The title pretty much gives away what i'm going to touch on. 
Lets start off with how important communication is in EVERY relationship you have (with friends, at work, with family and your spouse).
I don't know how many relationships fail or issues occur due to poor communication but i'd bank it's a huge amount.
Communication is so stinkin' tricky and I don't know why. It seems so simple but still so many struggle with it.
If you want something it's extremely important to say what you want so the other person knows.
Do NOT assume someone knows or is picking up your hints no matter how thick you're laying it on there.
I'm sure we're all guilty of this in our personal relationships but this specific post is in regards to photo sessions and communicating with your photographer. And not just me but ANY photographer. 

I'm still very new to photography so when i'm about to book a session or if someone inquires about my services I try to ask very specific questions to make sure I can do what they ask. A lot of the time I even ask "clients" to give me a couple sample images of things they like so I can actually SEE with my own eyes what they're talking about or interested in just incase i'm painting a picture differently than what they're describing. It happens and I get that.
A person could be fairly specific and leave one detail out. Yes, one detail seems minor but it could throw the whole thing off. It could be that that missing key to make it all work and flow properly. I'm not good at just winging it when it comes to many of these shoots. I do much better when I can plan and know the details because i'm still at a point I could get thrown off easily. I'm working on it
From what I've learned in my 1.5 of shooting people is that there are (obviously) many different types of clients but there are 4 types of clients (fellow photogs feel free to chime in if you'd like) that I seem to deal with the most.
-There is the client that knows exactly what they want and they're spot on and clear with showing me and communicating. (Thank you past and future clients that do this)  
-There is the client that shows me all sunset pictures but schedules their time in the middle of the day (Unrealistic expectations.. thanks pinterest)
-There is the client that says they don't care but they in fact do care.. a lot (worried they'll be a pain/needy)
-And one of my favorites - the client that says they don't care and actually don't care. (just had one of these sessions and it was fabulous)

Number 1 and 4 are my favorite for one reason and one reason only. My photos will make them happy. And I don't say that in a conceited, snobby sort of way. I say that with my whole heart I want my images to be exactly what a person wants... that's why I take photos. Unless of course I pull someone aside and have something I want to do for my own artistic reasons.

The LAST thing I want is to waste my time or yours and we both walk away disappointed. 

If I ask you what you want and you say you don't care this is to you. I'm encouraging you to tell me what you want. I'll be realistic and say "yes I can do that" or "no I can not".
I might even give you a "ive never done it but i'm willing to try" depending on the situation. I really am willing to try because I do want to give you the best I can.
Another thing that really matters is what happens to the images after the shoot?
Do you plan on printing them in black and white? Tell your photographer you're working on a black and white wall. I personally edit or shoot differently if i'm going to convert it.
Do you need a certain size, do they need to be loaded and sent mostly online.
To you it may not seem like a big deal but it actually does matter.
Just mention it to your photographer in advance so they know what to expect because they may shoot differently or edit differently. 

Nothing hurts worse than people being disappointed that you did everything they asked when they really wanted more.
It's like the equivalent of spending all day on a nice meal for someone, eating it and them saying where's the rest?

please
please
PLEASE be honest and open with me about your vision of the shoot. I don't read minds!! I take photos, capture moments and create images.