Whether you’re new to photography and someone told you to check out what Hybrid IPS photography is, or if you’ve been around a while and figured it’s a great way to bring more profits to your business, you’ve found the right blog post! As someone who does a version of Hybrid IPS, and teaches it to other photographers, I’m going to give you all the details on what it is, how to do it and what you need to make it work.

If you’ve stumbled your way here and are unsure what Hybrid IPS photography, or even IPS is, you might want to check out this blog post before continuing.

Here’s the cliff notes version: IPS is a high-touch, high level of service photography business model that focuses on luxury experience and selling artwork instead of digital images. It is one of the easiest ways to be profitable as a photographer. IPS photographers generally spend a lot of time with clients, on the phone, meeting them before the session and then conducting a sales session afterward. Hybrid IPS attempts to bridge the gap between the luxury experience, without all the time it takes photographers to provide the experience.

Some people choose a model where they send videos or guides before the session instead of a consultation, or guided videos and how-tos with galleries that show clients how to purchase artwork. Many offer digital packages and art credit or just offer the opportunity to purchase artwork. The problem with many of these is, they rarely work. Clients get confused about the process and it puts a lot of the work on them. It also doesn’t show them the value of artwork, and most of the photographers I talk to who offer these models report low art sales, even if their digitals sell profitably.

A Hybrid IPS Model that works: Virtual IPS

A different form of Hybrid IPS is what I offer and teach, Virtual IPS. Instead of automating an important part of the client experience and putting more work on them, I do these meetings over zoom. This still gives my clients the assistance, expertise and touch point of a luxury experience, without the travel and extra time on my part.

I’ve found my clients still love having all the pre-session help and the hands-on image selection meeting. They feel cared for and trust that they’re going to love their images and have a great experience, as well as end up with pieces that will mean everything to them. But instead of spending hours in the car, or having to get myself ready for work when my clients are available (often evenings) I now have the flexibility of meeting in my own home or office, without spending 10 hours a week in the car.

While I was concerned that taking the sales session online would lead to lower sales, I’ve actually found the opposite. I’ve seen my sales average increase from $2000 per client to $2500 per client since offering the experience virtually.

How do I do this?

How do I make such high sales from my computer, without my clients seeing the products? I take them on a journey.

To do this successfully, it really requires a process that shows the value of what you offer and gains your clients buy-in early on, so that they’re well educated and understanding of the experience before they say yes. The rest is walking them through the journey of appreciating art and creating the expectation that they will invest in artwork at the end of their session.

Through a well-planned initial inquiry phone call, a strategic consultation, and a thorough selection process, my clients end up with gorgeous artwork, images that they adore, an amazing experience and nothing but amazing things to say.

(I offer both my phone call script and my sales session blue print here.)

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