AN ATTITUDE

MEETING THE CLIENTS

A professional is firstly someone punctual and organised. Meet up your clients in a convenient location for both parts where the access, lightning and atmosphere are good in order to gain full attention. Dress up nicely and accordingly. Be welcoming and make the couple seat next to each other. I personally show first my portfolios and engage the discussion after a couple of minutes as they comment on the photographs. It is important to clarify all the aspects of your work as you keep on looking at the work. DO NOT TRY TO HIDE THINGS YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO KNOW as it will hit you dramatically later. Explain your approach, tell the stories of each wedding displayed, explain what they really get in the end, in their hands and what are the possibilities with the goods delivered. Finally give them your full price list with terms and conditions and go through it with them and make sure they understand everything. Be always open to answer all their questions clearly after the 1st meeting. Tell them about the payments, the procedure, the contract and the delivery deadlines.
It is obviously my job to try to please everybody but I will never promise things I will never do.
Such as doing a type of photography I am not familiar with or producing goods that I do not like for their poor quality. I am very open to any suggestion but I am also a professional who knows well what he is doing and I will never compromise if I feel that what I am asked to do is not right for the client and for myself. I am just being honest and try to explain in the best possible way the gains and inconveniences of each request.

SECOND MEETING

Get more details from your clients. The list of family group shots, the maps, the running order, the service policy, etc...Explain them once more precisely the option they are going for. Always bare in mind that a couple who is about to get married is quite excited by the romance, and most of them tend not listen or read carefully the terms and conditions. Explain some key points such as possible extra costs, a meal for you on the day, the type of prints, etc...
I personally ask for my second installment here which covers 90% of my packages. History taught me to never ask for the second half of the payment at the delivery. If you are having this policy you are in big troubles. You need to make sure you have the full amount as you leave your clients with the goods.

WEDDING DAY

Always leave the house earlier that you predicted. Public transports or traffic are always subject to cancellations or works. Always expect delays! And I would advise to give yourself a good 1/2 hour before you start working to check all the locations( depending on the distance between ceremony and reception). Once more dress up nicely and accordingly. There is nothing more embarrassing than a photographer or video person wearing jeans, very formal shoes and louse shirts. That is simply not right, this is a lack of respect.
Be friendly and welcoming to everybody and especially to the bridal party. Do not start running after the bride or make a foul of yourself. You are here to work on behalf of the couple and the best way in a reportage sense is to be as discreet as possible. People have other things to worry than the photographer. Make the bride relaxed or think of someone else, be helpful with tips when needed, explain in short what is going to happen with the group shots later to the bridesmaids, siblings and/or parents. Try to make this first part a peaceful and quality time. Leave the bride when needed to reach the ceremony location in time before she arrives
Have a chat with the person in charge of the ceremony in order to know exactly what is the policy and deal accordingly. Try to make the best out of it.
The drink reception is usually a rather simple task but you have to make sure you can organise four different types of photography ( portraits, table decorations, couples, groups) within the short break allocated. YOU HAVE TO BE VERY ORGANISED, STRICT AND PROCEED IN ORDER OF RELEVANCE.
Introduce yourself to the toastmaster if there is one.
Do not take portraits on behalf of guest, you are here on behalf of the couple!
Be fluid and and fast with portraits. Take the couple for a first short session. Get the ushers or siblings to help you 10 minutes you start the group shots. Tell them where, when and how you want to proceed. Get them done and make sure the couple doesn't get involved in the chaos and their smile may eventually disappear in that painful moment. Take the couple for a second session. Photograph the tables 10 minutes before they walk in as there are all dressed up.

Walk in of the couple, food, situations, people chatting, etc...make yourself familiar with the room and the congregation. Always remember that everybody is sitting and that you are standing, therefore people can see you from the distance. Your skills as being discreet will be tested at this stage. I personally do rounds of 10 minutes maximum. There is no point in insisting and staying the room constantly as the guests will feel like being observed and therefore impossible to portray correctly.
Speeches: here again make yourself invisible, do not stand between the top table and the guest, that's very bad.
Cake: get yourself a good position
1st dance: Make sure you get sharp pictures as the lights might be quite low.

DELIVERY

Make the couple aware of the quality produced. Arrange a date for the delivery. Let them know beforehand about the final amount to be paid if relevant. Spend a good half hour looking at the pictures together when it is possible. Show them about potential albums at a later stage ( in my case anyway) Get your final payment. And stay in touch with them.

FINAL NOTE

Be open, smart and passionate about your work. Be creative and do a lot of other types of photography. If you only do weddings you will quickly become sterile. I love doing weddings because I see something else in them that most people don't. A wedding is a story about love and if you don't like this idea do something else. There is no point in trying to force yourself as you will end up depressed and bitter. Be honest, genuine and accommodating. But never compromise if your instinct tells you. I personally love to be surrounded by genuine talented suppliers and couples as it takes the quality to the top. I am not tempted to produce a mediocre materials in exchange of success. Never be complacent. And finally, many people keep saying that the "customer is king". I do not agree with this policy which will make your head spin in all directions. Always produce the best effort you can to satisfy your clients instead. Knowledge, dedication and good guidance are the keys to please your couple.