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Becoming Spoiled Rotten…. Photography Franchise Training

How do you become Spoiled Rotten?

It starts with ambition.  Eleven days and 5200 clicks of the camera later, it ends with authenticity.

Some companies provide a manual, some have a mentor “show you the ropes” and some go above and beyond.

Spoiled Rotten Photography franchise owners and photographers completed the first two week session of intense photography franchise training training in July.  They left feeling ready, confident, and excited to begin a new journey for their families and the families and communities they will serve.  They walked away with a better understanding of the profession they love and with the skills and determination to provide the beautiful and authentic portraiture that is the foundation of Spoiled Rotten Photography.

Franchise Training

Over the course of two weeks, we studied photography concepts, studio lighting, natural lighting, digital workflow, portrait retouching, customer care, kid wrangling, posing, accounting, insurance, taxes and many other elements necessary to operate a Spoiled Rotten Photography franchise.  We trekked through preschools and public greenways, and even slogged through a knee-deep creek to give our models an authentic setting and the Spoiled Rotten treatment.

       Below are a few images of the gracious models that helped with our training sessions.  These are in-studio portraits taken on our new fall set, Old World Charm:

photography training, photography franchise

        And here’s a few from the outdoor sessions.  We loved working with all of our models!

spoiled rotten photography franchise

     Spoiled Rotten Photography was built on a few core values.  When we award a franchise to a prospective owner, we work hard to ensure their core values align with ours.  These core values include respect, advocacy, legacy, integrity and excellence.  We used our training session  as a perfect opportunity to practice advocacy, which to us means….

  • Generously donating time and talents to better our community.
  • Compassionately assisting and lifting up those who are less fortunate and inspiring others to do so, as well.
  • Embracing philanthropy as a way of life, not a function of our job.

       Through the Junior League of Huntsville, we learned of a childcare center that served hardworking, mostly single, parents living at or below the poverty level.  When I talked to the director of the daycare, she told me they NEVER had a photographer come to their facility to take photos.  She said the parents weren’t able to purchase even the smallest packages, so they just did not have this service.  We said, “PERFECT!  We want to photograph your sweet children and give the parents beautiful portraits!”  So that’s what we did.  And it was fabulous!  We hope our portraits are as great a blessing to these families, as their children were to us!

HCC training samples

        Through our founder’s place of worship, 100x Church, we learned of an amazing ministry to preschoolers, where the staff not only cares for these precious children and prepares them for school, but also teaches character development, as well.   We teamed with the Academy for Learning and Character Development to hone our outdoor session skills.   This sweet center is full of boys!  We had a great time practicing our Campus Candids set up… and captured some beautiful images to give to their parents:

ALCD training samples

      Our training wouldn’t be complete without a large-family, outdoor session.  We considered running a facebook contest to attract a deserving family that wanted a portrait.  As we were putting our contest together, a fellow photographer called and said she had a family that wanted a portrait made of their 2 year old foster child who was blind, deaf and about to go on a ventilator.   When I called the mom to talk about the portrait, she said she would really love a portrait of her entire family (or all that she could gather).  Again, perfect!  This amazing mom and dad are raising 9 children in all, some biological, some adopted, and one foster child.  We were delighted to photograph this sweet family!

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So, in all, we shared 11 days and over 80 hours of learning, fun and laughter, shared meals and precious memories… all while learning the ins and outs of operating a Spoiled Rotten Photography Franchise.

As we look to the future, our next franchise owner training is scheduled for January, 2014.  We are targeting Birmingham, AL, Rome, GA and Chattanooga, TN for our next expansion.  If you know of a highly motivated person who loves children and photography, please send them our way.  We’d love to meet them!

"I worked in the corporate world for 15 years, but never had my 'bucket' full."

“I was doing photography on the side, which I always loved, but if someone asked if I would ever do it full time, I'd respond with "I wish, but not sure how I could make that switch." Well, Spoiled Rotten Photography has allowed me to do that – to follow the dream I didn't know was possible. I love being silly with kids and sharing beautiful portraits with parents to document the moment in time, because we all know how fast they grow up! This career change has allowed me to spend more time with my family, be more available for my girls, and still contribute financially to our household...but most of all my 'bucket' is now full!”

Amanda Day, Kansas City, Kansas

"In a word … AMAZING!"

“The level of professionalism. The process detail. The training. And the welcoming nature of everyone within the organization is simply amazing! The path to ownership is so turn-key that it made our startup simple and easy. If we need additional support, they are there without hesitation to help us through any questions we may have. My husband and I have owned other franchises in the past, but Spoiled Rotten Photography is one of the best I’ve seen! I love my SRP family!”

Cindy Fadel, Columbia, SC

"SRP allows me a balance between owning a business and being a mom."

