Hello,
I am currently a fine art landscape photographer. I desire to expand to wedding photography. I have shot one wedding and I loved it. I am asking for help in getting started in this business. I have a web site, and I have submitted it to different directories as well as the major search engines. Beside the web, any suggestions? Please view my site to give some advice: http://www.estevanmontoya.com
Thanks
Estevan Montoya
http://www.estevanmontoya.com
http://nmphotos.designadvanced.net <--Blog

network with local venders (florists, planners, a bakery, dress shops, DJs, etc...)

When "networking", how do go about it? Do you give them biz cards in exchange for referrals? Can someone be a little more descriptive? Thanks
Estevan Montoya
http://www.estevanmontoya.com

Start off showing the one wedding you did and exploit the hell out of it... I used photos I took from my own wedding my brothers wedding and any shot i took a photo at where I was a guest... I then created a 2 page website one with the photos and one with my contact info..

i charged way cheap to get started.... ran first ad in january 2002 launched website on every search engine... that year 2002 shot 30 weddings... I remember my first wedding was shot for $799... the next one was $1500... I netted that year including family and kid shoots 60k I was super stoked thought I hit the lottery...

Vendors: Handing out business cards I feel is a waste ... sure it is name recognition to let everyone know your in the business. Think about your own self and how many people hand you a stack of business cards... Do you know where they are at now... what you need to do is offer these vendors a photo shoot of their product or services... for example... reception sites... I shot at the Hilton on one of my first gigs... I mailed to her a 20X30 to hang on the wall in her office of the decorated room... it was pretty and easy shot... the print with the mat board cost i think $50... It was worth I was the event coordinator's buddy she referred the hell out of me, and still does...

never underestimate the vendors either.. Whenever you take photos at a wedding you'll most likely shoot the flowers shoot details... make sure the vendors that designed or created these details gets a copy of these photos or an emial with the photos. in my questionnaire to brides before the weddings I have 5 questions about vendors... When i shoot i email the vendor photos of their product or ship them a disc.

Once you start doing this you're name will spread like wildfire.

Also never assume you'll get referrels in exchange right off... it's a drip method... the more you're around the more you're referred... These vendors get a ton of business cards.. you're goal is to be different.

now we shoot 60 weddings a year and last year had sales of 220k...

I am doing a seminar tour starting next winter... I have 3 cities thus far and am adding to that If you would like to help me get one going in your city let me know i'd be happy to come out west...

I would like to thank Matt McGraw. He has been such a help to me in giving me ideas. I know he is hosting some seminars, and with just the few minutes I spoke with him, I know his seminar will be jam packed with content that is extremely practical. Thanks!
Estevan Montoya