Did you know most wedding photography businesses only last 2-3 years? In fact only 15% make it past the third year. As I enter my 11th wedding season, I've put some thought into what has made my business stand the test of time. The secret? Instead of worrying about how much money my clients are investing in me, I ask how much I am investing in my clients...
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I got into photography the same way most people do. I was taking photos for fun, for some families, and posting on Facebook. Friends were asking me to take photos, and eventually friends that were engaged did. I did their engagement photos, but when it came to their wedding I didn't want to do it. I always thought weddings were way to stressful! But eventually I did say yes. I knew enough to know I didn't know enough, and so I found an in-person photography workshop from some photographers I admired. The multi-day workshop was a 5-hour drive for me and cost 4x what I charged them for the wedding, but I learned soooo much. I also learned I needed to invest a few more thousand dollars in equipment. It was a big undertaking at the time but I knew their wedding was the most important day of their life and I wasn't going to risk not delivering the absolute best photos to the best of my ability.
You might know me personally, or maybe you came across my work on Instagram. Either way you probably don't know my story of getting into the wedding photography world. The long story short is that I never wanted anything to do with weddings, but was fully booked with them by my second season! If having fully booked seasons is something you're looking for then read on for the long story!
All in all one thing has remained the same though, and you can see it in the reviews from my clients. I'll share some here and what I want you to look at is the common theme of how yes, they mention the photos, but they all really highlight the experience of working together:
Their wedding day came and I have to say I am still incredibly proud of those images. A lot of photographers will tell you they're embarrassed of the images they created from their first wedding, but I could not feel more different. I am still super proud of them. They taught me very early on that investing in the right kind of education makes an enormous difference. That season I went on to book 4 more weddings, by the next year I had booked 17, and have continued to be fully booked (around 20 weddings is my limit) ever since!
At this point, I feel like I've done and tried it all. I've had a studio. I've not had a studio. I've had and not had a studio again! I've dragged legit furniture to a remote beach in the middle of nowhere to photograph and tell stories of women.
You get the picture. As you read through reviews you will notice they all mention the feeling these clients had of working together. I truly believe that creating the best experience for your clients is what gets you amazing glowing reviews and turns them into walking advertisements for your business. I have spent some money here and there on advertising, but honestly most of my business comes from word of mouth along with good relationships with other vendors I have worked with.
You know that saying that goes- "people might forget what you said, but they won't forget how you made them feel?" THAT pretty much perfectly sums up my take on running a successful photography business. Only the stakes are a little higher because not only are they not going to forget how you made them feel, but the photos they are going to look at forever afterwards are also going to remind them of that feeling.
And so I have decided to share with the world a 12-week deep dive into creating the best photography experience possible for your clients, and help get you to your booking goals. My plan is to give you 1-hour of one-on-one time each week for 12-weeks.
I'll share the outline below, but I truly want this to be an open safe place for you to ask any questions, share any concerns, or have me be a sounding board for new ideas.
I'm offering a 100% satisfaction no actions necessary money back guarantee. If by the end of out mentorship, you do not feel like you learned something or have grown or implemented something in your business that helped you, if you don't feel more encouraged and uplifted and qualified, then you get your money back.
Where you're at right now, where you want to be, answer any burning questions you may have. An overview of the customer service management service I use.
How to get them and the workflow that follows. This is the first interaction that will lay the groundwork for the rest of the relationship, so let's make sure it's awesome!
Being organized & showing clients you're in control is part of the great experience we are crafting, so we will go over all of the steps & put their mind at ease that the rest of the planning process will be just as smooth.
Pricing is one of the biggest topics of debate. How to know what you should be charging, and tips to avoid burnout so you always love this job!
Being in charge of planning a client's photography timeline is key in giving them a great experience the day of.
Ways to personally and intentionally make your business stand out.
Walking into your session or wedding fully prepared.
This week, we'll talk back-ups, sneak peeks, the full gallery, reviews and staying in touch after.
Get some eyes on some of your work, or have questions about shooting/editing? This is our time to do it!
Best practices for trusting someone else to be responsible for your brand.
Best ways to get your name out there, working through mental blocks, and feelings on social media.
Bringing it all together! Reviewing and answering any questions.
3 bonus check-ins! If you run into a problem or just need a little extra support schedule a bonus call!
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE -
AND MAKE YOUR BRAND A TRUE REFLECTION OF YOUR VISION!
For a one time payment of just $1480, you'll get access to:
Think of this as a transformative experience designed for those who want to build real skills, gain confidence, and create a brand that stands out in a crowded market.
Enrollment is exclusive and limited, ensuring each participant gets the tailored experience they deserve. so don't miss your chance!
I CAN'T WAIT!
xx, Ames
Click the link below to set up our first meeting and make your one-time payment.