Guide to Writing a Great Review for Your Photographer
Capturing Perfection
Hiring a skilled and talented photographer is an investment in preserving precious moments and creating timeless memories. When you come across a photographer who goes above and beyond your expectations, it’s only fitting to express your gratitude and admiration by leaving a stellar review. Crafting a great review not only shows appreciation but also helps others searching for a photographer. In this article, we’ll delve into the art of writing an exceptional review for your photographer.
YOU are the one who will convince the hesitant couples to tie the knot.
Your words will encourage those who are experiencing similar self-doubts and anxieties.
It is up to YOU to show the world, in your own special way, just how valuable we are.
Start with a Warm Introduction:
Begin your great photorapher review by introducing yourself and providing some context. Mention the event or occasion for which you hired the photographer. This sets the stage for the readers, allowing them to understand the significance of your experience and the importance of the photographer’s role.
Example: “As the proud parents of a newborn baby, we wanted to capture the fleeting moments of our child’s early days. We were fortunate enough to find an incredibly talented photographer, [Photographer’s Name], who exceeded our expectations.”
Highlight the Photographer’s Strengths:
The heart of a great review lies in acknowledging the photographer’s exceptional skills and unique qualities. Share specific details about their techniques, creativity, professionalism, and ability to connect with their subjects. Mention any standout moments or special elements that made your experience remarkable.
Example: “What struck us most about [Photographer’s Name] was their ability to capture the pure essence of our baby’s innocence. Their attention to detail and artistic eye brought out the delicate features and expressions, creating stunning portraits that truly touched our hearts.”
Emphasize Customer Service and Professionalism:
A photographer’s professionalism and excellent customer service contribute significantly to a positive experience. Highlight the photographer’s punctuality, responsiveness, and willingness to accommodate your specific requests. Mention any efforts they made to ensure your comfort and satisfaction during the photo session.
Example: “[Photographer’s Name] was not only a master behind the camera but also a true professional. They arrived on time, maintained a friendly and approachable demeanor, and made us feel at ease throughout the session. They patiently listened to our ideas and incorporated them seamlessly into the shoot.”
Discuss the Final Results:
Describe the final product you received from the photographer. Focus on the quality, creativity, and attention to detail in the images. Discuss the emotional impact and how the photos captured the essence of the moment or event.
Example: “When we received the final photos, we were blown away by the level of craftsmanship and artistry. Each image was a work of art, evoking the joy and tenderness we experienced during those precious moments. [Photographer’s Name] managed to encapsulate the emotions and create timeless memories that we will cherish forever.”
Summarize Your Overall Experience:
In this section, provide a concise summary of your overall experience with the photographer. Mention any standout aspects that set them apart from others in the industry. This will help potential clients understand why your photographer is worth considering.
Example: “Working with [Photographer’s Name] was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Their exceptional talent, professionalism, and dedication to their craft make them a standout choice in the world of photography. We wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone seeking extraordinary photographs and an unforgettable experience.”
The importance of reviewing your wedding photographer
The value of reading other people’s opinions on your wedding photographer
Businesses, especially local ones that provide a service, rely heavily on reviews from satisfied customers. Like many other photographers, I rely entirely on the internet to bring in new business.
You know how even when buying cheap household things on Amazon, you still read the reviews? I mean, I’d rather not reveal how long I spent poring over ratings and customer comments before deciding to buy a pair of rubber gloves.
Imagine how crucial this is for someone to spend thousands of dollars on an unknown photographer.
In this industry, there are zero tolerance policies for customer dissatisfaction. New customers must have complete faith that what they are receiving is the real deal.
Somewhere, future brides and grooms are debating between numerous photographic options. They’re weighing their options to determine who should take their wedding photos. Your Reviews are Makeing a Big Impact.
The work that wedding photographers do is important, and it deserves our gratitude.
Every professional photographer has an Instagram account, updates their blog frequently, and spends hundreds of dollars annually on marketing. Simply working in this field requires it of you. However, there is something that can make a photographer genuinely exceptional, and surprisingly, it isn’t anything any of us can accomplish. We don’t even have the money to buy it. It’s a favor we must respectfully request of you, our valued customers. We could really need your assistance right now.
Questions to answer in your review:
If you’re now looking at a blinking cursor and trying to think of what to write, this list may help.
How did you Find Your Wedding Photographer?
This lets people know where your photographer spends the most time online, which is useful for finding them and also kind of brings attention to the platform they care about the most.
For instance,
“we have been following Aniyah on Instagram for over a year, and in that time she has amassed a dedicated following of over 50,000 fans and followers!”
or
“At the Wedding Expo Show in Chicago, Aniyah introduced herself to us with a warm grin and put us at ease with her easygoing nature.”
