This past year I had a bunch of seniors who waited several months to place orders.  The problem is they all decided to place them right before Christmas when I was slammed with Christmas shoots. I usually let them choose which poses they want and edit after the order is placed. Tell me if you think this sounds logical...  In order to get them to choose the poses that will be edited for free  ( part of the sitting ) I am setting a 2 week deadline for them to choose the poses.  They dont have to order yet, just choose the pictures.  If they don't choose the images before the deadline, they will forfeit the free photos that come with the package. Does it sound like a good solution?

Have they already paid?  If so, then no, that's not good at all.  I have clients that wait forever and a day sometimes to order prints, that's how it goes sometimes.  If someone told me I had two weeks to decide on something I'd probably tell them to kiss off, especially if I'd already paid in full.  If they haven't paid for the prints, then don't edit until they choose and pay.

Our proof galleries expire in three months.  Then they have to call me to reactivate it.  That usually spurs them if they haven't ordered by then to get in gear.
 

This is also one good reason among many to proof the final product. 

On my senior sessions they pay a sitting fee and then I give them 10 sheets of photos free with the sitting.  The deadline wouldn't apply to any of my previous customers only future ones and I would have a form they sign to acknowledge that they know they will only get the free prints with their order if they choose the 10 poses by the deadline. I don't proof my prints prior to ordering because I like to let them choose from all of the pictures which can be 100 to 150 different images. I just don't think it is cost effective to spend time editing all of those.  But the ones that are edited, get the full treatment. All blemishes removed, flyaway hairs, thinning if desired, special effects, names, conversions. .  .  You name it they can have it on the 10 images in the package. Does it still sound like a bad idea?

Ahhh....ok well that does make a bit more sense.  I gotcha.  That sounds ok to me.  As long as it's clear to them then I say give it a go.  You'll figure out pretty quickly if it's not well received.

A studio I used to work for had two sets of pricing. A "discounted" one for people who ordered within a set time after the photos were taken (also eliminated proofs not being picked up for several months, then people wanting rush orders for a deadline). And a "regular" one for those who ordered after the deadline.

Perhaps you could do something along the same lines..... If they place their order by the deadline, they get 10 sheets. If it's after the deadline, then its only 5 or 6.

Just a thought. :-)

I put a "deadline" on my online galleries. . . this helps to prompt them into thinking they need to order by that time and I usually don't tell them any different unless they ask to have the gallery on longer. . . I just did a wedding a week ago . .. and I put in the contract that the online proofing woudl be available for a certain time frame . . . I indicated that there woudl be a fee to load the gallery again . . . I then went on to add that orders placed within 3 months from the gallery being activated woudl be given high prioirty on their order being completed. . . orders placed after that 3 month time would be "worked in" as time allowed. . . .  you might consider putting something like this in your senior as well as other brochures. . . that way if you got caught and they waited 5 or 6 months to order then they would be in jeopardy of not getting their prints when they wanted them . . . I used 3 months for the wedding . . . but for seniors and other sessions I would probably only give 30-45 days.  I usually have my senior albums online for 30 days and so far all of my clients have been good about letting me know if they needed longer in advance. .. I have found the longer they take to make up their mind that the order tends to get smaller. . . so if you can get them to order in the "honeymoon period" then it helps alot. 

Can I ask what you charge for your sitting fee and 10 sheets?  I am trying to start a business and I keep going back and forth on my pricing...I try to lower my prices thinking I will get a bigger order...and I don't charge a sitting fee.  I am only doing outdoor photography and action photos right now...I don't have any indoor lighting or backdrops.

Thanks for your time.

KS

Right now I charge 175 for a 2 hour session including 10 sheets, with unlimited clothing changes. I am planning on raising things a bit pretty soon here. This past year most of my clients averaged 50 to 100 in additional sales and I only charge 6 dollars a sheet but will be raising that slightly as well.  I know that I am well below many in my area but have only recently begun to get the consistent quality that I wanted before I charged more.

When you say sheets, where are you getting the prices/prints from? Mpix?..another printer?

I use Mpix.  A sheet at my studio is either 4(4x6) 2(5x7) 1(8x10) or 8wallets

I was getting annoyed with exactly the same issue. In fact, one of my clients took over a year to order, even though I reminded her every 2 months or so. I revised my price list in October and put in an Early Order Discount for people who order within 2 weeks and give a 10% discount off that order. It seems to be helping.

 

Sarah 

I too have had the same issues as mentioned above.  I put that prices listed are for orders placed within 3 weeks after that they are subject to a dollar more per print.  This way they do not feel that they only have a set time limit to order, but also keeps them wanting to get there order in so they have lower pricing.  A friend of mine also does the ordering in sheets and she is 13 dollars a sheet within the first 10 days and after that they are 15 dollars a sheet.  It works for her and she rarely has orders pas the first 10 day period.

 Melissa L.