Can a New Photographer Start With IPS? This and Other Questions Answered with Nikki Shefchick

New Photographer Hobby to Profitable IPS Made Easy Grad

Can you start with in person sales as a new photographer?  On episode 36 of the IPS MADE EASY PODCAST I spoke with a recent graduate of online course + mentorship, The Serve to Sell IPS System, Nikki Shefchick of Daphodil Photo. Nikki is a Wisconsin photographer that specializes in family, maternity and newborn photography. She is known for her vibrant play-based outdoor sessions, emotive in-home newborn sessions and now, beautiful artwork that adorns her client’s homes.
Nikki was able to push through mindset and confidence blocks as a new photographer early on in her business. This helped her to avoid burn out from the start.  As a fairly new photographer, she learned to serve at a high level, felt comfortable earning more income for her work and implemented an in person sales model from nearly the beginning of her photography career. Nikki has been undeterred as she’s made critical mindset shifts and pushed past these 7 roadblocks. As a result, her business has exploded and she is now earning the income with in person sales that she previously only dreamed was possible.

Learn how to gain trust as a new photographer here.

New Photographers may question if they can go straight to an IPS sales model at all because they think they have to spend time earning the right to charge a certain amount.  This simply just isn’t the case.  There isn’t a timeline to go by when honing your skills and sharing your art with the world.  As a speech pathologist with her masters turned stay at home mom with a new love of photography people started asking if she would take their photos.  Being new in general can seem like a huge roadblock, but new photographers can get around this by focusing on the positive reactions of their clients and continuing to educate themselves, practicing and improving in all areas of their new business. Rest assured that delivering a quality experience and product over quantity will set you apart and attract more of the clients you want!  There is more time to serve at a high level, time to invest in training or even to shoot and connect with clients.

Want to start IPS? Check out The Serve to Sell System – IPS Made Easy Course HERE.

Prints vs. Art

What if you start seeing your work as art instead of paper? Nikki suggests printing your art, seeing it big in the forms of samples or your personal work and think about how you feel. She says “seeing work in print and large on walls helps you to see it as art.” Prices for art versus prices for print markups are a bit of a roadblock to overcome but is also so very doable and this helps!

Comparison and Pricing as a New Photographer

Comparison can be mindset kryptonite. You don’t know the models, the expenses or even the stories of other photographers so it is best to stay in your lane and focus on you and your business. Committing to doing something unique to you and your own way is a great way to safeguard your mindset and forge ahead.

When asked what the largest roadblock as a new photographer was Nikki said, “Pricing”. This is common with new photographers and seasoned photographers alike. The questions of “how much should I charge for this” and “how much will people pay” weigh on the minds of photographers. The pricing formula, the cost of doing business modules and the templates in the course are very helpful in landing on the pricing that Nikki describes as “comfortable.” Being comfortable with your pricing, even when starting IPS, will make you more confident when the leads start pouring in.

No Studio. No Problem.

Can you do IPS if you don’t have a studio? Nikki Shefchick saw meeting in clients’ homes as a benefit to see their spaces and design style to make suggestions. She is also able to better assist in designing wall galleries with them and checking sizes of walls, other portraits, furniture etc,. Mindset and perspective of this potential roadblock can help you overcome this. Nikki mentions using ZOOM also as an option for those who don’t want to meet in home. How can you meet with your clients if you don’t have a studio? Drop your suggestions in the comments.

Focus on solutions to your roadblocks as as a new photographer, rather than your problems. Learn and research about what is best for you, but resist overthinking and analysis paralysis by just getting started. Trying different things to see which fits you is huge for building confidence and proving to yourself that you are worthy of more. Build a bridge from where you are and where you want to be so you can be more comfortable with the change. Still scared? Check out the IPS Made Easy Community on FB for support so I can cheer for you.

Let’s connect!

Destiny