So, this is how it goes. The problem is simple but yet a big one. I can´t seem to find clients for my wedding photography business. I shoot weddings because there is the occasional client that books me. I have tried a bunch of things for a couple of years now.
It is important to mention that I do not have enough money to invest in proper advertising, however, I have paid for sponsored ads in both Facebook and Instagram, I have participated in trade fairs related to weddings.
Also important to mention, I live in Uruguay, South America, and people here seem to be reluctant to pay for what something is worth.
My experience with sponsored ads was a few inquiries and that is about it. (Budget spent: $30). Instagram said that the estimated reach was going to be about 10.000 people. I targeted females between ages 25-35.
On the trade fairs, most of the people who went had almost everything booked except for flower arrangements, bouquet and that sort of thing. Venue, photographer and wedding dresses were all done.
So, I am thinking about quitting. Photography is my passion, and I believe that I am good at what I do (completely acknowledging that I still have to learn a lot) but I believe that maybe it is something I should do as a hobby and not try to monetize it, because honestly, I am both frustrated, angry, etc.
I feel people do not value the photographer´s work.
I had one potential client that tried to bargain $50 so he could buy an extra bottle of Whiskey.
It seems to me that most people don´t realize that their wedding pictures is all that will remain with them forever. The food, alcohol, music, etc. will be gone by the end of the night. And yet, they would rather spend a buck load of money on the best food, the best venue, but cut on the photography.
Anyone with the same problem? Has anyone felt this?
I truly appreciate any advice you guys want to give me.
Sorry for the long post.
Cheers!
PS: Picture that accompanies the post is of a bride during the preparation waiting for the other bride (lesbian wedding) to get ready.
Hi Cristian, I know nothing of South American wedding photography scene but I suspect it would not be much different to anywhere else in the world.You will always have low end, middle of the road and high end clients. You need to work out who you will cater for. This depends as lot on how experienced you are and how good you are. There is a lot more to wedding photography than just taking good pics and mastering post production.I started off with family weddings, then friends then total strangers. It was mainly word of mouth and there was no internet or social media or digital cameras when I started.Most of my assignment came form word of mouth and my growing reputation.There has never been a better time or harder time in my opinion to do weddings now.1. Everyone has a camera and thinks they can do it better. 2. You have so many would be wedding photographers in competition with you who will undercut your price. 3.The positive is the technology and of digiital cameras and the enormous online resources available.
There is merit in keeping a day job and doing weddings and other stuff as an added extra until your work and clients demand you go full time.I only ever went full time over my wedding photography career for 6 months. I was very busy in that time but did not make as lot of money. I reasoned that I needed a regular income to bring up my family.I started in 1975 and shot my last wedding about this time last year.
To quote you Cristian;
"So, I am thinking about quitting. Photography is my passion, and I believe that I am good at what I do (completely acknowledging that I still have to learn a lot) but I believe that maybe it is something I should do as a hobby and not try to monetize it, because honestly, I am both frustrated, angry, etc.
I feel people do not value the photographer´s work."
These are all valid concerns.
I never had any doubts about my abilities but you have to keep working at it.There is no shame in doing it part time
.
I taught people earlier on how to do wedding photography who were just starting out and part timers.
Some became fully viable full time wedding photographers and portraits etc. and left me behind a bit, but that didn't worry me because I had worked out what was right for me.Keep up the good work.
Hola, a mí me pasa también creo que tengo un buen trabajo, pero no me llegan todas las bodas q quisiera para poder vivir de esto.Hay q ser un buen vendedor.Instagram:@antoniolunaphoto