A personalized portrait session should always be a positive experience, but not every photographer can give you this. Unfortunately, there are times when you might walk away from your session feeling unhappy with the experience or the results. Over the years, we have heard a lot of the same complaints from clients about other photographers they’ve worked with in the past. To ensure you can avoid these or similar situations, it helps to be aware of the most common complaints. So here’s how to avoid the top 5 complaints clients have about photographers:
Received Poor-Quality Pictures
All too often, a photographer claims to be a true professional when they have little to no experience. There is nothing wrong with taking advantage of affordable photography, but make sure these prices aren’t low due to inexperience. Remember, a professional camera doesn’t automatically mean the images will look good. It’s the person taking those pictures who makes all the difference. To avoid this complaint, do a little research on the photographer you have in mind by reading reviews and looking through their portfolio.
My Photographer Was Late
When you schedule a session in studio, it’s very rare for your photographer to be late. It’s mostly when a photographer needs to travel to a specific location that delays occur. Here’s the thing, you can’t plan for every possibility. Your photographer could hit a traffic jam or have an equipment malfunction that requires them to fetch a backup camera. If you’re scheduling a location-specific shoot, be flexible. A professional photographer will always let you know if they are running late ahead of time but keep in mind that mishaps do happen.
I Don’t Like How I Look in My Portraits
If you choose an experienced photographer who has a style you love, it’s very rare to end up with images you don’t like. What often happens is that a client goes into a session with unrealistic expectations – this is where disappointment sets in. It’s important to understand that what you see in magazines is not a true reflection of what those people look like in real life. Your photographer is there to capture who you truly are using professional equipment (and a bit of editing magic). The more realistic your expectations are, the better your experience will be. Also be sure your clothing is ironed/steamed and fits appropriately as this can make a huge difference!
My Photographer Didn’t Make Me Feel Comfortable
Photographers love what they do for a number of reasons and one of them is that they get to work with different people. Your photographer should always make you feel comfortable in front of the camera and be willing to provide you with guidance. It’s highly recommended that you meet a photographer in person before scheduling a session. This way, you can tell whether your personalities are a good match. If meeting in person is not possible, read through as many reviews as you can before scheduling your session, or chat with them on the phone.
The Photographer Didn’t Know How to Work with My Kids
If you’re planning a family session, make sure you’re using a family photographer. Not every photographer knows how to handle kids during a portrait session, which is why you can’t choose just anyone. Before you confirm your booking, look over their portfolio and reviews to make sure you’re dealing with a seasoned family photographer.
Now that you’re aware of some of the most common complaints and how to avoid them, you can make a more informed decision about your photographer. Thankfully for us here at MMP, complaints and unhappy clients are a rarity. After almost 13 years in the biz, we’ve successfully learned how to create portrait sessions that are stress free, memorable, and fun! Ready to book your maternity, newborn, child, high school senior, or family session? Email us at megan@meganmyrickphotography.com or call the studio at 912.200.5284. We can’t wait to hear from you!
