---
title: The difference in guest relationship when you giveaway photos vs sell
description: If you were a guest browsing for activities for an upcoming trip, free photos could be the deciding factor between your business and the one down the road.
image: https://www.fotaflo.com/hubfs/Dive%20Oahu%20%26%20Surf%20-%202020-03-18-10-32-25-000-2byan.jpeg
---

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### Built for the people who shape every guest experience.

From owners to guides, Fotaflo helps your team capture memories, save time, and keep guests talking after the experience ends.

- [Guides & Photographers](https://www.fotaflo.com/by-role/tour-guides)
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Looking for your role?

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## By Industry

### Built for experience operators who want more guests.

Boat tours, escape rooms, and beyond. Fotaflo helps turn guest memories into more reviews, referrals, and repeat bookings.

- [Boat Tours](https://www.fotaflo.com/by-industry/boat-tour-photo-management-software)
- [Zipline & Canopy Tours](https://www.fotaflo.com/by-industry/zipline-photo-software)
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- [Animal Experiences](https://www.fotaflo.com/by-industry/experiential-tour-photo-marketing-platform)
- [City & Food Tours](https://www.fotaflo.com/by-industry/food-tour-guide-photo-app)
- [Horseback Riding Experiences](https://www.fotaflo.com/by-industry/trail-ride-photo-software)

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# The difference in guest relationship when you giveaway photos vs sell

July 30, 2020

![<span id="hs_cos_wrapper_name" class="hs_cos_wrapper hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field hs_cos_wrapper_type_text" style="" data-hs-cos-general-type="meta_field" data-hs-cos-type="text" >The difference in guest relationship when you giveaway photos vs sell</span>](https://www.fotaflo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Dive%20Oahu%20%26%20Surf%20-%202020-03-18-10-32-25-000-2byan.jpeg?%20Surf%20-%202020-03-18-10-32-25-000-2byan.jpeg&width=1200&height=900&name=Dive%20Oahu%20%26%20Surf%20-%202020-03-18-10-32-25-000-2byan.jpeg?%20Surf%20-%202020-03-18-10-32-25-000-2byan.jpeg)

There are a lot of benefits to giving away photos and videos to guests that aren't obvious if you're still thinking about photos from a souvenir sales perspective.

This post outlines a few areas where providing photo memories really changes the entire relationship between guests and your staff and business.

## Customers recognize and appreciate free photo memories

Customers recognize and truly appreciate the value of giving them their photo memories for free. Read this amazing, unprompted, customer feedback:

![blank](https://www.fotaflo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Testimonials%20(1).png?width=600&name=Testimonials%20(1).png)

 

Our clients see this first-hand over and over again.

![blank](https://www.fotaflo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Testimonials%20(1)-1.png?width=600&name=Testimonials%20(1)-1.png)

 

## Selling photos creates conflict

It can create a negative experience if you're running a group activity and guests who don't plan to buy photos have to wait while you take photos. Taking photos that must be purchased can make guests feel like they are held hostage for something they will have to pay for later.

![blank](https://www.fotaflo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Testimonials%20(6).png?width=600&name=Testimonials%20(6).png)

 

Another interesting perspective was provided by Joyce Belcher, Executive Director of [Red River Gorge Ziplines](https://www.redrivergorgezipline.com/). Thinking about your guests and how they might perceive up-sells and add-ons when they can't afford them is a very empathetic perspective and directly leads to a more positive experience for all guests.

![blank](https://www.fotaflo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Testimonials%20(4)-1.png?width=600&name=Testimonials%20(4)-1.png)

 

## Free photos can seal the deal

When guests are looking for an activity, whether they are local or travelling, they are looking for value. They want to know they are getting the best experience for an affordable price.

If you were a guest browsing for activities for an upcoming trip, free photos could be the deciding factor between your business and the one down the road.

Here's how [Historic Banning Mills](https://www.historicbanningmills.com/) advertises their offering.

 

![blank](https://www.fotaflo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-07-27%20at%2010.27.17%20AM.png?width=1116&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-07-27%20at%2010.27.17%20AM.png)

 

Kyle Werner, Marketing Manager for [American Adventure Park Systems](https://www.americanadventurepark.com/) and [Screaming Eagle Adventures](https://www.lakeguntersvillezipline.com/) provides a very clear endorsement of advertising free photos.

![Testimonials-2](https://www.fotaflo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Testimonials-2.png?width=600&name=Testimonials-2.png)

## Memories aren't products

Everything we've learned at Fotaflo by providing photo marketing solutions for over 10 years highlights something very important: **memories aren't products**. Photo memories are a unique class of media that can be an amazing marketing asset because they create an authentic emotional connection between your guests, your staff, and your business.

When guests must purchase *their own memories* it can feel tacky. They're forced to have [a poorer experience](https://www.fotaflo.com/blog/improve-guest-and-staff-experience-with-your-photo-marketing-service), especially if they bring their own devices and try to take photos of their own adventure.

Treating guests with respect and empathy and realizing that giving them their photo memories [simplifies your operations](https://www.fotaflo.com/blog/why-selling-photos-is-the-hardest-part-of-a-photo-solution) and makes them happier. It also makes you stand out from the competition during the guest buying journey, and ultimately means you're providing a **better experience**. And that's what your business is all about, isn't it?

If you'd like to begin providing guest photos book a 1-on-1 demo of Fotaflo and we'll show you how simple and easy it can be.

## Topics

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