I have a wedding coming up at the end of the month. It's for a couple I haven't met yet. In one of the bride's emails in which we were going over some details, she mentioned that she loves to check out my website for new pictures, etc. I asked her if there were any images in particular that she liked, hoping to glean some of her tastes from her selections.

I got back much more than I expected. She gave me a fairly long list of images, broken down into the following sections, with two to five images in each:

Expression and Moods
Lighting
Movement
Color
Technique
Unique Perspectives
Composition
Contrast
Attention to Details

I thought this was all really cool as I love to get these kinds of specifics from people, it helps me to understand what someone does or doesn't get from my images. But it wasn't until the end that I was really floored:

"And many, many more. I like that your pictures tell stories. You could write many poems or even whole novels from just one of your photos."

Gulp.

I hope that I can live up to her lofty expectations!

You got your self into this hole, you get your self out! Well that was nice about what she commented on your pictures.

I love it. If I was you I would be worried too, for everyone else that's just dang funny.

A nice problem to have, though. Do what you've already done - that's all she's asking for.

Wow. I can only hope that someday, someone will look at my pictures and describe them that way. You obviously do good work and will be fine. Have fun.

She likes your style....that gives you as much freedom as you can get. I would assume you show the photos you like best on your site...the ones that really show off your taste/style. Go wild with what YOU like...and she's gonna love 'em.


....just don't screw it up

technocraft wrote:
I have a wedding coming up at the end of the month. It's for a couple I haven't met yet.

This completely shocks me. She has the detailed expectations that you listed, but you haven't met her. Wow.

Thank you for the comments.

I was really very flattered by her reply and "image selection".

@Nasland - I do show only what I like on my website, I wouldn't have it any other way.

@SingleMalt - In what way does that shock you? (and I ask in no sarcastic or facetious way whatsoever)

Very flattering..
maybe something important to somehow politely remind her is that her wedding will be individual and unique to anyone elses...
her giving you a VERY detailed description of lighting emotions poses ect ect is a bit like asking her to create history in advance... Situations will present themselves diffrently that night as they have in other nights for you. So to base your expectations off of another moment and say I WANT THAT exact shot..might be a bit unrealistic...
if that makes any sense
btw beautiful gallery

So, how are you going to write these requirements into the contract? Some of these categories can be pretty subjective. What if she thinks only 4 qualify as technique?

This should be a piece of cake--oops, did she include the cake shot? And would that qualify as composition or attention to detail?

I have to turn this thread around and throw this in the bride's lap. I have sat with many a bride who look for the same.

Come wedding day, it's a different story as the bride is not ready, it's raining, she wants to party with her friends, will not cooperate properly for images, etc. I'm sure many of you can share the same stories.

I shot my first wedding back in 1975 and after several hundred of weddings, I know what I am talking about.

technocraft wrote:


@SingleMalt - In what way does that shock you? (and I ask in no sarcastic or facetious way whatsoever)

I don't think that I could have given a better example than this.

You actually had to put that parenthetical clause in your post to ensure that your meaning was not misread. This medium strips a great deal of meaning from words since there is an absence of non-verbal context. How can you be certain that you and the bride are REALLY on the same page?

For something as detailed and important as a wedding, I would not consider taking the job unless I met face to face with the B&G to get a full understanding of their desires and especially their expectations.

Of course, maybe that's just me, since I'm the only one in the thread who seems to think meeting with the client is even mildly important.

marian wrote:
I have to turn this thread around and throw this in the bride's lap. I have sat with many a bride who look for the same.

Come wedding day, it's a different story as the bride is not ready, it's raining, she wants to party with her friends, will not cooperate properly for images, etc. I'm sure many of you can share the same stories.

I shot my first wedding back in 1975 and after several hundred of weddings, I know what I am talking about.

I think Marian put this very well.
You cannot stress enough to the couple that the success of the images depends to a large extent on their cooperation.
While the (completely deserved) compliments she is raining down on your head are nice, Technocraft, it does sound a little to me as if she is infected by "Bride to be fantasy syndrome". However, this beats "Bride to be control monster syndrome", "Bride to be panic syndrome", and of course "Bride to be is going to kill her mother syndrome".
I, too, if at all possible would want a face to face to help make sure you all are on the same page and comfortable with each other.
And now you will HAVE to get back to us with her reactions to your work on her day.

Sounds like you are photographing an art critic. I don't know if that is good or bad...