Ok y'all! I wanted to come on here and talk about creative process. It's a discussion we have FREQUENTLY amongst photographers, and I feel like addressing it would be appropriate here on my blog. Please don't hate me!! HAHA
First of all I want to talk Pinterest. NO NO NO NO! Please GOD no!!!! If you have your ENTIRE session Pinterest planned, then may we suggest taking a friend and a cell phone, and having a fun day with your own creative juices? Believe it or not we are not merely "for hire" to do your bidding. ;) We actually have a process to our sessions, and when we are railroaded with requests it really only kills it for us. Believe me, a sure fire way to have a disappointing outcome to your long awaited photo session is to send your photographer 956 Pinterest ideas. By all means, send one or two, mention what you love about them and ask if we can try something like that, but don't expect it to be EXACTLY the same, and please, please, please TRUST your photographer to deliver to you your very own awesome, and unique session photos. This is why you've hired us! Because you like what you see! Believe me when I say that my favourite sessions that I have EVER delivered to clients started with, "I don't know, whatever you want!" You know what we want? We want happy clients. We WILL deliver y'all!
Don't number 2. Please, for the love of all that is good and merciful in this world, do not ask for a discount, ask to pay later, or ask "if we ONLY want a couple shots, how much would that be?" Ummmm....your package includes what it includes. Take it, or leave it!! Trust me when I say that we have OBSESSED over our pricing, spending countless hours thinking, adjusting and rearranging to get it just right for us and our clients! We're priced how we are because it works for us. Yes, we want our clients to be happy, but we are running a business, and we know how to keep things flowing so everyone is happy!
And finally, never, ever, ever send this message, "How much for a session." Like, what? Is chivalry dead?? What ever happened to "Hello (insert name here) how are you? Could you PLEASE send over your session pricing for a fall family session? Thank you for your time!" I mean, is it that hard?? You are typing not speaking, so even if you're pressed for time, surely you can afford a few extra sentences to show how kind, awesome and loveable you are??? Again, frequent subject of discussion amongst photographers. lol We just LOVE when we are shown that our time is valuable and that even though its our job, sending over our information takes time out of our day, routine, family time etc and its appreciated!
Our relationship together starts right from the inquiry process. And i can promise you, a happy photographer is a creative photographer. If I had a DOLLAR for every time I heard this from a colleague "OMG I just want it to be perfect for her, she has been soooo sweet"!! I legit wouldn't have to work anymore. ;)
Our creative process begins with a feeling. What is this client like? And how hard is it going to be to make them happy? If you love my work, then please book a session. If you are only booking because of my pricing, maybe reconsider. Maybe so and so across town is a better match for you and your family. You might spend a little more, or less but you'll walk away happy and having had a wonderful experience. Once we meet in person, go out to our location, or hang out in the studio, our creativity is still relying HEAVILY on our client expectations, personality and how much trust they have in us.
And OMG I have to jump to this point while its on my mind!! Please don't badger your children at their session. I can promise you I have seen it all!!!! I can handle it! A child who is being hounded to "smile, smile, smile", or "stop, stop, stop" is only going to lose their enjoyment of the whole process. Let me tell my stupid jokes, or direct them to do something unexpected that will bring them joy. Now I'm not saying lose all control of your children! I mean sure supervise and discipline when needed, but just relax!! A relaxed parent has a relaxed child. Plus, I am legitimately hilarious! Just saying! Also just saying, sometimes your children don't want to smile, and you know what?? THAT'S OK!!! We aren't here to capture what they aren't, we're here to capture who they ARE!
Mostly folks, we really want you to enjoy our process. Most of us are pretty good at what we do, and we got that way by trial and error until we found what works for us! My process is unique to itself, so its unfair to compare to someone else that's helped you before. BUT to each their own. Find the photographer who's work consistently impresses you. Make your booking, and trust that they have what it takes to make you as happy as their other clients. Don't be afraid to spend some money to get what you want. The most common complaint that comes through my door from clients is the time they cheeped out and were disappointed by their photographer. BUT I have NEVER heard a clients say, OMG we spent so much and it was all junk! NEVER!!
When I shoot my clients, I have a system to my madness. Toddlers rule, children have meltdowns, and dad's roll their eyes (like a lot actually), but I have what it takes to make you happy with your session and session details. You only have to trust!
FALL SESSIONS ARE IN FULL SWING!! SEE Y'ALL SOON!!
Holly
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