In this blog post, I will share 16 Things NOT to Say to Your Photographer! We’ll explore the intricacies of client-photographer interactions. Shedding light on the phrases that, though well-intentioned, can sometimes hinder the creative process.
We will delve into the 16 Things NOT to Say to Your Photographer. Whether you’re a client seeking the perfect shot or a photographer! By aiming to educate, recognizing the boundaries that define a photographer’s job is key.
I have been in the photography business with twenty years of experience. A photographer’s job is to take photos that transcend the ordinary, capturing moments that tell stories and evoke emotions. Over my two decades in the photography industry, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of an image and the importance of effective communication between clients and photographers. It’s more than just pointing a camera and pressing a button. It’s about understanding the client’s vision, translating it into a visual masterpiece, and delivering a final product that exceeds expectations.
A photographer’s job involves technical expertise, artistic flair, and a deep connection with the subject matter. It’s about creating a collaborative space where ideas flow seamlessly, and the magic of visual storytelling comes to life. In the dynamic realm of photography, navigating the delicate balance between clients and photographers is an art in itself. As someone deeply invested in the photography business, understanding the nuances of client communication is crucial.
Let’s Explore 16 Things NOT to Say to Your Photographer…
We explore the professional way to communicate, highlighting the best practices that foster a collaborative and respectful working relationship. Join me as I unravel the intricacies of client-photographer interactions. Shedding light on the phrases that can make or break the creative process.
Discover the art of expressing feedback and inquiries in a manner that honors the photographer’s expertise while ensuring your vision is captured in the best way possible. Let’s navigate the best way to communicate. Ensuring a harmonious partnership that elevates the photography experience for both the client and the seasoned professional.
Here are 16 things photographers ARE NOT…
This might come off as blunt but I say it with tenderness! I am a photographer who loves her job! I am hired to create images that are timeless and evoke lasting emotions.
1. Why does the photo session cost so much? Can’t you just give me all the raw images?
The photo session cost encompasses more than just the time spent during our shoot. It also factors in the expertise, experience, and investment in professional-grade equipment required to ensure high-quality images. Moreover, the post-processing phase is a crucial aspect of delivering polished and refined photographs. Providing all the raw images might compromise the professional quality of the final product, as they often require careful curation, editing, and enhancement to meet or exceed your expectations.
The final selection is a part of the artistic process. It contributes to the overall value and impact of the images you receive. If you have specific budget constraints, I’m open to discussing options or customizing a package that aligns with your needs.
2. Can you just take a couple of photos for free?
It doesn’t matter if it’s a couple of shots or for 10 minutes. I am running a photography business! While I genuinely appreciate your interest in my photography. It’s essential to recognize that my work is not just a hobby—it’s my profession. Running a photography business involves various costs. Furthermore, including professional equipment, software, ongoing education, and the time dedicated to capturing and editing images. Even for a brief session, it’s part of the larger commitment I make to provide high-quality service. Just like you, I have bills to pay. And the fees for my services contribute to sustaining and growing my business. I do offer various packages and options to accommodate different budgets. I’m more than happy to discuss a plan that aligns with your needs while ensuring the quality you deserve.
3. Don’t ask for the RAW files
This is a common question that I get asked often more times than I can count. Photographers pay to use software to open RAW files. When the unedited photos are uploaded into the software, and that’s when the magic happens. Each image is hand-edited to the photographer’s style.
4. Can we get the photos on the same day as the session?
Receiving the images on the same day as the photo session is a request I understand and appreciate. However, it’s crucial to convey that the process of post-production plays a pivotal role in delivering high-quality images. Post-production involves careful selection, editing, and refinement of each photograph to ensure it meets the professional standards and artistic vision. This meticulous approach takes time to guarantee that every detail, from color correction to composition, aligns seamlessly with the desired outcome. Rushing through post-production may compromise the overall quality of the images, and my commitment is to provide you with a gallery that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. By allowing sufficient time for this process, you can be assured of receiving a collection of photographs that truly reflect the beauty and authenticity of the moments captured during the session.
5. Fixing your bad highlights or color
Photographers are not your hair color/stylist to fix your frizz, bad highlights, or color. During the session, I will move the hair away from the eyes or your face. However, addressing specific hair color or styling concerns is beyond the scope of my expertise. If these are important considerations for you, it’s advisable to consult with your hair professional before the session. Next time, feel free to communicate any specific preferences or concerns about your hair in advance, allowing us to collaborate effectively and ensure that the focus remains on capturing beautiful moments during our photography session.
6. Can we extend the session without additional charges?
Extending a photo session without incurring additional charges is a reasonable inquiry, and I want to clarify the factors involved. The duration of a photo session is carefully planned to accommodate various aspects such as lighting conditions, the chosen location, and the overall energy of the shoot. However, extending the session beyond the agreed-upon timeframe can have implications on scheduling and resource allocation. It’s important to consider that photography involves not only the time spent during the shoot but also the subsequent post-production work, which contributes significantly to the final quality of the images.
While I strive to provide a flexible and enjoyable experience, extending the session may require additional resources and time. Therefore, to maintain fairness and uphold the quality of service, there might be associated charges for extending the session. Open communication about your preferences and timing constraints beforehand allows us to plan effectively and create the best possible photography experience for you.
7. Your Camera takes great photos
While my expensive camera is a workhorse, it’s the photographer behind the lens who has control over the settings to get the correct exposure to take the photo. A great camera undoubtedly plays a big role in capturing high-quality images, but the professional camera is merely a tool in the hands of the photographer. The skill, experience, and creative vision of the person operating the camera are the decisive factors in achieving the perfect exposure, framing, and composition. The ability to understand and manipulate the camera settings is what transforms a good camera into a powerful instrument for capturing the essence of a moment.
8. Can we get the photos on the same day as the session?
While I understand the excitement, producing high-quality images takes time. Rushing the editing process can compromise the overall quality of the final photos. I aim to deliver a carefully curated gallery that meets or exceeds your expectations within a reasonable timeframe.
9. I am not a Makeup artist, I am a Photographer!
As a photographer, my focus is on capturing your genuine beauty and authentic moments through the lens. While makeup artists excel at enhancing features for specific looks, my expertise lies in framing those features in the best possible light and composition. Together, we can collaborate to ensure that your natural beauty shines through in every photograph. If you have any concerns or preferences related to makeup, feel free to share them, and we can discuss how to achieve the desired results through photography techniques rather than makeup adjustments. Your comfort and confidence during the session are my top priorities, and I look forward to creating beautiful images that reflect the real you.
10. Can you straighten my teeth?
While I appreciate your request, the task of straightening teeth in post-processing is beyond the scope of my editing skills. Achieving natural-looking results for such intricate adjustments often requires specialized skills that go beyond standard photo editing. Additionally, the process can be time-consuming and may not yield the desired outcome. However, I can certainly enhance your smile in other ways, such as whitening your teeth to brighten your overall appearance. If achieving a specific look for your teeth is a priority, I recommend considering professional dental services for the most effective and natural results. Let’s focus on highlighting your best features through other enhancements that can be done effectively within the realm of photography editing.
11. Can you make me skinny?
As a photographer, my primary goal is to capture individuals in a way that celebrates their unique beauty authentically throughout the entire process. Rather than relying solely on post-processing techniques to alter body shapes or fix every imperfection on your body. I prefer to explore creative solutions in front of the camera. By experimenting with poses, angles, and lighting, we can highlight your best features and create images that naturally enhance your confidence and self-expression. It’s my belief that embracing and celebrating your authentic self is more empowering and fulfilling than conforming to unrealistic ideals through digital alterations. Let’s work together to capture your true essence and create images that reflect your genuine beauty.
