How to Handle Difficult Photography Clients Without Losing Your Cool
- Vohny Figueroa
- Apr 30
- 5 min read
Updated: May 7
In my career I have had clients not want to see the images they paid for. “Would you like to peek and make sure you like it?” I ask. Sometimes the answer is simply, “No — I know I’m going to hate it.” That never made sense to me. Why would you hate the way you look? What do I do when a client doesn’t like their photos? I have also experienced clients that want to see every single photo after it’s taken. Did a photographer use the wrong focal length and make your head look like a balloon? The philosophy behind these two mindsets is usually more in depth than my expertise can allow me to speak on. But what I can say is, you may not be the issue. Some clients may just suffer from a lack of enthusiasm and others may just be a little more involved in the process than you’re used to. But don’t worry! I’ll fill you in on how to extract the pollen from your wallflower, and how to charge up your plugged in client. I’ll show you how to deal with difficult clients as a photographer.
The Meh Client: When They Just Don’t Care
At some point in your photography career you will come across clients that really don’t care what their photos look like. They may be on a tight schedule, or they’re only there because their spouse forced them to be there. Whatever the case may be, it is your job to work with the clients to get the best looking photos possible. We are not only responsible for proper lighting and correct exposure, but we are responsible for representing the client in the best possible light, even if they don’t know it. If they don’t care, should you? The answer? Heck yes! You never want to be known as the guy or gal that just clicks the button and seeks payment. I mean we’re all looking to get paid but c’mon! Your job is to protect your work, your brand, and your reputation. If you submit work that you know isn’t your best aren’t you setting a precedent that subpar work is ok? That’s not a road I’d like to walk down. In order to work with the meh client, you really need to put your customer service hat on. Find out why they don’t like their photos. Find out how you can get them interested in what you guys are shooting, and find out which side they prefer to be shot on!
The Plugged In Client: “That’s Not What I Saw On Instagram!”
When I think of someone who is plugged in I think of someone who is watching over my shoulder. They make sure all my I’s are dotted and all my T’s are crossed. While this can come across as really helpful it can also come across a little overbearing. Don’t get me wrong! I enjoy a client who is as invested in the shoot as I am! They paid money for these photos and they want to ensure they come out right. I don’t fault them for that. In my experience, these clients are very tuned in because they really care about the output. The output that they aren’t quite seeing in the raw files… What I like to do from time to time is to get the client’s input on a photo I take before I move on. Clients often ask, ‘Why does it look like that?’ And the answer is simple: it’s not done yet. A lot of people believe that cameras output a photo at the click of a button. Which is true, but it isn’t the whole truth. This is where understanding your gear — and being able to explain it — really pays off. When you shoot in raw form (I do this with my Sony A7C), you essentially tell the camera to not worry about color and only focus on gathering the important information. Now this is an oversimplification of photography. Obviously there is more to it, but I will go more in depth on the topic in the future. The main takeaway here is, educate your client that the photos they see now in real time is not the final photo they will receive. Let them know that some post work is needed to get the photo they are looking for and you are happy to have them share their vision once you both reach that stage.
The Just Right Client: The Ideal Collaboration
Just like Goldilocks and the three bears, sometimes there is a level of client interest that is just right. These clients are the ones that are very easy going, follow your direction very well and might even have some of their own ideas (heck yes!). The key to these clients is to just have fun with the shoot. If everyone is in a good mood and the vibe is great, the photos will come out fantastic and the client might even refer you to their friends! Provide your best customer service and stay on your toes for the best service you can provide. What I like to do with easy fun clients is to toss a few extra photos their way. It makes the client feel special because everyone loves freebies, and it makes them more likely to leave you a positive review, which is critical for your business! Other than that, there’s not much else to discuss on these types of clients. Pretty easy going I’d say!
This article was not meant to call out any client directly or indirectly. Dark Rainbow Photo & Video LLC has had nothing but great interactions with clients and we strive to deliver great customer service. The purpose of this article is to educate photographers on how to manage and interact with clients of all difficulty levels. We want to instruct the next generation of photographers to show the same respect and quality customer service we do. Working with any client is a great way to work on your client communication skills.
At Dark Rainbow Photo & Video, we’re all about capturing moments, telling stories, and sharing insights. Whether you’re looking for gear recommendations, Dallas photography tips, or behind-the-scenes takes, we’ve got you covered. Check out more of our posts on our blog page and explore what Dark Rainbow has to offer! Want to look at our other work? Take a look at our portfolio. Have other burning questions you need answered? Contact us!
Comments