Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I've noticed from my area that bookings seem to be less and harder to get.

I think there is a whole new group of newbie wedding photographers who actually are doing something else during the week and then head out to weekend snap a wedding for much less than what we would do it for.

So more competition that work for less and deliver less plus an economy that is tanking .......

What is happening in your area?

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

It's hard to put a finger on the reasons when bookings decline. Who knows? Times change, people change, traditions change, and there are probably thousands of reasons.

In my own case, I first look introspectively at myself and my business to see if I am falling down on the promotional part of my job, if my offerings are out of date or frankly speaking, if I am just too old and ugly and the brides just don't' want some old geezer (me) shooting their wedding regardless of my quality or style. There's a lot of ageism out there! I ain't joking!

If my internal "investigation" does not reveal any significant cause then I can look externally for the issues. Even then, it's hard to place blame or diagnose the problem.

I have heard many wedding photographers complain about a long list of what they perceive as problematic: Downturns in the local economy, job losses, a whole bunch of folks are just shackin' up and not getting married (common-law kinda thing), people scaling down their wedding plans and really going on the cheap, some folks just don't consider their wedding photography as a priority, low ball competition, folks who don't understand the difference between good and bad photography, that is, until their inept shooter messes up and much more- I can write a book! Many younger people are walking away fro organized religion and traditional weddings and everything that goes with them, for those folks, are things of the past.

People are marrying later in life than they used to and the parents are gone or don't get in on traditional planning and the couple has to foot all the bills for the wedding without any additional financial support.

I also like to network with the other vendors and wedding service people- sometimes the entire industry is slowing down- just a sign of the times- it may be temporary.

I am now talking to brides and grooms where I had photographed the parents weddings, some of them like that idea and some will have nothing to do with anything their parents like- it's a generation gap thing.

I wish I could do better and help more. Theses are just observations I have made and what I hear from my cohorts and colleagues locally and in other locations in the U.S. and Canada!

Generally, the ones that are promoting hard are doing better.

I hope things pick up for you soon!

Ed

Bobbee

Welcome to the new world.

superpijak Loc: Middle TN

I wonder if you're feeling the impact of shifting dynamics of our society. The last three jobs I landed were agreed to "on line" and in two of the three cases I met with the client for the first time at the scheduled shoot time. Had to leave sufficient time to sign off on the contract before the shoot to avoid any misunderstandings. Personally I don't care for this method, but it is what I see happening.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Just seems sluggish ........... usually by now we have filled 60% of our schedule but it's more like 20%

This is the first year it's been like this for us ......... of course I'm talking primarily video.

dnathan

All of the above comments are true. I think that today "good enough" is good enough for most. After all we pros can't make phone calls with our pro equipment.

Bobbee

So, to add to my comment. Over and down here in 'it's always sunny in Tampa'. Most people JUST don't want to spend money on photography. Look at the internet and facebook. People have become accustom to crappy cell phone pictures from cell phone. So their expectation have dropped and people are also realizing that BIG weddings are not what they are cracked up to be. I am having this argument with my oldest daughter right now. She wants small, her being our first, and paying for it, we want decent to substantial. I mean she does not even want a DJ and wants to do a internet type play list. SO what I have seen for many, many years is you do it for less or you don't do it at all. I have mentioned this many times and I find it OH SO TRUE. "What is the difference between a pizza and a photographer? You can feed a family of 4 with a pizza!"

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Thanks for the input Bobbee, just want to make sure it's not us. We market well and our prices are good for what we deliver. I live in a collage town so I'm thinking of driving Uber and pass out cards to the ladies as they are out for the evening. Another marketing ploy :)

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I am not a big fan of total Internet shopping; to me, it's a sign of consumer laziness. I know people who even order their groceries online, oftentimes pay too much for them and the complain about the quality. What's worse, this kind of things that takes the personal contact out of life- way too impersonal for me.

Think about it- traditionally, back in the day, we used to sit with our wedding couples and make detailed plans, go over fine details to avoid misunderstandings and most importantly, get to know one and other! Even with all those preparations, occasionally many of those plans "went south" and at the actual wedding, some folks become uncooperative, turn up late and turn our jobs into a protracted game of cat and mouse. I unequivocally feel that not meeting with the couple face to face and working things out, well in advance, is really inviting "disaster" and unnecessary aggravation!

At least, it indicates to me that the client is not all that interested in their photographer and that affects our relationship and performance on the job and limits the sales potential that should accompany out hard work.

I certainly don't mind initial contacts coming in through the Internet or any other form of advertising but once booking time happens, I insist on at least one in person healthy planning session! My clients have no problems with that- it goes to their benefit.

