3 MAKE CASH FROM... SHOOTING WEDDINGS
Involving several kinds of photoshoot in one day, nuptials are hard work but very rewarding
Kate is a wedding photographer based in Wiltshire. Her photography is rooted in storytelling and she loves nothing more than being able to document events and tell stories through images that capture the moment.
Five ways to make money from weddings 1 Try assisting before shooting
Shooting weddings can be hugely rewarding, but they are among the most stressful photographic assignments out there! Second-shooting or assisting a professional wedding photographer can be a great way to gain some experience while also earning a bit of cash. It can also provide an insight into how a wedding day runs, to see if you are suited to the fast-paced environment.
2 Develop a portfolio
Many couples choose to get married on a budget and consequently don’t want to splash out on a full-time pro. Instead they may be happy to pay for someone just starting out in return for a couple of hours of coverage. Small celebrations are a great way to build your experience and gain images for your portfolio. Be up front and honest about your experience – we all have to start somewhere, after all – and charge accordingly.
3 Upsell your product
Extra money can be made by offering ‘add-ons’ to the wedding coverage. For example, some couples may be interested in a pre-wedding photoshoot where they can get used to the camera before the big day arrives. Once the couple have seen their photographs after the wedding, additional opportunities can be created by offering thank-you cards, albums and canvasses, both to the couple and their extended families.
4 Use business cards
Don’t forget that wedding guests can also be a great source of potential income. Assuming the happy couple give you permission, it can be a good idea to have a stash of business cards containing your contact information so that you can hand them out to guests on the day of the wedding. They can then get in touch to order prints and other photo gifts, as well as recommend you for other potential weddings.
5 Make follow-up calls
It’s worth getting in touch with your couples (and their families) in the run-up to key dates in the calendar, such as Christmas and Valentines Day. How about offering them a choice of photo gifts – framed photos, calendars, keyrings, mugs and so on? The traditional gift for the first anniversary of a marriage is ‘paper’, which obviously provides the perfect opportunity to offer printed images!
“I realised that I thrived in the fast-paced world of wedding photography” Kate Southall