7 Photography Client Red Flags to Watch Out For

Are you a freelance photographer working with clients? You may find yourself dealing with some new and uncertain client red flags. In this video, we'll discuss 7 photography client red flags to watch out for, and how to deal with them if they arise.
FREE Creative Business Checklist learn.chrispie...
Free Course To Getting Your First Paying Clients And Finally Quitting The 9-5: learn.chrispie...
MY PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO GEAR
✅ Beginner Kit: amzn.to/3nrAsy0
🎥 Main Camera: amzn.to/2YJNPPP
📹 Budget Camera: amzn.to/3pn5l5w
📸 Lens: amzn.to/3eIYD4O
📷 Budget Lens: amzn.to/3lctbj0
✨LED Light: amzn.to/3BKf8ef
💡Budget Light amzn.to/3oYknzr
Accessories: www.amazon.com...
Who am I:
I’m Chris, a photographer based in Chicago. I teach creative business and photography through KZbin, my newsletter, and courses. When I’m not teaching, I run a production company working with 50+ companies. My KZbin channel is here for two reasons: to teach you how to start a creative business and photography.
🐦 Best Place To Reach Me: / chris_pieta
💌 Free Weekly Creative Business Lessons learn.chrispie...
📱 Instagram / chrispieta
This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

[@VictoriaCkk]

6 & 7 are deadly haha. They don’t know what they want, but they LOVE your work so they give you full creative direction only to come back and tell you EXACTLY how things should’ve been done after they’ve seen the created gallery 🤦‍♀️ 😂 This taught me to never start a shoot without sending them my own preproduction board even though they’re “in love” with my work. Great video as always Chris 👏

[@ChrisPieta]

This is so important!

[@Miz-Newsy]

And then there are the ones who look at the preproduction content and still do not like what you give them.

[@darellh2007]

lmao! I LIKE what I LIKE wtf are you suppose to do with that statement XD !!!! congrats on 30k bro haha

[@ChrisPieta]

I know right ahaha

[@orlandojonesphotography]

Thank you for sharing. I’m just starting my business and this is awesome content.

[@swancoffeehouse5983]

Oh wow.... When I went for my creative designer interview I heard the words: "Working with designers is hard". Me being naïve, I didn't know what they meant. Now that I've been there for a while I'm seeing they were the problem. Rarely do they have any idea of what they want. I guess you grow with experience, at least now I know which red flags to look for.

[@akshay_9146]

When I was first told that I was expensive, I told them clearly that I have a system in place which ensures that I get to deliver my goods at the right time to the client hence my price range. I could charge cheaper but then I'd need more clients to break even and then there would be significant delays in delivering the desired product. Some of the prospects didn't respond back and some were understanding of it and booked me and were surprised with the results they got. Edit: I shoot portraits and events mainly but I sometimes show my clients my street and nature photography shots to give them better idea of what they can expect from me.

[@ChrisPieta]

Love that you’re able to convey why you’re charging that rate and then delivering. 👏👏👏

[@triplewinlin5576]

Chris, with that client that couldn't tell you what they wanted, did they use your photos after all, or did you refund them?

[@ChrisPieta]

Refunded. I offer a money aback guarantee with my packages so this was bound to happen eventually! They at least had a decent customer experience and all they wasted was their time.

[@daleelliott7390]

Can definitely relate to the pricing one. I think some just don't understand the process and value of our work. On another note, I'm curious what you find to be the best method for finding no name brands that are new on the scene before they've properly invested in good photos for their business?

[@ChrisPieta]

I've found some really young brands off kickstarted in the past!

[@daleelliott7390]

@@ChrisPieta Ok Thank you. Just did a quick google search, did you mean kickstarter? Couldn't find anything under kickstarted.

[@ChrisPieta]

@@daleelliott7390 Yep Kickstarter!

[@gabrielc9789]

Really like how you paused to say “if you are beginning, you may have to put up with some red flags.” Unfortunately this is true. I feel like a lot of people don’t acknowledge this and just say “learn from my mistakes.” The fact is though, if you aren’t booking clients, then yes, you may have to put up with some red flags to establish your name. Your dream clients probably aren’t booking creatives that are shooting their first or second paid job.

[@ChrisPieta]

Yeah it's a harsh truth. I faced it myself and acknowledged that it was just part of the process. I knew these clients were temporary and things would improve.

[@TheSpitfire10]

Not the best advice to work with clients that give you red flags because you haven't any clients. What????????