5 Tips to Break Into the Wedding Photography Market

Alright so you’ve been playing around with the idea for awhile but you’re finally ready to take the jump. You desperately want to leave behind your 9-5 grind and create a more work-life balance for your family. So here you are, ready to start your own Wedding Photography business - read on to see my top tips to break into the wedding photography market. You can also visit my Photography and Business Resources page on my website. And as always, reach out to me for more tips. I love to help empower others looking to build a life they can thrive in. 

Build a Brand That You Love
When thinking about the photography business you’d like to create, begin to visualize your ideal clients and how that matches your photography. Are you drawn to timeless, romantic couples and weddings? Are you more into funky, laid back vibes? Are you looking to photograph elopements or do you want to stay in a certain locale? The best wedding photographers have created a brand that attracts a specific audience. Begin to build your specific brand around the audience you’re looking for. After all, your vibe attracts your tribe. Try to make it authentic as possible so you are truly passionate about it. That passion will come out when talking to potential wedding couples. 

Get Into the Networking Game
Like any job, photography can also be about who you know. Begin networking with wedding vendors in your area and other local photographers. It can start out small - follow, like, and comment on their social media. Build the relationships and see where they go. Try visiting local wedding venues or wedding florists and see if they have a preferred vendor list that you could be added to. Check social media to see if you can find professional groups in your area that offer meetups. Yes, it can sound like an awkward thing to do at first but everyone started somewhere and chances are they are happy to help! 

Invest in Yourself (and in turn, your business)
Starting a business is a big investment. Take some time to also invest in yourself to make yourself a master of your craft. This could include taking a class, reading a book, or watching videos. Think about all the things you will want to learn. Not only do you want to focus on taking quality pictures, you’ll also want to focus on the business side of things. Learn about marketing, accounting, and budgeting. It may seem like a lot at first but building a business takes time. Take your time to make it a quality service you are offering. One of the most helpful tips I have is to find a mentor already in the business (did you know I offer Business Mentoring - check me out on IG!) that you can learn from! 

Practice, Practice, Practice
In order to break into the wedding photography business, you’re going to need wedding photos to showcase. If you have the means to, consider photographing a styled shoot to show off your brand. Again, look to local vendors to see if you can team up to create something like this. See if a local wedding venue can provide the couple if you provide them photos to showcase their venue. Offer your services to fellow photographers and see if they need any second shooters. Or look to your network to see if any of your friends or family members would let you photograph them. Any opportunity you get it - seize it! It’s only going to make your business better. 

Keep it Simple for Your Clients
You did it - you are finally getting some inquiries about your wedding photography business! Make sure to keep the process for booking you seamless for your couples (wedding planning is stressful, as we all know). Check out my Wedding Photographer Discovery Call Script for an outline on how your conversations should go during successful discovery calls. After reading, you’ll understand how the conversation should flow, what questions to ask, what not to ask, what to do, when to ask for the sale, and even plays out both scenarios if your potential clients are ready to book vs not ready. It’s also important to note that this guide helps you ask the right questions to make sure your clients are just as much of a fit for you as you are for them. You deserve to work with clients who value your work.