If you’re tired of sending out inquiry responses only to hear crickets, you’re not alone. Every photographer has dealt with “ghosting” at some point—when a potential client reaches out, you excitedly reply, and then...nothing. But here’s the truth: it’s probably not because your pricing is too high or because they weren’t serious about booking you. The real reason? Your inquiry process isn’t setting you up for success.
Your Contact Form is the First Impression—Make It Count
Your inquiry process starts before you ever hit “send” on an email. A weak contact form can attract unqualified leads, make clients unsure about reaching out, or worse—get lost in the sea of their endless to-do list. Here’s how to create a strong contact form that gets responses:
Ask the right questions. Instead of just name, date, and email, include questions that invite connection. Ask about their wedding vision, what drew them to your work, and any must-have moments they’re excited about.
Make it effortless to fill out. If your form feels like a chore, couples will abandon it. Keep it concise but meaningful.
Set expectations immediately. Let them know when they’ll hear back from you so they don’t assume they’ll have to wait days for a response.
Speed Matters: Respond to Inquiries AS QUICKLY AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE
Your response time can be the difference between booking or being ghosted. Think about it—when someone inquires, they’re excited and actively searching. If you don’t respond within a few hours, they’re moving on to another photographer.
Here’s how to make speed your secret weapon:
Use an automated reply for instant acknowledgment. A well-crafted autoresponder lets them know their inquiry was received and gives them a next step.
Check your inbox frequently. If possible, respond within the hour. If you’re busy, set aside dedicated check-in times so inquiries don’t sit for too long.
Keep your response on your phone. If you’re on the go, having a templated but personalized reply saved makes responding fast and easy.
The Anatomy of a Strong Initial Inquiry Response (That Actually Gets Replies)
A generic “Thanks for reaching out! Here’s my pricing.” is not going to cut it. Your first email needs to make them feel seen, excited, and eager to continue the conversation. Here’s what makes an inquiry response strong:
✅ Warm and Personal – Start by thanking them and referencing something specific they mentioned. If they said they love your use of color or that their wedding is at a dreamy venue you’ve shot at before, call it out.
✅ Clear Next Steps – Make it ridiculously easy for them to move forward. Whether that’s scheduling a call, answering a quick question, or checking out a resource, give them one simple action to take next.
✅ Confidence in Your Process – Clients want to book a photographer who makes things easy. Show them that you have a seamless experience by briefly outlining what working with you looks like and what they can expect next.
✅ Offer a call – A call is the best way to convert and let your personality shine through! If your emails sound robotic or transactional, they’ll disengage. Write how you speak and show genuine excitement about the possibility of working together.
Following Up: The Key to Turning Ghosts into Bookings
Most photographers send one response and then… nothing. If you’re not following up, you’re leaving money on the table. The reality is, people get busy. They open your email, get distracted, and forget to respond—even when they want to.
Here’s how to follow up without feeling pushy:
Send a friendly nudge in 24 hours. A simple restating of your initial inquiry keeps the conversation going.
Follow up again a few days later with added value. If they still haven’t responded, send them something useful—like a blog post about their venue or a tip on wedding planning.
Know when to close the loop. If they haven’t responded after a couple of follow-ups, send a polite message letting them know their date is still available for now, but you’ll be closing their inquiry and you won't be reaching out again. This creates a sense of urgency without pressure.
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