Professionalism in wedding vendors is extremely important. If they don’t know how to carry themselves or respect others, it’s basically a disaster waiting to happen. But professionalism should never extend into robotic like behavior or a feeling of indifference. There’s a sweet spot when it comes to meshing professionalism and friendship, and that’s exactly what I want to talk about today!
#1: QUALITY OF WORK
The main thought behind this point is the level of comfortability that comes with friendship. Friendships bring connection, connection brings trust, and trust brings vulnerability. The vulnerability of your love and your relationship is a key part to how your photos will end up turning out. You have to be able to express yourselves completely and the only way to do that whole-heartedly is by feeling comfortable.
So in order for the quality of work that’s returned to meet or even exceed the expectations you have, the photographer needs to establish a connection (or friendship) with you! You will see a major difference in the authenticity of a relationship captured by a photographer that has fostered an environment of comfortability and trust over one that doesn’t cultivate that environment
Your story deserves to be told excellently, and that’s why having your photographer feel like a friend is going to benefit you.
#2: STRESS LEVELS
Typically with friendships, you’re pretty familiar with how they navigate different situations – but especially stressful ones. When in a heightened and stressful situation, who are you more likely to listen to – a friend or a stranger? Well, it’s possible to listen to a stranger if they’ve proven their credibility on the subject. But even there, that’s just the point — they see value in providing you the necessary information to allow you to trust them. Which is why a stranger can turn into a friend so quickly.
Despite what you might have heard, wedding days can actually be less stressful than how everyone might describe them to be. Will the stress go away completely? No. That’s impossible just because of the nature of the event. But there are definitely plenty of factors that go into whether or not your day ends up being chaotic and stressful verses relaxed and on time. Have you ever felt the relief that comes from being able to trust that someone is going to handle a situation with ease, and that you don’t have to doubt that? That’s exactly what your photographer friend should provide you. There should be either a dedication to solving your problems and serving you selflessly, or proof of already doing so and continuing to (aka reviews from past clients). You should be able to know without a shadow of a doubt that no matter what crazy thing might happen, you don’t have to worry about your photos because of who you are trusting to take them!
#3: HAVING FUN
Let’s be real, nobody likes a boring experience. I think we all like to have fun and experience fun — especially on the best day of your life!! Getting things done, being productive and efficient and solving your problems shouldn’t have to feel like a bore. As another human being serving you in this way, my goal is bring in the optimistic and light-hearted side of things in order to provide you memories that make you smile.
I think we can all think of some of our favorite memories and remember who was with us for them (and maybe even who made those memories so great!) and in the same way, your photographer should provide you with an experience where when you look back at it, you are overwhelmed with the feeling of joy and fondness over everything that happened that day.
Your friend wants you to have fun and enjoy your day, does your photographer know how to provide that kind of experience for you? You can count on that with me 🙂
It can sound funny at first when you hear the phrase “your vendors should feel like friends” but its meaning is truly a harmonious blend of professionalism and friendship that brings you the kind of experience you can look back on for years and years to come while flipping through your album! Your friend anticipates your emotions, she knows the special look your fiancé gives you, she knows what makes your heart beat fast and what makes you feel relaxed. There’s no one better to photograph your day than your friend, Kate Garcia 😉
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