Ms. Client, Please step away from the ordinary...

[JohnT]

How do you convince your clients to be adventurous for a shoot by stepping away from the safe & ordinary? Or do you?

[pbyd]

I have been a full time photographer for over 41 years and have stayed in business because I do just what the client wants. I do not let my ego get in the way of my income.. If you check out the successful studios you will find their web site images are fairly plain, this is not said to say their work is anything but great. By successful I am referring not to the superstars that go around speaking and telling their lies, but studios that have been in business for 20 or more years and some are able to sell their 8x10 images in the 3 to 4 hundred dollar range. If you would like to check out a few,

Alvin Gee is not only a very successful photographer but also a wonderful person:
alvingee.com

Charles Falk has been one of the top earning studios for the last 15 to 20 years:
Charles.falk.net

Alexander is not only a really a great photographer, he is also a great guy. Check out site, you will find some of his clients include Presidents G.W. Bush, G.H. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, The Queen of England, Prince Charles CEO’s and Texas Governors to name a few.
alexandersportraits.com

Marc Nathan has been in business for over 30 years and has a very busy studio
mnathanphoto.com

The things that so many “want to be” photographers do not understand is that a portrait is about the client, not about what the photographer can do with his camera or Photoshop. So many times it seems photographers think they are something so special and more important than the client, but those that think like this go back to a regular job sooner or later. To make it in this business you must be good at photography, great at lighting and posing, and unbelievable at business.

Wayne
Photography by Design

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by pbyd

I have been a full time photographer for over 41 years and have stayed in business because I do just what the client wants. I do not let my ego get in the way of my income.. If you check out the successful studios you will find their web site images are fairly plain, this is not said to say their work is anything but great. By successful I am referring not to the superstars that go around speaking and telling their lies, but studios that have been in business for 20 or more years and some are able to sell their 8x10 images in the 3 to 4 hundred dollar range. If you would like to check out a few,

Alvin Gee is not only a very successful photographer but also a wonderful person:
alvingee.com

Charles Falk has been one of the top earning studios for the last 15 to 20 years:
Charles.falk.net

Alexander is not only a really a great photographer, he is also a great guy. Check out site, you will find some of his clients include Presidents G.W. Bush, G.H. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, The Queen of England, Prince Charles CEO’s and Texas Governors to name a few.
alexandersportraits.com

Marc Nathan has been in business for over 30 years and has a very busy studio
mnathanphoto.com

The things that so many “want to be” photographers do not understand is that a portrait is about the client, not about what the photographer can do with his camera or Photoshop. So many times it seems photographers think they are something so special and more important than the client, but those that think like this go back to a regular job sooner or later. To make it in this business you must be good at photography, great at lighting and posing, and unbelievable at business.

Wayne
Photography by Design

Thanks for insulting the rest of us photographers that do not fit in the very small percentage you speak of.

[Tommy Scarmardo]

Originally Posted by JohnT

How do you convince your clients to be adventurous for a shoot by stepping away from the safe & ordinary? Or do you?

Depends on what you mean by "adventurous". Could you be a little more specific?

[pbyd]

Thanks for insulting the rest of us photographers that do not fit in the very small percentage you speak of.

Sonny, I in no way was trying to insult anyone, you may talk to people that know me and have been to my studio, I am a true supporter of anyone wanting to be in the business of photography, just ask many on this forum, I just have always felt that fact was much better even if it was not what sounded best. If you took what I said as a insult, I am sorry. I was only trying to give a little info on what has helped not just a few but many photographers stay in this wonderful business for more than a shot stay. I find it so sad that so many people try to start a photography business and only last 2 to 5 years, because they don't follow successful businesses.

Wayne
Photography by Design

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Tommy Scarmardo

Depends on what you mean by "adventurous". Could you be a little more specific?

Sure. More along the lines of creativity like, for example, an Old West shoot with the clothing and the works. It's what she and her family want and requested, and you know that you can give them something really unique and something that would be different from what might be found in someone else's home. You know they would be proud to display it, but they decide to play it safe.

I'm all about giving the client what he or she asks for, but there are times when I think "you know, this could be something above and beyond ordinary if we could push the envelope and step outside of the box."

[MHampton]

I am by no means a pro photographer, and have never sold a portrait, BUT... :)

As a consumer, I might be drawn into the situation of after all the standard "safe" shots that I want done are done, if the photographer wanted to "try something new" on his time and make the deal that if I don't like them I don't even pay for his time (for that part of the shoot), I would probably be inclined to "play" a little. If the photographer is good and makes some great shots, then he gets extra for the unexpected sale that he talks me into. :)

Did that make sense or did I just ramble. Sometimes it's hard to tell from my side. The guy at Whataburger gave me the senior discount the other day. I had to let him know that he's about 6 years early! :)

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by JohnT

but there are times when I think "you know, this could be something above and beyond ordinary if we could push the envelope and step outside of the box."

I think its a combo of this AND giving the customer what they want. However, I have found that lots of ppl dont know what they want. That's been prevalent in several industries, not just photography.

Most ppl cant imagine what you are talking about. Hell, sometimes Mike doesnt know what Im talking about. I have to shoot it and show him - and he shoots with me and has known me forever.

To get the client comfortable with 'the outside of the box,' you need to show them the outside of the box. Take risks (new sets, poses, funky stuff) with non-paying clients -OR- piggyback some of these funkier shots you are wanting by offering them as add-ons. That gives you samples without them risking their shoot. Samples are a necessary evil, imho. It also allows them to know what to expect and makes for happier clients.

