People always want to know what to ask their photographer when they meet with him or her. Some people come with questions, lists of them even. Others show up with magazine clippings of what questions The Knot thinks brides should ask. And still others just show up with their mothers – who have both lists and The Knot’s suggestions. But every once in a while, as a photographer, you get a couple like Amy & George. A couple who just wanted to be guided through an experience rather than checking off boxes and asking the right questions. Every once in a while you find a couple who wants to get a flavor of their photographer rather than know about his/her equipment or editing techniques.
I’m terrible with names. Always have been. I’m sorry about it, really, I am. I try really hard. But inexplicably the moment our hands touch to shake, your name has probably already fled my mind because of how hard I’m trying to not lose it. It’s actually uncanny. Faces, on the other hand, I’m impeccable when it comes to faces. And images, moments, bits of light and color. I’m great with that sort of memory. But names are not my forte. I guess admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery, right? My name is Chris Zarconi, and I have trouble remembering names. Welcome, Chris (uh, that’s your name, right?).
So since I’m so bad with names, I’ve learned a few things about myself. First, I write shit down. Writing shit down works. If you can’t remember things, you should write them down. But the more important thing I’ve learned about myself is that my memory is based on a picture or idea I create about people. I develop a very clear and well-rounded idea of who people are and what matters to them from listening to them and imbibing their essence in a way that allows me to construct a visual version of them. And this visual version of them is ultimately way better than their names (which, by the way, I’ve written down).
When I met Amy & George, I very quickly developed an image of who they were and what they liked. I knew right away that we clicked. Amy’s sense of style and her taste were clear to me almost instantly once she got talking. I wasn’t that surprised to find she is a scotch drinker when I arrived at the wedding to find a flask in the bridal sweet filled with a delicious, peaty, and (to a novice) somewhat unapproachable whisky. Seemed to gel with the image I’d created of her.
$50 Tip: Don’t underestimate your photographer’s knowledge of wedding-related things besides photography. When he offers (and by he, I mean when I offer) to help with some decision or piece of advice, don’t assume that the offer is made to be polite. Call. Ask. And be surprised. If you’re hiring a professional (and if you’re not, you really should), he or she will know lots of things that could help you. Ask.
Amy called me to ask if I knew any florists who might fit with her taste and design for the wedding she was planning at Strathmore Hall in North Bethesda, MD in October. Having already painted an imaginary picture of her wedding, style, and interests in my mind, I told her I knew just the right florist. Philippa Tarrant is a lovely and talented florist to whom I would recommend to anyone looking for flowers for anything. She’s great. She is the florist I recommended to Amy & George (and the one they used). And she was absolutely the right woman for the job.
And while I’m on the Love-For-All kick, if you’re looking for somewhere to get married where the catering director cares about you personally and wants your wedding to be a success, you should check out Strathmore Hall. Also, if you want a totally versatile space where you can be inside or outside, contemporary or traditional, huge wedding or small, intimate gathering, Strathmore’s two event spaces can achieve this goal.
And don’t take my word for it, check out the photos…
And once you move inside to spend the rest of the evening with your guests, the intimacy of the Mansion at Strathmore, the elegance of the food from Restaurant Associates, and the service of the staff is sure to make your wedding wonderful. All you need to do is figure out how to do these awesome dances. And maybe remember the name of the dude sitting across from you at the table…
