For years now, my husband and I have frequented Sushi Wasabi, a tiny strip-mall sushi restaurant in what can only be described as the "wrong side of the tracks." It is 30 miles from our house and the decor leaves a lot to be desired. In fact, the only decor being a big sign above the sushi bar that reads "TRUST ME." But we go, year after year, because it is the best damn sushi in the world.
So what makes Sushi Wasabi so good? What makes it good is the hard-core dedication of it's chef, Katsu, to doing his own thing. Although conjuring scenes from Seinfeld's "Soup Nazi," Katsu is 100% dedicated to serving only the best sushi. There is no menu, there is no edamame, there are no Sexy Ninja rolls.... heck, Katsu won't even let you take your order to go. Everything at Sushi Wasabi is served Omakase Style, which means that the Chef feeds you whatever he/she wants until you're full. Omakase is the antithesis of choice.
I have often visited Katsu and looked around to notice that this little restaurant is packed to the gills (pun intended.) There is always a ton of people waiting for Katsu to work his magic, despite the lack of loud music, neon cocktails and ridiculously-named sushi rolls. Let's just say that Katsu's business is booming, and he didn't have to make a single compromise to do it. Methinks there is a business lesson here....
As photographers, we do our best work when we are given total trust from our clients. But how many of us are asking for it? Do you have the guts to be like Katsu and ask "TRUST ME?" I do. And, admittedly, not all clients honor my request; some clients take a look at the proverbial "menu" and walk out of my "sushi bar." But you can bet that the clients who take a chance - who let me do my thing - leave very, very full.
delightfully,
Chenin
Contact Me * My Portfolio * Stuff for Photographers
So what makes Sushi Wasabi so good? What makes it good is the hard-core dedication of it's chef, Katsu, to doing his own thing. Although conjuring scenes from Seinfeld's "Soup Nazi," Katsu is 100% dedicated to serving only the best sushi. There is no menu, there is no edamame, there are no Sexy Ninja rolls.... heck, Katsu won't even let you take your order to go. Everything at Sushi Wasabi is served Omakase Style, which means that the Chef feeds you whatever he/she wants until you're full. Omakase is the antithesis of choice.
I have often visited Katsu and looked around to notice that this little restaurant is packed to the gills (pun intended.) There is always a ton of people waiting for Katsu to work his magic, despite the lack of loud music, neon cocktails and ridiculously-named sushi rolls. Let's just say that Katsu's business is booming, and he didn't have to make a single compromise to do it. Methinks there is a business lesson here....
As photographers, we do our best work when we are given total trust from our clients. But how many of us are asking for it? Do you have the guts to be like Katsu and ask "TRUST ME?" I do. And, admittedly, not all clients honor my request; some clients take a look at the proverbial "menu" and walk out of my "sushi bar." But you can bet that the clients who take a chance - who let me do my thing - leave very, very full.
delightfully,
Chenin
Contact Me * My Portfolio * Stuff for Photographers
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Comments
jessica claire said:
this is a really cute analogy! it's also ironic--i'm shooting some photos for my favorite sushi chef at sushi plantation on monday. he wasn't going to have me do that, he said he could just have a friend do it. i told him that would be like me cutting some fish and slapping some rice on it--so he booked me :)
(01.29.10 @ 11:04 AM)
Amanda Rae said:
I love this story as much as I love random whole in the wall eateries. And that's a lot! Now it's just a matter of reminding myself of this everyday when people ask me to do things I don't want to do.
(01.29.10 @ 11:14 AM)
Wendy Maybury said:
Printed and hanging on the wall.
(01.29.10 @ 11:17 AM)
David of DavidHam said:
My kind of place. Great analogy and writeup Chenin. So no ninja rolls there? Are there pirate ones? ;)
(01.29.10 @ 11:20 AM)
jane button said:
Great analogy - I think you might be onto something here...thanks for sharing!
(01.29.10 @ 11:37 AM)
Faith said:
Great analogy, Chenin!
