I am a wedding photographer working from home, do you think if I open a shop would i attract more customers?

i agree with chicky!

oh and create a myspace page, and advertise in the classifieds there too

additionally don't forget to post on craigslist under services. that's how i found one of my photographers.
you can even give them a discount if they mention they found you on c/l... like 5% off or $50 off x package or $100 off b package

i do think you should hit up some trade shows and expos.
also leave business cards at dress shops, dry cleaners, florists and bakeries!

put a magnetic sign on your vehicle or a decal on the back window of your vechicle too

You may want to team up with another wedding vendor, such as a planner or flowers, and share office space. Basically you would make the office by appointment only and use that to meet clients. I don't have a problem visiting a photographers home, but my fiance didn't want to book one person we were looking at because he worked from his home. He just felt like it was weird. I told him it is common, but he still was uncomfortable with the idea. Also, do you really want random people coming out to your home?

Only that one photographer we met worked from his home. Yes, he did have an office area set up, but fiance was still uncomfortable. The rest had office space. Some shared with other businesses, but they didn't promote using the other vendor they shared with (flower, invitations, etc). They were just sharing space divided by a wall that went mid-way across the room.

Not necessarily. If in your home, you have a nice little office and place where you can show samples of your work, that will do nicely. Decorate it just like you would any other office-- professional, clean, minimal.
If you cant do this in your home, then I think you should have an office. But it wont necessarily attract more customers.

Having a good website is very important. Most brides start their wedding planning from the internet. So, you need lots of networking. Get your name & website address on the list of Recommended Vendors at venues. Get your link on wedding planning websites. And of course, do local advertising.

Wedding photography is not the kind of business that is looking for "walk-in" customers. So a shop wont necessarily help.

I agree, if you work from home you are definitely able to keep your costs down. If you get a shop or store front, you will have to pay rent. Plus utilities (electric, water, etc.) and furniture will be added to the tab. I currently work from home and will only need an office once I need to hire more than 1 or 2 other employees.

Also, when you work from home, you can go meet with clients, they don't have to come to your home. This is beneficial to them because it shows them you are willing to go the extra mile for them. Additionally, it helps you because if you happen to go to their home, you can see them in their element, therefore understanding their style better and then you are able to offer your best service to suit their needs and desires. you won't have to guess on what they want their photos to look like.

I would recommend getting a website (if you don't have one already, let me know, that's what I do, and I can send samples if you are interested!) and beef-ing up you collateral (i.e. business cards, flyers, postcards, etc).

Maybe putting some money together and getting a booth at a wedding expo or bridal show.

Also, if there is a local publication for weddings (like a local magazine) check into that as well.

Network with local wedding shops. Take a book of your work in with you when you talk to wedding shops and a handful of business cards. Work out a fair trade agreement before you go networking though... you might be able to trade for customer leads. Maybe you could shoot some freebies for the wedding shops in exchange for some customer referrals.

Good luck!

that wouldn't attract me as a customer these things may ...

advertise in the bridal magazines
a good website that gets updated regularly ... i do not trust a photographer with a bad website if you can't spend a fortune on a good website rather put your stuff up on flickr and keep it nicely organised

some things that i considered when picking my photographer ...
how many hours they will spend at the wedding?
how long after the wedding will i have my pictures?
will i get a copy of all shots taken on the day? there is normally an extra charge for this
if there will be a second photographer
and if one of the photographers will be with me on the day when i get ready for the wedding

once they ticked all these boxes i really didn't even look at the price!!

From my experience, it is easier to work from home. I don't have to charge high prices to maintain a studio. Also I usually meet my clients at their house, or a place of common interest. That way they feel more comfortable. I realize if you had a shop it probably would draw more customers, but it probably wouldn't make up for the cost to maintain it. That being said, I also agree with what someone else mentioned. Your quality of work if far more important than where you work.

Working out of your home is ideal. Your professionalism and quality of work is what will attract customers..not your overhead.

Have a really professional looking web-site and update it often. (if you dont have one already)

Keep your deadlines and commitments.

Always try to apease the customer.

Believe me, word of mouth through referals will go a long way.

Good Luck!

Nah, I think that you working at home is fine as long as you have a nice professional area where you can meet with clients.. Most photographers only have shops because they want space for a studio and since you do weddings you dont really need that... Also, as a client, I would feel much more comfortable going to someones home...

Working from home you are able to keep your prices low. If you open a shop you will have to raise prices to cover the over-head.

I would suggest continuing to work from home and keeping your prices lower. Start a website, advertise in the phone book, post flyers, etc.. to attract new clients.

maybe but there are other, cheaper ways.


make up web banners, make a myspace or use other social networking sites, make cards of pictures and other flyer and leave them at local businesses..
my aunt is a photographer and these all work for her.

Stay working from home.
Put an eye catching advertisment in the Yellow Pages. There is a wedding section in the Yellow Pages (well in my town anyway) and that is where I looked when I wanted to find a photographer.

it depends, my dear. you see, I am a southern girl, and my daddy would never allow me to visit a man in his home, so i would never seek your sevices. It is more proper to work out of an office or store. Us southern girls are not loose, you know. We do have our morals.

No, i think its all in how you advertise. I would spend the money to attend bridal shows and get your work out there instead. You will just need to be creative to find places to shoot bridal sittings.

Yes I think people would be more likely to come to a shop opposed to your residence. They might feel guarded coming to your residence but at a store, they could feel more comfortable.