In the [almost] month that I’ve been here at the studio, business has been extremely slow. I could go so far as to say that it’s non existent, but I did have a lawyer here in the building visit me for a headshot to put on his website. I am aching to take photos. I have lots of possible clients lined up through the summer, but nothing for sure.
I have a wedding booked April 5 that I’m pretty excited about. Most of you know that my wedding prices are almost embarrassingly low. I had a friend refuse to tell people that my most expensive wedding package is $350. I know it can be bad for business to have such low prices, but honestly I don’t feel I have the right to charge any higher yet. My portfolio is small and I don’t have a heck of a lot of experience. This year is going to be tough, and I’ve made peace with the fact that we’ll have a hard time putting dinner on the table. The first year is always the hardest, right?
I’m searching for ideas to make my wedding packages unique. My photography style is unique in itself, but I want to offer my clients a keepsake that they’ll go ga-ga over. What’s something you wish you had from your wedding? Some kind of photo item that no one in the area provides. Something people will be coming to me specifically to say “I heard you have a ______ with your wedding package – I want that!” I was thinking about a simple collage frame with photographer-picked photos. Maybe a hand-crafted piece with the bride & groom’s names and wedding date attached at the top. I just don’t know.
So anyway, right now the hardest part is keeping a positive attitude. I have a huge wishlist of things I will be needing very soon for the business – some new photography equipment (lenses, filters, hoods), lighting equipment, backdrop hanging equipment, signage for the window (did you see my photo of the day!?), and advertising-advertising-advertising. I’m not in it for the money, really I’m not. But I have to keep my family afloat, and some day I want to be able to support my photography as an art form, not so much a service. Wish me luck?
March 28, 2008 at 12:55 am
the first year is always the hardest…u may want to “team” up with a dj..so u both can spread the work about your businesses…ever try getting a booth at of the bridal shows to display some of your work..your past the big step..you have a studio and no longer in the basement..that is postive…making flyers and posting them in places…that where i see alot of business that i never knew about…keep ur head up…
julie
March 28, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I think that the collage is a perfect idea. Ask the new bride and groom what color frame they would like, have a set like 3 colors to chose from, then let them pick out the main three photos ( the large one in the middle and the ones on each side) then you pick the rest. That is a really good idea.
What about a bachelorette party album for the bride and a bachelor party album for the groom. It’d be fun to tag along, they would get better than “drunken OMG take my picture” pictures and if you didn’t want to attend the crazy man party you could always send Jas with the camera for that one! LOL