As the year is drawing to a close – well, I have a couple more shoots and a wedding – I decided what better time than to reflect on how I did, how my clients feel I did both personally and professionally, and what, if any way I could improve upon. There is ALWAYS room for improvement. A wise person once said “When you are through improving…. you are through”.
So, I sent out a questionnaire to a few of my past brides and future brides-to-be and below you can read some of their responses. I asked them to be honest – I can’t fix what I don’t know is broken. I wanted to know everything from their decisions prior to meeting me, why they booked me and how they felt I did and have done so far. Check this out and make sure to check out the favorite photos at the end!
*FYI – I have been walking around with a HUGE smile on my face for days once I read these – talk about confidence booster!
What were you looking for in a photographer?
Dennis: Someone who knew what they were doing, someone who wasn’t a rookie. Someone who would be able to take the lead.
Alex: Someone that fit into our budget, was flexible since we were planning from out of state, was able to offer all the things we were looking for in packages and was easy to talk to and comfortable to be around.
Darcie: I wanted someone that I could trust to shoot the wedding from beginning to end without adding any stress to me. I LOVED the photo albums that I saw and I knew that I could trust you to capture every aspect of the wedding.
Ginna: I was looking for someone who was willing to take creative photographs of us throughout our engagement session, my portrait session, and wedding day session. After looking at your work, I knew you were a fun photographer
Ali: We wanted someone who would have fun and someone we would be comfortable around.
How many photographers did you look at before choosing me?
Dennis: Five
Ali: Over a dozen
JoDee: Zero
Alex: Three
Kristin: Four – Stalked MANY websites!
Deana: None
Ginna: I spoke with two other photographers before meeting you at the Bravo Bridal Expo. My whole family fell in love with you that day!
If I was the only one you met with, what made you feel you didn’t have to look any further?
JoDee: LOVED the booth at the Bravo Bridal Show; very upbeat and trendy.
Deana: I knew right away that I was going to use you as my photographer because you have such an amazing eye for capturing memories at just the right moment. That’s just what I wanted for our day.
How am I different to other photographers?
Alex: Your flexibility and willingness to work with us was Amazing! Andrea.. you were AWESOME with us, thanks so much for that!
Ginna: I think your personality really drew me to you for one reason. You are definitely fun to be around and I could tell you really wanted to make us happy during this whole engagement/ wedding period. Also, your prices were a lot better than others I spoke with and gave me a lot more for my money.
JoDee: Thinking outside the box and willing to try new things and not just what you want us to do.
Darcie: Your packages, it was so unique to have a photography package that included the rehearsal dinner and I LOVE that you got to know everyone that night!
Kristin: Many want to control your sittings/prints. I am not crazy about formula wedding albums.
Deana: Most photographers that I have encountered don’t make the experience personalized. You get to know your clients and show them that you care and that their wedding days is truly all about them! You made us feel like the pictures aren’t posed, they are what is going on in the moment and that is what make the memories of the day so much more meaningful.
If we didn’t meet prior to booking, what made you feel confident that you had chosen the ‘right’ photographer?
Alex: Just from speaking to you on the phone, I could tell you were my style. Not super cheesy or fake, you were just real and easy to talk to. Also the fact that my BFF also used you helped 😉
Darcie: It was nice to have the opportunity to explore your website with photos from previous weddings that helped me feel confident. I also used outside wedding websites to check your reviews and everyone of the reviews were positive about your professionalism and final product.
Kristin: Our first phone conversation and your GORGEOUS stationary 🙂
Dennis: You went above and beyond the call of duty.
What specifically about my packages did you like?
Ginna: Mom and I really liked the fact that we could work with a payment plan. Because money is tight these days, it worked out much better for us to be able to pay along the way.
Dennis: The quality of the content from the Thank You cards to the CD cases and everything in between.
JoDee: That you can deviate from the packages, for example if you don’t want the Trash the Dress session, you can choose something else!
Alex: Everything worked perfectly for our situation so I wouldn’t change a thing!
Darcie: Nothing, I thought everything was great!
Kristin: You were willing to do what I wanted which was not standard and you didn’t charge me extra to do it!
and finally…………… what are some of your favorite photographs I have taken of you? 🙂
Dennis: It’s really hard to say, the pictures that was on the Thank You card and the album box are special pictures though.
JoDee: The very end of the night flopped on the couch with Bourbon drink, loose tie…Very “old Hollywood” and captured our personalities!
Alex: I LOVE the rain photo from our engagement shoot where you can see the rain drops so clearly… I just think it’s a really fun/unique photo. From the wedding day my absolute favorite one is the black and white serious shot of Shane and I with our hands in our pockets, it looks like it could be in a magazine!
Darcie: I LOVE the photo of Mark and I in the front of the white building at Colby Park with just the two of us and me leaning my face against his. We look so happy and at ease in this photo – it is my favorite!
Ginna: I loved all of the pictures from our engagement session and your willingness to sit through FIVE wardrobe changes, but I really loved the camo and dog pictures the best. I thought they turned out super cute
Kristin: I REALLY loved the pre-wedding shots because they were so low-stress and it showed! I had no idea how much I would love those. Thank you especially for taking a group shot at the Falls! A location shot is such a good idea at a destination wedding and I only thought of at the last minute – you were so accommodating!
Deana: I have so many! It’s a tie between the black and white one at the fire department and you focused on the rings and the one at Stambaugh Auditorium where I was being dipped!
Ali: The one we used for our Thank You cards!
So there you have it folks. I asked, they answered. I am happy with everything they said mainly because every detail they mentioned is something I strive to achieve. Friendly, fun, accommodating, reliable, etc., and I will continue to do so!
If you know of anyone who is looking for all the above and may have questions like I have asked, please feel free to have them call or email or drop by the Bravo Bridal Expo in January where I will have all my albums and a selection of prints, cards, etc., on show and a couple of former brides there to meet!
