Wedding Photography Client Emails: How to Say 'No' Without Losing the Review

If you're a wedding photographer in the US, you know the drill. You spend 10 hours on your feet, shooting thousands of images, and then... the emails start.

"Can we have the RAW files?"

"Why is it so expensive?"

"Can you just remove my ex-boyfriend from the background of the ceremony shots?"

You're a creative professional, not a customer service bot. But in the wedding industry, one bad review can tank your season. You need to be firm, but you also need to be relentlessly nice. That's exhausting.

The "Just One Quick Question" Trap

Small business owners, especially in the wedding industry, suffer from "inbox fatigue." You want to say: "Read the contract!" but you have to say: "Per our agreement, as detailed in section 4..."

Here is how to handle the most common nightmare emails using AI to keep your tone professional (and your sanity intact).

Scenario 1: "Can we have all the RAW files?"

What you want to say: "No. They look like gray sludge and you don't have the software to open them. Also, my editing is my brand."

What to say with Rephrase:

"Thank you for asking! I actually don't release RAW files because they are unfinished data, not the final artwork you hired me to create. My editing process is a huge part of my signature style, and I want to ensure every image you receive meets the high standard you see in my portfolio."

Scenario 2: "My cousin charges $500..."

What you want to say: "Then hire your cousin and enjoy your blurry photos."

What to say with Rephrase:

"I completely understand that budget is a priority! Every photographer has a different level of experience, equipment, and insurance. My rates reflect 10+ years of wedding experience, dual-slot backup cameras to ensure your memories are safe, and the 40+ hours of editing that goes into your gallery. I’d love to make this work for you—perhaps we can adjust the package hours?"

Scenario 3: "Are the photos ready yet?" (It’s been 2 days)

What you want to say: "It's been 48 hours. I haven't even slept."

What to say with Rephrase:

"I'm just as excited to share them as you are! As mentioned in our contract, my standard turnaround time is 6-8 weeks. This ensures I can give every single image the attention it deserves. I'll be sending a 'sneak peek' gallery your way later this week to tide you over!"

Scenario 4: "Can you photoshop me to look thinner?"

What you want to say: "I am a photographer, not a plastic surgeon."

What to say with Rephrase:

"I believe in capturing authentic moments that reflect the joy of the day! My standard editing includes color correction and light blemish removal. Extensive retouching (like body reshaping) is a separate service that I outsource to a specialist retoucher, which would incur an additional fee per image. Let me know if you'd like a quote for that!"

The Solution: Automate Your Politeness

You don't need to type these out every time. With Rephrase, you can turn your frustrated thoughts into polished, professional emails instantly.

Just type "tell them no raw files politely" and hit your hotkey. Rephrase handles the tone, so you can get back to editing.

Download .dmg

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