How to show clients the finished product

<p>Where, when and how do you let your customer view your finished images? Do you have them view it in your presence, or do you send them a link? Do you print proofs? If you do not view them together, how do you ask for feedback? </p>

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<p>I don't think I'd see the point in viewing the final set together, because what I think of the images isn't really important, it's just what matters to them - so they should be able to relax and view over them in there own time, own comfort. Just my opinion.</p>

<p>In my experience, it is extremely important to view the images with the client.<br>

Remember that you're not providing a commodity, you're providing a custom personal service, somewhat like a custom interior decorator, a high-end tailor, or a high-end hair stylist. Would either merely show you pictures in a book, or wouldn't they describe to you <strong>why</strong> one color or style is better for <strong>your</strong> particular circumstances? That's why you go to a professional for a custom personal service.<br>

When I have a preview session with a client, I do tell them which images I particular love, and relive with them the moments they were taken. I'm always excited when I take the pictures, and I bring that excitement to the preview session. I encourage them to express their own opinions, whether in agreement or disagreement, because either way it helps them make their own decisions...and indecision is the killer of more sales than any other factor.<br>

I do go to my clients' homes for the preview session. If she has a home theater with a large-screen television, I'll show there. If not, I'll use my laptop and a projector. In the past, I've used a standard LCD projector, but in the last year I've been using a tiny pico-projector. The pico-project image quality isn't very good, but I can walk through the house with the client and show her instantly how any particular image would look full-size over the sofa or in the hallway, et cetera. And I <strong>will</strong> say, "Doesn't that look fantastic?"<br>

I always produce a slideshow of the images set to (royalty free) music as the initial preview before we start reviewing and discussing individual images. After we've made the sales decisions, I'll leave the slideshow with her.</p>

<p>Both responses are so opposite. Kirk, my current "business" model, is not driven by print sales, at least it is not so far. I am well aware that indecision can be paralyzing for many brides, and therefore they need some help. But my wedding package is "telling the story of their wedding", from A to Z. My fear is that being with the B&G at the reveal, would force them into singing your praises, or, if they stink, having to fake it. (I am pretty sure they don't stink, but...).<br>

I would like to put them on a public galery (if they don't mind), since all my images are edited. That would be like having more portfolio material...</p>

Proofs and in a proof album. People like to touch and feel the proofs. Don't like to use them in a digital format.

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<p>I am well aware that indecision can be paralyzing for many brides, and therefore they need some help. But my wedding package is "telling the story of their wedding", from A to Z. My fear is that being with the B&G at the reveal, would force them into singing your praises, or, if they stink, having to fake it. (I am pretty sure they don't stink, but...).<br /> I would like to put them on a public galery (if they don't mind), since all my images are edited. That would be like having more portfolio material...</p>

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<p>And she will look at them on the gallery and frequently be satisfied with that.<br>

I'm presuming you want her actually to make a purchase. But it can be shown that her greatest urge to purchase is at the first view. Every subsequent view reduces her desire to own, and when the images are even available "at her convenience" for anything like a substantial amount of time--when she can even show them to friends and family--her desire to own falls precipitously.<br>

If you want the highest and most consistent purchases--you want her to be right-brain purchases. Perusing an online gallery is a left-brain activity. You want her to be excited, you want her to relive the emotion of the event. That doesn't happen nearly as much for someone sitting at a computer as it does when you can be right there being excited with her.</p>

One time many years ago a bride came over and looked at the proofs. About 3 weeks later, I thought it was unusual that it took her 3 weeks to pick up the prints. When she started looking she all of a sudden started crying. That got me very nervous to say the least, thinking I totally screwed up the wedding. There was a photo of her grandmothers hand touching her, the brides shoulder. Her grandmother had just died after the wedding.

 

This is one of my reasons for giving the couple proofs. They often get emotional. Looking at a computer in my limited mind the pics are not the same. Again I believe people need to feel and touch the proofs.

 

I also like to comment on some of the shots I took and again getting her reactions. Most of the time they talk for you!