What did you book them For Exactly?
This is wonderful because it incorporates search engine optimization phrases within the review. The more frequently we see the same words, the higher we will appear in search results for those words.
Why Did You Choose Them?
Again, this is the place to get into the nitty-gritty of why you and your photographer clicked.
To give just one example,
“We wanted a photographer who was familiar with Jewish wedding traditions, so hiring Abigail was the perfect fit.”
“We introverts were looking for someone with a big personality, and Elaine delivered in spades.”
Every photographer has a unique vision and it’s important to harmonize with their photography style.
What Concerns, Unique to you, Did the Photographer address?
We thought it was impossible to arrange our wedding in only three weeks. Macy, though, was so accessible and communicative that we had no trouble getting things rolling.
“She was the greatest at giving me confidence and posing me in a way that felt natural and made me seem beautiful, as a client put it.”
“Due to the high price tag, I was first hesitant to hire a photographer to document our elopement. Now that I have images that will last a lifetime and that I can show to my grandchildren, I realize that the investment was money well spent.”
“Create a little bit of a hero’s journey for the reader, only this time it will be you and your photographer.”
How Did The Experience Feel?
This is fantastic because it dispels the common misconception that wedding photos have to look stilted and unnatural. There are many of people who would rather not do it because they fear they will feel uncomfortable standing around for long periods of time.
“Bozena pushed us to be our best selves by giving us confidence and coaching us to do so. No matter how ridiculous we may have looked, we never once felt embarrassed.”
“I figured the photography session would be stuffy and dull, and that we’d just have to smile and endure it. In fact, it was a fantastic and private event that brought me and my fiance even closer together.”
How was the Photographer’s Communication with You?
This is a major topic of interest among engaged couples. Photographers have the reputation of being fickle and unreliable because of their status as artists. You should boast about how simple it was to get in touch with your photographer. Include the fact that they could be reached at any time (if they were!)
“I had a lot of questions and concerns, and Hakim was always quick to respond. Within 24 hours, and frequently much sooner, I would hear back from him.”
“Tina always made sure we knew what was going on by ending her emails with a detailed timeline of upcoming events. We felt like we were in good hands because she was so knowledgeable about the subject matter.”
How was the process of working together?
Since this is another open ended question, feel free to respond in whatever way that makes sense to you. My small example is this:
“Working with Esther was a breeze and felt like a genuine team effort. She took the planning of our wedding photography schedule and its subsequent execution with the same seriousness that we did.”
“When we were forced to make last-minute adjustments to our plans, it was great to work with Anna because every conversation was a reminder that she was attentive and understanding. She was also an excellent team player, working together with our wedding coordinator and videographer to realize our vision for the big day.”
What about the photographer makes the service memorable for you?
What, if anything, did your photographer do for you that made an impression?
Did he or she assist you in any way, like putting on your shoes?
Will you let me stay late just for you?
Do you want me to send you a present?
Can you make your great-aunt giggle?
How can you fit a group of 150 people into a shot on the spot?
Can you Photoshop out that tour bus full of people?
Let the world know if they went out of their way for you.
What did you think of finished photos?
Put yourself out there as much as you can. Here’s your chance to share how the final images moved or transformed you. If you want to compliment the photographs without seeming trite, try stating something like:
“My future husband and I were completely smitten when we first saw the images. We had a photo viewing party and cuddled up on the couch to see the images. Just as when he saw me in my wedding dress, my husband started crying when he viewed the images of our first look.”
“I had no clue our little wedding could have looked so stunning. The final images are the epitome of elegance and sophistication. A backyard ceremony turned out really well! Amy has a way of making our modest wedding look extravagant.”
“I’m a Type A person, so naturally I had high hopes for our wedding pictures. For this reason, we spent our money on the most professional photographer we could find. The photographs that Shantanu took, however, far above my greatest hopes. The photographs are so radiant with love and joy; it blows my mind. Artfully capturing the most personal, unguarded moments.”
How Did you find your wedding photographer?
This lets people know where your photographer spends the most time online, which is useful for finding them and also kind of brings attention to the platform they care about the most.
For instance:
“we have been following Aniyah on Instagram for over a year, and in that time she has amassed a dedicated following of over 50,000 fans and followers!”
or,
“At the Wedding Expo Show in Chicago, Aniyah introduced herself to us with a warm grin and put us at ease with her easygoing nature.”
Why did you choose them?
