Boutique Studio Program Debuts in The Bahamas!
June/30/2007
The Lucaya Resort on Grand Bahama Island was a wonderful setting to debut the new marketing program that I've been so eager to share with other photographers! Over the past year I've become fascinated with the boutique studio model because the concept behind each studio is unique and focused, and branding is a key to its success.
I've had several photographers suggest that a boutique business is nothing more than a studio that sells "all kinds of stuff" such as photo collages, jewelry, handbags, etc. While I wouldn't be surprised to find products such as these in a boutique studio, that description really misses the mark . . . almost as widely as the belief that boutique studios are run only by women. In fact, what boutique studios (owned by men OR women) are all about is marketing to women, and creating businesses that appeal to their specific needs and wants. Market research shows that women are the primary consumers for portrait/wedding photography, so understanding how women respond to marketing also is a key factor in the success of boutique studios. That's the very reason why Marathon has created a new division—BellaGrafica—which is designed to support boutique studios that cater to women clients.
As part of a "soft launch" strategy, BellaGrafica was on hand at the Bahamas Chicks Who Click women's retreat. The enthusiastic reaction of the attendees suggest that you'll be hearing quite a lot about BellaGrafica and the boutique studio concept.
I've had several photographers suggest that a boutique business is nothing more than a studio that sells "all kinds of stuff" such as photo collages, jewelry, handbags, etc. While I wouldn't be surprised to find products such as these in a boutique studio, that description really misses the mark . . . almost as widely as the belief that boutique studios are run only by women. In fact, what boutique studios (owned by men OR women) are all about is marketing to women, and creating businesses that appeal to their specific needs and wants. Market research shows that women are the primary consumers for portrait/wedding photography, so understanding how women respond to marketing also is a key factor in the success of boutique studios. That's the very reason why Marathon has created a new division—BellaGrafica—which is designed to support boutique studios that cater to women clients.
As part of a "soft launch" strategy, BellaGrafica was on hand at the Bahamas Chicks Who Click women's retreat. The enthusiastic reaction of the attendees suggest that you'll be hearing quite a lot about BellaGrafica and the boutique studio concept.