How To Become Your Brand Photographer’s Favorite Client
From the first email I received from her assistant, I knew it was a great fit.
Before I even got on the phone with her, I knew she was a dream.
I knew I wanted to work with her. I had checked out her website and Instagram, and I loved everything she stood for.
Best of all, in all their email communication, they seemed just as excited as me – before we even connected! They weren't shopping around or wasting my time. She had done her homework on me. She knew what my work looked like. She had looked through my portfolio and liked what she read about my approach. She wasn’t blindly booking a call to waste both of our time.
Booking was easy and effortless. Then, the real fun (collaboration) began.
From the beginning to the end of the shoot and beyond, the two of them were so gracious. So kind. So joyful and appreciative. Every email and interaction left me feeling fulfilled and warm.
It is these kinds of clients that quickly become a photographer’s favorite. If you want to become your photographer’s favorite kind of client, it’s often easier than you think. Here’s how to do it.
Be respectful of photographers’ time.
This may surprise you, but I’ve had so many people book a discovery call weeks out – only to cancel it at the last minute. Or sometimes they ghost me.
In the meantime, I have begun investing time, energy, and mental resources into preparing for our supposed meeting.
In my people-pleasing era, I wondered what I was doing wrong. But then I learned it’s not me—it’s them. Some people just book multiple discovery calls with multiple photographers for future dates so they can keep shopping around. Then, they pick one and the rest of us are left wondering what the hell just happened.
HOW TO DO IT
Take the act of booking discovery calls seriously. When you reserve a date on a photographer’s calendar, do it only with the intention of getting to know them and their process a little better.
2. Do your homework – before booking.
Part of respecting a photographer’s time is doing enough research to get a clear idea of their style and approach BEFORE you contact them.
Two GREAT reasons to do your homework on your branding photographer first:
You don’t waste your time (or theirs) on a poor fit.
There will be deeper, more meaningful collaboration from the first call on.
Recently, a client began a discovery call by telling me she already loved my work and my process. She said she knew I had the creative eye she was looking for, as she referred to specific shoots I had done.
One thing became clear to me right away: She had done her homework on me.
She already knew she liked my work and what it looked like – because she had looked through my portfolio. She knew she liked my approach – because she had taken time to read about it. She wasn’t blindly booking a call to waste both of our time. She was already excited about working together, and now, so was I.
HOW TO DO IT
Before booking a discovery call, take time to explore a photographer’s portfolio and read what they’ve written about their process. Those two things will tell you a lot.
3. Only hire a branding photographer you feel you can trust – and then trust them.
Photographers sometimes enter into shoots where they are micromanaged; other times, they are ignored.
As a brand photographer, I’ve worked with artists, real estate agents, authors, and website designers, but no matter the industry, my favorite clients have always been the ones who want my ideas.
I love it when clients ask for my input on clothing because I’ve been doing this for a while, and I know some things.
I love it when clients just straight up say, “I’m gonna do whatever you tell me to do. You’re the expert.” Those photoshoots, where clients genuinely value my creative direction, often turn into an absolute blast for all of us.
We laugh a lot, get inspired, share ideas—and suddenly, it doesn’t feel like work. We trust one another, and because of that, we collaborate on a higher level.
HOW TO DO IT
Allow your brand photographer to take the lead without micromanaging them. Be open to the fact that they may have a rhyme and reason for requesting certain things or doing them a particular way. You hired them for a reason, and when you give them space to do their thing with creative freedom, you get the best results and with much less stress.
4. Collaborate with your brand photographer from a place of mutual gratitude and appreciation.
When clients are gracious, kind, joyful, and appreciative, every interaction leaves me feeling fulfilled and warm – and collaboration becomes so, so easy.
I love it when clients contribute their ideas while still valuing my vision. That kind of dynamic collaboration can truly elevate the final product. My clients have great ideas too! I’m always interested to get their take as well! I have been lucky enough to have plenty of clients who have been examples of this.
My favorite Austin brand photography clients are creatives who freely express their gratitude and treat me as a true partner throughout the process.
At the end of the day, I want my clients to show up not just for the photos but also for the relationship and the artistry we create. That’s what makes our collaboration truly special.
HOW TO DO IT
Be communicative throughout the whole process. Try treating your photographer as a true partner in the process, and express any feelings of gratitude you have freely. Even small gestures—like a positive review, a thank-you email, or a referral—can work to deeply strengthen your partnership.
5. Be honest – with your brand photographer and with yourself.
Okay, full transparency here. When it comes to photography clients, I definitely have a type.
My favorite clients tend to be authentic creatives who are unapologetically true to themselves (or are working to be) and who embrace their quirky side. When I send out a gallery, and a client skips over the perfectly posed brand photos to select the ones where she’s real, joyful, and unapologetically herself…my heart sings.
This kind of brand authenticity, and being uninterested in absolute perfection, will always resonate with me and my organic photographic style. I love clients who aren’t trying to fit into a mold; they’re breaking it. They’re embracing their uniqueness and trusting me to capture it beautifully.
Because the more genuine and true clients are to themselves during their branding session, the more connected and impactful the session will be to the people they hope to reach.
HOW TO DO IT
Be you. Commit to showing up to your photoshoot as your most authentic self, even if that feels a little vulnerable. That’s when the magic happens. Don’t write off images where you’re being a bit dorky or free. Give them a 2nd look and imagine how they’ll make your audience feel seen.
Why Austin Creatives Trust Alicia Leigh For Brand Photography
Professional headshots don’t even come close to the ALP experience.
If you're a powerhouse creative with a real connection to your clients and the grit to show up authentically, you’re my favorite kind of client.
Let’s polish (or repolish) your presence so you can make a killing in your area of expertise.
When you work with me, you get high-touch, strategic brand photography that will hook clients, introduce them to your unique values, messaging, and creative work.
My Signature Brand Experience takes your brand shoot from inquiry to a well-executed PLAN, providing you with clarity and support throughout the process, so you can feel excited instead of overwhelmed.
Once you arrive on the shoot day, you know your strategy is our number one priority; all you need to do is have fun. We’ll take care of the rest!