!!
Sal, first of all, I love your channel and I want to sell more products. But you can "square that circle" regarding selling a 50.00 8x10 because they know damn good and well they are not paying for a blank 8x10 print, they are paying for the image on that print. I heard another photographer say use the word Heirloom on your website so they understand you value wall art and printed portraits. Show your products on your website so that it's very clear you are about wall art and heirloom portraits.
Hey Sal - nothing but IPS for the most personal scenario. I would appreciate your comments or even a complete video on packaging your products for delivery. Images are selected, products ordered. How do you package it all for delivery with customized bags, boxes, etc.? Somewhere in your videos I seem to remember some large bags with your logo. Where are you getting that type of stuff (packaging, bags, etc.) with your logos? Thanks in advance....
This is great!! Selling doesn't come naturally for many of us . I remember the in-room mock up from Kodak Pro-Shots software back in the 1990s lol. I love the "Trusted Advisor" approach. It would be great to get a peek into an actual sales session (presentation, tone, walk thru, purchasing, ordering, delivery/installation). How do you get "wow" factor from the experience?
Sal, This has been the one thing that I have struggled with. I moved into a studio recently, and now I have to sell more product. For so long I've been pushing portfolio boxes in matted prints, with little success. I need to do something else.
Why's is that focus pulsing? You have good lighting and the new canons are rock solid? My R3 with a 35mm is clutch for talking head clips. Only time i have a problem is with peaky caps and the tip of the cap blocks the eyes, even then it only moves out slow and a little, still usable. Maybe worth looking into Sal?
If you turn in an edited image to them already, when they order one as some kind of print, then what do you do as a retouch? I know you aren't showing the first images to them as raw images.
Hi Sal - good to catch up to you again. I have - and still watch - your CreativeLive seniors videos from years ago. I've been wondering where you are getting your signature albums these days. Seems like everyone is selling the drop in plastic sleeve page books these days. I always liked the matted page that friends could sign. I'll be following you now.
@@SalCincotta1 I have cruised around the Hh albums - there are a lot. I would appreciate a link to your choice for the senior signature album you use. Again I am looking for an album with matted pages (some paper material around a print) where friends can sign/comment around the image. On a different note, I'm glad to see you (or found you) putting out new material. Thank you!
@@SalCincotta1 A big question - still the raging debate. 10 years ago in your CreativeLive videos, you frowned on digital sales - shoot & burn. I'm really curious to hear your take 10 years later - technologies have changed. To this day I still resist it at all costs, posting a bunch of images for download. Reasons: 1. I would never just dump my entire shoot for download. 2. Obviously at the very least, I must cull blinkers and other useless, out of focus images. 3. OK so some images were a little dark, a little blown, colors might require correction. 4. Apply my personal touchups what ever they may be. 5. So luckily, out of 500-700 images there may be 100-150 touched-up images that I am willing to show clients or post for download. That is a huge investment in time, no matter if I do it or have a retoucher do it. I can't imagine offering digital downloads (100-150) for anything less than $750-$1000. Yes I know this could be a add-on to a package, but more and more potential clients are wanting the downloads. Looking forward to hearing your take these days as compared to the CreativeLive days.
@@michaelkramer4741 nothing has changed 10 years later. my studio would not have the financial success it does today if i had not moved away from digital only offerings. you can only charge so much for digital files... there is a limit on the prices people are willing to pay - instead we focus on offering full service and that includes full product offering. avg wedding client spends 12-15k. you are not getting that for digital only. avg portrait client spends near 3500... again... i would never get that for a digital only offering. hth.
we off packages for sure - we find that a la carte while it sounds nice... creates confusion for clients. in fact, it turns the focus to how much things will cost as they add it up, but packages, if set up correctly should allow for bundled savings... this changes the focus to how much they are saving. big difference. we offer any and every size imaginable. hth.
Hello and Thank you! I became a new user with H&H last summer. I was overwhelmed when attempting to create a print/album! I guess I am soooo new to printing.... so many options and I don't know what they mean. Do you know of a video/tutorial that explains these options and/or work flows for creating within H&H?
