How to create an effortless teen photo experience can be a huge struggle for photographers, or so I’ve heard;) Do you have clients like this? The ones who say…

I’d never cheat on you Paige! Your photos are always the best”

-Morgan R.

Long story short…Morgan needed dance headshots. She had the option of going to another photographer for free but opted out. I asked Morgan why, she smiled and said:

For obvious reasons! I wanted the best.

Becoming the obvious choice is not a one and done. Are you the obvious choice for your clients? At all ages?

---

How to become “uncheatable” i.e. the “obvious choice”

Growing with your clients takes time. There are 3 skills that I lean into and hold dear to my heart whenever I’m working with my clients, because I CARE. A LOT!

1. Building a relationship that in turn creates trust, open communication and collaboration.
2. Creating a memorable experience that is special, so special that they want to relive it time and time again.
3. Delivering products and images that are consistent in quality and evoke feelings.

This doesn’t happen in “just a quick shot”. It’s built over time and I absolutely TREASURE my clients, some of whom I’ve had for the entire 15 years that I’ve been in business. Morgan has been with me for 4 years, photographed multiple times.

---

Where I began with my clients

I started as a children’s and family photographer 15 years ago. Which is a little mind boggling for me to even think about! After 5 years I stumbled upon the teen/senior portrait niche. Or, maybe it found me. I was all in and almost 10 years later the teen niche that didn’t exist in my area is now a “thing”. I’m also very happy to say that my family clients have grown with me. I’m now growing with my teen clients into their 20’s.

---

Are you a family photographer growing with your clients?

I’ve seen so many family photographers very happy photographing little ones up until about the age of 8 or 9. Then what happens is they start “aging out” of the family portrait stage and it becomes far too challenging for mom to wrangle the family.

Does that mean moms don’t want beautiful images of their kids? NO!

Are you offering opportunities for your clients to have their tweens and teens photographed? Be honest!

---

I’ve heard all the excuses

• Teens are awkward, they don’t like being in front of the camera.
• I don’t know what teens want.
• Moms don’t want to deal with having their teens photographed.
• Teens scare me a little bit!
  ⁠

---

Here are the facts

FACT 1: All of the above is so effortlessly addressed when you create a teen photo experience. Watching children grow up in front of my camera over the tween and then teen years has been the most gratifying work I have ever done. Hands down!

FACT 2: Retaining your family clients over the years is far easier than looking for new ones. There is tons of research to back that up.

FACT 3: Creating opportunities for your clients to have your beautiful images of their children through every stage of their lives is one of the best things you could ever do for them.

---