During difficult economic times many people cut back on their photography budget.
A photographer may be tempted to lower his prices.
Lower volume of shooting and/or lower prices will obviously have a negative impact on a photographer's income.
A business owner can adjust to this new buying perspective held by some client's by offering mini-sessions.
Mini-Sessions are nothing more than a short session.
In a regular session a photographer will usually shoot for anywhere between one and three hours.
A mini-session might only last fifteen or twenty minuets.
This can end up being a win for both the client and the photographer.
While a regular session fee ranges from between $100 and $300, a min-session should be priced at a substantial discount.
Between $50 and $75 dollars is common.
The client wins because at those prices he is able to get some pictures in for the year.
If it is a family portrait there should be 2 or 3 high quality images from which they can choose for use in holiday cards or in a large family print.
While this may not be everything they want, it does cover the basics of what most people are looking for in a family session.
The photographer wins because his time is being utilized effectively.
He should be able to shoot 3 or 4 or these mini-sessions in an evening.
If he can drum up the volume, he should be able to make the same amount or more in an evening of mini-sessions as he was making in an evening of photographing a single family.
There is post end work when shooting mini-sessions.
The photographer will have 4 times the number sessions to organize, edit, post to separate proofing galleries, invoice, order and deliver.
However, the extra time will be compensated from the extra revenue that four (albeit smaller shoots) will bring in compared with one regular shoot.
Mini-sessions can also have the effect of expanding a photographer's client base.
Most high-end photographers have a number of people who would love to take advantage of the service but don't do so because of the cost is outside of their budget.
Offering mini-sessions will bring these people into the photographer's client base.
People's situations change.
While today these people may only be able to afford a mini-session sometime in the future, the will be able to afford a full session.
To be successful in offering mini-sessions, it is essential to have the number attending the session.
A conscious effort to get the word out should be made.
The offer should be posted on the blog, website and Facebook account.
It should be sent out through to all persons on the photographer's email list.
Difficult economic times can put a crunch on the income of photographers.
Offering mini-sessions is one way in which to effectively combat that challenge.