by Skip Cohen

Over the last ten years the senior market is one of the photographic specialties that's changed the most. There are some big numbers in the potential audience, giving so many photographers the opportunity to work with seniors. 

So, with a target audience of 3.5 million subjects, the potential for more and more artists to get involved is enormous. For example, follow any of the larger photographic forums on Facebook, and you'll regularly see senior work being posted and discussed.

The intrigue for me, from a marketing perspective, is all thanks to consumer trends and technology.  Working with even a small group of senior clients is giving photographers an opportunity for incredible creativity in both capture and presentation.

This is also that one time of year where I always share my senior shot. Fortunately, the industry has come a long way. But, I can't help but wonder what my senior session would have been like had there been more choices beyond a half dozen clicks of the shutter, two lights and a posing stool!

Think about it for just a second. Today, if you're only doing a traditional portrait because that's all "Mom" asked for, you're missing an opportunity to not only create a stronger revenue stream but to push your creative skills. As a selection of products and services, you no longer have just a portrait to capture, but a still image or series that captures the personality of the senior together with hybrid slide shows, videos, and a complete story-telling experience.

And, along with all the potential to display your creativity, comes a big question, "What are you giving your senior subjects to help them announce their graduation?"

Marathon's running their BOGO on grad cards again this year, and it's an opportunity not to be missed. Here's your chance to not only provide a service to your senior clients but get your work out there to be seen by even more people. Just click on the banner below and connect to Marathon's Grad Cards and let's get things going for you early in the senior season.

Remember, while Mom isn't in front of your camera, women make 98% of the purchase decisions when it comes to photography. Your seniors might be the subjects, but their mothers are your the audience you're working with when it comes to closing the sale!

If you're stuck on design ideas, Marathon's sales kit is just the thing to help you through the process. We're at the end of March. You've got enough time to order a sales kit and have a full sample set of products to offer "Mom."

Every artist has the same goal - to exceed client expectations and make yourself habit-forming. A graduate's first experience working directly with a professional photographer is often during their senior shoot. Since relationship building is your greatest marketing tool, here's a chance to establish yourself as the photographic resource for your senior clients and their families, which has the potential to lead to future weddings, babies, children and family portraiture.

Marathon is providing you with a few of the tools to help build that relationship. Now, put grad cards together with your skill set and passion for the craft and you've got the perfect foundation to keep building your senior audience.

by Skip Cohen

When I first met the team from Marathon Press back in the late 80's they were the leader in printed material for the photographic industry. There was no Internet; the word "blog" didn't exist; there were no websites; every photographer carried around a portfolio of images to each convention or business meeting and "live" education was something you either got in a workshop, at a convention or watched on your VCR.

Today, everything has changed. Educational opportunities are everywhere. We blog, tweet and share ideas in seconds all day every day. Your website has become your storefront and your blog, if done right, captures what's in your heart. Very rarely is anybody carrying around a portfolio case these days, which has been replaced by images on a phone.

But there is one thing that's never changed, and that's Marathon's dedication and leadership in helping photographers grow as artists and business owners! And, they're still the leader in marketing material and support for photographers with websites, postcards, brochures, marketing programs and now prints and albums with the Bella line.

Yesterday Marathon launched the first blog post in a series of great content for the future from nine bloggers who all share the same passion for education. This is in addition to the stellar group of writers who have been sharing content in the past. I couldn't be more proud to be one of the nine people above to be sharing ideas on Marathon's "new" Blog. While we all might not always agree on specific concepts in business, we do all agree on the importance of helping you make 2017 the best year yet!

Stay tuned - because yesterday's first post by Mary Marantz, "The Art of Getting Organized" is only the beginning!

If it's not already there it's time to put Marathon's blog on your radar.

Intro by Skip Cohen

I found the article below in the archives of Marathon's blog. It couldn't be more perfect for this time of year.

We're entering the last month of what's typically known as the slow season, but just because sales might be slow doesn't mean there isn't work to do. This is the time for you to be laying out the last steps of your marketing plans for 2017.

Marketing is a constant flame that needs to light your business all year long. It should never stop as long as you look at your entire plan and design programs/activities to keep your name out there. Marathon's giving you five ingredients below to fuel your plan.

Take the time to review each Ingredient and see if you've done your homework. Marketing isn't just developing great promotions. It's all inclusive with every aspect of your business to build a stronger brand.

“Good marketing makes the company look smart.
Great marketing makes the customer feel smart.”
Joe Chernov