Portrait Parties are an exciting opportunity for you and your friends to have professional portraits made in a fun and affordable way. Portrait Parties take place in your home (if you are the host) or any other suitable location. The host invites between 8 and 12 families to the party and for the hosts hard work enjoys credits toward portraits for hosting. It is a low stress fun opportunity to have beautiful portraits made of yourself or your children in a low pressure, relaxed atmosphere.
Hosts also receive a special hostess gift that is amazing and cannot be purchased. Just wait until your guests see it and hear that they can’t buy it! They will book their own party just to get one!
There are two different routes you can take in putting your portrait party together: Open House or Big Fun. Each has it’s own rewards.
Open House: The Open House party has attendees coming and going all the time and when the last pictures are taken only the host and photographer remain. These parties average about $250 per attendee in orders. If the host had 10 attendees that equates to $2,500 in total orders and out of that she would receive her 20% print credit of $500.
Hosts also receive their special gift of one of a kind portrait product that cannot be purchased. Additional gifts or credits are earned by attendees booking their own parties. Typically, one attendee in ten will host a party from an Open House Party. Certainly not a bad deal, and let’s face it, not all of us can pull off an Open House party.
Big Fun: The Big Fun party works a little differently. The host supplies food, drinks, sometimes wine and the idea is that the portraits are a sideline to the actual party. Attendees are encouraged to linger and have a good time. The average order at these parties is closer to $500. If the host had 10 attendees that equates to $5,000 in total orders and out of that she would receive her 20% print credit of $1,000. Hosts also receive special gifts of one of a kind portrait product that cannot be purchased, plus additional credit for attendees booking their own parties.
Typically three attendees in ten will host a party from a “big fun” party.
These parties are easier to pull off and I have several groups that rotate who will host the portrait party this season so that everyone gets the opportunity to order the big items (canvas or large prints) using their hostess credits!
The Portrait Party is organized by the party Host. Hosts provide the location, coordinate the hors’doeuvres, drinks, activities, the guest list and scheduling the 15 minute session times. Guests enjoy a good time, a free portrait session and their children enjoy a short and concise sitting. Everyone involved will have a good time and the children will actually look forward to the next party! After the party, the guests will be instructed how to view and order their portraits. They will have one week to order their portraits. After all guests have ordered the host will then be able to place an order based on credits from their guests purchases. Please contact Denise Watrous at Watrous Photography for more information. Parties are limited to the Metro Chicago and Milwaukee areas.
