12 Comments

1. August 2nd, 2009 at 11:15 am

   Andi Grant

   this sounds great in theory, but don’t they think it’s weird you having a cheat sheet on the back of your camera?

   http://www.andigrantphotography.com

2. August 2nd, 2009 at 12:06 pm

   The Wedding Times » Group shots made easy - Gene Higa Tip of the Week

   […] Gene Higa is a destination wedding photographer based in San Francisco, but he’s got great tips for all kinds of photographers. In today’s Tip of the Week , Gene has a quick and easy trick to help you remember the names of the bridal party and family, to make those group shots faster and friendlier. “You always want to call the bridal party by their first names.” Be Part of the RESOLUTION: Gene has some great tips lined up, but we’re always eager to hear what you’d like to know more abo Source: http://blog.livebooks.com/2009/08/group-shots-made-easy-gene-higa-tip-of-the-week/ […]

3. August 3rd, 2009 at 9:26 am

   conrado

   wedding photography 101! obviously call clients and their bridal party by first names. family names too. parents and siblings and their wives and their kids.

   I like the list idea…but what if someone sees your list? sounds like cheating to me!

4. August 3rd, 2009 at 12:04 pm

   Julie Watts

   Hi Gene!
   Learning names is extremely important! I attend each wedding rehearsal and memorize the names of the entire wedding party, and all parents (siblings and grandparents too, if possible). People, quit telling yourselves that you can’t remember names. I know you can if you put a little effort into it!

5. August 3rd, 2009 at 12:31 pm

   Twitted by kipbeelman

   […] This post was Twitted by kipbeelman […]

6. August 3rd, 2009 at 2:37 pm

   Jonathan Roberts

   I wouldn’t have the guts to put the b/g on the list but, I can totally see this working for the wedding party. Its frustrating when I can’t remember the best mans name. :) Thanks, Jonathan http://www.bluephoto.biz

7. August 5th, 2009 at 10:38 am

   Gene Higa

   Hey all, The list works for me and I really don’t consider it cheating. Actually I have fun with it and let them know I actually do have it written down on my camera back. All of the clients who see this, say Thanks for caring enough to go the extra mile. Plus I have too many things on my mind to getting story telling shots to remember names. Try it one of your events. See if your client react differently when called by their names. I can honestly say the bridal party will be impressed and it always the little things that matter at the end of the night. How much do we really care for our clients enough to call them by name rather than next groomsman come and take a picture with the groom or hey you. Add a personal touch to your jobs and I am sure you will see the rewards.

   Here’s a sample of what’s on my list (made up names)

   B: Ann (moh) terry-12yrs., gina, ellen, judy (M) sara (D) joe (B) steve w/ 1 wife, 2 kids (S) n/a
   G: bobby (BM) greg, ricky, dan (M) passed (D) Mike w/SM judy only child
   (RB) joey- 8 (FG) tina misty – 6
   Dog – Max

   I have little codes for people

   M: mom
   D: dad
   MOH Maid of honor, the 12 years is for me to open up conversation. They have known each otehr for 12 years
   (B) brothers
   (S) sister
   Always include the wives and children (Again, no children’s names down, I ask to open up conversation)

   And so on. I hope this helps you to be more connected with your clients. Try it, Keep it simple and fast. Clients will appreciate your personal touch and getting their families together. After all, weddings are all about family.

8. August 5th, 2009 at 11:17 am

   Eric

   We usually try and remember the names of the bridal party because it doesn’t make huge connection difference for the whole day. It is really hard to remember but I think Gene has a pretty good idea here with the names on the back of the camera. Eric. http://www.allanglesphotography.com

9. August 5th, 2009 at 11:26 am

   Lara Parent

   Great idea! I usually spend time the time before trying to memorize!

10. August 5th, 2009 at 11:41 am

    Mike

    I have been doing that for almost 30 years

11. August 5th, 2009 at 11:58 am

    Airika Pope

    We have this dialed in on our ShootQ wedding day printout and it makes the family photos so easy! I like the idea of having it on the camera back though. I’ll hav to give it a try. Thanks, Gene!

12. August 5th, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    Gabriel Mora

    Yes! I totally agree! Some people remeber easier than others. For me is very hard to remember names; however I make a great effort to do so! It really makes a huge difference when you call your clients (or any body for that matters) by their names. Isn’t it the purpose of having names anyway? If we even put names to our pets or objects it’s logical to call the people we interact with by their names! Helps to open up conversations, break the ice and get a more approachable, at easy reaction nicer pose. I try to associate the names with something familiar to me. The cheat sheet? Excellent idea and better yet to have it handy rather than search for it through the shirt (or pants) pockets. By the way, even CEOs and famous personalities use those “cheat sheets” or some sort of remainders in similar situations! (That’s why badges were invented )