Using Summer to Plan for Fall Studio Sessions

If you specialize in studio photography, now, during summer, is the perfect time to look around your studio to see what needs updating, organizing and cleaned.

Assess Equipment & Supplies

Re-order Seamless Paper

Check to see which seamless colors you use the most and which are almost out. Available color options run from the standards to the exotic and everything in between. Need a special color for a special client? They have 68 to choose from, including Tech Green and Studio Blue for chroma key work. Need to compare colors? Ask for the seamless background paper color swatch chart.

Invest in a Cloth Backdrop

Perhaps you found a little extra in the budget and find it’s time to upgrade to a cloth backdrop. Durable, beautiful and versatile, they are a must-have component of a complete studio setup. Made from high-quality, non-reflective cotton, they create a traditional and professional look with little effort. Savage’s wide variety of muslins includes solid colors, special effects like airbrushing and hand-painting, even retro-print backgrounds for a fun, vintage look. They create a Old World, romantic ambiance in any studio or location, perfect for portraits, events, product shots, video production.

Other Studio Supplies

Now’s the time to create the ultimate studio production environment. Whether finding the right space-saving table to shoot tethered, having professional posing equipment or getting those extra light stands you’ve been wanting, in the end you’ll save money by being able to produce more and higher-quality work.

Items such as the Savage Air Flow Tech Table which is specifically designed for photographers shooting tethered to their computer and provides a stable base for any laptop to be securely used, for extended periods of time is a top of the list item for any studio photographer.

Photographic Equipment

Send out any bodies, lenses, heads and packs while you’re slow. Also, although most do not spend the time, it’s worth reading your camera’s manual cover-to-cover. Knowing your equipment is one of the key’s to a successful shoot.

Best practice is to have your gear serviced four times a year, or about once a quarter. If you don’t live within in driving distance of a dedicated manufacturers repair shop, you’ll ending having to mail out your equipment. Good news! Companies such as Canon offer loaners during your equipment servicing through their Canon Professional Services Programs. For a small fee you’ll enjoy things like discounted repairs, email support and access to seminars, workshops and more.

Networking

Maybe you didn’t take the time out last year to take advantage of all networking events have to offer. Do a little Internet research and find meet-ups, business networking groups, upcoming exhibits – anything really to get your name out there.

Create a Calendar

Make a yearlong, monthly plan to map out event dates and deadlines.

Set a Budget

Determine how much time and money you can afford to spend on entry fees, club memberships, travel and entertainment/meals.

Design a Follow-up

Compose a drip email campaign, print up a direct mail piece or compile a list of names for follow-up calls. Whatever you choose, make sure you send, blast or call within one week of the event to stay top of mind.

Marketing

Just as with your networking calendar, make a year long plan broken down into quarters. Above each quarter mark down significant holidays and events then back it up by at least two months to know when you should start promoting your studio for these types of jobs.

Now that you have a plan in place and primped and primed your studio for an optimal workflow, you’ll be able to start booking gigs as soon as September rolls around!