Did you reach out to other photographers in your area asking them to refer clients your way if they were already booked?
I have been getting a few e-mails like these lately and was wondering if this is commonplace. I personally would not refer anyone I did not know and/or trust. It got me thinking though. If Joe Photographer e-mailed, asking for such a referral and had a good online portfolio, would it be that bad an idea to refer him solely based his web site?
Interesting. I'll be interested to hear what more established photographers have to say. I have a feeling that any "established" photographer would probably not do this unless they have a close working relationship with the photographer they are sending referrals to.
I only send work to other photographers that I've met and trust will do a good job for work I have to turn away. Then they are more likely to send their jobs my way when they're in the same spot. Its a great idea to have friends in the business for this reason, as well as in those disaster moments where you need a friend in the biz you trust to help you out. I would do the same for them if they called needing my help so its another added bonus.
Its a better way to approach it than asking outright for referrals. The 'you scratch my back I'll scratch yours' kind of thing.
I think it's a good idea to network within your field be it wedding photography or not. You both compliment and are in competition with each other.
Murphy will rear his ugly head from time to time. You never know when you'll need to borrow a lens, a camera or the other shooters services. Be prepared to reciprocate.
You want to know who the other people are first so get out there and network. A cold call email asking for clients I would decline however. Don't know the person or their qualifications.
collierstudios wrote:
I only send work to other photographers that I've met and trust will do a good job for work I have to turn away. Then they are more likely to send their jobs my way when they're in the same spot. Its a great idea to have friends in the business for this reason, as well as in those disaster moments where you need a friend in the biz you trust to help you out. I would do the same for them if they called needing my help so its another added bonus.
Its a better way to approach it than asking outright for referrals. The 'you scratch my back I'll scratch yours' kind of thing. ...Show more →
Manzelle wrote:
If Joe Photographer e-mailed, asking for such a referral and had a good online portfolio, would it be that bad an idea to refer him solely based his web site?
It would depend how much experience he has. If he's been in business a while, it shows he's got what it takes to hang in there. He must be doing something right.
From personal experience, I had a guy start sending me his overflow out of the clear blue. Never even heard of him. [He was from a different city.] Prospects would call me up and say, "Joe Bloe referred me to you". So I checked out his site, saw he was a successful pro with years of experience, and started referring back. Worked out fine.
So I would say to these photogs looking for referrals from you that they should start it off with sending some referrals your way.
Nope. I get referrals from other photographers, not because I asked, but because I'm up to the task of having them vouch for me.
As stated, Tacky to ask.
"Please sir, can I have some more?"
Also, +1 to networking within your photo community. We have a tight group in my area, which is awesome. We share stories, referrals, etc. We even had a Christmas party.
We used to refer... we don't anymore. There was one specific referral we gave out that TOTALLY changed our mind on the subject. The photographer in question shot a wedding we couldn't do because we were booked. A couple of weeks later, we shot that bride's best friend's wedding. They shared lots of family and friends, so many of the same people attended both. I cannot TELL you how many people came up to us that day and said something along the lines of, "You were the one who recommended that guy? Yeah, don't do that again. He was annoying as HECK and drove us all nuts". I was mortified. The bride who hired him on my referral regretted her decision and while she didn't BLAME me, she did want to warn me that I shouldn't give his name out anymore.
So now I don't give ANYONE'S name out. Period. It's difficult enough to keep a good name going in this line of work without making it MORE problematic by upsetting people just because you're trying to help.
I wouldn't think anyone would want to refer me unless they've worked with me to have a good appreciation of my professionalism and work ethic. For that reason, starting out as I am, I wouldn't expect anyone to refer me for whom I haven't 2nd-shot a wedding. I also would imagine if they liked the way I work, and the type of product I gave them, I wouldn't have to ask them, "hey, if you're booked on a weekend and we're not working together, and a bride comes to you, send her my way..." I think it would happen automatically.
I'm friends with a few local photographers, and I have been asked once to cover due to illness (I was sick too!) So, it didn't happen, generally though it's more just acquaintances.
