How do we become the local favorite photographer? Do we measure our success based on who has booked the most weddings, has the highest reviews, or has the most followers? No matter what you want to achieve as a wedding photographer, I’m here to let you in on a few key steps you can take to bring opportunities, growth, and local awareness right to your door.
On Quianna Marie Weekly, we’re chatting about business growing pains, finding genuine connections, and celebrating wins of all sizes through the lens of a photographer at heart. Sprinkled throughout stories and interviews with past clients, photographers and other business owners this podcast is designed to help you step into your purpose and to truly create a life you’re proud of, a life worth photographing and sharing.
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Review the Show Notes:
Passion Check-In (2:22)
Things To Do Before Your Next Wedding (4:34)
Things To Do While Working Your Next Wedding (9:22)
Things To Do After The Wedding (13:15)
Mentioned in this Episode:
Master Class: Book More Weddings with Behind The Scenes
Review the Transcript:
Welcome to Quianna Marie weekly, a podcast for creatives who love to celebrate wins big or small by dancing in the kitchen photographers who are excited to serve their clients and friends who are ready to chase really, really big dreams. You can find all of the resources mentioned in this episode at quiannamarie.com/podcast. Join me as I share weekly motivation, chat about growing pains, finding genuine connections and celebrating your wins through the lens of a photographer at heart. Come join me for a dance party. Ready? Love though?
Yeah, best is always subjective and easy to prove with data. Which photographer has books, the most weddings, which one has the highest and best reviews? Which photographer won the most awards? Which one has the most followers or subscribers? Which photographer is now educating other photographers? You see, all of these can be measured with numbers, facts and statistics. Which one is your favorite? Because it makes you feel something? Why do we have our favorites? Why do we have our Go tooth, just like we love our favorite restaurants. Sometimes we keep going back because the food is delicious. And the service is excellent.
Sometimes we know the food is all right. But each time we go, they’re playing our favorite sports games, you see your friends and you have a blast. Or maybe the food is excellent. And the service isn’t too hot. But somehow you always forget about the service being crappy because the food is so delicious that you keep coming back. This goes for photography, too. I’m not trying to throw any shade. But I’m sure you’ve seen other photographers work before and think what the heck, their work isn’t even that great. How are they fully booked? And in such high demand?
Well, I’m here to remind you that if you’re relying on your images and portfolio alone, to sell yourself and your business, you are leaving tons of opportunities for growth right at your front door. So how do we become a local favorite photographer, I can’t wait to pour my heart out with a checklist of action steps, client experience details and fun ways for you to conquer your next wedding and to truly shine. But before we start that conversation, it’s important to do a little heart check and passion check in. Are you truly inspired by weddings? Do you wake up on Saturday mornings feeling like every wedding is Christmas morning? do weddings make you feel just nervous enough that you feel like puking. And you’re really nervous and excited.
But you know that this is what you’re called to do. So you push through anyway, because that excitement is no longer anxiety. It’s just excitement for the day. Do you enjoy helping others and serving families to facilitate the best days of their lives? I know it sounds silly, but it’s hard to encourage you to be a local favorite. If photographing weddings isn’t even really your favorite thing to do. Maybe you can relate those to the topic to your next portrait session or while you’re providing any service that your business offers. I know I talk a lot about wedding photography.
But if that really isn’t your wheelhouse, I want you to apply these same strategies and tactics to your business. If your passion for your work doesn’t make your eyes sparkle, people are going to see it all over your face. Okay, so now that we’ve determined that wedding photography is your jam, and you’re excited to continue learning and expanding your business, let’s chat about ways to become your local favorite before you even meet your dream a couple.
Yes, that’s the missing piece. How can you become a local favorite when your hometown or your current area that you’re offering new services don’t even know that you exist. Ready for the checkpoints and action items. I love a good breakdown and agenda for this conversation. So let’s start with the ways to become the favorite wedding photographer and three different opportunities. Number one, before booking the wedding, number two while working the wedding, and number three After photographing the wedding, sometimes as photographers we get burnt out trying to market to dream brides and grooms and we’re missing so many opportunities to connect with real people in real life. Not everyone is getting married, but everyone knows someone recently engaged.
Alright, so let’s dive right in. Things to do before your next wedding. Number one, become a regular at your local favorite coffee shop. I challenge you to try a new trendy spot and show up three days a week for an entire month straight. At least if you can go every day that would be amazing. I know that sounds ridiculous. But just trust me on this.
Pop in to grab your favorite latte or sit into work a bit if you can get to know the baristas that work there and smile and just be super friendly, working in your corner, invite a friend to come meet you and just give yourself some time to get exposure out in your community. The next time the barista asked how your day is don’t just smile and say fine, how are you take that as an opportunity and an open invitation to say something about you or your business. So the next time, the cute barista, I guess that’s what you would call a guy who were game of if he says, Hey, what are you up to today? And he clearly sees that you had your laptop open, and you’re just popping up to get a drink.
