Why Every Photographer Needs a Routine | Education For Family Photographers
Before I was a photographer, I was a kindergarten teacher and one of the first things I learned as a teacher was the importance of having a Consistent, Predictable Routine (C.P.R).
In the classroom, C.P.R helps the students feel secure. It reduces anxiety. They know what to expect and what to do so they are able to concentrate on what’s really important, the learning!
When I left teaching for photography I thought my days days of establishing a C.P.R were behind me. Boy was I wrong!
What I now know is that having a C.P.R is just as important in my photography business as it was in my classroom.
The Importance of having a Consistent Predictable Routine.
My photography C.P.R helps me run my sessions like a well oiled machine. I know exactly what I’m going to do with my clients before the ever walk through my door. I know what poses I’m going to use. I know how the flow of the session is going to go. I even know what I’m going to say at the end to set expectations for my sales session.
Knowing all of this helps me give clear directions throughout my sessions which puts my clients at ease. They know that I am there to take care of them and that I know what I’m doing, so they can just sit back and relax and just enjoy the session.
I’m not alone
I’ll be honest, for years I was embarrassed by the fact that I had such a well established routine. I’m an artist right? Shouldn’t I be doing something different and artistic at every session?
Now I know that I’m not the only photographer who uses a well defined routine.
Every successful photographer I know has a C.P.R that they use in their business. We all have a set of poses we use (yes, even the lifestyle photographers!). We all have a flow that we guide our clients through that keep us on track and our work consistent. And we all know that having a routine helps our clients and our art!
Next week I’ll be sharing my exact C.P.R for newborn and family sessions. Until then, let me ask you this. Do you have a Consistent Predictable Routine in your work?
If not, I encourage you to think about establishing one.
Figure out what your favorite go-to poses are.
Think about the flow of your portrait session. How can you make them run smoother? What are the things you do at each one? How do you get started? How to you close?
Write it all down. Look for the patterns and use them to develop your system. Trust me, you’ll be so happy you did!
