SWPP Plans A New ‘Bump Start’ Scheme For Portrait Photographers

10/06/09

The SWPP is working with Barrett & Coe and Emma’s Diary, the leading parent marketing company on a new ‘bump and baby’ photography initiative that’s set to take the UK by storm.

Under the scheme thousands of SWPP photographers will be now able to access exclusive leads in the lucrative mums-to-be market at half the cost of the normal £120 registration fee.
In addition they will have access to key marketing support packages, plus an imminent roll-out of exclusive presentation products from leading UK prolab, Loxley Colour.

Explained Juliet Jones, SWPP director: “There are in excess of 700,000 births in Britain each year and research shows that the majority of mothers-to-be want to have their ‘bump and baby’ pictures taken by a trained photographer. Emma’s Diary claims to reach 80% of new and expectant mums at confirmation of pregnancy - through its unique links with GP surgeries and its hugely popular Emma’s Diary Pregnancy Guide, which boasts a circulation of over 830,000 per annum. Additionally, Barrett & Coe is a leading UK wedding and portrait photography franchise operation with a growing outreach nationwide. Between us we will create an exciting new option in this sector, enabling our members to add vital incremental revenues at a point when most are experiencing recession-based trading challenges.”

The new plan got under way at a launch seminar session in a Coventry hotel (May 31st) attended by over 120 photographers. Over forty signed up on the spot.

Andrew Coe, MD at Barrett & Coe said: “We believe this will be a ‘no-brainer’ for many photographers. Emma’s Diary has an exceptional reach with new and expectant mums and their in-depth research clearly shows that parents want access to great photography from the ‘bump’ stage onwards. Our experience shows that each appointment leads to average sales of around £200 – and if you have good interpersonal and marketing skills photographers should keep those customers for life.”

He added: “For those photographers who need marketing support we can provide the leads and do all the phone work on their behalf – all they have to do is take the pictures.”

David Castle, MD at Lifecycle Marketing (parent company of Emma’s Diary) said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity to create a national network of portrait photographers in the UK. This initiative opens up new and exciting opportunities for photographers nationwide.
Our research clearly shows that there’s a lot of decision-making going in during late pregnancy so it’s crucial that photographers act early on what is after all a once in a lifetime moment.
We are delighted to be working with the SWPP - a most impressive industry body with a huge membership and a really useful website.”

The SWPP (www.swpp.co.uk) will be promoting the new Emma’s Diary scheme at road shows and events throughout the year.

Loxley Colour’s Chris Kay added: “This is a fresh look at this aspect of portrait photography. We work very closely both with the SWPP and with Barrett & Coe and we will be producing exclusive products for this Emma’s Diary scheme in coming months.”