INTERNATIONAL VS LOCAL CLIENTS ENGAGEMENT
If you’re a photographer based in the Philippines, you’ve probably wondered at some point what it’s like to work with clients from abroad. Is it better? Is it harder? Is the experience really that different?
Phozine got to sit down with Franz Lopez, a photo and video journalist for Rappler and founder of a non-profit community for analog photography lovers, Born in Film. Franz has worked with both local and international clients, and his insights are ones every Filipino photographer needs to hear.
INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS COME IN WITH A CLEAR VISION
One of the biggest things Franz pointed out about international clients is that they tend to come in prepared. Think shot lists ready, deadlines set, and expectations laid out before you even get on a call. A lot of this comes down to how business culture works in other countries, where detailed briefs and structured communication are just the norm.
Franz shared his experience working with a media organization in Los Angeles, where the instructions for a stock footage shoot were specific and easy to follow. There was no need for multiple follow-ups, no vague expectations.
Another thing worth noting is that international clients, particularly those from the United States, deeply appreciate Filipino creativity. What we bring to the table is fresh to them, and in return, you don’t have to shrink your creative instincts to fit what’s expected.
LANGUAGE BARRIERS CAN STILL GET IN THE WAY
It’s not all smooth sailing, though. Language barriers are a real issue depending on where your client is from. Franz mentioned that some opportunities with clients from certain South Pacific countries didn’t push through simply because communication became too difficult.
There’s also the matter of time zones and the fact that you may never meet these clients in person. Building trust remotely takes more effort, and if something goes wrong, sorting it out across different countries is not always easy.
LOCAL CLIENTS COME WITH PROXIMITY AND A REFERRAL CULTURE
Local clients are close to home, literally and figuratively. You share the same culture, you understand the context of the events you’re shooting, and communication happens in real time. There’s also a strong referral culture here in the Philippines. One good shoot can lead to three more bookings just through word of mouth.
There’s also something to be said about the relationships you build locally. Filipino clients tend to be personal and warm, and when they trust you, they really trust you. That kind of loyalty is hard to find anywhere else.
PART OF THE JOB IS EXPLAINING THE JOB
Local clients, in Franz’s experience, often come in with context gaps. They might not fully understand how photography or media production works, which means you end up spending extra time explaining your process, your timeline, and why things cost what they cost.
This isn’t a knock on local clients; it’s simply the product of photography not being widely seen as a technical skill here. For photographers, it means building education into your process. Setting expectations early, ideally in a proper meeting before the shoot, stops a lot of problems before they start.
LEARNING TO WORK WITH ANYONE, ANYWHERE
What Franz’s experience teaches us is that neither international nor local clients are strictly better. They’re just different, and the best photographers learn how to work with both.
International clients will push you to deliver based on a clear brief, often with little room for back-and-forth. Local clients, on the other hand, will challenge your communication skills and your ability to guide them through the process.
In the end, growing as a Filipino photographer isn’t about choosing one over the other. It’s about learning how to adapt, build trust, and show up prepared, no matter who’s on the other side of the camera.
Phozine is a photography resource for Filipino creatives navigating the freelance industry. For more insights from working photographers, explore our articles, guidebook, and podcast.
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