Wedding season is just around the corner, and as your busiest time of year rolls around, it’s crucial that you capitalize on the bridal market.

Use all of the tools in your toolkit to attract more new business and increase your clients’ spends.

photo by lindsey child

1. Update Your Website

   Like it or not, the majority of potential clients will judge your abilities based on your website before meeting you or even inquiring about your rates. This is why your website needs to showcase your very best work. Make it a habit to regularly update your website with your latest favorite images. Maximize appeal by doing your homework and determining what the most popular trends currently are among brides.

   Are matte-processed photos a popular request? Are you finding a lot of images of brick-wall backdrop photos on Pinterest? Consider your requests and do some digging on Pinterest to identify the top trends.

2. Simplify Your Payment Process

   Make payment as easy as possible for your clients. Instead of requiring deposit by mail with nearly extinct checks, streamline your payment processing abilities by using an electronic method. For instance, by upgrading to a digital payment app, clients can pay your deposit online or you can accept full payment in-person using a smartphone with the app’s credit card processing capability. To help you stay as organized as possible, some apps even creates electronic invoices and sync with QuickBooks.

   By handling payment processing via mobile, you’ll be able to spend a little less time in front of your computer screen. After all, you already spend enough time there editing photos!

3. Use a Second Shooter

   Have a second shooter work in tandem with you to capture all of those special candid moments. Save money by enlisting the help of an amateur who is eager for experience. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can capture unique moments that you would never have thought to shoot.

4. Encourage More Referrals

   Broaden your referral base by networking with local wedding planners, banquet managers, and venue coordinators. These event managers often keep referral lists for inquiring brides.

   It can also pay off to get creative with how you inspire more referrals from past clients. One way to do so is to host a client appreciation event. Host a happy hour gathering at a local wine bar and invite all of your current and past brides. They’ll love the opportunity to catch up and share advice. By providing a fun evening of connection with new and old friends, you’ll surely be top of mind when a photographer recommendation is needed. Having photo folders made is another great way to showcase your work to prospective clients.

5. Design Products to Upsell

   There’s no reason your income for a client should end on their big day. Make a little more money off of each client by perfecting your upsell of post-wedding items beyond just prints and gallery wraps. Start by compiling a large-scale coffee table photo book with the best images of the big day. Design a layout and invite the bride to swap out images as she wishes before sending it to the print shop. Or, put those Photoshop skills of yours to good use and design a holiday card or even a “we’ve moved” postcard if the bride and groom have purchased a new home.

   Your client may not realize that you offer products like this unless you show them. Personalize samples to make it much easier for your client to say yes and make her next order.

I hope you found those tips useful. Are you a wedding photographer? What do you usually do to make the most of wedding season? Please take a minute to share your tips & tricks with us!