Do's & Don't's // The Proper Etiquette For Interacting With Your Photographer As A Current Or Potential Client

I don't like to reinvent the wheel if I don't have to, so when I came along this thread on Instagram that had AMAZING advice for clients, I immediately reached out to the photographer to ask if I could share her tips with my own audience! This is true community over competition right here, folks!!! If you've ever wondered how what you do or don't do affects the photographer you're working with, wonder no more!

These tips are all from Stephanie Hardwick Photography and I am very thankful to her for allowing me to share them here! Let's jump in.

Receiving Your Images
DO: Tell your photographer what you like about the photos and the experience! We genuinely care about how you look back on your speicail moments and want to make sure you're ahppy with your final product. Remember, when you show support for or buy something from a small business owner, a real perosn does a little happy dance! (or happy cries tbh).
DON'T: Just reply, "thanks!", or even worse - not at all.

Searching For A Photographer
DO: If you have a specific budget, say, "I'm looking for a photographer who charges under $$$. In terms of editing style, I prefer [    }. I would love someone experienced in [    }, and who carries themself in this certain way." (professional, relaxed, energetic, whatever!)
DON'T: Ask for a photographer that "doesn't charge an arm and a leg." Photographers outside your individual budget are not trying to take advantage of you! They're likely better, more experienced, and they have invested more into education & high-quality equipment, and their packages might include more.

Sharing Your Images
DO: Tag your photographer in any posts you make of their images! Giving credit is not only polite, it is extremely important to photographers, as it can lead to more bookings in the future. Plus, it makes us smile! *note from Sarah - we love seeing that you love your images when you use and share them!*
DON'T:  (and this is a big one EDIT THE IMAGES IN ANY WAY. Your photographer spends hours upon hours making their edits perfect. To see you put a filter on them or alter the coloring is insulting and a violation of copyright; most photographers will even fine you for it! You wouldn't buy a painting from someone, then paint a sunflower on it yourself because it needed to match your aesthetic better. Photography is art and should be respected!

Turnaround Time
DO: Reassure your photographer you're excited to see the photos, but even if it takes longer than estimated, it's worth the wait! This is my favorite thing I hear from clients and instantly makes me want to devote more time to them!
DON'T: Send them incessant or rude messages asking when your images are going to be done. Editing takes HOURS, and ever photographer usually has tons of clients they're working with at once, and they're doing their very best! Plus, you don't want your photographer to rush through your photos - after all, high-quality products take time! We want to take great care to make sure they're perfect for you.

Asking For A Price Quote
DO: Before giving a final price, your photographer will probably have you fill out a questionnaire, or ask if you can FaceTime to determine a price/ensure it's a good fit. If you absolutely need to know a price range before you get too attached, you can say, "Hey! That sounds great. her are the answers to those questions. Our budget for photography is $$$, do any of your packages fit within that price range?" Most will try to work with you if it's not too far off their normal rates and they feel like you truly appreciate their work!
DON'T: Just reply with, "what are your rates". Hello. You just ignored every single question and we've instantly figured out that you don't care in the slightest if your photographer is a good fit for you or not. It's a no from us.

Booking Inquiries/DMs
DO: If you've reached out to a photographer for a price quote/availability, be patient when waiting for a reply! Photographers are not super-human and shouldn't be expected to work 24/7. Most photographers have designated "office hours" where they are available to respond to all inquires, and typically have an average response time (like 48-72 hours) listed, so you should not be concerned unless it's been longer than that!
DON'T: Message your photographer on multiple platforms if they don't reply to your message right away. They will reply soon, I promise!

Hiring Someone Else
DO: If you decide not to hire a photographer you've reached out to, say one of the following: "We love your work but that's too far out of our budget. Thank you for your time!" "We have decided to go in a different direction but thank you so much!" "We feel like you may not be the best fit for us, but we appreciate your kind reply!" None of this is insulting. It's more kind and helpful for you to be honest about why you went another route than it is to just bail because you don't want to hurt their feelings.
DON'T: Ghost the photographer with absolutely no acknowledgement.

Sarah here now. Most of this is really just common courtesy and doesn't take much, if any, work on the part of the client. I'm sure Stephanie would agree with me that as photographers, we are blessed to work with amazing people all the time and most clients are wonderful but this is just a little bit of education because there are exceptions :)

You can connect with Stephanie through her social media accounts!
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