Let him know, hey, actually, I’m really excited. I have a gorgeous wedding that I’m editing today, or I have an engagement session later today. So I’m going to crank out some work. And I’m really excited about that. Trust me, I know sometimes these these coffee makers are kind of in the groove. And half the time. I know they kind of just like haphazardly asked us how we’re doing. But sometimes, they’re in repetitive mode all the time.
So if we can give them kind of something different to chat about, they may actually engage and ask more questions about that. I can’t tell you how many times I have talked to a bank teller, or a coffee shop person and they’re like, oh, wait, you’re a photographer, my sister is engaged. Do you have a card, and that is exactly what we’re talking about here.
Okay. Now, before I continue, I just want to remind you that these are all tips and tricks to help you build a strong foundation for your business. These are not plug and play bing bang boom book your next wedding secrets, becoming a local favorite takes time. So let’s plant these seeds together. But these strategies will help you become a favorite in no time. I guarantee it. Okay, so number two, attend the next local farmers market and bring your camera or snap just a couple pics with your phone, I challenge you to stop and talk to at least three small business owners that are selling something that you love. But here’s the trick. It doesn’t have to be anything related to weddings.
I recently met one of my new friends here in Arizona, her name is Ali and her business is the happy cosmos. I met her at a local farmers market. And since then she’s helped me a host and even sponsor a handful of our full moon parties. And she even booked a content shoot to help photograph new images and new branding stuff for her website. The Happy cosmos is a super cute shop that sells crystals, Sage sticks, full moon rituals and cute clothes as well.
I also connected with a sweet dog lady who made these adorable treats that I actually had personalized for one of my couples as a gift for my wedding gifts, I have them kind of stamp the puppies names on it. And they were so cute. There were these adorable pumpkin cookie bones. And it was just so personalized. You see, that’s where photographers and small business owners kind of get stumped is we think we have to stay in this wedding industry bubble.
But the magic for connection and referrals happen so easily and organically in our local communities. Okay, number three, I challenge you to try something physical that you always wanted to try but never made the time to do it. So what do I mean by Let’s get physical? Okay? Have you ever wanted to try line dancing, pilates, hot yoga, maybe pick up a painting class or join a local book club.
My only encouragement with this one is to try something that includes a group of people. When you get out there and meet new people, you’re introducing yourself first, then following up with what you do. So if planning something outside of your safe bubble feels a little weird, that I just challenge you to try doing something that feels like you and not your business.
Okay, so let me explain. So personally, I am the queen of opportunity. And I blend my business and personal life often because my job really is is so fun. I’m not even kidding when I say that I look forward to going to work every day, clicking away or clicking away at my laptop and just and just meeting people. It’s just it’s so fun. It truly lights me up. But sometimes they feel like we have to create a line between who we are and what we do.
When you break away from marketing your business. You can free yourself and make genuine connections with like minded friends. Okay, so now that I’ve encouraged you to get your booty out in your community, let’s chat about the ways that you can become a local favorite while you’re actually photographing your next wedding. So things to do while working your next wedding. Number one arrive early.
This helps you breathe and sets the tone for the entire wedding day. Not only does it automatically expose that you’re reliable, prompt and dependable, but it also puts your heart at ease and maybe even your nerves a little bit if you’re nervous Nellie the morning of the wedding. Use that time to set up your lights for the reception. Walk around the venue to check out photo spots and simply give yourself have just a little bit more time to play with the details.
This also gives you more time for introductions with the wedding party. Make sure to introduce yourself to every soul in the room, not just the wedding party. I always say hello to the glam squad, any aunts or grandmothers present as well. When you say hello and you show interest in the wedding party and the family there as well. You reminding them to reach out for any photo requests. And this will help you instantly become a photo favorite as well. It’s just easy way for you to create those bonus points and become a local fave. Alright, number two, become a team player for the vendors.
Offer a hand for the florist, make a game plan with the videographer and work well with the coordination team. In episode number 27. It’s all about showcasing vendors. This is a great episode for you to revisit before your next wedding. I’m beyond grateful for the connections and friendships that I’ve made with wedding vendors and venues that continue to send me qualified leads and the most amazing couples. In fact, unfortunately, I’m turning away dream couples today.
Often, simply because I’m fully booked. Ps that reminds me if you’re a wedding photographer local to the Bay Area from all the way up from Lake Tahoe down to Big Sur, specifically in the like San Francisco, San Jose Morgan Hill area. Please send me an email to let me know if you’re available and interested because I’d be happy to send referrals your way. I’m not joking when I say that the best way to become a local favorite is to become friends with vendors. The more confident you become as a photographer, the more effort you can put into building genuine friendships with vendors.
Capturing behind the scenes is another key tip for yourself. And for other vendors that will help be a great way to promote your business after the wedding. I’ll make sure to follow up with that in a second. But let’s go on to number three. go above and beyond for your couples and their families. I know that sounds silly and totally like a dull moment. But I’m here to remind you that your attitude on wedding days will make or break the wedding experience.
