“How do you get your clients to come back?” This is a question I hear allllllll the time from my fellow photographers! The answer is pretty simple: Do a good job and have a fun time.

Provide your client with quality service from the very first interaction until after delivery! This means:

• Your initial response to inquiries over the phone or email should be prompt, polite, and answer all of their questions or concerns. Sometimes I feel like I reply too fast if I get an email while I’m on the computer or on my phone, but clients love this! Don’t we all love getting fast replies?
• When it comes time for the session, get to know your clients while you’re taking their pictures! Build friendships and make it a fun time for everyone. Don’t treat them like just another person you have to take pictures of to get a paycheck.
• After the session, return the photos within the agreed upon timeline or quicker. I always under promise and over-deliver. If I promised delivery within 2 weeks, I shoot for 1 week. If I promised 20-25 images, I shoot for 30-35 images.
• Your relationship doesn’t end after delivery! Become friends on Facebook, follow them on Instagram or Twitter or remember special dates and details to send them cards in the mail. Your clients should now feel like genuine friends. Care about them like you would any other friends.

If you do all of these things and the client still doesn’t come back, they’re not your ideal client! Don’t let that discourage you. We can’t possibly be a perfect fit for 100% of the market. Our goal as photographers is not to have the most clients, but to have clients that love our style, connect with us and want us as their photographer no matter what. Quality is way better than quantity! If they do go somewhere else, but then come back to you..welcome them with open arms.

Also, be aware of where you are finding your clients! If you are finding them in the classifieds, from your discounts, mini-sessions or giveaways, they probably aren’t coming back. These are the clients that love a good deal and the best price more than the best quality. Eventually you will raise your prices, become absolutely amazing and never hear from them again. And that is okay! They have found the new best deal in town and you will value yourself.

Kylee Maughan

Kylee Ann Maughan is a family and international brand photographer based in small-town Northern Utah. She has been a business owner for 13.5 years, and also runs a successful and award-winning associate team. Kylee hosts semi-annual retreats, speaks at conferences and teaches online courses about running a small business and marketing. Her niche in coaching is helping moms turn their passion into profit, while being the mom they dream of. 

kyleeannphotography.com/kylee