If You Are Good Listener, You’ll Be an Amazing Brand Photographer! And what does listening have anything to do with a photo shoot? When we are working with families for family photography or mothers for maternity photography or even brides for wedding photography…while there may be a consultation or a quick chat (for families and maternity) about what they are looking for, in brand photography there’s more strategy, marketing and branding that are part of the consultation and planning process.

During a recent client consultation, I wrote two pages of notes as she chatted about her business. She told me about her approach to business, how she came to our area, I wrote little comments about her personality, how many transactions she’s done this past year, which clients of mine that she knows personally (huge for referral info for me), what she’s been using for images, ways that her business is changing in the coming months, etc.

In that conversation, I gathered a wealth of information to help me figure out how I can best serve her. If we will simply sit back and listen…ask a few key questions…and then let the client talk, we will be so much better prepared than if we go in with our own plans right away. Don’t get me wrong, I have a plan. In fact, I have a whole sheet of plans for these sessions. But truly listening to my clients helps me serve them so much better!

Here are few key things to ask as you guide the conversation and to keep in mind during your consultations with branding clients:

#1:

How Do They Serve their Clients?

Ask them how they serve their clients. What do they do for them? With them? How do they help them? What do they love most about working with their clients? Are they looking to branch out into a new sector of clients or to attract a new type of client?

This information helps you when setting the stage for SHOWING how they work with clients. We want to capture what it looks like to work with them because that helps their community imagine themselves as clients.

#2:

Where Are They Headed in Business?

We want to photograph our clients doing what they do best. However, as business owners, we all know that most of us have hopes and dreams of growing or even pivoting our offers. These are key things to ask your clients during their consultation! As photographers, the saying “Show what you want to shoot more of” is so true…even in other industries. If they want to move into luxury real estate, shoot them working in luxury real estate. If they want host retreats, set up a shoot where it looks like they are hosting retreats. If they want to grow their team, shoot them working with their teammates. Help them think ahead and then shoot for those areas they want to grow in.

#3:

What Do They REALLY Need?

Ask them what they need from this photo shoot. Where and how are they going to use them? What are they launching soon that would require images? Listening to where they are going will help you give them ideas about what they need. Think about blog posts they could create, social media pieces that would be amazing for their ideal clients, things they could teach about in their industry, places they may use their images. They are coming to you for more than just a few smiling laptop shots. Help them see the possibilities with what you can create with them.

And some clients do just need a head shot, but if they create any amount of content or have anything at all they are posting or launching…they need a branding photo shoot. Heck..EVERY business owner needs a branding shoot…but maybe they want to start out with just head shots, and that’s ok. You will gain their trust and create a relationship with them so that when they are ready for a full shoot, you’ll be their go-to when they are ready.

As a photographer, the best way you can serve your branding clients is to listen to them. The more clients you work with, the better your ears will be at picking out key things they say that will help you create magic for them. So much of what they say in general conversation I will tuck away and remember when it comes time for our shoot. And often times the things they say literally drive where we go with our shoot and help me navigate the stories we will tell with their images. So ask the right questions, listen, and take great notes…it really is that simple!

If you’d like help in growing your brand photography offerings and learning how to pitch and get these types of clients, I’m taking on a few coaching clients next month for something totally NEW!!!! It will be for a small group of photographers and will include all my BEST secrets and how-to’s for Brand Photography. You can email me at corryfrazierphotography@gmail.com or get on the waitlist here!

I look forward to helping you grow your brand photography business and sharing more about my love for working with small business owners!!!! And remember, if you are good listener, you’ll be an amazing brand photographer!

Blessings,

Corry