Help! Need to propose a budget for Santa Shoot

[suerenee]

Hello all--I've been MIA lately b/c life gets in my way.

However, I just was contacted by a friend who works in my building that she will need a photog to do Santa pictures for a Shopping Center's Holiday event. She wants me to provide the backdrop, etc. and then I can sell the photos how I would like. She asked me to figure a price to send to her tenet (the Shopping Center). This would be a great opportunity for me since I need money for Christmas presents for the kids.

Any advice about the fee for the shoot? Also--what are your feelings about selling photos-should I print out there and sell 4 x 6 or give out a card with a website for ordering different sizes/packages.

Thanks!

[NathanJK]

Originally Posted by suerenee

Also--what are your feelings about selling photos-should I print out there and sell 4 x 6 or give out a card with a website for ordering different sizes/packages.

Thanks!

Personally, I would sell 4x6's there and ALSO sell online. However, I would try to push for on-site viewing and ordering for larger orders as well. Maybe you could offer holiday cards, gift items such as mugs, mousepads, magnets etc. in addition to just larger prints?

[HotHolly]

I would take orders there for different photo packages (eg one 8x10 and two 5x7). You can have them fill out the order form, hand you a check or cash, and then they can pick up at your studio (or you can ship or pick a pick up point).

People tend to forget that they took photos. And when the buyer is caught in the min, you'll sell more. You can also give them a recipet with your website and the oppertunity to purchase more photos, cards, or what-have-you.

[Breezy]

What a great opportunity

[HeatherLou]

I did something like this for Easter pics last year, I printed 8x10 and smaller on site, It was great cuz only one other photog does that here, everyone loved getting the prints right away.

[dreemes]

What kind of printers does everyone use to print onsite? inkjet or dyesub? and what brand?

[Davidtxs]

Kodak 1400 Dye Sub does great one bad thing is if you have a need for 4 x 6 then ya have to print 4 at a time the paper comes in either 8.5 x 12 or 8.5 x 14 one good thing is its afixed print cost, you can shop around online and get is as cheap as 1.35 or so per page

[HeatherLou]

Same with me, I use the Kodak 1400 dye-sub, found the print kits for 65$ for 50 sheets.

[cdesign]

I ran the Santa photo event for the Southlake Town Square several years ago. I have much advise to offer but probably best by phone (817.690.8385). We did $25K of business for five three day weekends with the basic 4x6 photo running $6.95. This was a huge improvement over previous years which averaged about $9500 in sales for the sale time period.

We had a 'no hassle' arrangement so that customers did not have to pay to see Santa and were not obligated to buy anything. We even allowed Mom's and Dad's to take their own photos. My feeling is that if you offer a quality product, it will stand on it's own and people will respond. I don't know have actual numbers for this, but I would guess that well over 80% of people sitting with Santa bought something.

We used 1 CF card per customer, shot as many photos as we could, let them preview them on a Mac monitor and then printed on ink jet (dye sub would be best). We had three Mac workstations going non-stop for most of the time and one additional at peak times and for special work (i.e. large orders, hand cut photos set in ornament frames, etc).

We also offered a flat-fee for all photos on a CD. We charged only $20 for that which was a steal. It was very popular and had me thinking after the event that perhaps that would be the way to go completely (i.e. no on-site printing, just slap everything on a CD for a cut-rate price). I do think that ordering on web is a great convenience that many stressed out Mom's would like as an option. But.. the reality is that many would never take the time later to log on and preview the photos. Even fewer would purchase. So.. your best incentive for a sale is going to be right after the photo is taken.

One other note... I happen to have a complete Santa set and photo shop for sale. I've listed it on eBay three times this year and a couple times on Craig's list. I just sold the stage portion of the set but still have the Photo Store portion and some other misc items that may be of interest to you (giant wooden 6ft Nutcrackers, painted wooden presents, etc). Here is a link to some photos: http://web.mac.com/cdesign3/

Call if you wish to discuss anything else. I would be happy to provide what info I can. John 817.690.8385