Wedding Photography Business

Paving The Road To Success: Sara France’s Best Business Practices

As a business owner and professional photographer with over 20 years of experience, Sara France is a force to be reckoned with in the wedding photography industry. This award-winning photographer is a Sony Alpha Female and the mastermind behind three distinct photography brands, and her empire continues to flourish. Sara’s exceptional talent and dedication have earned her a spot among the top female wedding photographers in the industry, and she proudly holds the title of one of only five wedding photographers worldwide to be a Sony Artisan of Imagery! 

Additionally, Sara mentors Sony’s Alpha Female program, empowering women in the photography and videography fields. Apple, too, has recognized the brilliance of her work, showcasing it in their stores and online.

Sara has lived through all the highs and lows of building a thriving wedding photography business. So, whether you’re a pro photographer looking to revamp your business strategies or an aspiring talent just starting a wedding photography career, let Sara France’s best business practices be your guiding light toward building a successful photography business and wedding photography career.

Sara’s Thriving Photography Brands And Team

Established in 2001, Sara France Photography has become a standout business name in the industry. But that’s not all – Sara’s entrepreneurial prowess led her to create two more ventures, The Copper Collective and Shay Studios. Interestingly, Sara’s brands boast an all-female boutique team of exceptionally talented photographers. It wasn’t intentional at first – “Sorry boys!” says Sara, but after including a couple of women in her team, they brought an unmatched level of fun and cohesion. It was also easier to understand and support each other as they faced similar life challenges.

As of today, Sara France takes immense pride in the exceptional team of talented women at Sara France Photography and The Copper Collective, working harmoniously in locations like San Diego, Austin, and Hawaii. Meanwhile, Shay Studios, renowned for creating captivating visual content for businesses, from large companies to small business coverage, just opened a branch in DC and Denver. Sara’s team is doing a fabulous job day in and day out with so much energy. 

Related Read: A Conversation With Sara France: A Sony Alpha Female, Successful Business Owner, & Photographer

Sara France’s Best Business Practices Every Photographer Needs To Know

With a perfect blend of creativity and camaraderie, Sara France and her team continue to excel. But how does she run her HUGE photography business and market her brands so efficiently? Here are a few photography business practices that she shared with us!

1. Take Time To Set Up Workflows

infographic stating ensure efficiency and avoid losing important files by setting up management software and NAS system (Sara France's best business practices)

When it comes to successful wedding photography business practices, Sara France knows that setting up management software and workflows is a game-changer. One essential tool she recommends is Táve, a studio management software that handles leads, workflows, and processes. Sara emphasizes the importance of dedicating time to set up this robust system, even though it may initially seem daunting. She shares, “You have to take the time to set it up and create workflows. The more you grow with it, the more it can do for you.” 

Another crucial aspect is the download process. Sara explains that ensuring a seamless workflow for multiple photographers can be challenging, but it’s essential to avoid losing wedding photos and maintain efficiency. To address this, Sara adopted a new NAS system (network access server) to enhance the process further. 

Related Read: Sara France: A Photographer’s Inspiring Journey To Success

2. Focus On Building Professional Relationships

a wedding couple posing in their wedding attire
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @sarafrance

Sara’s advice in terms of marketing is crystal clear – prioritize building meaningful relationships. For Sara, it’s not just about serving the client but also nurturing connections with vendors and venue coordinators. Her marketing plan revolves around putting people first, making it the cornerstone of her strategy. She emphasizes, “Marketing-wise, my focus has always been on people, and it always will be on people.” Developing strong and genuine relationships with clients and industry professionals becomes the catalyst for word-of-mouth referrals and long-lasting partnerships. While some may rely solely on other marketing methods to target specific demographics, Sara’s principle remains consistent – people come first.

