How to tell if you are being Catfished - Photography edition
Welcome back! I am so happy you are here. This blog has been inspired by a recent client. I was setting up mini-holiday sessions, and this family was the only family to sign up, so we made it a full session. It was a blast! We met up at Roxborough and took photos for 30 minutes. While we were wrapping up, I thanked them for being there and told them how fun it was. The next thing she said was, “Thank you for being real!”. I probably looked super confused and said, “Real?!”. She proceeded to tell me how she is always a little concerned about paying a stranger, online, upfront, only to get ghosted and be out of that money. That was an alarming thought because it’s a very real situation I see people talk about on my social media groups. Clients get ghosted for all kinds of photo sessions, even on their wedding day! I decided then I would write about how you can be sure you aren’t being catfished for photography.
Meeting in person, talking on the phone, or FaceTime.
-For most people, carving time out of their day to do these things is a big sign they can be trusted. I am happy to do each of these things.
Consistency of communication
-THIS IS HUGE. The one thing I read about on groups most is the ghosting. The definition of ghosting is: “the practice of ending a relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication.” The idea of this is alarming to me. I don’t understand, as a business owner, how anyone could work so hard to get clients and then just drop out of their lives but I guess that’s the point…a good business owner won’t do that. I try hard to be quick with communication and if I know I will be longer than expected I send a communication stating such and try my best not to wait too long.
Check for: a website, consistent Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc posts.
-I have each of these. Not everyone does. I think the point is the effort it takes to keep up with each of these is what you are looking for.
Google reviews
- This is how I make decisions for things all the time but, not everyone has a Google business available for review.
Contracts and downpayments
-This is something that I think every professional should have. That way, everyone involved is covered.
Of course, I would love to say that if every photographer did these things, you won’t get ghosted but I cannot control others, only myself. I hope at the very least it helps you feel a little more confident when booking a photographer.
Talk soon,
Kate
