Case Study: Saleina Epperson, Saleina Marie Photography

Organization Profile: Saleina Marie Photography is based near Seattle, Wa., with owner Saleina Marie Epperson booking mostly weddings and some portraits. She aims to make each event she photographs fun, playful and relaxed. Shooting like a photojournalist, she beautifully and meticulously documents a couple’s unique style and personality during their wedding day. She works hard to bring the highest level of service to every client with individualized and attentive care.

Summary: Saleina Marie Epperson is able to maximize her hours working as a professional photographer with the help of DigiLabs Pro’s easy to use software that enables her to create web galleries for client proofing and purchases. The intuitive workflow manages her business’ photo print sales process, giving her more time to devote to her two children. In addition, since using DigiLabs Pro, Epperson saw profits from sales of her photo prints double during wedding season of 2009 over the previous year, with product sales nearly equivalent to event fees.

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Busy Working Mom Balances Family, Boosts Pro Photo Business with DigiLabs Pro

It only took one wedding for photographer Saleina Marie Epperson to get hooked. After the first nuptials she shot as a professional in 2002, Epperson knew she wanted to devote herself to capturing one of the most memorable days in a couple’s life. However, at that same time, she was also expecting her first child to whom she planned to devote much of her attention as well.

Getting her own photography business off the ground was a relatively inexpensive endeavor; buying camera equipment was her biggest expense. Child care costs were low as she could mostly shoot on weekends when her husband was on deck to watch the kids. Still, Epperson searched for technology solutions that would help her maximize her working hours. Her friend and fellow pro photographer, Joy Marie Smallwood, referred her to DigiLabs Pro in 2008, touting its innovative and straightforward software for Mac and Windows. Combining a simplified workflow with robust digital photo management, editing, product creation and tools, Epperson began using DigiLabs and hasn’t looked back. Since then, she’s relied on DigiLabs to create web galleries and to offer high-quality photo prints to clients with the added bonus of creating a new profit stream for her business.

In fact, Epperson saw profits from sales of her photo prints double during the 2009 wedding season. It was a huge increase in her business, with product sales nearly equivalent to event fees, she said.

"I have a supportive husband, but now we have two children and a busy life. There are definitely instances when it is hard to find time for everything. Having tools like DigiLabs in my corner definitely helps me get my work done more efficiently, so I can balance my time between my business and my home life," said Epperson, who previously worked as an office manager for an interior design company. "DigiLabs takes away the sales management aspect of my business, so I can focus on shooting photos, crucial post-production editing and, most importantly, my kids!"

Within just a few quick and easy steps, Epperson is able to fully customize her DigiLabs web gallery with any number of color schemes, fonts, image sizes and more. Her custom storefront can reflect the singular look and feel of her own business without mention of DigiLabs.

"My clients don’t even know they are leaving my website, and that is a great thing. My DigiLabs web galleries are extensions of my business. They allow me to control my branding and my pricing. It’s a benefit to me that my customers still feel connected to me when they click into the web galleries to review their images and place their orders," said Epperson.

Before using DigiLabs, Epperson spent much of her time and resources to upload photos, print out hard copy proofs, deliver them to clients and subsequently process their orders. Now, with DigiLabs, she can quickly upload and organize her images and then efficiently send a link via e-mail to her customers.

"At that point, the bulk of my work is done. The ball is in my client’s court, so to speak, and I can spend more time than before with my family, or pursue my own interests in food, running, art and music," said Epperson.

Epperson originally chose DigiLabs for her photo proofing and fulfillment in part because of its economical set-up costs and turn-key pricing plan, both of which were easy to use. After receiving consistent feedback from clients thrilled with the quality of the finished product and the ease with which they can place online orders, Epperson has discovered new benefits from her affiliation with DigiLabs.

"I would recommend DigiLabs to every professional photographer. DigiLabs enables you to increase your bottom line and provides you with an option for making additional profits from a photo shoot," said Epperson. "With the web galleries, you can look more professional to your clients, and have confidence in your business."

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.