I love clients who say, 'What ever you think.' Honestly, most do, but it's b/c of trust and reputation and samples. Then when you do new stuff, they are excited and on board. Its a whole lot to ask a paying client to do something that is brand new, that they havent seen you shoot before. Hope that helps a little.

added:
also, consider who your target demographic is. it affects what u r wanting to do. soccer moms want the same old stuff. the affluent art crowd wants something unique to them. mass produced isnt their thing. if u aim limited artistic edition at soccer moms, u end up in a bad place to be.

[Phisch]

Not that I've been doing this for a while, and maybe I'll get the forum equivalent of getting pulled off stage, but if you are interested in "out of the box" thinking clients then I would try doing one or two sessions like that for free.

Sorry I used the "f word"!

The reasoning is that you can go nuts with the concept then. Look for models or subjects willing to help you out. Post them online and (the hard part) in front of your target market. Chances are your images will resonate with those clients you are trying to attract plus those clients who didn't know they wanted that.

Then again, you never know unless you try. If you make "out of the box" part of your norm when it comes to shoots, maybe the clients won't know it's not your usual. "There is nothing new under the sun" after all. Maybe just taking photos is out of the box for them.

PS---speaking as a soccer mom---we don't all want same old, same old. Potential clients can be found in the most unusual places. Even bleachers! ;)

[texkam]

How do you convince your clients to be adventurous for a shoot by stepping away from the safe & ordinary?

By developing trust.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

I think its a combo of this AND giving the customer what they want. However, I have found that lots of ppl dont know what they want. That's been prevalent in several industries, not just photography.

Most ppl cant imagine what you are talking about. Hell, sometimes Mike doesn't know what I'm talking about. I have to shoot it and show him - and he shoots with me and has known me forever.

To get the client comfortable with 'the outside of the box,' you need to show them the outside of the box. Take risks (new sets, poses, funky stuff) with non-paying clients -OR- piggyback some of these funkier shots you are wanting by offering them as add-ons. That gives you samples without them risking their shoot. Samples are a necessary evil, imho. It also allows them to know what to expect and makes for happier clients.

I love clients who say, 'What ever you think.' Honestly, most do, but it's b/c of trust and reputation and samples. Then when you do new stuff, they are excited and on board. Its a whole lot to ask a paying client to do something that is brand new, that they haven't seen you shoot before. Hope that helps a little.

added:
also, consider who your target demographic is. it affects what u r wanting to do. soccer moms want the same old stuff. the affluent art crowd wants something unique to them. mass produced isn't their thing. if u aim limited artistic edition at soccer moms, u end up in a bad place to be.

Good stuff, Holly! That's what I'm looking for. Thanks a bunch.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Phisch

Not that I've been doing this for a while, and maybe I'll get the forum equivalent of getting pulled off stage, but if you are interested in "out of the box" thinking clients then I would try doing one or two sessions like that for free.

Sorry I used the "f word"!

The reasoning is that you can go nuts with the concept then. Look for models or subjects willing to help you out. Post them online and (the hard part) in front of your target market. Chances are your images will resonate with those clients you are trying to attract plus those clients who didn't know they wanted that.

Then again, you never know unless you try. If you make "out of the box" part of your norm when it comes to shoots, maybe the clients won't know it's not your usual. "There is nothing new under the sun" after all. Maybe just taking photos is out of the box for them.

PS---speaking as a soccer mom---we don't all want same old, same old. Potential clients can be found in the most unusual places. Even bleachers! ;)

Thanks for the feedback. I have no problem doing free stuff. Heck, I'm currently working on a personal project involving the kids on my street. The parents love the freebies, and I get to shoot children, produce the effects I want, and have something to add to my port all at the same time. I'll likely be looking to do something similar with adults/models in the near future.

[Tommy Scarmardo]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

To get the client comfortable with 'the outside of the box,' you need to show them the outside of the box... .

This is what works for me. If you mention a "crazy" idea to someone they will probably crinkle their nose and shake their head, no. Show it to em, and most likely, if it's good, they'll beg you to do it.

Take Trash the dress for instance. Most people cringe at the idea, but after seeing examples, lots of them cant wait to do it.

[J Eddington]

I think you have to have "out of the box" ideas in your portfolio. That way they know things you like to do and they may come with there own ideas. I always have a pre-meeting to discuss what they like that I have done and what they want out of the session. That way they have ideas before your shoot. Many times they like and "out of the box" photo that I have already taken. I then encourage them to take this idea and make it their own or give me ideas about how I can make it fit them.

[Village Idiot]

Originally Posted by pbyd

By successful I am referring not to the superstars that go around speaking and telling their lies,

What do you mean by that? People like Chase Jarvis, Joel Grimes, and others that do really amazing off the wall work?

OP - Clients generally come to a photographer because they like your style and they want your ideas in their photos. If your portfolio doesn't include images that you think are fun and are what you want to shoot, then that's you're going to end up shooting for your clients.

And it's a balance of doing what the client wants and interjecting your own ideas. Brainstorm with the client and discuss the shoot. Be totally prepared and don't throw them any surprises the day of. Let them know what you have in your head and see if they're open to it. Sometimes you have the freedom to do whatever you want and other times you're stuck doing exactly what's needed.