Words and Photography by Nadine Wilmanns
When the right client says YES
While photographing a restaurant owner last week, we talked about what makes his restaurant so popular and successful — after all, he has been going strong for almost 30 years. Not bad in a time where restaurants often open and close within months. He explained that one important factor was his selective sourcing from local suppliers.
He told me he deliberately chooses small, local suppliers over large ones. Not just for quality reasons, but also because of how they treat him. With a small supplier, he said, he’s not a number. He’s a human. A client they actually know.
Local over large
He told me he deliberately chooses small, local suppliers over large ones. Not just for quality reasons, but also because of how they treat him. With a small supplier, he said, he’s not a number. He’s a human. A client they actually know.
I understood exactly what he meant. As a small business with limited capacity I feel the same way with my clients.
Two eyes, two hands, two feet
I’m a freelance photographer and videographer, based between Metzingen and London, working on my own. Two eyes, two hands, two feet, one head, and a limited amount of time I can devote to working. I can’t take on dozens of clients each month, because my energy levels don’t work that way, and the quality of my work would suffer.
Personal
What that means in practice is that I choose carefully. And when someone I want as my client says yes, when a new client comes on board, there’s always a moment of celebration for me. That person and that project become something I take seriously as a creative assignment. It is never just another booking. A job is always something personal to me too. I think that’s because creative work is deeply personal. I don’t think it can be very good if it isn’t.
Well chosen
I love it when I feel I’ve chosen well. When the match feels right and I can see clearly what this client needs and how my work can genuinely serve them. There is a lot of work that goes into creating a photo story or video, but when you feel like you’re contributing to something worthwhile, what’s not to love. From careful preparation to the attention during the shoot, to the care in choosing and editing the final story or sequences — it’s all done with love. None of that is rushed and rationed across twenty other projects happening at the same time.
Full creative investment
For you as a client, that means something concrete: you can be sure the work gets my full creative investment. The images or films you receive aren’t rushed, but they’re thought and cared about.
This isn’t about being exclusive for the sake of it. It’s about being honest about what good work actually requires, and what level of energy and thought goes into it. I want my clients to have a photo story or video that evokes emotion and transports their unique message of a business that cares. And I want my clients to feel reassured of the value their products and services provide, as well as empowered to move forward in their ventures.
Better photography
The restaurant owner sources locally because it produces better food and better relationships. I work selectively because it produces better photography and videography. And because it’s the only way I know how to work and stay proud of what I make.
If that way of working sounds like what you’re looking for, I’d love to hear from you. I’m a freelance photographer and videographer specialising in branding, storytelling, and portrait work. Based between Metzingen and London, I work with small businesses and entrepreneurs across Germany and the UK.
You can find out more about working together at nadinewilmanns.com/business-offer.
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