July 2023 Q&A

Q: How do you go about screening inquiries when someone asks about sessions or availability?

A: My screening process is a basic conversation regarding what the session is for, who it will include, where it will be, when they need images by, etc. Immediate “no” reactions, for me, are weddings/most events, and human babies.

Q: When did you start photography? What made you start it?

A: I bought myself a camera for Christmas in 2011. I started my business in 2013 and I chronicled a lot of my journey here in this blog post.

Q: How do you get clients?

A: If you are talking about my business currently, each year 50-60% of my shoots are returning clients and 30-40% are word-of-mouth referrals from my past clients.

I did a blog post here about how I got some of my first clients when I opened my business.

Q: Have you ever had some mini sessions (like Christmas minis)? What do you think about them?

A: Mini sessions aren’t something that I advertise publically. Personally, I’ve never done themed minis around a holiday or a prop, but I’m not against doing them in the future!

So far, I have only offered mini-sessions to a select group of horse trainers. They are 10 minutes and I require 5-10 people to sign up for the same afternoon.

Q: Do you have a loyalty program for returning customers? What do you think about such programs?

A: I tried to do this in the past, but it was really hard for me to keep up with! I realized that people were coming back to me with or without it.

However, if it incentivizes people to come back more (or sooner), then I think it is a great idea!

Q: I would love to learn more about your rainy-day shoots! Protective gear, how to navigate, etc.

A: If there is any rain in the forecast, I offer a reschedule. But usually, a few times per year I either get caught by surprise, or I have a client who decides to risk a stormy forecast.

I don’t own any protective gear. If it is raining hard I try to stay under cover until it passes over. If it is just sprinkling, I cover my camera with a towel or have someone hold an umbrella over me. If it is misting outside, then I just shoot as normal.

Q: How often do you have your cameras cleaned and calibrated and by whom?

A: I don’t have a regular schedule when I send them in, but rather any time that I feel my focus is slightly off. If I feel the issue is with the camera, I send it directly to Nikon. However, if I think the issue is with the lens I send both the camera and the lens to Sigma so that they can calibrate the lens to the camera body.

Q: Do you ever turn a potential customer away? If so how do you do it? I recently had someone ask me about a session and it just didn’t feel like the right fit. Not 100% sure how to handle that as I am a people pleaser and hate to let anyone down.

A: I immediately turn away every inquiry for weddings, newborns, or events outside of my interest. If there is a session that I don’t think aligns with my strengths, I try to kindly say that I am unavailable and sometimes provide suggestions for other photographers they could try to reach out to.

Q: Where do you see your business in 5, 10, 15 years?

A: I have long-term goals and short-term goals, but I hold them all with a very loose grip. Most importantly I want to obey and follow Christ anywhere He might be leading me. Above all, I want it to be His will and not mine.