EP 18: the art of albums & elevating client experience
Photography is much more than just capturing memories, it is also about curating and presenting these captured moments in the most profound way possible. In the digital age, printed albums are a physical embodiment of these memories that not only enrich a photographer’s offering, but also introduce an element of tangibility to their clientele. Sean Austin, a seasoned professional photographer, and now an owner of an album production company, talks about how adding an album offering can uplift a photographer's business scaling it in new and meaningful ways.
The Album Advantage
As Shaun Austin of Kiss Books articulates, albums offer something visceral, offering clients a tangible representation of their memories. Introducing albums doesn't just broaden the scope of your work but also adds a layer of richness to your craft, significantly amplifying the client’s experience.
It's true, stepping into album creation can be challenging. It warrants a new understanding, a different kind of creativity, and additional expenses. But the rewards are immense. It enhances your product line, elevates the perceived value of your services, and gives clients a chance to enjoy their photographs in a more immersive manner.
The Lens Frame of Fear
Fear is often the biggest hurdle when it comes to implementing new ventures like album creation into your services. Fear of acceptance, worries about design, quality, or how it would affect the overall brand are common among photographers. But in truth, these fears stem from personal insecurities and can be overcome.
By including an album in every photography package, you inherently give clients an opportunity to experience the depth and tangibility that albums offer. This also gives photographers a potent tool to present their work more impressively.
How You Can Start With Albums
For those photographers who are less confident with sales or hesitant about the idea of selling albums, simplifying the process would be a great approach. You could start by introducing a more compact album into your photography packages, and then allow clients to opt for upgrades or larger, more detailed options. This way, the conversation about albums is already started, simplifying the sales aspect.
When clients see the effort you’ve made to create this visual narrative for them, long after their event or session has happened, it adds an emotional dimension to your service and significantly uplifts the overall client experience.
The upshot is that introducing albums to your photography service list does not only add a revenue stream but also enhances your client's experience and adds value to your offerings. So, maybe it’s time for every photographer to embrace albums and view them as a significant component of their craft and business, rather than a complex addition. Implementing the album strategy might seem daunting initially, but it's an investment both in your business and in your client's satisfaction.
