Marketing Ideas For Wedding Photographers

Marketing is a big part of running a wedding photography business. It can be a huge undertaking, but it's crucial to have all your ducks in a row to ensure you are being found and attracting ideal clients.

Networking to cultivate referrals is also a great way to get your name out there! This could be through working with venues, networking with other photographers or even volunteering to photograph local events.

1. Facebook

Facebook offers a variety of advertising opportunities to help you reach your ideal clients. From awareness campaigns to traffic and sales ads, it can be a powerful tool for wedding photographers looking to increase their business.

Every photographer has a unique brand and style, whether they realize it or not. For Lindsay, her brand is coastal candid shots that show the emotional side of a couple’s love story.

Facebook allows you to be very specific with your ad targeting, reaching those who are newly engaged or have a passion for photography. This way, you can avoid wasting your advertising budget on couples who are not a good fit for your services. Facebook also offers a variety of ad formats, such as video ads or product showcases. Using these formats can help you grab the attention of your audience and drive more traffic to your website.

2. Vendor directories

Many wedding vendors, such as planners, florists, bakeries, DJs/bands and even hotels will list a photographer they recommend on their preferred vendor list. This is A-Okay, but some of these lists are a bit shady and require a fee to be included on them.

Online directories are a great way to expand your reach, get listed on reputable sites and easily be found by prospective couples. The Bridal File is a great example.

Another great option is to include your business details on a digital PDF document that is offered for free and includes all of the information a couple would need to select you as their photographer. This is a good idea to send out right before a wedding, so they can share it with their friends and family. This also makes it easy for clients to refer you.

3. Twitter

Wedding photography is a creative industry that requires an artistic eye and the ability to create beautiful images under pressure. As a result, it can be difficult to build a strong client base from scratch. However, by focusing on quality, staying up-to-date on trends, and being flexible, you can set yourself apart from the competition and grow your business.

Twitter offers free social network advertising opportunities for photographers. It is also a great tool for connecting with local wedding vendors and wedding planners who may be able to refer clients to you.

Prospective couples will pore over your portfolio, so make sure that it accurately expresses your style and level of quality. It also helps to have a good mix of shots from different parts of the day. Also, try to include images at popular wedding venues in your area.

4. Periscope

As you can imagine, Periscope’s popularity prompted other apps to incorporate live video broadcasting features as well. Twitter introduced a similar feature in 2016 that effectively cannibalized the app’s user base.

If you use this social media channel to promote your wedding photography business, consider creating a weekly broadcast that features behind-the-scenes looks at a recent wedding or interviews with brides and grooms. You could also host a question and answer session or run contests to encourage your viewers to retweet your broadcast and drive organic impressions.

Another great idea is to offer a discount package for referrals from happy clients, such as free 10 extra edited images or a free portrait session. This will encourage your clients to spread the word about you and your work! This will also help you to build your brand and grow your business.

5. Pinterest

Pinterest is a powerful, organic traffic generating platform for wedding photographers. It doesn’t suffer from Facebook and Instagram’s erratic algorithm, and it’s audience is specifically there looking for the kinds of images you produce.

Pinterest also allows you to create group boards, which are collaborations that allow others to contribute their own content to the same board. This is a great way to get your work seen by more people, and it allows you to tag other vendors, just like on Instagram.

Finally, you can also use Pinterest to tell inspiring stories through Story Pins. These are vertical videos that allow you to share a narrative with your audience. They also have a longer lifespan than social media posts, meaning they can continue to generate traffic for months or years after they’ve been published. This helps build brand recognition and awareness.

6. Google My Business

A Google business listing allows you to optimize your website and content for keywords that people are likely to use when searching for wedding photographers. This will help you reach more potential clients by making it easier for them to find you.

Instagram is another great way to market yourself as a wedding photographer. By sharing sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes photos, you can create loyalty and excitement around your work.

You can also boost your visibility by using hashtags that are specific to your area. These will ensure that your ad is seen by potential customers who are most interested in it. When setting up your ad, you should also choose an ad budget and set the maximum bid that you’re willing to pay per click. This will determine when and where your ad appears on Google.

7. Wedding blogs

Wedding blogs are a huge resource for brides and a great way to advertise your services. They also have strict editorial guidelines that force you to look at your images in a different light and can improve your craft. Many wedding blogs provide a badge that you can display on your website and social media that will reassure brides that you have been featured on their site and they can trust you with their special day.

When you are listed on a wedding directory, it is important to write a description that makes sense and is clear for potential clients to understand. It also helps to have a consistent brand across all your online platforms. The photos and descriptions you use on your blog can be repurposed for other platforms, making the process more efficient.

8. LinkedIn

Referrals are one of the most effective marketing ideas for wedding photographers. When you offer a small incentive such as free photo albums, holiday sessions or discounts on their next wedding, you can encourage your happy clients to spread the word about your work.

Maintaining a strong relationship with wedding venues is another great way to bring in more clients. You can ask them to share your work on their social media, and you can reciprocate by sharing their photos as well.

A website is the first point of contact for prospective clients, so make sure it’s up to date and visually appealing. You can also include a page where couples can drop a query or booking request. You can opt for a pricing page or a contact form depending on your preference. Remember to uncheck Display Network from your ad settings as some people find it irritating to be interrupted while they are browsing the internet.

9. Website design

Ultimately, your online portfolio will be one of the most important tools to grow your business as a wedding photographer. Be sure it showcases your best work and has a personable about page that will resonate with your audience.

The website for this photographer uses a light romantic aesthetic and beautiful photos to create a delicate layout. The hero header reveals images that highlight their services while an advanced search function on the left provides a quick way to find what you’re looking for.

This photographer is clearly focused on elopements and offers an easy way to book an appointment from the homepage. They also offer a free guide to help couples plan their big day. The photo carousel on this site is particularly effective in highlighting their specialties of black and white photography and different angles of the same event.

10. Google Adwords

Google Adwords is a powerful advertising tool that can generate sales, leads or traffic to your website. It allows you to monitor your ad performance and select personalized ads. It also provides audience insights. You can choose from different campaign types such as Search, Display, Video and more.

When creating a Google Ad, make sure to check the box “Search network with expanded reach.” This will enable your ad to appear on related websites and apps.

When it comes to promoting yourself online, be creative and thoughtful about your message. Remember, it’s not just about getting found; it’s about bringing in clients that will book you for their wedding day. Be sure to use this marketing strategy sparingly, though; you don’t want to annoy potential clients with spammy content! Good luck! —Sarah. Photo Credits: Shutterfly and Unsplash.