Hey hey, photographers! Let’s talk about something that can make or break your senior sessions – pre-session communication AKA client experience. This is the secret sauce to getting natural, confident, and joyful images. The more prepared your clients feel, the smoother the session goes (and the happier everyone is!).

So, what does that look like? It’s all about hand-holding, no surprises, and guiding your clients from start to finish. Here’s my tried-and-true pep talk that I give every senior before we start shooting:

1) “I’m going to guide you 1000% of the way.”

That means no awkward posing panic – I’ll direct you, hype you up, and make sure you look your best. BUT, if at any point I put you in a position that feels weird or uncomfortable, it’ll look weird and uncomfortable. So if something doesn’t feel right, adjust and move naturally!

2) “I love hands!”

Every photographer has their thing – for me, it’s hands! I’ll give you a few tricks to make your hands look natural and elegant instead of stiff or awkward. Soft fingers, relaxed wrists, and intentional movement = magic.

3) “Uneven is my favorite!”

Symmetry can be boring in portraits. I’ll show you how to create interesting angles with your arms, legs, and body – think triangles and dynamic posing. This makes images feel more natural and high-fashion. (Bonus: This usually gets my seniors laughing when I dramatically demo a pose!)

This little pep talk gets my clients out of their heads and into the fun of the shoot. And guess what? When clients feel taken care of and relaxed, they trust you more, which leads to better images and glowing reviews.

Pro Tip: Take a look at your pre-session process. Are you prepping your clients enough? Do they know what to expect before they arrive? Consider adding a fun, confidence-boosting pep talk like this to your workflow and watch the magic happen!

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Creating an Unforgettable Client Experience | Senior Photographer Education | Illinois Senior Photographer | Chicago Senior Photography