Family and children portrait photographer Dean Mansbridge from Tasmania is running a successful portrait photography business in a tough environment and proof that it can be done, no matter were you live. In addition, he does NOT work weekends, is employing staff, has a on street studio space and has lots of competition.

I love this quote from his staff member Danielle who writes: “It seems there are a few special people who come into our lives to inspire and delight us. For me, Dean Mansbridge is one of those people. He is a constant reminder that it's possible to not only strive for, but achieve, a career built around helping others and pursuing your passion.”

Dean says he has a passion for children and creating fun, vibrant, and meaningful images of families that stand the test of time. I don't doubt any of this but feel it's only a small part of his “success equation” – I'm pretty sure he's a smart business operator with great systems and that's exactly what we'll be extracting in this episode of the podcast.

Here's some more of what we cover:

  • Why being an photography award winner is good for your business but not for more bookings
  • How to target clients from different socio-economic areas while maintaining a profitable portrait photography business
  • It's been argued before but can you really judge a client by the car they drive, do the BMW driving families spend more
  • Understanding the value of a pre-shoot consultation and how this meeting will increase client involvement and profitability
  • He prefers to discuss things in person rather than doing it over the phone as he feels it's more personal.
  • Learn how it is 100% possible to run a Monday to Friday portrait photography business and have your weekends off
  • Do you find it draining to shoot more than two portrait sessions in a day? Learn how Dean deal with this issue
  • Learn how to have a profitable portrait business in an area of cold winter weather and families aren't thinking “photography”
  • Why some photographers have trouble booking clients for studio sessions and how to get past those objections
  • Dean's methods for a great sales session and his number one tip for increased sales in your business
  • The importance of the first phone call and how to use it to set up a great experience for your clients
  • Danielle, is doing his appointments too. She will also send in good word to the client of how their children will have a great time with their photo shoot with Dean.
  • Like every other business, Dean didn't have instant success, hear about his journey from start up to great business
  • The importance of studio management software in running a portrait photography business and how Dean utilises his database for all year, consistent work
  • So you have a mailing list… learn what you should be doing with it
  • What data you should be aiming to catch and utilise

The podcast has been a little light-on for portrait photographers recently but if you're not walking away from this interview with a  stack of ideas and takeaways, you need to listen to this one again! One thing we kind of brushed over was just how good a photographer Dean is. Moving that aside, he is running a fantastic portrait photography business amongst a small population in an area that has cold weather for a good part of the year… and there area  ton of other local photographers all competing for the same work.

Follow some of Dean's examples and you will have a foothold to your own photography business, there are no excuses. Start your database, do the work and make your clients as happy as Dean is making his.

Dean Mansbridge Photography Podcast Interview

What's on Offer for Premium Members

If you're a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this episode where you can hear lots more implementable content from where we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed hard for that include:

  • Why you don't need to continually re-invent the wheel with your marketing and photography, do what works
  • Marketing for portrait photographers that want to stay in business for the long term
  • Where exactly, Dean spends his marketing time and money and why you should be doing something similar in your business
  • The right way to set up a 3rd party promotion and things to look out for your promos
  • Learn about one of the best social media promotions I've heard of for portrait photographers
  • How to move forward with your business and why Dean is always refining his processes
  • Dean's portrait photography workflow from shoot to sale; including his most popular products

Dean Mansbridge Photography Podcast Interview

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I'd love to know what your biggest takeaway is – what is the one thing that you'd like to implement or learnt from what was shared? Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.

If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you'd like to ask Dean, or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.

If you'd like an easy way to show Dean your thanks, and support for the show at the same time, click the link to create a tweet and automatically let him know you're listening: https://photobizx.com/tweet

Dean Mansbridge Photography Podcast Interview

The Resources Page

Remember the ever expanding resources page that has a listing of products, programs, hardware, books and directories mentioned in each episode of the show. If you’re looking for something that a guest has mentioned on a previous episode but just can’t remember who or what it was – you’ll find it listed in order on the resources page.

Transcription Service

If you're producing video for your potential clients on your blog or website, don't underestimate the SEO effect if you have those videos transcribed. Remember, Google relies on the written word to index your content, not audio and video.

Chances are, your videos are full of targeted keywords and they need to be transcribed for maximum search-ability.

An easy solution for your transcribing is available right here on PhotoBiz Xposed at photobizx.com/transcribe

Dean Mansbridge Photography Podcast Interview

Don't feel your comments have to be long, involved or gushy, an honest opinion is all I ask. Don't be shy about leaving your business name in the review either – that way I can add a link in the show-notes and show my appreciation with a proper thanks and a Google loving back-link to your website.

Get in Touch or Leave a Voicemail Message

If you'd like to get in touch, ask a question or make a suggestion for the show, you can email me andrew@photobizx.com, find me on Twitter https://twitter.com/andrewhellmich or on Facebook at https://photobizx.com/facebook – I'd love to hear from you!

Dean Mansbridge Photography Podcast Interview

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

http://www.zanzo.com.au

http://www.zanzo.com.au/mothersday/

http://www.zanzo.com.au/images/

http://www.zanzo.com.au/blog/2014/4/15/deans-done-it-again

Facebook Link to the 4-photo portrait of a child: https://www.facebook.com/zanzo.studio/photos/a.413575744375.188509.72516684375/10152353111309376/?type=1

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/zanzo.studio

Instagram: http://instagram.com/zanzoportraits

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/Dean%20Zanzo

 

Other Links

Tero Sade – http://www.tero.com.au/

Dan Cripps – http://www.dancripps.com/

Light Blue Software for Studio Management – http://www.lightbluesoftware.com/

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens

Dean Mansbridge Photography Podcast Interview

That's it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

If you've been enjoying the podcast, I'd love for you to tell another photographer about it – it could be in a Facebook Group you're a part of, a photography forum, with a photographer friend or on twitter.

If you do have a twitter account, simply click here: https://photobizx.com/tweet or use the share buttons below.

Thanks and speak soon

Andrew