12. Clothes Stylist because you no longer like the outfit you picked
It’s crucial to understand that I didn’t choose your outfits for the session. Your personal style is a significant part of what makes the photographs uniquely yours. If you find that you don’t like your photos because of the outfit you picked, I encourage open communication. If you have questions or uncertainties regarding coordinating outfits for the session, I am more than happy to provide guidance and answer any queries. Feeling comfortable and confident during the session is key to capturing authentic moments. Let’s work together to ensure that your clothing choices align with your vision, allowing you to fully enjoy the photography experience and cherish the images we create together.
13. Expect me to clean up your kids’ faces and clothes in Photoshop
Expecting a photographer to clean up your kids’ faces and clothes extensively in Photoshop is not an ideal practice for several reasons. Firstly, it’s essential to consider the overall experience and comfort of your child during the photo session. While messes are a natural part of childhood, it’s not ideal to intentionally let your child eat chocolate or make a mess. This can affect their experience and mood during the shoot. Furthermore, extensive editing to remove messy faces and clothes is a time-consuming process. The time spent on post-processing could be better utilized to capture genuine and candid moments during the session. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable photography experience, it’s advisable to come prepared, with clean and comfortable outfits for your children, allowing us to focus on creating beautiful and authentic memories together.
14. Fix the winkles in Photoshop
Can it be fixed in Photoshop? Of course, it can. But, here is the thing, it is very time-consuming & makes it for you to receive your gallery later than expected. My goal is to provide you with a timely and high-quality collection of images that showcase the best version of your moments. So, with that said, I am not hired to fix the wrinkles in your shirt or pants because you didn’t iron them.
15. Take buildings from the background of your photos
When you choose your location from the list I sent you or it is one that you choose, be mindful of the surroundings. If you see that you do not want buildings or any kind of structure in the photo then you need to move to another area of the location that doesn’t show any of it in the photos. This attention to detail is crucial in ensuring that the final images align seamlessly with your preferences and expectations. If, during the shoot, you find that any unwanted buildings or structures are visible in the frame, I am fully committed to promptly relocating to another area within the chosen location.
16. Add family members to photos
If you have a family member who could not attend your session, I can not photoshop “Uncle Bob” in your family photo. This is a process that can take time to do, which could impact the overall quality and authenticity of the final image. Photoshop is a powerful tool! But seamlessly integrating a missing family member requires meticulous attention to detail and considerable time to achieve a natural look. Rushing this process could compromise the integrity of the image, resulting in a less-than-ideal outcome.
While I understand the desire to include all loved ones in a special photograph, it’s important to acknowledge the technical complexities involved. Instead, let’s explore alternative options to commemorate your family bond. In the best possible way during the actual session, ensuring that each member is authentically present in the captured moments. Each click of the shutter is a deliberate attempt to freeze not just the visual beauty but also the emotions that make each moment unique. My passion lies in crafting a visual narrative. While it goes beyond the surface, weaving together stories that will be cherished for generations to come.
Just remember, what to expect at your next portrait session
Just remember, when preparing for your next portrait session, there’s a good reason behind a lot of these phrases that can’t be met or what you should say. Your portrait session is an opportunity to capture moments that reflect your unique personality and style. Planning ahead, choosing the right location, and coordinating outfits contribute to the overall success of the session. Being mindful of these aspects ensures that we can focus on creating beautiful, authentic images without unnecessary distractions.
So, whether it’s considering the impact of wardrobe choices or being aware of the chosen location’s surroundings! You will find that each element plays a role in crafting a memorable and visually stunning portrait. Embracing these considerations will undoubtedly enhance your experience. Also, making the next portrait session even more enjoyable and ensuring that the resulting images reflect the best version of you.
Final thoughts…
It is so unfair to expect your photographer to be all these things. Can all of the above be done, of course. But this takes hours and hours of our time and it’s not what we were hired for. If you are headed to a photoshoot, please do your part! Have your family come presentable, and don’t expect your photographer to be a Magician.
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