We live in a world where there is no shortage of people offering photography services. Our social media pages are full of posts from people looking for photographers and photographers looking for clients! With so many different photographers out there, how do you sort through them all and choose the right one for you?
I get it. It can be pretty darn overwhelming to post on your local Facebook page in search of a photographer and receive a multitude of responses with more options than you could ever begin to sort through! And hey, I am one of those photographers who may be responding to your post, offering my services! It’s a bit crazy even for me, to see how many responses there are. Sometimes I will scroll through the responses and check out the work and the businesses of the photographers listed. In all the years I have been doing this as a profession, I have seen some amazing work and I have seen some not-so-amazing work. It is always a bit disheartening when I see people posting complaints and looking to retake their photos with a new photographer because they were not happy with the experience they had previously.
You can look back through my older blog posts and discover the numerous posts I have written pertaining to FAQs, client experience, and more. But this week a friend suggested I write a post specifically detailing what a person should consider when choosing a photographer. She, too, has seen all the social media posts and pondered how people sort through them.
So…let’s chat!
Before I go further, I want to be clear that I am not here to bash other photographers or their work. Each of us has to start somewhere. Each of us have different levels of experience, talent, vision, skills and time working as a professional. Each of those play a role in what is offered and what a client walks away with. This is a very important tidbit to remember! Anyone can pick up a camera, learn how to change a few settings and set out to start their own business. Are there people advertising as professional photographers who probably shouldn’t be yet? Absolutely!
There are also some very talented photographers out there who take beautiful photographs and I am the first one to cheer them on and swoon over their inspiring work! But it’s important to remember that those photographs are not the only thing you should consider.
Through the years I have invested countless hours in workshops, classes and mentoring. The work I created in the beginning is very different from the work I create now, and that comes from years of strengthening my skill-set and knowledge and finding the vision in my work. I believe the learning never ends.
Photographing people as a business is more than knowing which settings to use, which gear to use and pushing a button. The skill-set for creating professional-quality work is only one piece of the puzzle! If a photographer wants to make a real living serving their clients, a professional client experience is an integral piece of that success! After all, it’s a business, not a hobby!
So, what is a client experience and what should you be looking for when you are selecting a photographer? Let’s dig in…
Your client experience begins when you first contact a photographer and ends once your session is complete and you have purchased your photographs, albums, or digital files. You want to choose a photographer who will stay in communication with you each step of the way and stay on track with their schedule for delivery, etc. We’ve all worked with someone at some point who struggled with their time management and left us feeling neglected as a customer. You want to get to know your photographer a bit before you work with them and ensure you feel comfortable with their ability to stay on track and on time!
The goal, for me at least, is to develop a relationship with my clients and that relationship is formed through their client experience…the same way a friendship is formed if you think about it! The truth is, the photographs are not the only thing that matters. Years from now when my clients look back on the images we created together, I want them to remember the joy and the love and the heart that went into creating those images! The experience is just as important as the photographs! Your client experience should be a memorable journey that builds trust and fills your heart with gratitude. If your session gives you nice photos but the photographer left you feeling unhappy or frustrated, each time you look at those photos, you will remember that disappointment.
I think it goes without say that you can learn a lot about a photographer and their work by looking at their website and social media pages. This is one of the first things you should do! Make sure you like their vision in their work, their editing style, and make sure you get a good “feel” when reading their posts and looking at their photos. Professional photographers won’t usually alter or change their editing style, so be sure you like their work before you book with them!
When you contact the photographer, are they timely in responding back? Are they patient in answering questions and explaining their process? Do they make you feel rushed or relaxed? Is their communication professional? Do you and your business feel important to them or do you feel like just another person getting in line to take pictures with a stranger?
Most new photographers just starting out will offer sessions at a lower price than a photographer running a true business as a full time job. Everyone likes a cheap price, but you know what they say…You get what you pay for…and that can be very true with photography! Check out this blog post for more thoughts when it comes to pricing.
When a client contacts a photographer to inquire on services, professional photographers will use a CRM (client relationship manager) to guide clients through their on-boarding, session and final presentation. A CRM should be professional and organized and should include a contract and invoice. As the person considering spending your hard-earned money on a photography session, you want to ensure there is a contract in place that details what you will receive from your session and specific timelines with the delivery of goods and what happens if your photographer is unable to perform their services. Contracts protect the photographer as well as the client! If your photographer doesn’t have a contract, that should be a red flag before you pay money.
Most professional photographers will offer some form of a consult prior to booking your session or shooting your session. These consults allow you and the photographer to chat and get to know a bit about each other before you meet up on your session day and step in front of their camera. Take advantage of these! Ask questions and develop the start of a relationship! On the day of your session, you and your family will feel much more comfortable stepping in front of the camera for someone you’ve previously met instead of a complete stranger!
Sometimes clients want to find a photographer who will offer a mini-session because the client “just needs a few new pictures” and a mini is cheaper than a full session. Friend, can I offer you some advice? Skip the mini! Skip the quick session! When you and your family step in front of a camera, you’re uncomfortable and it takes a bit to relax into the moments that create magic. By the time that happens in a mini-session, your time is up and the next client is there waiting for their pictures. Invest in your moments! You and your moments are worth every penny! Book that full session and walk away with a full gallery of beautiful photographs that capture you all in so many different ways! This is why I do not offer mini sessions. I want that full time to have you all relax and be present in the moment and connect with each other without feeling rushed. That is what creates authentic connection in photographs!
In today’s world, everyone seems focused on their digital files and they seem to have forgotten the importance of the printed photograph. Friend, the printed photograph is the heart of my business and during our time together I am going to share my heart with you and show you why your printed photographs and photo albums are such a better investment over just buying digital files. Read this blog post to learn more about the difference between digital files and the printed photograph!
In a world with so many different photographers to choose from, I am truly blessed to have clients that recognize the value in what I offer them and return to me throughout the years to continue telling their story through photographs. Each photographer has their own way of running their business but I promise that when you work with me, you and your family will feel recognized and heard. I know the value of your moments and I will always serve you with a luxury experience that places you at the center of my work and my vision.
Unlike a lot of other photographers, you will not see me filling every available spot with sessions, trying to fill my calendar. Instead, I only accept a limited number of sessions each week to ensure I am not overwhelmed and juggling a long list of galleries to process. By limiting the number of sessions I shoot, I am able to offer a higher level of client service and I value that over a booked calendar!
So when you are searching for a photographer for your next session, I hope that you will consider the things I’ve listed above and make a selection that aligns with what you truly want to walk away with. You and your moments are worth that!
