Want to start booking more photography clients long-term? Here’s how to create a seamless experience that your clients will rave about.
If you’re looking to grow your photography business and book more clients who love working with you and keep coming back year after year, this is for you. A lot of photographers think that perfecting their editing or investing in pricier gear is the key to landing more clients. But the real secret? Having a seamless photography client experience is what will actually get you those repeat bookings. It’s what leads to those glowing 5-star reviews and word-of-mouth referrals from people who can’t stop raving about how much they love working with you. Keep reading for 6 easy ways to level up your client experience and start building lasting relationships with your clients.
6 Stages to Prioritize for a Seamless Photography Client Experience:
Stage 1: The Inquiry
The inquiry is your client’s first impression of interacting with you, so make it count! When it comes to responding to inquiries, focus on making your response fast and personalized. If you’re waiting more than 48 hours to respond, it’s very possible that your potential client has moved on already and you are more likely to get ghosted.
If you’re struggling to respond to inquiries in a timely manner, I highly recommend using email templates and guides for efficiency! That way you can just copy and paste and save your precious time and brain power for the other things on your to do list. When using email templates, remember to add a few sentences that mention details from their inquiry to really personalize your response. A thoughtful, personalized reply goes a lot further in creating a great client experience than a general automated response ever will.
Stage 2: The Booking Process
Once your client is ready to book, don’t make them jump through hoops! This is the part where you want to make everything as simple and seamless as possible. Send over a clear investment guide, a straightforward contract, and an easy-to-pay invoice. Try to send everything all at once if you can. No one wants to dig through a cluttered inbox for bits and pieces of info.
This is also a great time to put your favorite client management software to work so that this entire process can be automated for you. I personally love using Sessions for creating my invoices, sending contracts, collecting payments, scheduling sessions (and so much more).
Remember, the goal for your booking process is to make it ridiculously easy for your clients to say “YES” and feel super confident about it!
Stage 3: Prepping for the Session
Now that your client has officially booked their session, (yay!) it’s time to help them prep! This stage is all about setting expectations and reducing any potential stress before the session. Sending a session guide (think: what to wear, what to bring, what time to arrive) goes a long way in making your client feel ready and excited.
Depending on the type of session, you may also want to send a quick pre-session questionnaire to get to know your client better. You can ask things like: “What kind of vibe are you going for?” or “Is there anything you are nervous about?” This will not only help you deliver a more personalized experience, but also helps build trust and shows that you really care (because you do!).
Stage 4: The Session Experience
Now it’s time for the fun part! The session itself is where the magic happens, and it’s your job to make sure it feels fun, relaxed, and stress-free. Be sure to read the room and take breaks whenever needed so your clients don’t feel rushed. Most people aren’t professional models and need a little help when it comes to being in front of the camera, so offer clear and encouraging posing guidance throughout the session and remember to cheer them on to help boost their confidence! The more comfortable and supported your clients feel, the better their experience will be. And it will show in the photos too!
Stage 5: The Gallery Delivery
Obviously, this is the part your clients are most excited about! Try to deliver the gallery as quickly as possible without sacrificing on quality. A faster turnaround time builds trust with your clients and makes a huge impact on how professional and relatable you come across (and let’s be real, no one likes waiting weeks on end to see their photos.) For top tier client experience, make sure your online gallery is easy to navigate. I personally switched to using Pic-Time a few years ago and LOVE it! (my clients do too)
I also highly recommend adding a small personal touch following each session. It can make a big impact! Whether it’s a surprise handwritten thank-you note, a few bonus black-and-white edits, or a thoughtful little gift. It doesn’t have to be big or expensive. It’s the gesture that counts! Taking that extra step shows your client how much you appreciate them, and they’ll definitely remember that you went out of your way to do something special.
Stage 6: Post Session Follow-Up
How you follow-up is just as important for an overall amazing photography client experience. After their gallery has been delivered, send a short and sweet message thanking them for booking with you and asking if they’d be willing to write a review or refer their friends and family. Reviews and word-of-mouth referrals are the best ways to attract more amazing clients!
This is also the perfect time to let them know about print options or products you offer. If they’re already in love with their images, they might be ready to invest in a keepsake album or a framed print for their home.
Lastly don’t forget to stay in touch! Add them to your email list, stay in touch via social media, send them a holiday card, or reach out around the same time again next year to see if they’re ready for another session.
Ready to Start Building a Seamless Photography Client Experience?
Creating a seamless client experience doesn’t have to be complicated, it’s all about being intentional at every step. From the moment they inquire to the moment they hang their prints on the wall, there are so many ways for you to connect with them and make their experience feel special. This is the key to gaining long-term loyal clients that you love working with!
If you’re a little overwhelmed after reading this list and feeling like you need to overhaul your entire client process and systems, you aren’t alone! Remember to start small. Just focus on improving a few details one stage at a time before moving onto the next. Each small change you make will help improve your client experience a little more! If you’re feeling stuck on how to improve an aspect of your client process, think: “how can I make this easier, more fun, or more personal for my clients?” That mindset alone will set you apart!
More Tips For Elevating Your Client Experience:
