For the past month or so I've been absorbed in a creative storm that has resulted in what I think will be some really positive changes that I'm finally ready to tell you all about!
Now that I've been in business for a whole five years (!) I've had some time to reflect on how my policies and procedures are working. I've realized that two of my primary concerns from my early days are still with me: potential for lost archive files and lack of control over the quality of prints that are produced from my images. Unfortunately, due to a corrupted portable hard drive, I lost about 90% of the images from shoots done during the fall of last year (if you are on the list of clients whose files are lost, you'll be getting another email from me telling you to be sure to back up your files and begging you to share a copy of your disk with me : ) While I have never guaranteed archiving services, I have always tried to store all of my clients' images in case of disaster. I really hate losing photos and I know you do too. They are as important to me as they are to you!
My greatest concern has always been how to control the quality of the prints that clients receive as the end product of my work. After every shoot I do, I spend several hours perfecting the images I've created for you, and it's always been a bit heartbreaking to see prints that don't reflect my time and effort because they were printed somewhere other than my preferred printer. I know how much my clients love having easy access to ALL of their photos, so trying to create a balanced solution to the problem has always presented quite a challenge. After five years I decided it's time to make some changes in procedure- changes which came with a lot of gut wrenching internal battles on long sleepless nights, please believe me! Fortunately, I think I've finally found a way to solve both of these issues in one place without causing too much disruption to your access to your images.
As of November 1, 2010, I'll no longer be providing physical disks of images to my clients who schedule appointments after that date. Instead, clients' full resolution images will be uploaded to a secure personal archive on my new website, from which you will be able to directly order prints as well as download low resolution files of your images for use on Facebook, blogs, creative projects, digital frames, etc. You can also download the files and create your own disk for extra secure back up if you prefer : ) You can share the password to your archive with family & friends and they will be able to order prints for themselves there as well. Archives will be created as you schedule new shoots, and I'll do my best to upload all of your previous shoots to your personal archive as well. I've got a dozen or so archives established, so you may already see your name in the client archives section. (Please let me know if you come across a random photo that belongs in another client's archive, it might happen in the upload process!)
As I mentioned, you will be able to order prints directly from your archive, which should make the print ordering process immensely less complicated and much faster for you. Your prints will be made by my preferred printer, mpix.com. All shoots in your archive scheduled prior to November 1, 2010 will be available for printing at base rate prices, meaning you'll pay no more for them than you would if you were ordering directly from mpix. All shoots scheduled after November 1, 2010 will be available for printing at slightly increased prices to cover the costs of new services. Basic print prices are set as follows (price range is based on paper selections and rates are subject to change without notice)
Set of four 2x3 wallets $1.50-2.00
4x6 $.75-1.00
5x7 $2-2.50
8x12 $5-6
12x18 $13-16
16x24 $20-25
I've also added a few fun options like gallery wraps, calendars, holiday cards and personalized postage stamps to the mix! Also, instead of offering $10 off of the cost of a photo shoot when you refer a new client, you will receive an electronic coupon which can be used for $10 off prints. (Any referral bonus coupons currently held by clients will still be honored as usual : )
I'm really excited about these changes and I hope you will be too! I know change is disruptive and not always a lot of fun, but I believe when change is executed well it can make things a lot better for everyone! I've already realized a few benefits to the new way of doing things - turn around time is much faster (I can upload your images directly from my editing program to your archive and you can view them immediately after they are done!) and I'm now a much more eco-friendly business... no paper, no plastic, no driving to the post office! I'll definitely be happier knowing your archives are safely stored and that your prints are accurate representations of my work. These are things to celebrate : ) Mostly I'm really, super excited to show off the new website and blog make-over that I've been working on for the past month! (Honestly, I'm not sure why the creative storm had to strike during my busiest month of the year but now that I'm on the other side I am really happy that it did!) Not only do I have a lovely new place to showcase my work with people, but I finally (after five years!) have a place to market some of my fine art work as well. It's all coming together : )
Thanks so much to all of you for your constant support! Working on this new site gave me a reason to look through a lot of the work we've done together over the past five years and it's been great fun reminiscing about our adventures : ) Thanks especially to everyone who helped me celebrate my fifth anniversary during the month of October! It was a wild ride trying to get some of those shoots accomplished with this unpredictable autumn weather!
While I have your attention, I'd like to notify of the Quick Shoot Day I have scheduled at Elizabeth Park on Saturday November 13th (with a back up date of Sunday the 14th in case of rain.) I've booked three appointments for that date and have several more available. For those of you who might be unfamiliar, a quick shoot is a 20 minute appointment for family photos. Each shoot yields about 15-20 color images and the cost is $100. 50% deposit is required to book an appointment. If you are interested in participating, please do let me know and feel free to alert your friends!
Whew! I think that is all... thank you again and please do let me know if you have any questions/concerns about these policy changes. I'm still working out some kinks and I'm sure there is a scenario I've yet to consider : ) I hope this message finds you and yours happy and healthy!
Best,
Sandi
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