Who Is Your Business About?

My business is for my clients. It seems like a wildly obvious declaration, doesn’t it? Well, I am not convinced it is. I don’t think that owning a business means truly serving your clients. I believe we can get so caught up in getting the next client that we aren’t paying attention to the incredible ones we already have. In the stress and busyness of business, we can forget why we began our careers—wanting to offer something beautiful and valuable that only we can provide.

Everything I do in my photography business is about what I give to my clients. It begins with the first phone call: finding out exactly what they want in their business, author, office lifestyle, or family portrait; coaching them during the shoot to reveal their very best selves; and helping them select and utilize their new photographs to elevate and represent their business.

My goal is to always create a space where my clients feel taken care of, heard, and seen. I want every single one of them to walk away with one of the most fulfilling and fun experiences they can have, knowing they have invested their hard-earned money well and that the results will be impactful. 

I have a friend who owns a restaurant in San Francisco, Pazzia Restaurant Pizzaria, and I swear to you that every person who walks in that place is greeted like a dear friend with a huge smile and/or a hug. While I know they go for the incredible food, I also know they go because of how Massimo, the owner, makes them feel. This is a variety of connections and customer focus that is so endearing and valuable! I also see this gratitude and love for clients in the amazing Canadian photographer @NatCaronPhoto, and it’s one of the reasons I adore her and her gorgeous work. She is always boasting about her clients, not the photography, and it’s genuine, not simply a gimmick. 

So in this hurried time of posting, rushing, and hustling to get the next gig, check in with this question: “Who is my business about?” I guarantee that if you make it more about who you are serving, what you receive back will be rewarding and substantial.