How to Incorporate Family Films into Your Photography Business
Family films are a beautiful way to capture the essence of family life, offering something that photos alone can’t always convey. By adding filmmaking to your photography services, you can set yourself apart in a competitive market and provide clients with an immersive, emotional experience. In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to successfully integrate family films into your existing photography business.
1. Understand the Benefits of Offering Family Films
Before diving into family filmmaking, it's important to understand the unique benefits it brings to your business. While photographs capture a single moment, films offer a dynamic, moving portrayal of family life. They provide a way for clients to hear their children’s laughter, see the subtle gestures of affection, and relive the joy of everyday moments. Adding family films to your offerings can increase client satisfaction and loyalty, as they’ll have a deeper, more emotive way to remember this stage of their lives.
2. Educate Yourself and Practice
If you’re new to filmmaking, start by learning the basics. Understanding concepts like frame rates, lighting, composition, and storytelling will lay the foundation for creating compelling family films. To ease into it, try filming your own family or friends as practice. This allows you to experiment with different techniques, develop your editing skills, and find your unique style without the pressure of a paying client. Filming personal projects will give you the confidence needed to offer this new service professionally.
3. Invest in the Right Equipment
You don't need to break the bank to start filming family moments. Begin with the essentials: a camera with video capabilities, a versatile lens, and a camera strap wrapped around your wrist to capture smooth, steady shots. As you get more comfortable, consider adding an external microphone for capturing audio and editing software to refine your footage. The key is to get comfortable with the basic tools first, and as you progress, you can gradually upgrade your gear to match your evolving style and skills.
4. Start with Add-On Services
The easiest way to introduce family films to your clients is by offering them as an add-on to your existing photography sessions. This approach allows clients to experience the value of a film without a significant initial commitment. For example, you could provide a short highlight reel of their photography session or a behind-the-scenes film of the family interacting. Starting small gives both you and your clients a chance to see how family films fit into your offerings without the pressure of a full-scale film package.
5. Create Bundled Packages
Once you’ve gained some experience and built up a small portfolio of films, consider creating bundled packages that combine both photography and filmmaking services. Offering packages like "Photo + Film Sessions" or "Family Storytelling Packages" can attract clients looking for a comprehensive way to capture their family's moments. Bundles can also increase the overall session value, allowing you to grow your business in a sustainable way.
6. Develop a Pricing Strategy
Pricing family films can be challenging, especially if it's a new service. When developing your pricing strategy, consider factors like the time you'll spend filming, editing, and the level of production involved. Some photographers charge an hourly rate for filming, while others offer flat fees for different film lengths (e.g., 3-minute highlight films, 5-minute storytelling films). You could also implement tiered packages that include varying levels of coverage and editing to provide options for different budgets.
7. Market Your New Service
Once you’re ready to offer family films, it's time to let people know! Share your new service on social media, your website, and through newsletters to your existing client base. Create a portfolio of sample films to showcase your style and help clients envision what their own family film could look like. Consider making a short promotional video explaining what a family film session involves and why it’s a meaningful investment for families.
8. Highlight the Value to Clients
To successfully incorporate films into your business, it's crucial to highlight their unique value. Unlike photos, films capture the sounds, movements, and interactions that make each family unique. Share testimonials from clients who have experienced a family film session, if available, to build credibility and illustrate the emotional impact these films have. When clients understand the profound value that a film can offer, they’re more likely to invest in this service.
9. Prepare Your Clients for a Film Session
Educating your clients about what to expect during a film session is key to a successful shoot. Provide tips on wardrobe selection and set expectations for capturing candid, unscripted interactions. Explain how the session will unfold and encourage them to relax and be themselves. When clients feel prepared and comfortable, they’re more likely to let their guard down, allowing you to capture those genuine, heartwarming moments.
10. Get Feedback and Refine Your Process
After offering family films for a few sessions, seek feedback from your clients. Ask them what they loved about the experience and what could be improved. This feedback is invaluable as you refine your filming, editing, and client experience processes. Use it to tailor your services to better meet your clients' needs, helping you grow and improve as a family filmmaker.
Conclusion
Incorporating family films into your photography business can enhance both the client experience and your business's growth. By starting small, practicing, and offering films as add-ons, you can gradually build this new service into a key part of your offerings.