6 Questions To Ask Your Photography Client Before Booking Them

before booking a photography client, it is really important that you are certain they are the right fit for you.  it’s important and fair to both parties that the photographer is a good fit for the client.  why?  it’s important that the photographer is passionate about the work they are doing in order to create really successful images.  it is also important that the client knows what work they are hiring out so they know what to expect in their final photos.  having a strong and cohesive portfolio is the first step to ensuring that you are booking the right clients for you, as the clients who are drawn to your work will be the clients who eventually email you to book a session.  i don’t send a questionnaire or anything formal beforehand to learn more about my client, but there are a few things i do want to know before booking.  as you are speaking to potential clients, here are 6 questions to ask your photography client before booking them.

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6 Questions To Ask Your Photography Client Before Booking Them

1.  Ensure That They’ve Seen Your Portfolio

the biggest sign that my client is right for me is if they have seen my portfolio.  more often than not, this is made apparent in their inquiry email as my potential clients usually start off an email with, “i love your natural photos and candid approach,” or “i really love your lifestyle work.”  if emails are started off like that, i know the client understands my vision and is a good fit.  if i need to make sure they have seen my work, i will reply to their inquiry with some potential date options and a simple, “here is a link to my portfolio, just in case you need to become familiar with my style of photography.  you will see that i am very candid and create natural images, rarely having my clients look at the camera.”

ensuring that your client has seen your portfolio is critical.  this ensures that both you and your client will be happy because you are creating the images that you are passionate about and your client is paying for images that they want.

2.  Date and Location

before booking my clients, i want a firm date and location picked.  i don’t take a deposit or hold a date without knowing an exact date and time.  of course, with newborn clients this does have the potential to change, should a baby arrive early or late.  but for my family clients, the date we pick is firm and because i have them place a deposit, i never have clients cancel and only reschedule for weather.

for newborn clients, i photograph their session in their home so i confirm their address before booking.  (more importantly, to ensure that they are within driving distance).  for family clients who want an outdoor session, i confirm a specific location that we agree upon before booking.

3.  Session Attendees

again, this is something that is usually obvious in the inquiry email as clients usually say, “my husband and i are expecting our first (or second) baby,” or “we are a family of four looking to schedule a family session.”  if i am not sure of who will be attending the session, i simply ask my client before booking.  i also like to ask ages of children, as it is helpful when thinking of locations and photos to prepare for.  some locations may be a better fit for younger children versus older children, but ages are as specific as i get before booking.

4.  Time of Day

just like i want to confirm a date and location before booking, i also like to confirm a time of day.  this helps me when booking additional clients for the same day, allowing me to know what additional time spots are still available.  for newborn clients, i have them watch the light in their home to determine what time of day it is naturally the brightest in their home.  for outdoor clients, i recommend and usually pick the time of day to schedule, based on my experience with the light at the given location.  this could be one of your most important questions to ask your photography client before booking them because you may need to be aware of child schedules when it comes to naps or other activities that could conflict with the success of your session.

5.  Must Have Photos

one of the most important questions to ask your photography client before booking them is if they have any must have photos.  this is another great way to ensure that you are booking the right client for you.  most of the time, my clients say no and they allow me to just do my thing and create a collection for them.  every once in awhile, a client will ask for a close up of their child or a photo of their husband with their children and it’s important that i know this in order to keep my client happy.  sometimes clients have an idea for a holiday or birth card and it’s important that you know that upfront.

6.  Wardrobe Help

the final question i ask my client before booking is if they need any help with wardrobe.  most of my clients are drawn to my photography because it is soft and airy, so helping them pick soft neutrals will ensure that we are creating the look that i am known for and that they were initially drawn to.  this can be as simple as sending them a pinterest board of wardrobe inspiration to help with color coordination and ideal tones.

be sure to keep these questions in mind when you are thinking of questions to ask your photography client before booking them.  if it makes you more comfortable to ask more, ask more!  for me, these are the only questions i need answered before knowing that my client is a good fit for me.  while other photographers really like to know more about their families and their hobbies, i just don’t feel that it makes my sessions any better and it takes a lot of time for the client.  every photographer is comfortable with their booking routine, and this is all the questions i ask before booking.

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