I’ve decided once a month I will blog about a lesson I have learned in the photography business.

Maybe they won’t be read. Maybe they will be laughed at and judged. Maybeeee I am the only one who is dumb enough to make the mistakes I will write about. BUT, if I can help one person, prevent one person from doing what I did, or make one person feel less silly because they aren’t alone… it’s worth it to me.

We are nearing the end of the month, but better late than never. SO HERE WE GOOOOO!!!

One thing I have learned in my 2.5 years in business is:

NEVER BE SCARED TO EDUCATE YOUR CLIENTS.

Never.

When you fail to do this, you’re failing your clients and setting yourself up for failure! No bueno!

I remember when I first started this biz, if someone asked me to do something my answer was “SURE! No problem!”

Yes, that is GREAT customer service! UNTIL IT COMES TIME TO EXECUTE AND YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT YOU’RE DOING! OR the circumstances are not right for what they are requesting.. and OOOPS you’ve already said… dun dun dun.. “Yes”

These days, if a client requests something, I do my best to ALWAYS provide a YES, but it will probably follow with some information on what needs to take place in order for it to happen.

For example:

“I REALLY want a pictures of Susie on the beach, but I also LOVE the woodsy location you shot at last week, can we do both?”

Old me: YES! absolutely! (the end)

New me: Absolutely, let’s dot it! However, we will need to start your session 20 minutes sooner than planned to give us a cushion time for driving. Also, I’d like to know which is your preferred location. I’d like to do what you want the most first, while she’s fresh and before we creep up on bed time. OR There’s a great wooded location near the beach that we can hit up! Let me know what you think! :)(opened up window for communication, let’s dig deeper)

 

BIG difference. Before I set myself up for a RUSHED hour with the client and possibly and unhappy child. NOW, Client now knows what we need to do in order to give her what she wants. She will either A. Go with it or B. Re-think the request and educate ME about her wants/daughters needs concerning bed time.

WINNING!

Clients are our number one priority. We want them happy, happy, happy! They are choosing us to capture their family (THAT’S PRETTY DARN SPECIAL)! They are investing hard earned money in our services, and it’s our job to make sure it’s an amazing experience!!

<3