Success in Rural and Home Based Photography
by David Hakamaki
Why does it always seem that the successful photographers are from larger communities? How can any photographer attract enough clients to set up a successful photography business in a small town or from their home. David will take you through the process of creating a signature “style” that will allow your images to stand out and be distinctive, find customers and business in the most unlikely places, create an
environment in your home that customers feel is professional, increase your client sales and understand his established method of creating an experience that have customers excited with their purchase. Davidʼs program will focus on the following:
* Finding alternative sources of business that supplement your portrait work
* Increasing successful bookings from inquiries
* Creating a professional environment in your home studio
* Creating a memorable experience for the client
* Processing images into a signature “style”
* Unconventional presentation and sales session tips
* Developing an incentive program that encourages purchasing
* Creating return and life-long happy customers
Be prepared to interact and learn how to turn a skeptical customer into one that is ready to listen to you and willing to purchase more than they had budgeted. We will work on finding alternative sources of customers, creating an environment that makes you desirable, understand what creates a happy customer and how an incentive program can entice customers to continue purchasing.
You will leave with a renewed sense of your business, confidence in finding customers, developing a portion of your home look into a professional business and understanding how to turn a small market into a bustling business.
This program is Sponsored by Simply Color Lab/Simply Canvas, Kubota Imaging Tools,
Animoto and Triple Scoop Music.
David Hakamaki, is the owner of Cutting Edge Photography, located in beautiful rural
Upper Michigan. Although operating a full-time home-based studio and living in a small, rural community, Davidʼs work has gained national attention for his unique and intriguing method in capturing and mastering images for HS Seniors, Families, Children and Weddings. His images have become nationally recognized and his sessions exceptionally desirable for his unique and personable approach.
Davidʼs philosophy on photography have always been, “Listen to what your clients want and use that information to provide them with images that exceed their expectations”. He walks clients through the process of their session, listening for ideas and incorporating those inspirations into his posing, scenes and lighting. By understanding and delivering what the client wants, David clients have become his greatest marketing source. “Enjoyable”, “Wonderful”, “Amazing”, “Entertaining”, “Creative”, “Unique” are all buzzwords repeatedly mentioned by his clients.
David serves on Simply Color Lab/Simply Canvasʼ national speaking team and is a member of their “Senior Dream Team”. His speaking programs are also supported by Kubota Imaging Tools, Triple Scoop Music and Animoto. David has been a featured platform speaker at local, state and regional photography conferences and has served as a Photography Mentor for the DWF Convention and WPPIʼs Thirst Relief International. David is also s a regularly featured speaker in the Kubota Image Tools and Animoto booths at the ImagingUSA and WPPI Expos.
His presentations have featured topics including HS Seniors, Image Enhancement and
Business & Marketing, with his topics on Rural and Home Based Photography
especially unique. David has honed his teaching expertise by serving many years as an Instructor of Photography and Adjunct Professor in Business and Economics at several colleges, as well as having successfully run a number of businesses.
His fun, quirky and dynamic teaching methods bring a unique approach in presenting materials to all levels of photographers. His programs incorporate a hearty mix of traditional presentation materials, along with audio, video and audience interaction. Never to be called “boring”, Davidʼs style has a vibrance and unpredictability that keeps his audiences riveted throughout the program.
David is a member of the Professional Photographers Association (PPA), Wedding and Portrait Professionals International (WPPI) and the Digital Wedding Forum (DWF). He is active in his local community and assists with many community outreach events, serves as an assistant Girlsʼ softball coach and travels the country with his family in
search of adventure.
David Hakamaki Bio
David is our Monday, March 26th program presenter.