Getting paid to have other businesses market your pet photography - a golden strategy with Lisa Olsen

The Pet Photographers Club

Today’s guest fell into an incredible opportunity that she intelligently took full advantage of and has since replicated that with other partners.

I’m talking about part-time pet photographer Lisa Olsen who sets up a photobooth at events held by other businesses, especially to gift their clients a free photo of their dogs- and, the businesses pay her to be there!

While she’s there she’s made sure her process encourages the participants to book a full photoshoot with her, and from these events alone she is booking 80+ shoots a year and doesn’t need to do any other marketing to hit her goals.

She shared the in’s and out’s for the members, as well as her pricing strategy, but in the free half you’ll catch a few tips about these events, as well as Lisa’s other photo types and join our discussion about mental health.

WE COVERED

• Put them to work - pet parents
• Your website clearly defines the types of sessions you offer: Dog portraits, Puppy Portraits, Puppy Cakesmash, Mommy and me, Family Photos, Celebration of life and Holiday Theme! - Other than being listed on your website, are you actively advertising all these types of shoots at once?
• Which session type is bringing in the most clients, and importantly most revenue?
• What happens with the Mommy and me sessions
• One of the best ways I’ve gotten client referrals in 2024 has been doing Events with Pets. A business will hire me to be the dog photographer at their event. The business (such as dog groomers, pet sitter, dog trainers, realtors, vets…..) will do all the marketing to their current clients and potential clients to come to their event and receive one free photo from me. I’m usually the main attraction at the events so it’s been great for brand recognition and client referrals, plus the business is paying me. This has also lead to doing business portraits with pet for those in the pet industry.
• How long Lisa is spending with her clients
• How Lisa ensures the dog is ready for the studio session with desensitization
• How photography helps Lisa’s mental health and how she balances that with running a profitable business
• Making lollipops as props

IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE

• Events with Pets
• How Lisa got started with offering events for pets
• Package prices for the business
• How many dogs Lisa photographs at these events and how they work on the day
• Which industry makes the best business partners for events for pets
• How much help does Lisa give the partners for marketing the events
• Why Lisa doesn’t take or sell additional photos at the events for the clients
• Your packages are digital based with a set number of images in each, and a small amount of print credit. With this structure, are you relying also on print sales, or is it more a bit of a bonus for you if they purchase something in print?
• What percentage of clients are using the print credit?
• How much extra do most people spend beyond their package?