In our world that is full of smartphones, gigabit internet speeds and millennials who hate talking on the phone, setting up an in person client consultation is surprisingly hard. When a bride inquires with me, I quickly answer her questions and send her the information she’s looking for, and I also include this:

I would love to meet both you and your fiancé and get to know you and hear about the plans for your wedding day! Please let me know if you have any availability next week for coffee or even a Skype video chat! I want to give you an opportunity to get to know me, my style, and my personality to make sure I’m the best fit for you and your wedding day – that is what matters the most!

Every once in a while I get, “sure! I’m free for coffee on Sunday morning!” or even “Can we set up a call tomorrow night?”, but more often than not, that line in my email is simply ignored. You may think, “Geeze, Dawn, is it really that big of a deal?”. Well, no, it’s not a huge deal, but I can tell you why you should want to talk with your photographer in person, or at least on the phone before you book them for your wedding.

Reasons why you should want to talk with your photographer:

 1. It saves time

While emails are nice, having a conversation saves time. Email conversations can cover a span of multiple days or weeks where a phone call would take about 30 minutes.  This is important to consider because Saturdays book quickly for us, especially in the spring and fall seasons. I do my best to let both brides who share a date know that there’s another inquiring bride. However, dates are locked in with a signed contract and paid retainer. Don’t lose your date because you don’t want to talk in person!

2. Clear expectations and advice

Quality photography is an investment. It is important that you understand what you will be receiving, what will be expected of the couple, and what next steps looks like. I still send this information to my couples via email after a conversation, but I have learned that it is easier to process, understand and ask questions about when talking in person. Also, It’s likely that your photographer has been to quite a few weddings, and they may have some perspective that can help you with your own wedding plans. This can be anything from hours of coverage, to timeline, to vendor suggestions. I am always happy to help, just ask!

3. Most importantly, personality matters!

From the time that you put on your wedding dress, to the last dance of the night, your photographer will be by your side capturing the moment. These moments can be very intimate and special, so why would you want to share them with someone you don’t like? For this reason, it is important that our personalities mesh well. Meeting in person or on a video call is a great way to get a feel for each other and to make sure we are a great fit! If I’m not the best photographer for you, for any reason, I will always refer a bride to a photographer that might be a better fit. Finding the right person for your wedding day is what matters the most!

Your wedding day should be full of excitement and happy tears, so don’t spend it worrying about your photographer. Get to know me, how I work, and how excited I am to celebrate your day with you. I want you to focus on you and your soon-to-be spouse. Trust me to document the day you have spent your life dreaming about!