Make those magical moments last for your bride and groom - select a track of music, perhaps something of your choice, or use the first dance track the couple selected on their wedding day, as this is a really nice touch. As you are informally chatting and catching up on gossip and news, we would set up the projector screen and sales tools (prints etc) not forgetting the box of tissues!

Tears of joy often flow, for you and the client. With any music, always listen to the words first! Play through the images sit back, listen and watch and enjoy the moment yourself too.

Make note of what they are saying, and actively listen, as they will give you clues all the time, to the images of real significance.

Take the client through the image selection process with a goal to achieve the ultimate album.

We have worked with Queensbury for many, many years.  If you are not familiar, treat yourself and go and look at their website, very inspirational!

In the early stages of your career you can gain a great deal from looking at images, within albums, the flow of images, style and structure. Take time out often to do this as it can be so very rewarding.  For me it is all about the client and the process you take them through, keep it simple and focus on the client, they should select with you tapping into your expertise with regard to images selected and the range of images. Once you are all comfortable, talk through the design concept and which images are significant.

Be bold - take full credit card payment and make this a golden rule.  It will make all the difference for cash flow and enable the business to function effectively. Don’t be tempted to alter the rules as it is the cash flow rules that keep you business afloat. Having credit card payment options will make all the difference to you and the client!

And finally ensure you allocate the right level of design time as these are the best moments, where the fun starts, the joy of designing a album. Give yourself time, as it cannot be rushed and it the most visual statement you business will have.

It is what people will book you from in the future. It is such an important reference point of why the client booked you in the first place. Imagine how many people the bride is going to share the album with, from best friends, to girl friends, work and family. This is a brilliant advert for your ability. So the design time you give yourself is so very important.

To keep the momentum going take time to design a nice card, while the album is being produced as this might take up to eight weeks. Sending the client a nice card incorporating an image from their selection will naturally have pride of place. This will also reassure the client that their beautiful album is on its way.

As soon as you know the albums completion date, inform the client and arrange a delivery date and time. Wherever possible, deliver the album personally as I clients really value your presence and indeed it is your big moment - your moment to shine, listen and learn from the client’s feedback.

This is important for your own development and progress, as a photographer. It will make a real difference on many levels.

Biography

http://www.annabelwilliams.com

Catherine Connor is Annabel Williams' business partner, and MD of Contemporary Photographic Training. Catherine's meteoric rise in the often chaotic, always exciting photographic environment comes from an unusual springboard grounded in the world of international corporate management. Her infectious energy never fails to motivate those around her, and equips her with an organic understanding of market direction, fashion trends and lifestyle management.

Catherine is first and foremost a people person; her unique sense of fun, determination to succeed and boundless commitment to her industry make her a born mentor, allowing her to impart to all delegates a wealth of skills and knowledge pitched perfectly at achieving the vital balance of confident ability and self-worth.

It is Catherine's passion for her subject that makes learning from her a pleasure, which her students can then take forward, and are able to apply so effectively to enhance their skills.

All images in this article © Annabel Williams

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