A mother wants a family photo session before her eldest leaves for university. She has questions: How long does a session take? Can we do it outdoors? What should we wear? Can the dog come? How many photos will we get? When will we get them? She messages a local photographer late one evening, hoping for quick answers.
Portrait and family session enquiries come with many practical questions. Answering them clearly fills the diary.
What clients ask
Clients usually want to know what a session costs and what is included, how long it lasts, whether it is in a studio, at home or outdoors, what to wear, whether pets can join, how many edited photos they receive, when photos will be delivered and whether prints are available.
Example conversations
These scripts use information a photographer might publish. Your answers should come from your own pages.
Client: How long is a family session? Assistant: The family sessions page explains that sessions last about an hour, either outdoors at a local park or at your home.
Client: What should we wear? Assistant: The page has a guide to outfits, suggesting coordinating colours rather than matching outfits, and avoiding large logos.
Client: Can our dog come? Assistant: Yes, the page says pets are welcome at outdoor sessions.
Client: How many photos do we get? Assistant: The session fee includes a set number of edited digital images, as listed on the page, with the option to buy more.
Sensitive sessions
Some sessions are for sensitive reasons, such as a family member who is unwell or a memorial. These need care and a personal reply. How to handle sensitive questions is covered in how to handle sensitive questions in your chatbot.
Prices and packages
Clear pricing prevents disappointment. If the assistant ever gives an outdated price, correcting it quickly matters, as discussed in when your chatbot gives a wrong price. Contract and price clarity helps in other services too, such as gyms, described in price and contract questions that stop gym signups.
Wedding clients too
Many portrait photographers also shoot weddings. Wedding enquiries need faster replies, as described in wedding photography enquiries that need a fast reply.
Newborn and milestone sessions
Newborn sessions, birthdays and graduation portraits have their own timing questions. Newborn sessions, for example, are usually best in the first weeks, so parents need to book before the baby arrives. Explaining the ideal timing for each type of session helps families plan and fills your diary in advance.
Viewing and ordering photos
Clients often ask how they will see and choose their photos. Explaining the viewing process, whether online galleries or an in-person viewing, and how ordering works, sets expectations.
Seasonal demand
Family sessions peak before Christmas and in spring. Publishing availability and booking deadlines for seasonal sessions helps families plan.
Answering at any hour
SpideyChat for photographers answers session questions from your own pages at any hour and captures booking requests.
Gift sessions
Family sessions make popular gifts for grandparents and new parents. Offering gift vouchers for sessions, and explaining how they work, brings in bookings you might otherwise miss.
A sessions page
Write a clear sessions page covering prices, what is included, locations, outfits, pets and delivery. Try SpideyChat on your own site, or read about capture on the features page.