Read More: Setting Up A Sustainable Business: 5 Tips For Wedding Photographers

3. Implement Systems

infographic stating investing in foolproof systems elevates client experience and helps focus on delivering excellence

Sara France’s best business practices strongly emphasize the power of implementing systems. Sara understands that delivering a top-notch experience requires more than just good intentions. It’s about having foolproof systems in place to ensure nothing slips through the cracks

For photographers starting out, survival mode often overshadows the need for solid systems. However, Sara suggests looking beyond the present and investing time and effort into establishing procedures to elevate the client experience. One area Sara especially values is the card download, backup, and file storage system. Ensuring the safety and accessibility of images is paramount for any professional photographer. Sara knows nothing keeps a photographer up at night more than the fear of losing photos or missing a crucial shot. Having dependable systems in place gives her peace of mind and the confidence to focus on delivering excellence to her clients.

Suggested Read: Staying Competitive In The Wedding Photography Market

4. Stay Organized With Spreadsheets

a cropped portrait of a bride in her wedding dress holding the bridal bouquet
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @sarafrance

Sara France swears by her love for spreadsheets and has even earned her a humorous yet aptly descriptive shirt from her team, which reads, “A lady in the streets and a freak in the spreadsheets.” Utilizing spreadsheets helps Sara keep a meticulous record of the financial aspects of her business. “I understand (and love) spreadsheets. We have many documents that keep track of who’s making money and where and how. And we have systems in place for tracking all that and making sure that our finances are good and in check.”

Over the years, Sara’s financial management system has evolved, leading to a spot where she feels everything is well-managed and almost on autopilot. Her team members are also involved in keeping things organized and flowing smoothly.

Suggested Read: Tips To Manage Business Finance For Wedding Photographers

5. Make Things Easy For Other Wedding Vendors

infographic stating promote your brand by sharing images and ready made social media posts with wedding vendors (Sara France's best business practices)

To simplify the sharing process for wedding coordinators and vendors, Sara believes in giving them easy access to her images. Recognizing their vital role in her business, she has developed a winning strategy: she shares the images with them and prepares ready-made social media posts. This saves the vendor’s  time and ensures that her brand’s image is consistently portrayed on their social media platforms.

6. Outsource To Succeed

a bride to be in her bridal attire with the wedding bouquet while her parents stand behind
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @sarafrance

Running a photography business involves wearing multiple hats, from marketing and finance to CEO responsibilities, which can quickly become overwhelming. For this, Sara firmly advocates for a different approach – outsourcing. Sara’s belief in ‘Anti-DIY’ stems from the realization that focusing on her unique strengths is the key to success. 

An area where Sara chooses to be Anti-DIY is in photo editing. She entrusts her editing needs to us at ShootDotEdit, recognizing that editing her images would consume valuable time that could be better utilized elsewhere. Though outsourcing may require some initial time investment to set clear expectations, Sara firmly believes that it is a wise long-term decision. 

By relying on ShootDotEdit’s expert editing software and services, Sara can concentrate on her passion – capturing extraordinary moments and connecting with her clients. This approach enables her to deliver exceptional results and empowers her to run a profitable business.

Read More: Why Outsourcing Is The Best Decision For Your Photography Business

7. Market And Network Everywhere

infographic quote by Sara France

With her wealth of experience and photography skills, Sara France’s best business practices include branding, marketing, and networking advice. Sara’s strategy involves being everywhere – websites, blogs, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. When a prospective client encounters your brand on multiple platforms, it reinforces authenticity and builds trust. 

For Sara, being active on various platforms shows that you genuinely engage with your audience. Ensuring that your wedding photography business website and blog are regularly updated is good practice and a crucial element for SEO. It helps boost your online presence and attract more potential clients to your photography business. In addition to updating business Instagram pages and team accounts, she suggests maintaining a personal Instagram page. By sharing glimpses of your family and personal life, you allow clients to connect with you on a more intimate level.

Further Read: Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories: Female Wedding Photographers Edition

a wedding couple kissing by a beach while the bridal veil is blowing in the wind
Image Credit: ShootDotEdit Customer @sarafrance

Sara France’s best business practices shine as a beacon of wisdom and inspiration to all photography entrepreneurs. With her dynamic all-female team, she’s implemented efficient systems, built strong relationships, and outsourced specialized tasks while preserving her artistry. Sara’s strong social media presence allows her to foster deeper connections with her audience and leaves a lasting impression on potential clients and vendors. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just about to start a wedding photography business, take cues from Sara’s business approach and let her phenomenal work be your guiding light.

