I always appreciate when someone takes the time to let me know how they felt about their photos and experience with me as a photographer. Feedback is essential since photography – the experience, the trust, and letting me be a part of your lives – is really about you, and not me. I simply can’t be successful if you aren’t satisfied.
Which is why I was blown away by the email I received yesterday from Brendan + Stephanie whos wedding is featured below. They sent me a great inside perspective on what it was like to find me as a photographer and work with me. It is also the kind of email you frame and re-read when you’re having a bad day – and yes I will probably do that. So, you’re wondering what this email says, right? Well I’ve asked them if I could share a bit, so here you go – probably my best review ever.
Way back in February (maybe even January?) Stephanie and I were really enthralled with your art when we found your website. Watching you blog about your different clients and experiences was a great way for us to feel like we were getting to know your style, even before emailing and calling you. Your appreciation for natural beauty and your ability to manipulate ordinary objects to create visual impact really drew us in.
Everyone knows you capture brilliant images and turn photos into art, but I’d also like to tell you about our experience with finding and choosing a photographer, and why we appreciate you so much.
When Stephanie and I were calling around to different photographers, we came across a wide variety of personal styles, price ranges, and packages. One fellow was very inexpensive, but his photos didn’t look any better than some that I might take with my own little point-and-shoot camera (glare from the flash reflecting off windows, etc… awful). Another guy we talked to took reasonably nice photos, but he was trying to get us to sign a contract with him right away. He LITERALLY told us over the phone that if we signed up with him RIGHT THEN, he’d throw in an extra this, a little of that, etc. Stephanie and I just didn’t feel good about all the pressure. When we called you, you had such an easy-going attitude about the whole thing. You were so very open, accepting, and flexible that when we got off the phone for the first time I turned to Stephanie and said, “I LIKE this woman! I think we found our photographer!” Your flexibility really came through again when we had to figure out how to do our engagement session, and you really worked to accommodate our crazy schedules.
Ultimately we followed our gut feelings, and chose you over some more traditional photographers who were less expensive. Let me tell you how I feel about that investment now, after having gone through the whole wedding process.
The money we paid you to come and shoot our wedding is some of the best money we’ve ever spent. I consider the service (and products) you’re providing us to be an incredible value, and worth every penny.
Honestly, there are some things you can skimp on during your wedding. If you buy a less expensive dress, that’s ok since you’re only going to wear it once. If you go with a less expensive cake, that’s ok too since you’re only going to eat it once. HOWEVER, the photographer you choose is ESSENTIAL since those photos are going to be some of your most lasting mementos. NEVER SKIMP ON THE PHOTOGRAPHER!
Professionally, you were brilliant. You shot moments I didn’t think anyone else would have noticed other than Stephanie and I (the moment after we walked back down the aisle, and paused to hug on the front porch or the Glen Iris… incredible). I can’t say enough about the way you worked the event.
In addition to that, we like you personally and we were glad to have you at our event (Kaylan too!). I guess the whole point here is that Stephanie and I are extremely satisfied with what you’ve done for us.
by Mary Dougherty
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