“I researched and met with other franchisees before making my way to Spoiled Rotten Photography. Immediately, the integrity and transparency within Spoiled Rotten Photography made this one stand out, and the more I learned, the more I loved. Now, Spoiled Rotten Photography allows me a balance between owning a business and being a mom. Best of all, I get to do something I love every day with unlimited potential..”

Kim Hoover, Charlotte, NC

"We were blown away with the quality and imagery"

“We looked at several photography franchise opportunities  and were blown away with the quality and imagery we consistently saw from each SRP location.  We know how important it is to capture these memories and SRP does it in such a beautiful way!  When we saw what SRP was offering & the beautiful portraits they were offering in preschools, we knew we wanted to bring this opportunity to Katy, TX.”

– One year later – “What a difference a year makes. Last July Sandi and I finished our Spoiled Rotten Photography new Franchisee training. We were very excited about all that we had just learned and we put our faith in God that this was his will for us. In August, I was “surplused” from ATT and had an empty planner that I needed to be filled. We were blessed with a great fall season and had about 25% of our spring season booked. The spring season got so busy we almost didn’t make it to the end. Now I am looking at a fall Calendar with 4 single days and one 2 day session available and we are completely booked!

God has completely blessed our business and given us great leaders like Melissa Russell Tash, Jamie Tash and Elizabeth Bailey and and a family of other owners who have always been ready to answer any questions we had. Thanks to all who have helped, purchased from, and booked us during our first 12 months. And a special thanks to God who has blessed us beyond our expectations.”

Joey and Sandi Fotheringham, Katy, TX

"Spoiled Rotten Photography has turned my passion for photography into a dream career."

“Photography has always been a passion, and Spoiled Rotten Photography has turned it into a dream career. The love and support all owners receive within the franchise is amazing. The combination of photographing little ones and being a part of this PURPLE family is a wonderful blessing, and I will be forever grateful.”

Dianna Harriet, Denver, CO

"Buying into a turnkey business took all the stress and worry out"

“My biggest strain in life was always trying to find “balance”. Making the decision to buy into a turnkey business that was ready and waiting for me took all the stress and worry out of failure and allowed me the opportunity to focus on the things that mattered most to me…being creative, contributing to my family’s income and being the wife and Mom I deserved to be. Buying into the Spoiled Rotten franchise has not only given me ongoing guidance, support and the experience of a proven business model, I have also found my balance by having the schedule I want and the time I need to be to live my life the way I choose. Having come from a corporate background where my schedule was dictated to me, I love the freedom and flexibility that being a part of Spoiled Rotten allows in my life. The icing on the cake is also being a partner in this business with my sister and best friend. Don’t believe the hype that you can’t work with family. Joining forces with someone who has the same goals, and values can make you an unstoppable team!”

Patricia Mesi, Alpharetta, GA

"SRP helped us achieve our dreams."

“My husband and I have always shared a passion for entrepreneurship. And I have always needed a creative outlet and photography provided that. I piddled with a custom business for a few years and had a little success. But I felt like it could be more profitable. Spoiled Rotten Photography came home in my sons cap & gown pictures and I could immediately see an opportunity. After much investigation, I realized that owning a franchise was the way to go. Spoiled Rotten Photography has given me the entrepreneurship opportunity I had always wanted, an outlet to express my creativity, and a profitable opportunity to provide for my family, all while not having to re-invent the wheel by going it alone. Spoiled Rotten Photography is something that I could have never created on my own. Spoiled Rotten Photography helped us achieve our dreams.”

Kara & Scott Kellner, Birmingham, AL

"This business model is tried and true."

“I am so grateful to be a part of the Spoiled Rotten Photography family! It was exactly what my career needed. I have been a professional photographer for 20 years. By joining SRP I have not only improved as a photographer but also a business person. This business model is tried and true. SRP is a huge blessing in my life and has affected my family in such wonderful ways. What I appreciate the most is the support I receive to achieve success. It is constant and genuine. The help is always there. I have never once felt like I had to figure anything out on my own. I love being an SRP owner and highly recommend if you are looking for a place to soar that you consider this dynamic company. You will be welcomed by a warm community of owners and can hit the ground running in a prosperous way.”

Heather Sams, Owner – SRP Colorado Springs

"The whole thing really is a breath of fresh air"

"Spoiled Rotten Photography has allowed me to earn enough money a couple days a week and still be home when my son gets out of school. That’s because Spoiled Rotten Photography is not only a proven financial profitable business model but as a franchise is a system that just works. The whole thing really is a breath of fresh air from taking pictures to getting money in my account. I truly enjoy what I do, bring joy to kids. I know parents cherish the art I make. And my family loves my job almost as much as I do."

Mark Treen, Charleston, SC