Haha!! Now I see it sounds like a trick question but I was genuinely curious! 🤣🤣 yeah having a plan for your content and marketing is going to help a lot. I have a bunch of videos about marketing here too! I also have a free marketing class linked here on my RUclips page about marketing -
Just found your channel! I don’t do weddings but these tips are so applicable to other areas of photo and even video work! I think I overanalyzed how to get that visibility in the past so I appreciate the advice!
This weekend I did my third wedding and the first of the year, I am so happy and ready to do more, your videos help me so much Joy 🙌🏻 thanks for your valuable content and for inspiring photographers
That’s a good question . I started with friends and family for free and now they think every time should be free . Nope ! So I’m struggling now to tell them I’m not free.
Such a good question!! You’ll have to decide who (if anyone) you will do free sessions for. My siblings for example don’t have to pay me- but I expect my friends to respect my business and that starts with how I respond when they want photos. Treat their request like an inquiry from a stranger. Move to email (not text) and send your pricing guide as usual 🙌🏼☺️ not everyone will book you of course but you have to draw that line for yourself as it makes sense in your own business
@@Joymichelle Thank you so much for your tips! It's definitely a difficult topic to talk about in the photography industry! I love my friends but at the same time I need to be able to support myself for a living.
Trang Nguyen and the thing is my friend sorta put me on .she let me start my portfolio with her and her family and now she’s asking for more work for free . I’m like you this is my living I can’t do free work anymore .
Moved across the country where no friends and family are so that’s my main issue. Did some free shoots when we got here and have gained some so that’s good. I’m just trying to chug along haha
I have an issue with being "present" on Instagram and FB. I ned to take the time like you suggest to add weekly. Do you add once a week or more than that? And, if you do seniors, lifestyle, and are TRYING to get into weddings, how do you look consistent in your posts? I feel like they will look at mine and just see "senior". I've trued reaching out to other local photographers, but no one wants to "help"-even of I offer my services for FREE! Ugh. Kind of disheartening... BY THE WAY-Thanks for your great videos! They are most helpful! :)
Regina, this is such a good question about shooting multiple genres of photography. It’s actually a video topic I have coming out here in April 🎉🎉🎉 stay tuned!!
And to answer your question of frequency of posting...When I’m on top of my Instagram feed I like to post 2-3 times a week but those can be 1 feed post and 1 reel and 1 IGTV. So def vary your content
This is super helpful! I’m just starting out and have been scheduling a couple of free shoots to build my portfolio. How many free shoots do you recommend doing before I start charging money?
Good question, Stacy! ☺️ This comes down to portfolio and experience. Do as many as you need to both gain the portfolio you need to attract paying clients, and gain the experience so that you can confidently produce consistent work for that paying client. This looks different for every photog :) In the meantime, Leverage free shoots by getting testimonials and share share share on social! What kind of photography are you focusing on?
Great advice thank you! I’ve had friends of friends ask what my rate is, but I don’t feel comfortable charging just yet until I’ve had more practice. I’m focusing on portrait photography - the sessions I have lined up are college senior graduation photos!
*Ready to find clients?* Grab the guide I mentioned here: learn.joymichellephotography.com/6-ways-to-wedding-clients
My problem is the issue of trust and visibility, what I need to be doing everyday to be sure I'm on the right track.
Found you through a search and this video is SO relevant to me right now. I think we have a visibility problem!
Hey Joe! So glad you found this channel. Thanks for sharing - Now that you have identified it, what’s your next step? :)
@@Joymichelle Get out a piece of paper and write it out like you said! Hah.
Haha!! Now I see it sounds like a trick question but I was genuinely curious! 🤣🤣 yeah having a plan for your content and marketing is going to help a lot. I have a bunch of videos about marketing here too! I also have a free marketing class linked here on my RUclips page about marketing -
Great information as always thanks
Thank you ☺️☺️
Just found your channel! I don’t do weddings but these tips are so applicable to other areas of photo and even video work! I think I overanalyzed how to get that visibility in the past so I appreciate the advice!
woohoo!! 🎉 welcome!!
