While a sensitive question for some, it is an important question nonetheless.
After some casual conversation with my prospective client, getting down to business means knowing what their expectations are. Having a clear understanding of their budget will ensure I deliver on those expectations. It also gives me a framework to what is needed come the day.
This insight allows me to inform my client of what you can reasonably deliver. Knowing the budget, even one that’s severely limiting, allows me to educate my client on what is possible and what isn’t.
In today’s age of digital photography and smartphone photography “professionals”, communicating rates and budget ensures everyone’s expectations are managed.

As a photographer, part of my job is interpreting what my client really wants. Asking this question before shooting ensures I understand why they choose me as a photographer against someone else. I need to know exactly why they chose me.
Perhaps it’s the lighting my used or the color scheme me chose. It could even be the perspectives that my shots were taken in or the concept and feel of my photography style. Asking this question allows me to get in the mind of my client. This ensures the end product perfectly interprets what they want out of the experience.
This is why it’s important to have a portfolio my prospective clients can pour over. My clients can point out certain aspects of your images that they want to recreate in their experience.

 

If my prospective client has seen my photos, then this will be an easy question to answer. Most prospective clients will respond with an image in my portfolio that has struck a chord with them. Clients who are familiar with my style of photography and are happy with it encourages good chemistry between both parties.
This question also helps me understand the endgame of my client. Answering this question will tell you a lot about the right services my client will require. It will also inform me about client expectations such as time frame, image format delivery, must-have photography moments, and poses.

Photography is more than just capturing subjects in specific poses set against specific backdrops. It serves as a witness to important events in our lives. From birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and everything in between, photographs are passports to the special moments in our lives.
Knowing why this certain window of time is special to my client allows you to go the extra mile when delivering a memorable experience. The images I shoot during this special time in their lives will serve as a wondrous reminder when they peruse through them months and years after the shoot. Knowing why this is a crucial time for them allows me to produce a better end product.

Understanding the desired experience is one thing. But it’s a whole different ballgame when it comes down to session attendees. It could be a family of four,or maybe it’s an engagement shoot, or even an expecting couple.
There are challenges to every shoot and knowing ahead of time who will be attending is paramount to creating an experience that’s pleasant for everyone involved. This will determine the potential locations or backdrops to prepare for. This also allows me to decide on what time of day is best to shoot your clients.