Maybe you’ve never thought about what a Google review means to a small business – and if you’re not a small business, why would you?? – but I’m here to tell you that it means A LOT. So many people make a hiring decision based on reviews and the difference between a business that has a lot of reviews and a business that doesn’t is monumental. I am fortunate to have – at the time of this writing – almost 100 five star reviews (okay, 99, which is almost 100) and that is due to having amazing clients who’ve not only had a great experience with me but are so fantastic as to take time out of their busy schedules to sit down and write about their experience.
I’m so grateful. It never escapes me how fortunate I am to own a business doing the work that I love and to do that work with people I enjoy who appreciate me in return, enough that they’ll devote the time to writing a Google review about their experience with me. So grateful.
So, being that this entire blog post is devoted to the importance of the Google review, let me share some of the kind words that past clients have written about our time together:
“Liz is just the best! From her perfect selection of all the props and backgrounds to her expertise in handling newborns, the entire experience is so professionally managed and smooth. We were simply able to sit back and relax while she took amazing shots. And Liz took the time to understand and capture our favorite shots or poses that we had in mind. When we received the pictures, we and everyone we showed the pictures to were just amazed! We will cherish these pictures forever…” – A.K.
Wow. Thank you. That’s an incredibly kind google review. Want to see another? This one blew me away with its incredible detail and I had to include it all sorrynotsorry – this husband really felt some kind of way about his experience 🥺❤️
“Liz is more than a capturer of moments; she is a creator of memories.
My wife and I initially spoke with Liz on the phone about maternity and newborn photos, and we instantly felt comfortable with her documenting such exciting and personal times in our lives. More than that, we liked her. She is kind, enthusiastic, intelligent, and knows her craft inside and out. Her excitement for photography is infectious. After the conclusion of the call, we were left not only looking forward to the photos at the end of the process, but to the sessions themselves.
Between bad weather and other unforeseen circumstances on our end, the date for our maternity photos came and went multiple times, with my wife’s bump growing ever onward as we continually rescheduled. Here again Liz showed her professionalism and understanding, working with us to find new dates that would work. She even took the time to help us with outfit selection, removing some of the stress of preparing for the shoot. Finally, everything aligned, and we met her at the Howard County Conservancy on a weekday evening, the sun resting comfortably in that perfect spot in the sky where you can feel the calm of evening approaching.
Upon our arrival, we all found that more people were present at the Conservancy than we expected, including a yoga class that decided to go outdoors on one of the prime photo spots. Liz was unperturbed, adjusting her plan and assuring us that we would have a beautiful shoot regardless. Through gardens, fields, and woodland trails, dodging walkers and Boy Scout troops, Liz led us on an adventure to highlight this monumental moment in our lives. While also open to suggestions, she provided excellent instruction, working us into the scenery like paint on a canvas. The finale came with the setting sun, my wife and I walking through a field of amber grasses. It was the perfect end to a masterful performance by Liz.
We were blown away when we received the photos from the shoot. The images were more than snapshots; each was a work of art. You can see how much we enjoyed the experience, and, even though she was behind the camera, you can feel Liz’s passion.
Fast forward a few weeks, and my wife’s bump has given way to a beautiful baby girl. Despite arriving a week before the due date, Liz was able to schedule us for the shoot with little difficulty, encouraging us to focus on our newborn and letting her take care of the rest. She came in clutch again with outfit advice, with ours not shipping in time due to our daughter’s early arrival. As newborns tend to be, our daughter was, well, a bit fussy at times, which made us somewhat nervous for her shoot. Would she cooperate? Would she just want to feed or cry the whole time? Would the whole effort be a disaster?
Please, this is Liz Viernes we’re talking about here.
We arrived at her basement studio, tired from lack of sleep and thinking about little other than diapers and sleep for over a week. Yes, our daughter was a bit stiff at first, but she quickly melted under Liz’s expert attention. While my wife and I laid on Liz’s couch (quite comfy by the way, also 5/5 stars for that couch), she worked her magic, exhibiting a supreme gentleness and patience that was amazing to behold. I could hardly maneuver our daughter into her onesie; Liz placed her in the most adorable positions, with props and outfits that somehow enhanced our daughter’s cuteness factor ten-fold. Each pose was preceded by a long and careful bout of positioning, with Liz sculpting those baby rolls like they were clay. When it came time for us to join in, Liz was every bit as impressive as at the maternity shoot, working with us to create an amazingly fun experience (even sleep-deprived). We left feeling much better than when we arrived, all thanks to Liz.
At the time of this writing, we are eagerly awaiting the photos from our newborn shoot (5 days ago now), but we have no doubt that they will be masterpieces once again.” – S.C.
I’m not crying, you’re crying. Oh wait, no, that’s definitely me crying. This Google review is one for the books.
One last google review from a client who came back after her maternity for a newborn session and to capture her baby’s first birthday session:
“If you are considering maternity or newborn photography, book Liz, NOW! She is an absolute dream to work with, and she will capture stunning photos of you and your family during this time of your life.
I came across her Instagram page while looking for a photographer in the DMV area, and loved her timeless, bright, and airy photos. I reached out to her towards the end of my second trimester, and I was so lucky that she was available to squeeze me and my family in for both the maternity and newborn session. Seriously, reach out to her early because there is a reason that she is booked.
Liz is professional, friendly, understanding and fun! She helps to make sure that you are comfortable in front of the camera, and your photos come out perfectly by fixing imperfections, such as hair in your face.
One of the things that stood out about Liz was her experience as a registered nurse, which put us completely at ease with handling and taking care of our newborn during our session. Also, she takes COVID precautions very seriously, so we were comfortable working with her and visiting her clean, beautiful studio. She is patient and prepared with props and for any accidents, so you can sit back and relax while she captures the precious moments of your little one.
We had a wonderful experience and look forward to working with Liz again in the future. We can’t thank her enough for these memories and definitely recommend her!” – C.M.
I love knowing that my background in nursing provides a sense of security to those clients who are, essentially, handing over their tiny newborn to a stranger. If I can do anything to make my clients more comfortable, pulling out my clinical background is something I’m not shy about doing!
So, to recap: Google review, Google review, Google review! It take a few minutes of your time and makes a HUGE difference in the success of someone’s small business. If you’re on the fence about leaving a Google review, hopefully this blog post will push you to leave one for a business that has made an impact on you!
Speaking of which, if you’re a past client and you’d like to share some words about your experience with me, I’d be so appreciative!! Leave your Google review here.
Featured in this blog post is a beautiful, sweet family for whom I shot a lifestyle newborn session and then they came back for a family session to document a special first birthday! I LOVE seeing repeat clients!!
Liz Viernes Photography is based near Ellicott City, Maryland, and specializes in maternity, fresh 48, posed and lifestyle newborns and first year milestone portraits.
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