Blog

Handling the Hard Stuff: Facing Challenges “I like them, but…” Nothing hurts more than hearing that your client is unhappy with what you’ve given them. Your first response may range from crushed, to confused, or even anger. Open and honest communication is essential to dealing with unhappy clients as well as a clear contract. Ask the client what specifically they are displeased with if they haven’t already made it clear. If you don’t know what’s wrong, you can’t work to fix it. If you are comfortable then ask your client for an opportunity to meet face to face. If meeting isn’t...

Have you ever heard this line? "We get a little nervous having our pictures taken.” You’ve probably heard this a dozen times and in most of those cases you know it’ll be fine. With a few reassurances, most clients relax and trust you. But there are plenty of us who, despite your best efforts, are just stiff, awkward and nervous. How can you help these people unwind and trust you? Build The Trust When someone tells you they feel awkward in photos and nervous about the session remember to be patient with them. They might have felt embarrassed saying anything...

Saying No For Photographers: When and How to Say No If you are a people pleaser, like yours truly, you may find yourself saying yes to every request and then later regretting it. It has taken years to realize that saying no is okay and necessary.  Not just for the sake of good business, but for my own sanity. Most often, I have seen photographers asking for advice on how to say no when they are asked for a discount. Or when the session is not something they can confidently shoot. But how can we say no, without hurting our...

One of the biggest objections photographers have for in person sales is that they are not comfortable with selling and don’t want to feel like they are pushing people to purchase.  I can totally understand this point of view since I usually don’t respond well to a hard sell tactic from someone trying to get me to purchase goods and services.  However, you don’t have to be a slimy salesman in order to be successful in IPS and by following the tips below you will gain confidence and hopefully enjoy the process. Get the appointment on the books -  You’ll...

Okay.  We’ve defined what an IPS business model looks like and why it might be right for you.  We have also reviewed client behaviors with information on how to target your ideal client.   Now comes one of the most challenging tasks for photographers who offer products to clients:  The Product Menu.  In short, the product menu contains tangible items to showcase the beautiful art you are creating for your clients.  These items can include loose prints, mounted prints, canvases, metal prints, wooden prints, standout prints, framed prints, gallery wraps, lay flat albums, customized USBs, folios, and so much more!...

In Part I, I discussed what an In Person Sales business model can look like and why it is right for me and could be right for you.  The concept of doing business in person isn’t a new concept and is the way portrait photography used to be prior to the digital revolution in the photography world.   A frequent complaint among photographers thinking about IPS is that their clients expect to have images delivered by internet download, on a CD, or on a USB.  More importantly, many photographers believe their clients do not want prints or wall art from...

I grew up in the generation and tradition of the Olan Mills experience. My mom would receive a phone call and then shell out X amount for a portrait package with the local Olan Mills. It was a flat rate, get your portraits made every four months, and one 8x10 per session plan. Simple. Inexpensive. Of course, once at the ordering appointment and presented with beautiful selections, my mom (like so many others) went for the up-sell and walked out lighter in the pocket but with an assortment of beautiful photos to share with family and display at home.  Once...

Taking photos at night is a unique practice filled with plenty of deep colors, exciting lighting options and the perfect balance of exposure.  While the process might take a little longer to master than traditional photography during the daylight hours or in a studio, fine-tuning your skills and taking on the never-ending quest for the perfect night shot is a mission many choose to conquer at some time in our amateur or professional photography careers.  If you’re keen to try out night photography for the first time, you might be wondering what to bring along on your shoot. Basic items...

For many of us here in the midwestern United States, Memorial Day weekend signifies the shift of seasons. Pools open, temps go from mild to hot, kids are home for summer vacation, and weekends start getting filled with cookouts and vacations. For me, it is a welcomed yet chaotic time of year and this summer is no exception. We are kicking the season off with 8-days in Iceland followed by weekend trips camping with our pop-up in the caves of Kentucky, the Dunes of Indiana, the woods of Northern Wisconsin, and a few small state parks in between. As excited...

  Whether you’re starting out in photography or you’ve been in the business for a while, you would have come across a few tricks of the trade to help make your photography sessions and shoots a little simpler and more effective. If you’re looking to dramatically improve your photos, there are some simple ways photographers can improve their results with little to no effort whatsoever, just a few simple tips. In this article, we explore how you can improve your photography results and improve your output significantly using a couple of simple hacks. 1. Turn the flash off automatic Rather...

Even the most professional photographers on the planet occasionally screw up. Whether it’s a mistake in workflow, customer service, unmet expectations, or something completely out of our control, we’ve all been there at one point (and if you haven’t yet—just wait!). But a screw up with a client doesn’t have to screw up your entire business. In fact, if you handle the mistake properly, it can reinforce your honesty and commitment to your clients. Read on for some tips on how to handle those “uh oh” moments. Apologize The first step is obviously to admit your mistake and apologize. Time...

Make a moment last forever! This week, we're challenging you to do just that. Don't wait a moment more! Come download this free gift ($39 Value) from PRETTY today!  This week we're challenging you to get in the picture!  Come learn more about this fun photo challenge within our photography community.  We've included a special gift for you there, too.  Thanks to everyone for joining in on the fun.  It's not too late!   A huge thank you to the communities at Pretty Presets for Lightroom, Pretty Actions for Photoshop and Pretty Forum for making this such a special week.   Quick...