Why I do 'Ordering Appointments' instead of 'Online Galleries' after your photograph
To be clear if you haven't ever had a professional portrait session done, after your photos have been taken I set up an appointment with you for around 2 weeks later so we can get back together and go through all of your images together and pick out which collection you would like to purchase. A lot of photographers out there will take your photos and then never see you again. You are sent an email to an online gallery where you choose your own photos and send back an email to place the order. While this may be more appealing to some people I prefer a more personal touch and love getting to know my clients and building a relationship with them rather than just the 'be on your way now' feel. I will explain more in this blog <3
A while back, Evren's Mummy was the epitome of WHY I do ‘Ordering Appointments’ instead of online galleries when choosing your images to purchase. Watching this new Mummy giggle as she seen her newborns crazy and cute little awake shots, hearing the sighs when he was cuddling his little teddy and experiencing the tears and emotion of seeing her family's first official photo together now that they have become parents...
I get to create these images and to see my clients fall in love with them is so rewarding. Then I sat with Sabrina while helping her make the often very difficult decision on which images to choose. I helped her understand why certain images will complement each other if displayed together on her walls, what type of products will best suit her home (framed prints, acrylics blocks, canvas) which images to print and enlarge, I was there with her in the comfort of her own home every step of the way helping her out.
Online galleries are impersonal. I'm not there to answer any of your questions and offer advice and professional opinions, my software isn't there for you to make the culling process easier and selfishly I'm not there to experience you seeing my images of your beautiful family for the first time. That's the best part for me :)
When I came back to deliver Sabrina's order this naughty lady had a beautiful bouquet of flowers waiting for me. She absolutely did not have to do this but my gosh I was floored by her thoughtfulness! That kind of relationship is not built with online galleries, and I am forever grateful to have had a person like Sabrina pass into my life. (I love my job!)
I hope this cleared up a few of the differences between the two ordering options offered by photographers. I'm not saying my way is better or the way it SHOULD be done but it's just the way I've chosen to run my business and I love every minute of this process. Seeing the joy in your faces brings me so much joy. So please, if you're expecting or have already had your baby please get in contact with me. I would love to be a part of yours and your new little person's journey.
Thank you so much Sabrina! You absolutely made my day at your ordering appointment that I HAD to write about it! <3
