I have been blogging lately on Customer Service topics, and I have to say I am disappointed that so many organizations misread what’s really important to their clients. I am sure I am no different – we all are too close to our own businesses to see the obvious.

The saga of my search for a Photographer continued, with a happy ending. There are three important lessons for hiring a professional that I reaffirmed in this process:

• First, when seeking (or giving) a referral, consider the source.
• Second, trust your instincts.
• Third, there’s no substitute for loving what you do.

A few weeks ago I blogged about my search for a photographer and how one well-recommended person could have easily won my business for a much higher fee by doing three simple things that cost no money at all. So, my search continued.

I won’t bore you with the details, but I finally contacted the photographer that was recommended by a marketing professional (instead of my friend who recently had wedding portraits done). I felt he would be expensive and I was right – but it was SO worth it. There is a difference between being expensive and overpriced. The former is OK.

Not only did he promptly return my email and then have a conversation with me (at our agreed upon time), I could hear him smile. It made me smile. What a difference. In addition he had already researched me and knew who I was and what I do. He talked to our mutual contact and understood my background and what I was like to work with as a client. How cool is that?

He listened, asked questions, and gave me thoughtful answers. The fee for the shoot was on the high end of what I had been advised to expect, but here’s the difference: He did things that made it worthwhile. He spent time on the phone with my web designer to get a sense of what was needed. He suggested some location ideas and then scouted the sites that I selected. He checked in with me in the days prior to the shoot and even sent me a recommended attire list (I never know what to wear – so this was huge to me). When I arrived for the shoot at the first of two locations, he was setup for the first shot and we did five more scenes after that.

He was prepared, creative, efficient, and most important – he just loves what he does. I had fun because he was having fun. He made himself more valuable to me. Can you say that about your team?

By the way, his name is Tim Quiring and here’s his website.