Again, this is the place to get into the nitty-gritty of why you and your photographer clicked. To give just one example:
“We wanted a photographer who was familiar with Jewish wedding traditions, so hiring Abigail was the perfect fit. We introverts were looking for someone with a big personality, and Elaine delivered in spades.”
Every photographer has a unique vision and it’s important to jive with their photography style.
How did the experience Feel?
This is fantastic because it dispels the common misconception that wedding photos have to look stilted and unnatural. There are many of people who would rather not do it because they fear they will feel uncomfortable standing around for long periods of time.
“Bozena pushed us to be our best selves by giving us confidence and coaching us to do so. No matter how ridiculous we may have looked, we never once felt embarrassed.”
“I figured the photography session would be stuffy and dull, and that we’d just have to smile and endure it. In fact, it was a fantastic and private event that brought me and my fiance even closer together.”
Where to post your photographer’s review
You may simply do a search for “[your photographer’s name] + [social media platform name]” to find out where they hang out online. However, it is worthwhile to do so, as new platforms occasionally appear, and it is on them that we want to build.
Google, Facebook, Yelp, Better Business Bureau, The Knot, Wedding Wire, Wedding Wire, Zola and Wedding Chicks are all good places to start looking for a wedding photographer in the United States.
Since search engine optimization (the focus of my marketing efforts) is to drive traffic to my website, I see no reason to pay to be listed in any vendor directories. The following are links to the most relevant reviews for my advertising efforts:
Close with Gratitude and a Call-to-Action:
Express your gratitude to the photographer for their outstanding work and the positive impact they had on your experience. Encourage others to consider their services and leave a positive review as well.
Example: “We are immensely grateful to [Photographer’s Name] for capturing our precious memories with such grace and skill. If you’re looking for a photographer who will exceed your expectations and deliver breathtaking images, we highly recommend reaching out to [Photographer’s Name]
Crafting a great review for your photographer is a wonderful way to express your gratitude and help others seeking professional photography services. By following these guidelines, you can create an engaging and informative review that highlights the photographer’s strengths, professionalism, and the exceptional results they deliver. Your words have the power to inspire others to connect with a talented photographer who can capture their special moments with the same level of artistry and passion.
If you have a few moments to spare, I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave a review sharing your experience working with me. Your feedback will not only mean the world to me, but it will also help others who are searching for a photographer for their important events.
If you have a few moments to spare, I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave a review sharing your experience working with me. Your feedback will not only mean the world to me, but it will also help others who are searching for a photographer for their important events.
What to do if you can’t give your photographer a 5* review?
We greatly appreciate 5 star reviews, however constructive criticism that lowers our average rating is not appreciated.
However, we welcome any suggestions you may have to improve the process. Is there anything about it that you didn’t like? Did the result disappoint you in some way? This is information that is almost as beneficial as the advantages themselves.
If you’d like to help me make sure this doesn’t happen to other clients, I’d appreciate it if you’d let me know what happened. Or, if there is something I can rectify, please give me the chance to do so.
Although it may be uncomfortable to bring up ‘bad’ information (no one likes to be a Debbie Downer), please know that photographers would appreciate the heads-up so that we can address it.
I know it can be hard to share this kind of ‘negative’ stuff (and no one wants to be a Debbie Downer) but trust me, photographers would much rather know so that we can make the necessary changes.
Check out More
Wedding Planning Tips
How Professional Photography Can Impact Your Wedding Day
Guide to Writing a Great Review for Your Photographer
7 Beautiful Outdoor Wedding Venues in Chicago
Favorite Chicago portrait locations for engagements and weddings.
A Love Letter For Your Partner On Your Wedding Day
Why Your Wedding Timeline Needs More Time Than You Think
Good article
Expressing appreciation through a well-crafted review is a wonderful way to acknowledge a talented photographer’s dedication and skill. It also guides others in their search for a photographer. Great article on the art of writing exceptional reviews!
Great stuff here!
Wow. So many great ideas here. I’m tempted to send this to clients.
This is a fantastic and practical guide to writing a great review for a photographer! I love how you break down the key components of a thoughtful review—from specific details about the photoshoot experience to highlighting what truly made the photographer stand out. The idea of including both the emotional connection and the technical aspects of the photos (like lighting, composition, and poses) is especially insightful. It provides a balanced perspective that future clients will find valuable. Additionally, your encouragement for reviewers to be specific, rather than just generic compliments, is a key takeaway that could elevate reviews from good to great.
I also appreciate how you emphasized the importance of giving constructive feedback. It shows that you care about photographers’ growth as well as your clients’ experiences.
In your experience, what do you find most photographers appreciate in a review? Is it more about the technical aspects or the personal connection shared during the shoot?