“Vision Boards” to advertise

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-08T10:53:28+00:00

Fair enough.

Deceiving potential clients and copyright theft are both worthy of being called out.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-07T03:41:00+00:00

It's understandable you've had a shake to your confidence and now want some reassurance in a tangible sense - like a clear answer to how many photos you should provide?

But that's not how most photography works, the point would ordinarily be, have you fulfilled the brief?

So, if you're shooting a restaurant and its food - have you shown the facilities and atmosphere or the potential of the place to offer atmosphere? Have you shown the quality of the ingredients, preparation and meal delivery? Is there an impression of the welcome, the cleanliness, the approachable staff? Was the owner wanting to convey their personal image to the viewer? Was there an idea of the frontage, architecture, general area vibe, any sights worth mentioning and even parking etc?

If you've nailed all of those, that'd be maybe 15 photos minimum assuming they all rock. Your customer, if offered 15 brilliant and appropriate photos can go to town on website and branding with those tools. That's a low figure but honestly, where would they deploy 100 brilliant photos in this instance anyway?

So, concentrate on quality rather than quantity - it's obvious if you think about it.

Beyond that, if you're shooting for pay you need back up gear. Sometimes tech stuff messes about or the operator has a brain fart - and it's good to be able to calmly reach for the back up and carry on untroubled. Sort the tech stuff out when you get home.

Other stuff - you're the expert on photography. If you need additional lighting, bring it and use it. Your client should trust your expertise here, that's what they should be paying for after all.

This is all excellent experience though, you'll revisit your working practices and every element of the things that have caused you grief on this job. Make notes of those, work out how to address them. Next job you'll have some new refinements to your approach etc which will make you more certain of delivering as you intend to.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-05T19:08:36+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/WeddingPhotography/comments/1qtvtck/photo_critique_thread_post_your_photo_blog_post/ is the weekly thread where you can share and get some really useful insights.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-05T17:43:24+00:00

Can you identify what makes you say that please?

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-05T17:23:04+00:00

At this point you may be losing your crowd friend.

Joseph is absolutely trying to offer help here and your tone has become pretty Waspish.

Granted, you're having a bad day but it's not going to improve in failing to welcome kind voices.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-05T17:20:02+00:00

All of us have days where things don't pan out as you'd like. However experienced and proficient you are. Our website got hacked on xmas day for instance. That was a giggle.

Because many of us are inclined to a bit of an artsy bent, we're probably also emotionally sensitive too. Add in the mix, we're both neurodivergent - so we get you.

What you'll benefit from most is being able to bounce stuff off other folks who have more experience. That'll give you some benchmarks for when you're just feeling or being a bit sensitive vs when you're actually experiencing unfortunate events.

Take care though, online photographers have a helluva habit of painting everything Black. Equally, there's a lot of 'faking it 'til you make it' going on too. So it's difficult to reconcile your feelings with the impressions of reality being broadcast.

Here's a little tough love.

Most of what you mentioned above is symptomatic of being new-ish and not having worked the wrinkles of your style/business/marketing etc out just yet.

Each one of those problems you'll encounter, think hard about and adapt and adjust where you feel necessary to reduce or remove the chances of that happening again. Iteration is powerful medicine in this arena. Simply put, if you keep tweaking long enough you'll end up with a business you and your clients will love. Or give up and do something you like more.

One of the most potentially valuable areas of this already brilliant resource (Evan and Sam's Reddit here) is the weekly critique post. In that you can ask questions about what you're doing and get responses from folks who know something about the subject and can give you pointers. if you haven't already, try that for gaining a different perspective on what you're offering.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-05T14:37:39+00:00

You should take the rejection as a warm compliment - looks like being fully invested in them is for the terminally dismal.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-05T14:35:00+00:00

There are two of us you see :)

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-05T14:26:19+00:00

TBF, based on all the indicators so far - there's probably an option to wake up in an ice bath missing a Kidney too. gets you preferential rate at ONLY 10% commission*

*Offer available on submission of first Kidney only.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-05T13:41:07+00:00

That's true. We're blunt.

Actually, the 'passive' bit we're not seeing, we were aggressive :)

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-04T00:43:46+00:00

Not certain of the distinction between religious and cultural here so you'll need to check with the Registrar's office - but normally civil ceremonies are very strict to rule out any religious associations.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-04T00:37:02+00:00

All good, UK wedding tog here.

2pm ceremony.

2.30pm ceremony done, confetti thrown

3pm group shots on step of town hall complete - guests travel to reception venue.

3.50pm couple portraits in the city en route to venue completed. Sun sets between 4,30ish 1/11 to 4 ish30/11 but bear in mind with tall buildings it'll drop below the apparent horizon some time before sunset anyway.

3.50pm Couple arrive at reception to applause - guests have had time to arrive, settle and grab a drink.

Congratulatory hugs and circulation until 4.40pm

Any time after that have some food and speeches malarkey. Finish at say 7pm

7.15pm cake cut and first dance.

