How to Navigate “Difficult” Clients

Jun 13, 2022

 

We have all experienced it, a client who is simply impossible, or at the very least, difficult to pose. 

What if I told you that you can turn every client into the dream client?!

Well, you can. You can learn how to navigate "difficult clients" and support them in becoming your dream client while creating work that you love and are proud of! 

As portrait photographers, we are the directors of our images but we are not the sole creators. We work collaboratively with our clients. If we take radical responsibility for our role in our creations and understand the following  things we can turn difficult clients into dream clients. 

Here’s how:

  1. We work collaboratively with our clients
  2. Our clients are not trained models
  3. We must coach and direct our sessions for our clients and our desired outcomes
  4. Posing guides and prompts will not get you there
  5. You can learn how to coach your clients with precision and intention

Let’s break it down even further:

We work collaboratively with our clients

 

Our art form is a collective creation. I know, many of us don't think of it that way, but it truly is. 

We have to work WITH our subjects to capture the gorgeous and wondrous things inside of them that they want to explore and we want to document for them.

Without them we create nothing, without us, well you get the idea...

The problem that arises with this scenario is that our clients often have no idea how to express their inner worlds physically which leads us to the next point…

Our clients are not trained models

 

Our clients are consumers, untrained, unsure, and generally nervous to be in front of a camera. They are not trained models who are versed in the visual art of modeling. 

You see models are not just hired and paid because of their looks, the most well known and sought-after models are/were those who could emote and tell beautiful stories visually.

We must coach and direct our sessions for our clients and our desired outcomes

 

Once again, our clients are not trained models. They come in for their sessions not knowing what to do. 

As their photographer, we should be directing the collaborative creation of their session.  

You are here today because you want to learn how to navigate the "difficult clients". You want to create images that are breathtaking, provide your client with an amazing product, service, and have pride in your work. 

In order to do this intentionally and with precision you must coach and direct your clients. 

Posing guides and prompts will not get you there

 

You have a posing guide or several, you have pinboards, inspiration images, and you likely use prompts, yet you are still here!

All of the posing guides, inspiration images and prompts oftentimes overwhelm us and mute the creativity and authenticity of our client's stories.

I am not saying that knowing and understanding basic posing is not a foundation that is necessary I am simply saying that solely relying on these aides will not get you the desired results you are likely looking for in every session.

You can learn how to coach your clients with precision and intention 

 

If you want to turn every client into a dream client, if you are yearning to feel confident and assured when working with your clients to tell beautiful and authentic stories then you are in the right place.

Learning how to coach and direct for gorgeous emotive states through understanding body language and coaching and directing your clients with precision and intention is not only possible but has been accomplished by hundreds of my students and your peers within the industry, many of whom are now industry leaders!

When you learn how to coach your client with precision and intention, you can take your work to the next level!

If you are ready to take your work to the next level check out my free Photographers Guide: How To Take Your Work To The Next Level by visiting dbirdsong.com/photographersguide

THE LATEST POSTS

Gina Collins Stripped Down Transformation

A Student's Journey Through Vulnerability

How to Navigate “Difficult” Clients