Money is very important when running any business. What’s the first money lesson photography taught you?
That clients don’t always pay — even when they love your work.
In 2021, I shot a wedding through a referral. The client paid part of the fee upfront, we travelled for the wedding, I edited everything, and delivered the photos.
When I called him to remind him about my balance, he said the pictures were nice.
Then he added, “I’ll send your money when I’m done fixing my house.”
Up till today, that money never came.
That was the moment I realised something had to change.
Yes, something had to change. I’m curious — what exactly went wrong in that situation?
I had already delivered everything.
At that time, I was collecting about 50–70% upfront.
But the big problem was — once the work was sent, the client had no reason to rush payment. I had done my part. He didn’t need me anymore.
Contracts didn’t help. Terms and conditions didn’t help. I had no real leverage.
So I started thinking: How do I protect myself without ruining the client experience?
Many people fix this through contracts. Why don’t contracts alone protect photographers?
Because a contract doesn’t force payment.
You can have the best agreement in the world, but if a client decides to delay or disappear, you’ll still be the one chasing. And chasing clients drains your confidence.
I realised I needed a system, not just paperwork.
Hmmm…what changed in your workflow and what system did you put in place?
Everything changed for me when I used a platform called OurPixo. It helped me lock files until clients paid my balance in full.
I moved to collecting 90% upfront before the shoot.
The remaining 10%?
I still collect that in full because now clients can preview their photos, select favourites, and see the finished project — but they can’t download or take a screenshot until payment is complete.
You were like “Sorry, no pay, no download today!”. How did this affect your confidence as a photographer?
I stopped feeling like I was begging to be taken seriously.
I felt respected because people could see I took my business seriously and would deliver the best work possible.
When someone pays you properly, they value your time and your craft. It also changed how I showed up creatively. I wasn’t anxious or desperate anymore — I could focus on doing great work.
You said photography is an experience. What do you mean by that?
Photography isn’t just about clicking a button like people think.
Clients want to feel understood.
Before any shoot, I ask questions — not aggressively, just naturally:
- What style do you like?
- Indoor or outdoor?
- How many deliverables do you want?
- Frames, albums, extra photographers?
- Where did your inspiration come from?
Many clients already have screenshots saved on their phone. If you don’t ask, they’ll wait until editing starts to complain.
There’s a secret I use to keep clients coming back. Make them feel comfortable! Tell jokes, share a story with them before the shoot.
Clients feel overwhelming pressure during a photoshoot, and if you can make them feel at ease while giving them a great experience — trust me, that’s the best way to get clients referrals as a photographer.
I totally agree with you. So how do you avoid the “I don’t like the edit” problems?
I let clients tell me exactly what they want.
I ask them to explain what they want in their own words. Then I write it down and send it back to them:
“So this is what you want, right?”
That way, everyone is clear and I don’t have to deal with the issue of clients wanting extra edits.
I’m also honest if a client wants a style outside my usual workflow.
Sometimes I’ll learn it. Sometimes I’ll recommend another photographer. Both options protect my brand.
What if you’re able to learn the style they want — how do you think about pricing your work?
Pricing starts with value.
Before charging any amount, I ask myself:
- Am I delivering more than what I’m collecting?
- Does my gear, experience, and effort justify this price?
Pricing isn’t copying what others charge. It’s knowing who you are as a photographer and what you bring to the table.
You also need to take account of everything that’ll be needed for the shoot — stuff like props, transportation, gears, location, lights etc….
If you’re renting, then you need to know how much all that would be. This way you don’t undercharge.
I totally agree with you, and I’m curious…. What do you do when a client requests something you’ve never done before?
I research.
I reach out to photographers who specialise in that area and ask questions. Not to steal prices — just to understand the market.
And if I know I can’t deliver the quality required, I refer the client. That honesty builds long-term trust.
You talked about research, but how important is it when it comes to growth?
Research is everything.
I live by four rules:
Read. Rest. Research. Review.
Most things I know didn’t come from formal teaching. They came from Googling, watching YouTube videos, and experimenting.
If you see a style you don’t understand, research it. With the internet, information is rarely the problem — curiosity is.
YouTube and Google should be your best friends.
Trust me they’re my best friends.
How do you stay organised after shooting thousands of photos?
Chaos is normal, especially with weddings.
I use tools like:
- Photo Mechanic for fast selection and sorting during edit
- Lightroom for editing
- AI tools like chatgpt for pitching, communication, and workflow
- OurPixo for organised & professional delivery.
The goal isn’t to work harder — it’s to remove friction from your process.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Talent alone doesn’t protect photographers.
Systems do.
Once you protect your work, your payments, and your process, everything else becomes easier — confidence, creativity, and growth.
Want to get more actionable advice?
Watch the full conversation https://youtu.be/XlQxhR5kg-A?si=Nw-7F35c0QwMJzc0