To explore Sara France Photography further, visit her official website mentioned above, or you can also follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. The Copper Collective can be followed on Pinterest and Instagram, while her third business, Shay Studio, can be found on Instagram

At ShootDotEdit, we are committed to helping you grow your wedding photography business. And to help you with that, we lessen your post-production workload with our professional photo editing services that match your style. To learn more about how we can help, check out our pricing plans.

Read More

5 Steps To Take When Starting A Portrait Photography Business

Are you tired of twiddling your thumbs during those off-season months? Starting a portrait photography business could keep those off-season blues and boredom at bay, help you earn some extra cash, and allow you to showcase your talent to a wider audience. As a professional wedding photographer, you’re already halfway there to becoming a successful portrait photographer. By expanding your services to include professional portrait photography, you’re not only diversifying your wedding photography business but making sure that there’s cash flow throughout the year. So, if you’re looking for a way to stay busy while also expanding your skillset and creating more business opportunities, turning to portraiture could be the solution! 

Different Types Of Portrait Photography

a portrait of a groom looking at the camera in his wedding suit
Image Courtesy: ShootDotEdit Customer @apollofields

Listed below are the different types of portrait photography that you could consider adding to your repertoire as a professional photographer:

  • Senior portraits
  • Family portraits
  • Pet portraits
  • Corporate headshots
  • Engagement and couples portraits
  • Maternity and newborn portraits
  • Boudoir portraits
  • Fine art portraits
  • Environmental portraits
  • Lifestyle portraits
  • Glamour and beauty portraits
  • Sports portraits
  • Travel portraits

Suggested Read: 8 Secrets To Shooting Stellar Portraits In The Snow

How To Start & Run A Successful Portrait Photography Business

From researching and defining your target market to curating a portfolio and pricing guides, a lot of things must be considered when starting a portrait photography business. 

1. Identify Your Niche & Target Audience

do your research consider the type of portrait photography business you want to specialize in, and identify your target audience

Before you dive into starting a portrait photography business, choose a niche that aligns with your goals. Whether you choose to specialize in senior portraits, reportage portraits, family sessions, or any other type of portrait photography, having a niche can open up potential business options and help you attract only your ideal clients. 

Identifying your target audience is the next step. Think about it: Who would benefit most from your portrait photoshoots? Understanding your target audience’s needs and interests can help you to tailor your marketing goals and approaches in a way that resonates with them and captures their attention. So, take the time to do some research, consider what type of portrait photography business you want to specialize in, and identify your target audience.

2. Develop A Business Plan & Pricing Guide

When starting a portrait photography business, it’s essential to develop a comprehensive photography business plan and pricing guide. While your experience in wedding photography will certainly come in handy, pricing your portrait services the same way you price your wedding packages won’t work. To start, you’ll need to create a new pricing guide specifically for your portrait services that takes all areas into consideration, including transportation costs, legal requirements, editing time, permits, and more. 

Creating a new pricing structure can be challenging and time-consuming! But here are some tips that could make the process slightly easier for you. First, research what your competition is charging and offering, and then consider your USP (unique selling point). Additionally, don’t be afraid to offer different pricing tiers, such as packages that include location-specific photoshoots or longer sessions. Be confident in your pricing, and avoid undervaluing your expertise. A clear pricing structure can help you stay transparent and professional with your clients.

Suggested Read: Being Unique As A Wedding Photographer: 5 Ways To Stand Out

3. Create A Portfolio & Establish A Strong Online Presence

infographic stating use a website and social media platforms to showcase your best work and attract potential clients

Consider setting up a new website dedicated solely to your portrait photography with the help of user-friendly website builders like Wix and Showit. Furthermore, you could create a new page for portrait services on your current website that showcases your best work and outlines your pricing and services.

