I'm getting married the 25^th of next month. Which means I will be moving to a small town. I've looked up my competition, and there are only 3 top photography businesses in the area, and only 2 of them offer wedding services.

Like a lot of photographers on OSP, I'm still working the 9-5 corporate gig, and shooting portraits whenever time permits. However, one of my goals for 2009 is to get more active in shooting weddings. I still want to shoot portraits, but I REALLY want to gear the majority of my photography towards weddings.

Since this is a smaller town and the people there seem to be loyal to the photographers that are already established, what is my best course of action? How should I market? Should I run an ad in local newspaper offering a disc? I've made a few door to door calls, but these business owners are really loyal, and not to friendly about seeing a newbie come into their town. I need to do something to earn their business and trust. Just not sure what the best plan would be. Has this happened to anyone else? Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks to all my OSP family & thanks for listening!

Where are you moving too specifically? From everyone I've ever spoken too a newspaper ad is almost like flushing money down the toilet.

I moved to a 3000 person town about 2 years ago. I think mainly you want to wow people with your photos. Also photographing events in town on your own to start with, we have a local online news site and I submit pictures for stories- like when I was coaching polevaulting or something for a auction, charity. Just be careful, smaller towns talk more than you know. Good luck, it's a trip

It's all about the vendors. Start by offering family sessions to them just so they get to know you and your work. Then, once you have a connection with them, invite them to lunch now and then, and have a sample book on hand to show. Ask if they'll consider referring you. Venues, florists, caterers, jewlers, dress-makers, and whatever other specialty shops or businesses might exist.

Or, you can go global and be a destination photographer.

I forgot to mention, I live and work in a town of 7,000. But I shoot weddings all over SC and NC.

Make friends with all your (new) co-workers. Push the fact you do this gig on the side aggressively. Try to get them to recommend you to their friends/family, etc. All it takes is a few bookings to get the word of mouth going.

That's one way ... could you do a bridal fair too?

If your look is a lot different than what else is in the market, you could really play up that fact too! Good luck!

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! I'm celebrating my 6th anniversary October 26th - good weekend! I too am about to move to a very small town (in the next 9 months or so) and I'm wondering about marketing to the new town as well. I am fortunate in that I'm only moving 2 hours away and can easily still work in my current market, but I'd really like to move in to my new area as well. The weddings I currently book are typically an hour or more from my house in the opposite direction of the town I'll be moving to so I'm going to keep tabs on this thread! I can't imagine that a newspaper ad would do you much good (if any), but the vendor idea is a really good one (whether you're moving to a new town or not!). I would look into a bridal show as a PP said, and just really try to find ways to not only differentiate yourself from the competition, but play up what you do better than they do and knock everyone's socks off.

three words - vendors, vendors, vendors. when you establish a good relationship with people they WILL refer. and then you can wow clients with your photographs.

good luck on your move!

Thanks, Lindsey! I'm certainly going to try the vendors.