How to Find New Clients for Wedding Photography {UPDATED}
Posted by TJ Dinsmoor on Thu, Nov 05, 2009 @ 10:03 AM
I was reading an interesting post on LinkedIn in one of the photography groups I belong to. The topic of discussion was How to Find New Business for Wedding Photography? Some interesting replies to the topic included many tips on how to jump start your business and bring in new clients.
What can I do online to start bringing in new clients?
- Work on your website and blog. Structure your website with rich copy and content that reflects your photography.
- Show detailed pictures in your galleries so interested couples see that you invest yourself in the wedding.
- Get on social networking sites and post relevant content about wedding photography. With Twitter updates, and soon Facebook updates, now showing up in search engines such as Bing and Google, posting content about wedding photography will now be easily available to anyone on the web.
- Incorporate a testimonial page on your website. It will show clients that your studio is respected and nothing is better than hearing good things from previous clients.
- Take advantage of free wedding photography directories. There are hundreds out there. Just take some time and search for them and submit your information.
Follow good business practices. If you're going to say you're a professional, act like one!
- Research what your competition is doing. Do you know what they are offering and what kinds of prices they are asking?
- Join a church and work with the pastoral staff.
- Make referrals to established photographers and assist.
- Raise your prices. Couples seeking for a photographer might not even consider someone who is setting their session prices at $300, but couples will look into someone who has prices at $1200 and will be taken a bit more seriously. You can set specials and discounts once people start negotiating with you. Research what photographers in your area set their prices at and compete with them.
- Network with your local wedding vendors. Take wedding planners and coordinators out for lunch. Meet them, introduce yourself and become known in your local wedding market.
- Become a member of the Better Business Bureau. By joining, it will show potential clients that your studio is legit and it can help you in the long run if there is any conflicts that could potentially arise.
These are just some of many different tips and practices you can follow to lure in new clients. Wedding photography isn't just about great looking images. There is a whole business side to it and it takes time to build up.
Most importantly, Think BIG. Never lose sight of your personal goals and where you want to go in life. When researching competitor photographers don't compare yourself to them, rather be inspired by them and strive to be better.
A camera is only a tool and a small piece of the puzzle when it comes to wedding photography. It takes a gift--an eye--that can see an image and a keen understanding of whats happening emotionally at a wedding that will allow you to take breath taking images in that moment.
