As a photographer, my job is to teach and educate my clients on the importance of this matter.
In the past 3 days I think that this subject has come up in my life and in other photographers life. How do I know? Well, I have seen a TON of blog posts and personal experiences.
What on earth am I talking about?
MAKING THE INVESTMENT.
DO I think that Everyone should go out and spend 1000 dollars on a portrait session?
Absolutely NOT.
But if you value your photographers style and work, then spending a little bit of cash to create and freeze memories wouldn't be an issue AT ALL!
In the past week, I have had 2 clients come to me and inquire about sessions.
One was asking about any kind of discounts that I offer.
I do offer discounts and lower prices during the year. Some that I offer are ANNUAL. I am very professional with telling my clients that at times I DO NOT offer discounts and am never rude about it.
I also charge what I do bc it is necessary to pay bills and run a household on something that is MORE than just a hobby for me. I have been in Business "officially" for a little over 3 years but have been shooting for a while. I shot my first senior my JUNIOR year in high school... and if you believe it, she was so kind to pay me for it, knowing that I knew almost absolutely nothing. However, what she did know, is that I LOVED photography and wanted to peruse it as a career.
The second lady that contacted me was asking me to lower my prices "just for her." I couldn't find myself to do that because I value my work too much and feel I work too hard to sell myself short.
I do understand that some people go through things in life and I promise I DO IN FACT have a heart.
But I wanted to share some reasons it is important to MAKE the investment in your photographer; whether it be your wedding day, family portraits, Engagement photos, and Senior photos. It all falls under the same underlying details.
1. HIRE A PROFESSIONAL:
I know most of you have seen this photo floating around Pinterest or Facebook... some even twitter and to be honest, this photo pretty much sums it up on why it is JUST SO IMPORTANT to invest.
Although strangely enough this woman's pillow cases match the background of the top image, her photo does not.
A professional will ALWAYS look out for the safety of the client, no matter the age or gender.
In this specific image, I guarantee the the photographer made it a point to have a parent stand with their hands on the baby's back to secure their spot on BIG SISTERS back. Not for ONE SECOND should the photographer EVER leave a newborn in the air BY THEMSELVES. The snapshot however tells different.
Photographers that specialize in your genre of interest will know how to pose and shoot in a specific location. Knowing they have the experience will show in their previous WORK.
2. LOOK INTO THE PHOTOGRAPHERS WORK.
I believe in getting to know a photographer before shooting with them. So I will spend hours looking through their work and really seeing their creative side. When looking through their images I am looking for 2 things. Crisp, engaging photographs and consistency.
I always am looking for images that tell a story. Especially in engagement photos. (or couples as well.) I want to see the love between the two. I want to see the innocence in a newborn or child. I am always looking to see the pride in a seniors eyes for completing one of the biggest achievements in life. I want to see CONSISTENCY in a photographers photographs. If one day everything looks great and the next its really grainy, or the next session is very under exposed, its not consistent work. This factor can really make or break a client in booking with a photographer.
3.GET TO KNOW YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER.
When looking for a photographer, looking into their lives. Im not saying go out and stalk them and get up into their business. But read every post they blog about, check out their about me section, and if you are brave enough, ADD THEM AS A FRIEND. There is NOTHING that I love more is hitting that ADD button on Facebook from a client. I also love meeting my clients for coffee or tea at starbucks. This is where I feel comfortable and am able to relax and show my clients the real me. I, as a photographer get to know the real person that my clients are and the more we talk and the closer we become makes it easier on our session day to shoot. Which would you prefer to take your pictures. A friend or someone you barely know?
ITS QUITE OBVIOUS WHAT I WOULD CHOOSE.
In return for AWESOME clients, most photographers give incentives to make them want to return or just because moments of their career. :)
Here are some ways I make it easier for my clients to MAKE THE INVESTMENT and book their session with HNP:
1. I like to blog about important things in my life. This helps my clients get to know me better. I ALWAYS post photos and my clients can see my style. I ALSO said before I LOVE getting to meet for coffee or tea to hear about YOUR story. By listening, I am creating a real friendship with my clients and its makes for MORE natural photographs hanging on your walls.
2. I offer an AL LA CARTE portion to EVERY SESSION. This is just simply, if you don't see something attached to your session that you really would LOVE to add, take a look at the AL LA CARTE menu and add what ever you like. This is great because people will see things that they have never seen before and purchase it for their homes or cars, and it makes for a more delightful client seeing their images everywhere than just on the walls.
3. PAYMENT PLANS! As a photographer who LIVES off of budgeting, I wouldn't be anywhere if I didn't get to pay with a payment plan. ALL of my sessions have a payment plan included. When we meet for for the first time, I get to know your over all budget and we work from there paying a certain amount each week until your session is paid off. This helps your clients from breaking the bank. This way they can set aside as much as they want instead of splurging all in one place.
4. With cash being harder and harder to keep on hand, one way I make it easier for my clients to make the investment is ACCEPTING ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS! It was quick and painless to set up my very own card swiper. It takes a small charge for each swipe and it hooks right up to my phone, making payments mobile.
As an artist in a see of photographers in my area, I take the time to really create your images. for every stylized session comes about 5 hours of planning the session. Then I will spend a good 16 hours editing and culling. I have noticed that a lot of photogs in my area just starting out think all you have to do is buy a camera and GO FOR IT! Even though that is how I started, I will be the first to tell you, IT WASNT THE BEST DECISION I COULD MAKE FOR MYSELF. With that being said, do your research on cameras, lenses, modes, editing software, and styles + genres. Really delve into your work. Let me tell you this... being a photographer isn't easy, there are UPS and there are DOWNS but if I could go back and change anything about my job................................ I wouldn't change a THING.
xo
-Haley.
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