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The Portrait System Podcast
How Tyler Clement Got A $1900 Sales Average Listening To The Portrait System Podcast
00:55:49
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- [00:01]
Nikki Klosser
When water from the pipes was pouring down, filed a claim with his Cox.
- [00:06]
Tyler Clement
We turned it around. Across America, over 600,000 small businesses look to Hiscox Insurance for protection. Find flexible coverage that adapts to the needs of your small business with a fast, easy online quote@hiscox.com Cause there's no business like small business like no business we know. Get a quote today with Hiscox Small Business Insurance.
- [00:30]
Nikki Klosser
Hey there, it's Nikki Klosser and I want to let you know about an awesome free giveaway for people on our email list. If you haven't already, click the link in our podcast description or go to theportraitsystem.com Sign up to get on the list. If you sign up, you'll get a free posing 101 PDF to jumpstart things. It's an epic PDF, so you'll definitely want to get this. Also, just by being in our email community, you'll get deals, sales and information about any of our upcoming events and activities. So head over to theportraitsystem.com signup and sign up. Today you're listening to the Portrait System podcast.
- [01:05]
Tyler Clement
We had to end up doing like fertility treatment and it was successful the first time and in April of that year. So the next month my mom was diagnosed with stage four skin cancer. She was diagnosed in April and then she ended up passing away in June and then my son was born in October. So like my mom didn't get to meet my son and we have another, another son now. That happening to me is kind of what made me feel like that job that I was in for so long wasn't what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
- [01:46]
Nikki Klosser
Welcome to the Portrait System Podcast. I'm your host Nikki Klosser and this show is here to help you succeed in the world of photography and business. To help you learn to become financially free, doing what you love and so much more. With over 1 million downloads, countless photographers have taken what they've learned from both our episodes and from theportraitsystem.com and they have their businesses quit their day jobs and are designing a life of their dreams. We keep it real and share stories about the ups and downs that come with running a photography business. You'll hear real life stories of how other photographers run their business and you'll learn actionable steps that you can take to reach your own goals. Thank you so much for being here. And let's get started. Hey everyone, it's Nikki Klosser here and my guest this week on the Portrait System podcast is Tyler Clement. This is a really special episode. Tyler called it a full circle moment because he went from being a longtime listener of this podcast to now a guest. Tyler started listening a few years ago when he had a full time job doing something totally unrelated to photography. And he was so inspired by the stories he heard that he ended up starting a business. Now he has had so much success that he's here with me to share the story of how he made his way up to a $1900 sales average in a small town photographing women. If you're a member of the Portrait System, I'm sure you already know him because of how active and kind and fun he is. And if not, I'm so proud to introduce you to, to Tyler Clement. Hi, Tyler. Welcome to the Portrait System. How are you?
- [03:15]
Tyler Clement
I'm so good, Nikki. How are you?
- [03:18]
Nikki Klosser
I'm good. I have been wanting to have you on for a long time and I feel like it was like over a year ago. I think we were at one of the conferences, I think it was a Portrait Masters conference.
- [03:30]
Tyler Clement
Yes.
- [03:31]
Nikki Klosser
And we met in person and you were like. I was like, I want to have you on one day. And you told me you would let me know when you're ready. And you're ready now.
- [03:40]
Tyler Clement
Yes, I think I'm ready.
- [03:44]
Nikki Klosser
No, I know you're ready. But it's interesting. Like I feel like this all happened for you. I don't really wanna say quickly because you know, it's taken some time, but. Okay. So just for background for people, you are a member, you are a member of the Portrait System. And I remember watching you when you first joined. You were asking a lot of questions and like soaking it all in. And I rem thinking this is a guy that, who's gonna, he's gonna take action. And I've watched you over the last few years, you know, started following you on Instagram right away and that sort of thing. Just cause you were such a, like a student who was really interested in learning and doing the work. And now I just, I see you with this successful business and it's just so cool to see someone really put everything into place. It's so cool.
- [04:35]
Tyler Clement
Yeah, it definitely, like you said, it didn't happen overnight. I feel like I'm getting a taste of success right now, but it hasn't been that way this whole time. So I'm excited to share kind of how I got to where I am now.
- [04:50]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. Yeah. And before we started recording, you had said something about how this was A full circle moment. And I kind of stopped you because I wanted you to tell, you know, the listener. Like I wanted you to say what it, what that meant when we were recording. So I'm wondering if we can come back to that. So you said, you know, being on this podcast was a full circle moment for you. Can you kind of share what you meant by that?
- [05:13]
Tyler Clement
Yes. So I was working a full time job before and I had had this same job from. I started it in high school and I had worked there. I ended up working there for 10 years before I left. But at this point, at this job, I was able to kind of listen to podcasts or music or whatever while I was working. And I was really into like True Crime podcasts and there was, there was really no shortage of that content. So I was just like listening to True crime all the time. And it kind of got to a point where I would work super early morning, so like 4am or 6am and it was dark outside when I was going to work. And so I was getting like paranoid.
- [06:01]
Nikki Klosser
That there was going to be, like, psychologically traumatized.
