Got writer's block? Here's a suggested email template:
Hi Alan, 
are you available at _____ on _______?
I am . . . 
a) planning my son/daughter's 1st birthday party
b) speaking at a big national conference
c) adopting 16 baby chinchillas from Argentina
and I am looking for a photographer to . . . 
a) capture some amazing memories from the event
b) help me update my professional headshots
c) train them for the Tokyo 2020 Chinchill-olympics
Thanks!