I’m not sure when it happened. When I was in middle school, I would spend hours on the phone with my best friend, coming home from school (where I’d seen her all day) and talking about all the things we did all day. I’d stretch the cord (before cordless phones) and sit as far away from the kitchen as I could, for a “private” conversation.

In high school, I had a phone in my room (that was hot stuff) and would race to answer it before someone could answer the one in the kitchen. The only downside to that was that if it wasn’t for me, I’d have to leave my room to fetch the person being called.

I paid for a phone in my room in college, and when cell phones were just being introduced, I bought one, way before texting was a thing and the camera was garbage. The only thing it was good for was phone calls.

So when did it shift? When did I start hating the phone, avoiding calls, preferring text? I blame the Car Warranty and Policeman/Fireman fundraiser people who cold call you and try to get your money over the phone. It puts a shudder down my back, and now when I’m expecting a call and have to answer, I have a strategy. As soon as I realize it’s a solicitor, I pretend I can’t hear them and just yell “hello?” into the phone a bunch of times until one of us hangs up. (Feel free to use that one, it’s pretty effective.)

So if I hate the phone so much, why do I insist on a client/photographer phone call before we sign up to work together? Why, when I have the power to not make us talk on the phone, do I make us talk on the phone before we agree to do family or maternity or newborn photos together?

I am not a sadist. But I hate the multitude of misunderstandings that can happen over text or email. I know you can't pick up on my tone (slightly sarcastic, no question marks at the ends of statements) through text, that misspellings can change the meaning of entire sentences (I can/can’t do that date, for example), and any miscommunications or missed texts - life with small children who like to swipe away my notifications - can lead to a world of hurt later.

Clear communication is so important to me that I’m willing to get on the phone to ensure it. I want to know where you’re coming from, make sure you know where I’m coming from, and I want to hear your hesitations and questions so I can answer them and help you feel prepared.

And then my real reason: I just really want to get to know you. I want to know why you want photos, why it’s important to you to do them now, and why you chose to contact me instead of one of the other 10,000 photographers in the area. I want to know how I can help you. And occasionally, I want to be able to point you to the right place, if we figure out we’re not a good fit for each other. Because of those 10,000 other photographers, I’m friends with several of them, and I can give you a reference for someone else if you’re looking for something I don’t do.

I don’t spend our call time focusing on the money involved in working together, but I do go over exactly how much everything costs so you’re not surprised, and you can ask questions. I send it all in writing via email right after our call too, so you don’t have to write things down, depend on your memory, or wonder if I’m going to change up the numbers later.

So, that’s why I insist on calls. Even though I hate the phone, and get sweaty when I dial your number. It’s worth the connection and clear communication, to me. And takes way less time than the endless back and forth over text or email. Ain’t nobody got time for the endless back and forth.

If you’re ready to get serious about working with me, you can fill out my contact form and I’ll immediately send you a link to schedule a phone call.

And if you’re not ready for the phone call, but you want to hear from me twice a month so you can get to know me better? Join my mailing list. I promise I won’t spam you.

Want to read more posts about why I am the way I am?

Why I don’t cap family member numbers

Why I don’t just give you all the photos

Why you should include a couples photo in your family session

Why you can’t get family photos done, even though you want to