I know that the title sounds...
Forward? Maybe a little brash? I figured I should start this out with a disclaimer. I recently my followers over on Instagram what content they'd like to see from me. I was extremely surprised to see this one pop up in my inbox. How to be the best client for your photographer. Wow.
I see it all of the time. Photographers in Facebook groups or talking with other photographers talking to me about issues that they're having with their clients. Clients texting them at inappropriate times. Clients texting them ten times in one day. ETC. I've seen it all.
Let me preface this by saying: PHOTOGRAPHERS: If you are not using contracts for sessions and weddings, explicitly outlining the terms of your services, then you CANNOT get upset with clients for any of the things above. If your contract does not state the turnaround time for your sessions and weddings, your office hours, and the like, then you have zero right to complain about your client. It's not okay.
CLIENTS: if you are attempting to hire a photographer and they do not ask you to sign a contract, that would be a red flag for me personally. I'm not saying that you should not work with these people. I can't make that decision for you. However, not having something in writing protecting you and also protecting the photographer, things can potentially be very bumpy.
So, now that that is out of the way, here are 3 ways that you can be the best client for your photographer!
Number one: Say THANK YOU!
One of the top things I see that photographers are sooo upset about is when they kill a session, edit the images quickly, loooove the final results, send the gallery over, and.....crickets. Nothing. The most simple thing you can do to help put your photographer at ease is a simple: "Thank you so much! We love them!" That's all it takes. If you'd like to go the extra mile, ask your photographer where you can leave them a review and take 5 minutes to type an honest review for them.
Number two: Tag your photographer on social media
You received your gallery back from your photographer and YOU'RE OBSESSED. You immediately go to post them on social media because you want to share them with your friends and family and in your excitement, you totally forget to tag your photographer. We get it. We really do. This is something I haven't really cared about just because, if a potential client wants to know who photographed you, they'll ask and you'll share my name with them. However, when I get the notification that a client of mine has tagged me in their photo, I do a little happy dance. It's something that takes two seconds, but I am so dang proud of my work and seeing someone tag me in the images they love from their session is such a pat on the back.
Number three: REFER!
This one seems like a no brainer, right? If you've had a great experience with someone, you're always going to want to share that with your friends and family. If your photographer was incredible, took gorgeous photos, made you feel comfortable, why wouldn't you want your loved ones to be able to have that same great experience? Referrals make up over 75% of my clients. It is such a big freakin' compliment to me when I receive a message saying that XYZ referred them to me.
There you have it. These three simple things will MAKE your photographer's day. I promise.