- [06:03]
Tyler Clement
Yes. Like there was going to be somebody in my backseat or something like that. And so I was like, you know what? Like, for my mental health, I need a break from this. So I am going to find a different podcast to listen to. At this point, I was going to school for graphic design and so I had a photography course through that. And this wasn't where my photography journey began, but it kind of like got a camera back into my hands. And so I was like, okay, that's a topic that I would want to listen to. So I just searched the podcast app for like, photography and it brought up an episode of the Portrait System. It was Natalia Lalor's episode. And she was talking about her business and she had said that her starting price was sixteen hundred dollars. And I was like, oh, okay, so that's not gonna happen here in Cisco, Texas. So I'm just going to turn this off and find something else to listen to. And then a few days passed and I was like, you know what? I kind of want to go finish that episode and see, see what this is all about. And so I went and finished the episode and I kind of got drawn into that podcast episode and to the whole podcast. And so I started listening to all the episodes that were available. This was at the end of 2020. So yeah, this. I know a lot of the guests who have been on the podcast before me have mentioned how, like, they found sue, like in her Creative live days or just like a long time ago. And that wasn't really the case for me. I found her from this podcast. So me being a guest on here, it really does feel like this magnificent, like, full circle moment.
- [07:54]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. Oh, that's so cool. I mean, when I think about different podcasts that I've been on or. Sorry, not that I've been on, but that I've listened to religiously, like, the thought of actually being a guest on that podcast would be super cool. So, yeah, it really is great. So, okay, so you start listening, you start taking it all in. And that was, I mean, not even five years ago, so. Because if it was the end of 2020. So like, a little over four years ago.
- [08:22]
Tyler Clement
Yeah.
- [08:22]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. So, I mean, what. What did you start doing from there? Like, was it just, like, the information you were getting was inspiring or was it, you know, were you learning how to take action? Were you. You know, what happened?
- [08:36]
Tyler Clement
Yeah, so at that time in my life, I had just had our first son. He was born in 2018, so he was two years old at that point. And so. And I was also going to school full time and I was working full time, so I had a lot going on in life. So when I was listening to the podcast, initially, I didn't really want to or have the, like, resources to add anything else to my plate, so I didn't join the portrait system immediately. It actually took me until, like, April of 2021, during, like, free week, to actually join the portrait system.
- [09:21]
Nikki Klosser
Okay, so from there, I mean, that takes you even. So that's like three years ago that you've been able to create this massive, amazing business. Well, maybe not massive, but, you know, successful business in, like, three years. So that's even crazier. Okay, so take us through the steps. What did you start doing?
- [09:43]
Tyler Clement
So immediately I started, like, building my studio portfolio because this wasn't my introduction to photography. I had been doing photography for a long time prior to this. I started my photography journey by photographing events, like, for our local newspaper.
- [10:01]
Nikki Klosser
Okay.
- [10:02]
Tyler Clement
My mom worked at that newspaper for my entire life. So, like, when I was old enough to start doing things to help with that, that's kind of what happened. I taught myself to use a DSLR camera and shoot in manual by, like, reading books, like, actual books. And then, like, right out of high school, or even still in high school, I started, like, photographing my friends who are high school seniors and just families and family friends. And I did a couple weddings, and I found out right away that that wasn't for me. And, and neither were the events. It didn't take me long to that. Those weren't what made me light up as a photographer. And so I tried to start a photography business at that point, like kind of right out of high school. And I was doing the shoot and burn thing and I was photographing families and fields, and that was kind of my thing. And I thought because the way that I was running that photography business, because that wasn't profitable, that there was no way that it was possible to be a full time income.
- [11:12]
Nikki Klosser
Well, I want to ask you, because you had said initially when you heard the episode where she had said it was 1600 for her average and that when you were like, yeah, that's not happening because you live in a small town in Texas. Right, right, right. Yeah. Okay, so do you mind sharing what your sales average is now?
- [11:28]
Tyler Clement
So right now for like full custom sessions, it's 1900.
- [11:33]
Nikki Klosser
1900. Isn't that amazing? It's so wild to think, like back then you were like, okay. And you know what? And you're not alone in that. A lot of people think that. You know, I thought that when I first started, like, how am I going to get this to the point where it's profitable enough that I don't have to shoot, you know, 50 sessions a month in order to pay the bills, you know, to quit my job and that sort of thing. And here you are with a nineteen hundred dollar average in your small Texas town.
- [12:03]
Tyler Clement
Yes. So prior to, like when I first listened to that podcast episode, the most I had ever charged anyone was $200. And that was for one of those weddings.
- [12:15]
Nikki Klosser
Oh my gosh. Wow. Now, did you. Okay, so I know you said you eventually joined the portrait system. You said in 2021. I mean, did you just come out the gate then charging $1,900?
- [12:30]
Tyler Clement
So I started charging like the lowest thing that sue recommended to charge. Like I think a lot of people do, just because it's like, yes, I want to do this, but also I'm going to start small kind of.
- [12:45]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. Because it's scary.
- [12:46]
Tyler Clement
Yeah, it was very scary.
- [12:48]
Nikki Klosser
It's scary as hell. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, so. And you had said before you started building your studio portfolio, so take us from there.
- [12:55]
Tyler Clement
Right. So I started building my studio portfolio and when I was doing that, I did really feel this connection to. To photographing women specifically, because I. I kind of have a story to go along with that. So back in 2018, that was kind of a year that that changed my life. Like in every Aspect. So in March of 2018 is when we found out that we were expecting our first child and that me and my wife had been trying for three years. We got married in 2015, and we've been trying, and we had to end up doing, like, fertility treatment. And it was successful the first time, and so we were super excited. And then in April of that year, so the next month, my mom was diagnosed with stage four skin cancer.
- [13:56]
Nikki Klosser
Oh, my God.
- [13:58]
Tyler Clement
Yeah. So she. She was diagnosed in April, and then she ended up passing away in June. And then.
- [14:06]
Nikki Klosser
Oh, my God, Tyler, I'm so sorry. That's horrible.
- [14:09]
Tyler Clement
Thank you. And then my son was born in October, so, like, my mom didn't get to meet my son, and we have another. Another son now. So that, like I said, changed everything about me. My mom was my best friend. And I know that's kind of like a cliche thing to say, but I didn't have a ton of friends like. Like growing up, and even at that point in my life. So my mom and my wife and my cousin were kind of my. My main people. And losing her really, really affected me.