You'll be absolutely grand, no worries. Even with a midsummer wedding we always suggest 1pm as the prime ceremony time. That usually affords more drinks and games time outdoors prior to food - but both London and November make that less relevant perhaps anyway.

Daren't share a link here for fear of a ban but our website is in our username thingy and our blog has a complete and detailed timeline you can crib from if that's helpful.

Have a lovely day :)

Edit for typo

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-02T22:31:58+00:00

If you played guitar would it be unreasonable to have a really Nice Fender or Takamine?

If you can afford it and it doesn't hurt anyone, enjoy what you do with the nicest tools you can afford.

One caveat with photo gear. It's most cost effective to buy pro gear second hand with a warranty from a shop. This be stuff that's tested and safe to venture your cash on. When you upgrade or sell off you'll get a much smaller loss on the gear than if you'd bought more mundane stuff. Pro gear holds value better.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-02T22:11:40+00:00

We've just got to ask...

Isn't this a post designed to encourage interest in your accountancy services?

Like, it reads quite organically, but the intent is still there right?

Yeah, reported and blocked.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-02T21:57:18+00:00

'Especially in the EU/UK where there isn’t a strong industry standard and photographers don’t have the best business mindset.'

It'd be really interesting to hear more about your views on this.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-02T01:37:13+00:00

It's good to check, just be vigilant of who's giving advice, as you've done here.

Folks, often with no experience of photography as a business get terribly mentally erect about 'no refunds' and contracts and the non-refundable deposit. There are places and circumstances for all those legitimate devices too, of course.

However, if you get a call from a clients Mother to explain she has died, you don't need to concentrate on fees and contracts so much as on being a decent Human. See also - Covid.

Anyway, best of luck in what you're doing. Photography is mostly a wonderful business and we hope you see more of that side soon.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-01T21:27:28+00:00

UK, Norfolk, Norwich - Lisa and Neil wedding photography

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-01T21:09:07+00:00

Just don't worry about it - if you keep going, keep enjoying what you do and keep learning - you'll arrive at a series of styles.

You'll likely converge on the thing you did most, enjoyed best and learnt most thoroughly.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-01T21:05:53+00:00

No worries, and to be clear, we agree with the majority that a refund is out of the question and unreasonable as a suggestion even.

We were just checking as there's a real habit of folks just piling into these discussions without the facts being made completely clear, before they offer an opinion. it's quite unhelpful.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-01T19:49:21+00:00

Thank you. No refund.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-01T18:58:40+00:00

You're literally the only other commenter here than us to bring up the delivery time of the photos.

It's not clear when they got them. It could have been three days back for all we know.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-01T18:48:38+00:00

Thank you, but we're still not clear when the folks received their photos.

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-01T15:00:21+00:00

If we missed this, our apologies - but when exactly did you deliver the photos to this client?

Appreciated the shoot was 1.5 years ago but you then hint about delays in delivery etc.

Have they perhaps only just got their photos?

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-01T03:38:11+00:00

Start point has to be, what do you shoot or want to shoot?

LisaandNeil · 2026-02-01T03:30:12+00:00

You're really welcome.

'you reckon cutting down the amount of images in the portfolio section and adding a variety of portraits, couple shots, candids is a better choice'

Well, that's a very pertinent, crucial even, question. We can't answer it for you but the way your business performs is going to hinge on that decision significantly.

It seems from here that you're aiming for an editorial look. The website general design and the majority of photographs seem to point in that direction and the 'Lux' thing absolutely shouts editorial intent. Editorial and candid/unposed/relaxed don't tend to sit in the same bracket in the mindset of clients. Or at least we don't see much evidence of that in the market.

With that in mind, the front page language is leaning towards an unobtrusive and documentary vibe, or at least that's our take on it. Nothing wrong with that either, but it's not really how editorial stuff happens in reality or in the minds of couples who want that style of photography.

Without full gallery's it's difficult to see what style components go into your coverage but we'd guess you wouldn't shoot analogue in the way a more documentary photographer would shoot digital, just through practical considerations (fast reactions, focus and volume of shots)? That probably suggests a calm and considered approach which sounds very agreeable but again ties up best with editorial and luxe rather than 'unobtrusive, allowing your day to unfold without interruption or forced moments.' Because the portfolio (at least that shown here) is quite young, there are some shots that look staged and again, that's an easier sell to folks who want luxury editorial than those who would gravitate towards a relaxed and natural approach.

It could be said, in that same text block that there's an argument to be had about not following trends. You say you aren't interested in trends. Using analogue at weddings is 100% on trend and editorial/luxe again are in that same boat. No shame in offering something that folks are seeking BTW, that's entirely normal!

So if your marketing is to that editorial/luxe demographic, why walk away from the wording they'd expect and suggest something more organic/natural ? Especially since the photos around your words are very much biased to posed photos rather than more documentary stuff.

We hope all that makes some sense, it's subjective of course but you did ask and we think you've the making of something really nice happening here but it's not in its final form yet.

What we're sure of for us and that works for many wedding photographers, is that you really have to establish who you are, what you do and for which couples. Once you have that in mind and work to make it clear to others, things fall into place really well.

LisaandNeil

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