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Wedding question from Tara: “Ideas on how to get your name out there as a wedding photographer? I have done 3 and love doing them!”
Heather: Word of mouth, try to get them published on any and all wedding blogs or magazines you can, sign up for wedding wire and the knot, second shoot for established wedding photographers who will allow you to use your images on your website, get a website with great SEO, and bridal expos. You have to put yourself out there to get your name out there
Heather: become friends with bridal shops and wedding planners. Just try to network network network. There is nothing better to a bride than a verbal referral from someone she trusts.
Reva: Keep shooting.
Aaron: Tag your clients when you post a sneak peek on facebook….it’s free advertising. Word of mouth travels faster and books more weddings than any slick marketing plans.
Catrina: Word of mouth, and network. Get good business cards, lots of them, and don’t hesitate to pass them out! Hand them out everywhere. I’m talking grocery store, the bakery, the massage therapist’s, the florists… Get to know the people in the wedding business in your area and trade cards. Brides LOVE when their vendors already know each other and get along, plus other vendors love free advertising through your photos. Also, get to know the other photographers in your area, and trade with them, too. I’ve been referred by a few friends, and I’ve been able to refer some couples to other photographers when either I wasn’t their style, or I wasn’t available that day.
Alicia: Offer free cavases to local florists/caterers in exchange for their recommendations. Look for bridal fairs to vend at. Contact churches and offer free church portraits in exchange for Pastor referrals. Push engagement/wedding packages by offering free/reduced engagement sessions. Have some fun sessions with friends who are already married – trash the dress, etc – just for practice
BP4U: I’ve had a TON of success having my work featured in local wedding magazines & an ad in the knot magazine. Also theknot.com is HUGE, that might be worth a try, blogging has also helped a lot with brides searching for us on google
BP4U: also second shooting might be a great idea to one keep building portfolio, gain more experience and if that photographer is booked they will probably refer them on to u. building a base of photographers to network with..
Shawn: Bridal shows are a good place to showcase your work.
Tara: Thanks for all the great advice! I will definitely be trying a couple of these. I was on the know website, how do I submit pictures to them for the magazine? I saw where you can submit photos of your own wedding. To be a second shooter, do you justemail a photographer and ask if they are looking for someone to second shoot? And if they would like to meet you, which I am assuming they will, do I bring photos with (just print 8×10 or a proof book or an album). Sorry to be asking all these questions I just don’t want to look unprepared when I approach someone.
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