No Entries?

[HillPhotos2009]

Hey All,

I opened contest entries at the end of October on my blogsite for full wedding coverage. I am including an engagement session, bridals, and trash the dress.

I haven't had any entries yet. The contest has been open for about six weeks and I'm planning on closing entries on the 1st of February so I can call the winning entries on Valentines Day to tell them they've won.

I had expected people to be jamming my inbox with contest entries, but no- not even inquiries about the contest. I post the info link to Twitter and my Facebook page- is there something more I should be doing?

My sister is a pinup model and she said one of the studios she works with is aggravated because they've been running a contest also and are having the same issue with no entries.

What gives?

I really thought that FREE wedding photography would be something of value to people- especially in our current economy.

Anywho, here is the link to my contest information: http://wp.me/P11vy6-2d. Did I make it too wordy- not enough pretty pictures? Is it too much work to expect of an all too bomarded bride-to-be?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,'
Steph

[ChristopherCoy]

For what its worth....

1. I quit reading the rules after the first one... Who wants to spend time reading that LONG list of rules just to enter a contest?
2. Your portfolio had exactly FOUR pictures... one of which is terribly over exposed, two which are odd angles for kids, and a fourth that is really underexposed. Furthermore, all of them except for 1, are B&W images.

Its just my opinion, but if I were trying to get people to notice me, I'd want my best, brightest, and most colorful pictures available. And I wouldn't want to bore them with long list of wordy rules. In addition, posting a link to twitter every now and then isn't going to cut it. If you want people to know about your contest, you need to 'hit the pavement' with any means necessary to get the word out.

As more than one speaker has said, there are thousands of photogaphers advertising their services in the same room. In order for you to get any attention, you have to be louder than they are.

Good luck.

ETA: Upon closer inspection, nothing about your website suggests you are a wedding photographer. In fact, your biography says you are a commercial, family, and nature photographer. Perhaps people arent taking you seriously based on this fact alone.

[Tom]

And even if it was free and I didn't have much of a budget, I would still want to use someone that has actually shot weddings before.

Other than free, why would someone want to use you? Why should they trust you to be the sole person responsible for capturing the most important day in their life?

I've followed a few photographers that have done this or something like this. NONE have said they got out of it what they put into it. They hoped they would get referrals from it. None have said they did. AND, if you did get referrals from someone that was shopping for the cheapest alternative, their friends are going to probably want to shop for the cheapest alternative. "You did Mary's wedding for free, why not mine?" A situation I wouldn't want to be in.

To me, it also screams out desperation. You have no portfolio and are giving away a wedding. As a consumer, I file that away as "they suck, they are new, they can't book anything and I don't want to use them."

[Heather G]

Not only what Chris said but a wedding is a once in a lifetime (hopefully) event and even if you are offering free photography, I wouldn't want images like what you've shown on your site. I'm sorry to be blunt, but you are not ready to photograph weddings yet.

[HillPhotos2009]

Thanks, Chris. I really appreciate the constructive criticism. I guess I've been trying to do too much at once.

And about the wordiness- I hate reading long bits of information when I'm trying to get something done myself. I was just trying to cover all my bases.

Thanks again!

[HillPhotos2009]

I see.

[LanceHaynie]

As always, I agree with Thomas and Chris. Also, you REALLY have to promote these things.

I think for something like this a safe bet is 5% of the people who see this page will send you their information. But, you really wont notice that until you get a large amount of people viewing. Just a few posts on twitter is hit or miss.

With all of that being said, if you want to convert people into leads you have to make it easy for them. I see this page and see LOT's of text (as stated above) but not a quick and easy way to fill out the form for the contest. You need the first thing they see is a form to enter your contest. The second, a collection of images that pop and make them get emotional. You want them to think "WOW!! I want MY wedding to look like that."

This contest page requires the user to do a lot of work to get all of the information they need to figure out if it's worth it. If you are trying any analytical data I am willing to bet 9 out of 10 visitors bounce in less than three seconds.

[LanceHaynie]

Originally Posted by HillPhotos2009

I was just trying to cover all my bases.

Cover your bases with fine print at the bottom or a link to read more.

[Nikonfan]

The last picture in your portfolio of the bride is nice, but a little dark. They have some shadows on their face and it seems to be underexposed. You might try adding some fill light to it and then adding that picture to the page with your contest.

[MicWayWal]

Your link is not working anymore.

[HillPhotos2009]

Originally Posted by MicWayWal

Your link is not working anymore.

I took it down. As it screams "desperate amateur." Which I am...

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by HillPhotos2009

I took it down. As it screams "desperate amateur." Which I am...

It's ok... Everyone who has posted above has been there and done that in some way, shape, form, or fashion. The key is not to 'take your toys and go home,' but instead continue to learn and try again later.

[suerenee]

Originally Posted by HillPhotos2009

I took it down. As it screams "desperate amateur." Which I am...

Everyone starts somewhere. Find someone to 2nd for or even assist. Don't give up so easy. I learned more 2nd shooting 4 weddings than I EVER learned in school coursework or seminars!

I know it's already been said but don't start off by giving away the farm. I learned the hard way that when you do something for free you'll end up regretting it later on. I shot an elopement session for a sister of a close friend....didn't even get a thank you card and then she complained that I didn't get her the disk for 3 weeks (even though proofs were up in 2 days!!)

Work hard and value your work!

[HillPhotos2009]

I'm not packing it up. I have an obsession with photography so I'll always make photos and I'll always make them for others.

I know I make great photos. I'm having trouble transitioning into digital, so I'm going to re-work what I've got posted on my website and probably start out with digital copies of my 35mm's then shoot weddings for free until I get a great portfolio.

[thatsridiculous]

don't shoot weddings for free. please. just second shoot or third shoot or tagalong first. then charge. just don't shoot for free.