I’ve decided that, as someone who’s still relatively fresh to the community, I want to document my lessons learned. My favorite posts on the blogs on photographers I admire most are entries that are directed toward others in the profession. So for my first “Lessons Learned” post, I’ll share what I’ve learned about timeliness.

I’ll lay this out there: timeliness is REALLY important. And I don’t just mean showing up on time, though that’s crucial, too. I mean staying consistent and following through on what I say. In a world that’s connected 24/7, we have come to expect everything much sooner than in years past. “What? There’s a crisis at the Oscars because Snooki tripped over her ridiculously-high heels? I want MINUTE-BY-MINUTE UPDATES.” So we flock to Twitter, Facebook, CNN iReport, etc.

This 24/7 networked world hasn’t escaped me as a photographer. As someone who promises a sneak peek image or two from engagement sessions, I know that my brides and grooms will be fervently checking Facebook every hour to see when I’ve posted the anticipated image (I totally did this with my own engagement session, I can’t blame them). I’ve learned that if I don’t follow through on what I promised, not only am I setting myself up for disappointed clients, but I’m also teaching my clients not to trust me. And trust is a HUGE component of wedding photography. If my clients don’t trust me, they’re less likely to relax in my presence, to follow my direction, to let me into their world on their wedding day.

This whole “timeliness” thing extends beyond just sneak peeks, though. It infiltrates nearly every area of my business. If I get an email inquiring about my wedding rates and such but take 4 days to respond, I could very well lose that client if for no other reason than she’s already found someone else. If I promise a blog post of wedding images for within the week following the wedding but don’t deliver, I’ll have a disappointed couple returning from their honeymoon. Timeliness and follow-up are so crucially important in a profession where if you don’t deliver, you can bet your bottom dollar there are 100 other photographers willing to step up and pick up where you left off.

Bethesda Maryland wedding photographer

These are all things I’ve learned, but I can’t say I’ve perfected them. One of my brides emailed me back in June to ask for an image that somehow missed making it on to the DVD, and it was only while I was writing this post that I remembered to send it to her (hey Beth! Check your e-mail!). So I’ll continue to strive for perfection and absolute timeliness, and once I’ve perfected that, it’s on to tackling my next several hundred areas of weakness.

I’ll keep you posted! p.s. check out this image from a wedding I’ve had to keep under wraps for a couple of weeks… blog post next week!

Vienna wedding photographer

Happy Monday!

 

Lessons Learned- Timeliness

August 29, 2011

  1. Your photos are breathtaking!

  2. I’m a supporter of the “If You’re Not First – You’re Last” method of business. Do I answer *every* email immediately – no. Especially not on the weekends — but that goes towards “The Art of Balance” — to put it short? I adopted *actual* business hours and now have set TIMES to answer emails …which was a novel concept to me years ago as I’d answer emails well into the night! But!! After working a Wedding? Not ONLY do I go home and put those images onto the computer — but I grab a few, edit, watermark, upload. The Bride & Groom now not only have their FIRST LOOK at their wedding photos before ever departing on their honeymoon, but….I (as the professional) was FIRST. That sounds bizarre — but if I wait a couple weeks? Even a couple DAYS? Family & Friends have SURELY uploaded THEIR images already. People have then gone through THOSE images when the event was still fresh in their mind…when they were still highly connected to the event itself…and suddenly? MY images – regardless of being the professional ones? Matter less. I’m suddenly in last place. Timeliness is EVERYTHING in today’s world – it KILLS me to hear of a photographer taking MONTHS to return images. Unless you’re lacing them with gold? It shouldn’t be that way. And…I haven’t heard of Laced Gold Images being the “next big thing” 😉 — GREAT POST!!

