Wedding photography is a competitive industry, with numerous photography aficionados joining in each year. One of the best ways to get noticed by potential clients can be as simple as becoming an expert at what you do or by becoming a second shooter and learning from wedding photographers through real-time experiences. Second shooting is a great way to learn from experienced professionals without the pressure of having to take all the photos yourself. It also saves you time spent culling and editing hundreds of thousands of files, as most second shooters hand over their cards when they’re done working on a project! However, as a photographer and second shooter, it can be tough to get bookings in the beginning. In this blog post, we share some incredible tips on how to get more wedding photography bookings as a second shooter! So let’s get started and show you how to get booked!
Top Tips On How To Get More Photography Bookings
1. Build Your Reputation
The first and most important thing you need to do as a second shooter is to establish your reputation and credibility in the wedding industry. This can be done by joining a local or online photography community and sharing your work. You can also create a blog or website to showcase your portfolio. When you have established yourself as a credible photographer, potential clients will be more likely to hire you for their wedding day. Another great way to learn how to get more wedding photography booking as a second shooter is by connecting and building relationships with other creatives.
Suggested Read: 5 Ways To Connect With Potential Wedding Photography Clients
2. Shoot For Free
If you are just getting ready to explore and become a photographer, it can be helpful to shoot for free or at a discounted rate, especially for your first wedding photography gig. By shooting weddings for free, you are essentially giving potential clients a taste of your work and what they can expect if they book you. Once you have established yourself as a competent photographer and built up a strong portfolio, you can start charging more for your one-of-a-kind services.
3. Create A Strong Social Media Presence
Creating a strong social media presence is a great way to learn how to get booked as a photographer. This can be done by posting high-quality photos on your Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest accounts and using relevant hashtags. As a second shooter, try interacting with lead photographers on social media and leave comments on their posts. You can create blog posts or YouTube videos about your photography journey and share your knowledge with others. By doing all of these things, you will be more likely to get noticed by potential clients who are looking for a second shooter.
Related Read: How To Increase Social Media Engagement With Wedding Clients
4. Attend Industry Events & Meet Photographers
Wondering how to get more wedding photography bookings as a second shooter? Get involved with local wedding photography groups and meetups! This is a great opportunity to network with other photographers and build relationships. You can also learn about the latest trends in wedding photography and even meet potential clients. You could also attend bridal fairs, trade shows, and wedding photography workshops. This will help you get your name out there and increase your chances of getting booked.
5. Styled Shoots
This photography session typically involves models, hair and makeup artists, florists, wedding planners, and other vendors. Styled shoots are a great way to showcase your skills as a photographer and attract clients. They can also be used to build up your portfolio. When submitting your photos to magazines or websites, be sure to include information about the styled shoot so that a potential client can see your work. Second shooting is a great way to learn from experienced professionals while building up your own portfolio. By following these tips, you could also be on your way to getting more bookings as a second shooter!
Related Read: A Styled Shoot Guideline For Photographers
6. Offer Discounts To Wedding Clients
One of the best ways of how to get more bookings is to offer discounts to wedding clients! This can be a great incentive for clients who are looking to save money on wedding photography. By offering a discount, you will be able to attract more business and ultimately make more money. Additionally, by offering a discount, you will be able to stand out from other second shooters who may not be offering the same deal.
7. Follow Up With Past Clients
When you are second shooting weddings, it’s imperative to stay in touch with past clients and other vendors within the wedding industry. Creating relationships and maintaining them can lead to more referrals and ultimately boost your photography business.
Here are a few ways to do so:
- Send a handwritten thank you note after each event.
- Check in with them periodically (on holidays, anniversaries, etc.).
- Offer special deals and discounts.
This way, you are showing your clients that you care about them even after their event is over. This will help build trust and loyalty, which are essential for any successful business.
Further Read: Tips To Maintaining Wedding Photography Client Relationships
Becoming a second shooter is a great way to learn the ropes in the wedding photography industry. It prepares you for what to expect when you own your own wedding photography industry and also introduces you to potential clients early on. Offering discounts or shooting for free for the first few gigs, maintaining relationships with vendors, attending industry events, meeting other photographers, and following up with past clients are just some of the ways that can teach you how to get more wedding photography bookings as a second shooter. If you are someone who aspires to become a solo shooter in the future and book your own weddings, then learning the business side of photography is just as important as acing the creative side of it.
At ShootDotEdit, we are passionate about helping you grow your wedding photography business. A part of how we do that is by lessening your post-production workload with our professional photo editing services. To learn more about how we can help your wedding photography business, check out our pricing plans.
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