5 Things I have Learned from Trade Shows | Chilliwack Newborn Baby Photographer

As every good pro knows, running a Photography Business is way more than just taking beautiful pictures. In fact, taking pictures is actually a very small part of what we do. A LOT more of our time is spent on far more mundane duties like marketing.

Well, one way of marketing your business is at trade shows. I have both worked and shot at many trade shows... in fact, last month I was shooting at 2 shows in Vancouver, a week ago I was an exhibitor at the popular Fraser Valley Women's Expo and last weekend I was official shooter for the BC Boat & Sportsmen's Show!!

Here are a few things I have learned over the years and even last week (yes, the learning never stops!)...

1. Pick the show based on audience.
Just booking any and every show you see is probably a waste of money. You need to remember who your target market is, and whether they would be attending these. If your target audience isn't likely to be there (or only be there in small numbers), it probably isn't the show for you.

2. Think carefully about the whole look of the booth.
This is particularly important if your business is supposed to a creative one! Your booth should grab the attention of people passing by, and should reflect your brand. If your photography is bright and colourful, your booth should be bright and colourful. If your photography is simple and classy, then so should your booth be. Oh yes... and for displaying prints at a show, bigger is better... oh, and glass gives off too much glare under most events' lighting!

3. Know your budget - can you afford this show?
Some events, like smaller community markets, are quite affordable to get into, so they are lower risk - less of a decision as to whether or not you should do them. However, the larger weekend trade shows can be expensive - anywhere from $400-$1200+ - and that is BEFORE you have even put anything into the space! Before you decide to do a show, remember to add the cost of setting up your booth (carpet, table, display prints, furniture, handouts, draw forms, pens, booth or door prize, candy to hand out etc) onto the booth rental fee, to work out what the total cost will be....then work out how may bookings you need to get, to at least cover that cost.

4. You don't have to spend a fortune!
Yes, you want your booth to look great, but you can find plenty of ways to do that AND save some money.
For example...

• when looking for a carpet for my last booth, I set a $50 budget. The best area rug option at any local store was too short and still cost over $80! I drove around and got exactly what I wanted, and on budget, by going into a regular carpet store and asking the owner if they had any end-of-roll cuts they wanted to get rid of. 
• to display my largest prints, I saved the $200+ for 2 display easels by just using a light stand from my studio, with a sandbag and make-shift prop to keep the print steady! 

Shop around and be resourceful!

5. Think about how to get the most out of your time there.
Just sitting at a booth, waiting for people to talk to you, is not the best use of your time there. You want to at least make back your investment, so you need to attract as many people as you can to your booth and to your business!

• People attending these shows are often looking for a "show bonus", so you can offer a special deal or bonus gift if they book from the show. 
• To get info for later, the best and most-commonly-used idea is a simple prize draw! Pick a great (but budget-friendly) prize, add some draw forms and a box, and you have a great lead generator. 
• Some photographers also like to add a photo booth. A great idea, but bear in mind that you may need extra staff for this one - you'd hate to be busy shooting some folks while others wanted to ask info about booking a bigger session later.
• Don't forget about the other vendors! If you can get someone to cover your booth for an hour, walk around the show and do some networking.

Trade shows are a lot of work... a lot of hours... but they are GREAT fun and you meet some wonderful and fascinating people. I think I will leave you with one more extra bonus tip, before I sign off, but it is probably the best piece of advice I could give anyone going to a trade show... and that is wear comfortable shoes!!

6 Great Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Newborn Photographer | Chilliwack Newborn Baby Photographer

Expecting a baby is a very exciting time. There are times when that 9 months of waiting seem to take forever. However, once baby arrives, many parents will agree that those first few weeks just fly by. I guess that is why so many people appreciate capturing those precious first memories with Newborn Photography!

So, how do you go about picking the right photographer for you? After all, this is your long-awaited, treasured baby we are talking about! Well, to help you out, here are a few questions to ask your Newborn Photographer when shopping around...

1. What do your photos look like?
The photographer's portfolio is probably the best place to start when picking! Photography is art - and taste in art varies from person to person. Likewise, styles vary from photographer to photographer. So, probably the most important thing to consider is what kind of style and look do you like most. Would you be happy displaying this photographer's work on your walls?

2. What training have you received to pose newborns?
Posing and shooting a newborn is not like shooting older children. From soothing tricks to safety procedures, it requires it's own set of skills, special techniques and a LOT of patience. This is a time when picking a trained specialist should be seriously considered over your regular general portrait photographer.

3. Where do you take the photos?
This, again, is where personal preference comes in. Some Newborn Photographers shoot in the studio, and some shoot in the client's home. Some people feel more comfortable in their own home. Others may not want the stress of having to crank up the heating and tidy up their house when you are suffering from post-birth exhaustion. Whatever you prefer, you ought to know where your session will take place before you book.

4. Do you have insurance & a contract? 
Any professional, especially one who deals with fragile newborns & "busy", curious toddlers should have liability insurance. Add to that a current business license and a contract, and you can be more confident that you are dealing with a true professional who cares about providing the best and most trustworthy experience for all involved.

5. When should I book/reserve my session?/ Do you have availability around my due date?
The first question is a question I am asked a lot! The best time to shoot a newborn is between 5 and 10 days old (a good Newborn Photographer can shoot older babies, though, if the baby has had to stay in hospital longer or there are other special circumstances). However, most parents don't really know when their bundle is planning to make their grand entrance! Many Newborn Photographers will limit their number of bookings to allow for this "appointment date juggling", so booking your slot during the 2nd or 3rd trimester of your pregnancy will avoid the disappointment of finding out that your favourite photographer is already booked up!

6. What is the investment?
When shopping around, cost is an important consideration (after all, you do have bills to pay this month, right?) BUT look at the price of Newborn Photography as an investment, not a cost. Your photos will be handed down from generation to generation - they are a record of an important family moment, that will last long after the baby has grown up and had babies of their own. Like so many things in life, the cheapest option may not necessarily be the best option for something this important. (Cost is also often a great indicator of the experience of your photographer, and the quality of the end product!)

I'm sure more questions will pop into your head, as you are shopping around, but these are a great starting point. The right photographer is somewhere out there for everyone. You just need to find the right one for you. :-)