I booked my first nineteen consults (actually, 18 of 19 because I declined to work with one bride and groom because our vision didnt match). I met with my twentieth this past weekend. GREAT couple. We completely clicked. I felt really good about them and their day.
Just got this email:
"Hi Chuck,
We had a great time meeting with you on Sunday and love your work (XXXXX actually
teared up when looking at some of your shots). After a lot of back and forth we
decided to go with someone else for our shoot, mainly because they fit a little
better into our budget. Thanks again for meeting with us and I will definitely
recommend you to friends looking for a great photographer.
XXXXX"
Gonna break out the whiskey and clean my grandfather's M1911A now.
Chuck, I'd say your track record is exemplary. I certainly don't have that meet-to-book ratio! (although I think 100% of my lost weddings are due to budget as this email mentions..)
For some reason if a couple goes off into oblivion never to be heard from again, it's not as big of a deal as getting a "rejection" email (which in truth I'd prefer as I know there's closure and that date is once again available). Those always kind of sting.
canerino wrote:
Hahaha. Thanks guys. Its cool. But I am kind of bummed. I really liked the couple and they are having what appears to be a cool wedding.
If you're on your best behavior maybe Tony will let you see their album when he's done with it
I think it's awesome they they let you know why! Not everyone who doesn't book has the balls to just be honest like that. It means they really did like you. I bet they'll refer you to friends in the future.
Ya Chuck do not sweat it AT ALL!
Actually that would have been a win for me because they actually got back to me about it. It bugs me to no end when we meet with someone and I never hear back from them... even after a followup email.
It was bound to happen sooner or later. You are one of the best IMO but their are still going to be people who go with someone else no matter what.
I met with a couple 2 weeks ago and they never got back to me. People inquire all the time and never ever get back to me. I get kind of upset when I meet with someone and they do not have the courtesy to tell me they went with someone else.
Holy cow that's an amazing track record!!!!! 18 in a row! Wow! And for the one that finally didn't book you to still write you and explain, is awesome. There are a lot of crappy photographers out there, but there also are a lot of great ones. I know when we had to replace our air condoner/heater, we met with two different companies and liked them both equally. I hated turning one away, but in the end, you have to make a choice. It sucks that the choice wasn't you, but if you're gonna lose one, that's definitely the best way to be let go (imo) and they may still come back to you for family pictures and/or friends weddings.
ckhagen wrote:
I think it's awesome they they let you know why! Not everyone who doesn't book has the balls to just be honest like that. It means they really did like you. I bet they'll refer you to friends in the future.
thanks candice. i think we really hit it off on a lot of different levels, so i was glad to hear back from them (one way or another).
hardlyboring wrote:
Ya Chuck do not sweat it AT ALL!
Actually that would have been a win for me because they actually got back to me about it. It bugs me to no end when we meet with someone and I never hear back from them... even after a followup email.
It was bound to happen sooner or later. You are one of the best IMO but their are still going to be people who go with someone else no matter what.
I met with a couple 2 weeks ago and they never got back to me. People inquire all the time and never ever get back to me. I get kind of upset when I meet with someone and they do not have the courtesy to tell me they went with someone else.
dlateulade wrote:
Chuck, mind jotting down a note so I can get that Colt when you're done? I've been wanting one for a while now!
sure thing. its pretty sweet, to be honest. its a 1944 serial number that was actually a lend lease gun (stampings of the crown all over it). my grandfather must have traded for it or 'found it' on the battle field off of some poor brit. i dont know the story behind the gun though. wish i did.
photolove84 wrote:
Holy cow that's an amazing track record!!!!! 18 in a row! Wow! And for the one that finally didn't book you to still write you and explain, is awesome. There are a lot of crappy photographers out there, but there also are a lot of great ones. I know when we had to replace our air condoner/heater, we met with two different companies and liked them both equally. I hated turning one away, but in the end, you have to make a choice. It sucks that the choice wasn't you, but if you're gonna lose one, that's definitely the best way to be let go (imo) and they may still come back to you for family pictures and/or friends weddings....Show more →
thank you! i had a similar experience when booking our own wedding photographer. we LOVED the first guy we met with...things went amazingly well...we were all but sold. met with the second photographer because we had the appt set up. we loved her more.
i felt terrible calling the other guy. he was dumbfounded when he asked me 'was it price' and i was like 'nope, the other photographer is more expensive'. i seriously felt terrible telling him.
