Today, I’m sharing with you my tips for a smoother session!

Do you ever feel like you struggle with posing or prompting your clients? Or feeling like you’re really making a genuine connection with them? Do you often struggle walking away from your session feeling like you did a phenomenal job? If so, this is for you, because we are talking all about tips for a smoother session.  

I seem to get a lot of DM’s and a lot of questions, especially from the students inside of the From Broke to Booked blueprints, all about how when they get to a session, they feel like they freeze up, or they feel like their clients are running the show. And they’re kind of falling in the back feeling insecure about the whole situation.

Here is how to ensure a smooth session where you remain in control

Step one – Prep your clients as much as possible before their session date ever arrives.

The more prepared that your clients feel, the better the entire process is going to go. The biggest mistake you can make is not having a conversation with your client until shoot day. I really want you to think of your photography, your business, your relationships with your clients as an experience. How can you not just be an appointment for someone? How can you really give them the best experience they’re ever going to have? Here is how you are going to prep your clients:

• Ask yourself, what are three questions my client has before their session ever happens? After you have thought of this, I want you to write them down. This is going to help you stay ahead of the game and be able to have those conversations and relieve that as shoot day gets closer.

Step two– Communicate with your clients and set expectations before you turn on your camera.

So again, the communication happens all the way back to when they inquired to work with you. Once they inquire with you the conversation has begun. That conversation should continue through every step of the process. I want you to be talking with them at least every other week up until the session. It doesn’t have to be long – just little check ins. This way your client knows you’re invested just like they are.

Step Three– Posing and prompting your clients during the shoot.

Now it’s time for the shoot! Posing and prompting your clients is SO important. Before that even starts I like to get them in a good mood, and feeling comfortable and confident. I always park a little bit further than where I’m shooting so that I have time to converse with my client as we are walking towards where we are going to shoot. I start with things like, “How are you guys?” “You look fantastic.” “I love your little one’s shoes.” You want to build your client up.

When it comes to posing, I like to get the traditional “Christmas Card” picture out of the way. If you give the directions, your clients will feel more confident that you know what you are doing. It takes a lot of practice. It really does. So I want you guys to know like a lot of this has to do with getting comfortable and practicing. There are so many ways you can prompt your clients. There is no right way, there is no wrong way, it is what works best for you and your style and for the people that you’re photographing.

• My number one tip when you are photographing your clients is never lose control. Always be in control. You don’t have to know the answer to everything, you don’t have to be super rigid. You don’t have to even pose your clients every shot. Focus more on the connection more on the personality than trying to nail poses that you saw on Instagram or Pinterest, and really just stay connected with who you’re shooting.

I hope these tips help you ensure a smoother session!

Now that your wheels are spinning about the improvements you could make in your sessions, come join the #1 community for photographers, Book More Photography Clients, Branding, Marketing + Client Experience.

Want a more in depth look at these tips for a smoother session? Tune into the Book More Clients Photography Podcast.