Don't they think you're cracked?

When you take clients to some of the non-traditional locations - by a dumpster, an old run-down building, a laudromat for example (a few I've seen here recently) - how do you handle any hesitancy from the clients or if you can sense that they're a bit skeptical?

Do you just tell them to trust you? Do you discuss with them beforehand that that's part of your style? How do you put them at ease with it? How bossy do you get?


I guess this isn't a question specifically for wedding photographers, but I figure you all must have this experience a lot since many people wouldn't think those types of settings are conducive to wedding/bridal photos.

Thanks!

I usually discuss this sort of thing with my client before hand. And ask them if they want a more traditional park setting or something a little different. If they say park, I say fine and just go with that. But if they want something different, I get excited with the possibilities.

Never take them to the dump without them knowing first! You gotta go where THEY want to go. Some couples want your suggestions, so you can feel them out and make those suggestions. They'll let you know if they're game or not. But certainly don't take them to a weird place without them knowing and agreeing on first!

I go until they tell me to stop...respectfully of course. I'll usually ask "how adventurous are you feeling?" or something similar. Usually I'll take a few standard poses in the garden or at the gazebo or whatever location is standard to the venue, and tell the clients "we're getting these poses for Grandma, we'll get to the fun ones in a minute".

I think it's mostly expectation setting. I try to present my most adventurous work on my website and my blog - I want to get couples that want to do something a little different. I bring it up again at the initial consult, and my sample albums feature the more fun stuff and not much of the posed "line ups" that I still have to do. At that point I've done my part to let the couple know what I am all about, and they are booking me based on that.

The 2nd part is your confidence and enthusiasm. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and if you are excited about a location, and the client sees your excitement, than they will catch it too. Also you have to be confident in front of the clients. None of this "[mousy voice]Well...maybe we could try behind the dumpster. It might be a little different. what do you guys think?[/mousy voice]" It's more like "This gazebo is pretty, but back behind the dumpster it's bad a$$. We're going to head back there next for some really cool shots". You gotta sell the "cool".


Oh yeah, and then you have to deliver on the promise...


And then people will start to talk about their "dumpster photo session"...it will be a fun story from their wedding day. Then their friends who are getting married will hear the story and see the photos and contact you to be their wedding photographer. And they'll expect to be taken out back for the dumpster shots...

[QUOTE=jamiewexler;409​4852]
You gotta sell the "cool".

[QUOTE]

In a photo vest too!

very true. Some of my favorite shots last year were in creek, under a bridge...in the ghetto...seriously. I'd make the "men" go down first, sometimes there were people under there. ..... he he. and once, we found a hobo on an abandoned train.

obviously, the safety of my clients doesnt enter my thoughts JUST kidding....

Never had that issue. I've taken clients into abandoned buildings and they loved it!

Grace wrote in post #4094891

jamiewexler wrote in post #4094852
You gotta sell the "cool".

In a photo vest too!...

Danged straight. I make that vest look goooooood !

Must be nice to live in areas where you guys can take clients into alleys, ghettos, abandoned buildings, and other rundown areas and not get mugged or killed. Not in this city, unfortunately... not this guy anyway. My clients wouldn't like it if I carried a gun on their shoot, but packing heat is the ONLY way I venture into areas like that even if I have 2 other people with me.

Thanks for the responses. I have some ideas for interesting places around town, and I've suggested a couple locations twice, and they've been quickly nixed. But I'm pretty sure I've been using my mousy voice and saying we could try something different and it might be interesting...

I'm going to try to "sell the cool" from now on and work on my confident-voice pitch. But not push the people who just want the park. Thanks guys!

SBCmetroguy wrote in post #4096460
Must be nice to live in areas where you guys can take clients into alleys, ghettos, abandoned buildings, and other rundown areas and not get mugged or killed. Not in this city, unfortunately... not this guy anyway. My clients wouldn't like it if I carried a gun on their shoot, but packing heat is the ONLY way I venture into areas like that even if I have 2 other people with me.

God Bless CANADA!

PixelChick78 wrote in post #4096871
God Bless CANADA!

Amen to that!

Amanda, there is a cool spot at a pipe line/watermain lot (or something)
I will post a pic so you can see. One of the coolest spots I have ever seen...*finding photo*

I'm not a wedding photographer, I'm a bride-to-be!

But that's why I chose my photog - because her blog had pics of couples in out-of-the-ordinary locations.

So thanks to all of you for thinking outside the square. People like me appreciate it!

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Denise, that's really cool. I don't think I know where that is. KW? I haven't done any sessions in the city, but I'm hoping to get into that area soon--probably do a couple of ads in early 2008, then I'll be out scouting locations. I think that place would be a lot of fun for family/kids stuff too.