Are We A Good Fit?

Photographer To Match

How to Find YOUR Perfect Photographer

I LOVE taking pictures. That’s an easy pill to swallow as it’s my chosen career. To work with people, take their pictures, to create and capture moments and emotions.

So here is an interesting question. Am I the right fit as a photographer for you?

When I started my business, I was in a place where I’ll admit I was thrilled to have customers and clients. Any and all. If they wanted to pay me for my photography skills, I was happy to accept them as a client.

Sounds logical. But it wasn’t working out quite as I had imagined. When someone is looking for a price vs a style when hiring a client, they may not get what they want. And then they won’t be happy. I know I wasn’t happy as I could tell they weren’t happy with my work. They wanted more classic whereas I offered more of a lifestyle - style. I would spend HOURS trying to fix, adjust, edit, and basically redo an image. I didn’t like what I needed to do. I didn’t even like the image they seemed to love. And not that the image didn’t look beautiful. It just wasn’t my style. It wasn’t something I would be proud to show off and certainly not to recreate.

So while, yes, I got very good at editing and adjusting, each new job brought on a new anxiety. What if my style just doesn’t match the next client’s dream photos?

As the years went by, I began to develop my style. I grew and got better at my craft and then my brand. I realized, that not all clients are the same. That the clients who actually saw and understood my work and shared my taste in photography really LOVED their images!

Why does it really matter you might ask? If I can take a picture, why can’t I just take it in ANY style?

Then I learned about the power of my WHY. Why I love to create moments and images. Not just that I am capable of taking the image. I use my talent, style, and my vision of what I want your images to look like. I use emotions, mine and yours to capture connections. This works out perfectly for a client who indeed loves that same style. Someone who totally gets and appreciates my passion for capturing emotion.

Especially when you look at your partner or realize the wonder of your child. It’s why I go out and offer to handle your 2 yr old that won’t listen. Or the sullen teen who doesn’t even want to be there.

So what if that’s not your jam? What if you really do love photos but you really do not care for sun flare? Do you need to just accept my style for your session or event?

What if you are just the type of person who loves a classic shot? Where everyone is standing still, and facing you. Where you get to see their entire face and you are able to remember exactly what they looked like.

Not necessarily what they were feeling. But more what they were wearing and an image to showcase the makeup and hair you spent hours preparing.

Can I even take that style image? Absolutely. And before you panic, I can and do often. We always need at least one image where everyone is looking. But it’s a check off my shot list.

Then the rest of our session with you will be about reminding you of the fun you can have when hanging out with your kids. Or your spouse. Or parents. As a family, we have a certain connection and feeling that we don’t share with others. It’s what makes your family so uniquely yours. And it gets me so excited to be able to forever offer you a reminder of that love.

I recently had a conversation with a lovely woman. I had worked with her daughter’s family, her husband, and their children. The daughter (Let’s call her Jane) had hired me specifically because of my brand and style. She saw my social media page and reached out to book the session. (Which Social media you ask? Instagram? Facebook? Ya know. One of those.)

She was so excited to work with me. And the session went off without a hitch. It was really…FUN! The kids had a great time. Lots of laughter and giggles.

Jane had called me later that night after our session, how the kids did not stop talking about the time they had. How “the lady with the pictures” was so cool and let them jump and run. I will definitely take that compliment!

So now back to Grandma. She loved that her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren now had beautiful pictures to share. She had wanted to make an album of her own, and I happily worked with her to create it. However, when she went to choose her favorite images from the session, she noted there were not that many of everyone just “standing there and facing the camera”. She explained how this was her preferred style.

This story was another loud reminder that no, not everyone shares the same taste and wants the same style. I like to say its why there are so many flavors of ice cream. Something for everyone.

I realize not all clients are equal. Meaning not everyone will appreciate my “why”, my goal, and my vision. I also realize - THAT’S OK!!! I would much prefer to work with someone who is excited to work with me BECAUSE of my “messy” emotive and more realistic imperfect lifestyle look. Cuz life is NOT perfect. And that’s ok! Or because I personally don’t think you have to get dressed to the nines to have a photo session. But of course, you can and absolutely should if it’s what you like!

I honestly don’t mind WHAT you wear. I WILL ask you if you are the type of family who is not afraid to sit on the ground and get that sitting pose.

Does that mean I would refuse someone who likes to wear heels to work every day? Oh heck no. If you love and appreciate my style, then I want to work with you and we will have the best session.

You may think, does it really matter? If someone needs a picture, then who really cares? I care and really, so should you. This should be money well spent, not money thrown out. If you don’t love the images you won’t enjoy them. And if you don’t enjoy the style, you won’t look at the images. You will have wasted the money and now have nothing to show for it.

Would you go to a restaurant that offers cuisine you would never want to eat? No!

So how can you really tell if the photographer (or me!) is for you? If you have a certain look in mind and don’t see it on my social media or in my portfolio, chances are you’ll need extra editing to get it there. This means we may not be the best match.

I want my clients to trust my creative process. For them to know they will NOT have to direct the poses. For you to know that your session will be unique for YOU because, while yes, I come to the session equipped with a list of certain poses to make you look great, once we get to the location, and I meet you and your kids, and I understand a bit more about your connection, the ideas flow and the magic and connection happen to make your images perfect for you.

So before placing the call to book a session with me, before you send off an email, take a minute. Look thru my portfolio. My Instagram (www.instagram.com/liajayphoto) or my Facebook www.facebook.com/liajayphotography account. If my photos don’t speak to you, then you have my absolute blessing to hire SOMEONE ELSE.

Bet you never expected that as an ending to a post. ;)

PS - the mother of my client, we were able to find the images from the session she LOVED. And every time she sees me, she loves to let me know she shows her album proudly to everyone. That’s a win win in my book!