TomKphoto got it on this. Head the word and reap the reward. Get a $800 site from BD and just watch. Even your past brides will send more referrals just from seeing a fresh updated site. Bragging rights of who their photographer if you will. You can't go wrong with this.
Most girls are counseled to look for more complete weddings than that. On average, 70% of my brides want to see more than a "best of". We have three complete ones listed on our site, but almost everyone who comes to me has been referred by another bride and has, therefore, spent time in our un-listed gallery section where they can view 40+ weddings and tons of other things. It may be cultural, but in the South, it's typical to want to see lots and lots of complete shoots.
Yvette, I agree with what someone else said... now that you're in the 3K market, you need a site to attract the 3K bride. Most of the questions you're getting are from girls who are lower budget and probably think that you're in their price range because your site doesn't look like the high end guys. It's worth a try! Of course, if you do that, you may want to list your prices ON the "high end site" so that people don't go the opposite direction and think that you're 10K.
Complete weddings - brides with any amount of 'bride college' under their belt want complete weddings. I have a wack of them in various forms and they just have at it.
Most wedding mags and the like warn against the 'greatest hits' shots of photogs.
I would have to agree with the others about updating your site to give off a high-end image - take advantage of a slick Blu or Bigfolio site. But to go a step further, the last entry I found in your blog is from late August '07. You're posting drop-dead gorgeous images for us to see out on Fred Miranda, but potential brides aren't seeing them in your blog! Go look at Jessica Claire's site, or Almasy's and you'll see two high-end photogs that are avid bloggers and who have built a solid identity with logos and branding. They post shots immediately from events and talk about the beautiful lighting, beautiful bride, gorgeous dress, stunning venue, fun party, etc. See a trend here? They create a buzz, and the reader sees all these high-end shots and says "I want that!" You have the stunning photography and awesome attitude - now go create the buzz!
tomKphoto wrote:
I've held on to my old HTML site as long as I could. It's brought me so much business, but it's time to say goodbye. New site & blog up this week.
> the last entry I found in your blog is from late August '07
Blogs are hard work ... I suprised to see F8 in Dallas go for months without updating theres (the constipation seems to be over). I haven't started on yet as I know it's never ending task.
> strikes me as a fantastic print advertisement!
thanks Nathan - the 6x8 flats I give wedding sites are actually based on that front page
I did a quick search at www.costofwedding.com (part of the Wedding Report). For your area your old price was almost exactly the same as the average paid for wedding photography. However the average total cost of a wedding in Greenville is $29,609. Your current prices do not seem out of line with the overall cost and given your skills and level of experience (and I presume excellent customer service/interaction) I doubt that price alone is a significant factor.
The only reason I see for a Photographer to reduce his or her prices is for a short time booking special or in my case relocation... When I relocated I had an introductory price of $650.00 which was for 3hrs with 200 4x6 proofs. Now starting price for my wedding package is $1500.00 which consists of 3hrs of coverage and a 4x6 proof book. E-sessions,B-sessions, high res cd, dvd slide show, and enlargements are additional....
Pricing varies depending on your geographic location. This is not the lowest in my area and surely not the highest... But my stratagy is to appeal to both by giving them a neutral starting point and for those that dont have a high budget can get in the door but those who have it to spend can build thier package to suite there needs by adding bridal or engagement sessions, custom albums as well as additional time which usually gets me in the dollar range i want to be in and i dont run away anyone