- [14:41]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah.
- [14:42]
Tyler Clement
And so that. That kind of. I know I'm kind of jumping all over the place, but that happening to me is kind of what made me feel like that that job that I was in for so long wasn't what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, because it was kind of soul sucking instead of, like, giving me life.
- [15:05]
Nikki Klosser
Right. Well, and it's interesting because I assume, you know, how old was your mom when she passed away? I'm assuming in her 50s, right?
- [15:13]
Tyler Clement
49.
- [15:14]
Nikki Klosser
49, yeah.
- [15:15]
Tyler Clement
And I was 20.
- [15:17]
Nikki Klosser
23. Yeah. Wow. So that I could see. You know, when you say you're drawn to photographing women, the portraits that you do of women are, like, a lot of women in their 40s and 50s, and they're done just so beautifully and so tastefully and just empowering. And I feel like. I mean, I could be wrong, but I feel like it's almost like a tribute. A tribute to your mother. I mean, to be able to give that to other people, you know, not only to give that experience to these women, but to their families, to have these photographs of their mother, their sister, their grandmother, you know, whoever that woman is to each person in her life, like, that's a big deal. It's huge.
- [16:01]
Tyler Clement
Yeah, absolutely. So my kind of tagline for the studio is a legacy you're proud of. And so we don't have a lot of photos of my mom in general. But we definitely don't have like, professional ones, like in the style that I shoot now or something that she would be like, proud to have like framed and hanging on my wall right now. So I just really don't want other, other families and other sons and daughters to be in the same position that I'm in now. I remember when I was, was a little kid, like, I genuinely thought that my mom was the most beautiful woman in the world. Like, I, I would think that in my class were like so jealous because I had the prettiest mom. And like Tyler, just knowing that she like didn't see that herself, that she didn't want to, to be in photos because she didn't think that she was pretty enough or thin enough or whatever. Yeah, I, I'm trying to do the work to help change that for, for everyone else.
- [17:11]
Nikki Klosser
And it sounds like you are. And also like you said you were in this soul sucking job and Lord knows I can relate. And I know a lot of people who are listening can relate. And to be able to do something that brings you joy like that and that makes you feel like you have a purpose, it's so important. It's so important. And I know you kind of mentioned this, but did her death kind of. And I know she died several years prior to you starting the business, but was that something you could reflect on and realize that like, life can be short, it can end before we know it. And what are you gonna do? Be at a soul sucking job for the rest of your life or are you gonna actually do something that you love? Like, I almost feel like maybe she gave you that gift.
- [17:55]
Tyler Clement
Absolutely. One other thing that comes to mind is like, I wasn't like financially doing amazing at this other job. And so like, if I was staying there, I knew that that was kind of the life that I was going to have for the rest of my family's lives. So I knew that I had to do something to increase my income. And my, I wanted to get out of that survival mode and into the thrival mode. So we were definitely surviving at that point.
- [18:29]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah, I remember thinking that because I was a school social worker and, and I had teacher pay and I remember looking at like, okay, if I'm here, you know, for 20 years, the maximum amount that I can make even with my master's degree was like $76,000 or something like that. In the district that I was working in, I was like, how am I gonna travel the world on this? How am I gonna, you know, and it wasn't Just the money. It was the lack of ability to have the free time that I wanted and to be able to just design this kind of life that I wanted, you know, and there's a cap, there's a salary cap when you're in the type of job that I was in or that you were in or whatever. And like, being an entrepreneur, yeah, it's hard. And yeah, there's blood, sweat, and tears, but there's really no, like, glass ceiling. Like, you can make it whatever you want, depending on the action you take. And. Yeah, and my dad passed away suddenly when I was 24, and he gave me that kind of life lesson as well, that it can end quickly. And he was a big. That was a big turning point for me too. Thinking about, well, I didn't start my business until 10 years after he died, but that was ultimately something that drove me to start my business. Just thinking, here I am 12 years deep in this job that I hate, and what am I doing? And look how my dad lost his life so suddenly and so quickly. And it's like, gotta make changes, you know?
- [20:01]
Tyler Clement
Yes, I completely relate to that. And actually, after she passed away, that's when I kind of re evaluated my life. And I decided to go back to school because, like I said, she worked at the newspaper and she did, like, the page designs. And so I was like, I'm gonna go back to school for graphic design to kind of follow in her footsteps and. And do something with that for my life. And then through that, it kind of. I shifted gears because I found something that actually made more sense to me.
- [20:39]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. Well, okay, so going back to how your mom felt about not wanting to be in photos and just not feeling pretty enough or thin enough. And so the demographic I know you shoot, you know, you do some headshots and you do a little bit of seniors here and there, but it sounds like the main focus of your business is, you know, women. Women's portraiture. Knowing what we know about women and how so many of us don't want to be in photos or don't feel like, why would I get this photo shoot of myself? It doesn't, you know, it's too vain, or I'm not worth it, or I'll never look beautiful in photos, I mean, unfortunately, that is very much the thought pattern that a lot of women have. How are you presenting these shoots? Like, how are you really getting these women to want to and agree to doing this?
- [21:33]
Tyler Clement
So the thing that I think has worked best for me is structuring this as Like a project. So I am in my third portrait project right now or campaign. So the first one that I did, I just called it Legendary Ladies, and it was exclusively for women over 40, but I was scared to do a 40 over 40 because I did know if I was going to actually get 40 people to do it, so. And. And I didn't. I only had 12 that first time, and that was like, the first year of business for me. So like I said, it was not like an overnight success. It was a slow burn. I. So anyways, my. My first project was Legendary Ladies. The second one I did was called this Is Me, and it was open to women of any age that wanted this. This photo shoot experience with the hair and makeup and multiple outfits and all the things that we learned from Sue. And now I've just started a 40 over 40 project for this third one.
