Posted by Monalisa How to Attract More Clients: Wedding Photography Tips from Pros
You're looking to book more clients and fill up that calendar. Great, we’ve got good news! We spoke to some experts recently and they’ve shared some cool wedding photography tips to get more clients and successfully grow your business.
Attracting more clients isn't about luck; it's about strategy, personality, and marketing magic.
Most wedding photographers get their bookings months in advance or even years. We all wanna be part of this club. But how do you even get started?
In this article, we are featuring two professional wedding photographers — Cassidy Lynne and Lilly Red, who share their wedding photography ideas and tips that can help you attract more clients.
Tip #1: Build a relationship with clients
One of the best tips for wedding photographers would be to build relationships with clients rather than just sharing your portfolio. That’s why Lilly Red, a luxury wedding photographer, advises photographers to let potential clients get to know you and your personality through social media and personal interactions. Trust is crucial, especially for clients who will be spending their big day with you.
Her take on attracting clients is to be their friends.
“The way to attract these types of clients goes beyond just showcasinge photos. For me, it also showcases who I am and my personality. Show your clients that I'm the person they can trust. 99% of my clients are American. They come to get married in Italy. And so I'm not just there to take a photo on a wedding day. They can ask me where to go eat. They can ask me where's the best place to go shopping, where to stay. And it's like everything is building on trust. And it's something that, like, on a wedding day, we're friends.”
Social media for photographers is an essential tool to grow your business. It is important to be active on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Engaging regularly with these platforms helps you understand current trends and algorithms, and it allows you to stay visible to potential clients.
“Quality followers who engage with your content are way more valuable than just having a high number. If those 2500 people are engaged and interested in what you're doing, that's a huge win. I think the pressure to have a high follower count can be misleading. You can have a smaller audience but still have a thriving business if those people are genuinely interested in your work and what you have to say.”
Cassidy Lynne, social media influencer and Michigan-based wedding photographer highlighted the importance of focusing on your own social media behavior. When you pay attention to the types of content you enjoy and engage with, it can provide valuable insights into what kind of content you should be creating for your own audience.
Rather than posting daily, Cassidy suggests focusing on quality content. You can aim for about one feed post and two videos per week on Instagram to keep your audience engaged without overwhelming yourself.
Tip #3: Focus on Original Content
Instead of solely relying on trends or popular audio, Cassidy’s wedding photography tips for photographers include creating original content that showcases your personality and style. This can help build a stronger connection with your audience and ensure your content remains relevant over time.
“People will blow up with trends, sure. But that's not really sustainable in the long run. And I don't think it creates a connection between you and your audience either because if they're not hearing your voice you don't get that same connection. Whereas if you hear someone talk, that feels more organic and personal. So for me, I find original audio, to be honest.” said Cassidy
Listen to the full episode on After the Shoot Podcast
Tip#4: Use Pinterest to book clients
Cassidy pointed out that most of her clients often find her through Instagram and sometimes TikTok. She advises that it's important to identify where your potential clients are most active and focus your efforts on those platforms. While Instagram is currently a strong platform for photographers, Cassidy also mentions Pinterest marketing as a useful tool for showcasing wedding photography and attracting more clients for your business.
“If you're able to get Pinterest-worthy shoots, you can have pins go viral for years. The longevity of a pin is unlike anything I've ever seen. I posted a pin back in 2018, and I still get hundreds of repins every day”
Tip #5: Use your marketing funnel
Understanding where your clients come from is crucial. For Cassidy, social media serves as a primary marketing tool, but it's important to find what works best for your business, whether that's social media, SEO, or any other form of marketing.
Marketing for photographers has become of paramount importance. Marketing helps you build and maintain brand awareness in your target market. Whether it’s through social media, your photography website, or print advertising, consistent marketing efforts ensure that potential clients become familiar with your style and brand.
Through marketing, you can position yourself as an expert in your field, which is particularly appealing to potential clients. Clients are more likely to hire a photographer who is seen as an authority in their niche.
Tip #6: Embrace your unique style
Lilly Red has successfully built a six-figure wedding photography business. But what has made her so irresistible is how she is always her unapologetic self. Lilly talks about how important it is to embrace your unique self when it comes to building your brand and business.
She highlights that it is not required to copy other photographers because every photographer is unique. Your individuality can be a major selling point for clients who resonate with your vision and personality.
Incorporate elements that reflect your personal experiences and passions into your work. This authenticity helps attract clients who share similar values and tastes.
“I visited the old market with my parents and asked for their thoughts on life. Their advice was simple: always do what makes you happy. It's important to learn from others and stay aware of current trends, like the flash trends and vintage cameras that are popular now. I remind myself to incorporate these elements into my work, but without losing my own style. Embrace new influences, but never compromise on who you truly are."