It doesn’t matter how prepared you are or how beautiful your portfolio is. If you’re a nervous wreck, yell at the groomsmen to get it together or keep getting irritated at the videographers. You may just be like that local restaurant or the food is really good so that people keep coming back but they always forget that the service sucks. So don’t let that be you and your business.
When you combine your passion for photography, your love for helping others and your incredible talent with your camera. You have a goldmine ready to become a local favorite? Take a scroll through my recent amplify your wedding series for over a dozen episodes like episode number 27 Creating the perfect wedding timeline. Number 29. Working with rowdy groomsmen, number 31, creating core memories. Number 37 Creating a vibe with Ken Baker.
Number 44 frequently asked questions that will help you boost a ton of content. And of course number 46 creating a more inclusive and LGBTQ friendly business. You can find even more of these golden nuggets through the whole amplifier wedding series at quiannamarie.com/podcast. All right, now that we’re ready to wrap up and share three things to do after your wedding.
I just want to remind you that you’re already doing the hard work bathe, okay, at this point in the game, you are becoming a local friend, people in your neighborhood are recognizing you, you are totally killing your wedding experience. So now this is a missing piece. Kind of like that after ripple effect that a lot of photographers sleep on and I don’t want this to happen to you.
Okay, so let’s dive into ways that you can promote your business and become a local favorite after you shot the wedding. Number one, get those sneak peeks back ASAP. Some photographers are rock stars and toss up toss up those same day slideshows, which are so incredible and so jealous so that I don’t even personally do that. But I do encourage you to at least share with at least 24 to 48 hours after the wedding. Follow up and share those sneak peeks with vendors to thank them for working with you and let them know that you’re excited to work with them again.
Now, here’s the key tip. If the glam squad was super late, and you didn’t vibe very well with them, or maybe the DJ was really annoying. I’m not encouraging you to kiss their butts. And to beg to work with them again, no, no, no, I don’t play that game. I only want you to feel aligned with these vendors and people that you truly actually want to see again.
And I’m talking about the people that you not only want to work with, again on a professional level, but you’d be so excited to grab drinks with them after a wedding or maybe even brunch with them or meet up with them for coffee have a coordinate or something. These are the types of people that you want to align yourself with. Okay, but do a vibe check and reach out to the vendors that you clicked with and that you truly want to work with again.
Number to blog about your wedding, even for just a handful of sneak peeks to highlight vendors and showcase your work. You’ll be amazed at how well keyword searches work with SEO and how well Pinterest can boost leads for future dream weddings.
If you miss the interview with Jen Vazquez, my favorite Pinterest expert, check out episode number 36 to boost your Pinterest. And I also have an incredible episode featuring Vanessa Hicks chatting all about SEO. So make sure you check those out as well. Keep the buzz of your weddings going by sharing your work and reminding other vendors that you’re the best photographer that always shines light on their business to help everyone in the industry be seen, especially when we can do it for free.
Okay, now I just want to kind of go on a little rant here and just remind you that being a photographer, and this is totally my own perspective, is truly about being a Team Leader. I know there are some photographers out there that may be taking the lazy route or thinking it’s not my job to promote the florist or to promote the wedding planner or to make many commercials and reels for the venue. I don’t have time for that, if that’s what you’re thinking even for like a tiny ounce.
A bit a bit about. I want to encourage you to remind you that when you can highlight these other vendors and highlight the experience, you are literally creating an incredible ripple effect that gets people chatting not only about your business, but others as well. Once again, this will always align you with a local favorite.
Okay, number three, follow up and ask for reviews from your clients. I always love asking my brides and even their maid of honor sisters or even their mom, I asked if they could all please share a review. In episode number 30 I break down a super easy way to request reviews without feeling salesy or annoying or like you’re pulling teeth. I also have a bonus tip to help book your next wedding while working your next wedding. I couldn’t in just these three tips and have one more for you. Once you have a bundle of behind the scenes videos and photos, make sure to create a ton of content.
Align yourself as the expert highlight vendors and share sweet stories that allows your dream clients to see themselves in your photographs and in your behind the scenes clips. This helps you to stay top of mind and jump right up to the top of becoming their local favorite. When you bring joy, happiness and professionalism to your wedding days. It’s easy to be referred and to fill your calendar with Dream weddings.
Check out my free masterclass called book more weddings with behind the scenes before your next wedding. You can find all the links and resources mentioned in the show notes too. And as always, I’m cheering for you baby. With these action steps. I’m sure you’ll become a local favorite. I’m so proud of you and only want the best for you and your business. Keep on dancing baby. That’s a wrap on another episode of quianna marie weekly. Thank you so much for your listenership and support. You can find the resources and show notes for this episode and more at quiannamarie.com/podcast. I’d be honored if you show your support by leaving a review and rating on your favorite podcast app. Until next time, keep on dancing.
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