As a wedding photographer, my goal is not only to provide a great service, but most importantly, to offer my clients an invaluable experience. Choosing and hiring a photographer is certainly one of the most important decisions a couple will have to make while planning their big day. This is why it is essential for me to show my appreciation and tell my clients how much I value the trust they’ve put into me to capture one of the most important days of their lives. My favorite way to create outstanding experiences is through a series of tailored gifts that I send to my clients throughout the year.
These thoughtful gestures make the bride and groom happy (everybody loves a little attention!), but most importantly, they exceed their expectations and make them trust me and feel like they’re in good hands. The more positive their experience is prior to the wedding, the better the chances are for a pleasant and seamless shoot on the big day. The gifts I choose to send are personalized to my clients. It’s also important that they reflect my brand and who I am.
Here are some of my favorite gift ideas. You can of course choose DIY gifts, or you can find many online resources to help you put together the perfect packages.
1. Welcome gift
The welcome gift is very important, as it makes a great first impression, it sets the tone for the relationship and it reinforces the client’s decision to hire me. It is my way of sending my appreciation for their business. My welcome package usually includes lipstick and bath salts packaged in a pretty heart-stamped pouch from LittleFlowerSoapCo, as well as a wedding magazine (in which I am usually published). The package is filled with valuable information to help the bride and groom plan their big day, as well as photography tips to help them plan for beautiful photos. These include information about the benefits of having an unplugged wedding, what is the “first look,” what if it rains the day of the wedding and much more. Design Aglow has a ton of beautiful templates for any photographer that wants to impress their clients.
2. Valentine’s Day Gift
What better occasion than Valentine’s Day to show your clients how much you appreciate them! A sweet treat that they can enjoy together is always a good idea. Chocolate truffles is a classic, but my favorite is caramel popcorn! I package it in a cute mason jar and attach a little handwritten note to it to tell my clients I think about them on this special day and hope their wedding preparations are going smoothly.
You did a maternity session with soon-to-be-parents? Send them popcorn with a note that says “Almost ready to pop!” Or send the popcorn along with a slideshow of images of their session so that they can enjoy it while viewing their gorgeous photos.
3. Delivery package
Leaving your clients with a great impression at the end of your work is as important as before and during the process. It reinforces their experience and shows them how much you enjoyed working with them. Plus, receiving their wedding photos is a unique moment for the now husband and wife; give it that extra attention to make it even more special.
USB Boxes from Jorgensen Albums are a beautiful way to present my final images. With the right packaging, your photos will stand out and your work will shine. My gift box includes a lovely cover photo, adorable cookies personalized with the names of the couple, and a small bottle of champagne to celebrate their union.
There are a million gifts you can send to your clients to let them know how special they are. Here are a few additional ideas to consider:
- A printed canvas of your favorite photo from the couple’s engagement session that you can have printed with Miller’s Lab. They also have amazing little gifts for family sessions that will please everyone.
- A cute mason jar or pretty box filled with homemade biscotti or gingerbread cookies for the holidays.
I hope these ideas inspired you! I highly recommend that you start implementing these in your own business – I promise they are worth the extra effort and investment. I know this has made a huge difference on my business, and I’ve only had positive feedback from clients about all these little extras that I am putting together for them. Go beyond what is expected of you to create positive experiences for your clients and I promise your business will be affected in a positive way!
Hello!
I love these ideas! I have been looking for ways to increase my clients’ experience and because of this article I have begun implementing them. Thank you for helping me take it to the next level!
Kristin
Owner/Photographer/Creative Director, Kristin Milito Photographhy
I am so happy this article was helpful to you Kristin! 🙂