You need to understand it’s functionality, if you’ve never used it beyond clicking on a preset you’ve purchased then you need to step away and start exploring without those. Photographers aren’t looking for an editor that they will need to teach from the ground up, no way! They need someone to give them more time and need to be able to train you as quickly as possible so they can get back to their clients. Lightroom is the editing program most all professional are using.

You want to approach your first potential client with as much knowledge as you can, you want to reassure them that you know what you’re doing and that goes beyond knowing how to edit a photo. They want to see you as a professional. So you need to develop your system/routine for client interactions. How will they send their files, what is the expected turnaround time, and how will they pay for your services? These are just a few of the big questions you need to have answers for.

I want each and every person I work with to know me, I want them to trust me and I think email can only go so far. So I recommend after that initial email, once they’ve said ‘keep talking’ the next step is to schedule a Skype call to answer any questions and for you to explain the process in person. This is totally a personal opinion but I think this one is key!! You will be able to make sure the two of you are a fit and you will give them one more reason to trust you. I come prepared with this call and I have a list of questions about their business and editing along with a recap of how I work things from my side of the interaction.

This kind of goes without saying, but can you get the job done for them? I’m sure the people you reach out to have a style you’ve seen and so you should have a pretty good idea if it’s a style you’re comfortable editing in, but maybe once you’ve been editing for a while you start to receive inquires from people you’ve never seen. Please make sure you look at their work and feel you can do the job. I personally have chosen to stick with clients who edit in a style that is much like mine, or within reason just because that’s how my eye generally likes things. I have chosen not to take on clients that are totally opposite of that style, it just isn’t a good fit for me.

You’re #1 goal should be to get so good at editing just like them that THEY don’t even notice a difference. Getting to that point happens when you’ve worked with them for a while AND received feedback. Be open to constructive criticism. I always tell my clients, especially after the first session I edit, that I expect feedback. The only way to get better is to know when you’re doing something incorrect. I welcome the notes from them because it only makes me better at the next job. Being open to this is HUGE! Your clients will feel relieved that they are working with someone they can communicate with, and will feel even more convinced that you are going to make your best effort to take care of them.