The Advantage of Building Client Relationships & Why I love Authentic Photos: a Case Study With the Townsend Family
BAY AREA FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
Time for some brutal honesty: many years ago when I decided to run my own San Francisco Bay Area photography studio I had zero idea what I was doing. To me, a photography business was simply taking pretty pictures where everyone was looking at the camera and smiling and I innocently thought that that would make up the bulk of my job description. Looking back I can’t help but laugh at my naïveté (insert an image me wickedly cackling over a crystal ball). However, I think that is what most new photographers and our clients think makes up the bulk of this job. Being a photographer sounds so easy and magical. I can promise you the years have taught me that while there are magical moments, it is anything but easy if you want to succeed, thrive, and pays those annoying bills that show up like clock work every month. So what exactly does it take?
PLEASANTON, LIVERMORE, DUBLIN, CA FAMILY PHOTOS
The components of my business that I have spent considerable time focusing on this past year are what type of experience I want my clients to have and how I want to best serve and celebrate them. There are three things that are vital to me when in comes to operating Pixel Pages Photography. They are 1.) building relationships 2.) being authentic and creating intentionality behind everything I do and 3.) cultivating a full service experience that is rich in customer service so my clients feel like I have guided them every step of the way. But many of you reading this may wonder what does that even mean in a business? How am I and Pixel Pages Photography different from the dozens of other photography studios that pop up in your Google search?
ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA FAMILY PICTURES
My session with the Townsend family is the a great example of building relationships and intentionality. I have photographed Anne and John’s family for years. Although we met at our kids’ school, it was really our photo sessions that have built our relationship over the years. From their engagement to their wedding and beyond I have been privileged to watch their blended family grow. It’s an aspect of my business that is extremely important and sentimental to me. They have let me into their lives and allowed me to follow along on some pretty special moments and I see this as such a cherished reward of my business.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA FAMILY PICTURES
In 2020 I photographed their boys’ senior portraits (see below this paragraph). We chose a location that matched their aesthetic and created a session that reflected each of them and their interests: music, band, and swim. This created a lot of authenticity in their portraits and were an accurate reflection of who they were as they entered this next season of life. This is why I like to meet with clients during our initial consultation, have a style consult (where we plan out the details of their session), and send client questionnaires when you schedule your session. Having this intimate knowledge of my clients like the Townsends gives me the insight to help curate a session that is authentic and intentional, builds our relationship so they feel comfortable working with me, and helps create that full service experience.
SAN RAMON AND DANVILLE, CA FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
Anne and I had discussed their vision and goal for their artwork before their family portrait session. Two of their kids would be graduating: one from high school and one from Purdue. For a few days the whole family will be together, which is a fete with five kids, three of whom are in college. They wanted to take this opportunity to do some family portraits along with some individual images of their graduates while everyone was under the same roof before all their summer plans kicked into high gear.
EAST BAY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
In our session we wanted to create some intentionality with their images. First, they wanted the family portraits to match the boys’ senior photos so their gallery wall would be cohesive. Second, they just remodeled their kitchen and dining space. We discussed their plans for the photos and how they wanted their wall art to coordinate with their new remodel. Color is an important part of this. This includes the colors used in their remodel, the colors in the session location, and what they would be wearing in their family portraits and how it would coordinate with the boys’ senior portraits. All of these are things that are important to discuss before your session and are why I like to have style consults. Style consults allow for this type of collaboration so that you receive artwork that pair well with your home and its interiors, are an authentic reflection of your family, and build the foundation of our relationship prior to your portrait session.
TRI VALLEY FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHER
Getting authentic images takes a few skills and something many of us photographers hone over the years. I joke that I am part psychologist, but sometimes it feels very true because I have to analyze what my clients are saying to make sure I deliver what they want and know what questions to ask, create a warm and safe space where they feel confident letting their truest selves shine, and have some solid communication skills. Fortunately my years in retail and education have been a benefit. They have helped me build cherished client relationships such as the Townsends, so there is a comfort level even before they step foot in front of my camera. We will go far beyond the basic pretty pictures because oftentimes those don’t make your heart skip a beat and while pretty to look at, don’t have the emotional pull that an authentic photo has. Ultimately I feel having both types of photos is important because it gives you the option to choose what type of artwork you want displayed in your home. If you want to see what a session looks like that gives you both authentically emotional and professionally posed images click HERE and HERE. And if you want to include your beloved fur babies (because they are family members as well!) click HERE for tips on that.
These days I can look back at my old self, the novice business owner and photographer, and be proud not only of what she has learned, but what she has grown to become, to value, and what her years of experience have taught her about what is important in her photography studio because it goes so much deeper than photos. I am here to see you and to celebrate you. Relationships + authenticity + intentionality = real photos that celebrate your life.
BAY AREA FAMILY PHOTOS
Looking for a family photographer in Alameda County, Contra Costa County, or the San Francisco Bay Area? I would love the opportunity to get to know both you and your family. I will preserve your exceptional story through timeless photographs and luxury artwork. My clients come from all over the Northern California and the Bay Area - Pleasanton, Fremont, Danville, Dublin, Walnut Creek, Castro Valley, San Ramon, Livermore. Book a consult using the button below so we can get to know one another and start planning your family's heirloom portrait experience.
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