The highlight of Imaging U.S.A. was meeting you & your team. Definitely a huge defining moment. I took down notes on everything you said. I am already moving forward with a much stronger business model. And now I’m binge watching your videos. Thank you.
ty ty - you are too kind!! now... go crush some shit!! :)
Hey Sal - I recently completed my first Senior Shoot based on your Creative Live video series. I don't know where else to go to thank you for your guidance. Of course no ones workflow is going to completely work for someone else, I made my own tweaks given the circumstances I was working with.
I was shooting a senior that we have known for about 6 years and is at the same grade level as my daughter. They are both heavily into theater. This kid is incredibly photogenic, she could model if she wanted to. Shooting her was incredibly easy.
We did about a 4-5 hour session - locations and studio - about 6 different looks. Yup, way more than most might want to shoot. But my personal attention and willingness to do whatever was necessary for the client really paid off. Not to mention I had an absolute blast - could have gone on for hours more. Full disclosure - I am retired, have a decent retirement income, so additional income is always nice but not a huge concern. Hey it gets me out of the house.
Sorry to get a bit off topic with all that. We ended up finishing off the experience with an IPS. Pretty much modeled after your CL videos. I had purchased a number of samples from H&H to be able to get the clients juices going. They were definitely WOWed with the offerings.
To be honest ( I mentioned circumstances above) I knew all this crew wanted was a guest (signature) album. But I went thru the whole process anyway - hey I got a free IPS experience. Sure, my expenses didn't match the sales, but I am still looking to get established and there is no way these guys could have anything but positive comments on the experience.
Thanks again for your guidance!
Everything you say makes complete sense Sal! 🤷🏼♂️👍🏽
I agree with so much of this! Before last year we had NEVER sold anything over 24x36 and NEVER sold an acrylic wall piece (only acrylic blocks) we added a 30x40 acrylic print to our IPS room and the VERY NEXT family session we photographed the dad turned around and said "I want that" and pointed to our acrylic 30x40! Show what you want to sell!
How much more are you pricing it, than what it costs you?
@@mariomihalikfilms we always carry a 20% COGs
Thank you@@GrondePhoto
I always enjoy Your Videos !!!! This is important info for the entrepreneur !!!! I may reconstitute my photography into a business as in the past (71yo) I did very well but it was in the past and primitive by today's standards !!!!! Very inspiring :) :) :)
Incredibly helpful, Sal! You always provide great tips, but not offering IPS is definitely one area that I have failed my clients and ultimately myself. Thanks for the kick in the arse!!!
you are very welcome!! get at it!
Sal, first of all, I love your channel and I want to sell more products. But you can "square that circle" regarding selling a 50.00 8x10 because they know damn good and well they are not paying for a blank 8x10 print, they are paying for the image on that print. I heard another photographer say use the word Heirloom on your website so they understand you value wall art and printed portraits. Show your products on your website so that it's very clear you are about wall art and heirloom portraits.
Sal, good stuff thanks for sharing all your knowledge!
Great advice Sal 👌
I needed that at Shutterfest, this is so educational! I did a sweet 16 Event and had I seen this video, It’d be more profitable for me! Thanks Sal!
Very helpful video, especially seeing your IPS room. Thanks!
Thanks for making this! It helped a ton!
Awesome!!! Get at it.
It would be super cool to meet you at WPPI. You going? I’m going for the 1st time. Can’t wait.
i will be at shutterfest.com... :) you need to get there.
Thank you for creating this 🏆🏆🏆
Hey Sal - nothing but IPS for the most personal scenario. I would appreciate your comments or even a complete video on packaging your products for delivery. Images are selected, products ordered. How do you package it all for delivery with customized bags, boxes, etc.? Somewhere in your videos I seem to remember some large bags with your logo. Where are you getting that type of stuff (packaging, bags, etc.) with your logos?
Thanks in advance....
Fantastic knowledge
This is great!! Selling doesn't come naturally for many of us . I remember the in-room mock up from Kodak Pro-Shots software back in the 1990s lol. I love the "Trusted Advisor" approach. It would be great to get a peek into an actual sales session (presentation, tone, walk thru, purchasing, ordering, delivery/installation). How do you get "wow" factor from the experience?
