Fall is one of the most popular times of the year, particularly for photo sessions. The beautiful fall colors make for some of the best photo backdrops, which is why this is an ideal time to offer fall mini sessions.
Hosting fall mini sessions is an excellent, affordable way for your clients to keep connected to your photography business and to get new clients through the door.
The best part is that Fall Mini Sessions aren't just for family photographers. You could host Fall Brand Mini Sessions, Fall Mini Headshot Sessions, for those who want to update their Headshots for the season, and you can even offer Fall couples sessions.
Now is the perfect time to start marketing your photography Fall minis. If you need some marketing templates you can check out these mini session welcome packet templates. Below are a few tips to help you get more photography clients for your fall mini sessions.
Remember, the main goal of your mini session shouldn’t only be the revenue that you’ll generate from it. To really benefit from your mini session, you need to view these sessions as a way to get people through the door so that you can up-sell them on extra products such as prints, albums, and additional photo shoots in the future.
Determine the target audience for your mini sessions.
Create a flyer or announcement that will catch people's attention. Be sure to include all of the important details, such as the dates and times of your mini sessions, what type of photos you'll be taking (e.g., family portraits, couples shots), and how much they cost.
Promote your mini session on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. You can either post individual announcements or create a special event page on your website with more information. Be sure to use appropriate hashtags so that potential clients can find you easily.
Make your marketing message as appealing as possible so that people won’t want to miss out. You can offer limited sessions on limited dates. If you need some tips on pricing, check out my guide to pricing your photography mini sessions.
Word of mouth marketing is incredibly powerful so why not get your current clients to help you spread the word about your Fall Mini Sessions.
Let friends and family know about the session and ask them to help spread the word. Enlist help from local businesses (kids stores, local toy stores, etc) who might be interested in promoting your mini sessions on their social media platforms or even hosting an in-store event
To encourage your current clients to help, offer them a special on their next session or offer to throw in something extra like a free print or canvas credit for every new client they refer.
Send out an email blast to your previous clients as well as friends and family members who may be interested in booking a session.
People love themes and it will make your Mini Sessions that much more appealing. Creating a theme also gives you more control over certain aspects such as the location. Make sure to host your mini sessions in a place other than your studio. For example, why would someone come to your studio to shoot a portrait when they’ve already shot a fall mini session there?
Fortunately, there are so many great ideas that you can use for a Fall photo shoot that work really well at an outdoor location. Start by choosing a color scheme for your sessions. This might be based on the colors of autumn, or you could choose some brighter hues to contrast against the changing leaves.
Decide on a simple theme or motif for your sessions, such as "autumn portraits" or "kids playing in the leaves" or "roasting marshmallows by the fire".
Create an inviting backdrop for your photo session – maybe it's a pile of colorful leaves, an old barn surrounded by trees ablaze with red and gold, or just a cozy front porch decorated with pumpkins and gourds.
Remember, this mini session is a sampling so choose your theme carefully.
Once you've chosen your location, take some time to scout it out ahead of time so that you know where the best spots are for taking photos. Try to find areas that are sheltered from direct sunlight, as this can create harsh shadows on people's faces. It's also helpful to look for areas with interesting textures and backgrounds that will make good backdrops for your shots.
On the day of the session, make sure to arrive at your location early enough so that you have plenty of time to set up and get ready before your clients arrive. This will ensure that there isn't any pressure on anyone and everyone has plenty of opportunity to take photos without feeling rushed.
Use natural light whenever possible; take advantage of late-afternoon sunsets and early morning foggy mornings for gorgeous effects in your shots
Finally, have fun! The best part of any photo session is when everyone has fun and enjoys themselves ! Make sure to communicate with your clients beforehand so they know what to expect, and then just relax and have a good time taking photos.
Bonus Tip: After you get your clients through the door for the session, don’t forget to follow up with them to find out whether they would be interested in another photo session.
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