- [22:40]
Nikki Klosser
Okay, and did you find that this Is Me kind of. Is that what you said it was called, this Is Me? Did I get that right?
- [22:45]
Tyler Clement
Yes.
- [22:46]
Nikki Klosser
Okay. Well, first of all, was that one more successful? I mean, 12 people to me is great. Like, you know, that's. That's awesome. Was this one. Did you get more clients for the this Is Me project?
- [22:59]
Tyler Clement
So for the this Is Me project, I had 18. And in the beginning, it was kind of a slow burn, and then I just hit a turning point at one point where I started to reach a different area of people, like a geographic area, and it started to pick up, and I got the last nine people for the project kind of all at once. So.
- [23:26]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. When you say different area, how far out are you going? Cause I think when I was looking at the map of Cislo, like, or Cisco. Sorry, you're, like, not super close to any big city. It almost seemed like Fort Worth was maybe your closest, but not even that close.
- [23:40]
Tyler Clement
Yeah. So Fort Worth is like an hour and a half for me. I. I'm in Cisco, Texas. We have, like, 4, 000 people here in town and 18, 000 in our county in total. So not. Not a ton. And so the. The closest larger city to me is. I mean. Okay, how do I phrase that? Larger town, small city is Abilene, Texas. And they have. I'm not sure how many people are there, but it's about 45 minutes from me. And so that's where I'm starting to kind of branch into and getting a lot of my clients from Abilene now.
- [24:20]
Nikki Klosser
Okay. And they're making the drive to your studio?
- [24:24]
Tyler Clement
They are, yes.
- [24:25]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. Awesome. You know, people have said that before, where, you know, I'm either in a small town or whatever. And I remember, like, even in my Seattle studio, where it's obviously Seattle is a massive city, but I had people driving from the outskirts, driving an hour, an hour and a half. It's like, when you become the photographer that people really want, they will. They will do the drive. So I don't want people to think that people, that clients won't do that, because they will. And you're another example of that, which is great.
- [24:55]
Tyler Clement
Right. And I had that in my head in the beginning as well, because I was really stuck on, like, marketing to my immediate area. And I had a client that somehow found me from a town that's like two and a half hours away. And she drove to me. And so that was kind of a turning point for me. I was like, okay, if this lady's gonna come from two and a half hours away, then why am I scared to market in Abilene? That's even closer than that.
- [25:25]
Nikki Klosser
How are you marketing yourself? Like, how are you finding the people even in Abilene?
- [25:30]
Tyler Clement
So I do a lot of social media. I post very consistently, mostly on Facebook.
- [25:38]
Nikki Klosser
You are great at that.
- [25:40]
Tyler Clement
Thank you. I do post on Instagram, too, but I don't get very many clients from there. It's mostly from Facebook and actually from, like, a Facebook group that is for small businesses in Abilene. It's kind of open to the whole, like, area. So, like, they allow me to post things in there as well. And so that is where I've kind of reached a lot of new people. And then obviously, like, word of mouth is great too. I do also try to network as much as possible, which is not something that comes natural to me, but I do my best. So. Yeah.
- [26:16]
Nikki Klosser
Okay. Yeah. It makes me wonder if almost every town is going to have something for small business owners where people can advertise in there. But I almost feel like just posting a couple photos and saying, do you want to book a photo shoot might not be really effective. Like, what are you saying to get people to actually take action on booking a photo shoot? Like, are you. You know, do you use certain language around it? Or, like, I'll give you an example. Like, whenever I do networking meetings or whatever. I mean, one of the things I talk about is I love to photograph people who hate having their photo taken. Like, if you don't love having your photo taken, I'm your girl, you know? And that kind of piques people's interest right away, as opposed to just saying, like, I'm a portrait photographer and I specialize in personal branding or whatever. You know, like, is there something that you're doing to get. Get people's attention?
- [27:11]
Tyler Clement
I think it's really a mix of different things. I try to use, like, storytelling in my posts. I like to share my own story. I do kind of talk about my mom and things like that. Sometimes I feel like I'm. I'm dancing on this line of, like, trying not to be, like, too morbid while talking about that. But I do. I do still incorporate my story into my posts. And I also like to talk about my process and, like, things that are included and that it's not just your everyday photo shoot. Like, this is kind of a big deal. And I think the posts that do the best for me, specifically in groups like that is when I do talk about the project because I do have, like, a magazine at the end of it and we do an exhibit. And so those are things that a lot of people are kind of drawn to.
- [28:08]
Nikki Klosser
Okay, hey, just a quick break to tell you that since you're here listening, you have access to a really great offer for our listeners only. We have a special promo code you can use to get 50% off the cost of membership. Just go to the portraitsystem.com or click the link in the description and use the promo code PODCAST50 to get 50% off of a membership. We rarely discount membership, so this is a big deal. As I hope you already know, the membership is how I and so many guests on this podcast reached our success. And it gives you access to countless amazing videos, an awesome community, and all the tools you need to build a massively successful business. So use the code podcast50Now to join the community and to start building the business of your dreams. I'll see you there. Yeah, the storytelling, I think, is important. Like, I know some of the posts that I've done that have been successful or, you know, have brought people in is sharing. Like, this is, you know, this is Brit, and she's a real estate agent who, you know, had some not great experiences with just, you know, traditional old headshots. And once she did a personal branding shooter, her marketing got a million times better. She started bringing in more clients. She had more to post on social media, and ultimately she was selling more homes because of her photos. You know, things like that, I think are so important when it comes to storytelling. And when you bring in that personal element of, you know, what photos do you have that your kids are going to find of you when you're Gone, you know, or like, like you said, you don't want to try to be too morbid. But there's that aspect of it. There's that aspect of, you know, you are worth it. Like, let's photograph you now because you deserve it. Even if you think you don't. Even if you think it's weird to do a photo shoot. Like, look at Patty. Patty did it, and she feels amazing. And, you know, I don't know. Like, I just feel like there's ways to connect it as opposed to just making a post that's like, book your photo shoot today. Here's a special deal. You know what I mean?