Great video! You're funny.
Great video thank you for it? What does a typical package of artwork look like? And if they want a bigger size do you just add on the difference?
How do you do IPS without a studio 😭
Unfortunately that link to the Albums you gave in a previous vid isn't available out of the USA. I was crying 😭
i would contact them... i think that special is over.
Sal, This has been the one thing that I have struggled with. I moved into a studio recently, and now I have to sell more product. For so long I've been pushing portfolio boxes in matted prints, with little success. I need to do something else.
This is the path my man. I promise you… this works!!
@@SalCincotta1 I know it is. I have a viewing coming up next week. In the mean time i think I will get some more samples.
Why's is that focus pulsing? You have good lighting and the new canons are rock solid? My R3 with a 35mm is clutch for talking head clips. Only time i have a problem is with peaky caps and the tip of the cap blocks the eyes, even then it only moves out slow and a little, still usable. Maybe worth looking into Sal?
Yeah no idea. Didn’t catch until we were editing. :) good lighting etc. so who knows… :)
His Italian hands always steal the focus :)
@@alissacincotta6228 🤣
If you turn in an edited image to them already, when they order one as some kind of print, then what do you do as a retouch? I know you aren't showing the first images to them as raw images.
Hi Sal - good to catch up to you again. I have - and still watch - your CreativeLive seniors videos from years ago. I've been wondering where you are getting your signature albums these days. Seems like everyone is selling the drop in plastic sleeve page books these days. I always liked the matted page that friends could sign.
I'll be following you now.
Yes ty!!! Hh color lab now makes our signature collection albums!!!
@@SalCincotta1 I have cruised around the Hh albums - there are a lot. I would appreciate a link to your choice for the senior signature album you use. Again I am looking for an album with matted pages (some paper material around a print) where friends can sign/comment around the image.
On a different note, I'm glad to see you (or found you) putting out new material.
Thank you!
@@michaelkramer4741 ty ty! yes we are having fun with it for sure. check it out - scalbums.hhcolorlab.com/
@@SalCincotta1 A big question - still the raging debate. 10 years ago in your CreativeLive videos, you frowned on digital sales - shoot & burn. I'm really curious to hear your take 10 years later - technologies have changed.
To this day I still resist it at all costs, posting a bunch of images for download. Reasons:
1. I would never just dump my entire shoot for download.
2. Obviously at the very least, I must cull blinkers and other useless, out of focus images.
3. OK so some images were a little dark, a little blown, colors might require correction.
4. Apply my personal touchups what ever they may be.
5. So luckily, out of 500-700 images there may be 100-150 touched-up images that I am willing to show clients or post for download.
That is a huge investment in time, no matter if I do it or have a retoucher do it. I can't imagine offering digital downloads (100-150) for anything less than $750-$1000. Yes I know this could be a add-on to a package, but more and more potential clients are wanting the downloads.
Looking forward to hearing your take these days as compared to the CreativeLive days.
@@michaelkramer4741 nothing has changed 10 years later. my studio would not have the financial success it does today if i had not moved away from digital only offerings. you can only charge so much for digital files... there is a limit on the prices people are willing to pay - instead we focus on offering full service and that includes full product offering. avg wedding client spends 12-15k. you are not getting that for digital only. avg portrait client spends near 3500... again... i would never get that for a digital only offering. hth.
What size prints are best to offer? And do you sell packages or individual products?
we off packages for sure - we find that a la carte while it sounds nice... creates confusion for clients. in fact, it turns the focus to how much things will cost as they add it up, but packages, if set up correctly should allow for bundled savings... this changes the focus to how much they are saving. big difference. we offer any and every size imaginable. hth.
Hello and Thank you! I became a new user with H&H last summer. I was overwhelmed when attempting to create a print/album! I guess I am soooo new to printing.... so many options and I don't know what they mean. Do you know of a video/tutorial that explains these options and/or work flows for creating within H&H?
I’m right with Peter here. Just an overview of the site and your thought process on markups would be great (maybe h&h will sponsor it for ya😂)
FIX That video focus issue! ugh!