I typically try to meet with each one of my clients before their portrait session but it's mostly dictated by the client. Most of my clients come to me first by word of mouth (other clients referral) then throughout my website or social media. Each session has to start with at least a  phone consultation then hopefully a meeting a day before to lock down thoughts and concepts talked about through phone call. Do I believe there has to be a one on one? not necessarily as I believe that most photographers want a one on one to get and idea of putting the voice to the face to see what their working with. If through the phone conversation (consultation) you have asked the appropriate and meaningful questions to draw out what the client is looking for in their session then why do you need to meet? 

Vincent Mulligan VGMPhotography