Social media is also an excellent platform to display your artistic work and attract potential clients. Take advantage of platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok to create a cohesive brand image that reflects your skills and personality. Share tips for portrait photography, post behind-the-scenes glimpses of your photoshoots, and interact with your followers. Using hashtags and collaborating with other photographers and influencers in the industry can also help expand your reach and pull in more clients.

4. Set Up A Photography Studio

As a professional wedding photographer, you may already have the latest gadgets and equipment needed for portrait photography, which means you can easily set up a cost-effective photography studio in your home or rent out a space if your budget allows. With a cozy corner, a window, your photography gear, and some basic amenities like a changing room or a small makeup zone, you can create a comfortable and stylish ambiance for your clients. You could also consider personalizing the studio with different wallpapers or backdrops and providing props to clients.

However, opting not to invest in a portrait studio is also a valid choice. You can offer location-based portrait services, such as shooting at a college, favorite cafe, parks, gardens, beaches, landmarks, or even bars. Regardless of the choice, it is important to ensure that the location looks and feels professional and creates the right ambiance for your clients. Moreover, if you do decide to photograph your clients in public spaces, we’d highly recommend that you take care of any photography or entry permits in advance. 

5. Provide Excellent Customer Service

Providing excellent customer service is essential when starting a portrait photography business, or rather any business! Your clients are trusting you to capture some of their most cherished moments, and it’s important to make them feel valued and taken care of throughout the process. From the initial consultation to the final product delivery, always prioritize clear communication and reply promptly to their questions and concerns. 

Go above and beyond to ensure their satisfaction, whether it’s adding some extra shots, providing a few finishing touches, or offering custom packages and discounts. These small gestures can go a long way in creating loyal clients and also generate positive word-of-mouth referrals, which means more business and more money! 

Further Read: From Meh To Magic: Mastering Long Exposure Portraits

a portrait of a bride in her wedding dress
Image Courtesy: ShootDotEdit Customer @flavio_d_photography

Starting a portrait photography business is a smart move for any wedding photographer looking to diversify their business and stay busy all year round. By identifying your niche, developing a clear pricing guide, creating a strong online presence, setting up a photography studio (if possible), and providing excellent customer service, you can build a successful portrait photography business. With some extra cash in your pocket, a chance to experiment with new styles, and the opportunity to meet new people, there’s no reason not to give portrait photography a shot. So, go on, take that leap of faith, and let your talent shine!

At ShootDotEdit, we are passionate about helping you grow as a wedding photographer. However, if you find that endless editing tasks are blocking your way and sapping your energy, let us help! To learn more about how our professional photo editing services could give you your time back, check out our pricing plans.

Read More

Instagram Ads For Wedding Photographers

With over 700 million active users, Instagram, without a doubt, is a social media platform that has a vast audience. Therefore, it could also help you find new clients and vice versa, allowing you to grow your wedding photography business. And one of the ways you can use this platform to promote your photography business is by creating Instagram ads! Instagram ads for photographers are a super effective way to raise awareness about your brand and attract potential clients. From couples who are getting married to industry professionals looking for collaborations, Instagram enables you to do multiple things that can benefit your business. In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about advertising on Instagram, including how to promote your Instagram photography page and how to target your audience. 

How To Promote Photography Business On Instagram

infographic stating you will need to use facebook ads manager or the instagram advertising platform to create an ad

Instagram ads are sponsored posts you can create to promote your wedding photography business on Instagram. These ads appear in people’s feeds, just like normal posts, and have a sponsored icon to indicate the advertising content. The purpose of Instagram ads is to reach a larger audience and generate more engagement for your wedding photography posts. To create an Instagram ad, you will need to use Facebook Ads Manager or the Instagram Advertising platform. 

Once you’ve selected your platform, you can start creating your ads. You can choose between three types of Instagram ads: 

  • Single Image: Single-image ads are great for showing off your portfolio.
  • Video Ads: Video ads are great for telling stories and engaging with your followers. 
  • Carousel Ads: Carousel ads are perfect for showcasing a range of images.

You can also create Instagram Stories Ads, which appear in between normal Instagram stories and stay active on people’s screens for 24 hours. Regardless of the type you choose, all Instagram ads include a call-to-action button that encourages people to click the link and book a slot with you or contact you directly. 

