Opinionated Clients

Let me preface this post with how I view my sessions: I am hired to make images that my client loves. I’m not hired to make pictures I love. 

Managing personalities while on set is a delicate balance. I try to arrive at least 30 minutes before I want to start shooting, and a big reason why is to meet all parties involved: the people I will be shooting and their ideas for the shoot, any parents/grandparents/siblings/cousins/friends and their ideas, the horse trainer and their ideas, etc. 

Sometimes I arrive on set and can gather quickly that everyone there trusts me and my opinions. I get to pick the outfits from what they brought, I get to select the locations, and I will direct all posing. Other times, people have a few ideas of poses/locations/items they want photographed but they want my professional opinion about things. And of course, there are times I arrive on set where everything has been meticulously planned for me. All I need to do is point and shoot at their direction. 

Meeting each person on set is a bit of mission to uncover how best I can serve all parties involved. How can I make everyone’s dreams come true? Do I need to be assertive and insert my opinions? Do I need to be passive and follow their directions? What will make them feel the most comfortable?

I approach my sessions as the hired help. I’m not the queen, and my opinion doesn’t matter unless they ask for it. My client is the proverbial queen and I exist to make her vision come to reality. So what happens when I disagree with the opinions of my clients, the parents, or the horse trainers? 

For example, let’s say they want to use a location that I don’t think will photograph well. In this case, I do my best to work with the available light to produce the image I interpret they are wanting. If I nailed it, we move on. If I have concerns or insecurities about it, then I suggest we try one more shot in the location of my choice so they can choose whose idea they like better. If something is logistically impossible (it is simply too dark, or I don’t have the correct lens or equipment) then I try to explain why I cannot shoot it and offer alternatives.

If they want to shoot mid-day instead of my typical golden hour, I try to find out why. Sometimes I can persuade them into changing the start time of the shoot, but other times we are limited to mid-day (venue rental, dodging storms, a limited schedule, etc) so I show up on time and do my very best. 

If they want to use props or outfits that don’t fit my photography style, I absolutely photograph it all. These are their photographs to love and enjoy, not mine. 

If I have an overbearing parent or trainer that is intimidating my subject, I need to walk a fine line. I am using my best judgement to make all parties as happy as I can. Sometimes I need to send the parent off on a side task or mission to give my subject a little breathing room to relax. But ultimately, I want everyone to feel comfortable and catered to. 

Essentially, if someone brings me a detailed shot list and itinerary to shoot, I will shoot it with a smile no matter how far it strays from my vision. I’m hired to create their vision. If they are asking for something impossible (like artificial light when I only work with natural light) I do my best to explain my limitations. If I try to photograph what they want and feel like I missed the mark, then I ask to try again “my way” so they can see what they like better.