If somebody stumbled upon your website and sent you an e-mail...

[photoguy6405]

If somebody stumbled upon your website and sent you an e-mail praising your work... no intention of using your service, or anything... just saying they liked your work, what would you do?

Ignore them?

Respond and thank them?

Just curious. I do this from time to time and almost never get a response at all. Now, if their product is something I could buy, i.e. a landscape photo, etc... eh, I could understand just blowing it off, though I always respond with at least a 'thank you' when somebody e-mails me (which has happened a couple times).

A couple times I have e-mailed wedding photogs that lived hundreds of miles away or more and let them know that we were too far apart for me to use their services, but that I liked their work.

[TheBurningCrown]

Respond and thank them?
This.

If someone sends me a genuine email saying how much they like my work even if they don't want to buy any at the present time, it is good PR to respond back with a note of gratitude.

You may end up earning a customer down the line; that, and it won't hurt your reputation.

[Chairman7w]

Yep - good manners dictates that I say, "Thanks!"

[FlyingPhotog]

Just the other day I received a very nice note from a pilot who flies this C140 (http://JCBeckman.zenfolio.com/p905999403/e3bd27eef) into a local Breakfast Fly In each month.

I didn't hesitate to write back thanking him for the comments and I also provided a couple "desktop" res files of his plane.

[RachelC1184]

I would respond and thank them, especially since you have no idea, they might have friends/family/they themselves might be moving to that area. It's good practice to be polite, word of mouth is the best advertisement.

[WaltA]

Be careful when responding to emails from unknown sources.

I got an email last month that said "Does this photo belong to you?... and had a link to a website.

I didn't fall for it but went to an old notebook I have just for testing software development and the link installed spyware on the notebook.

Just a word of caution

[turbo212003]

Got an email from a bride, her date was booked but said she liked my work.


I was going to reply back, didn't leave an e-mail address.

[Karl Johnston]

I get that all the time, I think it's wicked. Sometimes I write back, though sometimes I don't have time and resolve to do it later.

I like to resolve because I want to have the time to spend on that person, individually, as I'm sure I would want a photog I looked up to do to me. Not get personal or empathetic but actually be -interested- in what they're talking about and write back.

I have about 5 from the start of January to catch up on, and I'm not sure when that will be. The last thing I would want to do is reserve the time, though, I would rather anything I did come from the heart rather than be a part of "the job"

If that makes sense.

[Mark_Cohran]

I try to answer all of them. Fortunately, I don't get many so it's pretty easy. :)

[elfy]

Yeah, I would generally reply. If someone has taken the time to, not only check out my photos, but send me an email telling me how much they liked them, then the least I can do is email back, whether they were going to buy anything or not.

[dustyporch]

I always reply to emails like that. It only takes a few seconds, and everyone likes to be acknowledged....

[TeeJay]

Got an email from a bride, her date was booked but said she liked my work.

I was going to reply back, didn't leave an e-mail address.

Couldn't you have just clicked "Reply"? ;-)

TJ

[Karl Johnston]

Couldn't you have just clicked "Reply"? ;-)

TJ
:lol:

[nphsbuckeye]

I'd probably kiss that person's rear end. You never know as a businessman when that could help.

[TattooedAffliction]

If somebody is taking time out of their day to look at my photos and send me an email praising my work, you can be damn sure I'm going to send them and email of thanks back, and maybe even strike up a short conversation about what they like most about them.

Myself and I'm sure everybody on this site puts our hearts and souls into what we do, and it always makes us feel good when someone appreciates all the hard work and long hours we put into it.

This is something that has always bothered me. Not necessarily with photographers persay, but I'll use celebrities as an example. Many of them once they get famous, they turn their back on their fans and forget where they came from and how they got there.

I don't care how famous or popular you are, you should always take time to thank the people that appreciate what you do and helped get you there.

[neilwood32]

I would definately respond if someone was kind enough to comment on my work.

[timnosenzo]

Yup, I'd definitely respond to say thanks!

[Annie Social]

If somebody stumbled upon your website and sent you an e-mail praising your work... no intention of using your service, or anything... just saying they liked your work, what would you do?

I would put up my guard, thinking it might be an attempt at a ripoff, but I would remain polite and thank them for the compliment. Then, if nothing happened, I would probably forget the whole affair.

If it turned out it was an attempted ripoff, I would do everything possible to cut them off at the knees... or higher.

[LBI]

I would definitely reply with a thank you note. What harm can it do?

[Bumgardnern]

I always send a thank you message. It only takes a few seconds out of my day and it provides some good pr.

[yogestee]

I agree.. A short email of thanks goes a long way..