Bride has me scheduled, but isn't writing me back, advice!

<p>So I have a bride booked for May 24th, I have asked her for information regarding the ceremony and reception location. All she replied with was "it's a family church" and she doesn't have a reception location yet (yayyy...), she has said that in 2-3 e-mails throughout the last 2 months. I have another bride that is booked for June, and she has everything down to the minute. What do I need to say to this bride to get her to give me some specific information without being too pushy? I am fairly new to wedding photography as you may have seen in previous posts. So any ideas? Thanks!</p>

<p>I dont know what words to use but I'd make sure she knew, IN WRITING (certified if need be) that lack of 'performance' on her part could have negative consequences as to your ability to deliver 'quality' images of her special day. Basically, CYA about not being able to prepare or execute properly as you're going into it blind. Maybe it'd be different if you were more experienced it but you're not.</p>

<p>Why not just look at your contract for the names and addresses of the church and reception location?</p>

<p>Perhaps it's time to stop mailing her and give her a call instead.</p>

<p>Do you have a contract with the bride?</p>

Tell her OK thanks and that you'll be in touch the first week of May and worry about other stuff.

Use a phone? Seems sooo simple to me!

 

I hate emails and texting, regarding something thats often a once in a lifetime event. I surely hope you

have her phone number. If not make sure you always get these needed phone numbers in the future.

The grooms, and the mothers numbers. Someone will pick up the phone! Emails bug me and texting is

worse. If they do this, call them back. To this day I've never answered a text. I use the phone!

 

I could go on and on about using a phone, meeting the people in person to sign the contract; I won't! It's

simply that easy. Call! This info comes with shooting about 40 to 50 weddings a year since 1988. I have

a photo partner and we did over 100 events, not all of them were weddings. At least 80 were.

 

Hope this helps. Kindly remember that several people have posted the same issues and I'm hoping that

I've helped you and others as well. Good luck. Let us know how you did.

<p>1) Pick up the phone and call her. <br>

2) Did you get a retainer and signed contract? <br>

If the answer to #2 is no to both - then tell the bride that she has one week to give you the information or you will consider the date open. <br>

3) Is there anyone else you can call? </p>

<p>Dave</p>

 

<p>This is one of those things that "evolves" the contracts of more experienced photographers over the years, including me. I had a similar situation, went in pretty blind, then the bride asked about certain shots and why they weren't taken. She wasn't upset, just disappointed in herself for not communicating. She even wrote me a very nice review. But, it <em>did</em> make me adjust my contract to include verbiage to the effect of "failure to provide information to the photographer may result in missed shots, and client agrees to hold photographer inculpable in such instances" or something like that. </p>

<p>If you are new to wedding photography and would like to see a copy of my contract (which was forged over years and through several unusual situations) please shoot me an email and I will be happy to share with anyone.</p>

<p>Why would you book anyone if you didn't know where the event was being held?</p>

<p>Bob Bernado is spot on. So is David. The other day I met a photographer who showed up to shoot a wedding and had never met the bride or spoken to her on the phone. Maybe this is not uncommon. I think it is preposterous. </p>

<p>Call her and insist that you speak periodically between now and the ceremony. If you don't have a location you absolutely can't hold the date. You don't even know your travel time. </p>

<p>So here is something to think about. Look at Chadwick's post. He will tell you he got off lucky. Any photographer who shoots a wedding without having met the bride first and in person is making a huge mistake. HUGE. Of course you need to know the bride's expectations. More importantly you need to tailor those expectations to your abilities and the challenges of the venue and events. </p>

<p>A wedding is a deeply personal event. A good photographer understands that and finds out how to appeal to that bride and groom's needs and desires. Without this you are setting yourself up for failure. Remember. You are going to have to show your work. To you want to show your work to someone who sees you as a friend and confident or someone who sees you as the hired help?</p>

<p>Think of yourself as the wedding planner. There is no difference between what you do and what the wedding planner does. You just specialize in one area. If a wedding planner did not get to know the bride and groom first you would call them an amateur. </p>

<p>I don't worry about the days details until about a week before the wedding other than the venue locations.<br>

The important thing is the date on the contract, you do have a contract? I'm more flexible on the venue, but I expect to know it several months in advance as otherwise they may not have a wedding because they've not booked a location. The rest can be in flux up until just before the wedding.<br>

So for late May I wouldn't be concerned yet but would shortly start pressing for the venue addresses by the end of the month.</p>

<p>Definitely try to get her on the phone. But you still have time. I've booked lots of weddings without ever meeting the couple or hearing their voice--it's the internet age. I've had several book me without knowing the exact ceremony location, but they did give me at least the city it was going to be in (and it's usually close to the reception, so that gives me a better idea for travel).</p>

