Business: Connecting with your Clients

I can't think of another type of photography where it is essential for the photographer to connect with the clients on a personal level more than wedding photography. They have to not just like you but trust you with something so special that probably is a once in a lifetime event: Their wedding day.



One of the biggest parts of the process where you are selling yourself is during a consult. This is where the client, usually the bride and her mother or nowadays the bride and the groom, come over to your studio and see your work face to face. Checking out your photography and products is something they definitely do but more than anything they are checking you out. The main thing is to see if they relate to you and to see if you get them. A wedding day photography job is very intimate and sensitive. They aren't just going to give it to just anybody with an impressive camera. They are going to give it to someone who they connect with. Someone that they trust to capture their unique wedding and all it's glory.

So when I have my clients come over I normally go through a simple yet powerful checklist. At the same time I'm writing down important information about the wedding day's details. Here's a quick primer to how I go about making that connection:


-Make sure your place is spotless. A warm and comfortable place is important to putting them at ease. If you can do it, your place is always better than meeting at Starbucks or something.

-I usually have some jazz playing in the background. Something to set the mood and make it a friendly environment but not to loud so that they don't hear what you have to say.

-I have some refreshments ready for them like some fruit and iced tea. -Dress the part. Look your professional and fabulous self.

-Don't have any other distractions like other people there unless they are part of the consult. -I normally give them a few minutes to view my books and albums. This gets them comfortable. I leave the room for a couple minutes then come back and start the consult.

-Ask about them and how they met. Knowing more about them will make it easier for you to connect and them to you. Remember it's about them not so much about your photography or you. It's about them and their needs.

-Get basic details about their wedding day and location and time. Also knowing how many guest they expect will give you a good idea on how to plan the day.

-Don't forget to get the essential info like name, phone number, email, any special events that they have planned for the day, etc,...


The rest is up to how you want to organize the consult. Maybe you have a video presentation or talk about how the day would be timed. It's best to have things ready without losing a beat. They will be able to tell if you've done this before. If you rehearse with family or friends this will help get you more comfortable for when the real thing happens.

Being organized about the whole consult is key. If you don't have your stuff together here then of course they are going to worry about you having it together on the wedding day. They will just thank you for your time and then move on to another photographer. You want to leave them wanting more. You want them to imagine themselves in your photography.

Lastly, be your great self. Show off you great personality to them and don't forget to bring that with you when you shoot. Being enthusiastic about their big day will go a long way. I'm always excited to have clients over. It's like having friends over for dinner. I try and treat them like royalty because to me and my business that's exactly what they are.

-Santiago Valencia