An essential part of an amazing wedding photography experience is setting the tone with the prospective couple! The best and easiest way to see if you will be a good fit with a couple is an in person meeting with them at the beginning of the process. Part of being a photographer is that you are constantly on the job hunt! Consider the consult your job interview with the couple. Put time and effort into making your bride meetings effective and organized. After your they view your website and social media, this will be the first chance to wow them with your personality. The meeting often becomes a two way interview. They are seeing if they can be comfortable and relaxed in front of you and if they can see you being the person they want around them constantly on their wedding day. You are in turn showing them all the amazing things you hope to provide them. Here are three things to remember throughout the consult to rock your bride meetings every time!

Tip 1:  They are booking you because you are the expert.

Most of our brides love their fiancé so much and wedding planning is taking over their lives (in a good way). We always try to be the person that never gets tired of hearing all the details, plans, options that they have been considering because so often the brides roommates and family are sick of talking about wedding things.

Also, don’t be afraid to be decisive. My brides come to me with questions because I’m the expert and can tell them which color they should REMOVE or ADD to their wedding scheme or whether they should have a videographer or not. I evaluate what the bride’s overall goal is and help her to make quick decisions.

Tip 2: Find Connection Points

In asking the small chat type of details about their life (home town, major, job, hobbies) work to find connection points with them. This will help them to trust you. If they love to go fishing on dates, bring up your favorite fishing trip with your grandpa. If they live in a different town, ask about your favorite restaurant there. Connection points will only help to solidify your relationship with them and make you both more comfortable with each other. It will also give you things to talk about again at your sessions.

Tip 3: 2 ears, 1 mouth ratio-Listen 2/3rds of the time, talk 1/3rd of the time

This is a chance for them to interview you. Ask them what questions they have, laugh with them, make jokes and listen to their stories. PRACTICE listening to remember. Attach their proposal story to their face, their first date story to their names. They want a photographer that hears what their dreams is, not someone that is a dictator over non important things.

3 Tips for Wedding Consultations