BetteT
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thank you very much BetteT, you are the best person ever on tfs!
But I am a bit confused about before and after pics, I don't think I have ever seen them on any personal stylist's website. As all clients want to stay private usually, what do you do - headless shots? And do you do just one "after" shot in one outfit or several?
I don't think headless shots would be very effective in marketing ... makes them look like criminals or something ... definitely the wrong vibe to give off.
So, here are some other options:
1. You can use models and fake before and after shots.
2. You can use friends as examples.
3. You can just do afters with models ... just to show off your work ... before shots are not essential to get your point across.
4. You can often get a client's written pemission to show them ... at least the afters.
Only show your very best work ... doesn't have to be several of one person. In fact, varying it will make it look like you've done a lot of different people. But remember ... you will be remembered by the worst work on your site or in your portfolio, not your best .... so edit, edit, edit ... be ruthless.
Now ... a lot of personal stylists get there without photos of their work ... because they know the right people ... have friends that hire them and who are influential and recommend them to others who also have the money for personal stylists and things like that. . But ... if you need to advertise your services without the benefit of friends and clients out there pushing your services, then stangers won't have that trust level that comes with a personal recommendation. Therefore, potential clients need to see your work before they will trust you. It's a very visual service ... so you have to be able to show them.
You need to budget for marketing expenses ... it's part of your start up money. And that most likely will incude paying a good photographer and a makeup/hair artist for photoshoots. Unless you can do "tests" with them ... if they also want to build their own portfolio and want shots similar to the looks you need to do.
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