How to Give Value, NOT Just Pictures

Taking a great photo is MUCH different than giving a great service and experience.

A person doesn’t care half as much about the product, as they do their overall experience.

You are capable of being an incredible photographer AND customer service provider!! Just takes some education and practice : )

The secret sauce?? HIT MOST LOVE LANGUAGES. People’s innate desire is to feel valued and loved. An easy way for you to do this is to reach them through their love languages.

1. Words of affirmation: Communicate often and encourage them when you can
2. Gifts: Give more than just pictures– give helpful guides, give a spontaneous gift card to a coffee shop, etc.
3. Acts of service: Do or help them with something! Show up 30 minutes early, grab them coffee on the day of the wedding, etc
4. Quality Time: When with them- BE with them. Know them. Listen to them. (don’t just zone out and only think about the shot or the portfolio you are trying to build)

Let’s put it practically:

1. communicate well and often
   • are you going to be off the grid? make sure to notify your clients ahead of time
   • check in once a month and send a helpful guide that further prepares them for their wedding or elopement or session
   • connect with them through social media!
   • comment on their posts, like thier stuff, respond to stories
2. Give a surprise gift
   • whether a gift card for coffee for a $200 gift box- everyone can give something- and this speaks wanders to your clients!
3. Under promise, over deliver
   • we have all heard this one- but PUT IT TO ACTION. I promise galleries within 6 weeks- though i have never been later than 4 weeks when delivering
   • i promise to check in once a month- but i also send helpful tools and guides once a month with my check in
   • if i promised them 7 hours- i will show up 30 minutes early and stay 30 minutes late
   • if i promised 50 images- i’m delivering 100
4. cater to the client
   • are they more chill? plan more chill prompts
   • do they love sports? plan prompts that are creatively based on sports
   • do they love dancing? plan lots of different kinds of dancing in your prompts- maybe even have their song on the playlist for them!
   • do they have a specific music preference? have a playlist geared towards what they love to listen to
   • are they extremely up beat, outgoing, and adventurous? plan more adventurous posing and prompts that keep them active
   • are they a really luxe, classy, modern couple? plan high end, editorial posing within your prompts.
   • the point? your session or service should be unique to the couple! catered to each client carefully- making sure they and their values are the focal point.
5. To know them is to value them
   • have key questionnaires sent to them that help you specifically get to know them, how they are together, their quirks, likes, and dislikes.
   • KNOW them before you see them
   • LISTEN when they talk
   • LISTEN to their social media- pick up on their quirks and likes through there if you can
   • aka- BE INTENTIONAL. NOTICE the small things

If you are doing all 5 of these things, it will be VERY hard to mess up the experience or give a poor one! Do what you do well (photography) and serve who you are serving well! You’ve got yourself a strong business after that :’)