Why I sell digital images vs IPS
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January 28, 2017
By Maxine Evans Photography

In-Person Sales or IPS vs Selling Digital Images Online for Newborn Photorgraphers

This is my perspective on In-Person Sales

Business Model:

There's a wide spectrum of newborn baby photographers in Los Angeles, from those who view themselves primarily as artists to those who approach photography as a service-based business. Each approach has its own merits and considerations, and it really comes down to what works best for the individual photographer and their target clientele.

Providing Digitals:

Offering digital images has become increasingly popular in the digital age, and many clients appreciate the flexibility and convenience of having digital copies of their photos. Digitals allow clients to easily share their images with family and friends, create prints or products on their own terms, and store them digitally for safekeeping.

Albums and Keepsakes:

Albums hold a special place in preserving memories, and they are indeed timeless keepsakes that can be passed down through generations. While some clients may prefer digitals for convenience, others value the tangible nature of printed albums and wall art.

Business Approach:

Running a photography business is ultimately about providing a service that meets the needs and desires of your clients while also sustaining your livelihood. Your approach of offering a mix of digitals, albums, prints, and wall art seems well-rounded and client-focused.

Client Preferences:

Understanding your clients' preferences and guiding them through their options is key. Some may want guidance on printing and framing, while others may prefer the flexibility of digitals. Providing a range of options allows clients to choose what best suits their preferences and needs.

In-Person Sales (IPS):

For photographers who choose to do In-Person Sales sessions, it can be a powerful way to showcase the images and guide clients through their options. A beautifully presented reveal wall can certainly enhance the sales experience and help clients visualize their images in various formats.

Your Business, Your Choice:

At the end of the day, every photographer has to find the approach that aligns with their goals, values, and the needs of their clients. Your approach of offering a mix of options, guiding clients through their choices, and focusing on the service aspect of your business seems like a thoughtful and client-centered approach.

 

Technology:

Online galleries provide a user-friendly interface where parents can easily navigate through the images, mark their favorites, and make selections.

They can also share the gallery with family and friends to get their input if desired.

Client Convenience:

Recognizing that new parents have a lot on their plate, offering the option to view and select images from home can save them time and hassle.

Parents can take their time to review the images, discuss with each other, and make decisions without feeling rushed.

I prefer my clients enjoy viewing their gallery and making their image selection from the comfort of their own home.

Please let me know your thoughts or what you prefer when it comes to your products and packages.

Leave a comment:
16 Comments
Maxine Evans - Totally Liz! You just have to find what works for you. Best wishes with your new business!
Liz Stell - THANK YOU! Being new to the biz, I've been struggling with all the pressure from educators pushing IPS in order to be successful and I just never had the desire. This puts it into perspective for me and completely makes sense. There IS a choice!
Meg - Thanks for your post. I am a brand new photographer and still figuring pricing and everything out!
Leanna Woodley - I'd love to see a Facebook live on this. You bring up an interesting point. As someone that just switched from S&B to IPS, and is new to the business, I'm still trying to find my groove and how I want my business to be run. I do find that SO many people just want the digitals. And there are SO many labs available these days for canvas prints and albums. Hmmm...
Maxine Evans - Ariel, Thank you for your input! It's important to hear from the client's perspective!

PS what do you mean the first photographer??? LOL, just kidding <3
Ariel S. - I can only offer a client's perspective. The first photographer that I considered did not provide digital images. I knew immediately that it was the wrong choice for me, because I want to keep my treasured photos forever...and what if I want to put one on a holiday card?

Maxine, I have never considered ordering prints form anyone but you. Your customer service is outstanding and your relationship with your clients ensures you receive ample busines from them. Keep doing what you're doing! You are doing it right.
Maxine Evans - Great point Natasha!
Natasha Thomasian - My business model last year was providing my clients with digitals and digitals only. This year, I'm offering prints and albums in their pre-made and "build your own" packages. I feel like every client is different. When I lived in my apartment while we were building our house, I wanted family photos but it was hard for me to find a photographer that would allow me to have the digitals only. I didn't need wall art. And we had just moved from a house, to a small apartment and the construction on our house was going to take quite sometime....we didn't need the wall art because quite frankly we had no where to even put it. Having the digitals allowed me to print them later, when our house was finished and we were able to finally decide what we wanted printed, where, and how big, etc. Photography is a luxury. I deeply believe all families should have family photos. Some families have different budgets and I get that. So it's important for me to offer something for families on a budget as well.
Crystal - YES!!! Love hearing you say all this because you are successful and not doing IPS. Often times those who only sell digitals are made to feel they are doing it wrong. There is no right and wrong. Do what works for you and stay in your own lane, don't worry how others are making their money worry about how you can make your own. Well done Maxine!!
Kristy - Maxine, I think you nailed it when you said "what works for me". I believe that giving what the clients in your area want and what you want for you and your business is what matters. Same goes for pricing. We all live in different areas and generate different styles of work. We also live, spend, work, play differently too. We value life differently. I do IPS and have done so for the past 12 years. I offer my packages with digital and print. Mainly so they can have and see a higher quality than Walmart, Costco. I also offer albums because they are amazing! :) I have and am playing with the idea of doing online orders and doing away with having them come back. We shall see where it leads me. But, it is again, all about what works for me AND my clients. ;) If they choose to still go to Walmart, like you said, its their baby and the images.
Maxine Evans - Jennifer,
I really try to tell my clients about the difference in the labs but I probably should do a better job of making sure they see the difference.
Maxine Evans - First, thank you so much for your lovely compliment and a hug and wine sound great!

I definitely guide my clients on printing because they will go to costco and walmart :-(
Maxine Evans - Thanks for your input! I believe most are probably somewhere down the middle. There's no judgement or one way is better than the other. It's just what each of us wants to do. The beauty of owning your own business!
Jennifer Gibbons - I too always sell my digital images. But I have had some issues with my clients printing the digitals that I give them. They usually go to a budget place (like CVS or Walmart) and the colors never come out like they look on the screen. I always strongly suggest that they use a better quality photo printer, but when they don't they come back to me thinking that I have taken a photo with horrible balance of color - usually the whites are blown out and the vibrancy in ridiculous! Any ideas on this anyone? Thanks?
Sharon - I provide a "hybrid" model. We sell digitals and prints. We do IPS but most families purchase a full gallery of digital images because we live in a digital world. Most families do not know why they want all the digital images....they just do. I do not argue it...heck I want every images of my children too. We spend a lot of time educating (verbally and with material sent home with them) them on file corruption and the importance of prints. I also provide each "digital client" an online gallery and a cell app with printing access from the same lab I use. The only fear I have with digital is that they will print at Walmart. This is why I educate them on printing professionally AND give them two easy ways in doing so. Love your work Maxine. You were my inspiration for focusing on NB photography. One day I will thank you in person with a hug....and wine. haha.
Nazia Vaillant - Thank you so much for this article! I'm probably somewhere in the middle. I don't believe in 25 prints of newborns on the wall, but I do love prints, I print a lot for myself. So I do encourage my clients to print their images too- be it in an album. I've had 2 computer crashes, so this would explain a lot!
I loved reading your point of view on the subjet, so thanks again!