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WHY THIS MATTERS

Inquiries don't stop because you're on leave. A clear plan means every couple and family still gets a kind, useful reply, and you don't spend newborn nights answering emails.

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WHAT TO DO

Choose one inquiry approach below (or a mix). Build your list of trusted photographers to refer to. Log inquiries during leave so you can follow up when you return.

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WHEN TO DO IT

Decide 8–10 weeks before leave. Contact referral photographers 6–8 weeks before. Your autoresponder carries the plan from leave start.

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Choose your inquiry approach

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Option A: Close bookings completely

Best if you want a full break. Your autoresponder explains you're on leave and when bookings reopen.

Template: Currently on maternity leave email

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Option B: Accept inquiries for future dates

Best for wedding photographers booking a year ahead. Your autoresponder sends pricing and a booking link for dates after your return. Your VA or CRM handles contracts.

Template: New inquiry autoresponder

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Option C: Create a waitlist

Best if you want to protect demand without any work now. Inquirers join a list and hear first when you reopen.

Template: Waitlist response

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Option D: Refer to trusted photographers

Best for dates during your leave. Clients still get looked after, and colleagues often return the favour.

Template: Referral response

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Most photographers combine them: refer for dates during leave, accept or waitlist for dates after.

My approach:

The decision tree

Give this to whoever checks your inbox, or build it into your autoresponder.

flowchart TD
	A["New inquiry arrives"] --> B{"Is the requested date during maternity leave?"}
	B -- Yes --> C{"What did I decide?"}
	C --> D["Refer: send Referral response"]
	C --> E["Waitlist: send Waitlist response"]
	C --> F["Decline: send Unavailable date response"]
	B -- No --> G["Send future booking information"]
	G --> H["Inquiry form or pricing guide"]
	H --> I["Consultation scheduler"]

• Text version of the decision tree

Referral etiquette

• Ask each photographer's permission before adding them to your list.
• Only refer people whose work and client care you'd trust with your own family.
• Check availability before referring for a specific date, or say "they may be available."
• Refer two or three names where you can, so the client has choice.
• Referral fees are optional. If you use them, agree terms in writing first.

Trusted Photographers

Trusted Photographers