How to Elevate Your Client Experience

Today we're talking about elevating your client experience because they mean the absolute world to us photographers. When you enhance your client's experience, you're not only adding value to your work; you're making the whole process of having photos taken by you memorable.

Providing a unique and unforgettable encounter with your brand leaves your clients with more than just pretty pictures. When something is truly an incredible experience, we, of course, want to return for more and share about it! We've all heard the phrase "Go above and beyond" countless times, but how exactly do we do this? Here are some actionable tips and advice!

1. Reply quickly

We know just about every human being is busy, and your clients realize this too. When you respond in a prompt and timely manner, you're showing a deeper level of care and that they're a priority. Everybody appreciates it when they hear back quickly from a business, especially when they're excited to be doing business with you.

2. Answer their questions before they even ask

Addressing concerns or questions before they have a chance to pop up lets your clients know you're proactively thinking about them and establishes you as a professional.

Does their session location have tricky parking? Give them advice beforehand so they'll know what to expect when they show up! Did the weather forecast suddenly change? Explain their options and lay out a game plan.

3. Check in and let them know you're thinking about them

Most wedding clients book way in advance, so say "Hello" periodically to see how wedding planning is going. They'll appreciate hearing from you! Ask if there are any ways you can be of further service, and let them know you cannot wait to celebrate their day with them. If you're following them on social media, be sure to comment on any milestones or achievements they've posted as well!

4. Provide a keepsake on the day of their session

Remember Polaroids? They are such fun cameras and give you a printed photo instantly. Bring one along and take a few pictures with it that your clients can take home that very day. They'll be obsessed and will be telling all their friends about it!

5. Send sneak peeks

Your clients are beyond excited to see their photos, so send a little preview within the next 48 hrs. after their session while the energy is still high. They'll be impressed with the fast turnaround, and chances are they'll post it with a shout out to you on Instagram 😉

6. Give a little gift

If your clients were just the sweetest and most easy-going, show how much you appreciate them by sending a present. It could be prints from their session or wedding along with a handwritten note, a basket of treats, or even a candle from a local shop. Get creative!

Tip: If you have a sunrise session, send your clients a Starbucks card the day before with a note saying, "I know our session tomorrow is super early, so here's coffee on me! I can't wait to capture some gorgeous photos with you!"

It really is the little things, and by being intentional and thoughtful with every interaction between you and your clients, they'll see how much you care about them and the experience you provide. Clients want a phenomenal experience in addition to receiving beautiful photos — it's what will keep them coming back! Providing both will help you stand out in your market and build your brand.

Ready to put these tips to use? We can't wait to hear how you apply them!

Creating Goals

Today, we're talking about the importance of goals and how to set your own. Wouldn't you like to have some clarity or guidance for what steps you should take in your business? Goals light the path for what direction we need to be working. Having a vision helps you know if what you're currently doing serves that vision or if you should reevaluate.

When creating goals, remember they're specific and personal to each person. Take some time and think about what you want to achieve in your business or personal life and write it out. Don't think about other people's goals or what the industry says you have to accomplish. List all goals, then break them down into six-month goals, one year, three years, etc. We recommend keeping a physical list because it feels great to actually write a checkmark next to it or cross it off. Add the date you set the goal, then include the date when you accomplish it. It'll be fun to look back on!

Make some goals that you know you can eventually achieve, and have some that seem like reaching for the stars. A balanced mix is essential so you can see you're accomplishing things while pushing yourself not to play small.

Every goal is significant, no matter its scale. Sometimes it's accomplishing the little goals that put you in a position to achieve the bigger ones, so don't discount them! Going about and putting in the work or taking the risk to achieve particular goals can push you beyond your comfort zone, but it can bring about such rewards. Remind yourself it's an automatic no if you don't even try. It will help put things in perspective and give you the courage to take the plunge and do it!

Find joy in the waiting because accomplishing goals takes patience, especially as a business owner! Many things you may be working on take time to achieve, so the best way to play the waiting game is by finding something to be joyful about while being thankful where you are.

Celebrate every victory, no matter how small! It'll help you stay motivated, and you totally earned it. Accomplishing anything is a satisfying feeling and builds your belief in yourself. So, dance around the room, treat yourself to a cupcake, or whatever makes you happy, but please do celebrate every victory!

