566: Sarah Jamieson – Passport photos as a well paying lead generator for any photography business

PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

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

Sarah Jamieson of www.pictorialphotography.co.uk photographs a genre never discussed on the podcast! Passport Photos.

We were exchanging emails, and Sarah told me…

I know a lot of photographers who shrink back in horror when I say I do passport and visa photos. They don't think it's worth their time and effort, but I think it's great.

I've been doing it for over 10 years; it's all automated, consistent income (covering all my studio bills and rent), and easily the most profitable service I offer.

Families who have never stepped foot in my studio find their way through passport and visa photos. They see the art on the walls, we chat, and voila!

The know, like, and trust factor kicks in. They join the mailing list and often book full sessions. It's like the VIP pass to a whole new clientele!

Needless to say, I was hooked and wanted to learn more!

A couple more emails, and I learned…

Her passport photo booking page is discreetly tucked away on her website, accessible only to those seeking the service through Google or local word of mouth.

Thanks to scheduling software on her website, the booking process is streamlined.

Each passport photo costs £15/20 (around USD$25 and AUD$38), so Sarah's time spent on passport photos works out to £120 per hour.

In addition to the financial earnings, she's found a huge side benefit in connecting with so many people in person. For this reason, she does the passport photos herself.

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

• Automated Bookings for Steady Income: Learn how Sarah uses an automated booking system to maintain a consistent flow of clients for her passport photo business.
• Expertise in Passport Photo Services: Discover Sarah's successful approach to meeting passport photo requirements in a quaint UK town, catering to diverse local and international clients.
• Visa Photos for All Occasions: Providing high-quality visa photos for various purposes, ensuring hassle-free travel arrangements for clients, whether they're on holiday or working abroad.
• Better Experience, Superior Quality: Understand why clients choose Sarah for passport photos, appreciating the convenience and top-notch quality they offer compared to other options.
• Financial Sustainability and Growth: How Sarah turned passport photography from a side hustle into a thriving business, covering studio expenses and expanding operations over time.
• Precision Printing Techniques: Learn about Sarah's printing process using dye sublimation technology, ensuring glossy, professional passport photos every time.
• Transparent Pricing and Client Conversion: Discover how Sarah sets transparent prices and converts passport photo clients into long-term photography customers through personalised service and incentives.
• Strategic SEO: Gain insights into Sarah's SEO strategies for increased visibility and explore additional revenue streams.
• Marketing Mastery and Client Engagement: Dive into Sarah's marketing strategies, including email campaigns and personalised client interactions, to boost bookings and foster strong relationships.
• Tailored Services and Profitable Pricing: Understand how Sarah tailors photography sessions to client needs, offering services with high-profit margins and exceptional value.
• Navigating Unique Business Challenges: Learn from Sarah's experiences navigating the challenges of running a photography business in a small UK town near the Scottish border.
• Grant Opportunities for Creative Projects: Explore how Sarah leveraged her passport photo business experience to secure grants for personal photography projects, enhancing her creative pursuits.
• AI-Assisted Grant Application Success: Discover how to successfully apply for a grant to fund a dog photography exhibition by leveraging AI.

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.

My main clients that come in for passport photos are the ones that know that it's not easy in a photo booth — for example, newborn babies. I get loads of people bringing in newborns, people in wheelchairs, people with things like a lazy eye, who know that might not just be straightforward, and elderly people. – Sarah Jamieson

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.

There's not enough passport photography work at that price to pay my wages as well. So I do use the income from that to cover the studio expenses. So the rain, the electric, the water bill, and it covers a bit more than that. – Sarah Jamieson

Seriously, that's not all.

In addition to everything above, you'll get access to 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 motives similar to yours – 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 Sarah 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 based on what you heard in today's episode.

In my life, it's better to be shooting pictures, and not because I get something out of it either. I love taking pictures. I love doing the actual job. – Mark Maryanovich

If you have any questions I missed or a specific question you’d like to ask Sarah 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!

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.

Things change in business too. It seems to be the vibe just now that everyone's having branding photos done. And that's the nice thing about being a multiservice photographer is that it's fluid and it changes all the time. – Sarah Jamieson

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.

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.​

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER AND SAVE! Mastering Lead Magnets, Copywriting & Newsletters with AI.

If you're tired of spending hours on social media to attract clients only to see minimal results.

Or you're ready to break free from the content creation grind and focus on other things.

Good news! Brianna's training will be a game-changer for you.

All the details are here –>> ​ https://learn.photobizx.com/ai-marketing-part-2-registration/

Here's what you'll learn…

Turn Interest into Action: Discover the secrets of high-converting lead magnets that solve your ideal client's biggest problems.

The Power of Words: Craft copy that hooks, inspires, and drives your audience to take action.

Build a Loyal Following: Learn how to nurture relationships and grow a devoted fan base with captivating email newsletters.

BONUS: Continue your AI mastery with even more of Brianna's done-for-you AI prompts, ensuring you'll never run out of lead-generating ideas.

The live training is Thursday, May 23rd 2024 @ 7:00am Sydney local time. Your local time is here.

Cost is $197 and doubles after the live training.

Early bird bonuses… $100 off any other existing PBX Course.

AND, 20 done-for-you AI prompts for instant content creation, social media strategy, lead magnets, sales blueprint, & more!

All the details are here: https://photobizx.com/ai2

The future of photography marketing is here. Master AI before it all gets too hard.

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

Sarah Jamieson Website

Passport, Visa and ID Photography

Passport Photography Course

Sarah Jamieson on Facebook

Sarah Jamieson on Instagram

Sarah Jamieson on Linkedin

The Photographers Voice Membership

Episode 245: Julie Christie – Make More Money in Your Off Season with Photography Classes

Episode 370: Julie Christie – How to use an email autoresponder series in your photography business

Thank you!

Thanks again for listening and for passport photo expert Sarah for coming on and sharing her thoughts, ideas and advice for anyone interested in offering passport photos as a service to their existing business to help attract more high-paying clients for regular photography sessions like portraits, branding and commercial photography work.

So when I started, I used to use a scalpel and a ruler and I thought you know, I'm doing so many of these, I'm going to take my finger off one day, and then have a bloodbath. So I found that you can actually buy a die cutter… So I've got three different die cuts. And those cover everything that I need. – Sarah Jamieson

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 566: Sarah Jamieson – Passport photos as a well paying lead generator for any photography business appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.