You know what? I haven't written a FAQ Post in a while since I've started the Shooting Star installments…I suppose I'm still trying to find a balance for what works best and what readers prefer (in case you're not sure, yes, I'm inferring your opinion matters, so holla back at your girl). I answered these questions from the Facebook discussion page, so if you have any questions, feel free to put them there and perhaps I'll answer them soon!
Enough chit chat and let me dive right in…
Ali asked:
This is an awful question, but what would happen if you were unable to shoot a wedding due to serious illness or a family emergency on the wedding day? Do you have a plan in place?
Yes. Absolutely. It's our job as professional photographers to have a backup plan in place. Thankfully, I've never had to resort to a backup plan, but if I did, it would be for JD to step up and shoot the wedding with a photographer who's style, aesthetic and experience mirrors ours. We're lucky to have a group of amazing peers who I can call on for help, but I can say this with confidence because if any of them were in a similar situation, I'd step in for their wedding and do the same.
Stefanie asked:
I would LOVE to hear more about how you inform couples regarding working with your husband? I know that JD is a huge part of your business, so does he come to consultations when you first meet a couple?
No, JD doesn't come to an initial consultation, nor does he join us at the engagement session. JD is my partner, but I want to ensure I've established a relationship with my clients on my own. The business is ours, but the brand is mine. I want to make sure clients understand they'll be working with me for 90% of the process, but I'll explain the role JD plays on the wedding day during our initial meeting or phone conversation.
Ryan asked:
How do you (specifically) separate your business and personal life in terms of social networking. You blog, you tweet, you facebook, etc. Where do you draw the line for what's public versus what is just for you and your family & friends?
This may be a long-winded answer, but I'll do my best to keep it succinct. I adhere to what I call the Man On The Airplane Rule. Basically, this means whatever I'd tell a random guy seated next to me on an airplane is what I put out on the web. Sure, I might be comfortable sharing aspects of my life (where I went on vacation, the protein bars I prefer, my mother's battle with cancer, etc) others might not be, but I definitely don't share intimate aspects of my life. My closest friends and family are attuned to the deepest layers of who I am and what I put on the web is the smallest fraction of my day.
Andrea asked:
I have been shooting weddings for the past 2 years and when I get online inquires, brides want to know everything about my packages only through email. I prefer to meet in person and go over my work and packages and let the client meet me not a virtual version. Do you mind sharing what you give out in an email vs. having a consultation?
Oh, I'm probably not the best person to ask this question! I book half my clients online, without meeting in person, as many of my clients are out-of-towners. I attribute this to creating an online brand and personalizing my web presence…so by the time the client is ready to book, she knows a lot about me (where I went on vacation, the protein bars I prefer, etc) because I intentionally share this information as a way to develop a level of trust in an online world. My clients' time is precious and I treat it as such. If a client requests information online, I'll happily oblige, send her everything she wants, and not request a meeting.
And because every post is better with a photo, here's a sneak peek of a shoot I'll be able to blog in a few weeks…
