Hello again dear reader! Earlier this week I was stewing on what to write about for today's blog entry when I had a situation pop up. After communicating with a potential wedding client for a few days via email we set up a phone call. I wont get into the details but during the call it became clear that although she loved our work and wanted to hire us, I could tell we just weren’t going to be a good fit. She needed more of a type A personality to give her the experience she was going to enjoy most. And that’s absolutely fine! I gave her a few referrals for photographers who might be better suited for her needs and after a few friendly words we parted ways.
After so many years in this business Sarah and I have a clear understanding of what makes a good photographer client relationship and it goes far beyond photographs!
Picking the right photographer is SO important. You might love their work and they are right in the ballpark of what you were hoping to spend, but if you don’t vibe then your artistic journey together will be filled with negative feelings. Such as nervousness, awkwardness or even possible resentment down the line. Luckily when we first started we had an industry icon by the name of Zach Gray (website link below) give us an amazing piece of advice. “Don’t be afraid to tell a potential client you're not the right fit for them.”
Do they offer what you're looking for?
When you're trying to decide if a photographer is the right person or team to capture such an important event in your life you should consider (After truly loving their work) what they offer.
For example, If you see a package that has a boudoir session and you would rather have a large hardback wedding album, ask them if you can swap. Or if you ask if they are willing to make editing alterations if you request them in the future and they refuse, that says something. It’s not a bad thing and the photographer probably has their reasons. However if they are unwilling to bend or compromise, that may say something about how the entire process will go with them. They are probably a strong willed person who knows what they want and they will do things their way. That's a great thing for some people. But maybe not for you. You might be the type of person who is looking for a more flexible photographer.
Do they jive with your vibe?
Most everything I mentioned above can be assessed by email before even meeting. If you feel like moving on with a consultation by phone, webcam or even better, in person that's great! During your consultation you have an opportunity. A consultation isn’t just about hearing their vision for your day. Of course that's extremely important, it's also about getting to know each other. Most of us humans have a sixth sense for someone's vibe, the way you click and communicate back and forth. Do they really understand you? Maybe you don’t get them? This is your opportunity to see if you feel like you could be friends with this person. Sarah and I love when our clients become our friends and we are thankful to be able to say that happens a lot. Your wedding will go so smoothly on the artistic side of things if you and your photographer can laugh together and handle problems when they come up with a clear understanding of each other. When you feel like friends!
Wedding planning can be stressful and sometimes people just want to get it done and get everything on the books. But take it from me, take your time. You and your photographer will be spending a lot of time together. Make sure you pick someone who you could imagine hanging out with!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read today’s post. I hope this article helped you on your wedding planning journey.
Sarah and I are open for bookings in the Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky area as well as traveling sessions. If you’re interested in possibly booking a session just hop over to the contact page and shoot us an email!
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Thanks for reading!
- Jordan Epperson