Wedding Photography Business

I started a small wedding photography business. I have placed business cards in local bridal shops. but I can't seem to generate any customers at this time. No one is calling, I can't afford the $1,000 -$1600 to enter bridal shows. I know word of mouth is the best way but when you don't have a customer base what do you do? Please help
1.I have been in business for two years.
2. I have shot 9 weddings
3. I have all the things you need to conduct business ie. lic, samples, etc.

I suppose you have experience, a portfolio, have taken formal classes and you've done an apprenticeship with an experienced, established professional phtoographer?

In being a wedding photographer, you will find that you will have dry spells and a lot of free time on your hands; for that reason, I suggest that you expand your business to also include portraits, graduations, Christenings, and maybe even do a little of children and/or baby photos. Those are opportunities to make money ANeD to get your name known. Depending on the area where you're located, you might also want to work for a shop that does on-site photo processing (learn how to operate the equipment, machines, etc... learn as much as you can and keep your eyes and ears open).

Consider also taking a few businesses classes at the local "Y" or local community college through the Evening Adult & Continuing Education Department; it will help you in more ways than one... taxes, accounting, etc. Talented and skilled photographers go bankrupt all the time because they have no kind of business sense; learn as much as you can.

Getting started ain't always as easy as we imagine. For that reason you might want to visit a few churches and speak with the Holy Man, leave a few cards or make a professional looking circular and post it on the bulletin boards, do a few freebies or give them as much of a break as you can (use this to build a portfolio, get recommendations... future referrals) for a few people on really tight budgets. Bridal shops often don't say anything but they may expect a "finder's fee" or a tip (which I am sorely against), flower shops, beauty salons, etc. Speak with the proprietors and let them know that you're just starting out; take a few of their cards and also offer to pass them to any and all of your clients. Do you know anyone in the catering business? That's also a plus.

Don't give up. Starting is always the most difficult part! Listen, all the talent and skills in the world won't amount to anything unless you have the passion to persevere and overcome those obstacles you're sure to encounter; so, hang in there. Good luck and very best wishes.

2006-10-12 08:44:02 by jrp

AdoramaTV presents wedding photographer, Rachel LaCour Niesen. In this episode, Mark had a the opportunity to talk with Rachel, one of the ...

I am expanding my wedding photography business http://www.andrei-photo.com.
What would be the best way to reach people ? I heard Yellow pages don't work anymore. Some suggested to put Ad on Google. What is your experience?

develop a portfolio or brochure that shows some of your work as well as referral contacts from satisfied customers. Contact wedding planners to see if they would be willing to use and/or recommend your services. Drop off glossy flyers at florists that specialize in wedding arrangements... get a web page that not only showcases the work you've done, but also has testimonials from satisified customers. Join your local chamber of commerce and network.... be prepared to divulge your business information such as successes, failures, etc.

Nearly every large church has a wedding coordinator on staff (usually a volunteer)... make sure you get flyers and info out to them - many times a bride will trust their church coordinator to make these sort of recommendations.

Consider expanding to engagement photos as well... many bride-to-bes want pre-wedding photos to share with their friends... these are usually less formal than the actual wedding day photos.

2007-08-27 11:36:55 by Discoverer

Price: $34.95

Found advice on here about trying to start a wedding photography business. The advice I found was do not get a business license at first and try a couple of weddings and see if you are going to stick with it or not. All may not agree on it but my question is in California it sounds like the total price charged is taxable. Is that correct? Then if so how do you report sales tax if you don't have a license? And if the reply is don't then I would ask about my bank, they opened us a business checking account without a business license and or fictitious name. Does the bank report income deposited into that to any one? I am only asking in case this business does not take off what do I do about sales tax?

You are correct about the entire selling price charged to customers being subject to sales tax in CA. In order to report the sales tax , you need to get a seller's permit with the Board of Equalization. You don't need a business license to apply for a sellers permit. There is no charge. Follow the link provided to find your local BOE office. If your business does not take off, it is easy to close your permit.
If you don't get a seller's permit, but get audited by the BOE, the auditor will look at your bank accounts, both private (if you are a sole proprietor) and business. They can get a subpeona if you don't hand the statements over voluntarily. If you can't prove otherwise, the deposits will be considered taxable income. The BOE exchanges information with the FTB (CA income tax) who exchanges info with the IRS, so you could get audited by all three.

2008-08-01 19:12:25 by D H

Price: $34.95

New wedding photography business in California. If I charge labor only for wedding shoots and give pictures and cd disks away no charge do i need to worry about paying California for sales tax?
I was planning on paying sales tax when I purchased the items and giving them away as no charge/free so California would still get the sales tax.

Labor for wedding shoots is subject to sales tax in California if the customer receives any tangible personal property (CDs, photos). It does not matter whether you are making a separate charge for the photos or not.
When the Board of Equalizaton audits you, they will make you pay tax on the entire charge to your customers with no exemptions for labor.

2008-07-26 20:18:51 by D H

I would love to start my own business doing wedding photography and offering portrait photography as well. I would love to hear how you started out if you have your own business, i really dont know where to start. I am at the stage where i am looking to buy a professional digital slr camera after coming to the end of my course using a 35mm film camera and i dont have a portfolio at the moment, any advice would be appreciated.

Use this basic checklist to make sure all the important steps are taken before you launch your new venture. This business checklist will make sure that you cross all your t's and dot all your i's before your business launch.

Steps to Starting a Business -
http://www.developer-resource.com/starti ng-a-business.htm

Other sites you might find helpful are:
SBA - http://www.sba.gov/
SCORE - http://www.score.org
Small Business Resource - http://www.small-business-software.net Business Link - http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/act ion/home

Goodluck!