Alleviating The Pain

On my LinkedIn.com group, Photography: Clients and Professionals Networking Group, I recently asked “what is the #1 pain point for both Photographers and their clients?” There were some good replies but one stood out above the rest. Julien Mc Roberts, (Julien’s Blog) of Santa Fe New Mexico, made some great points that she collected from her clients. As a working photographer, I am very mindful  of these  points when working with my clients.

Many of  you are on tight schedules where images need to be turned around immediately. Deadlines  these days are getting tighter and tighter. In today’s digital age, there is no technical reason why I as a photographer would take two weeks or more to deliver images. With the tools available today, I deliver the final images in 24-72 hours. I am able to do this because I have developed a production process that allows me to control every aspect from start to finish.

Even though I now have better control over the results of my product, that doesn’t mean that I can just go “CLICK!” and hand over just any image. In order to separate a good image from a great one, some additional fine-tuning is needed to create the superior result you expect. Even in the days of Ansel Adams and before, fine tuning an image creates the ultimate result. But as we are no longer processing film in a dark room, today, that power is at my fingertips via a keyboard and mouse, and it does it faster.

The digital age also gives me the ability to do something that was pointed out by one of Julien’s clients: over deliver. This often results in bonus images. For example: instead of just 10 professional images, I can now present you with 15 or 20 outstanding images! And in turn, you have more choices in delivering your message to your clients.

Now I have to get those images to you. The messenger days are gone. And shipping you those 20 shots is so 90s . There is always of course Email, but that is impractical because most companies Email servers won’t accept large attachments.

Today I have a better faster way.

I choose to deliver my images to my clients via a fulfillment site. This allows you to view each image in a large format on your computer screen, in your office, and on your own time. Then, you select just the images you want. No extra files or piles of photos laying around.

When I am working with my clients, we establish a shot list together. I want to meet your needs.  I am there to help you be creative and assist you in taking it to the next level.

I do research all my potential clients; I most likely started by Googling your firm; taking the time to know a little more about the mission of your company. I want to be able to understand your needs and often, research will tell me a lot of what I need to know.

I can’t think of everything. Tell me, and Julien, what other pain points do you have and how can we eliminate them? All of this helps me help you to get the best results possible.

Until next time…

Happy Shooting!