The primary issue that a photographer faces while handling their clients’ projects is misunderstanding and misinterpretation of their requirements which could lead to a heated conversation between the client and the photographer. The result could be PERFECT; however, there are some essential questions which you need to ask your photography clients since it would lead to much better communication between the client and yourself as a professional photographer.
The photographer and clients often cause misinterpretations. Therefore, it is suggested that one should have a list of questions to ask photography clients so that there isn’t a misunderstanding between clients and photographers. These list of questions can help photography beginners to understand what your client wants and have a calm discussion before any shoot.
No need to have any headaches and confusion, trying to figure out what your clients want!
Important Questions To Ask Photography Clients - 2021
The list of questions to ask photography clients are as follows:
- What emotions or vibes you want to portray via these images?
This is one of the most vital questions that you need to ask your client. It often happens that clients provide the visual of what they want and then portray the emotion behind it. This is where the conflict takes places due to the difference in the visuals and emotions. Subsequently, it is your job that you must consider their emotion and try to implement them into the photographs.
2. What is the primary purpose of choosing me as your photographer?
You need to know why your clients approached you. Is it because of the image quality, or lighting, or the models used? This question is necessary to understand what feature of your photography skill brought them to you to focus on that specific feature at the time of their shoot. The whole point is to get inside the client’s mind and ensure that they are delighted with your work.
3. Are there any considerations you want me to make while clicking photos for your shoot?
There are various cases where you need to be quite familiar with the industry you are shooting for. You can’t just tell your client that “Oh, I was so focused on the concept that I wasn’t paying attention to the relevant details”. This would only bring down your status in the industry, and of course, you wouldn’t want that to happen. If only you ask the right question at the beginning of the shoot, there wouldn’t be any confusions regarding this issue.
4. What is the demographic you are looking forward to attracting?
Maybe your client is looking to have a 50+ demographic for the past 50 years and is looking forward to getting to the millennial. Do clarify with your client what is it that they are trying to attain.
5. What are your preferences regarding the reference images that you sent me?
Once again, the perfect shoot’s whole success story is to interpret what your client wants to mean. Sometimes they might send you a reference image, but their requirement is entirely different from what you might assume. Therefore, you must have a discussion with your client on what similarity they are looking forward to when it comes to the reference images.
6. Do you require the things which you have portrayed in the reference image?
This question is a continuation of the previous one. You need to clarify with your client whether they want to have the things included in the shoot pictures, just like those portrayed in the reference image.
7. How much time would be required for the whole photoshoot?
Do not assume this factor. Make sure that you ASK this! Various situations might persist. You might need to rush your whole setup within minutes since the client arrived a bit late or was unsure about the shoot timings themselves.
8. How many people would be there on the set?
This ensures that you do not get stage fright when you see 50 people from the whole team!
9. What is the number of images you require? Can you please explain each of the types of images?
This is another one of the most vital questions which you need to ask your client since the client might assume that you can click the perfect photos in a few minutes when it is just the opposite. An ideal image requires several minutes, even hours, before being brought to the client’s disposal. Also, if you have a clear idea of what the client is looking forward to in each of the pictures, it would help you provide them with satisfactory results.
10. What are the soft and hard deadlines?
Clients often notify you about the soft deadline dates and mention them to you like a hard deadline. Obtain the actual dates from them so that you have sufficient time to complete their project without the need for any hurrying.
Wrapping it Up!
So here we have included some of the mandatory questions to ask photography clients for your shoot. Make sure that you ask these questions upfront before initiating the project to avoid any future confusions.
Our website also consists of a wedding photographer checklist and real estate photography checklist if you would like to go through them to make yourself a professional photographer for every purpose.
Keep in mind that professional photography requires some hefty investment initially. However, once you have made a name for yourself in the industry and move forward with some genuine photography clients, it is guaranteed that success would be yours!
So what questions do you ask to your clients? Let us know in the comment section and Contact Us for more information on Photography!
