So yeah, how many would you say that I should have booked by now. I have no idea, but I would think I should have more. (only 4 right now)...

This year is mostly full and I think I only had one booking last year at this time, but I was expecting 2008 to be a much bigger hit. My stuff is above average for my market IMO, and I am priced about average.

I don't really want to get into, or have this turn into my marketing strategy, but I will say that it hasn't been all that aggressive, but not passive either.

My meetings go well, and the only ones who usually walk are price shoppers.

I just got scared b/c I saw a thread where the guy has 19 or 20 booked already and thats all he needs. Last year Jan. & Feb. were the biggest booking months for me, should I expect the same trend again? Am I screwed and need to find a new job?! :-)

-Dan

Hey Dan...

I only have one right now... I think it's kind of the slow season right now for booking. It will pick back up in the fall. That's what happened last year.

I'm at 9 with 3 in negotiations. I know that in my area, most brides book 6-8 months in advance, so I'm ahead of schedule, which is due to 6 of the 9 bookings coming from metropolitan areas outside of my local market where most brides book 10-12 months in advance. I only take 30 per year, so I'm in a great spot with so much time left. When I was underpriced, I had over 15 bookings at this point in previous years - right now I may still be slightly underpriced for the metropolitan areas, but my local brides are stretching their budget to have me, so it's all relative.

If you only had 1 last year at this point and now you have 4 - than I'd say you're doing really well. Definitely an improvement over last year, right!? I'm also a fan of spreading out the love so that I have some income streaming in during the winter months rather than booking everything too far in advance.

I've got two definite bookings so far and two more that I'm waiting to receive retainers on. I think that's great for me at this point in my career (this month is my one-year anniversary of shooting weddings as a primary photog instead of as a second). But I agree that it's just a slow booking season right now, and it will probably pick up a lot in the fall.

I'm at a whopping zero and none on my own the rest of the 2007 year, which is turning into a source of frustration for me. The last several people who have seemed really interested in me flaked out, and I get hits on my site with inquiries once in a blue moon, leading me to wonder what I'm doing wrong, but that's another topic in itself lol

13 booked for 08 at the moment, and three client meetings over the next week. Time to raise prices again?

I've booked 9 for 2008 and have FIVE meetings this week with prospects. I'm still relatively cheap, though (half of those booked my lowest package at $1950).

I can't compare this to last year, since I did my first wedding last year in August (almost my one year anniversary!) I ended up booking almost 40 weddings in my first year (!!!!) so I'm hoping 2008 picks up in the next few months.

I'm still booking '07 weddings, too. I booked one two weeks ago for next Saturday and have a meeting this weekend for someone getting married in November of this year. I like those last minute shoppers

Pretty much the same here. I have 1 booked for next year, with about 15 "flaky" leads from the past bridal show. I still have 4 to go in August, and one in October for this year.

I have just come to the conclusion that it will take some time for my name to get around. I would rather get a part time job, then drop my prices to $500 a wedding just to book them. I'd rather wait until the name gets out, and those second generation referrals start coming in. The pet portrait aspect of the business, however, is taking off like crazy! I tell you what, pet owners looooooooove custom album designs!

Maybe you found your niche?


eta* I have 1 booked for next august.
My starting rate is $5k now, so I don't think I'll book up like I did last year this time.
Oh, and I am getting hardly any inquiries (I am listed on the Knot) and I guess knotties don't want to start at $5k in my area.

... that's okay - I still have about 16 weddings left for this year

We've just booked our first 2008 Wedding..

We've now done 8 weddings in 07, and only really planned for 3.

I'm hoping my pet stuff takes off soon too, yesterday I dropped off a bunch of cards and coupons (for 1/2 canvas prints) at my vet and hope I start getting clients from there, in addition to a pet boutique that I'm giving a canvas print to. I really enjoy documenting weddings, but I also find a lot of joy working with animals.

I've got one booked for 2008, and one that I'm waiting on the retainer. 2008 will be my first real season though. It's good to know that I'm not the only one in the Empty Calendar Club.

Hmm, we started this past December. So far, we have one booked for 2008 (we had two, but one changed their date to 2007). Our goal is to book 30 next year. I'm still waiting just a tiny bit for word of mouth to start. But, hey, I have a few other tricks up my sleeve.