Another thing- Some photographers are attempting to shoot video sequences with their still camera that have some limited video capabilities. I think that is patently and totally ridiculous! I believe a good video has to be made by an experienced videographer who will concentrate on his speciality and not have to be concerned or distracted by having to do two completely different jobs at once and the same goes for the stills photographer! Furthermore, I have a list of videographers who I trust, do great work and know how to work with me so that we can create a real team effort. I simply will not work with crews I don't know. If the client prefers, I will bring in the video crew for them. I take no commissions- I want the videographers to be well paid and happy in their work. I explain to the clients that our recommended videographers shoot in a Cinema Verite style, that is, a documentary style that is not a redundant duplication of the still photography and we never get in each other's way because we know how to anticipate each other's movements and work accordingly.

We can have enough trouble contending with the "cell phone paparazzi" so I don't need an inexperienced klutz of an amateur or boorish video person jumping or falling in front of me at every opportunity. Oh- this happens! One thing I can boast about is that we get many recommendation from folks who simply like the way we work at weddings in a smooth, efficient and unobtrusive manner.

So...I have pointed out what I believe is causing some downturns in the business but I truly believe that there is still hope for the photographers who are "kinda" aggressively promoting themselves, actively networking and most importantly, garnering a reputation for fine work and great service. Sometimes it's just a matter of "getting out there"!

Ed

Bobbee

Yes, things have changed.....everything you described is the way it is today laziness or over extended schedules, but people don't have or want to spend time with vendors. One either adapts or dies.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Ed, you've been doing this for a long time and have a referral base that is huge. Most of us are not so blessed and Bobbee is spot on, times have changed and adapting to this new environment is a must for survival, well for most of us.

This is where it gets tough as most of us take pride in our work but the shoot and burn photographer is there for the buck. The shoot and burn photographer along with the cell phone craze has brought the level of what is acceptable way down, heck, my stuff is considered first rate stuff now 8-)

I've decided on a high breed package. Shoot 1000 - 1200 pictures in jpeg so 90% of the standard enhancements are done. Then pick out the best 300 - 400 and do a quick crop. Then pick the top 100 and do a bit more editing and upload those to a gallery on-line. Send the 400 to them on a thumb drive. This is my compromise but I'll know what actually goes to a gallery (100 photos) and shared and/or made into an album are good quality photos.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Well- I am the last guy to tell anyone how to run their business, especially if I have no idea what the real buying habits, socioeconomic conditions or traditions are like in anyone else's geographic location or business environment.

In my own case, long ago after many hard experiences, I decided that I want to be the "exclusive" wedding a portrait photographer in my area! Now, what does "exclusive" mean, at least, to me? I don't consider that word to mean snobbishness, looking into my potential clients' "wallets" before I serve them, or put myself on some kind of a "pedestal"!

The word "exclusive" comes from the "exclude" and all I want to do is exclude all the nonsense that makes my job into a tedious, boring, difficult and thankless drag that prevents me from doing my best work for all my clients. I decided I want to be a trendsetter rather than a trend follower and that has been my mindset for a very long time.

Financially speaking, I would rather do 1 job for $7,000 each than 10 jobs for $700 each! Some of my books are for smaller packages but they are fun, easy going, creative and still profitable.

I can tell you that not all of my customer are well-to-do millionaires or captains of industry. Many are hard working regular folks who just want personal attention, artful work, and great service. Not all on my wedding are outrageous extravaganzas! Some are in fire halls, legion halls, modest catering establishments and back yards

I do not want to preach or "pump sunshine..." but why do so many photographer suffer from some kinda inferiority complex or what's worse, a form of mechanism!

Look! Any plumber, electrician or contractor, worth their salt, won't take on a job without meeting with their clients and assessing the job and creating a close estimate or a fixed contract. Around here, and many other places, you can't even register with a family doctor without a "meet and greet" session- if you get sick and randomly call a neighborhood physician, the receptionist well send you off the-the ER!

OK- we don't deal in life or death situations but are we not "professionals"!

My experience is that people who can't or won't take the time out to come in and spend an hour with you and are so very stressed and overextended that the have "no time", usually become problematic customers. When you show up to do the job they will have "no time" to pose for a few formals, "no time" to be" on time and afterward, have "no time" to select their photographs and complete their order in a timely fashion. Worst of all the will have "no time" to sit down and write you a check!

I am sure y'all can bet you butts that some of theses clients will sit down with their caterers, gown makers, florists, formal wear people (after all the have to be measured and fitted) so why are we not able to measure and fit our services to their needs as well and make out jobs a bit easier! As the say on TV sitcoms; "what are we, chopped liver"? Yes! The have "no time" to visit their photographer in advance but have all the time in the world to complain after sometimes sabotaging the work of the own good photographer.

