How to Win Clients As a Wedding Photographer

Let's face it, when it comes to the biggest day of your life, your day job matters little. Whether you're a traffic warden, CEO or indeed a photographer, engaging in holy matrimony is supposed to be one of the most special days of your lives. The problem with such a pinnacle event as a wedding is that they have a tendency to fly by in a blur of emotion. Luckily for professionals such as us, that's why people hire wedding photographers. But what exactly do prospective lovebirds look for in a photographer? In a world where wedding photographers are seemingly as common as lawyers, how do you stand out from the crowd? Here are some top tips: Ask lots of questions Question them on venue and itinerary. Obviously they will have enough to worry about without you harassing them for every little detail, but it's imperative to know exactly what they expect from you. After all, there really are no second chances. Find out what style of photos they want. They may not be aware of the options they have, black and white? How about color or sepia? Have they thought about whether they want either staged or spontaneous photos? It's also a good idea to discuss the packages you offer. Do they require your services for the entire day, including the reception? Who keep the negatives? Try to avoid jargon Try and avoid using too much jargon when meeting your clients, and be sure to look out for that bemused face as a sign of when you've gone too far. Try to avoid explaining how you're going to use a telephoto lens to capture intimate moments from afar, or how they could use candid pictures to capture the apparent naturalness of the day. Reassure your client Sounds obvious, but make sure you reassure your client of your experience in wedding photography, and convince them you truly are the best person for the job. Champion your work by showing them your portfolio or website. Be sure to meet them before the day of the actual event. They will want to ensure they feel completely comfortable around you, and similarly be sure to convince them you can go unnoticed. It's all about personality (as well as talent) OK, so obviously this is not something you can change to fit requirements. However, any blushing bride will be aware of the fact that a photographer's personality can make or break a wedding. It takes a special kind of person to be able to be able intrude on such a special occasion, and be able to utilize their photographic skills without becoming intrusive. Similarly, be open and honest. Advise them that, regardless of the fact it may not line your pockets as much, it's better to spend out on less pictures with a higher image quality, rather than ending up with an album full of mediocre pictures. Advertising So long as you are careful, and know who you want to target, advertising can be a great help in generating new business. Try putting signs on your car and leaving business cards in selective cafes and venues which would make suitable wedding venues. Similarly, do not be afraid to get out there and promote yourself via networking events and bridal features. Final Word Just remember that this is most probably the biggest and most important day of your clients lives (certainly the bride anyway!). Whilst weddings can be stressful and wedding photography challenging, it can also be very rewarding. It can be a real privilege to be asked into such a close group of family and friends, and so long as you carry out the job you are paid to do you will receive a real sense of gratification. Let's face it, not every job can provide such a sense of gratification.

How to Choose a Wedding Photographer, a Guide to Seeing Through the Confusion

Choosing the right wedding photographer can have a huge influence not only on the outcome of your wedding photographs but also on your wedding day. Selecting wisely in a sea of options can be a real challenge and one I have seen many clients struggle with as confusion mounts and the ability to think clearly floats away.

Photographs you like. The single most important reason for picking a photographer should be because you like their work. The photos your photographer produces will be with you for life, as your memory fades your photos will become your document of your wedding day and liking what you see should surely be paramount.

Meet with the photographer. On the day of your wedding a good photographer will nestle intimately yet unobtrusively into your day, and who would want to spend the most important day of their life with someone you don't connect with. Meeting a person you can easily gauge whether you connect and feel comfortable around them, so it is important to meet potential photographers to make sure they are the sort of person you wish to involve in your day.

Packages. This is where the real confusion can begin. First and foremost as I said in point 1 you need to like the work of the photographer you select. Don't be swayed by a photographer offering 4000 images, 90 free prints and a steak knife. This will all mean nothing if you don't like the photos. Do you really want 4000 photos you hate? Or would you rather have 400 photos you love?

Think about what you really need in a package. Is your aim to be able to print your own photos and post them to your friend on Facebook? If so you will want a photographer who delivers the images as both high and low resolution files on a disc. Perhaps you are not tech savvy, all you want is a pretty album and would like to be able to order prints direct from the photographer. Thinking about what you really want will help see through the cloud of packages.

Coverage. As a wedding photographer I feel some of the best photographs come from the moments in between the goings on. As such I feel it is important to select a photographer who is willing to offer all day coverage, from the moment your day begins to the time it ends. On your wedding day you will be busy, you will be running around and missing all the moments that make your day so special. Although you may not have thought you would want photographs of getting ready, imagine being able to look back and see your bridesmaids being themselves, your mum drinking her tea as her hair gets done, your husband to be, skulling a beer to calm his nerves and uncle bob feeling aunty may up on the dancefloor. These photos will mean so much more than any posed shots ever will.

Price. Of course this is an important consideration and I will assume you are looking at photographers within your general budget. However once you have narrowed down some photographers within your budget don't be tempted to make the final decision based on price. Your memory of how much it cost will be forgotten long before your memory of how much you hated your wedding photos!