Online Proofing - spreading the word

[brad]

I don't use smugmug for printing.. I'm too much of a control freak, I want to see the prints when they come off the printer, see the lab tech that did it, and get them to do them again if they aren't right. LOL

I created a set of ASP pages that display the smugmug stored images (so the pages are at my domain).. and then use a paypal cart to collect the orders.

Here is a sample of what they look like (friend's kids, and prices represent my "friends and family" prices.. regular prices are a little higher):

http://www.b2pix.com/EventGallery.as...n%20Dec%202005

[BCPhoto]

Brad I actually like your idea of handing out a single card rather than collecting who-knows-how-many emails. It would seem to be a heck of a lot easier to do, and if someone somehow abused the system, you could just change your password and move forward. Nice, neat, and clean.

[mramos]

I currently dont use an online proofing site. But I do pass out a wallet pic of the couple (if I did their engagement or bridal) , in place of my business card, with my name and info on the back of the wallets. If I did the online proofing, and I would probably add the info to the back as well. How have you liked Collages.net, and are you using one of their labs to print?

[Holly]

I've been resizing mine to 75 dpi for online viewing. Even if they got around (which I know some can) collage.net's right click disable feature they would still only get a thumbnail when printed. I despise the idea of splashing "PROOF" all over the image, just a personal preference and if I can control it any other way I will do that first.
mramos - I am loving collages - and so far my customers do also. I currently am in the process of setting up with one of their partner labs but I agree with Brad about being a bit of a control freak so I'm not sure I will ever use that option. Right now I just have the shopping cart disabled. All customers see is my reprint price list, a phone number and email address. So far it has worked swimmingly. They can even add in images to a "favorites" section, and if you log on using their email address you will know which ones they want included in a slideshow dvd later......

Great thing about collages also: everyone who views HAS to enter their email address. This is a great worksaver on your part. The system will automatically email everyone at selected intervals and again when the site is about to go offline to make sure they have viewed and/or ordered everything that they wanted. Guests can also extend the viewing past the standard 90 days for I think around $9.99 per each additional 30 days. THere are many many other options they have for photographers. Check out their web site at www.collages.net for more info. (lol - no I don't get a commission just am very very pleased with everything so far) even their customer service. I was having trouble logging in to their site a few days ago around 8:00 am one day. Quick email from me, 10 mins later a reply email from them, by 9:00 it was back up and working.

[chedemann]

Passing out card are the best way to go.

Here an example of one I did. I don't use the photerelect store for most of my weddings but this was out of town and it just made dealing with all the guest easier. Normaly I just have a card with link on my own web site.

http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/...um=0&adjust=-1

carsten....

[Holly]

Carsten....yours are available in 3-5 DAYS?????

[MarcusRevilla]

We offer a 4x6 card with the couple's engagement on it along with basic instructions on how to view the wedding online...simple, yet elegant...always get positive feedback on the cards...

[chedemann]

Originally Posted by Wilson

Carsten....yours are available in 3-5 DAYS?????

Well since my girlfriend walk out I have so much time on my hands Jk, The 3 - 5 day is for the candies of the receptions only. This is meet for the wedding guest not the B&G. I find you need a way for the guest to order quickly after the wedding the number of prints is order by them is higher. I normally take 2 week from the wedding to finish the album. Make the albums the B&G normally have very little input. Then they can pick from the proofs I show them for individual prints

carsten..

[brad]

Originally Posted by MarcusRevilla

We offer a 4x6 card with the couple's engagement on it along with basic instructions on how to view the wedding online...simple, yet elegant...always get positive feedback on the cards...

I like this idea... I may incorporate it.

[PictureCow]

How about print wallets of The Bride and Groom together. On the back do labels with website/password/name and have them send them out with their Thank You cards.
Build the cost into your package price. I've seen one photographer who had two cute signs saying THANK YOU made and they photograph the bride and groom holding them.

If I ever shoot another wedding I plan on doing this.

[Holly]

I've seen one photographer who had two cute signs saying THANK YOU made and they photograph the bride and groom holding them.

I've seen that also - VERY cute idea. :)

[Photodan]

The last wedding I did, the Bride and Groom brought these "Thank You" signs and had me shoot them during the reception holding the signs while standing next to the cake. It wasn't the most artsy thing, but I emailed that pic to her a few days after the wedding and she used it as their thank you card! I thought that was a pretty good idea.

Dan

[skdupre]

Here is a streamlined approach.

Create a link on your home page to your online service (ie: Collages.net). Place a stack of your standard business cards next to the sign in table. Have the DJ suggest that anyone interested in viewing the wedding images should pick one up and visit the website in a week or so. The password would be the couples last name (ie; smith). Done.

If no one is picking up the cards then have the girls pass them out when they are passing out bird seed (or whatever).

Like I said "Streamlined." Probably not the absolute best way, but certainly the easiest.

skd

[LadyShutterBug]

i would never place a stack of my business cards on the sign-in table, but to each their own.

passing them out with the birdseed is just pretty over the top, in my opinion.
as a bride, this would be very, very offensive to me. i'm trying to have my moment and my grand exit, and you're using it as a commercial... people are supposed to be paying attention to me, instead they're reading your business card. blah. and your business cards are in everyone's hands in the pictures. double blah. and the guests' last impression of the photographer is shaameless self-promotion. triple blah.

i have had great success in print sales and word-of-mouth referrals by letting my work speak for itself. the only people i give business cards to at a wedding are people who ask for one.

my business model is very web-based, so i guess the people i deal with are very web-oriented. they generally send their web galleries out to lots of people (judging by the peopel and addresses in post-wedding print orders). to me, it means more coming from the bride anyway.

i've had a couple of brides put the photo viewing info on their wedding programs (that's what people are looking at when they're bored at the ceremony).

[skdupre]

Signed up for Collages two weeks ago. I'm a pretty avid software guy and I rate the learning curve at about 6, which is not too bad. I went with the $39 / event and uploaded pictures from the engagement, bridal, wedding, and reception (474 in all).

Shot a nice wedding in the Texas Hill Country last weekend and posted it on Collages. I passed around 100 wallets of the bride w/ a label on the back instructing them how to access the site. My local lab charged me .20 each. After four days I have around 75 hits on the site and a small order for $30.

I don't see getting a lot of orders from this event since the parents of the bride purchased a CD copy of the wedding and I made two extra copies for the bride and groom and his parents.

Anyway, the one thing I hope to get from Collages is exposure. I expect a few hundred hits by the end of the 60 days and maybe a few more print orders. My goal is to book a wedding somewhere down the line, which will more than pay for the service.

Interested parties can check out the site: Username: cain, Password: 14204