Wedding photography business -- opinions, please!

[lilylover]

Hey, everyone!

So...about 8 months ago I decided that I wanted to start my own wedding photography business. I did a lot of free advertising and managed to book 4 weddings and several other small photography jobs. I am now taking my advertising to the next level, paying a fairly large (to me anyway) monthly amount. If it helps me book even just a couple weddings it''ll be worth it, however.

Here''s where I would love your opinions. I am advertising on a website that I am sure you all know, but I won''t mention the name. There are 66 other photographers besides me that advertise as well. You "select" the photographer that you want to look more closely at by clicking on a small thumbnail of an image that has been chosen by that photographer.

Currently, I have a picture of a bridal portrait that I thought was a pretty good picture. Thing is, I have been advertising for a little over a week now and have only gotten one inquiry. I am thinking that since there are sooo many thumbnails that I need a picture that jumps out and looks different than the rest. All the other photographers have pictures of people. When you see 60 something thumbnails, all various shots of couples in wedding attire, etc.... it starts to all look the same. I am thinking of putting a picture of an engagement ring.

What do you think? I am asking you all because I know that you are brides-to-be (as am I, but I think I need an outside view on this one!) and I trust all of you!

Here is the picture that I am thinking of making my main thumbnail:

 

[lilylover]

here''s what I currently have on there now:

 

[jcarlylew]

on my computer, the ring pops more. also, i think you are right when you mention that a lot of the thumbnails are bridal pics. they can tend to blend in, no matter the beauty.
I wanted to add that i happened to find my photographer through signing up via a couple weddings sites (thus getting on multiple mailing lists) and then ultimately getting her introduction email.
Just wanted to say kudos and good luck!

 

[LtlFirecracker]

I just booked my photographer a couple weeks ago. I can tell you the thumbnail is a nice start, but the first thing I would do is click on their website and look at their portfolio. You can try the ring. but I kind of like your bride pic better.

The things I looked at

1) How are the people photographed - I can tell you I passed over one because all the brides had super rosy cheeks. I also looked at their style, were they formal, photojournalist or a hybrid?

2) I read the wording of the photographer to see how much he/she was flexible with their style. I decided to go with one that specialized in photojournalism, but made a point to say that she does portraits and understands the importance of them to the bride and her family.

3) It was nice when they had whole wedding photographed and not just their "best of" from a bunch of different weddings

4) See if you can get testimonials from the women you already photographed. Also, Yelp yourself to see if they wrote anything about you.

5) Once I saw enough to contact a photographer, I found I was swayed by how fast they got back to me, and how forthcoming they were about price. The women I went with sent me a price package in her first reply. I found this much easier than the guy who wanted all the details of my event and than wanted to make a custom quote.

6) There was one website I saw with a great FAQ. She had all sorts of great stuff ranging to how intrusive she is during the ceremony, what happens if she gets sick, ect. I liked this because it at least told me that the photographer was aware of the concerns brides may have.

Hope this helps and is not too much.

 

[LilyKat]

I also just booked my photographer, and like Ltlfirecracker, I was swayed by the following (all this is assuming you have a website, which you definitely need):

- I found I trusted people a whole lot more when they had their package prices there, upfront, on their website, explaining exactly what each did and did not include. I actually only shortlisted photographers who did this. I don''t want to be calling a whole load of people to get information that I feel should be provided already.

- Definitely include a whole wedding, if you can. I''m always suspicious of three or four "best of" shots from each wedding - makes me wonder what the rest were like...

- Have a little section explaining who you are and your style, with a photo of yourself (looking smiley and happy) - definitely makes your website more human.

- I was put off by photographers who were time-limited (eg only staying until the start of the wedding breakfast)

- I was very encouraged by photographers who would give me all the digital images on high-res CD after the wedding. Even if a small fee was charged for this, I wouldn''t have booked my photog without it.

In terms of the photo, I love your bridal portrait, but I agree the ring would stand out more. Could you take the ring with a flower (to add some bright colour and thereby making it stand out even more)?

 

[rhbgirl24]

I like the ring thumbnail. It does pop.

I can say I discounted MANY of my wedding vendors by timeliness of response. If they took too long to get back to me, or didn''t give a quote in their email when I asked them to, they were immediately knocked off my list! Just something to think about!

Good luck!!!

 

[Luckyeshe]

I think the ring thumbnail popped more, but maybe try something with both bands? Like one where the couple are holding hands and you can see their rings. That would be different. One that pops to mine is actually Tigian''s avatar.

 

[lilylover]

Okay, I put the request in to have my main picture changed to the ring thumbnail. Thanks for everyone''s opinions! I edited the backgroud a bit to add more color, so hopefully that''ll make it pop even more.

LtlFirecracker and Lilykat -- thank you for that list of what you looked for in a photographer! It helps so much to see it in a bride''s prospective.


I will let you all know in a couple of weeks how things progress!