| Oh boy, there are a lot of wedding photographers | | | | Local business networks operate in most major cities, |
| out there aren't there? Or at least, there are a lot of | | | | and often have suburban chapters. In many cases |
| photographers out there that claim to be good right? | | | | they will only permit one person of each profession |
| I have seen some really terrible shots, and hideous | | | | to join (e.g. one real estate agent, one lawyer, one |
| wedding photos, from people who are charging | | | | optometrist, one graphic designer etc), so try to find |
| premium prices for their work. | | | | one that either doesn't have wedding photographer, |
| There are many really talented photographers out | | | | or photographer at all, or is a new chapter and |
| there, who are not getting the work. So why is this? | | | | looking to increase its membership. |
| It can be put down to one simple fact. | | | | They usually meet once a week at a local coffee |
| Marketing | | | | shop or restaurant, over breakfast, and the meeting |
| Let us ponder this point for a moment: If you do not | | | | allows members to speak about their businesses for |
| know how to market yourself, then you may be the | | | | 3-5 minutes each (depending on how large the |
| most talented photographer in the world, but you will | | | | membership is) and then to exchange referrals. e.g. |
| remain a very talented, and unemployed | | | | the graphic designer is working on a the invitations |
| photographer. Here are some key points to help you | | | | for a wedding, and has promoted your services to |
| on your way to success as a wedding photographer. | | | | the bridal couple, and they then pass on the contact |
| Get Good Quality Printed Material | | | | details of the bridal couple for you to contact, and |
| Nothing says, "I'm awesome" like some really great, | | | | showcase your work to. |
| good quality printed marketing material. The fact that | | | | Be More Versatile in Your Work |
| you are able to produce such good quality material, | | | | Most photographers do not just shoot weddings. |
| inspires confidence and trust in your potential | | | | When I started out it was in the Sports Action |
| customers. Get the best that you can afford. You do | | | | genre, particularly Equestrian photography, and my |
| not need 1000 brochures, or business postcards etc | | | | very first wedding client, was one of the riders who |
| Quality rather than quantity is paramount if you are | | | | had always liked and purchased the sports |
| to court the right kind of clientele. | | | | photographs that I had taken of her, and asked me |
| Some suggested items include: High gloss promotional | | | | if I would shoot her wedding. |
| postcards, business cards of at least 300gsm (gsm | | | | It was the perfect opportunity to cut my teeth in a |
| indicates the weight of the paper), glossy tri-fold | | | | new direction, a small family wedding at home, and it |
| brochures. | | | | was a huge boost to my confidence when the |
| Be Clever with Where You Target your Printed | | | | photos were so well received. |
| Material | | | | Remember wedding clients can be found anywhere, |
| The most obvious place to leave a business card | | | | even in the current economic climate, people are still |
| (along with 1000 other budding photographers) are | | | | getting married, and still have wedding budgets so |
| bridal emporiums. | | | | there is no reason not to go out marketing with all |
| This doesn't mean that you shouldn't leave a business | | | | guns blazing as normal. |
| card there, but try at least to build a rapport with | | | | Network with Other Photographers |
| the staff when you visit, so that you are more | | | | Believe it or not, other photographers can be your |
| memorable than the other 999 photographers who | | | | greatest source of work. Have you ever wondered |
| walked in before you. | | | | what would happen, if you booked a wedding client, |
| Feel free to offer them an incentive if the client | | | | and then the day before the wedding you were |
| books you as a result of getting your card/flyer | | | | suddenly involved in a car accident? What if you |
| brochure/post card from them. A simple gift | | | | were unable to show up and shoot the wedding? |
| certificate will often suffice. If you do not feel | | | | Can you imagine the brides dismay when they've |
| comfortable doing this, then at least reward them if | | | | probably paid you a hefty deposit, and you suddenly |
| you receive a booking from them anyway - flowers | | | | can't produce? |
| and a box of chocolates are always appreciated, and | | | | That's why it's best to have back up at every |
| you can be sure that you will be recommended again. | | | | wedding you shoot. Offer another photographer a |
| You can even offer to photograph some of their | | | | chance to shoot alongside you, or act as runner, or |
| merchandise, and offer to reciprocate the referral to | | | | equipment set up person. Chances are they will do |
| any brides who approach you, who may not have | | | | the same for you. If you are suddenly hurt, or unable |
| heard of their particular bridal shop. | | | | to shoot for whatever reason, then they can cover |
| If a bride is referred to you by a particular bridal | | | | the wedding for you. |
| shop, then it is an absolutely wonderful idea to take | | | | Just make sure you have clear rules and boundaries |
| the bridal shop some of the photographs (displaying | | | | regarding who shoots what, who edits, and who gets |
| their merchandise on the bride) after the wedding. | | | | paid what before you even begin. Most |
| They will be so appreciative to see the end result | | | | photographers will have a network of photographers |
| and it will give them something concrete to show | | | | with whom they work well together, and it makes it |
| future customers proof of your photographic skill! | | | | very easy, and smooth if something should happen |
| Other suggested places to take marketing material | | | | to go wrong. |
| include: Premier Wedding Venues, Fabric shops (who | | | | It's a good selling point to your potential clients if you |
| specialise in wedding/evening dress fabrics), hair | | | | are able to reassure them that even if something |
| salons (hair stylists are chatty by nature, and if you | | | | happens to you, that they have nothing to worry |
| can get them to talk about you - even better!), | | | | about, and someone will be there to shoot their |
| wedding planners, event planners etc. | | | | wedding. |
| Advertise in Local Business Directories | | | | Lastly, Bridal Magazines |
| Sometimes simple is best! Often a local yellow pages | | | | While this may seem the obvious choice, advertising |
| (sometimes called white pages in some parts of the | | | | in high end magazines is a very expensive though |
| world), will have a special 'pink' bridal section. | | | | fruitful option. The exposure is good, the readership |
| For most brides, they may not know where to start | | | | is huge, and it will in all likelihood yield a great number |
| looking for wedding vendors, and the yellow pages is | | | | of bookings for you. |
| an often overlooked advertising medium for | | | | However, it is probably an avenue best left to the |
| photographers (our local yellow pages does not have | | | | wedding photographer who has already made an |
| one single listing for a childrens portrait photographer) | | | | impact on the local industry, and is just looking to |
| which could be a potential gold mine if you place the | | | | keep exposure and name to a maximum, and |
| right advertisement at the right time. | | | | perhaps to begin to take bookings on a national or |
| Remember that yellow pages get delivered free of | | | | international level. |
| charge to all homes and businesses with a listed | | | | The best of luck to you with your wedding |
| telephone number - hello! | | | | photography marketing efforts. |
| Join a Local Business Network | | | | |