This weekend I did my third wedding and the first of the year, I am so happy and ready to do more, your videos help me so much Joy 🙌🏻 thanks for your valuable content and for inspiring photographers
Way to go Tere!! That’s incredible. How did your wedding go this past weekend?
@@Joymichelle It went great thanks Joy, the bride was so happy with her photos.
“Can I buy candles here?” 🤣🤣 Great video loved it!!
hahah glad you appreciated that! thanks for watching
How to respond appropriately to friends or even co-friends for discounts? What is your suggestion? To negotiate or not negotiate?
That’s a good question . I started with friends and family for free and now they think every time should be free . Nope ! So I’m struggling now to tell them I’m not free.
Such a good question!! You’ll have to decide who (if anyone) you will do free sessions for. My siblings for example don’t have to pay me- but I expect my friends to respect my business and that starts with how I respond when they want photos. Treat their request like
an inquiry from a stranger. Move to email (not text) and send your pricing guide as usual 🙌🏼☺️ not everyone will book you of course but you have to draw that line for yourself as it makes sense in your own business
@@angelica7588 So relatable!
@@Joymichelle Thank you so much for your tips! It's definitely a difficult topic to talk about in the photography industry! I love my friends but at the same time I need to be able to support myself for a living.
Trang Nguyen and the thing is my friend sorta put me on .she let me start my portfolio with her and her family and now she’s asking for more work for free . I’m like you this is my living I can’t do free work anymore .
Moved across the country where no friends and family are so that’s my main issue. Did some free shoots when we got here and have gained some so that’s good. I’m just trying to chug along haha
Jaclyn, are you posting your portfolio to your social media platforms ? That’s awesome that you did some free shoots!
@@Joymichelle I do!
That’s great. Moving a photography business is not easy! Cheering for you!
@@Joymichelle thank you so much! I joined your fb group and I’m loving it! Such a positive and encouraging group ♥️
Woooh! Yeah it’s serious the BEST group!
Great video!
Thanks so much!
Also, if I do multiple types of photography, what is the best way to communicate this on social media without confusing people?
Here’s my answer to that ruclips.net/video/bZWRGCIo50w/видео.html
I have an issue with being "present" on Instagram and FB. I ned to take the time like you suggest to add weekly. Do you add once a week or more than that? And, if you do seniors, lifestyle, and are TRYING to get into weddings, how do you look consistent in your posts? I feel like they will look at mine and just see "senior". I've trued reaching out to other local photographers, but no one wants to "help"-even of I offer my services for FREE! Ugh. Kind of disheartening...
BY THE WAY-Thanks for your great videos! They are most helpful! :)
Regina, this is such a good question about shooting multiple genres of photography. It’s actually a video topic I have coming out here in April 🎉🎉🎉 stay tuned!!
And to answer your question of frequency of posting...When I’m on top of my Instagram feed I like to post 2-3 times a week but those can be 1 feed post and 1 reel and 1 IGTV. So def vary your content
@@Joymichelle Thank you so much!
This is super helpful! I’m just starting out and have been scheduling a couple of free shoots to build my portfolio. How many free shoots do you recommend doing before I start charging money?
Good question, Stacy! ☺️ This comes down to portfolio and experience. Do as many as you need to both gain the portfolio you need to attract paying clients, and gain the experience so that you can confidently produce consistent work for that paying client. This looks different for every photog :)
In the meantime, Leverage free shoots by getting testimonials and share share share on social!
What kind of photography are you focusing on?
Great advice thank you! I’ve had friends of friends ask what my rate is, but I don’t feel comfortable charging just yet until I’ve had more practice.
I’m focusing on portrait photography - the sessions I have lined up are college senior graduation photos!
Free shoots are amazing and I def started out fir free - just be SURE to use a contract alwayssssss forever amen 🤣