Today I’m sharing the ways I found my first wedding photography clients in my first year of business.
**** The natural light in my office was giving me a hard time, so bear with me as the light shifts throughout ****
Download the e-book mentioned in this video:
Before I give you the tips, I just wanna get really real with you and share a little bit about my experience starting out. Allow me to take you back to a time when I didn’t know the camera modes. Before I took a side on RAW vs. JPEG. Before I owned more than 1 lens. Dare I even admit it was a kit lens?! If you think that’s bad, just wait for this one– I’m a little horrified to admit that I borrowed my photography professor’s 50mm lens for my first ever engagement session. But that perfectly illustrates where I was at the time. I had no idea what I was doing or how much I didn’t know. It’s absolutely amazing (and a little cringe-worthy) to look back from where I am today.
So there I was with my borrowed gear just trying to make it. I didn’t know who my ideal client was, how they would find me, or what an “ideal client” even meant. But I did know I was passionate about photography, hungry for knowledge, and determined to make it in a highly competitive industry. I didn’t have any past clients to vouch for my work (unless you count my mom), or really much work to speak of; I was where so many beginners start…at the bottom.
I didn’t let any of those things stop me. By leveraging the resources around me, I began booking brides. Real brides! And let me tell you – most of these things didn’t cost me anything.
Tips Covered in This Video:
1. Put it out there
2. Utilize social media
3. Styled shoots
4. Second Shoot
5. Collect and share reviews
6. Establish a CLEAR brand
I’d love to connect with you!!
FACEBOOK:
INSTAGRAM:
BLOG:
WEBSITE:
TWITTER:
The softwares I use in business:
Dropbox –
Mile IQ –
***** Client management Software **** 50% off Honeybook-
Mailchimp –
Photo Mechanic
Blog Stomp –
Fundy Designer – 25% off use code JOY25
Pixieset for client galleries –
Gear I use:
Pelican Case:
Nikon Camera Body D610:
Nikon 70-200mm 2.8:
Nikon 50mm 1.4:
Nikon 60mm 2.8 Macro:
Nikon 85mm 1.4:
Nikon 24-70mm 2.8:
Gepe Case :
Zeiss cleaning wipes:
Nikon Sb910 flash:
Pocket Wizard Triggers:
Genaray Video light:
Hoya close up filters:
Rain cover for cameras:
_______________________________________________
Thanks for watching!!
Mailling Address:
PO BOX 714
Severn, MD 21144
USA
I have not been paid to promote or endorse any of these items. These are my honest opinions and thoughts. All gear has been purchased with my own money. Some links are Affiliate links, meaning that at no cost to you, I may receive a small commission if you buy it.
Life of Riley Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
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Please watch: “How to Shoot a Sparkler Exit”
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1st tip: be a young, good looking blonde
So informative 😍
Oh my gosh This video is from 2016 but still SO PERTINENT to business today!! Thank you so much this video is incredibly helpful!
Hi Joy, thanks for your great tips. very honest and useful. I'm going to start as a wedding photographer but so far all I have done has been family and kids photography. How do you suggest I make a wedding portfolio? thanks again
Thank you for mentioning that the reviews should be visible on the website. I have some reviews on another website that I could highlight on my portfolio this was very helpful thank you
Thanks for the eBook Joy.
so i am aspiring to begin my own photography business however, i want to do more of elopements and intimate weddings. what recommendations would you make in obtaining clients in that area?. i have no "official" experience but want to get my first client to begin building my portfolio and showcasing my work. Thanks for sharing the video it really gave me a perspective!
Great and highly professional presentation Joy many thanks ☺
What is the difference between a wedding photographer and a fine art wedding photographer? thanks, love your videos!
The link to your website doesn't work, says certificate does not match. Using chrome on android
Done IS better than perfect. Amen girl!
This information was so helpful! I just booked my first engagement session and first wedding and it’s been a struggle to feel like all I’m doing is worth it! Thank you so much for the amazing information.
thank you for the helpful tips!!
Do you have any advice for finding/landing second shooter gigs? I have assisted several wedding photographers but only second shot once out of ~40 weddings. I honestly don't care if I get paid, I just want to tag along and get practice and some images that I could use in my portfolio that are from actual weddings. I haven't had any luck reaching out in social media groups and I'm just not sure where to turn.
Do you have an actual page for your actual photography to promote to clients? a youtube I mean?
You nailed it, Ms Michelle! No one gives you these practical tips like saying, finish website first rather than wait for everything to fall in place
Hi Joy – such a great video! Am loving your channel 🙂
Great video! Im just starting out and have had the same thing as you did when starting – I've booked my first wedding for a friend of a friend due to my Instagram feed despite low engagement! 🙂
Are styled shoots like for fashion and bloggers?
Thank you so much for this. I do have a question though: is it okay to ask for reviews? Some in the photography environment say that clients don't like being asked to tag you in posts. Is this the same as asking for reviews?
What are you recommendations on going about a styled shoot? I produce real estate/ commercial photography.
What specific questions should you ask your family and friends about your website? I would love some advice!
Just noticed the large cup, is that some kind of prop or do you just really like your coffee?
Thank you for putting this video together, this is so inspiring to me as I want to do exactly what you are doing. I am at the point of purchasing speedlights for off camera flash. Can't wait to start shooting with flash.
your channel is amazing! I really love it. Thanks so much for making all these videos!
Joy: if I don’t have a portfolio to share on social media and because of this I cannot second shoot for a photographer, do u recommend hiring models to create a portfolio? I am having a difficult time to have friends and family to pose for me.
Joy, I love you office!!
I am a new photographer I was getting work from last September to February now no more work .why I pass out cards I have a website and Instagram I have postings on Craigslist and 3 other sites no work why. And can yiu look at my work and tell me what's wrong
Awesome video! I just put up a video about how videographers can find their first 3 wedding clients and this advice applies to us too! def some overlap between videography/photography. we gots to work together haha!
i haven't seen this type of honest and real advices…so clear and to the point…best wishes for your upcoming events… MASTER
Hi Joy
I have a question about second shooting. When the main photographer is right in front of the bride&groom also they are looking at her. Yes I can go around to the side and take my shoots but I feel like they are weird cause they are not looking at me!?? You know?? It looks awkward more than an actual shot like looking away and I'm just shooting away?? Not sure if i explained this right🙈
Thank you so much!