Read More: Introducing Instagram For Wedding Photographers

5 Tips On How To Create Instagram Ads For Photographers

Now that you know what Instagram ads for wedding photographers are and how they work, let’s talk about how you can create these photography ads.

1. Select An Ad Objective

infographic stating your ad objective should be tailored to what you want to achieve with your instagram campaign

The first step for creating Instagram ads for wedding photographers is to select a specific ad objective. Your ad objective should be tailored to what you want to achieve with your Instagram campaign. Instagram has different types of ads depending on the purpose, such as brand awareness, reach, traffic, app installs, and lead generation. Before deciding on which Instagram ad type to use, assess how established your business is. If you just created a page and want people to recognize your brand, run a brand awareness campaign. On the other hand, if you have a successful portfolio website, running Instagram ads for lead generation campaigns can help grow your business. 

2. Run Carousel Ads

Carousel Instagram ads are another type of Instagram ad that you can use to create awareness about your brand. This ad format lets you put several images into one ad, and users can scroll through them to get a well-rounded view of your work – which is more powerful than a single-image ad. With carousel ads, you can show off your artistic work. A wedding photography ads example could include showcasing before and after images using your editing platform’s presets. You can feature closeups or show black and white versus color images, etc.

Suggested Read: Wedding Photography Advertising: How to Promote Your Business

3. Keep Your Layout Consistent

infographic stating try to stick to your brand’s colors, voice, tone, and your unique editing style

The key to Instagram ads success is consistency – both in terms of the look and feel of your ads and what you are promoting. Just like your Instagram feed, your ads should be consistent too. Instagram ads for wedding photographers should look on-brand and reflect what customers desire most. That means sticking to your brand’s colors, your unique editing style, language, Instagram captions, etc. 

4. Target The Right Audience

One of the most important elements of social media ads is targeting. You can create social media ads that target specific demographics, such as age, gender, location, interests, education level, and more. You can also use advanced targeting tools to reach out to newly engaged people and high school seniors if that’s what you’re aiming for. This way, you can ensure that your social media ad will reach your intended audience and increase the chances of success.

5. Use Relevant Hashtags

infographic stating use relevant instagram hashtags to reach the right audience

When creating social media ads, try to use relevant Instagram hashtags to target people who are interested in your business and can become potential customers. For example, you could use hashtags such as #weddingphotography or #engagementphotos. Make sure you research which hashtags have the most reach and engagement so that your social media ads can reach the right audience.

Suggested Read: Use Instagram To Grow Your Wedding Photography Business

How Much Do Instagram Ads For Photographers Cost?

infographic stating the cost of an Instagram ad depends on the number of impressions and engagement you are looking to gain

Depending on the plan you choose, online advertising on social media ranges between $0.20 to $6.70. Advertisers opting for CPC or cost-per-click usually end up paying $0.20 to $2 per click. While advertisers choosing CPM or cost-per-impressions pay $6.70 per 1000 impressions. For CPE or cost-per-engagement, advertisers pay $0.01 to $0.05 per engagement. 

Plus, Instagram ads offer a wide range of benefits, including –

  • Increased visibility and brand recognition.
  • Reach target audience. 
  • Highly effective at driving engagement with customers and building brand loyalty. 
  • Allows you to gain insights into the demographics of your target audience and track key metrics like click-through rates, impressions, and engagement.
  • Delivers higher conversion rates. 

Further Read: How To Create Social Media Ads To Book More Weddings

Overall, Instagram ads for photographers are an effective way to promote business and reach a larger audience. It offers the opportunity to reach more potential customers while staying within budget (depending on what type of ad you choose and the budget you set aside). While consistency is always key when it comes to social media marketing, sometimes, a little advertising can do wonders for your reach and engagement. And with these effective tips on how to create Instagram ads for your business, you can target your audience and get more clients! 

At ShootDotEdit, we are passionate about helping you grow your wedding photography business. A part of how we do that is by lessening your post-production workload with our professional photo editing services. To learn more about how we can help your wedding photography business, check out our pricing plans.