- [30:05]
Tyler Clement
Absolutely. And there's times where you're going to feel like you're repeating the same things over and over and over, and that's totally fine. Some people need to see that same thing over and over and over before they finally decide, you know what? I'm actually going to do this. And a lot of times the same people aren't seeing your posts, especially when you're posting in, like, a group like that or like, when you post a specific client's photo. Like, they're sharing that with their friends and family, and they're all seeing your message for the first time. So you don't have to create this whole new strategy every time you make a post.
- [30:49]
Nikki Klosser
Yes, exactly. I mean, people need to hear this so many times before they're actually. I mean, some people might jump the first time they hear it, you know, jump into action, but most people, they need to hear it over and over and over. That's just who we are as consumers. And it's okay to repeat yourself over and over and over in your marketing. You bring up a really good point. You don't need to recreate the wheel every single time. So, yeah, I like that. Okay, so you bring people in, tell us a little bit about. I know you said you do hair and makeup for the clients. Tell us a little bit about the experience, and then we'll talk about pricing and packaging.
- [31:26]
Tyler Clement
All right. So every client that I have, we do a styling consultation, and I do that either as a zoom call or in person. I found that. That a lot of people actually do enjoy doing it in person, even from my clients that are coming from out of town. Like, they drive here just for the styling consultation, which, honestly, I love. I love to be able to talk to people face to face and to actually see them and get a feel for who they are before the photo shoot itself. And so that's kind of where we Go over, like, what to wear, how to prepare, basically all the fun things involved with, with having your own photo shoot. And then on the day of the photo shoot, I do have a makeup artist that I work with and she does hair and makeup here at the studio. And then we photograph usually three to five outfits with, with different pack drops and different lighting setups and all the things. And then we actually break for lunch and then we'll come back an hour later and we do an instant reveal that same day.
- [32:40]
Nikki Klosser
Okay, so you're giving them that instant gratification?
- [32:44]
Tyler Clement
Yes.
- [32:45]
Nikki Klosser
That's awesome. And then ahead of time, tell me how it works with. Are people paying a session fee? Are they paying anything up front?
- [32:54]
Tyler Clement
So, yes, to be a part of the project, like this, this 40 over 40 project that I'm doing right now, the session piece, 390 and 250 of that is a print credit. So it includes everything that is involved with the photo shoot and the magazine and exhibit. And then it also covers one portrait a la carte.
- [33:19]
Nikki Klosser
Okay. So they get the one and that's for. Okay, 390. So they get one portrait with it now, and then they have the opportunity to purchase more.
- [33:27]
Tyler Clement
Yes.
- [33:28]
Nikki Klosser
And then how often do people walk away with one photo versus buying a full package?
- [33:33]
Tyler Clement
They don't.
- [33:36]
Nikki Klosser
Okay.
- [33:37]
Tyler Clement
I haven't had anyone. One person did end up with just getting two, and that was in my very first project. But since then, everyone does get more than one.
- [33:49]
Nikki Klosser
Okay, that's exciting. Well, okay, tell us how your packages work.
- [33:53]
Tyler Clement
Yeah. So my starting package is 10 images, and that's 1500. And then the middle package is 20 images, and that is 2,500. And the top package is 30 images at 3,300. With any of those packages, they can choose between the reveal box with matted prints or an album.
- [34:17]
Nikki Klosser
Okay. And then obviously when they're part of the project, so when they sign up, you know, you do the consultation and that sort of thing, they know ahead of time what your full pricing is before they agree to do the shoot, or is this something they learn after?
- [34:34]
Tyler Clement
No. So I do a, what I call a discovery call with each client before they book or pay anything. And so that's where I go over all the things involved and I verbally go over all the pricing so that they know that before they come. Because I am not one to surprise people. I don't like confrontation. I make sure that they, if anyone else is going to be a part of the reveal session process, that the client lets those people know about. Pricing beforehand so that nobody's surprised because I don't like that.
- [35:14]
Nikki Klosser
Yes, agreed. The worst feeling to, like, have someone not know and then, you know, to do the whole shoot and then go. I would be like, I would, like, need to curl up in a ball on the floor if they didn't know my pricing ahead of time. I'd be so stressed out.
- [35:29]
Tyler Clement
Yes. I had one incident with a husband. And so from there I've learned I just make sure everybody is educated.
- [35:36]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah, for sure. Okay. Now, I know this is all a law of averages where some people are gonna look at the pricing and be like, you know, no, not for me. Not happening. So tell me, like, how many people are saying, no, I'm not going to do this because of the pricing and, you know, as opposed to how many people are actually doing it?
- [35:57]
Tyler Clement
So I'll say, not many people. Like, straight up, tell me, like, no, I'm not doing this because of the pricing. Sometimes it comes in the form as of, like, I'll need to think about it or I need to talk to my husband first or something like that. But honestly, like, if I get them on the phone, I would say, like, 90% end up booking.