What are some of your current goals and things you want to accomplish this year? We'd love to hear from you and cheer you on!

Elevating Your Work

When we talk about elevating our work, our goal is to photograph something to appear more refined and high-end. Say you're photographing a 30K wedding. Elevating it would be capturing everything in a way that viewers would believe it's a 60K wedding. This approach applies to any photography, not only weddings. There are ways to elevate your work in every niche. How does one go about this? Read on because we're dishing out all the tips and advice today!

Curate what you show.

Go through your website and Instagram and examine everything. Do you want to get away from casually dressed sessions? Remove images that don't support a formal aesthetic. If you're in the process of rebuilding your portfolio, have a few photos you want to nail at each session/wedding in mind that doesn't include any of the elements you don't want to show. This way, you'll still have content from every job to share.

Pay attention to details.

You know the phrase, ‘The devil is in the details?’ It's true! You could have a gorgeous photograph, but a distracting object takes away from the photo. Yes, you could Photoshop it out, but it's better to get it right in camera and save time in the long run. Remove Apple watches or hair ties on the wrist and wallets or phones from pockets. When photographing tablescapes, move the salt and pepper shakers, butter dish, or anything else that isn't a decorative part of the table. Train yourself to develop a meticulous and editorial eye.

Up your posing/prompt game and step away from cheesy poses.

A beautiful setting and well-dressed subjects are lost if a pose looks awkward or facial expressions aren't relaxed. Body language speaks volumes, so understand the message portrayed in your frame. Strong posing isn't complicated but nuanced. Watch movies or music videos and observe how the people interact and think about what the director might've told them for that result.

Know your light.

Light is everything to photographers, and knowing how to utilize it well will instantly elevate your work. Thanks to modern technology, you can download an app to tell you where the sun's position will be at what day and time. How you light your work is entirely personal preference, but mastery shows in every style. Figuring out your favorite direction of light and amount of sun flare will establish your signature style.

Consistently deliver.

From photographs to editing and the experience, every detail associated with your brand should exemplify excellence and quality. Providing gorgeous photos and a memorable experience every single time will set you apart.

Applying all of the aspects we talked about today will help you take your business to the next level and strengthen your brand. We hope you take all of these tips and run with them!

Creativity is A Discipline

Sometimes artists think they have to wait around for creativity to strike, that creative genius is only possible when inspiration hits.

What if we changed our view of creativity and realized it's not as elusive as we once thought? Let's think of creativity as a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it will be.

Think of it as playing an instrument. You have to set aside time to practice to become a good musician. There is a discipline to creativity and committing yourself to create. Don't wait to feel inspired before picking up your camera. Decide you're going to create something, and then those creative juices will start flowing. You have to show up for creativity to show up.

We've all experienced what it's like to go through a creative lull, but it's important to still put in the hours to grow in your work. For a time, challenge yourself to photograph something each day. Give yourself 15 minutes to mess around, and when the timer is over, if you don't want to continue, 100% ok. Practice styling and photographing flat lays, capture your family and the day-to-day, or a baking project or flowers. The discipline to creativity is deciding to create even when you feel unmotivated.

You never know what might happen, and you could make some of your favorite work! You may amaze yourself and wonder how you ever thought of it. Even when you're at your most inspired and motivated, the idea in your head is only an idea until you decide to act on it and commit to bringing it to life.

You can learn equally from your mediocre work as you can from the extraordinary. Let go of the idea that every single thing you make has to be phenomenal. Always be creating and learning. In the space you give yourself to create just for you, pay attention to what gets those creative juices flowing. Notice what you love and even what you don't. Ask yourself why you gravitate to specific artistic/aesthetic preferences and why you dislike others. Learn what works for you and what doesn't.

When we realize the simple act of showing up is half the battle, creativity meets us along the way. It should be a great comfort to know that creativity does not visit a select few and bestow upon them a multitude of original ideas. Creativity is available to everyone and is in infinite supply!

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." - Maya Angelou

We hope this leaves you ready to go out and create! Did this change your view of creativity? We'd love to hear about it!