<p>Since you dont have any location details, and if you cant get her on the phone, I'd leave voicemails/emails once a week asking for this information or you will not know where to show up. Something like "Hey Bride! Hope you're doing well. I'm looking forward to photographing your wedding May 24, but I just wanted to remind you I need your venue locations or I wont know where to show up! Please let me know as soon as you've nailed these details down. Thanks!" And as it gets closer and you still dont know, get all your ducks in a row as if you did (aka hire a babysitter if you need one, rent gear, gas up the car, etc). <br /><br />I have it required in my contract that I must be notified at least a week before the wedding on all the pertinent details, but if I were in your shoes I'd be ready to go even if she called me the day of the wedding with the locations. Of course, by that time I will have left PLENTY of emails/voicemails trying to get the info so I'm covered if she complains. When it gets 2-3 weeks out, I'd start including negative side effects of not knowing this location in my emails/voicemails (no pre-planning/location scouting, or possibly arriving late to photograph things if you dont have enough travel notice, portraits could be in the dark if ceremony is at 7pm and she doesnt realize this, etc).</p>

<p>Just out of curiosity. You are all using a contract....right? If you don't see the bride for a sit-down ahead of the wedding, how are you getting that signed? Is clicking a box on the internet enough to protect you? I don't honestly know but I would be disinclined to trust it. That would be a very good question for a lawyer.<br>

I also would not know how to price a wedding without knowing, what work will be performed, where and for how long. That seems fundamental to me.</p>

<p>For the past decade or more I have been reading posts from wounded wedding photographers. In the vast majority of cases their problems could have been avoided or at least ameliorated by good communication and/or good rapport. </p>

<p>So what I hear some of you saying is that at least on occasion you show up at a wedding, never having seen the bride and groom (or whoever hires you) or the venue. Two of you have said you have not even spoken to them! If that works out for you, you have been incredibly lucky. My opinion is that it is the height of unprofessionalism. No doubt you will blame the bride and groom. They are not at fault. They don't do this for a living. You have to tell them how "it" works. Maybe, just maybe, this would be acceptable for a $300.00 craigslist wedding photographer but not someone who wants to call themselves a professional. I don't care if it is the "internet age". </p>

<p>Just as an aside. I would not want to wind up in court telling a judge that I took real money for photographing a wedding and never spoke to the bride and groom or went to see the venue. I suspect it could be a very expensive day.</p>

<p>An electronic contract isn't an evil thing, but I don't just send them out without meeting the couple (or at least the bride) beforehand, in person or at the very least, via Skype. For me, chemistry with the couple is an important factor in better understanding the client, and makes you better able to give them what they want. I believe it makes for a better experience for the couple, and thus for me, but not everyone works the same way.</p>

 

<p>Knowing where the job is before you enter into an agreement/accept compensation is like the most basic of business practises. I mean this is the stuff 3 year olds are able to comprehend. </p>

<p> </p>

<p>http://www.thelawtog.com/digital-contracts-for-photographers-2/<br /><br />It's legal and there are a ton of programs out there to sign contracts digitally. I always prefer in person meetings, but that's not always possible. I live in a state that is often a destination location for getting married. It's not like I dont want to meet anyone or talk on the phone--just some couples prefer email. Fine by me.</p>

<p>I'm not sure why using email means one cannot get important details like work involved and how long? Or why email is mutually exclusive of good communication? In fact, I have a whole host of online tools for communication, including a client portal where clients can log in and see everything--their contract, their invoice with payment reminders (and a link to make online payments), their contact info (which they can update if need be), their planning board (pinterest links, etc), fill out my questionnaires-timeline and wedding day details, plus fill out a post-wedding review, etc. And it's all set up on reminders so they are automatically emailed to be reminded of something (like their next wedding payment or request to fill out their formals shot list). I am constantly communicating with my clients. I see no difference if I actually saw them in person vs facebook, or "heard" them on the phone or through email.<br /><br />Sure, lots of things are easier done in person, but it is not the only "right" way. <br /><br /><br /></p>

 

<p>Lauren, sounds like you're using the same online booking system I am (ShootQ). I have never had a problem with using such a system, in fact it has been quite beneficial for me and I recommend it to others frequently. I am always able to get the information I need from my clients through the questionnaires I send them, and if they don't fill those out, I pick up the phone and call them. Simple.</p>

<p>Michael, close-I'm using Pixifi. I love having everything so organized!</p>

<p>Alright, so for those of you saying I shouldn't go into the wedding without knowing the location... First, I'm new to weddings (I'm sure you could guess), and am taking what I can right now, second, I know the general area, as in the city, just not the exact location. I do have an electronic contract, but it isn't quite as advanced as I'd imagined some of yours are. Essentially, what I'm getting from this is to call her, I just haven't yet, because I have school, and sports after, and I suppose I didn't want to catch her at a bad time and make it awkward! but I guess I just have to suck it up haha, thanks!</p>

<p>Oh boy, another debby downer! Sorry for attempting to be successful at a young age. I forgot, we can only strive for big things in life after your 20's. My bad! I'll stop trying to be better than the majority of people my age and up. Hope you can forgive me!</p>

<p>I am now retired but,<br>

I NEVER shot a blind wedding.<br>

I always first met the couple, did a shoot and if possible some of the family.<br>

If we didn't click, i'd back out.<br>

They had same privilege.<br>

The cost a few hours, a roll of film.<br>

The few weddings where there was no early input, location,trial shoot, were disasters..</p>