Ideas for studio display?

[Cathy_P]

I've been invited to set up a display for high school senior photography at a local high school. We each get a table..maybe electric (don't want to count on it). I have one display easel..not much. I've got lots of prints..a few framed. I don't know what to display them or how. If I have electric, I can set up a slide show on my laptop. I'll have price lists and business cards with coupons. any other ideas?
PS things have been bad. A cheapo place has opened in the neighborhood. Full packages for $10..yuck! I'm leaving my prices the same, but offering discounts for those who order within two weeks.

[MatsP]

Can you have a spare battery for your laptop that you could charge "off-site" while the other is running the laptop itself?

--
Mats

[Cathy_P]

No..I don't have a spare, but this isn't going to be a long meeting..maybe 2 hours. My battery is suppose to make that...maybe.
Right now I'm thinking of;
Setting the laptop up with our nice flat screen monitor.
Buying 2 more easels (officemax $34 each)
Put three large framed prints on the easel
Then just stack some of my 16x20's and let people go through them, if they want.
Set out price lists and business cards stating 8 free wallets with order..should I make it 16?
Guess I need some kind of sign..haven't gotten that far.

[jpreston]

Cathy,

Some friends of mine said their best results come from blasting a killer slide show on the biggest monitor they can get, having a few framed large prints (at least 16x20, bigger if you have them), some very nice albums and their price lists.

They said they've actually been asked to turn their music down, but it seems like the louder they play it, the more students check out their table!

I wouldn't put a lot of $$$ in it unless you think you have a shot at booking several sessions. Seems like a lot of kids these days are having their 'artsy' friends take their pictures with their Digital Rebels.

Good Luck!

[swartzphotography]

hey watch it i still use a digital rebel lol. of course i could get a new camera but i get attached so easily. Its like my little son. anyway I learned that if you can sell yourself you can outsell the chepo place down the road. just specialize in what the cheapo place down the road cant do. say pets welcome. and shoot families with there four legged friends. the cheapo place down the street probably cant even fit two people full body in the frame and you can get the whole family fido and all. just my two cents.

[rjgleason]

Cathy, YOU DO KNOW WHAT TO DO! Your talent is exactly what you must display. If, as you say, you have a table to display your business, I would do the foillowing:

1. To the right and left of your table, set up display easels and choose about 10 of your best prints... (5 for each easel) Have each print matted (not framed) so that people coming to your table can flip through the five on each side. I would also insure that the prints are large; minimum 11x14, or larger, so that even as people come by and are looking over the shoulder of the one flipping through, they also can see your "wares".

2. Your website can tell a lot. Using a laptop and projector, have your website up and running on a screen behind the table.... again, "large" is key. Surely you can set this up so your website runs page after page.... People, if they are interested, will be viewing the website slide-show, waiting as the pages turn and change.

3. A "Services & Pricing" handout should be prepared. Make it colorful..... Include a short resume of you.

4. Bring your gear. (People are impressed by photography equipment....for example, a 1D-type DSLR, with a 70-200 looks so much better and professional, than a Rebel-sized cam with a low-end kit lens) As people come by, offer an "on the spot" photo to take of someone who you can sense has a valid interest in your services .......and then, show them the shot you have taken (even if it is on the LCD ..... or if you can hook your cam up to the laptop, ask if you can process and print the shot to send them an 8x10. You want to draw a crowd, so take your time in making the subject pose, etc.

5. Sign-Up sheet........"a must!" This is essential and will add to your list of prospects and potential clients. (an effective AND SUCCESFUL marketing plan always requires an ongoing list of potential clients....also adds to your mailing lists) I call it "IRONS IN THE FIRE". Include in your sign up sheet (s) what, if any, each genre a potential client might be interested in. Example: "Studio Portraits" "On-site Portraits" "Events" "Senior Portraits" etc. etc.

6. Good idea to have some "albums" on the table.

7. Maybe "hire" an assistant to "work the crowd" with you. It would possibly add to showing your business as an enterprise.,

8. Here is something radical: Make a sign with two of the same subject/prints on it. One print reflecting an average, run-of-the-mill photo, even under/over exposed, flat, etc. The second photo.......your best interpretation of the first. Include something like: "Do you want this or this for your Portrait?" Surely you can work the right wording, display for this idea.

Just some quick thoughts.... Hope it helps.

[rjgleason]

One another suggestion: Since you indicated this will be in a school facility, and assuming its a gym, don't (repeat "DON'T) get a spot by the gym entrance. Depending upon the attendance, people may feel rushed to get by your set-up and/or if you start drawing a crowd, they may feel pressured into moving along to the other exhibits. Make sure you have enough room between or away from your competition..... I definitely would suggest spreading your exhibit out and, as well, having a second person helping you generate interest.

[jpreston]

Listen to Bob.