By Amanda Baltazar, Jeanine Fijol and Cara Schultz
© Lori Nordstrom
“Stop advertising, and start hanging out.” This was great advice
that I read a few years ago. I’ve taken that to heart and have
gotten more involved in my community as well as planning open
houses and being involved in events when I know my clients will be
socializing together.
I started photographing the Hoibergs (Fred and Carol) when their
two oldest children were young. The Hoibergs now have a total of
four children, including a set of twin boys who are 5. I’m based in
Iowa, and the Hoibergs live in Chicago so on my next trip there I
let them know I was coming out and that I would love to photograph
their kids again. They called me back within half an hour and asked
how long I was staying and how many families I could photograph!
Throughout that weekend I photographed several of their friends’
families. Later, Carol’s brother’s wife called and I started
photographing their family as well. I’ve created Christmas cards
and maternity portraits for them. Last summer I photographed
Carol’s sister’s wedding, and at that wedding I photographed each
of the families and did four different Christmas cards from images
that were taken at that event.”
Friends and Family
Portrait photographer Lori Nordstrom spoke with PDN about the art of getting repeat business. Below, she shares her tips and explains how after starting with just one family tree, she has received a number of commissions.
Dec 2, 2008
By Amanda Baltazar, Jeanine Fijol and Cara Schultz
“Stop advertising, and start hanging out.” This was great advice that I read a few years ago. I’ve taken that to heart and have gotten more involved in my community as well as planning open houses and being involved in events when I know my clients will be socializing together.
I started photographing the Hoibergs (Fred and Carol) when their two oldest children were young. The Hoibergs now have a total of four children, including a set of twin boys who are 5. I’m based in Iowa, and the Hoibergs live in Chicago so on my next trip there I let them know I was coming out and that I would love to photograph their kids again. They called me back within half an hour and asked how long I was staying and how many families I could photograph! Throughout that weekend I photographed several of their friends’ families. Later, Carol’s brother’s wife called and I started photographing their family as well. I’ve created Christmas cards and maternity portraits for them. Last summer I photographed Carol’s sister’s wedding, and at that wedding I photographed each of the families and did four different Christmas cards from images that were taken at that event.”
