I don't claim to be a marketing or SEO expert, I do however have a knack for those things and feel that I need to share a little of my insights. As a photographer I check out other photographer's websites, blogs and the sites that my friends of Facebook have become "fans" of. I am surprised more and more by what people call quality. Your blog and website is where the "best of your best" should be featured, not a place where your barely edited, unfocused, formal pictures are displayed from the 1 couple that just hired you. Building a portfolio takes time. Don't rush in and force that proverbial "foot in the door." The door will open to you when it's time. In the meantime, work on your craft... read, ask for critique, second shoot and ask all the questions you can!
With the economy recovering from its nosedive, there have been many people that have started to call themselves "photographers" because they own a "good camera" or have a "good eye." Being a photographer is so much more than that... You should be able to shoot in a dark hallway without your subjects coming out looking like the paparazzi captured them. You should be able to edit your pictures in a way that makes them look like they didn't just come out of a point and shoot camera. You should be able to design or hire a graphic designer that will put together a brand and plan for your business. You should be registered with your county and state and be paying taxes. You should be able to attend conferences, read everything you can get your hands on, take classes and attend workshops that will better YOU in your field. You should be able to do what you do better than anyone else... Own. YOUR. Market. If you need help in this area reach out! I'm available, there are also other more long standing photogs/people that can help... Kelly Moore, The Brand Camp, Into the Darkroom, Lara Casey and many, many, many more.
Brides, when you hire a photographer don't settle on them because they are discounted. Honestly, I would rather own a Calvin Klein dress that is more expensive, but will last longer and be higher quality than I would buy a Wal-Mart dress that is just going to fall apart and not fit right. Why would the photography for the MOST important day of your life be any different? After the cake is cut, the flowers have died and your dress has been cleaned... the only thing you have left are your pictures (and/or video). Why wouldn't you invest as much as you possibly could into the only thing you have left after everything else is gone? These are memories that are going to last you a lifetime, why wouldn't you start those memories out like you want to finish?
My husband and I wanted the best quality pictures we could afford. We found the photographer we wanted, flew her in from California, and spent more than we wanted to... but I LOVE my wedding pictures, and have no regrets. I look at them often and have nothing but great things to say about her and the day. We INVESTED in our photographer, and spent more on something we wanted because we knew it was going to last longer. And we have more than a great return on our investment... we have memories that make us smile every time we open our album. (Just an FYI... our Photog was the fabulous Shyla, and we're forever grateful love!)
To me it's a matter of proportion... On AVERAGE You spend $700 on a cake that's going to last you 1 day, $1500 on a dress, $500 on favors... but you're wanting to hire a photographer for $1000 and HOPE to get the lifelong, timeless quality you see in all those wedding magazines you've been spending the last few years perusing. I'm afraid not. Those photographers that have had their work featured in The Knot, Style Me Pretty and Southern Weddings have poured their entire life into what they're doing. They've refined their craft and made it their own. For us, photography isn't just something we do on the weekends... it's our life (just ask my husband). We've poured our heart and soul into something we LOVE doing, why wouldn't we want our craft to be appreciated and charge accordingly? We're not discount dresses at WalMart... we're the Calvin Klein's. Don't be afraid to INVEST... because that's what it is... an investment in your memories.
~One of my favorites from our wedding... (thanks Shy)~
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