I have a good idea.... now I have to make it work! HELP!

[Scrub]

I apologize in advance about the long post but I need some help. I lurk here often, frequently without logging in, and I have learned so much, but I cannot find any good answers by reading other posts that will help me.

Part I: First of all, I have just restarted my photo business this year after a few years off. I have mostly done packages for a dance school and some daycare centers. My pricing is "budget but not cheap" and I am trying to maintain that position. I believed the quality of my work and my prices are competitive for my area.

Part II My daughter has started doing pageants, and I am easing my way into this market. {NOTE: I am strictly talking natural and low glitz pageants. Full Glitz is out of my range on edit and retouching.} The girls that compete frequently need head shots and "crown" shots on a regular basis. My work for my daughter and a couple of her friends has been competitive and I am starting to get inquiries about more work.

Part III: I pulled a statement directly out of my behind one night talking with a few folks at dinner after a pageant that is really taking off and I need to determine how to manage it. I said, "I plan on hosting a "Crowns 'n Gowns" day at the studio {My wife's dance studio does double duty as my photo studio} so that I can have multiple girls there and they can rotate camera time and you can have multiple hair and wardrobe changes at a lower sitting fee. This was originally intended as a fun time for my daughter and her friends as well as the pageant moms, where I could make some money while they get new photos and network. It has now expanded to 6 definites and 4 more possibles for the day, and it may grow more after they all chat on the parade circuit this weekend. {Pageant Queens around here LOVE Christmas Parades and hit as many as possible.}

I cannot let this drop because it looks like a good way into a market that consistently spends money on photos on a regular basis. The name I made up alone is generation lots of interest.

Notes:

I have space to hang multiple backdrops and just move lights as needed.
I have a separate space where I can set up a dressing room.
I have plenty of lobby and bathroom space.
I have a kitchenette off of the office/lounge/storeroom area.

The questions/problems:

Should I set up a group size and manage multiple groups?
Do I set up snacks/drinks for the folks?
How would you price it relative to your normal sitting fees?
Do any of you that do pageant photos have a feel for whether this will boom or bust?
I could list 12 more questions but you get the idea.

You don't have to directly answer every question but are any of you willing to take a quick stab at how you would try to manage something like this so I can gather some ideas to work with?

Thanks

David Musick
Synergy Photography of NC

 

[KmH]

How many photography web sites have you copy and pasted this on?

This is the second time I have seen it this morning.

 

[Scrub]

I have put in on the three that I read frequently hoping to generate some responses I can use to help me plan it so I can get it set up for right after the holidays ............... I guess great minds think alike since we are both going to the same forums.