What is Custom photography?

I am often asked "what is custom photography"? I thought I would take a moment to define what it is that I do, and clarify for those who have always wondered, exactly what this means!

We’ve all been to chain portrait studios, and so we’re all familiar with that experience. Whether Sears, Walmart, or other department store chain studios, you will undoubtedly have some degree of experience with the process. In contrast to this, custom photographers aim to provide their clients with a custom experience - something special, something worth investing in.

Custom photography is a luxury. Unlike department store, or other chain studios, custom photography affords you the luxury of completely customizing your session to your family’s needs. Working with a custom photographer means that you will be working with someone invested in taking the time needed to ensure you get the very best from your portrait experience. Sessions are not rushed, and you are never "just a number".

Most clients who opt for custom photography are clients who appreciate and value high-end custom work, and who have a strong desire to obtain several different images of themselves, their children, and their families. Many clients arrive with a pre-determined plan in place for their images, whether it be that special gallery wall they have always wanted to create, a special keepsake album, or a variety of gifts for family members.

So, what does a custom photographer do? A custom photographer:

- Takes the time to consult with clients before the session to obtain information about their clients’ vision for the session, to select favorite locations, (or backgrounds if in a studio), to discuss the best clothing options for each family member, and to pre-plan the combinations of individuals to be photographed at the session.

-Invests the time at the session to ensure that the client’s vision is realized, and that all requested combinations are achieved (within what is in their control, of course). Sessions are never rushed, and clients are given the luxury of a session custom tailored to their needs which is not rushed, or hurried, and where there is no ticking time clock or "next session" walking in the door in a few moments.

-Consults with clients about their final images, and assists them in selecting the best images for display. A custom photographer will have knowledge of design and esthetics for wall display such that she can assist you in creating a beautiful wall arrangement that showcases your images beautifully.

-Works personally with clients to ensure a high level of satisfaction. Unlike a chain studio where you are merely a number, and where your session is simply a cookie-cutter replica of everyone else’s session, a custom photographer tailors your session to what YOU want, and how YOU want to remember your memories. A custom photographer will go the extra mile to make sure you are happy!

Custom photography, as mentioned above, is a luxury. It is not a "need", but a "want" and there is a higher price tag associated with the higher service and custom experience. I like to compare custom photography to fine dining. We all need to eat, but we don’t HAVE to eat at a five star fine dining restaurant. We do that when we want a special occasion, when we want that extra something special, and when we are looking for not only a meal to satisfy our hunger, but also to satisfy our need for a special experience, attention to detail and customer satisfaction. We could eat fast food and have our hunger satisfied, but we would lack that special experience.

So, as a luxury, custom photography is not for everyone. It is not in everyone’s budget, and is not something that is done exclusively as the only means of capturing one’s photographic memories. I fully expect that my clients visit a chain studio in between our sessions, and would be deluded to think that my clients have no photography sessions outside of my studio. After all, children change so quickly, and it would be impossible for most to visit a custom photographer monthly to capture all of the wondrous changes that children go through!

So there you have it - my definition of custom photography. In basic terms it is simply providing the attention to detail, the high level of customer service, the outstanding product quality, and the fun experience my clients have come to expect. I personally love what I do, and I hope that it shows!

This article reprinted with permission from Heather Rivlin Photography.