I think I'm the only one on this board who takes youth sports/team photos so I'll have to ask the parents with kids in sports - have you seen seen any new product offerings on your team photo order forms that that are fresh/new/cool?  I like to add some new products every year, I think that I was the "fresh" shooter around here for a couple years, but I must be getting old or something as I seem to be running out of hip ideas...  So, if you have seen a product (I have the basics covered: magazine covers, magnets, book marks, traders, etc.)  please do let me know! 

For example:  I'm working on a template for a personalized 11x17 old West style Wanted Poster in sepia tones that has some local references.

Just leaving hockey season and getting ready for soccer.  Thanks!

Ah, CCK.   The "frills" have been great to me because many around here offers the same old/same old and I've got a lot of jobs from being a wee bit different; but, of course now I dream of no frills.... Those teams that order just a few plain old packages are so quick and easy, it's a dream!   I do believe I make extra $ offering the personalized stuff though.  (*Cough*, perhaps not enough more $ per editing hour, but still more at the end of the day.) 

One mom even bought the same big package 3 times last year with a different poster selection each time (same girl on 3 different seasons/teams).  If it was just the same old magazine cover package I bet she would have got the single and team photo and that's it. 

Interesting to hear you do the teams too.  I don't do thousands of kids, but I did more than 1k last year with just the sports, so it has been my busiest year yet.   

I've seen some neet products from the U.S. but I really need things I can make right here. 

My little boy just started sports and it looks like I am going to be forced into taking sports related pictures if I want to use my camera during the weekend at all ...

As products go, I have heard that people (portait photographers) do well selling decks of playing cards.  I have made costers myself with some success (never really pushed it so it is hard to say).  Not sure whether these are new ideas - maybe I am getting old, too. 

Love the ideas.  I really love the playing card idea, but no manufacturer in Canada.  Both Blacks and Walmart sell them but neither have whole-sale accounts so they would cost the client quite a bit.  You are so right though, this is a great product for portrait sessions where the markup is higher.

RGebbie reminds me, I should look into T-shirts again.  My pro-lab makes a photo-T, it's SUPER CONVENIENT, but it's "Fruit of the Loom" which isn't the best quality so I kindof steered away from them.   Maybe parents wouldn't expect a nice American Apparel t-shirt though? 

Thanks

You are right, those blankets definitely have the WOW factor, don't they?  I have an account with Portrait Weavers in South Carolina and they make the most incredible jaquard woven blankets.  Very very gorgeous.  The venders up here charge between $139 and $159 CDN for them.  With the fluctuating exchange rate (now 25%) it makes it hard to price these things, but there would still be a decent profit.   You are right, I should let them know about it.  I could put something in when I return their package "If you liked this photo, Grandma will LOVE a jaquard woven blanket".