Interview With Photographer David Hakamaki: Capturing The Elusive High School Senior

Nov. 4, 2012 - PRLog -- Anyone with a camera can call themselves a professional photographer and, with the economy in turmoil, earning some money from photography has attracted a lot of new people into the business, especially in the genre of high school senior portraits. However, many are forced to quit because the high level of competition means they can't sustain a profitable business.

"Senior portrait photographers are facing a tough challenge," says Nigel Merrick, photography coach and author of the Zenologue photography business and marketing blog, http://www.zenologue.com/. "However, it is possible to significantly differentiate ourselves from other photographers, which is why I chose to interview David Hakamaki, a successful portrait photographer of Cutting Edge Photography, http://cuttingedgephoto.net/, based in Iron Mountain MI."

"There’s a huge difference between getting a few senior portrait clients and gaining enough clients consistently to have a viable business," says Hakamaki. "It’s easy to take photos of a friend, lure someone with a session that will build your portfolio, and then give away your images, or charge such a nominal price that you can never break free of the infamous day job."

Understanding that difference, and striving constantly to offer a unique and memorable experience to his high school senior client, are what have made Hakamaki's business so successful.

"Once a client walks through the doors of my studio, everything is focused on making them feel that they had the best session ever," adds Hakamaki. "Each client’s session is customized for their family."

As if that's not enough Hakamaki has another secret weapon, in what he calls "Live Viewing" photography sessions, which makes use of a wireless transmitter on the camera to send the photographs to an iPad as he shoots them. The high school senior's parents sit in the studio or carry the tablet along on location, able to watch the entire session unfold before their eyes.

"Live viewing is a real game-changer," says Hakamaki. "It excites the parents and really gets them involved. The senior also feels the excitement and gets a renewed jolt of energy, making them ready to perform for the next photo."

To help photographers apply these ideas to their own business, Nigel Merrick is holding a special live interview with David Hakamaki on Thursday November 8th 2012. The topics under discussion will include the high school senior portrait business, and an in-depth look at Hakamaki's successful photography.

To learn more about running a successful high school senior portrait business, and register for the live event visit http://www.zenologue.com/interviews/d-hakamaki.php

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About Nigel Merrick & Zenologue Photography Business and Marketing

Nigel Merrick is a professional photographer, business coach, and author of the popular Zenologue Photography Business & Marketing blog. Zenologue's mission is to help professional photographers succeed in their business through the use of proven marketing and SEO strategies, which is accomplished through an extensive library of articles, interviews, webinars and training programs.