Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Changing...evolving...growing...

Also visit my Beyond the Photography by DonnaKay blog @ http://blog2.photographybydonnakay.com ... 
a way to get to know a little more about me personally...



Change is never easy.  Maybe that statement isn't true for you, but it is very accurate for me!  I love my comfort zone very much, although I am willing to go outside of it when it's necessary.  Obviously it is only natural that as much as I don't like change I would have a tough time implementing it in my business to affect others.  When I first made the decision to start a photography business I knew there was a lot of competition out there.  First problem: I am not a competitive person.  Hmm...so that meant I would have to do something a bit different.  So starting out I knew I wanted to develop into a boutique photography business.  Not just the typical photographer, but rather offering something very unique, personal and customized to my clients.  Many people will have an initial thought "why should I pay that much for pictures when I can go to Sears or Walmart for a lot less?"  Simply - they actually can go there if that's where they want to have their pictures taken; they will probably be very surprised when they see what they get for the advertised price and what they actually end up paying in the end; and they will definitely not get the same custom work they would get from Photography by DonnaKay.  

Question: do you keep things that most people would throw away?  Can you believe I have all of the packets of pictures that I bought from Kinderfoto when my kids were little?!  I just recently cleaned that out!  And in most of the packets there was also the receipt showing how much I paid.  I was amazed at the high price I paid back then for very average (most often below average) pictures.  In fact, except that my gorgeous children are placed in those pictures, they look like any other persons pictures from back then. There is no personality, no customization, absolutely nothing unique about them.  THAT is where I offer something very different to my clients.   

What I would implore you to think about is this: How often do you have real professional photographs taken (for whatever reason: family photos, newborn, engagement, Senior photos, etc.)?  My guess is that it's not usually even always a once-a-year thing.  But wherever you are in your life, think of the times that you may already look back and think: wow, I wish I had some really gorgeous photos that captured those memories that could hang in my home as Art or sit on my table to show off in a gorgeous custom Album... images that are of my family...my significant other in my life early on, my children as they went through this stage or that stage, my child as a newborn baby, or (if you are a woman) a collection of photos with my children along with one in the collection of me pregnant?  A story being told right there for you to see every day.  Then try to put a price on how much those memories are worth to you.  



My business is evolving...and the direction it is growing into is a boutique photography business that offers something unique to my clients that they can't get just anywhere.  Whether is it a photo session or a landscape for Wall Art for a home or office, I want my work to reflect special moments that were captured.  I want to decorate my clients' homes with custom Wall Art, Portrait Collections and Albums that hold memories that are exclusive and intimate to them.  So for me to be able to do this effectively I love developing relationships with my clients that will last a lifetime.  I don't want to just be a no-name photographer to my clients, but rather I want to be there to capture the special moments along the journey of their lives, and there is no price on such memories.  When we meet up for another photo session, or just to share a cup of coffee and chat, I am a friend that they are comfortable with and love to share a part of their life...and their children are excited to see me.  Photography to me is very personal.  I am asking my clients to show me a part of their heart and soul to be captured in a photograph forever...so in return I share a part of my heart and soul with them as well.

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