08/14/2026
๐๐๐ฎ ๐๐ค ๐ ๐ง๐๐ฆ๐ช๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ฃ๐ค๐ฃ๐ง๐๐๐ช๐ฃ๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ง?
Are you thinking I'm secretly sitting in my office rubbing my hands together saying, "MUHAHAHA... someone's going to cancel!" ๐
Nope! That's not it!
Time is precious. And since this small business of mine is my only income, time is also my paycheck.
For the first few years of my business before implementing retainers, I had way too many people cancel.
I heard all kinds of excuses like:
"I'm having a really bad hair day."
"I couldn't make it to the salon, and my roots are showing."
"I don't have anything to wear. I meant to get something and forgot."
"I'm bloated and feel too fat today."
"I forgot it was today."
"My kid is having a meltdown."
Sometimes there wasn't even an excuse. They just didn't show up! When I realized I was being stood up and started having flashbacks of my dating years, I knew I had to do something. ๐ Ain't nobody got time for dating flashbacks!
Before I started requiring a retainer, there really wasn't much consequence to someone simply not showing up... except missing out on FABULOUS PHOTOS, of course! ๐
Another point is that, when you book a session with me, I don't just put your name on my calendar and forget about it until the day of your appointment.
I arrange my business and personal schedule around our session.
I also prepare my equipment, charge batteries, format memory cards, and plan details specific to your session, including props and location arrangements.
And lastly, I turn away other potential clients who may want that same date and time.
Hopefully by explaining what goes into your shoot helps puts things in a new perspective, and why I had to start requiring a nonrefundable retainer. I don't just lose an hour or two of shooting time, it's also the time lost planning and preparing for your session.
It's not a punishment.
It's not me being difficult.
It's simply to ensure a commitment from both of us. You're committing to showing up, and I'm committing that this time belongs to you.
So...
Can I Tell U Something?
If you've booked a session with me, please put it on your calendar(s), tell your spouse, tell your kids, tell your bestie! Write it on the refrigerator, tattoo it on your forehead... whatever method works for you. ๐
Just please don't forget about me!
Now, before anybody panics... I KNOW LIFE HAPPENS. Kids get sick. Emergencies happen. Things come up that nobody could have predicted. I'm human, and I understand that sometimes plans genuinely have to change. I will absolutely work with you on those situations. Just communicate with me. I will absolutely work with you if I know what is going on. ๐
And listen, if you need me to make that appointment with your hairdresser to get your roots touched up before our session... I'm on it! ;)
