Weddingbee PRO

Over the years, learning someone has chosen another photographer has been a practice in not taking it personally. I love learning about each one of my inquiring brides, and send them an initial questionnaire about their wedding day via email or call them to discuss the details over the phone. Then, I send them a proposal based on their requests (second photographer, digital negatives, album, etc). I use an online booking program called ShootQ which tracks all correspondence I have with each bride. So if I notice I haven’t heard from a bride within a few days of sending her a proposal, I follow-up with an email or phone call to make sure she received it and see if she might have any questions.

Sometimes I don’t hear back from a bride, and I realize she’s likely price shopping with a lot of photographers. I work very hard to promote my business based on quality, not quantity, so I usually don’t push for a reply and move on.

Many brides do take the time to let me know they have hired someone else, either citing a reason (budget, hired a family friend, etc) or telling me who they chose. My heart always sinks a bit as at this point I feel invested in her day and her photography needs.

If a bride receives and likes a proposal, the next step is a face-to-face meeting (if the client is local, which many of mine are not). I have a studio and love meeting prospective clients to chat about their wedding day in person in this space. Not only is it a warm, inviting environment, but it allows couples to see the scope of my work and samples of all the products I offer. Brides and grooms can envision themselves in my sample albums or canvas prints on the wall, for instance. We typically chat for about an hour, getting to know each other and their plans. We share stories, laughs, and sometimes even cupcakes (a studio staple). At the end, if it has gone well, I send them off with a hug.

When I hear from those folks that they have hired someone else, my heart sinks even more. Was it me? Was it the cupcakes? The hug? It’s difficult to dissect the meeting and wonder what went wrong, but couples are usually upfront letting me know their reason and thank me for my time. (But you know, an in-person meeting is a two-way interview. I’ve met a few couples who I couldn’t envision spending a day alongside. Making sure personalities mesh is very important!).

Bottom line, I’d just love to know a bride’s decision. Period. A simple email is just fine so that I can delete that client record and concentrate on the next.