Photographers: 4 Tips to Elevate your Client Experience

How to Give Your Clients an Incredible Photography Experience

When your clients come to you, they are trusting you to capture some of the happiest moments of their lives. This is something they want to remember and cherish forever. Their experience with you is going to color their view of the final product you deliver. This is why your Client Process + Experience matters SO much!

When you’re first starting out as a new photographer, your main focus is on sharpening your skills behind the lens, but one of the most underrated characteristics of a successful photography business is customer service. 

Giving your clients an incredible experience as well as a beautiful product comes down to just a few necessary ingredients. Read on for some of my tips for an experience that will have your clients telling everyone they know about you. 

Be Organized and Timely 

Being organized and responding in to my clients in a timely fashion is hands down the most transformative practice I have established in my business over the years.

Couples are under a lot of stress leading up to their Wedding Day and you’ll only add to that stress if you don’t have the proper systems in place to support them! When you have an organized process in place it establishes a foundation of trust between you and your clients from the beginning. If they see you have all your ducks in a row AND they receive timely responses to their questions, they’ll be able to relax and let you do what you do best. It’s a win-win. Your clients will feel covered and taken care of and you’ll have the freedom and space to do your job YOUR way.

I use the following Tools + Apps to stay organized:

• Dubsado (CLICK HERE to get 20% off one month or an ENTIRE YEAR!)
• My Ink + Volt Planner
• Todoist
• Google Calendar

Be Clear on Your Offerings 

Whether it’s being crystal clear about what a package includes or what your clients can expect as far as turnaround time on their images…spelling out your offerings and boundaries leads to happy clients and a stress free experience for all involved.

Learn to say NO

Yep, you read that right. Learning to say NO to tasks or requests that you are unqualified for or that you dread performing is to your benefit and your clients. Have you ever heard the phrase “the riches are in the niches?” The thought behind this is that when you know exactly who you serve and the process in which you can serve them, you can perform at a higher level (and charge a premium price!) The more you simplify what you do, the easier it will be for you to do it with excellence for your clients. 

Pause and Listen

Remember, this is a SERVICE industry. You are serving your client and you can’t do that to the best of your ability if you don’t listen well. If you’re struggling with a difficult client interaction, this step is especially important. Before responding to any messages that may trigger you in a negative way, pause and step back. I NEVER write a response to a client if my heart rate is elevated or if I feel flushed. Look for physical signs of stress and take the hint. Give yourself what you need to cool down before you reply. Sometimes this is a walk, a good sleep, or a conversation with a colleague to hash it out.