My ideal family client | St. Louis Lifestyle Photographer
One of the benefits of living in a large city like St. Louis is you have your pick of family photographers. Scroll any local mom group and you will see hundreds of photographers available at a range of prices and variety of shooting styles. This means if you do your homework you can find that photographer that will capture your family how you envision!
When I first started, I had no idea what type of photographer I wanted to be. I soon found myself gravitating towards more emotive, light driven photography. Once I started sharing that type of work, I began attracting families that wanted that same thing! Now after being in business a few years, there have definitely been a few things that tend to be similar in most of my families. I have put together a few ways to know if we maybe a good fit for a family session.
1. Location, Location, Location!
Do you realize how beautiful Missouri really is? One thing most of the families who shoot with me want is a beautiful location and they aren’t afraid to go somewhere new for it. This may mean driving an extra 20-40 minutes from home but trust me IT IS WORTH IT!!!!! Location adds so much to the story of your session and really allows everyone the room to run wild and free. Which brings me to my next point……
2. My families want emotive, candid moments vs. perfection.
At the beginning of every session I get the Christmas card photo done, you know the perfectly posed everyone looking at the camera shot? Once that is out of the way, I typically tell parents “You don’t have to look at me unless I tell you to”. I also do a lot of education ahead of time and during the session that kids can be kids with me. We play games, we laugh, we run, and we explore. Families who book with me don’t care if their child is holding a stick that they found during our session or some flowers for mom. They crave capturing this sweet moments along with everything else.
3. They want light filled images
If you know me then you know I love light…all kinds of light. Light is such an important part of the story in my photos. I believe it brings so much more emotion and beauty to what would be ordinary images. Families that book with me, want that light. They keep their babies up past bedtime for it and they drive to far location for it.
4. Love to snuggle!
If you have shot with me then you know I get everyone very, very, very, close! Ha! Even when you think you can’t get closer, I squeeze you closer together. There is nothing I love more than a cuddled up family. I will help you get into all the snuggled up shots and then your only job is to squeeze!
5. Wants a relaxed, fun photography experience
I pride myself on providing an amazing client experience from start to finish! I want everything to be easy for a family from booking their session, shooting the session, to getting their photos. Families who typically book with me want a relaxed experience. When I shoot a new client, they usually leave our session surprised how easy and fun it was! My families know they won’t be spending the time yelling at their kids to sit still and smile. They will be smiling because they are actually happy. My ideal family expects to be laughing and truly enjoying themselves during our outdoor family session. They can relax knowing I will guide them the whole time but also give them the room to just be. They trust that I am capturing all the details and family love they expect from a session with me.
If you’re a relaxed family craving more emotion and beauty in your photos, let’s chat! I’d love to see if we are a good fit.
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