This week crystallised for me the USP (unique selling points for those who had the pleasure of never working in sales), that Dinky Feet Photography has over any competitors, so I thought I will share it with you, as it’s something I have been passionate about since I started our photography business almost two years ago. It never occurred to me till now, and it did make me a little smug. Even more so than I am every time I show you guys a gallery of gorgeous images of your babies. Yes, I totally feel smug then. I created something priceless. I know we have a great gallery, when I watch it just before you arrive for your viewing, and I have tears in my eyes, and it’s not even my baby!
This week I got a phone call from my main artwork supplier, and we had a quick chat about the upcoming order. We then got on to talking in detail about the difference in quality between two types of canvas fabric the company supplies and two different types of glass for the framed prints. You could have your canvas material made in China, with different type of weave and colour, or you could have it made in America, OBA free (which guarantees no yellowing over time), hand stretched on a deep frame, which guarantees the product won’t warp or twist. All our canvases come with a 100 years quality certificate (if it starts to slack or change colour, we will replace it free of charge). I am really passionate about all those details, as geeky as it sounds for anyone reading it (are you yawning yet?).
When we got on to talking about the two different types of glass for frames, I might have possibly been glowing. You can choose the standard glass, which is absolutely lovely, or you can go for the ArtGlass, which is non reflective. I ordered two samples of the glass for our studio, to show you guys the difference and help you make the best decision when ordering your wall art. I want you to be able to choose consciously and be able to see the difference up close and evaluate if the better product is worth paying for in your eyes. This year, instead of telling you how awesome something is, I am determined to show you.
We had a good chat, as it’s always a pleasure to talk to a fellow business owner, who is passionate about customer service and the quality of products. I then carried on with my daily work. This week I was busy planning a workshop for an amazing outdoor photographer, Sujata Setia from But Natural Photography. We chatted about customer service and I mentioned I offer my newborn clients coffee and cake, if there is something awesome that the on-site baker made that day. She said “you’re soo posh!”. I smiled, as I thought “well.. yes. Yes I guess am”. I want to make my clients feel as comfortable and relaxed as physically possible. The idea from the moment you walk in is not to be overwhelmed by a massive, sterile white studio, that screams “this is going to be bloody expensive”. I want you to feel as though you are popping in to a friend’s house for a cuppa, and they happened to have a camera and be relatively capable of taking some decent photos of your little model. I want you to feel at home. If you want to sit there and catch up on a book, feel free. You can order a delicious handmade pizza from downstairs, have it delivered to the studio, and eat it in peace, whilst I am looking after your baby. Unless you are coming for a cake smash, in which case you will be busy trying to get our model’s attention whilst I snap away.
I had this “customer service epiphany” again, when only a couple of days ago I had a chat with Rob from Rob Mank Photography about packaging for the USBs and prints. Rob goes even further. He offers fine art prints as standard, and gets his fabulously made print boxes from an American company, specialising in hand made rustic products. I love lush things, but even I had a mild stroke when I asked for their prices. Their products are outstanding, but delivery and taxes for getting them to UK are in no way inconsequential. Rob’s philosophy when it comes to customer service is similar to mine, and we always aim for the best. Even to the detriment of our net profit.
I am not the cheapest photographer around, neither do I want to be.
I am not shooting 10 sessions a week. Neither do I want to. I want to give you the attention you deserve. If your photos take twice as long to retouch, because your baby had some newborn acne, so be it. I will do my best to make sure no matter which one you choose to have on your wall, it will look amazing.
I only book a maximum of 4 newborn sessions a week to give all my expecting moms the flexibility to adjust the session date upon your baby’s arrival. If you are in the calendar, your session will go ahead, even if your baby arrives two months too early, or much later than expected. I have this covered. Flexibility comes in as standard.
If you are too busy to pick up your prints and wall art after the viewing, I will send them to your chosen address free of charge.
If your baby is not happy to be photographed on the day, because they have stomach ache, haven’t slept well or simply hate the world on Wednesdays, that is fine. I have an allocation of days each month for reshoots. Those are also free of charge.
If you decide to go for the top package, but just had a new bathroom fitted and simply cannot afford it, I offer payment plans, that won’t cost you any extra.
I don’t charge for photo storage, if you get back to me later in the year to buy some additional images and products and I happen to still have them on a hard drive. Charging for photo storage is a standard industry practice, but I give it a miss. Because I can.
I want you to be happy.
If I mess up, I will always try to make it up to you. If you book in for a full session, and after seeing your photos decide they are terrible, you are under no obligation to buy any.
If you are booked in with me for a photography training session, you will leave not only with heaps of knowledge and tips, but with a tangible goodie bag.
You should always get what you pay for or more. Never less. You should always provide your kids with the best possible memories, whether it’s a trip to the forest or park and listening to their stories about the nursery, what they had for dinner and why Paw Patrol rocks, without pulling out your mobile phone to search for something more entertaining, or an amazing quality photo that will now be a part of their biography.
I want you to feel you got the best value for your hard earned cash.
I order the best props available on the market, to make your session unique. I constantly improve my skills with numerous workshops and training sessions, in order to give you better pictures. I will always aim for the best gear I can get in order to give you the sharpest, crispiest photos you can imagine. I want you to remember every detail, every lash, every tiny bit of your baby. Their feet, their toes, their nails.
I will always strive for the best value for your money.
I want you to feel you have made the right decision by choosing me to document your baby’s first years. You will always have somewhere else that will shoot “some snaps” of your little one for a fiver, but when you or your kids look back that saving will be a visible one.