- [36:22]
Nikki Klosser
I like the. I'm not a big phone person. I don't like. I just hate being. Unless I'm talking to my friends or my family. I'm not a big, like, get on the phone kind of person, especially with clients. But I feel like when it's a project like this, it would make it easier for. For me to, I think, to want to get people on the phone and for people to want to get on the phone with me, because then I can explain the whole project and let them know, okay, this is what it's going to look like. And I know you can do that for a regular photo shoot too. But when it's something special like this, I feel like it opens the door a little bit more to people wanting to talk about it and ask questions and, you know, what is it going to be like and what is this project all about and that sort of thing.
- [37:04]
Tyler Clement
Absolutely. And I also, first of all, I don't like phone calls either. Like, I have to do breathing exercises before I call every client, but. But I also use it as an opportunity to kind of get to know them kind of on a basic level. Like, I always let them tell me a little bit about themselves, about, like, things that they're passionate about and their story before we even start talking about the photo shoot. Just for them to kind of. To be able to Talk. And it's not like I'm just shoving these prices down their throat right when they pick up the phone.
- [37:40]
Nikki Klosser
That's a really important point, is we need to make it all about them. Everything we talk, it needs to be about them. And people love to be heard or feel. You know, it feels good to be heard and listened to. And if that initial conversation that you're having with someone is about them, like, tell me about you, and then talking about what you're gonna do for them instead of making it all about you, it makes all the difference. It makes all the difference.
- [38:08]
Tyler Clement
Yes. And I feel like I don't just use that as, like, a sales tactic. Like, I actually genuinely care about these people that I'm photographing, and so I think that makes a difference also.
- [38:19]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah, well, for people who don't really care that much, it's. It really, truly is important to. Yeah. Just to make it all about them. I remember Sue. Sue made this comment before in one of the videos on the. In the portrait system, one of the marketing videos, about how, like, yeah, we know you love, like. Like, fluffy bunnies and Starbucks coffee, but that is saying that is not what's gonna bring someone in for a photo shoot. Like, telling them that they're gonna get their hair and makeup done exactly how they want, you're gonna help them figure out what to wear, you're gonna pose them the whole time. They're gonna walk away with the most beautiful photos they've ever seen of themselves. That is really what's going to bring people in as opposed to, you know, just about you. So it's definitely important to be client focused when marketing. It's huge. Okay, so then the instant reveal. So you're just showing unretouched photos.
- [39:20]
Tyler Clement
Yes.
- [39:21]
Nikki Klosser
And then they choose the ones they want, and then you retouch them. Tell us about that.
- [39:25]
Tyler Clement
Yep. So when we do the reveal, I literally. I start the images to import onto the computer, and then I usually leave to, like, go pick up lunch or something, and then I'll come back to the studio. So I don't even usually, like, go through the photos at all before the client is here. So we. We literally just go through everything that we shot during the day. And. And I really love doing it this way because I did do it in the beginning. I. I did do a fully retouched reveal, but I love doing it this way because a lot of times, like, the photos that I think are the best ones are not the same that they think are the best ones. And so really, sometimes they choose ones because they. They're seeing themselves every day, and they. They know what they like to see, whereas I don't see them every single day. And so sometimes they choose ones that I maybe wouldn't have chose that expression, but they really love it. And my main goal as a photographer is to give these women photos that they love. Not necessarily photos that I love.
- [40:34]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. Yeah. Gosh. I've never done the instant reveal. A lot of people, it seems like more and more I'm interviewing people who do do it that way, and I definitely see the value to it. I think it's really important if you're going to do it that way to make sure that you're a photographer who's getting the lighting right and, you know, doing pretty damn well straight out of camera, versus if you are going to, like, need to do a ton of retouching because of, you know, exposure mistakes or lighting mistakes or, you know, that sort of thing, I think that's important.
- [41:15]
Tyler Clement
Well, I'll also say I'm by no means a perfect photographer. I don't think my work is, like, super amazing straight out of camera, definitely. And I'm not afraid to, like, experiment with clients, like, and do, like, lighting setups that maybe I've never done before or whatever. And so sometimes the photos straight out of camera aren't these beautiful things on the screen. And so I just kind of have to tell them, like, these aren't retouched. These aren't edited in any way. So you do kind of have to use your imagination a little bit. And sometimes I will kind of. I show them the photos in Lightroom. So sometimes I'll mess with the exposure or whatever I need to do so they can kind of get an idea of what it will look like as a finish damage.
- [42:06]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense for sure. I think the reason I don't do it. I know I've mentioned this before, but I just. I'm so drained after the photo shoot.
- [42:16]
Tyler Clement
Yeah.
- [42:17]
Nikki Klosser
That I just, like, don't have it in me to do it, you know? Like, I'm such an extrovert, but once I spend a couple hours with someone where I'm just, like, giving them my all, I have a really hard, like, I just, like, need. I just. I don't know, I just can't. I can't do it.
- [42:35]
Tyler Clement
I totally get that.
- [42:36]
Nikki Klosser
But everyone's different, you know, and what works for me might not work for someone else, so.
- [42:40]
Tyler Clement
Yeah. And if I was doing it, like, right after the shoot, I think it would be that way. But I think taking that little lunch break kind of gives me a moment to kind of cool down and relax a tiny bit before they come back. And so that. That helps me.
- [42:55]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah, for sure. That's awesome. Well, this is really cool. I'm so excited for you. And I should mention, too, you are full time now. You know, all you do now is photography, right?
