CONGRATS TO JASMINE

Congrats to Jasmine Bryant, a senior I've had the pleasure of photographing her senior portraits year.

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SIGNATURE BOARDS

One of the most popular products I offer is the Signature Board.  Its an 16x20 engagement photo surrounded by an 2 inch matt for wedding guest to sign at the reception.   Before I leave, I take the Signature Board with me, and have the glass put on it so its ready by the time the couple picks up there proofs.  Johnny Burns at Different Strokes Custom Framing does all my framing for me.

Shawn and Derek's Engagement Session

Derek and Shawn had a wonderful engagement session this past Monday.  We even made the rain work for us!!

Justin and Chanell's Engagement Session

I had a great time working with Chanell and Justin's engagement session this past weekend. Their wedding is June 28th and I'm sure it will be excellent!

PROS VS JOES 4. Customer Service

This week I added up the time I spend on my average couple and the number came to 22.5 hours. I included the phone inquires, a 10-hour wedding day, the time it takes me to process proofs, create a wedding album etc....   This is important because I take customer service very seriously. I know some photographers that have gotten caught up in the repetition of this business meaning they look at every wedding and every couple as the same; its become monotonous to them.  For me, every couple is unique and I treat them as such.  This means designing every album that caters to the couple's personalities.  Its almost like you have to "fall in love" with your clients. There are just so many things that change, that have to be covered, and have to be discussed when a couple is planning a wedding that great customer service is a must.

ROMANTIC ENGAGEMENT SESSION

I talked earlier about the importance of engagement sessions, and I think the main point I forgot to add is the importance of the engagement session to the bride and groom.  A lot of couples choose to have their engagement sessions at places they've had their first date at, their first kiss at or maybe just a nice scenic location that has a good vibe to it.  This particular engagement session had meaning because it took place where the groom proposed.  I took the photos at the The Henry Ford Estate in Dearborn, Michigan.  This was the first time I had been there and I was surprised to see a waterfall!  Charles (the groom) said it took him 3 months to find a place to propose but he feels The Henry Ford Estate was the perfect place. 

PROS VS JOES 3.- PEOPLE PERSON

Technical skill and a fancy camera don't mean anything if you have poor communication skills. I meet a lot of new wedding photographers who haven't learned that there is a level of personality, patience and communication that's needed for this gig.  During a weeding day you may encounter a pushy bride's mother, a bossy wedding coordinator, a pastor with rules, a groom with no clue, nosey bride's maids,  a uncle with a camera better than yours and a nervous bride that you have to keep calming down.  This career is not for quiet people, introverts or flat out jerks.

When I was growing up, I noticed how my grandfather seemed to get along with everybody.  He even got along with folks nobody else liked.  As I grew older I understood his mind-set:  he didn't hold judgement against anyone for any reason.  If the guy next door was mean to everyone in the neighborhood than my grandfather understood that the guy was not being mean to him because it was personal; it was just how he was.   That's what my grandfather did throughout his life, accept people for who they were; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

This is a trait that you can't teach, you just have to mature into it.  As a wedding photographer you have to know how to charm the wedding coordinator into giving you 15 more minutes for pictures even though the reception will start late.  You have to build a quick nod of trust with the bridal party because if they don't respect you or your work, than they won't listen to you.

When I interview assistants, I never look for the ones who are experienced with the camera, I look for the ones who love people.  You can teach a person how to use a camera, but you can't teach a person how to be considerate, how to communicate, how to learn and accept people.