Why I Limit My Clients Each Month
I always advise clients to try to book a couple of months in advance if they can, because my schedule may fill up (although if you’re on a tighter timeline, it’s always worth reaching out to me to check because cancellations do happen). Sometimes people ask in response, “Wow, you have photo shoots every day for the next two months?!” Thankfully, no, but instead I have a limit on the number of clients I book each month, and there are very important reasons for that - reasons that benefit every client I work with.
Providing a Full-Service Experience
When you hire a photographer, the work that you see is the photo shoot. But truthfully, that’s just a fraction of the time and energy that goes into every session. The work you don’t see is the planning, preparing props and sets and strategizing for the shoot to create the look you want, as well as editing afterward, getting your files ready and helping you turn them into custom artwork you can enjoy.
This is especially true in my case because I’m a full-service photographer. That means I work with you through every step of the way - getting to know your style and your vision for your photos, planning all the details with you including wardrobe styling, all the way through to perfecting your finished photos. Instead of cramming my schedule full, limiting my monthly clients allows me to truly give every client my focus and energy so that you get the best photos possible.
Leaving Space to Get to Know My Clients
Allowing time and space for my clients isn’t just a matter of having enough hours in the day for each client. It’s also about preserving my mental energy to give to each client. My repeat clients know that I don’t rush the process. I take the time to get to know my clients, their personalities, and their aesthetics. After all, whether it’s family photos or branding photos, professional portraits are deeply personal and I want your photos to capture what makes you special.
Maintaining Work/Life Balance
I think so many of us have had times in our lives when we were trying to do it all and it was just too much, to the point where we weren’t excelling in any part of our lives because we were spread too thin everywhere. As a business owner, a mom and a wife, it’s so easy for that to happen, and that’s a key part of why I put a limit on my photography clients.
When I allow myself enough time at work and at home, I’m both a better mom and wife and a better photographer. I can show up at my full capacity both at home and at work without burning myself out, and that benefits us all.
If you’re looking for a photographer who has the balance to give you their full attention and provide you with a top-tier experience, let’s talk! Contact Jaimié Birtel Photography to book your session.
