In review …

This is the portrait client experience I’m shooting for.

This photographer will never ask for your review. Know why?

Nowadays, businesses think it savvy to ask customers for a review before folks even get their foot in the door, let alone their payment processed. Personally, it makes me want to run. I refuse to affirm this culture that constantly reminds customers they only matter for what they can give. That would be a transactional relationship, yes? I got enough of that in my family of origin, thank you very much. Just … no.

Besides, I’ve just gotten the only review I need. Let me back up a bit. You see, a few years back, opening this portrait studio was the last thing on my mind.

I’d started a GoFundMe to try and keep up with Elspeth’s traumatic brain injury medical bills, and this lovely local woman named Janet donated with a sweet note. She also had a horse-loving daughter, she said.

I thanked her for seeing me - for seeing us. And for some reason, she kept seeing us. In this town of Camas, largely made up of folks who at least appear not to be sinking in this economy, that alone has meant a lot. Missing the healthy give and take of friendships I had before we fell into the capitalist societal abyss of chronic illness, I naturally reached out when I had something to give that she might like: A portrait session.

Janet and I met for boba tea, and I shared my vision for portrait sessions crafted around the place my clients find themselves in their life story. She played my game, sharing where she was at and where she wanted to be. She also gave me lighting and effects ideas that sparked my imagination and stretched my technical limits. You can see the results on my home page: Janet is the silver-haired beauty (two little buns twisted atop her head) with the sparkly Kpop-y makeup (courtesy Linda Wong http://www.lindawongmuah.com) who looks like the human embodiment of the season of fall, or maybe winter, in some Korean drama fantasy series: (https://www.charityfeb.com).

I’ve just started putting them up, and there will be more, including this one:

That expression!

And Janet’s review of her portrait session? That is EXACTLY what I am going for. That review is mission accomplished.

I want to build business relationships based on relationship, not keeping score. And I’m gonna do it, capitalism be damned.

P.S. Thanks, Janet. :)