Picture this: It’s 2018, and I’m sitting at my computer at 2 AM, bleary-eyed and exhausted, trying to perfect the 60th image from a newborn session. With 2 toddlers and a brand new baby at home, I knew this wasn’t sustainable. I was drowning in editing, meticulously retouching 60-80 images for every single session, desperately trying to make my business work while not charging nearly enough for my time.
Everything changed in 2019 when I took Gaby Chung’s IPS course and discovered softproofing. I’ll be honest – I was skeptical at first. How could I show clients un-retouched images? Wouldn’t they run for the hills if they saw what photos really look like straight out of camera?
But I was completely wrong. Not only did clients start spending more, they finally understood the value of professional retouching. They saw firsthand the transformation from a good image to an exceptional one. Suddenly, fewer people were asking for RAW files, and they understood why each finished image commanded a premium price. If you’re where I was – overwhelmed, undercharging, and wondering if there’s a better way – keep reading, because this might be exactly what you need.
Okay, let’s break this down super simple: Instead of spending hours retouching every single image from a session, you show clients their images with just basic editing (think good exposure and color). Then, they pick their favorites, and those are the ones you work your retouching magic on. That’s it!
Remember that time you spent three hours perfecting a image only to have your client pick a different one? Yeah, those days are over. Here’s what happened when I switched to softproofing:
Let’s talk about the real impact on your bottom line. As newborn photographers, we know our work is valuable – but are we maximizing our earning potential with every single session?
Here’s a real-world example that changed how I think about my time:
Client A books a newborn session and spends $2,400. From the first inquiry email to product delivery, I spend 20 hours on their session. This includes:
That breaks down to $120/hr (and of course doesn’t include any overhead costs like your software, camera, studio rent, etc). Now, Client B also spends $2,400, but thanks to softproofing, I only spend 10 hours total on their session because:
That’s $240 per hour – literally double the profit for the same amazing client experience. Think about that – same beautiful images, same happy clients, same pricing… but twice the profit. This isn’t about charging more or cutting corners. It’s about working smarter and maximizing the value of every hour you spend on your business.
psst….Want to know a few more ways to save time and therefore increase your profits? Check out this post Gill just wrote about creating a repeatable workflow!
I know what you’re thinking – “Won’t clients hate seeing unretouched images?” Plot twist: They actually love it! Here’s why:
This is where it gets really good. When you’re not spending every waking moment editing, you can actually take on more clients! I’m talking:
Here’s the truth – softproofing transformed how I run my business on every level. Instead of guessing how many hours I’ll spend editing each session, I know exactly how much time I need based on my clients’ purchases. This predictability has revolutionized my profit margins because I can accurately forecast my time investment for every session. Pricing became crystal clear once I could see exactly how much time I was spending on each client, and the best part? My clients are happier than ever. They love the process, understand the value, and eagerly refer their friends. – and there’s nothing better for business than word-of-mouth from delighted clients who truly understand your value.
Want to try this out? Here’s my exact process:
Listen, if you’re going to try this (and you totally should), here’s what I’ve learned:
*One thing that I’ve really noticed over the years is that clients can see past a lot of editing things but its really hard for them to see past the exposure. If it’s too dark they’ll dismiss the image even if I know that it will be fine once it’s all cleaned up. I don’t worry too much about color but I definitely do a quick pass for exposure.
Look, I get it – change is scary. But trust me on this one. Softproofing has literally transformed how I run my business, and I’m not going back. It’s made my life easier, my clients happier, and my business more profitable. Win-win-win!
Ready to transform other parts of your photography business too? Flow and Format offers resources to help you streamline your client experience from start to finish. From email templates that save you hours of typing to marketing materials that help you communicate your value, we’ve got what you need to run a more efficient, profitable studio.
Check out our complete collection of templates and workflows designed specifically for newborn photographers. Because let’s be honest – you became a photographer to create beautiful images, not to spend hours drafting emails and creating marketing materials.
PS – Remember, small changes lead to big results. Start with one area of your business you want to improve, and build from there. Your future self will thank you!
January 20, 2025
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