p.2 #1 · How to break back into Wedding Photography?
I understand being a generalist.
My background, when Hassy was a boy was commercial after having done weddings on weekends for a couple of years while working in a portrait studio darkroom during the week. (we even sepia toned the bridal portraits and sometimes they were hand colored )
I was one of the original three photographers at a studio in Wisconsin that today is still going strong.
This question was posed relative to wedding photography in particular, the product shot and portrait portfolio shots are much easier to accomplish and also important for a broad based "book"
Thanks for the suggestions.
And, having been in the telecom business for the past three decades I understand about business cycles too.
p.2 #2 · How to break back into Wedding Photography?
"Simpleviewer" - way to go!!!
Jun 12, 2008 at 05:33 PM
hassy501 Offline • • • • [X]
p.2 #3 · How to break back into Wedding Photography?
LAPhotoPro.com wrote:
yeah, when is this going to happen? The US is posed for some of the worst economic times ever. How people still don't see this I can't understand. I can promise you when the shit does hit the fan wedding photography isn't going to be such a high priority as it is now. As much as I would love to feel that the wedding photography biz is strong, I won't fool myself. You're either going to have to be at the top of your game or resort to drastic price reductions or a new career.
Don
I really don't think that the "worst economic times ever" are in store.....they will be rough, but nothing that will have people jumping off of tall skyscapers as during the 40's.
The skyrocketing oil prices and housing crunch have created a paranoia that is far exceeding the reality.
Reality : people pay 5 dollars for a cup of Starbucks. But they howl over paying 4 dollars a gallon for gas .......
What's more important ? Reality is so skewed in peoples minds.........
We have really been spoiled all of our lives for goods and services compared to the rest of the world. It's about time we get in check with reality.
It will take a little time for society to adjust, and they will, and things will get back to normal when people start prioritizing.............sometimes it takes a good swift punch in the mouth to wake us up and realize whats important.
I've been in the wedding photography business for the past nineteen years and have seen the rise and fall of the economy over all of those years.........there was always one constant............people still go married..................
And nowadays, it's even better for us because the divorce rate is so high that leads to MORE weddings.............i personally have done several two and three wedding brides...........i just shake my head and laugh...........oh well.
Weddings will always be an emotionally charged event in peoples live, where they will overspend and purchase what they can't afford as a way of showing how much they love each other and setting the stage for their future lives together.
It goes beyond reason. Love has that affect on people.
p.2 #4 · How to break back into Wedding Photography?
During 2007 I spent half my time in Europe. Talk to them about gas prices.
My guess is that there is a percentage relationship between what a couple spends on a wedding and what they spend on the photography and videography. Higher end weddings probably spend about the same percentage as "budget" weddings.
As Hassy says, people will get married regardless of the overall economic conditions.
My marketing background suggests that the photography should be positioned as the historical record that provides images for the memories over the years.
p.2 #5 · How to break back into Wedding Photography?
Wait 2 years and you'll see what I'm talking about. Your analogy comparing starbucks to $4 gas is overly simplistic. It's not a matter of spending another $30 - 50 on gas every week. It will affect almost everything. That in combination with our national deficit, our falling dollar value and the subprime mortgage situation and may start to see that we're in more trouble than you think. But time will tell. You are right that people will prioritize, from what I've seen this year alone people are not wanting to spend so much on wedding photography. Seriously are nicer wedding photos a priority on most peoples minds in a reccesion?
Jun 12, 2008 at 06:25 PM
hassy501 Offline • • • • [X]
p.2 #6 · How to break back into Wedding Photography?
It all depends on what market you work in.................low end, no.....medium to high, yes...........example.
Those with stable jobs, government jobs, cops, firefighters, who salaries are not affected by the economy, who usually are more stable in their finances and personal lives will have the money to pay for excellent wedding photography. People who's job is affected by the housing market, price of gas will have a tougher time.
There will still be that market who have the money to purchase wedding photography. It may dwindle down a bit, but they will still be there and as such, it's up to each individual wedding photographer to move on those clients and hopefully we have the work that attracts that segment of the public.
I recently booked a local deputy sheriff's wedding. His fiancee' is a nurse.
During the consultation, he tells me that there were SIX other deputies who had just got engaged at his station.
He asked for business cards and price lists to give to his "buddies"..............
I booked five of them....Each of them, bride and groom, had great careers...plenty of money to spend....not one of them tried to negotiate, nickel and dime me and are all excellent clients.........they didn't bat an eye when writing their checks.
THEY didn't seem to be bothered by this economy.........those are the types of clients to go after.............not Joe Blow working at Wal Mart getting married at Wedding World..........
was commercial after having done weddings on weekends for a couple of years while working in a portrait studio darkroom during the week. (we even sepia toned the bridal portraits and sometimes they were hand colored 
)