Light and Airy Photo Tips

The light and airy photography style is widely popular throughout every niche in photography, and it's recognizable for its dreamy and bright qualities. It takes much more than editing to achieve this aesthetic, so we put together some tips to help you nail it 👇🏼

One of the most significant aspects of light and airy images is choosing the proper backgrounds and locations. Avoid placing your subjects against dense, dark greens or red brick buildings. Aim for light greenery with light filtering through or cream-colored buildings. Being aware of the tones in your surroundings will also impact your skin tones. To create light imagery, you need locations conducive to the style.

An understanding of light is essential no matter your style of photography. Even clean light is another piece of the puzzle to airy photos. Many photographers adore golden hour but shooting during this time makes everything very warm. Try beginning your session an hour or two before golden hour and see what you think! You'll still be able to capture a gorgeous glow, but the light won't be yellow. Backlight and sidelight are very dreamy and dynamic. Morning is also a perfect time for even lighting!

Another piece that ties it all together is styling your clients in neutrals or pastels. It lends a high-end, luxury aesthetic, and neutrals are far from boring when textures and subtle patterns are incorporated. Being intentional with every element in a session will take your work to the next level.

Even if you're a gear minimalist, using a reflector lightens the shadows in a way editing can't. It'll come in hand when working indoors or photographing flat lays. There are many options for affordable and easily portable reflectors. Take a comparison photo with it and then without, and you'll notice the difference! We know it's not ideal for wedding photographers when a getting-ready space is dark or has some crazy color decorations, so try to guide your clients to a neutral-colored wall with good light. It may be the most unlikely spot in the building, but you can create stunning images with good light and a blank wall!

Pro tip: Consider wearing white to sessions, and you've just created a natural reflector!

When photographing flat lays, use light-colored surfaces and set up in a bright space with natural light or outdoors under shade.If you're indoors, make sure any surrounding colors won't give off a color cast and that you turn off any overhead lights.

We all realize how important it is to get everything right in-camera, and shooting at a low aperture will give you creamy bokeh and allow more light in the frame. As we've talked about today, there's so much more that goes into creating a light and airy style than editing and getting everything right in camera exceeds only camera settings.

We hope you're excited to implement these tips and apply them the next time you pick up your camera!

Styled Shoots

Have you been dreaming of planning your own styled shoot? We know there are a lot of fantastic workshops out there and group styled shoots to attend, but designing an exclusive one for your brand is so rewarding! Seeing your vision come to life is so exciting, and you'll be the only photographer to photograph all of the prettiness! It may take a little work, but it's 100% worth it! Even if you're not Type A 😉

The first order of business is deciding your theme, color palette, and budget. Remember that it's an investment into your business, so make sure it's cohesive with your brand. After gathering some inspiration images, create a mood board to share when you reach out to other vendors. We love using Canva for this!

Pro tip: Include images of the actual gown(s), model, venue, etc., to be used in the mood board, if possible. Make a note in your introductory email, "Attached is the mood board, and pictured is the gown and venue to be used!"

For the next step, decide the location and date. Most venues are only available for styled shoots on weekdays, and some may have an hourly fee. Once a time and place are set in stone, start contacting vendors and provide as many details as you can. Here's a guideline for your initial email:

• Introduce yourself and include your Instagram handle and website.

• Provide the date, location, and timeframe.

• Compliment their work and why you'd love to work with them! Share your budget and what you're envisioning them creating (number of floral arrangements, stationery suite + place cards, etc.).

• Tell them what you can do for them. Go above and beyond! Provide the images and offer to take headshots and BTS photos if they'll be on-site.

• Share the mood board!

• Close by letting them know you'd be happy to answer any questions or even schedule a phone call to chat further.

Pro tip: Bring water bottles and individually packaged snacks to the shoot for everyone. Ask in advance if there are any food allergies!

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Try to find vendors on the same business level as you and with similar ideal clients. Styled shoots are a splendid opportunity to network and build a referral base! After the shoot, leave a review for each vendor and let them know how much you appreciate them and their talent.

The winter or early spring are the best times to plan shoots as everyone's calendar is clear, and they'd have the capacity to take on a project. We recommend starting to plan at least a month in advance, but ninety days to two months is ideal. It can take a little while to hear back from everyone you inquire with, and a good amount of notice is appreciated as they may need to order supplies just for it.

