5 tips for working with a wedding photographer who doesn't "get" you

5 tips for working with a wedding photographer who doesn't "get" you

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Carrie Swails is a kick-ass wedding photographer with a career-load of wedding knowledge. Last time she gave us advice for getting a traditional vendor to understand your offbeat wedding. This time she's answering a question about how to get a traditional photographer to understand YOU...

I would like to receive advice on what to do if a vendor (specifically, photographer) is less than thrilled about shooting an offbeat wedding - and is obviously not a big fan of you and your partner personally - but replacing them is just not an option?

Before I answer that question, I want to first lament that you have a photographer who is just not into you. It can be really difficult to deal with your photography situation when you feel like your photographer just doesn't "get" who you are and doesn't seem as excited to work with you as they are with their other clients. Your photographer is the one capturing your memories and you deserve to have someone who is excited to work with you.

As a photographer I can speak from experience that there are going to be clients who we click with like old friends, and clients that take us awhile to get to know. However, that's definitely not an excuse for making it obvious that some clients have become your BFFs and others still remain strangers.

Everyone's vibe is different and sometimes you're going to be stuck in a situation with a wedding photographer or vendor you don't love, but you definitely want to make the most out of the relationship. If you're stuck then the best thing you can do is try everything in your power to help them understand what you are all about.

These are a few tips to help you work with a photographer who doesn't get you...

Friend and follow them on social media

Friend them on Facebook so you can get to know them, and they can get to know what you're up to. Comment on what they post, and hopefully they'll comment on what you post in return. I believe advocacy breeds advocacy, so if you're following your photographer on various social platforms, and making an effort to comment and find something in common to have a conversation about, it's more likely they're going to do the same too. If they feel like you're invested and excited to work with them they will feel more excited to work with you.

Educate your photographer

Most photographers don't love getting Pinterest boards or emails full of exact photos you want to replicate. Photographers are creatives and the more breathing room you give them to do their job the more happy they are going to be. However, that doesn't mean you can't spend some time educating them on who you are, what you're all about, and what your expectations are on the wedding day. Include them in your planning, invite them to your rehearsal or walk through. Invite them out for a drink, or just to hang out and get to know you better.

Get engagement photos taken

Engagement photos aren't just about practicing what it's like to be in front of the camera. It's also a time for the photographer to get to know you. Some of the best engagement sessions are ones where you plan something that's unique and special to you. Instead of picking an arbitrary location, try picking an activity you love doing together and tell the photographer you want to document doing one of your favorite things. It gives the photographer a lot of opportunity to be creative and gives them a ton of insight into your history as a couple.

I've loved photographing engagement sessions where my clients do fun things like go to the farmer's market and make dinner together, or take their dogs on a walk to one of their favorite spots. My husband and I dragged our photographer to the place we first met so we could have photos of us just talking over wine, which is still one of our favorite things to do.

Tell them all about who you are

If your photographer doesn't ask you to fill out a questionnaire about how you met, your favorite date nights, and other fun get to know you questions, then take the initiative to send them an email all about who you are and how you met. It's okay to be upfront and let them know that you think this kind of information will help them take better photographs of you both and feel more invested in your wedding personally. I can't speak for all photographers, but I love hearing about how my clients have met and their histories.

Consider re-booking with someone you love

I know, it hurts. You may lose a deposit, or upset family members because of various obligations that were keeping you with this photographer. Your wedding photos are one of the important things you walk away with after a wedding. Your photographer is also one of the people you will spend most of your time with throughout the day so it's really important to have someone that you absolutely love with you. It makes me sad when clients and photographers aren't a good match and things don't work out, but it's so much better when you feel like your photographer is your biggest fan and advocate.

It would be ideal if everyone involved in your wedding totally understood you and you felt a connection with them beyond vendor and customer. Sometimes it just doesn't work out that way, but at the very least you can put your best foot forward in trying to get them involved and feeling welcomed into your life. I hope these tips help, it may take some initiative on your part if you're struggling with your photographer, but that initiative could go a long way to making a great connection. Having a great connection with your photographer definitely helps them get better photos of you!

Have any other tips for helping your photographer 'get' you? I'd love to hear them in the comments!

This post features Offbeat Vendors! Check out their vendor listing to see how they cater to Offbeat Brides:

http://carrieswailsphotography.com

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