  3. Abby, first off, those images are stunning. I just LOVE the ring shot. WOW! Secondly, as a wedding vendor as well, I love your idea of lessons learned… because along the way, we’ve all learned our fair share of them. I think it’s wonderful that you’re taking note and that’s exactly the reason you are and will continue to be a smashing success! It’s learning from those lessons and figuring out how to not make them again that separates the pros from the average person. This is a great post and I hope you get lots of people reading this and seeing how awesome you are!

  4. Natalie says:

    I completely agree with this post! It’s fabulously true.. there is a saying that I adhere to and it is: “Under promise, Over deliver” – If I tell couples that I will blog in 4 days and have their post up within 48 hours, it literally gets them so excited and happy. They freak out! They know they can trust me to not only meet expectations, but surpass them!

  5. Elizabeth says:

    (warning: lonnnnng comment! It is filled with love, though, so that makes it ok, right?!)

    I TRUST YOU! It didn’t take long to establish that trust, either! The thing that I was first impressed me about you was that you replied to my emails and phone calls PRONTO. Oh man… for a bride scrambling to book her photographer during one of the busiest wedding seasons (June!) I was frustrated and freaking out because photographers would not get back to me in a timely fashion. I actually missed out on someone that I wanted to book, because I was waiting for one other person to contact me. By the time they did, they other person was booked already. I was at my wits end! Then YOU came along, and made all my bride-ly dreams come true. What?! A wedding vendor that replies to me email the same HOUR?! YES! I was sold on your communication alone!

    And, of course, the way you get those sneak peaks up ASAP is SUCH a treat. You really do spoil your clients… and then they tell their friends… and show their family all your photos… and that is great news for YOU!

    There are so many great photographers out there. A lot of talent. YOU are set apart from the rest though by your personality and service. I feel honored to have been your first bride, because I have watched you come so far since that day in February. You’ve taken off like a rocket… I’m so proud of you, and I know you are going to go SO far 🙂

    (p.s… no worries about those last few photos! You went above and beyond with everyone else that it didn’t bother me at all. Sometimes we just forget things now and then. You’re awesome, not perfect! I know I’m sure not perfect… I am embarassed to say that I just sent out my last thank you card… last week… :-p )

  6. Shawn says:

    Great post, Great pics! 🙂

  7. Abby, first, these shots are STUNNING. You pick the most beautiful brides and handsome grooms in DC! You’re welcome!

    Timeliness and value for the cost. I do not mind paying a professional his or her rate if I get professional treatment and product. That said, we just got L’s senior photos and … what a rip-off!

    So while I know you focus on wedding photography, do you think sometime this fall (when the skies are blue and the leaves are gorgeous) you can take some photos of my girl that will show the beauty that shines from within her? No cap and gown or that kind of ick. Just a moment in time in her last year living at home.

    From what your brides say, you have a gift for relaxing them and we need that for L…

  8. Bradi Wells says:

    Agreed – doing work in a timely manner is HUGE.

    Before I started working freelance myself, I always noticed how long it would take a lot photographers to finally return images. A good many of them seemed to still be banking off the long wait that shooting film and printing every image could take. They were trying to promote the idea that it has to take months.

    Great post, lovely photos. <3

  9. Kari Jeanne says:

    You are so right – thanks for sharing! This is such an important lesson, I am only slowly wading into this industry but as a bride planning a wedding right now I can definitely attest to how important this is!!

  10. Terra Dawn says:

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this feature!!!!

    It’s SO true and, admittedly, probably one of my biggest flaws as a business owner. I get SO excited to get a client their work and images, that I give them a timeline. Then I either get crazy busy, or the timeline was just unrealistic.

    I think there will ALWAYS be something I can do better in my business…but this is one of those issues that I am determined to correct.

    Thanks for the great post, Abby!! Excellent read…

  11. […] last time I blogged about Lessons Learned I talked about timeliness. Consistency goes hand-in-hand with timeliness- sort of like the two are best friends. If this were […]

  12. […] share the some of the valuable experiences that have taught me much. A while back I blogged about timeliness and consistency, and just putting those concepts out there have helped to reinforce those lessons […]

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