548: Trina Julius – Preschool Photography Business Success

PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area.

Trina Julius of www.artofkindyphotography.com and www.redcherryimages.com.au was interviewed for episode 443, the podcast. We focused on her business, Red Cherry Images, where she does preschool photography or kindy photography as it's known in Australia.

Since then, as you may have heard from Tracy Mock, in her interview two weeks ago, Trina has started the Preschool Photography Academy, which Tracy referred to. By all accounts, Trina teaches you everything you need to know to get started as a preschool photographer.

I asked Trina back onto the show to find out more about this new academy, how it all works, who it's for, what the cost is, and basically, get the ins and outs on this new academy.

“I don't believe in commissions or kickbacks. That is something that used to be done 10 years ago. I sweeten the relationship with service and prints for the schools.” – Trina Julius

In the interview, Trina shares her journey from a seasoned photographer to a thriving preschool photography business owner. With her decade-long experience, Trina offers a deep dive into the unique aspects of this niche – from mastering the art of capturing preschoolers in natural settings to evolving as a business-savvy photographer. She covers essential shooting styles and software choices and addresses common industry challenges, providing practical tips for beginners and experienced photographers.

Trina’s expertise doesn’t end there; she reveals key sales, communication, and relationship-building strategies crucial for preschool photography success.

Learn about her innovative approaches to registrations, sales tactics, year-end strategies, and insights into global trends and camera gear preferences. Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your skills, this episode is packed with invaluable advice and inspiration for anyone passionate about capturing the innocence and charm of preschool photography.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

• Preschool Photography Start-Up: Explore an all-encompassing guide to kickstart your journey into the world of preschool photography.
• Photographer to Business Pro: Uncover the transformation from a skilled photographer to a thriving business operator, navigating team expansion.
• 10+ Years, Natural Light Focus: Gain insights from a decade of preschool photography, focusing on the charm of outdoor, natural light styles.
• Business Evolution: Navigate the challenges and benefits of expanding your preschool photography business.
• Shooting Style Tips: Embrace shooting in natural light and outdoor settings, with optional strobes for the comfort-driven photographer.
• Software Essentials: Discover the recommended Sytist software, emphasizing customization and flexibility in your operations.
• Challenges & Solutions: Tackle the nuances of managing a preschool photography business through adept software selection and effective communication.
• Start Small, Grow Smart: Test the waters with a small centre before making extensive investments in your preschool photography venture.
• Sales Tactics: Elevate your sales game with diverse poses, catering to parents' preferences and boosting engagement.
• Average Sales Insights: Unveil the dynamics of averaging $100 per child, influenced by the centre size and the number of children.
• Director Relations: Build robust relationships with childcare directors, a cornerstone for successful registrations in preschool photography.
• Permission & Contacting Parents: Navigate the post-photography process by securing permission and strategically adding parents to your mailing list.
• Remarketing & Mailing List: Master the art of effective remarketing through timely email updates on new sessions, galleries, and expirations.
• Image Storage & Fees: Strategically store images offline after a year, offering retrieval options with an unarchive fee.
• Year-End Strategy: Boost your year-end sales with strategic email campaigns and timely reminders for parents.
• Pricing Wisdom: Explore incrementally increasing registration fees, acting as valuable credit toward purchases.
• Inclusive Group Photos: Craft inclusive group photos, including registered children, while embracing traditional styles that include all children.
• Director Communication: Set clear expectations through effective communication with childcare directors, fostering smooth collaborations.
• Community Support: Embrace the strength of a supportive photography community for insights and shared experiences.
• Relationship Building: Strengthen bonds with centre managers by offering complimentary class photos, staff photos, and promotional discounts.
• No Commissions, No Kickbacks: Reject the commission model, focusing on delivering value through complimentary services.
• Clear Communication: Prioritize transparent communication with both centres and parents, simplifying the process.
• Storypark App Usage: Leverage the Storypark app for efficient parent communication and contribute valuable content for centres.
• Marketing Mini Course: Unlock the secrets of marketing, portfolio building, and successful centre bookings through an upcoming mini course.
• Male Inclusion: Acknowledge the presence of successful male photographers in the predominantly female-dominated preschool photography field.
• Academy Details: Dive into the Preschool Photography Academy with a $1197 investment, offering modules, PDFs, and ongoing support.
• International Applicability: Recognize the global relevance of the academy, catering to photographers worldwide and adaptable to diverse software ecosystems.
• Camera & Techniques: Explore preferred camera gear, including a 50mm prime lens at f/2.2, with an emphasis on mirrorless cameras and AI editing.
• Post-Processing Efficiency: Streamline your editing workflow with Imagen AI, significantly reducing the time spent on post-processing.

