Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a hobbyist and a luxury photographer? Here’s a hint: it’s not as easy as simply charging more for your services. If the value doesn’t match the price you’re charging, you’re not likely to book the number of sittings you need. A luxury photographer offers more than beautiful photos. They provide an exceptional experience their clients don’t get with the run-of-the-mill hobbyist. Also, they have a strong photography marketing strategy that makes their luxury services clear. This luxury photography guide gives you some ideas to position yourself as the professional photographer you are.

The Luxury Photography Guide

We have put together this guide to give you some practical ideas to position yourself as a luxury photographer. We believe two primary areas help a photographer stand out: how they market themselves and the client experience they offer. 

I. Offer an Unforgettable Photography Experience

Go the Extra Mile 

How does your client feel throughout the entire shooting process with you? As a photographer, you are invited into some of the biggest moments in your clients’ lives. One way to elevate the experience you offer is to focus on providing an experience that helps ease any clients’ anxiety about your shoot. For example, take the time to help them choose an outfit, look through Pinterest boards together, send a thank you gift when they book a session or bring a pre-approved treat or toy for playful toddlers. These ideas are all little details that will make a big difference in how your clients feel when working with you. The goal is to create a memorable experience that mitigates any anxiety or insecurities they may be feeling and creates a lasting positive impression.

Luxury Beyond the Session

The experience doesn’t have to end when the shoot does. Keep the luxury going after the session is over and offer a quality product. Try including custom photo albums or canvases created by a trusted printing lab so that your client can be confident their prints will be of the highest quality. Then, try delivering your photos in a special package with a hand-written note or a small personalized treat. Thoughtful touches will help leave a lasting positive impression and set you apart from the competition. 

Create a Luxury Environment 

Location is vital for you as a photographer. Good lighting, beautiful backdrops, props, and a landscape that offers flexibility for shooting angles can make a huge difference in the quality of your photos. A great option to elevate your client’s experience is to open a private studio. Now, don’t limit yourself here; there is no reason your studio can’t have outdoor spaces, beautiful gardens, or natural light. You can even share the area with other photographers to reduce overhead costs if it just isn’t in the budget. 

You can create a luxury photographer experience in a studio by offering snacks and water, a changing room, and a temperature-controlled environment to ensure your clients are as comfortable as possible. It also reduces weather-related cancellations. Win-win!

Studios also often have room to store the props needed to create those Pinterest-worthy adorable scenes. Can you imagine that mom’s joy when their newborn is posed in a flawless winter wonderland for their holiday card (taken safely in a warm and cozy environment)? Furthermore, you have the option to keep ladders or step stools available in case you want to take a shot from a different angle. 

Again, having a studio doesn’t mean you won’t shoot at a client’s house if that’s what you want. All it means is you can offer an exceptional experience entirely customizable for their needs.    

Take Care of the Details

What is the #1 stressor your client experiences before your session? We are willing to bet it has something to do with what they will wear and how they will get ready. So, why not offer additional services like hair, makeup, or wardrobe to elevate their experience? Imagine how much happier your clients will be with your results if they are not regretting the dress they chose to wear or the flyaway hair they couldn’t get under control. 

Find a handful of exceptional professionals you can work with: a family stylist, a hairdresser, a makeup artist, and even a baker if birthday cake smash sessions are common for you. The idea here is the same as every other suggestion in this luxury photography guide—create a memorable and stress-free experience for your client.  

II. Photography Marketing: Position Yourself as a Luxury Brand 

Offering a luxury customer experience is a great start, but if they never book, how will they know?. You need first to attract your ideal clients and get them to book! How do we do that? With a strong photography marketing strategy that positions you as the professional photographer you are. 

Professional branding and website design elevates your look and set you apart from other photographers. A strong brand can set the tone for your interactions with clients before you ever talk to them. A professional and elegant logo tells your client they can expect a premium experience. Those looking for a high-end photographer will be drawn to your photography marketing materials simply because your brand clearly shows you offer the experience they are looking for.

A professional website for your photography business will attract people in your area looking for your services, tell the story of your luxury experience, show proof of your talent, and convert them into repeat clients. Think about it from a paying client’s standpoint; a user-friendly and attractive website bolsters your confidence in the business that owns it. For example, you wouldn’t hire an interior decorator with a lackluster website or pay top dollar for a wedding dress from someone’s trunk, right? So, why would your clients pay more for a photographer with a cookie-cutter hobbyist site? A designer focused on photography website design will showcase your work and convert traffic into paid sittings. They will seamlessly create a unique visual representation of the luxury experience you offer.         

Custom Photography Website Design

Are you ready to set yourself up as a luxury photographer? At Avenlee Collective, we create brands and website designs for photographers. We research and design a brand and website that speaks to your ideal clients. It’s time for you to present yourself as the professional photographer you are. Contact our photography website design team today to get started with a free, no-strings-attached discovery call where we discuss how to elevate your photography business!