- [43:06]
Tyler Clement
It is. So I did end up quitting my job before I needed to, so I don't necessarily advocate for that, but it was. It was time. And so I had already gotten a studio space, and I just kind of jumped into it right away. And like I said, it was a slow burn. So there was definitely times where I felt like giving up. And maybe I had all the reasons to give up, but I didn't, and I just kept going. And like I said, now I kind of feel like I'm getting a taste of success that I wanted in that first year, but I didn't get then.
- [43:47]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. Yeah. And it's a reality check. It's not always easy. You know, there are months when it's, you know, you don't get as many clients as you wanted, but then maybe the next month you get extra clients. And it really is. It's not for the faint at heart, but at the same time, gosh, like, the alternative of being in a job 40 to 50 hours a week that you hate, it's like, oh, man. But, like, could you. Tyler, how has life been different for you as an entrepreneur, you know, as far as your time and the things you do and, you know, just in general?
- [44:30]
Tyler Clement
Well, sometimes it kind of feels like I'm working more than when I was working the other job. But I do have more. More flexibility, and I'm able to do things with my kids and kind of make choices on my own without having to check with someone else. So. Yeah, that's kind of the difference there.
- [44:53]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. I've always worked. I'm a bit of a workaholic. You know, it's just kind of in my nature. But I feel like it's really different when I'm at home. Like, for example, my kids are home on spring break right now, and I can sit and edit photos at the kitchen counter while my kids are playing or whatever, as opposed to. So if I was still a social worker, they would be at some camp for the whole week that they don't want to go to. It's just. It's different. It's like I can work the hours that I want. Like, there are times when not very Often anymore, but when I. Because I'm too exhausted when I put the kids to bed. But after, you know, when they were babies, I would put them to bed, and then I could work for a couple hours. You know, it's like we get to kind of decide our schedule, and it's just really nice. It's really nice.
- [45:48]
Tyler Clement
It is.
- [45:49]
Nikki Klosser
You know, that freedom. The other thing I was going to ask you is you kind of. You had mentioned earlier, like, you know, when you were younger, maybe you didn't have a ton of friends and that sort of thing. Has this opened up a world of, like, new friends and a new community being part of the portrait system?
- [46:07]
Tyler Clement
Oh, my gosh, yes. So I.
- [46:10]
Nikki Klosser
Seems like it.
- [46:11]
Tyler Clement
That's why I. I've unlocked, like, two different, like, levels of friends. So I. I've gotten all of these new friends from the portrait system. So most of them, I guess all of them are kind of virtual friends. We don't get to see each other in person all the time. But I've really grown, especially in the portrait system Facebook group. Like, I've really grown to know a lot of these photographers, and I feel like I am closer friends to them than I am to people that are actually here with me. And then also, like, starting this business and having to get out and network and meet people. Like, I've made friends through that as well. And, like, all of my clients, I feel, like, become partially friends to me. So, yeah, I feel like I've gained a lot from this.
- [47:07]
Nikki Klosser
How cool is that? So cool. I was just at wppi, gosh, not even two weeks ago, and, I mean, walking down the hallways of, like, the convention center and just walking around the hotel, like, every 10ft, I'd see someone who I share some sort of something with, whether I interviewed him on the podcast or from, you know, exchanges in the Facebook group, or we follow each other on Instagram, or it's just such a cool community to be part of, you know, Like, I'll tell my friends who aren't photographers, I'm like, honestly, anywhere I go in the world, if I wanted to find a studio to shoot in or a couch to sleep on, I mean, we could just literally post in the Facebook group and be like, hey, is anyone in Barcelona that, you know, I could either rent their studio or, you know, who I could hang out with for lunch or, you know, in. Anywhere in Georgia. And, you know, it's just so cool. It's so cool, like, to have this massive community around the world. Literally around the world. And, you have this commonality with them that, that you're just. It's an instant, like, connection that you have with people because of being part of this all together. It's really cool.
- [48:26]
Tyler Clement
It is. In. In the group we had, I guess it was like a 90 day challenge or one of those things that, that we did in the group. And one of the assignments at the beginning was to like, find an accountability partner. And so like, I. I kind of posted my little spiel of who I was in the comments and I matched with someone. And so we became accountability partners at that time. I can't really remember, maybe that was in 2022. And we started meeting on Zoom like once a week every Monday. And we still do now, once a week. And so I.
- [49:06]
Nikki Klosser
That's cool.
- [49:06]
Tyler Clement
In 2023, that's who I went to the Portrait Masters with. And while we were there, like you said, I am super active in the group. And so like, we were just walking around and people all the time were like, tyler. Hey, Tyler. Tyler. And she was like, why does everybody know you?
- [49:24]
Nikki Klosser
That's awesome. It's so cool. I love it. Yeah, this is also. This is also great. One more thing I wanted to go back to something you had mentioned before that I forgot to bring up is with one of your projects that you did, I think you said you had some sort of exhibit around that. Can you tell us about that?
- [49:44]
Tyler Clement
Yeah. So with all of these portrait projects, I do like my own exhibit. And so I know a lot of people in the community do like a gala is what they call it. And so basically I did the same thing, except for some reason that word felt really like grandeur. And so I just say it's an exhibit, but it's really like a celebration where everybody comes together and we have one portrait of each woman who participated in the project on display. And so I do that kind of myself. And so this last project, this is me project and Art gallery in Abilene actually asked me to display that project there. And so it was just there for a couple months and they actually, like hosted a reception. And so that was kind of a. It gave this project, like, even more life than I had intended for it to have.
- [50:46]
Nikki Klosser
Wow. Very cool. That's awesome. Other people have said that too, with their, you know, whether it was a 40 over 40 project or some sort of, you know, project they were doing, that galleries had reached out and like, that's something you wouldn't have even thought of that could happen. And now you've been in a gallery with your work it's so cool.
