With recent advances in portable computing, including color accurate photo-editing monitors, post processing of images can now be done on-site. Interestingly, few photographers do it.
While I am new to the business, the whole concept makes so much sense to me. While it does take a bit of time, to download, backup, color-correct, classify, etc all the images from a shoot, much of this can be automated. This is a good time to chill, relax a bit, and discuss what the client is really looking for. Then we can get into the work.
As I mentioned in previous posts, I generally capture many different exposures of a subject, then blend in post. Doing the blending on-site allows me to collaborate with my client, and show him what I am generating almost real-time. The client can then comment about the specifics of the current blend, and suggest changes. I can make the changes, many times in seconds, and he can then compare with a blend he just saw. This can save hours of going back and forth about an image, and get the client a final image the same day. I can then also put together a license and submit a final invoice.
The whole point of this approach is to improve that business feature that is so important these days, with many of us producing good images at low cost. And that is SERVICE.
Photography is similar to many businesses, in that we offer a product along with service. Obviously the "product" (the image or phodeo) is a key deliverable. But service can also separate us from the "crowd". Service brings in the human element; good service is about satisfying the people who are our clients. We need to develop a relationship with clients, and collaboration is a very good way to do that. Collaboration implies working toward the same goal, side-by-side. What better way to develop a relationship that benefits all of us.
So far, I haven't had much opportunity to highlight that difference that I offer, but I believe that it is a difference that clients will appreciate.
Think about how you provide great service to your clients.
Thanks for reading.
Greg