Read More

Creating A Successful Wedding Photography Rebranding Strategy

infographic blog banner on wedding photography rebranding

As a wedding photographer, your brand is not only a reflection of your business but also of your artistry and style. In an industry like this one, it’s crucial that you keep up with changing trends and evolve your business, making wedding photography rebranding a critical decision as well as a tricky process. But sometimes, it is the only solution your business requires. But what does rebranding actually involve? And how do you make sure it’s successful? In this blog post, we’ll look at some tips to help you build a successful wedding photography rebranding strategy. So let’s dive in!

 [···]
Read More

Tips to Manage Business Finance For Wedding Photographers

Tips to Manage Business Finance For Wedding Photographers

When you first made up your mind to become a professional wedding photographer, your passion for the craft could have been the primary reason behind it. And much as your wedding photography business depends on your creative vision and photography skills, managing finances is equally essential to keep the business running. Even if you’re not a numbers person and the thought of managing your business finances is overwhelming, there are strategies you could adopt to keep a check on the numbers while also maintaining your sanity as an entrepreneur. And in this blog, we take you through some of them. However, please remember that these are just basic tips. If you are looking for a financial plan for your wedding photography business, we’d highly recommend that you consult a professional. 

 [···]
Read More

Top 5 Things Successful Wedding Photographers Outsource

Top 5 Things Successful Wedding Photographers Outsource

When you are running a wedding photography business, besides shooting weddings, you may just have to focus on other aspects of the business. And while you may be a wedding photographer by profession, to run a successful wedding photography business, you will get yourself familiarized with the world of post-processing, printing, and marketing too. However, if you think that you can’t possibly have time for all of this as you continue to book more weddings and improve your portfolio, we have one word for you: Outsourcing! Not everything needs to be managed by you, and therefore, when you outsource to experts, you don’t need to be involved in every aspect of your business. If you are looking for some ideas to lessen your workload while growing your business, you have come to the right place. In this blog, we take you through some things that wedding photographers outsource.

 [···]
Read More

Staying Competitive in the Wedding Photography Market

Staying Competitive in the Wedding Photography Market

It’s tough to enter and make a place for yourself in the wedding photography industry. Especially when most pros in the wedding photography market are continuously looking for ways to be more creative and offer premium services. The competition keeps getting more challenging, and to survive and be successful, you need to keep coming up with innovative business strategies. Even if you have been in the industry for a long time, modifying your wedding photography business plan can help you keep up with the changing trends in the market. From offering something that makes you different from your local competitors to investing time and resources in marketing your business, in this blog, we offer some suggestions on how you can stay competitive in the wedding photography market and attract more clients.

 [···]
Read More

How to Get a Continuous Flow of Wedding Photography Leads

Infographic stating how to get a continuous flow of wedding photography leads

A wedding photographer’s job is not all about taking stunning photographs. It also involves constantly strategizing to attract new clients and book more weddings. With the growing number of wedding photographers and challenges, it is harder to achieve success in the wedding photography business. And one of these challenges is getting a continuous flow of wedding photography leads. Even though it may be difficult sometimes – whether you are a beginner or an established wedding photographer – generating new leads is essential for your business to survive. And to do that, you need a systematic approach that can help your wedding photography grow and sustain that growth. In this blog, we offer you some of the best ways to convert new leads into new clients!

 [···]
Read More

When And How To Grow Your Wedding Photography Business

When And How To Grow Your Wedding Photography Business

Have you been photographing weddings for a while now? Do you know the ins and outs of wedding photography? Do you think you have gained enough experience to take your wedding photography business to the next level? If your answer to all these questions is yes, then it might just be time for you to grow your wedding photography business. Figuring out the right time to take your business to the next level is not easy, even if your instinct tells you that you are ready. Your experience, business plan, and skills at running a business all have a role to play in this decision. So, before you think of making any changes, you may want to take a look at where you stand currently. In this blog, we take you through some crucial steps that will help you determine if you are ready to level up your photography business.  

 [···]
Read More