Day: December 22, 2022

My First AI Blog Post: How Photographers should correspond with new clients

by Stanley LearyPhotography

I went to https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/, registered, and then typed in “Write a blog on How Photographers should correspond with new clients,” which is what it wrote in about 15 seconds. I then used Grammarly to check it for style. This is what I got below:

As a photographer, it’s essential to establish clear communication with your clients from the very beginning. This helps build trust, set expectations, and ensure everyone is on the same page throughout the process. Here are a few tips for corresponding with new clients:

  1. Be prompt: It’s essential to respond to inquiries and emails promptly. This shows that you are professional and reliable and helps set the tone for your relationship with the client.
  2. Be clear and concise: When communicating with clients, it’s essential to be clear and to the point. Avoid using industry jargon or technical terms that your client may not understand.
  3. Establish boundaries: It’s essential to establish boundaries with your clients from the beginning. This may include setting clear guidelines for communication (e.g., preferred method of contact, response time) and setting expectations for the shoot itself (e.g., arrival times, number of shots).
  4. Communicate any changes: If there are any changes to the shoot (e.g., location, time), it’s essential to communicate these to the client as soon as possible. This helps avoid confusion and ensures everyone is on the same page.
  5. Follow-up: After the shoot, it’s a good idea to follow up with your client to see if they have any questions or concerns. This helps to build trust and show that you are dedicated to providing the best possible service.

Overall, clear and effective communication is key to building a successful relationship with your clients. Following these tips establishes trust and sets the stage for a smooth and successful photoshoot.

So what do you think?

What Have You Done For Me Lately

by Stanley Learybusiness

Janet Jackson’s song is about her dating and how her boyfriend treats her. I have always said you never marry your clients, but you do date them. So you may want to listen to her song again and ask yourself, what are you doing for your clients lately?

Used to be a time when you would pamper me
Used to brag about it all the time
Your friends seem to think that you’re so peachy-keen
But my friends say neglect is on your mind
Who’s right?
What have you done for me lately?
Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah
What have you done for me lately?
Ooh, ooh, ooh, yeah

– Janet Jackson
[NIKON Z 6, AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 1600, 1/1000, ƒ/4.5, (35mm = 55)]

Don’t take your clients for granted. There is a delicate balance as to how you keep in contact with them.

This is the perfect time of year to evaluate your client relationships.

I never ask for more than I deserve
You know it’s the truth
You seem to think you’re God’s gift to this Earth
I’m tellin’ you, no way

– Janet Jackson

Those last verses remind me of being in a camera store and waiting for the guy in front of me to finish with the sales representative. I had known this salesperson for many years, and we were friends. After the guy left the store, the clerk commented that “some photographers are legends in their minds.”

A Few Tips

1.   Keep expectations practical. No one can be everything we might want them to be. Healthy relationships mean accepting people as they are and not trying to change them.

2.   Communicate with your clients.

  • Listen. Do not interrupt or plan what you’re going to say next. Instead, try to understand their perspective fully. Summarize what you heard by trying not to repeat their words. This shows you are listening and allows them to clarify their thoughts.
  • Ask questions.  Show you are interested.  Ask about their experiences, feelings, opinions, and interests.
  • Share information.  Sharing information gets the ball rolling.  Let people know who you are, but don’t overwhelm them with too much personal information too soon.

3.   Be accommodating. It is instinctive to feel uneasy about changes. Healthy interactions allow for change and growth.

4.   Be dependable. If you make plans with someone, follow through. If you take on a responsibility, complete it. Healthy client relationships are trustworthy.

5.   Fight fair. Most relationships have some conflict. It only means you disagree; it does not have to tell you don’t like each other.

  • Cool down before talking. The conversation will be more productive if you have it when your emotions have cooled off a little, so you don’t say something you may regret later. The anxiety you feel is natural, but taking the time to understand what is causing it will help you know how to communicate the core issues that need to be addressed without all the drama.
  • Focus on the current issue.  The conversation will likely overwhelm you if you pile everything that bothers you.  Avoid using “always” and “never” language and address one issue simultaneously. Using these extreme terms to prove your point immediately puts someone else on the defensive and downplays or ignores the work they did (or did not) do.
  • Take responsibility for mistakes.  Apologize if you have done something wrong; it goes a long way toward setting things right again.

6.   It’s a process. It might look like everyone else is confident and connected, but most people share concerns about fitting in and getting along with others. It takes time to meet people and get to know them. 

7.   Be yourself! It’s much easier and more fun to be authentic than to pretend to be something or someone else.