Remember that time your clients wanted a Godzilla wefie? Wedding photography can include outrageous requests, making it difficult to reach a compromise (or maintain your sanity). Here’s a roundup of common issues you might encounter — and how to keep everyone happy (sans a Godzilla wefie, hopefully).
#1: Everyone wants to take photos, too.
It would have been the perfect shot—if you hadn’t been blocked by Grandpa snapping a picture with his mobile phone. Why, Grandpa? Why?
Solution: While the occasional Uncle Bob may be part of the norm for any experienced wedding photographer, you can minimise interruptions by making it clear to the couple that guests need to be seated and put their mobile phones away at key moments, like the wedding ceremony. Some couples enforce a no-phones rule at weddings; you can suggest this option. After all, it’s in their best interests as well, because it guarantees that every single shot of their big day will look amazing.
#2: “Can you just give me the RAW files?”
What do you do when wedding photography clients ask you for your RAW files? Apart from muttering “Nope, nope, NOPE” to yourself, that is.
Solution: Before signing any contract, tell your clients that you won’t release RAW files to them, and explain why.
#3: They want you to “recreate” another photographer’s work
Many photographers get requests to “recreate” (read: copy) another photographer’s work wholesale. How do you say no without losing your client?
Solution: Tell your clients you’re uncomfortable with copying someone else’s work. Offer alternative concepts, e.g. “This idea is great, but I think we can come up with a more unique concept. How about a choir of alpacas instead of a T. Rex?”
#4: “You can Photoshop that, right?”
A sadly familiar wedding photography scenario: you’re essentially giving all the guests makeovers so extreme that it looks like digital plastic surgery.
Solution: Reassure your clients by relaying the positive experiences of other clients who have chosen to keep it (mostly) real at the processing stage.
#5: They want the priciest package, but…
“Why does this cost so much?” You’ll often hear this when talking to wedding photography clients, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with being underpaid.
Solution: Talk to your clients face-to-face when you’re quoting them, and itemise the quote to include individual cost components that you can explain in detail.
Have you experienced any unique challenges when doing wedding photography? What did you do to tackle them? Leave us a comment below to share your tips!
