A little note about good client relations

I was reminded of Claudia's wedding that I shot last March, on Phillip Island, because she just called to make a print order, and also to thank me again for my work.  It also prompted me to make a note about good client relations.  There are so many in this industry who just don't get it.  For them a client is simply someone with money.  With me, that's the last thing I think about (my wife would certainly agree!).  For me, a client is a person with character, dignity, history and feelings.  I empathise with them; I am fascinated by them.  When they hire me, it's an opportunity to create something truly special that reflects who they really are.  

Claudia was a stunning bride from Columbia, who has come to Australia to be with her sweetheart.  She was not only very beautiful, but a marvellous person as well.  Why did she hire me, when she could have easily afforded the large studios who charge triple my price?  Because of all the photographers she had met, I was the only one who realized she had made an enormous sacrifice in coming here.  So often, she had been told "Lucky you -- getting into Australia!"  But I knew that she had made some deep losses -- life in Columbia can be sweet indeed for the middle classes and above.  There are nannies and maids, not to mention gardeners and cooks.  There is also the marvellous culture of that country, the extraordinary cuisine; it is in many ways far superior to Australia.  And of course, she had made the biggest sacrifice of all -- all her family are over there.  Such is the power of love; I was humbled to accept this extraordinary assignment.  You can see some of her wedding highlights here.   

You can see more weddings I photographed on Phillip Island here and here.

Best regards, Joshua Winterson.