Everyone loves a good review of themselves. For me, this started back in my elementary school days. Yep, you’re looking at the pleasure to have in class girl. Can’t help it. I always liked to be recognized and wanted to be the best. This trait extended into my business, which is why I am loud and proud of all of my accomplishments. Most recently winning Rocky Mountain Bride Best of 2024. While it felt good personally growing up with accolades, for my business, having good reviews literally pays. Good reviews attract more business, especially when you get 5 star reviews! After you have the reviews, How to Ask for Reviews for Your Photography Work — Zno Blog has a great list of where to share them!

It can feel like you have no control over your reviews. No one has to write them. No one has to say good things about you. But here, Honey, we don’t sit on the sidelines of our business. Here are the ways to get 5 star reviews and more of them!

Going above and beyond 

How to get reviews as a photographer? First, to get 5 star reviews you have to be giving 5 star service! We found The Ultimate Guide to a 5-Star Photography Client Experience a very good resource for what couples expect in service. Make sure you are providing an incredible experience to get 5 star reviews!

Before you ask for reviews, you want to give them something to review! Your first opportunity to ask will be after the sneak peek gallery delivery. To make sure this is a good experience, make sure you deliver their galley on time. I will give myself a generous cushion to let couples know when they can expect their photos back and then work hard to beat it. Sneak peaks in 48 hours? How about sneak peeks when I get home after I give my pup some pets? Exceeding their expectations right out of the gate!

Of course, don’t be crazy. There is no reason to set the expectation it will take 6 months and then get it back to them in 4. For full galleries, I usually set myself a 2 week cushion. Cause guess what? Sometimes shit happens. You get sick. You have unexpected guests. Sometimes it will be closer to the deadline you provided. The goal here is to not have cranky couples feeling like you dropped the ball on delivery.

ASK Them!

First Ask to Get 5 Star Reviews – Sneak Peeks

The number one way to get reviews – ASK!!! Most people won’t think of providing reviews on their own. Some people don’t even know how much it helps your business! It’s not that they don’t want to help you. They just don’t know the impact they can have.

How do I ask for a photography testimonial? My workflow sets up the first ask after they’ve looked through their sneak peek images. They are, of course, OBSESSED with your work and are dying over the photos. While you are still fresh in their mind as the goddam genius that you are, now is the time to ask. 

Text them within 48 hours of the sneak peeks with the link to where to leave the review. Make it easy for them! Wedding day high and recollection, when it’s still really fresh, is more likely to get a response. 

The ask is: If you have a spare couple of minutes, it would mean the world to us if you could leave us a review! *insert Google and Facebook review link*.

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Second Ask – Full Gallery

If you didn’t catch the review during sneak peeks, no biggie! Sometimes couples really want the full gallery first. Sometimes they just forget. Once again, make this easy for them. Include the link, share why it is important, and express your gratitude upfront.

You might also have some couples who are hesitating because they don’t know what to write. Include specific prompts as a checklist to get them started, and supply direct links to get them started! 

Third Ask – External Deadlines

If they weren’t able to leave a review, for whatever reason, after sneak peeks or the full gallery, you still have another shot at it! Use external deadlines such as The Knot Best of Wedding Awards and WeddingWire’s Couple’s Choice. These are good for a sense of urgency – the deadlines are October-December. Again, express your gratitude. “It would mean so much to me if you could leave a review! These awards help other couples find me!”

The Snowball Effect when you get 5 star reviews

Sharing reviews leads to more reviews. Always have your social proof, formal and informal. Take snippets or comments, DMs, and reviews. You can use these as normal rotations in your social media posts & stories. It is good for both prospective couples to hear the great things about you as well to remind past couples who haven’t reviewed that you would appreciate it if they did!

Word to the wise – reviews have to be organic!  IE Do NOT put on a giveaway to garner more reviews. Google’s Terms and Conditions advise against bulk reviews because they trigger a manual review by Google and might suspend your business account. For example, if you average 1 review a week and then have 20 in one week, Google is going to think something fishy is going on. We like to keep Google happy over here.

FAQs on How to Get 5 Stars Reviews

If you are at the very start of your photography business, first off- CONGRATULATIONS on taking the leap! It can be really fucking scary and I see you.

Second, for reviews, you need to set up a business page. This is actually super important mentally too. It can be REALLY hard to separate yourself from your business. But they are two separate things. 

Story Time! I once got a bad review from someone WHO DIDN’T EVEN USE MY PHOTOGRAPHY. They signed up then cancelled past the cancellation window and were pissed at me. Honestly, my first reaction was to take it personally. They were really upset with me and as a pathological people pleaser (IYKYK) it was crushing at first. I had to remind myself they weren’t mad at me, Kelsey, they were mad that they didn’t follow my business guidelines. Which, as a business, we need to protect us. 

TLDR: You need a business page.

Create a Facebook Page for Your Business | Meta Business Help Center.

Sign up for Business Profile – Google Business Profile Help

Again for our elopement photography virgins, your 5 star reviews don’t typically show up until you have a few of them. Trust me, Momma Lane was pissed when her review of my photography was not immediately posted. For both Google and Facebook, it usually collects 5 reviews (of any star count) before it posts them.

How to Become an Elopement Photographer – 25 Must Have Steps!

Sustaining a High 4-5 Star Review Business

How many reviews do I need to get 5 stars? A minimum of 5 reviews at 5 stars will give you that coveted 5 star rating. After that, the average will come into play. For example, the person who gave my business a 1 star review brought my rating down to 4.9.

Now, 1 star reviews will happen. Likely by people who have never used your amazing services! In this case, I recommend reaching out privately first to see if the relationship can be salvaged and if they would consider removing their review.

If that is unproductive, then make sure you respond publicly so prospective clients can see how you handle yourself. Don’t let one bad review, or even a few, get you down. One person name calling and admitting they didn’t even use your services says more about them than it does about you. Your potential clients will see that as well. Also, never respond in the moment. You will likely be emotionally charged about the situation. Make yourself a cup of green tea, and watch some Gilmore Girls.

If you are ready to take your business to the next level, Check out Coaching for elopement photographers. Can’t wait to see what amazing elopements you capture!!