Listen to the full episode on After the Shoot Podcast
Tip #7: Offer a unique experience
One of the most actionable wedding photography tips from Lilly is to offer a memorable experience that includes problem-solving and personalized touches. Make your clients feel special and valued, which can justify a premium price.
Modern luxury often emphasizes the experience over traditional opulence. To charge a premium price to your clients, position your services as an exclusive experience, not just a transaction.
I know I give my all—1000% of myself—to every shoot. I'm constantly problem-solving, whether it's dealing with delays, adjusting when the boat doesn't arrive, or capturing a perfect shot in just five minutes while coordinating with the videographer. On a wedding day, I remind myself that clients hire me for these reasons. I'm a professional. I'm Lilly Red, and I give everything I have to create amazing photos for them.
Make sure your pricing reflects the quality and uniqueness of your service. Clients should understand that they’re paying for a premium experience and a photographer who is fully invested in their special day.
And if you are looking to have a preview into this experience, here’s something interesting. Did you know you could edit photos just like Lilly Red with Aftershoot? Lilly Red’s AI Style profile is available on the Aftershoot marketplace.
What are AI Styles, you ask?
These are pre-built AI profiles that help photographers edit images just like their favorite photographers. What’s more? Each image is edited and automatically adjusted based on the lighting, exposure, and colors to deliver consistent edits every time.
Get 500 edits FREE for Lilly Red’s AI Style with the Aftershoot Essentials Plan
How to use AI Styles?
It's soooo easy!
Step 1: Import your Lightroom catalog to Aftershoot EDITS
Step 2: Head to the Marketplace section of the Aftershoot app and select an AI Style
Step 3: Apply the AI Style to the catalog you uploaded and click “Start Editing”
Your edits will be done within minutes (or less), ready for one-click export to Lightroom or Capture One for finishing touches.
And here’s the best part — you can create your own AI profile to edit faster. All you need to do is train the AI by uploading your previously edited images and apply. Easy peasy! It’s not just us saying it. Here’s Emily, who decided to make her life easy with Aftershoot.
Tip #8: Be Prepared to Repel the Wrong Clients
It might seem like bad advice, especially if you are just starting your wedding photography business. Lilly Red advises photographers not to be afraid to let their style and personality repel clients who aren’t a good fit. Your ideal clients will appreciate and seek out the authenticity and unique photography style you bring to the table. Like everything, we must know when to walk away, especially when it doesn’t serve us.
Tip #9: Leverage CRM
One of the best wedding photography tips we’ve heard time and time again is adding a CRM system to our business. Ever felt overwhelmed trying to juggle clients, leads, and bookings? That's where a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system comes in handy. It's like your personal assistant, keeping track of everything from initial contact to final payment.
CRM for photographers can be useful for automating emails, reminders, and follow-ups, ensuring that you stay in touch with your clients at every stage of their journey. From initial inquiries to post-wedding thank-you notes, automated communication helps maintain strong relationships and keeps you top-of-mind for referrals.
With a CRM, you can efficiently manage your photography leads and see which marketing efforts are bringing in the most business. This data can guide your marketing strategies, helping you focus on what works best for attracting new clients.
Tracking conversions allows you to refine your approach, ensuring you’re getting the most out of your efforts.
Tip #10: Build a strong referral network
One of the most effective wedding photography tips for growing your client base is to build a strong referral network. Referrals can significantly boost your business by bringing in clients who are more likely to trust your work and book your services.
Partnering with other wedding vendors such as florists, venues, planners, and makeup artists can help you tap into new client pools. When you work closely with these vendors, you can cross-promote each other’s services. For example, you might provide them with professional photos for their portfolios or social media in exchange for referrals. Building these relationships can create a mutually beneficial network that regularly sends clients your way.
Additionally, it is important to reap the benefits of client referrals. Satisfied clients are often more than happy to refer you to their friends and family. After a successful shoot, encourage your clients to share their positive experiences with others. You can incentivize referrals by offering a small discount on future services or a free print for every successful referral.
Client testimonials and positive reviews are valuable for building credibility and attracting new clients. After delivering the final photos, ask your clients to leave a review on your website, social media, or popular wedding planning sites like The Knot or WeddingWire.
Consider featuring their reviews on your social media and website to boost your relationship with them. These reviews can act as personal endorsements and are often a deciding factor for potential clients looking for a wedding photographer.
Bonus Tip #11: Streamline your workflow
As you make room for new clients, it is essential to serve existing clients in the best way possible. You need to ensure that the quality of your service never takes a toll no matter what. Don’t get overwhelmed when you have too many clients booked on your calendar. That’s where Aftershoot comes in to save the day. Let Aftershoot handle the mundane tasks of culling and editing, while you get more photography clients and grow your business.
Ready to scale your wedding photography business? Start your 30-day trial today!