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March 4th, 2009

Going from weekend wedding shooter to full-time pro 5

Posted by SAS Becker

SAS Becker moved into wedding and portrait photography after years as a successful stock, advertising, and editorial photographer. Check out her earlier posts about making the transition and budgeting for your new business. And don’t miss her next post on making the most of your precious time.
©SAS Becker

©SAS Becker

4. What are some ideas for what a photographer’s initial marketing push might look like, considering things such as re-branding, making new contacts, and re-energizing old ones.

I think (and many others would probably agree) that a photographer’s most important tool is their website, so start there. Look at a bunch of websites. (Here’s mine.) What do you like — or hate for that matter. Check out ProPhotoResource.com. They have a lot of valuable information on do’s and don’t for websites. What is your look? How do you describe your work?

Once your site is completed, decide what the best way is to get as much traffic to it as possible. Online advertising and print ads are favorites. What about your local markets? Can you do a joint advertising project with local vendors? Maybe some cross-marketing with the local florist and bakery? Provide free pictures for a photo credit at places such as schools, churches, doctors offices, even the YMCA; anything might lead to work. I volunteered to shoot my daughter’s Girl Scout dance held at her elementary school. It may not have been the most glamorous event, but those girl scouts sure love pictures of themselves. It drove a ton of potential clients to my site, and I looked like a super mom at the same time. Unlike commercial photography, portrait and wedding work touches everyone. Everyone has a family and will at some point know or be a bride. So carry lots of cards in your pocket, and get out there!

Be Part of the RESOLUTION: What marketing efforts have had the best return on investment for you? Ads, email campaigns, local activities, something else?


One Comment

  1. March 12th, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    utincinibip

    Thank you!

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