We hope this has you pumped to create your very own editorial and that you're inspired to make some magic!

Cheers,
Your Ginger team

Image courtesy of Shannon Duggan, Jeanne Viggiano, Julien Jeanne & Megan King

Speaking to Your Ideal Clients

Wouldn't you like to cut through the noise and speak directly to your dream clients? Connect with them by helping them envision you telling their story? "I'm a terrible writer!" You might be thinking, but eloquent words aren't necessary! It might sound cliche, but it's true, share from your heart! So, how do you do this?

Photo by Alicia Mink

Firstly, you should understand who you're talking to — who is your ideal client? Once you've identified them, ask yourself if you're speaking to them clearly. Think of it as communicating in a specific language so that you're interacting with your clientele in a personal manner, and they'll be able to hear you loud and clear.

We know so many people who say they struggle with Instagram captions, so here are a few prompts to get you typing!

• Share why you love this particular shot or what it means to you.

• Write about the people in the frame and their story — we know your clients mean the world to you!

• Open up about your photography journey or what's currently on your mind.

• Share session and wedding tips!

Photo by Rachel Owens

Share work that resonates with you. Show what you want to shoot and the type of work that makes you excited to pick up your camera. As artists, we put so much of ourselves in our art, and it's a way in which we share ourselves with the world. Don't compare your work to others; it's 100% A-OK if it doesn't look like anybody else's.

When you're creating work that genuinely brings you joy and is authentic to you, it draws the right people to you. Speaking to your followers through compelling imagery + strong copy sends a powerful message and creates a memorable brand.

Photo by Jordan Galindo

Add value to your followers’ feeds. It’s a great way to stand out from the dozens of other accounts they follow. Adding value, sharing about yourself, and being authentic is a way you can reinforce your brand with every interaction and have your audience wanting more. Long before they even need a photographer, they'll want to engage with you, and you'll be the first person that comes to mind when they do need a photographer.

Create a connection that makes them want YOU from the get-go. That takes it from just needing a photographer to needing YOU as their photographer. Cost is no longer a factor when they value you and your vision.

We hope this article inspired you to share from the well of who you are because we think you're pretty awesome 😉 Know that your dream clients are out there, and they want to connect with you!

Destination Work

Are you looking to expand your brand into destination work and past your local market? If your answer is a resounding, "YES!" this article is for you! It's a blessing to have the opportunity to travel for work, yet you might be wondering how to get started, so read on!

Make it known that you're willing to travel. It's not everybody's dream to travel for work, but if it's yours, share your passion for traveling! Keep an updated list of upcoming destinations on your website and Instagram and promote the heck out of it! Others get excited when you're excited!

• Pick the region where you want to start marketing. If you have family or friends in a specific area and you like their market, that's a great place to start! Add that area to your website/social media and begin to tag that city. Plan a visit and create content focused on that area. Plan a styled shoot and network with other vendors, or put together something more lowkey with just a bride model or couple.

• Create reels and blog posts about the things to do or venue tours. Establish yourself as an authority in that area as a photographer + travel guru.

Pro tip: If you're out and about doing touristy excursions and see a well-dressed, cute couple, ask if you can grab a few shots of them — this expands your portfolio while also advertising! Win, win!

• After shooting epic content, be published in localized blogs (Rocky Mountain Bride, Utah Valley Bride, Kentucky Bride, etc.). Since local blogs have a more targeted audience, you'll be putting your work in front of brides whose weddings are in the locations you want!

• Price yourself appropriately. We all know travel costs add up quickly, so don't forget to crunch the numbers and quote accordingly. It may sound tempting to travel to an exciting destination, but if you're not within their budget, you could end up losing money. Trust that what's intended for you will not pass you by, and by saying "no" to some things, you're freeing yourself to say "yes" to the right things for you and your business. Keep creating outstanding work and providing value for your clients and market. Show that your artistry is unparalleled and the experience you offer is one-of-a-kind and worth any travel expenses.

Know that you're capable of achieving your dreams, and we'll be here cheering you on every step of the way!

*photos by Samantha Sanchez, Dani Cowan and Tanja Kibogo