It's all about the client

Unless you are portfolio building and doing TFP work, keep your client at the forefront. This is Rosalyn. Yesterday was her third time back to my studio. This third time was a charm because I finally get it! Ros is over the top in her style. Instead of reaching for makeup wipes and wanting a clean slate, I let Ros be Ros. (just to clarify I've never had her change her makeup or look but inside I cringed each time she came in looking like the rainbow and wearing a bunch of large jewelry.) Yesterday, I looked at the application rather than the color choices. I was able to compliment her on the artistry of her eyeshadow, but teased her about her constant purple teeth that I had to keep an eye on. When we got down to the top 12 images, she decided that 5 or 6 would be a number she could handle. Dropping down to the top 8 was painful for her. The top 7 about did her in and she told me to charge her card quickly before she realized what she did. The old me who was scrambling for business and all about the sale would have been excited at 7. Yesterday, I told her no. There would be no overextending herself on my watch to which she thanked me as we dropped off 1 more photo. Will she be receiving 7 or 8 images for the price of 6? You betcha. Merry Christmas, Rosalyn! #bestjobever

26 Comments

Exactly this! It's all about the human - not your portfolio, not your wallet, not your ego. Thanks you so much for sharing! Awesome shot BTW - love the hair!

There's a time and place for it to be about your portfolio for sure during TFP, but not on the client's dime. However, I typically do ask them to remove their jewelry and such for some photos as well, but not with Ros. She wouldn't walk out to the mailbox without being decked out so for her to go jewelry naked makes no sense. I did have her remove her necklace for a few shots, which she did buy 2 without the necklace, but she had on a white jacket over the dress so the jacket added a layer of busyness which satisfied her. Every time is like Christmas morning with Ros. The first time she had long hair, the second was more of an 80's style and now this! By far her best look to date :)

Absolutely. Rules for TFP are different.

Very cool shot and I love the way you do business!

Thanks, Steve! It's better to give than receive right?

great story Kim. I never regret making deposits in the Karma Bank.

Thanks for the reminder Kim!, Really, thanks.

Great story! As I work to up my game, it's a great reminder to keep the human being front and foremost. Thanks so much...

Great shot and story Kim - a great reminder that trying to squeeze every last nickel from every deal is not the way to success, nor happiness. Feeling good about what you've done is priceless!

Very true, Barry. Also, as Tony talks about in TNT, the high pressure sales isn't necessary. It's all about the client experience. Taking time to listen to them, understand where they are coming from and meeting their needs will garner you the highest results. Her husband passed away 2 weeks before her first session with me. I hold her heart tenderly and in doing so, I'm never going to milk her wallet for more than she's comfortable spending.

Great story, Kim! And another cool part of this is that you may have gained a new friend. Sounds like a cool lady!

Good move, Kim, on giving her 1 or 2 extra images. She is a repeat client and will probably be back again. You are focused on her and taking good care of her. It shows in her photo.

And I'm sure she'll tell lots of people to go to Kim for their headshot.

Love the shot, and the moral of the story, Kim. Thanks for sharing.

Love this.. it shows that you do not live in the scarcity mindset world. Way to go Kim.

Thanks, Steven! On a side note, she didn't notice the extra images, lol. I didn't do it for recognition though so I'm not going to point out the freebies. :)

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