Only 2.5 more weeks till my due date!   My photo sessions have majorly slowed down, which only makes sense because so has my ability to walk across the room haha.    So I nested all weekend and I started thinking about what to blog while I’m not blogging actual sessions.    I could talk about my pregnancy, but honestly, so far I have had nothing crazy to share….. she is wiggling around like crazy trying break out (I hope) hehe.   I have back pain here and there, but overall I’m really blessed, and smooth sailing so far.   Who wants to read about my easy pregnancy?   Probably about as much as I want to read about all the women who have babies and only gain a few lbs, or the women that can do crossfit the whole time…. yes that’s me being bitter because my body has no interest in working out pregnant other than flapping my arms in the pool at the rec center.

Ok so what I really wanted to write about today is the dreaded topic of shooting family and friends.   I hear so many photographers say they refuse to do it, and that it is a bad idea.    I’m here to represent the other side of that coin.   I’m coming up on my first full year in business so I’ll probably be doing a lot of reflecting, and I must say that I loved shooting family and friends and I DID make it work.

The first and very big reason I was able to make it work is that this first year has not been about the money, this first year was me, really proving myself that I CAN do this.   My family and friends have been a major part in my journey of success thus far.   With out them, there would be so many clients that never saw my work or heard about me.    I’m going to knock on wood, but I have yet to be burned or hurt by a family or friend not paying me or saying thank you.     I guess I choose my peeps wisely 🙂

The next reason I have been able to continue to shoot family and friends successfully is because I treat them like any other client.   I’m not dropping plans with my husband to run out the door and shoot a family session for a friend. I put them in my books like anyone else, their turn around time is the same as any other client.   If anything, it has helped my business the first year because I’m constantly booked, which keeps clients coming.    Word of mouth is an amazing thing!      So what if it is my pal doing the referring, at least they can speak from experience.

The last reason that I think I have been able to successfully incorporate family and friends into my client base is that I have always let them come to me.  I’m not dropping ads in their mailbox, or saying hey you should book me for your event coming up.   If I offer to take pics out of the blue, it’s because I truly want to practice, and its free of charge.   Don’t get me wrong, I have a few friends who I blabber to about my business non stop, but let’s be honest, Lindsay is half of my portfolio, she knows her payment is listening to me non stop 🙂   There are exceptions to everything.    I’m just trying to say that if both parties are equally invested, and not obligated, then in my experience it works out just fine.

So what happens as my business grows?   I truly hope that I can continue to offer my family and friends a discounted rate and keep the balance as good as it has been this first year.   If I’m booked I’m booked, but I truly see so much value in having a good business and never forgetting the people who helped me get started.   It does not feel right to raise prices for these people when they trusted me before I had much of a portfolio at all.    I would never be where I am today with out them!

Yes I need to make money, and there are bills to pay, especially with little baby Henson coming.   But at the end of the day being a good business person is what keeps clients coming.  It is not just pretty pictures of strangers; but pretty pictures of people I love who have supported me and my dream, and I’m forever grateful to them!

Here are a few awesome examples and Thank You’s that I would like to say:

Connie and Chris’s 10 year anniversary session.  These two are amazing friends of mine!   Their session brought in over 5 inquiries from new clients, and over 30 new likes on my page.   AMAZING!!!

The Davis Family also trusted me back when I was donation’s only.   I have now done their pictures three times in the past year, and they have referred me to  at least three client bookings at full price.

Beth’s session brought ton’s of new fans and inquiries!

That is just a few examples of so many in my first year.  So my little piece of advise for a first year photog is that even if every session does not fill your wallet it will still “pay” your business.     Just remember to choose your friend-clients wisely, treat them like all your other clients, and LOVE WHAT YOU DO!    Don’t ever force yourself to book someone because their your friend or you are leaving the door open for resentment.  Book them when you have time, and book them because you love taking pictures, and you trust the relationship will be mutual.

I realize my results are not typical and thats why I’m so incredibly grateful to all of my friend-clients!