WHAT'S YOUR HOOK? — SENIOR STYLE GUIDE

A couple of years ago, Sarah (my business partner and best friend since the age of 3) turned to me and asked what I thought we needed to do to lead the way on senior sessions. I could tell she was getting burned out and we were both watching our numbers stay stagnant. We had the foot traffic, but as far as I could see... people like us a lot, but no one HAD to HAVE us. I thought about it and I realized something very quickly. I would not book us for a session. I would want the ABSOLUTE best and I would be willing to travel anywhere to get it. It was not us. What were WE doing to stay one step ahead? Absolutely NOTHING. What were we doing that set us apart? NADA. That is when we decided to get off our asses and do something about it. You can't do the same thing over and over and expect different results, right?

PART 1: Find ourselves a new studio. We had been in our studio for years. The ceilings were low, the light was BLAH, the rooms were cut up, water was leaking through the room and we had already spent enough in rent to pay cash on a new studio. It took us some time and a little convincing of others (I'm a bit of a "cannon-baller" in the pool of life... surrounded by toe dippers), but we found a location and built our dream studio. Our space is currently more square footage than the old location with higher traffic, designed exactly how we wanted. You want to know the kicker? We are saving more than $1000 a month on rent AND it's ours. No more leaky roof! Not to say that building or owning is an option for everyone, but investing in what you can do a little bit at a time is what got us here. We used to always say it wouldn't matter where our location was. People came to us. Visibility wasn't a big deal... until it was. Until you have it, it's hard to realize how big of a game changer it really is. My advice... Start investing in your location to blow people away. I wan't every person to drive by and get inquisitive and and every client to walk in a go, "WOW."

PART 2 : GET A HOOK and MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS. You know... that part of a song that you love and you can't get out of your mind. In a good way! We needed something that Janet would look at her best friend Betty's senior photos and go.... "MOM... I HAVE TO HAVE THAT." So, we started to learn VIDEOGRAPHY (big shout out to our friend Jackie Palmer who helped us get our start) and now have it as an option for our seniors (offered in our VIP SESSIONS) and commercial clients . We have made some very meaningful connections with like minded businesses. The Willow Room Salon in Lakewood, Ohio has a team that does all of our hair and makeup (for our VIP SESSIONS and any styled shoots). Stash Style is a nationwide brand that styles our Seniors (both guys and girls) and gives us full access to their warehouse at just about any time (especially for VIP SESSIONS). We also use Rent the Runway for designer formal wear for our VIP SESSIONS. We've made great friends with several amazing photographers (cough, wink, Vickie... cough) and professionals to both teach and learn. If you are interested in working with someone, I find that it doesn't hurt to just ask. The worst someone can say is no... then you pout a little and move on. Hooray. Being part of a community gives us a vast amount of opportunity, so get yourself out there... and when you find your HOOK, hit it and hit it hard, blog it, hash tag it and get everyone talking about it. Guess what ours is!? ;).

PART 3: Get the right representation: Senior Models. We have struggled with this for the longest time. How do you find the right ones, with the right personality? How is it worth your time? We brought our good friend Vickie from Senior Style Guide on for a little help in this matter and holy guacamole, it was a game changer. We opened our model program to ages 13-19. BOOM. We currently have 11 models. I LOVE having 5 guys on our model team. They are HILARIOUS and some of our best promotors (along with their Mothers of course). It is so nice having a lot of these kids on for more than one year. I grow slightly attached year to year. Ok... so, the seniors this year might be shaking me off their leg as they run off to their adventures (sad face). We also have a special needs model. Hunter is such a sweet kid and loves coming to the group shoots and volunteer opportunities. Oh yeah, did I mention they are required to volunteer? This was my favorite suggestion by Vickie. Our models volunteered at Empower Sports this year where Hunter plays basketball with other special needs kids. It was such a blast. The twelve of them have formed such a bond, it's going to be so sad when 3 of them leave us next fall. (DOUBLE SAD FACE... tear) I literally can't handle it. I love them all. They make me feel... not so old.

PART 4: DO KICK ASS SESSIONS and BLOG THE CRAP OUT OF THEM (social media too) Last year was my blogging year. This year is social media (to be continued ;) ). We set up some killer sessions and I blogged and I blogged and I blogged. And I watched our SEO go through the roof. Your website and blog are your HOME. Social media is there to drive people to YOUR HOME. You don't own it and while it is nice and pretty and very helpful, you can't always count on it. Blog with intention (key words and phrases) and blog a lot and you will see your SEO soar. AND, while you are at it... update your google business page with everything that you can. Trust me on this one... wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Google business wants to be a social media and they will reward you for acting like they are one, so add photos videos, information etc and make sure all of your map listings are correct! Where to start? Click the link and google yourself, but do it without being logged in to see accurate listings.

PART 5: RINSE and REPEAT. That's right... It's a new busy season (or as I like to call it "bring me all of the coffee season") and we are on to the next search for the latest and greatest, so keep in touch and follow us below. We'd love to chat.

Peace out!

Amy Nahra- Thomas & Thomas Photography