Welcome back....
to this lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek series inspired by the interesting client stories photographers share in my photography Facebook groups. Let’s keep it real: this isn’t a rant about clients (I adore you, really!). Photography, like any job that involves people, has its share of humor, challenges, and the occasional eyebrow-raise-worthy moment. Sometimes, it’s the client, sometimes it’s the photographer running on too little caffeine—it happens! So, sit back, sip your coffee (or your beverage of choice), and let’s dive into more insights on how to become every photographer’s dream client (with a smile and a wink along the way).
Late to the Party? Not on My Watch
Here’s the deal: when it comes to photography, showing up on time isn’t just polite—it’s essential. You know what they say, “The early bird catches the worm,” and in this case, the on-time client catches the good light.
Golden hour? It’s not called “golden two-hours” for a reason. That dreamy, glowy light we photographers obsess over? It doesn’t wait. When you’re late, you’re not just stealing time—you’re stealing my golden hour soul. For mini sessions, it’s even worse. If you roll up late to a mini session, not only are you throwing off your session, but you might be forcing me to borrow time from the next family on the schedule. Trust me, no one wants to cross the Mom Who Planned Everything Perfectly to the Minute.
When clients show up late, photographers go through a series of emotions that could rival the stages of grief:
- Denial: "They’re just stuck in traffic. They’ll be here any second."
- Panic: "What if they’re completely lost or think it’s tomorrow?"
- Sadness: "So much good light… gone forever."
- Resignation: "Well, here comes the ‘edited to within an inch of its life because the light is gone’ gallery."
I get it—life happens, alarms don’t go off, toddlers stage sit-in protests, and your GPS decides the scenic route is best. But showing up on time (or, gasp, even a few minutes early!) sets the tone for a smooth session and ensures we can get those epic, frame-worthy shots you’re here for.
So, next time you’ve got a session on the calendar, set a reminder, hit the road early, and let’s make the magic happen on time. Your photographer—and the golden hour gods—will thank you.
