Holidays are a busy time of year for everyone.  They are a time for celebrating, visiting family and friends, shopping, making resolutions, and also a time for getting last minute chores completed for the year.  For many couples, it is also the only time they have days off together in order to visit with wedding photographers.  This can often present problems when trying to schedule appointments as photographers may also be busy with family obligations or traveling out of town.  I can personally testify to many couples getting angry with me for not being home when they will be in town, and it is troublesome they cannot see my point of view.  Believe me, I completely understand the busy schedule, the long list of things to do before the wedding day and the overwhelming desire to cross something off that list, and the frustration of having no time to plan and enjoy the build up to the big day.  However, the holidays are normally a crazy time for all of us, and to expect wedding photographers to have ample amounts of time is unrealistic.  For me, it’s not just a time for personal celebration and entertainment, but it’s also the end of the year and I almost always have deadlines to meet before December 31st.  It’s the end of a tax year and many projects need to be completed before that deadline.  It’s also the time of year I start making a list of ways to streamline for next season, or start researching new software and hardware to update and upgrade existing pieces.  And it’s a time to archive files and folders I am finished with to make room for the next year’s weddings and portraits.  Many wedding photographers do all they can to make time for clients during this hectic time, and all we ask is for your patience and any flexibility you can spare.  It’s a time of year for happiness, forgiveness, and compassion….  we all have busy lives and if we work together, nothing has to be frustrating or stressful.  My client’s happiness is my first priority, and if for some reason I cannot meet with them when they have time, I do all I can to find a second best alternative.  You will find that many photographers are the same…. 

Just remember that we have no job without you, but we will always have a life beyond the job.  Take a moment to put yourselves in our shoes if you ever run into a moment you feel a photographer is being unreasonable – sometimes you may see things a bit differently and understand the situation better through someone else’s eyes.  I do this all the time with my clients, and I believe it has helped me achieve such a high customer satisfaction percentage.  Learning to see the world through other people’s perspective will give you a better appreciation for their time and sacrifice.