Perhaps the are paying all theses other vendors "good money" and want to maximize the value of their investments. Perhaps again, the are paying their photographers a pittance and couldn't give a rat's tail about their results, that is, until the see the bad results from their cut-rate photographer! Then, of course, the scream to high heaven, call the BBB, write to the newspapers and TV consumer advocate folks, launch lawsuits, and/or go on some "Judge Judy" kinda TV show and give all wedding shooter a bad rap! Oh- all of theses things happened, I did not make them up!

I am not a reactionary person and I do like the great technology of the Internet, the information highway, the efficiency of Email and the usefulness of social media! But I really can't relate to folks who conduct their entire lives on their computers, walk around with their "devices" virtually strapped to theIr heads- they walk into walls and poles, dart into traffic, crash through glass and text while they drive- how dumb is all of that?

To me, texting at the dinner table is the height of rudeness and is probably one of the underlying causes of family breakdown- folks don't talk to each other anymore! It may seem old fashioned and picayune of me to say theses things but theses bad habits and attitudes reflect a disregard and disrespect that carries over to how theses folks treat others in family matters, business dealings and life in general! There are lots of folks that know better and behave respectfully.

Want plain talk? How can anyone, with a modicum of consumer savvy, hire a wedding photographer without seeing their pictures up close and personal, looking through their albums, smelling the leather and most importantly making friends with the person who they entrust with commemorating and interpreting their great event and is going to be at their wedding celebration all day long? Beats the heck out of me! Well, that is, unless the just don't care!

Ed

Bobbee

I seriously don't 'think' I have ever done an engagement without meeting the client. I know this is done with the 'machine' studios that send some guy to the event on that day. That is not an option. the meet and greet is important. there is no endless supply of Crackerbarrel's in my area where we sit for breakfast and do the exchange. I did two last weekend and I have one next weekend.

I work full time in bleeding edge technology. My whole life is about change while running. I do not have the option to be nostalgic. That has it's good points and it's bad. But it does allow me to meet this new world on it's grounds and terms. Even occasionally, with a smile on my face!! LOL

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Ah ............. now Ed, you live in a city of 1,000,000 people, a bit easier to meet than in my area. I cover 225 miles, Santa Barbara - Salinas. In those 225 miles there are around 750,000 - 800,000 people. Meeting someone for an hour in reality can be an all day event, something one can't do for a 'possible' job.

Keep in mind we now have Facetime, an alternative to meeting in person. I would say 5% of the jobs we've done over the years (around 250) we will meet with the potential clients. In our case we live close to where many weddings are held but the client is way far away, many times from other states but typically a 2 - 3 hour drive. We offer to meet them if they are in town checking out the facility or meeting other vendors but typically they have no problem foregoing the meet up as they would need to drive over.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I started off my career in the New York City metropolitan area. The service area included the five boroughs of the city, Long Island, that is Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Westchester county to the north and nearby New Jersy, Connection and in the resort areas of the Catskill Mountains. I used to do a raft of weddings at the Military Academy at West Point- after graduation. half the cadets got married in the multi-faith chapel on the grounds of the school. All combined we are talking about perhaps a population of over 12 Million people- and that's back in the day! Nowadays it's more!

We did have studios that were kinda "wedding factories" some did as many as 2000 wedding per year but there was a decent talent pool in the area, enough talented and well-trained photographers to accommodate the workload and theses studios employed enough customer service consultants to address planning. We did not just dispatch "some guy" to do weddings. If we did not carefully plan with clients there, with that kind of volume, there would be utter chaos.

I was traveling so much, so far and so frequently that I pondered the thought of living in my car to save money on rent

Just because I am an "old" photographer does not mean that I live in the past and drown my thinking in nostalgia. Nostalgia should not necessary be confused with experience. I make it my business to keep up with current trends and technologies but want to drive technology into the areas where I need it but not allow the technology to drive me.

Believe me, I don't lament the passing of the film era, nor do I long for the toxic chemical darkroom where I did spend many an hour and did learn allot- but I certainly don't miss it.

Again, I don't want to tell anyone how to run their business. I used to attend lots of seminars and workshops given by very successful photographers and paid good money for the education. I did not always agree with everything they taught and certainly agreed with a great deal of what they were professing. The important thing is that I was able to examine a wide variety of ideas, methods and philosophies and combine theses elements to suit my purposes and create my own policies and methods.

When I was working on my association credentials, I was required to give classes and workshops to earn my service points. Later on, I was paid to present master classes and seminars. At the end of many of theses classes, the students and participants thanked me profusely for the information and the "entertainment" but confided in me that my methods would never work inTHEIR town! Others eventually came back for another session and said that my teachings had changed their lives and their businesses were thriving. The way I look at it now, here on the forum, whatever I write is merely food for thought and if a modicum of it helps or inspires just one person, I am a happy camper.

Ed