I have used search and couldn't find any specific topics related to this. There is a bridal show this weekend in our area and wanted to know what be the proper way to scope it out.

Should we even go?
Should we just book for January's show and humm a few bars and fake it?

I would like to approach this from a non sneaky way, non threatening way.

Is there even a good way to go about this?

Maybe we could offer a few local photogs dinner and chat with them about the biz.

Thanks for any help people.

I'll assume you're thinking of exhibiting at this show the next time it comes around.

Call the organizers and see if you can come through to see what kind of a show they run. Let them know that you're considering being an exhibitor next time, but want to see what kind of show it is.

They'll probably suggest a time for you to show... and offer to escort you around (maybe - depends on staffing).

Do and Don'ts:

Don't take more than a few business cards... a couple to give to the show organizers to prove who you are, and a few to give out to fellow photographers you happen to meet.

Don't interrupt anyone working with a potential client. They've paid to exhibit at the show... so they get to meet the brides. You can meet the brides when you exhibit, but not this time.

Do introduce yourself to other photogs and hand them your card so they know who you are. If they're friendly and professional, ask if you can email or call in a few weeks to see how the show worked for them.

Don't hog anyone's time. They're there to sell their services!

Do go at a slow attendance time. For most shows, that will be 1 to 2 hours before they close.

hey Adam. A friend and I went to a bham show a couple yrs ago. We were surprised at the number of photogs there and the number of albums they had. A lot of ppl had traditional albums but quite a few were displaying the graphi sample kit too.

One more don't:

don't try to pass your cards out to the brides... that's cheating, and you may be blackballed from the show permanently.

I've kind of been wondering the same thing. I've never been to a bridal show - ever. Not even when I was planning my own wedding. I mostly want to go just to see what it's like... if I'm really impressed I may consider exhibiting.

We have gone to a few and my wife registers like a bride and we just go and walk around. I do not approach any brides and if we know some of the photographers at the show we will stop an chat if they are not busy to see what they think of the show.

Another benefit to this is you get ont eh mailing list to see if your competition is doing any post show follow up. I find most photographers do not do any kind of after show follow up with the provided list. We always send e-mails to all brides and are considering a mailer.

I think it is a great idea to go on your own before you do a show. We have scoped out a few shows that we thought about doing but after going to them decided they would be a waste of time and money.

what's the big deal with going to check it out? why can't you just go as a spectator and check it out? that is what i am doing - i was too late to get into several of the shows i wanted to do this year so i am going to go and cehck them out and see if they are indeed worth the humongous bucks they want me to pay thyem.

Well... if there's a fee to get in, as a potential vendor exhibitor, you don't have to pay that.

And, it's common courtesy to let them know you're not really a bride and/or groom seeking services.

This is an interesting topic... and I can see another OSPer posting this winter in the midst of the bridal fairs, how unfair it is that photogs came through, posing as B&G and now I'm paying to mail them my marketing materials!!!!!!

Reverse the situation, if your business were to sell marketing space (eg bridal fair booth space) would you like to know when potential exhibitors walk through.

Also, we're in a friendly business. I've learned over the years, to ask my fellow photogs what they're doing... at bridal fairs, I usually hand them my marketing piece and say something like, "do you have a price sheet I can keep? That way, if I'm booked on a date, I can find out if you're in their price range. I'll send them over if you are!"

they are not a friendly bunch over here - no one wants to network

i would never dream of asking for marketing material - i simply want to scope out how everyone is set up.

Well.... since you're (almost) our only British area OSPer, I give you permission to be sneaky.

Not like that gets you anywhere -- but you'd do it, anyway.

Troy's advice is right on.

I have attended shows using both approches... posing as an engaged potential client, and introducing myself (for real) saying I like to come to meet other photographers.

I absolutely recommend you be yourself. You'll get a lot more out of it. Almost everyone is friendly and open. They can't talk shop if you're posing as a client.

What's gonna happen when you pretend to be getting married then they find you out later? You may not be able to regain trust with that person ever again.

Most of the shows will give you a free pass to check it out if they know you might be wanting to have a booth at one of their shows. Just call them up and tell them who you are. If they're smart, you won't pay to get it.

Anytime your mis-representing something that you aren't is wrong.

i think i am going to go and invite some women photographers to a luncheon, give them my card and see waht happens.

please note - some (a lot) of people here are not as friendly as they are in the states and do not see other people in their line of business as networking possibilities - instead they see them as demons, witches and competition, oh my!

I hear they especially hate those cowgirl maverick Texan American upstart photographers!



Better take a security detail with you!

I've exhibited at bridal shows off and on for 12 years. I know exactly when photographers are posing as engaged couples and it's annoying and lame. Then they want to take expensive marketing pieces home - not cool. The post show mailings are important too - but not cheap to do, so again sending it to time wasters is not what you want to do.

As a British person, I would also mention that just because we don't gush all over you does not mean we aren't being friendly, we're just culturally different from you (and yes I've lived in Texas). I don't think it appropriate for you to make cultural slights here.

Unreal.

This is exactly what NOT to do at a bridal show.

You don't need to conduct some covert operation to figure out what your competition is doing. You are abusing the system and lying to try to get a leg up. It never works. If you want to run your business like a barracuda, that's your business. But don't pedal that bullshit here.

i'll make any cultural comments i want. i'm living here, i'm experiencing it and i will discuss it.

Then that totally explains why they don't like you then doesn't it!

ummm... no. and i didnot say they didnt like me, personally. look, the english arent exactly known for their warmth... i've tried to do a little networking and no one wants to participate, well, one did. but that hardly makes for a network....

Tami, in 10 yrs (*heh*) my hub and I will be moving BACK to the UK and I will definitely network with you. Actually I would love to 2nd shoot for you when we go back to visit

i will be in either africa, france, or italy by then.......