Amateur Wedding Photographer: How to Advertise

[LeavesofGrassPhotography]

I am looking for advice on how to advertise myself as a wedding photographer. I am not an experienced wedding photographer (I do have some experience in portraiture, however) and I have only done two weddings alongside another amateur Photographer last summer. I have professional lenses (both in the Canon "L" series), a Canon 40D, and an acceptable understanding on how to organize and edit on my CS5 program. I am only mentioning that to say that I have a few thousands dollars into this and don't really want to shoot for free. I understand that I can easily spend 30 hours on a each wedding when all is said and done. I am currently offering weddings at an hourly rate and at about 1/2 of what the other main wedding photographer in my (very) small, economically challenged town offers. How can I be upfront with my clients about my experience without scaring them away? I'd like to gain experience and charge accordingly but also want to be honest with what they are getting.

I understand that a lot of experienced "pros" at wedding photography would say I have no business offering weddings with my lack of experience. However, even "pros" must have got started somewhere. I could use some encouragement on how to get "out there" and shoot some weddings but without sounding like I'm super experienced....

Thanks in advance!

[SusanH1970]

Honestly, you're much better off second-shooting for a seasoned pro and learning the ropes before you tackle one on your own.

ETA: I took a very quick look at your gallery and you definitely have some decent skills. There are a few minor issues, but all in all you're pretty good. Still, most established pros started out by second-shooting for someone with a lot of experience.

[Brian Mullins]

To clarify, if you are advertising your services as a wedding photographer, you are a professional by definition. This means you must have insurance, collect and remit sales tax, have backup gear,etc.

As far as the how - to be honest, if you take the approach that you are half the cost of the "existing" pros, then don't expect to make friends in the business. It's, of course, your decision on how to run your business but once you start advertising, in that fashion, then don't expect many jobs to pop up for you to 2nd shoot.

Word of mouth advertising is so much more effective then any type of mass advertising. Talk with local wedding vendors, see if you can network with them to help send you business. Warm referrals are much more effective.

After looking at your portfolio, you're really going to have to learn to work with flash, it's fairly apparent that you don't use any OCL.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

After looking at your portfolio, you're really going to have to learn to work with flash, it's fairly apparent that you don't use any OCL.

This was one of the points I was going to make. I realize that you didn't specifically ask to have your work critiqued, but bear in mind that that is part and parcel of asking for advice here, as it puts things in context.

I like your work quite a bit, and see elements of my own vision for wedding photography in your stuff. This leads me to have a more benevolent feeling rather than how I usually respond to this kind of question (a search through this subforum will give you plenty of variations on this theme).

As Max pointed out, the absence of what really is a staple skill for wedding photography, using flash, is a bit of a red flag. I realize you may have the belief that using flash will remove the innate beauty of 'natural light', but unless you can use and learn to tame artificial lighting, you're going to not only run into issues (there's a lot of underexposure in your images) ...

but more importantly to me, miss out on having the tools to create images that your creativity would suggest you're going to be capable of.

However, back to your question. As hard a step as it seems to be, you really ought to consider skipping the part where you do things for 'free' or severely discounted. It will hobble you in the end.

The best advice, is of course to pick up some second shooting jobs. Yes, it's tedious sending all of those emails, and disheartening when you don't hear back, but that is the best course of action. In the meantime, don't be afraid to continue building your own business on your own time... just be honest about what you're able to do.

In terms of advertising, networking and using social media is your best outlet (and free), but it's getting quite saturated. You may also want to look at craigslist.. it's not a great option, but works well to 'scout' the other competitors doing the same as you, and may help give a benchmark for what they're charging and what they're offering/capable of. If you decide to throw your hat into the CL ring, thats a different post altogether, but if done judiciously, can be one starting point.

This of course, is just a part of what you really should be working on, which is your business plan, figuring out all of the elements you need, figuring out the business side of things, and getting your ducks in a row to handle what hopefully will be coming your way. You need to make sure you have back ups for your gear... if that 40d goes down, you don't want to be finishing the wedding on your iPhone.

Ultimately however, dealing with your current clients, you do need to be upfront. The images you have on your site will go a long way towards assuaging fears that you're going to royally F it up (though that is a legitimate fear), and you will have to take a hit in terms of your pricing, somewhat, as a concession.

It's a tough business to make it in, and it takes more than skill with the camera alone to do it. It's also going to be competitive, as you'll find out when you try reaching out to others to work with them, but take your time, do it properly and have a thick skin.

