Gonna Start Projected Proofing!

[micajoy]

I'm just starting out and can't afford to go the projection route yet....for those of you that have done it do you think an in person consultation with the proofing on a laptop would be a sufficient substitute?

[photosbysergio]

Thanks Holly! I'm excited to try this out.

[MicWayWal]

Originally Posted by micajoy

I'm just starting out and can't afford to go the projection route yet....for those of you that have done it do you think an in person consultation with the proofing on a laptop would be a sufficient substitute?

Yes. But can you carry a separate monitor that they can look at. Every laptop has an extra monitor port. Give them their own monitor to huddle around.

[AllenOwen]

Holly,
When you take the projector to a client, do you use your own screen or do you hope the client has a nice white wall?

[HotHolly]

I have a studio, so they come to me. And this may seem ghetto - but you can transport foam core and stick it on the wall. Portable screen. I actually do that in the shop since my white wall is gone. Im all for whatever works, ghetto or not.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by micajoy

I'm just starting out and can't afford to go the projection route yet....for those of you that have done it do you think an in person consultation with the proofing on a laptop would be a sufficient substitute?

If I had to choose laptop or paper proofs, Id choose paper proofs. There is something to touching them and wanting them that you dont get on the screen.

You can also order the paper proofs in sizes you think they may want, so they actually walk out with the 'proofs' assuming you are proofing final images anyway. I suppose that works better with the number of proofs we present - 10 per session. I could print a bunch of 8x10s, 5x7s, and a big one. Then let them choose what they want to buy. Doesnt work so well if you are proofing 100+ images for a portrait session.

The main thing I kept hearing with paper proofs is why cant I have these ones? Well, print them in your standard sales size, and let them buy the prints on the spot. Spontaneous purchase! Wahoo! And if you didnt print enough, they can order.

Lately, I have been trying to restock new albums. I keep ordering an extra to keep for the studio. When the client sees I have an extra - they buy it. There is something to seeing it and not waiting. Id take advantage of that if I had no projector.

[S-Man]

I'm milling through some old threads this night/early morning. Lots of good info to be had on this site.

So here we are over a year later. Are you still using Projection Proofing Holly?
If so, what changes have you noticed in the market and what adaptations have you implemented?

I noticed also you said long ago you stopped online proofing. Does that mean you never post a gallery online for clients and friends of clients to view/order prints? Or do you do that after the proofing party and initial ordering frenzy?

[HeatherLou]

Sam, Holly started projection proofing in 2007 LOL, I started in 2009! But I will tell you what I think.

Projection proofing, along with a change in how my pricing was set up, has totally changed my business! I doubled my income from 2008, but only had about 8 more clients in 2009 than 2008. I am regularly bringing in sessions at the $1000 mark, and my clients CRY! They see the slide show, all big and wonderful and they start tearing up! The clients love it. The last sales session I had, we had the parents and grandparents there. Not only was the sale (on a 6 month old baby, no less) over $1000, I booked a Senior Session (Grand parents still have one child left at home) and a wedding (parents are not married yet) in that same meeting!

So thank to Don Barnes who told me to get a projector!

[bondarnes]

You're welcome.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by S-Man

I noticed also you said long ago you stopped online proofing. Does that mean you never post a gallery online for clients and friends of clients to view/order prints? Or do you do that after the proofing party and initial ordering frenzy?

Yeah, Ive been doing this for a few years. Still doing good. Average sessions gross around $2K. I'm very spoiled now, since that's become normal. And no, I do not ever put their session online for proofing for portrait sessions. I will do it sometimes for weddings AFTER the proofing party. The online wedding gallery is only up for a short time and it is intended for out of town family. Most people order in person.

[reader0428]

Very, very helpful thread. I am just getting started - practicing, reading everything I can, practicing, stalking websites and blogs, practicing some more...but I am already convinced that I will NEVER do online proofing when I am ready to launch my business! :)

[mike78628]

Super informative thread. Anyone have any new recommendations regarding projectors. Seems there are several models getting smaller and smaller every day. What is minimum resolution for the projector?

Thanks again for all the info.

[HotHolly]

From what I understood, the projectors that cost more can be seen clearly in more light. Mine's a middle of the road model, but I have to shut the blinds during day light hours. Mike knows about that part of the technology. I just sell stuff. :D

I just submitted a workshop thread that has a section on proofing and projection. A lot of people have asked about it, and when we were doing a stand alone on proofing. We usually wrap proofing in with selling, but we decided it fit in with a wedding workshop we are doing in June. Anyway, we'll get into a bit then.

I proofed seniors and boudoir this week on it. Its just awesome. It really provides the client with an experience and makes it easy to share/ see with families and friends...and all that stuff leads to great sales and happy clients.

[Bruce M. Morris]

Holly, just read through this thread and thought I would add something that I heard in a lecture some 20 years ago.. The lecturer was shooting slides for all his work at the time and when he did his presentations to the client, he had a series of picture frames up on a wall, SMALLEST being 16x20. he had it set up so he could show the client the photos projected INTO the frame, thus selling picture and frame. Dont know if this is an option for you, but there it is.