p.1 #1 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
Seriously, I visit some website and read all the crap in "about me" section and it makes me smile. I see lots of "wedding photographers" with 10-20 years of experience,as they put. The thing is, they only have 1-3 weddings to show. And even those look like they were shot by a first timer. It's also funny when they have their pets and backyards in the gallery too. Some even have the nerve to charge $2-3K+.
And what about those photographers that put things like " having connection with the couple is extremely important to me, to get all the important shots" Are you serious?!
Why is it I don't really care about it? On the wedding day, I don't have time to have any connections with my clients. Park/Wedding hall images(about 30-45 minutes) is the only time when I take my clients away and try to do some creatives. Again, I don't need to be connected to them emotionally and whatnot to get the shots done. Am I suppose to be talking to them every hour or praising their wedding? Gee, do you guys even have time to take pictures?
p.1 #3 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
wow dude, I can't imagine NOT having a connection with my clients. How else would I get genuine smiles and emotion? How would they be comfortable with me and my camera in their face if I was "just" a vendor? Now I'm curious what kind of shots you get of the couple since you don't care.
p.1 #6 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
What business practice?? What does it have to do with photography??
And what connection? What you guys can't tell your client a joke to make them smile? Or do you really get grumpy clients who don't smile? I shoot 45 Weddings a year at 3K+ and I can't be everyone's best friend. I haven't had a single complaint in 4 years,so I guess I am doing ok. Maybe connection thing is for those that shoot 3-5 weddings and have no idea what they are doing. Maybe it is the style that you use that requires you to have connections. Camera in their face...you better be really good friends with them to do this...Not my style!!
And what does my connection has to do with THEIR emotions. What, they can't love each other, unless I ask them to?
Maybe some of you should have a bit more photojournalistic approach and stop doing uncomfortable things to your clients that require extra attention from you.
p.1 #7 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
stockriderman wrote:
What business practice?? What does it have to do with photography??
And what connection? What you guys can't tell your client a joke to make them smile? Or do you really get grumpy clients who don't smile? I shoot 45 Weddings a year at 3K+ and I can't be everyone's best friend. I haven't had a single complaint in 4 years,so I guess I am doing ok.
p.1 #8 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
letenele wrote:
I can't imagine NOT having a connection with my clients..
I agree. This year - 15 of 22 wedding clients were referrals. I assume all the referrals came through fondness. The connection, certainty and professionalism elevates the images: elevates the sentiment: elevates pretty well everything. And - enhances what you can charge.
My website and all that has no lies at all. Not even any exaggerations.
ANd, I have eliminated the words: perfect, joyous, blessed, tremendous, fantastic, fabulous, elegant and a few others from the blog.
p.1 #9 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
If you are booking them consistently then you have obviously made some type of connection already.
No-one is stating that they will all eventuate into long term friendships or kindred spirits however it's essential to atleast grant them the perception that they are the most important two people in your world at that given time...It will ultimately add to your profits and will enhance your image and reputation regarding future referrals.
I think people misconstrue connection with good people skill's interaction,and communication.
p.1 #10 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
stockriderman wrote:
What business practice?? What does it have to do with photography??
And what connection? What you guys can't tell your client a joke to make them smile? Or do you really get grumpy clients who don't smile? I shoot 45 Weddings a year at 3K+ and I can't be everyone's best friend. I haven't had a single complaint in 4 years,so I guess I am doing ok. Maybe connection thing is for those that shoot 3-5 weddings and have no idea what they are doing. Maybe it is the style that you use that requires you to have connections. Camera in their face...you better be really good friends with them to do this...Not my style!!
And what does my connection has to do with THEIR emotions. What, they can't love each other, unless I ask them to?
Maybe some of you should have a bit more photojournalistic approach and stop doing uncomfortable things to your clients that require extra attention from you....Show more →
p.1 #11 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
neridah wrote:
If you are booking them consistently then you have obviously made some type of connection already.
But I am not connected on a personal level. This is all the sites that I've been to were saying. I act professional and deliver great images that my clients fall in love with. This is how I get referrals.
I don't ask them how they've met or what music they listen to or what they do for a living or how they spent their summer. I simply don't need that information. They come in because they've seen my work and they want to have similar style images. All I need from them is some information on DO and DON'Ts from my side. And a schedule that I can sort of follow.
I/4 of the weddings are booked over the email as well. Usually I get deposits after 2-3 emails.
They are obviously feel connected to my work in some way. Its just I don't feel connected to them, or necessity of it.
p.1 #13 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
Stock,
I believe you are taking the idea of "connection" to literal. It simply means to be on the same page with your client to provide the imagery "THEY" want in "YOUR" style. They know what you can do and you know what they want.
I do however agree with those who lie about how long they have been shooting.
I've posted before, not really good with people skills,so I need a book with examples to follow. things to say to clients to build a rapport and get their business. I want 10/10 of my clients to book me(if I want to).
Anyone know if there are any books on this subject?
p.1 #15 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
Met with someone for a destination wedding last night. Meeting was 2 1/2 hours rather than the usual 45 mins. Afterward, they called us to see if we wanted to go out to dinner with them. Great connection. And it will be much easier and more comfortable when their wedding comes around as a result.
Examples, girl feeling less vulnerable during getting ready, couple feeling more comfortable with crazy ideas during formals, and with us being right in the mix during reception dancing.
Don't forget that photojournalism requires you to be IN the action.
p.1 #17 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
Tony Hoffer wrote:
Met with someone for a destination wedding last night. Meeting was 2 1/2 hours rather than the usual 45 mins. Afterward, they called us to see if we wanted to go out to dinner with them. Great connection. And it will be much easier and more comfortable when their wedding comes around as a result.
Examples, girl feeling less vulnerable during getting ready, couple feeling more comfortable with crazy ideas during formals, and with us being right in the mix during reception dancing.
Don't forget that photojournalism requires you to be IN the action.
Absolutely unequivocally 100% correct.
Click and connect with your clients and you will be amazed what they will do for you on the day!
p.1 #18 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
cordellwillis wrote:
Stock,
I believe you are taking the idea of "connection" to literal. It simply means to be on the same page with your client to provide the imagery "THEY" want in "YOUR" style. They know what you can do and you know what they want.
I do however agree with those who lie about how long they have been shooting.
I guess I fall into the category of "guys who only have one or two weddings on their site but claim to have years of experience." On my website I claim to have over 30 years experience behind a camera. Actually, it's closer to 40 years but who's counting? I don't come right out and say "gee...I've only shot one wedding but I've been shooting pictures for a long time" as that's not very good marketing. I don't lie to clients and I let my work speak for itself. If clients like my work, I get hired. If not, they hire someone else.
p.1 #19 · Do you just HAVE to lie to your clients??
All my years in customer service (15+) has taught me that the "connection" is not nearly as important as the ILLUSION of the connection. Like it or not, people are forking over LARGE sums of cash to someone for a service. I don't have to be their best friend, but THEY don't have to know that I'm not trying to be. As long as they FEEL like I'm on THEIR side, and not just trying to take their money, I WIN.
