How to Become a Recommended Photographer for the Wedding Venue
As a wedding photographer, establishing strong relationships with the venues where you work can be incredibly beneficial for your business. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of shooting multiple weddings and various projects, such as movie stills and corporate events, at stunning locations like Dunskey Estate. One key reason for my ongoing success and repeat collaborations is the effort I put into building and maintaining these relationships. Here are eight unique ways to become a recommended photographer for wedding venues:
1. Shoot for the Venue
When you’re at a venue, always keep in mind that your photos can benefit both your clients and the venue itself. Create images specifically for the venue by focusing on its best features. Take drone shots of the exterior, capture stunning interiors, and highlight unique details that make the venue special. For example, at Dunskey Estate, I always take time to capture the grandeur of the estate, the beautiful gardens, and the intricate architectural details. These images not only serve my wedding clients but also provide the venue with high-quality content they can use for their marketing efforts.
2. Take Over the Venue’s Social Media While There
Engaging with the venue’s audience on social media can significantly enhance your relationship. When I’m shooting at Dunskey Estate, I often take over their Instagram stories for the day. I capture behind-the-scenes moments, highlight beautiful setups, and share snippets of the ongoing wedding. This not only helps the venue engage with their followers but also showcases my work to a broader audience. It’s a win-win situation that enhances both our online presences and builds a stronger connection.
3. Create a Dropbox Folder with All Content for the Venue
Organisation and accessibility are key to maintaining a strong relationship with a venue. After each event, I create a Dropbox folder with all the content I’ve created for the venue—reels, videos, high-resolution images, and social media-ready content. I then share this folder with the venue’s management. For instance, after a wedding at Dunskey Estate, I send them a neatly organized Dropbox folder with everything they need to use the content effectively. This makes it easy for the venue to access and use the materials, showing them that you value their partnership and are committed to making their job easier.
4. Take Images for the Venue During Breaks
Utilize the downtime during events to take additional photos that the venue might need. Ask if they require new headshots for their staff, updated room photographs, or images of their food offerings. During breaks at Dunskey Estate, I often take the opportunity to capture detailed shots of their rooms, beautifully plated dishes, and even staff headshots. Offering these extra services helps to strengthen your relationship by showing that you’re willing to go above and beyond.
5. Become Friends with the Staff
Building genuine relationships with the venue staff can be incredibly beneficial. Show respect for their work, make their jobs easier, and take a genuine interest in them as individuals. When the staff feels appreciated, they are more likely to praise you to the venue managers or owners. At Dunskey Estate, I’ve made it a point to get to know the staff, assist them whenever possible, and acknowledge their hard work. This has led to the staff speaking highly of me to the management, which has strengthened my position as a preferred photographer.
6. Send Them the Full Gallery with Rights to Use the Images
After the event, send the venue the full gallery of images with the rights to use them for their marketing. This gesture not only provides the venue with beautiful content but also shows your trust and willingness to collaborate. When I shoot at Dunskey Estate, I always ensure they receive a comprehensive gallery of images with clear rights to use them. This transparency and generosity help build a strong, trust-based relationship.
7. Leave Albums at the Venue
One effective way to showcase your work and build a strong relationship with the venue is to leave a few wedding albums featuring events shot at the venue. Potential clients visiting the venue can see your work firsthand and imagine their wedding there. This not only helps the venue by providing them with beautiful marketing material but also positions you as the go-to photographer for that location. I’ve left several albums at Dunskey Estate, which have impressed prospective clients and led to numerous bookings.
8. Create a Dedicated Brochure for the Venue
Design a brochure specifically for the venue that highlights your familiarity with the location and showcases your best work there. Include testimonials from past clients, details about your services, and why you love working at the venue. This brochure can be a powerful marketing tool for both you and the venue. When I created a dedicated brochure for Dunskey Estate, it not only demonstrated my commitment but also provided potential clients with a tangible connection to my work and the venue.
Conclusion
Building strong relationships with wedding venues can significantly benefit your photography business. By shooting with the venue in mind, taking over their social media, creating organized content folders, taking extra images during breaks, becoming friends with the staff, sending them full galleries with usage rights, leaving albums at the venue, and creating dedicated brochures, you can create mutually beneficial partnerships that lead to more opportunities and growth. My experience with Dunskey Estate has shown that these efforts can lead to numerous opportunities and help grow your photography business.
