Case Study: Laura Leppert, Leppert Photography & Video

Organization Profile: Leppert Photography & Video is a family run and operated business serving the greater Cincinnati, Ohio, area for more than 35 years. Photographers specialize in one-on-one personal attention with each one of their clients, and hold those relationships dear. In fact, three former clients are currently on staff. The studio is located in downtown historic Loveland, Ohio, with access to picturesque riverside views, rustic railroad tracks and a wide variety of unique and charming backgrounds which makes the potential for outdoor portraits unlimited.

Summary: Gary Leppert and his daughter Laura rely on DigiLabs Pro to help save time and increase bookings for their family-run photography studio. DigiLabs’ easy-to-use software has reduced the time to post online proofing galleries from hours to minutes, freeing up invaluable time for the small business. Also, customers appreciate the simple navigation of the online galleries and in turn refer new customers to the Lepperts via the galleries which seamlessly integrate with the studio’s website.

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DigiLabs Pro Software, Products Help Family Studio Stay on Photo Industry Forefront

Gary Leppert started Leppert Photography & Video in the early 1970s when his daughter, Laura, was just a baby. Now Laura is one of the studio’s primary photographers, and she has seen first-hand the changes the family business has gone through as it has evolved and grown during its nearly four decades. The move away from film and into an all-digital operation was one that was not without some growing pains, she said.

Laura explained that while her father has enthusiastically embraced many of the latest photographic conventions over the years, the digital photography movement was a hurdle. He was able to easily overcome the digital divide, however, with the help of DigiLabs Pro’s high-quality, fully customizable proofing and print fulfillment solutions. DigiLabs’ innovative and straightforward software for Mac and Windows enables the four photographers at Leppert’s studio to combine a simplified workflow with robust digital photo management, editing, product creation and tools.

"My father was pretty gung-ho when the digital movement started in the early 2000’s, but working on a computer, especially for post-processing, did not come naturally to him. It was a challenge for him to adapt to a digital workflow; however, he can easily navigate DigiLabs’ software for uploading hundreds of images from events and creating web galleries for online photo proofing," said Leppert.

Since the studio’s clients are comprised of mostly weddings and portraits, a typical shoot can generate anywhere from 2,000 to 3,000 images, with perhaps 600 to 800 being shown to the customer for proofs, Leppert explained. Each photographer is able to upload their images to the DigiLabs galleries in about 20 minutes, rather than the hours it took with their previous system, she said. By the time a couple gets home from their honeymoon, their web gallery is up online ready for them to quickly review their favorite shots.

"As a small business, time is literally money for us. We appreciate that DigiLabs makes all of our lives easier, and its software is the easiest to use that we’ve seen. We spend less time fiddling with our online galleries and more time servicing the client and shooting memorable photos," said Leppert.

The Lepperts’ clients can easily peruse images from their event because the DigiLabs galleries have such straightforward navigation and a clean presentation, noted Leppert. Also, since the galleries seamlessly integrate with the studio’s own website with no mention of DigiLabs, it is easy for customers to refer friends and acquaintances to the Lepperts, which is a big boost to the business. More than 90 percent of their bookings come from referrals, she said.

The Lepperts have relied on DigiLabs since 2005, primarily to offer online proofing options for their clients. During the 2009 season they also began offering DigiLabs photo products such as coffee table books and gallery wraps. It was a bit of a leap of faith for the hometown-style studio to entrust all of their online orders to another company, but "the response from customers has been fantastic," said Leppert.

"It was a little unnerving sub-contracting out all of our photo fulfillment, but my customers seem happy. If they are happy, I am happy," said Leppert.

In addition, Leppert said she plans to test DigiLabs’ new flush-mount albums and will consider integrating them into their photo packages.

"In a time when you rarely get to talk to a live person when you have a question, DigiLabs is right there to help us with any issues. Sometimes they even call us with suggestions. I don’t think anybody can beat them on customer service. It goes well beyond my expectations."

About DigiLabs Pro
DigiLabs Pro provides professional photographers with a comprehensive, cost-effective and flexible online proofing and fulfillment solution with advanced tools and widely popular product creations. DigiLabs remains invisible in to end customers, showcasing only a professional photographer’s brand. Offerings include e-commerce services such as web galleries, highly customizable flush mount albums, coffee table books, proof magazines, greeting cards, calendars and superior photo printing services. DigiLabs’ iPhone application allows photographers’ clients to access web galleries and to make purchases, anytime and anyplace. Thousands of photo professionals rely on DigiLabs products and services to help make their businesses more profitable and to distinguish themselves in their field. Founded in 2001 and based in Palo Alto, Calif., DigiLabs Pro is a privately held company. More information is available at http://digilabspro.com.