Sounds like you are doing just fine though. I was wondering the same thing myself - wondering if I should have booked 10 by now if I want to book 30 total next year. I've a feeling we will reach our goal.

Best of luck - sounds like you're fine!

+ 1!

Big Fat Zero. I try not to take it personally

Count me in the ZERO booked group. lol I'm still waiting for word of mouth to kick in...and stick. The only referrals I've gotten are from my back in the day $750 weddings, and my prices have more than doubled since then, so I'm out of that bracket. (Although that is a good thing!) I know it'll come and things have slowly been picking up lately, but it's just a little frustrating waiting for it!

I've got 6 booked so far for 2008. I just shot my first wedding last October and have booked 23 weddings this year, so I feel like I'm off to a great start!!

We've booked 12 so far for 2008.

What kind of water do you drink?

Heck yeah, you're off to a great start! You and me, girl, we're gonna take over Austin!

Girl, don't you even! What about me?!?!?!?! Don't drink haterade!



Having said that, I have 8 contracts for next year and feelin good.

OOPS! I meant you and me and Fred are gonna take over Austin

Haterade!

Johnny, you might be right. I have been thinking for a while now on completely swithcing over into pet PJ..specializing so to speak.

Phil, get your best pet shot....and I mean that....holy crappity wow pet shot.....frame it, and give it to the vet as a gift with your business name engraved on a little plate on the frame. You can get the frame and print for $50 from MPEX....20x30. The print on the same paper as Pictage, as well as color correcting the files.....bomb diggity yo.

Good luck...and remember.......never dress them in funny costumes! Lol.....

we have 5 booked for 2008 - we are approaching our first year anniversary in business and our goal is 30-35 weddings for '08 so we are SLOWLY getting there

i only have 5 and 2 on the fence.

I would be at a whopping 1 solid contract for next year. I have a couple friends getting married next year that I know are gonna book eventually, but aren't there yet. And 1 other that just contacted me this week by a refferal from this year.

Heck I'm still meeting with September brides for this year! Crazy procrastinating people

I am at a big fat zero too. I am not getting discouraged though, I just moved back to my area at the end of April and I have already done one wedding on my own and have another booked for Nov. I have also second shot for a few photogs.
I am praying that 08 will be my year!!!

DAMN!!!!!!!

count me on the zero too...
I need to know your guys secret .

I am meeting today a men that owns a banquet hall hope we can push my photography with his client. I am a bit nervous but i think it will be just fine.
I will let you know how it went.

gloria

www.gloriamesa.com

LOL!



Only 5 here so far.. but more people are creeping up into the higher packages so I am feeling good

We have 15, and a few more possibles. We hope to be booked for 2008 by the end of the year...

I posted the first thread about this...and I'm up to 8 bookings in 2008 now.
I'm feeling much better about this, but overall, I know I had more bookings for 2007 at this time last year.
I think that this year in general, people are just more relaxed about their bookings. I'm sure in the end, you will have as many as you did last year.

Wow, makes me feel a little better to know i'm not the only one who hasn't booked up yet.

I have 8 weddings so far, 3 in the works and 2 meetings next week. I'm hoping to get at least 30 weddings for 2008.

5 for sure. Waiting on a contract and retainer for number 6.

I have 3 for 08 so far,but I hardly market for weddings. I plan on doing a bridal show in October and will market hard after that.

5 so far for 08. I am happy since I have officially been in business for only 6 months. My goal is 25 for 08.

We're up to 24 booked and signed... another couple meetings in the next week or so... and I know some of you will go to the site look at my prices and say I'm not charging enough I know I know I know hehehe, we're increasing at the end of this month

i'm at a lowly 7 now. hopefully it'll pick up after wedding season. *fingers crossed*

Dude, your packages make me want to throw up.

Charge at least double. I have no idea how you make a profit from those prices!@ What, do you make like $1.50 an hour? Someone needs to beat some sense in to you!

LOL!!

Actually counting shooting time we spend about 25 hours per wedding, I edit like a spead demon, plus I work as a freelance graphic designer/video editor/web design guy/print design and Jess (wife / second shooter) works as well...sooooo yeah hehehe.