As for hanging around here, hopefully you will, because there are some great people here who were not too long ago in the position you're in. Sme were in that position decades ago. They will probably not say things you want to hear, but they will say things you need to hear.

If you ask your questions, you will get answers

[LeavesofGrassPhotography]

"I realize that you didn't specifically ask to have your work critiqued, but bear in mind that that is part and parcel of asking for advice here, as it puts things in context."

I appreciate that time was spent looking at my work in order to give me an honest and full answer.

"As Max pointed out, the absence of what really is a staple skill for wedding photography, using flash, is a bit of a red flag."

I absolutely agree that I need to learn to use my speedlite! I am working on learning that right now and also plan to visit local church buildings, etc. to learn my settings. OCL probably one of my biggest fear with weddings which is a setback I am determined to overcome.

"(there's a lot of underexposure in your images) ..." Thanks for noticing that. Will work on that.

"The best advice, is of course to pick up some second shooting jobs. Yes, it's tedious sending all of those emails, and disheartening when you don't hear back, but that is the best course of action. In the meantime, don't be afraid to continue building your own business on your own time... just be honest about what you're able to do."

I would love to be a second shooter! In a small town secluded border town with only 2 other professional photographers (both somewhat newer ones, at that) it is difficult to find other photographers to work beside and learn from. But it won't hurt to ask. I do have a good business relationship with one of those Photographers. Might give it a shot! If not, I'd be willing to travel out of town for learning purposes.

"This of course, is just a part of what you really should be working on, which is your business plan, figuring out all of the elements you need, figuring out the business side of things, and getting your ducks in a row to handle what hopefully will be coming your way. You need to make sure you have back ups for your gear... if that 40d goes down, you don't want to be finishing the wedding on your iPhone."

Thanks. Yes, I am working with the SBA in town and am well on my way to having a business plan, insurance, etc. for any upcoming summer weddings. I am looking into what to get for a backup camera. I'm not planning on taking out loans for business so the budget is pretty tight but I understand that it is a necessity to have a backup camera, etc.

"Ultimately however, dealing with your current clients, you do need to be upfront. The images you have on your site will go a long way towards assuaging fears that you're going to royally F it up (though that is a legitimate fear), and you will have to take a hit in terms of your pricing, somewhat, as a concession."

Very helpful. Thank you.

"As for hanging around here, hopefully you will, because there are some great people here who were not too long ago in the position you're in. Sme were in that position decades ago. They will probably not say things you want to hear, but they will say things you need to hear.

If you ask your questions, you will get answers "

I greatly appreciate everyone who took the time to view my website and give honest feedback on my question. Like I mentioned, I live in a secluded area so it isn't easy to connect and learn from other Photographer's hands-on. Steve, thank you especially for taking the time to write out your answer. It was well written and encouraging while giving me somethings to consider and move forward with. I appreciate that!

Originally Posted by LeavesofGrassPhotography

"I realize that you didn't specifically ask to have your work critiqued, but bear in mind that that is part and parcel of asking for advice here, as it puts things in context."

I appreciate that time was spent looking at my work in order to give me an honest and full answer.

"As Max pointed out, the absence of what really is a staple skill for wedding photography, using flash, is a bit of a red flag."

I absolutely agree that I need to learn to use my speedlite! I am working on learning that right now and also plan to visit local church buildings, etc. to learn my settings. OCL probably one of my biggest fear with weddings which is a setback I am determined to overcome.

"(there's a lot of underexposure in your images) ..." Thanks for noticing that. Will work on that.

To me, there's the problem right there.

"I need to learn to use my speedlight"... as in singular. I have TONS of speed lights because they each need to do something different reasons.

You will not get a good giant family portrait with one dinky speed light. Especially in a dark assed church

Just sayin'.

[LeavesofGrassPhotography]

Thanks but I am well aware at the lack of knowledge and equipment I have. So, yes, I have ONE speedlite right now. And that I need to learn it and then keep learning, and learning! That's why I'm here - to glean knowledge from the more experienced. Like I said, I don't have many seasoned Photographer's around me where I live to learn from. How I wish I did! Steve did a great job in answering with constructive criticism about weddings and how to get out there... or maybe to not get out there... quite yet. I think I have what I need to move on from here, for now, anyway....

Thanks!

[Jim Bryant]

Do not charge an hourly rate........charge by the event. Weddings: $1800 - $4500, depending on the hours you have to put into the shooting, editing, pping and DVD burning.

[OsmosisStudios]

I will not rightfully critique website
I will not rightfully critique website
I will not rightfully critique website
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