03/25/2025
Hey photo friends, What if you’re overlooking an entire market for IPS because you think IPS can’t apply? Part 1!
You know I live for helping photographers strategize, move through the hurdles, and map out their next best steps. So I’ve been offering more coaching calls when I have openings in my schedule.
Well, my wheels are turning as I reflect on this week’s coaching calls—so you’re getting a serious of posts on this because I’ve got a lot to share—YAY!
Two conversations really stood out because they revealed a pattern of thinking that’s quietly keeping a lot of photographers stuck.
You see, sometimes we assume IPS is only for traditional portraits—pretty, posed, everyone looking at the camera. And because of that assumption, we limit ourselves.
We might avoid IPS completely if we think our niche is too specialized.
We might hold back from offering new session types because we assume no one will pay.
We might even price some sessions as IPS but keep others under our old shoot-and-burn pricing, not realizing how much it’s costing us in both income and client perception.
But here’s what I need you to consider—IPS can work for any type of session.
It’s not just for families, babies, seniors, or maternity.
It’s for the preschool graduation photos.
The posed or mid-action sports photos.
The underwater sessions.
The completely unposed, lifestyle sessions.
The sweet and magical unicorn sessions.
The very messy, never-getting-rid-of-that-glitter, glitter sessions.
The personality portraits.
For whimsical fine art.
For pet photography—even horses.
And for everything in between. I think you catch my drift here.
Now, back to the coaching calls - One photographer specialized in gymnastics photography, the other in fun, playful, lifestyle sessions. And in both cases, their biggest question wasn’t just, “Can IPS work for me?” It was, “Will people actually invest in this?”
Yes, they absolutely will. They’ll invest in all of it.
Let me show you how...
For the gymnastics side:
This photographer really worried that parents wouldn’t invest in his dynamic (and seriously amazing) gymnastics photos the way they invest in babies or family portraits. This is a completely valid concern since the side of sports photography most of us are familiar with is typically quick and cheap.
So why would parents invest SO much more? How would they see more value in yet another photographer’s gymnastics photos.
Here’s what you have to keep in mind as I break this down - Parents don’t just pay for photos. They pay for the meaning behind them.
That’s the message you have to dig into and NAIL to sell your work at premium prices, no matter the niche.
So what’s the meaning behind gymnastics, you ask?
If you think about it, these parents have poured years into their child’s training. Early mornings, late nights, weekend competitions, endless car rides to practice. This sport isn’t just another activity, it’s part of their child’s identity.
A gymnastics photo session isn’t just about getting a good portrait or cool action shot. It’s about capturing:
➡️ The determination in their child’s eyes as they stick a landing.
➡️ The years of training that led to this moment.
➡️ The passion they have for something they’ve worked so hard at.
➡️ The growth—who they are today vs. who they’ll become because of this sport.
When you sell gymnastics photography, you’re not selling pictures. You’re selling proof of a journey.
And when I say it's all in the messaging, I mean it. Your messaging will make or break you, especially when it comes to these ultra-niche sessions.
But all of this isn’t just about gymnastics.
This applies to every niche sport, performance art, or highly skilled activity where a child’s identity is being shaped—on stage, on the field, or in the quiet discipline of practice.
The key is this: You have to really think through why it matters—not just to the child, but to the parents watching from the sidelines.
Why did they spend the last five years showing up to practice every week?
Why did they sacrifice weekends and family dinners and free time?
What will they wish they had five or ten years from now?
When you understand that—and you build your messaging around that emotional truth—the value becomes undeniable.
And that's how you sell anything at premium prices.
In my next post, I’m digging into lifestyle sessions and exactly how to shape your messaging so clients not only “get it,” but feel it in their bones. Because this isn’t just about selling photos—it’s about making people feel something they don’t want to lose.
But for now, tell me:
Did any of this help?
Have you ever questioned whether something you’re doing—or dreaming of doing—could actually work with IPS?
Let me know in the comments below and I can help you figure it out.
