How to Grow Your Wedding Photography Business? Best Tips.

For running a successful photography business, mastering the art of photography is just the tip of the iceberg. Add to that the stress of Indian weddings, and you find a task of no less than Herculean proportions. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to get those heart-warming photos- investments, negotiations, paperwork, planning, and good old hard work. The job is demanding, but also highly rewarding in terms of artistic fulfillment. If you play your cards right, it could even result in a hefty paycheck! Here are our top 5 tips for growing your wedding photography business:

1. Work That Networking

It takes more than the client's word of mouth to get more work. Make connections with venue managers, caterers, musicians... pretty much anyone and everyone in the wedding-production business. Know their names, interact with them and learn from their experiences. Building professional relationships is instrumental for being a successful photographer. After all, you are only one component of the diverse support staff required for a wedding production. These folks are more than just your source of creative stimulus and business advice- they are potential links to your next gig.

2. Grow Your Brand

As a business, you need to have a clear plan for building a brand. This includes marketing, advertising, and maintaining an online portfolio.

• Use business software that lets you track clients, expenses, orders, and revenue.               
• Delegate your tasks (retouching, printing, framing, social media marketing etc.) or even better: outsource.                                                                                                  

• Make an impactful sample album for your website and physical portfolio. It should display the range of your work and thus include pre-wedding shoots, reception, wedding ceremony, sangeet and any other event that you may have covered as a wedding photographer. Offer your sample album to venues and event managers to share with potential clients.                      

• Remarket your brand after observing trends among your competition. Your image should stand out from the crowd.

3. Know The Client

• Communicate with your client and understand their requirements.

• Segregate your services into different packages that vary in price. Offer your clients to choose among them according to their budget. Understand their priorities and tweak the preset packages to concur with them.

• Show them sample photos that are most relevant to them. If they are planning a ceremony outdoors, show your previous work on outdoor events. If the bride is dusky, show photos of brides with a similar complexion. The client wants to see themselves in your photos.

• It also helps to engage in casual banter with the couple and the family to get to know them better and establish trust. Learning the names of close relatives and friends of the couple can also come in handy.

4. Be Organised

As the photographer, you must be efficient in your work. Make a list of all the types of photographs that you plan to shoot. Include any special shots that the client may have requested in the list and give them the priority. Prepare your equipment beforehand to avoid any last-minute panic. Do whatever it takes to keep the couple and the family happy, but also ensure that all the points of the to-do list are checked off by the end of the event. Store the image files in organized folders on your computer and remember to make back-ups.

5. Build A Reputation

Make a good first impression on your clients. Your business cards, gear, and even clothing should reflect your level of service. Keep high-quality prints on display in your studio or office. Your reputation also depends on your presence on social media, so make sure you have an active Facebook and Instagram account! Good reputations also ride on good customer service:

• Be personable and ensure that your employees follow suit.

• Make sure that the clients can access their images with ease.

• Have all your paperwork in order.

• Respond to emails promptly and work with their schedules.

• Keep in touch with your clients. If you serve them well, they will come back to you with more events they need photographers for. They may also help in spreading the word about your business and expand your clientele.

In this industry, it all boils down to being business savvy, yet true to your art. While you need marketing to build a first impression, you will need good work to build a lasting one. So if you think you have what it takes, go out there and capture some memories.

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