So you want to be a wedding photographer

[Sonny]

David talks about the state of wedding photography.



It’s Guest Blog Wednesday featuring David Ziser (Pt. 1)!

It’s Guest Blog Wednesday featuring David Ziser (Pt. 2)!

[David Whatley]

GREAT read, thanks Sonny

[lscottpht]

Very good read, thanks!

[WarrenG]

Originally Posted by lscottpht

very good read, thanks!

+1

[BenE]

From part 2:

I believe that today’s most important marketing efforts must be social media centered. Yes, that means Tweeting, Blogging, and Facebooking

I went to Ziser's website, and found no twitter or facebook links. There were no twitter or facebok links on a second site. He does have the links on Digital Pro Talk blog, but that is aimed at photographers, and not customers.

The Kelby article was on Feb 2nd. If tweets and facebooking are so important, I can't help but wonder why those are not on his site for customers?

On one page of his regular site, I was not able to view all the text, but it did mention something about currently being on a 60 city tour for 2009.

Please do not misunderstand. I have met and studied with David I think his photography is outstanding, but sometimes people get too many irons in the fire.

[lscottpht]

I agree with a lot of what he said, and I think a lot of photogs might be hurt by the CL photogs and newbies, but I think that depends on what level you are at. I found that it was true in 2007 I had the best year ever (my first full year in biz), then biz slowed down. I was still doing fine, but not quite as well. I heavily use FB for my marketing, and I think that really helps. I also make sure my clients get great service and great images. Fast forward to this year, though, and wow, it seems to be better than ever. I tend to be one that keeps up with the times, yet I have my own style and still do my own thing. A lot of the photogs that have been at it for years and are now out of biz it's b/c they refuse to change. You constantly have to stay ahead of the game. The biz is def. there, but you have to be good enough and do fresh enough images that the clients will book you. The ones that are really into the images from their wedding are not going to go with the newbies with a camera or the CL photogs. They just aren't, and you really don't need to worry about them if you are rockin' your own work, imo. I have never once had someone say to me they decided to use a friend or go with Uncle Bob.

Oh, and just to show how effective FB is. I posted a wedding the other day. Tagged the bride, coordinator, cake lady, and bride's mom. Now, the bride has tagged around 20 other people. So, I'm now on 24 people's FB pages for all of their friends to see. Also, because I was great to the coordinator and tagged him, I'm now a preferred vendor of his. My fan base has increased quite a bit just from this one wedding. FB is AWESOME!