Five Useful Tips for Wedding Client Meetings
1. Be Yourself
Out of all of the photographers in your area, out of all of your competition, it is you that the couple have contacted, it is you that they want to meet and talk to. Therefore, don’t put on a front; don’t pretend to be something you are not. You just have to be yourself, which is why it’s important that your brand and website reflect who you are as well. How you shoot and edit, is all based around your personality and approach, making you and your work unique. So don’t be afraid. Just be unashamedly, and honestly the brilliant you.
2. Be Prepared
Make sure that you can confidently and fully answer any questions or queries the couple will have. Make sure you know your stuff. They care about what you will be doing and saying on the day to make sure you can deliver on what you promise, ie: amazing images. Scour bridal magazines and blogs for articles like “100 things to ask your wedding photographer” and think about how to best answer any question you might get asked. What happens if you are ill on the day? What if it rains? Do you have insurance? You need to know your stuff through and through, so that you can put the clients mind at ease. And make sure that you know every single word in your contract, as you will probably have to go through and explain each section to the clients and what it means. Finally, don’t forget the common sense things like turning up on time, dressing smartly (but not too smart) and bring lots of business cards and sample albums.
3. Be Interested
You’re photographing the happiest day in someone’s life. It’s exciting. It’s amazing. It’s a privilege that the clients have considered you above anyone else, so make sure your behaviour reflects this. Don’t be hard laced and straight to business. Have a chat first, get to know them. How long have they known each other? How did he propose? How did the family react? What are they most looking forward to for the wedding? Finding out the story behind the big day is great way to get both you and them excited and thinking about the wedding, as well as helping you as the photographer tell the story of the day.
4. Be Helpful
Where you can, offer your advice. If you are an established and experienced wedding photographer, you would have experienced your fair share of weddings, whereas this is your clients very first time! They will be looking at you to not only know what you are doing with the photography side of things, but any additional help or advice you can offer will help them to better plan the big day. If you know from experience that group shots take longer than expected, let the clients know this so that they can plan the timings for the day around this. They will have less to worry about, and it makes your life easier by not having to rush through parts of the coverage.
5. Don’t Be Pushy
Weddings are a fun, emotional and but potentially stressful experience. Don’t be difficult and start hard selling to the clients, offering this or that if they sign the contact on the spot. Don’t bad mouth your competition and don’t be nonchalant about shooting yet another wedding. This is a really big deal for your potential clients, so respect and help them through this decision. Give them time to read through the paperwork, talk it through together and then get back to you. I like send the clients a quick email a few hours after the meeting to say thank you for their time and for them to contact me anytime to answer any questions they might have. If you follow all of the previous tips above, and are confident, genuine and enthusiastic then you won’t have to be pushy to get sales.