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.

Plus, special member-only interviews.

“I've had to let go of control a bit and trust other photographers to take the lead. It's essential to have a backup plan, especially when facing unexpected challenges like injuries or illness.” – Trina Julius

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Seriously, that's not all.

In addition to everything above, you'll get access and instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable and build friendships with other pro photographers with similar motives to you – to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Trina shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business due to what you heard in today's episode.

“Building relationships with childcare directors is crucial for successful registrations. Clear communication with directors sets expectations, fostering smooth collaborations.” – Trina Julius

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Trina or if you want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons.

Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!

“Variety in poses boosts sales. Offering numerous options for parents is my strategy. Making it hard for them to choose leads them to buy more, sometimes the whole gallery.” – Trina Julius

Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google, and you can leave some honest feedback and a rating which will help both me and the show, and I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.

“Imagen AI has taken hours off my editing workflow. I could just send them off now to AI, and they're back within 15 minutes, ready to upload.” – Trina Julius

Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​

Here are the latest reviews…

★★★★★ My Go-To Resource!

Via Google by Italy Vacation Photographer Kirstie McConnell, in Italy on January 12th, 2024.

Week in and week out, Andrew releases interviews with well-sourced guests.

Over the last ten years, this podcast has been my go-to resource as I’ve established and grown two photography businesses in two separate genres and on opposite sides of the world. I can honestly say that I’ve met my goals because of lessons learned through the information Andrew has his guests share.

If you’re not already a premium member, sign up now!

★★★★★ Game Changing and Highly Recommended!

Via email from Atlanta Creative Portrait Photographer Mike Glatzer in the USA on January 12th, 2024.

Mind. Blown. We finished the first training session, and I had no questions to ask because I was still absorbing how incredible the tools, prompts, and outputs of the AI tools were that Brianna demonstrated!

I really appreciated how she walked through each step of the process, by copying & pasting a few pre-written prompts with minor modifications.

And the outputs were scary good; like, absolutely nailed the language and audience!

From what she taught, I can envision having an entire month’s worth of client-focused content ready to go in a matter of a couple hours.

This was game-changing! Highly recommend taking this course to make your life easier and make posting on social media bearable again.

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

Art of Kindy Photography Website

Art of Kindy Photography Academy with Trina Julius — use code PBX20 for 20% discount ($239.40). Expires 31st March 2024

Art of Kindy Photography on Facebook

Art of Kindy Photography on Instagram

Red Cherry Images Website

Episode 443: Trina Julius – Everything you wanted to know about the kindergarten photography business

Studio Eclectic Photography

Episode 546: Tracy Mock – Unlocking the kindy photography goldmine: secrets of a thriving kindy photography business

Sytist — image storage and client delivery software, recommended and used by Trina

Thank you!

Thanks again for listening, and thanks to Trina for coming on and sharing her thoughts, ideas and approach to building a successful preschool photography business and the new academy to help other photographers looking to break into this profitable niche.

“You can spend five minutes with a child and easily get 15 different images. Offering variety makes it hard for parents to choose, and they end up wanting to buy them all.” – Trina Julius

That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks, and speak soon
Andrew

The post 548: Trina Julius – Preschool Photography Business Success appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.