- [51:06]
Tyler Clement
Yeah, it was amazing.
- [51:07]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. Very exciting. Well, I'm so glad that you came on. And, yes, you were ready. I know you said you weren't sure, but, yes, all of the information you gave was great. And I want to encourage people to follow you on social media, because that was something that jumped out at me right away with you, was how consistently you post like you're always there, which is. Is. I mean, for marketing, it is. It's so important. And I know everyone doesn't want to be posting on social media all the time, and it's hard or whatever, but the more consistent you can be with your messages, your marketing messages that you want to get out there, the more people are going to see it. The more times they see it, the more likely they are to book. So, yeah, you're doing awesome. I'm super, super proud of you. You've been such a warm, incredible presence in the Portrait System group, and I'm just so honored that you are here and doing this with me. So thank you.
- [52:04]
Tyler Clement
Thank you.
- [52:06]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. All right, sweet. So if. Oh. Oh, my gosh. I almost forgot. I have questions for you. I was about to, like, wrap it up, and then I realized we have four questions that we always ask at the end of each episode.
- [52:18]
Tyler Clement
I'm not new to this podcast. I have my answers ready.
- [52:20]
Nikki Klosser
I know you're like, hello, Nikki. All right, so as you know, the first question is, what is something you can't live without when you're doing a photo shoot?
- [52:31]
Tyler Clement
So I'm gonna say an assistant. So my hair and makeup artist, she does stay and assist for the shoot. And I kind of. I always mention that to all of my clients, like in that discovery call, because I am a male photographer photographing female clients, and so I never want them to feel any kind of level of uncomfortable because of that. And so I kind of initially did it because of that, but now, like, if I try to do a shoot without her, I'm like, wow, I really have to do all this stuff by myself, huh?
- [53:13]
Nikki Klosser
Yes, assistance can be fantastic. All right, number two is how do you spend your time when you're not working?
- [53:21]
Tyler Clement
Yeah. So like I said, I'm married, and I have two small kids. They are three. He's about to be four and six. And so they. They definitely keep me busy. They are in Cub Scouts. So this past weekend, we actually went on a tent camping trip, and that was the first time I've been camping in probably 20 years. So that was. That was very interesting. But, yeah, they. They Keep me busy.
- [53:54]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. Oh, yeah, I can understand that. That's for sure. All right, number three is, what is a photography specific product you would recommend to people?
- [54:02]
Tyler Clement
So I have been thinking about this question for a very long time because I was like, I really don't know what I would recommend, but something that. That I thought of yesterday is the wheels for my C stand, like, for my light.
- [54:20]
Nikki Klosser
Oh, yes.
- [54:22]
Tyler Clement
I didn't have that for a long time. And then a photographer friend that's actually in the community, she gave me some, and I was like, where have these wheels been my whole life?
- [54:36]
Nikki Klosser
Oh, for sure. So they're just wheels that attach onto the. To a light stand.
- [54:40]
Tyler Clement
Yes.
- [54:40]
Nikki Klosser
Or a C stand.
- [54:41]
Tyler Clement
Yes.
- [54:42]
Nikki Klosser
Cool. Yeah, that's awesome. There is. Someone asked me about this the other day, and I can't. I just cannot remember the name of it. But there is this type of C stand where the legs, when you lift it up, there's wheels on it. And also, maybe there's not wheels, but when you lift it up, the legs automatically close, and when you set it down, they open up.
- [55:00]
Tyler Clement
I think it's a cheetah stand.
- [55:02]
Nikki Klosser
Cheetah, yes, that's right. Cheetah stand. Now I gotta look back and see who messaged me. Someone messaged me on Instagram asking about it, and I was like, oh, my gosh, I can't remember. Cheetah stand. You're right. Yeah. Cool. All right. And number four is, what would you tell people who are just starting out?
- [55:16]
Tyler Clement
I would say, keep going. Like I said, I didn't have the most successful first or even second year in business. And so I, A lot of times felt like, like, am I doing the right thing? Is this, like, the actual path for my life? And I knew that I had decided in the beginning that, yes, it was. And so I just kind of had to push through all of that and take care of myself. And now I'm at a point where I'm very glad that I did. Just keep going.
- [55:55]
Nikki Klosser
Yeah. Awesome. Yeah, I'm glad you are too. And again, it's not always easy. There are very hard days. But keeping your eye on the prize and just taking one step forward and giving yourself grace on the days where you just don't freaking feel like doing anything, that's okay. You know, just make sure you're, you know, you give yourself that grace at least, like, the next day. Okay, time to buckle down again. So. Well, thank you again, Tyler. Where can people find you online?
- [56:20]
Tyler Clement
I am at Clement Portraits on all the platforms. Clement is C. L E M E N T. Awesome.
- [56:30]
Nikki Klosser
Cool. Well, thank you again and I'm sure I will see you online. I always see your face on Instagram and I love it and sweet. I can't wait to see where this all takes you and you know, down the road. It's just so exciting.
- [56:43]
Tyler Clement
Awesome. Thank you so much, Nikki.
- [56:45]
Nikki Klosser
All right, thanks Tyler. Thank you so much for listening to the Portrait System podcast. Your 5 star reviews really help us to continue what we do. So if you like listening, would you mind giving us a review wherever you listen? I also encourage you to head over to sue briceducation.com where where you can find all of the education you need to be a successful photographer. There are over 1000 on demand educational videos on things like posing, lighting, styling, retouching, shooting, marketing, sales, business and self value. There's also the 90 day startup challenge plus so many downloads showing hundreds of different poses. We have to do checklists for your business, lighting, PDFs. I mean truly everything to help make you a better photographer and to make you more money. Once Again, that's Sue briceducation.com.