(01.29.10 @ 11:43 AM)
Terri said:
Great story, Chenin. We should all ask for trust from our clients because most people are happy to give it as a gift and it makes them feel empowered, too!
(01.29.10 @ 12:17 PM)
Michelle said:
I'm glad to see this post. Not only was it helpful, but my husband has been to this resturaunt and described the Sushi Chef the exact same way you did. He asked for Ponzu sauce and the chef told him "NO PONZU FOR YOU!!!" seriously, true story. What makes this story even funnier, is that I'm reading this story and we now live in Georgia, but know exactly where that little Tustin place is.
(01.29.10 @ 02:11 PM)
Tony Bisson said:
Chefs who can get away with tasting or pre fix menus have to work very hard to deliver the goods or the place dies. It is a tall order to take away an American's choice and make them happy. Few can pull it off in the business world. There are just many choices and word travels too fast if you fall short.
(01.29.10 @ 02:15 PM)
cindee bae said:
love love this post!! It's weird how some people won't trust the professional when they're paying for the service.. it really boggles my mind.. If a sushi chef wants to feed me a certain dish cause he believes it's the best of the night, I'll take his word for it, NO DOUBT! Btw, just googled sushi wasabi and planning to go there next weeked, thanks! :)
(01.29.10 @ 02:41 PM)
Jasmine* said:
Loved this analogy and this post...so true!
(01.29.10 @ 03:12 PM)
lroah said:
FANTASTIC post.
(01.29.10 @ 04:35 PM)
Santa Barbara Wedding said:
Very well put. Couldn't have said it better myself!!!
(01.29.10 @ 05:04 PM)
lane dittoe said:
well played miss!
(01.29.10 @ 08:03 PM)
Cliff Brunk said:
Fabulous analogy, very well said.
(01.29.10 @ 11:54 PM)
Andrea said:
Good stuff. I've noticed a difference when they do trust & respect me, but I've never been the one to have the guts to "ask" for it. I see it a little differently after this post. Thanks.
(01.30.10 @ 07:51 AM)
Mel Watson said:
Perfect analogy! It really drives home the idea that people will do whatever it takes, drive 30 miles, to get the quality product they desire. Katsu has clearly done a bang up job of creating dedicated fans. Thanks for sharing and now I'm pretty much wanting to fly to the west coast for some sushi! ;)
(01.30.10 @ 08:49 AM)
Alisa Greig said:
LOVE this, so true, the sessions where the clients do put full trust, are the ones that turn out the best!
(01.31.10 @ 12:30 AM)
Harold Jankowiak said:
You are so correct, I think I'm going to have to direct my blog readers over here to check out this post.
(01.31.10 @ 02:34 PM)
Joel Flory said:
So so so true. Thank you for reminding me to ask/recommend that they TRUST us because you are so right in that when they do it is the best photos possible.
(01.31.10 @ 05:17 PM)
Joel Flory said:
So so so true. Thank you for reminding me to ask/recommend that they TRUST us because you are so right in that when they do it is the best photos possible.
(01.31.10 @ 05:18 PM)
cameron clark| cameron + kelly studio said:
AMEN, let the trust begin.
(01.31.10 @ 07:42 PM)
Cari Chee said:
Thanks so much for sharing this story! It's really difficult for newer photographers to trust themselves and their vision sometimes, and I think it's the best lesson for us all to learn. It also makes for a more rewarding relationship with clients, and a lasting love for what we do.
(02.01.10 @ 07:39 AM)
corey said:
I love that Chenin esp when the client will say well Corey your the artist you choose whats best for us!! Wish life was always like this!!
(02.04.10 @ 06:25 AM)
jenny said:
good stuff chenin. i have a hard time saying that...but when they do trust me and let me do my "own" thing everything works out a lot better!
(02.13.10 @ 07:59 PM)
Katya said:
Love it! Thanks for sharing! Wish all our clients read this. ;-)
(03.02.10 @ 12:18 AM)