Casey Templeton Photography

If you happen to be one of the 21 people that read my blog, I apologize for my lack of blogging. I feel a responsibility to explain why I do not blog as often as I should.

My Niche

I think any successful photographer should find a niche. I’ve had the great opportunity the past few years to work with some of the largest corporations in the world and I am forever grateful. The work I’m doing though, is not for their advertisement campaigns, not what you see on their billboards or in magazine ads. My niche has been working on image libraries for these companies that are used in a wide variety of ways.  I am being asked to come alongside these companies and tell their stories. What an honor.  What this means is the majority of the work I’m doing has be kept off my website and off my blog (although I ALWAYS keep copyright of my images and videos).

Not a Gear Junkie

I use only the equipment I need to use to provide the best possible outcome for my clients.  I do not pay much attention to the latest gadgets and gear so I find I don’t talk about it much here like good bloggers should.

Not Enough Hours in the Day

I have been on the road 7 of the past 9 weeks. The weeks I am in town, I want/need to tend to my local clients.  Today is my first day in the office in nearly 2 months with nothing on my calendar.  All I want to do is go home and play with my daughter but I’m forcing myself to update the ol’ bloggy blog.  Some of the best photographers in the industry are also some of the best bloggers, I commend them for that, but I simply do not know how they do it.

New Ventures

I’m honored to be surrounded by extremely talented creatives and we have been able to join forces on a wide range of projects around the world in still, motion, editing and design. Stay tuned.

I am always on the lookout for new clients, however, I put just as much effort into keeping my existing clients happy. In the commercial/advertising industry, a photographer out of site is most certainly a photographer out of mind.  So here are a few things I do to foster my existing client relationships and keep my name at the top of the list for upcoming projects.

• Under promise, over deliver.
• Be quick to deliver the work and make the process of your clients obtaining your files quick and easy (see “Utilizing your FTP“).
• Handwritten thank you notes for all jobs, small or large.
• Be responsive and accessible – answer emails and phone calls quickly.
• If you haven’t heard from a client in a while, send a note, email or quick call.  Don’t say “What gives!? Why aren’t we working together?” Just check in.
• Before submitting an estimate, be considerate of their budget if they have one. You don’t want to lose a client because you assumed the job was much bigger than it is and you submit an estimate that is twice the size of their budget.  This could send a client walking.  It never hurts to ask what their budget is.
• Never drag your feet on providing an estimate and with a returning client, try to be more flexible with your prices than a first time client.
• Be consistent with your estimates and do your best to consistently complete a project under budget.
• Keep good record of receipts to provide an all encompassing invoice.
• Always remember you are representing your client when on a job.  Show up more dressed up than you think you need to be.  Stay calm, cool and collected.
• Don’t friend a client on Facebook, let them friend you.
• Find your client’s personal comfort level of talking about business and personal issues and don’t cross it.

Your goal is to have your clients come to you and single bid the jobs.  But know the moment you get a new client is the moment you start losing them (Mad Men, I think).

p.s. It may be a bad idea to submit your clients emails to http://clientsfromhell.net/