Has anyone had much luck teaming with wedding coordinators? How did you find quality ones? What is the best way to approach them and stand out?

Any takers?

Nathan, I know you've done some shows, have you teamed with any coordinators?

I've tried emailing a few coordinators in my area, but none ever responded. : (

i'm honestly not sure where my career would be if it wasn't for one local wedding coordinator in my area . . . she got me almost $40,000 in business in one year when i was just starting out. they are tough to find, but once you find a coordinator who loves your work, great things will happen!

by the way, i once tried a mass emailing (about 50 coordinators), and only 2 responded. if you want to do this, you need to make phone calls, knock on doors, make some more phone calls, knock on some more doors, and possibly look into joining a wedding coordinators' association.

good luck!!

Thanks Brian,

persistence is always a good option!

Thanks Brian! That's good inspiration to try that route. I figured the best way was to do the more personal approach, I just don't know which wedding coordinators are worth going after. I want to single out the coordinators who will be involved in the types of weddings that I want to be a part of!

Also, Brian since you've had experience in this, do coordinators charge a fee to you for giving you the job or is there income all from the couple?

Thanks... that's some great information. It will especially help once I go digital, I've got one wedding coordinator in mind that I used to work with at my current job. She already has seen my work and loves it... so that is not a problem... Just need to get my camera!!!

--- Gregg

Every coordinator seems to have her own way of doing things. Some will want a percentage, some won't. Personally, I never discount my prices more than 5% for anyone, so that is the maximum I'll ever give to a wedding coordinator

QUOTE (Joe Buissink)

I guarantee that if you start referring each other you are going to get more referrals from other photographers than you could ever get from a hotel or a wedding coordinator...

We've had a few referrals come from coordinators, but I've found that the coordinators in SB are very committed to their typical vendors so I definitely agree with Buissink about how much more beneficial it is to network with other photographers!

Hi All-

New member here (just jumped on the site thru Pictage). I moved to Los Angeles from New York about three months ago, and am finding out the hard way that I really did get all my business through word of mouth. (Still get calls for jobs in nyc all the time, but I can't spend my life on an airplane!) I mostly shoot weddings and some engagement portraits but would love to do more family portraits, etc.

I am in total agreement with others that photogs should refer each other for jobs, especially if they're in a different price bracket or just plain already booked. I'm hoping some of you SoCal photographers will look at my website, drop me an email, and refer me if you feel comfortable. I am more than happy to reciprocate.

My site is www.lkweddings.com. Email is laura@lkweddings.com

Appreciate your looking.

Hey Laura!

Welcome! Great to have you on the forum!

I really love this shot from your site! Awesome expressions and emotion!



I have no problem spending my life on an airplane so you pass your NY weddings my way and I'll be glad to shoot you some CA weddings...and I'll definitely pass you family portraits!

All the best!
DJ

DJ-

Thanks for the compliments, and thanks for making this forum exist! I'm happy to send NY brides your way. Can you give me a sense of your price range so I can be sure I'm not referring you to people who aren't in your budget range? I'll direct any potential clients to your website.

Thanks for any referrals in advance! Hope I can repay the favor soon.

Laura

Laura,

It is great to see you here on these forums! I love the fact that DJ created this community for photographers like us. Your work is great. What are you using for equipment?

I tend to do at least 2 or 3 weddings a year in NY/CT and I love to travel (especially back home to CT where my family is), so I'll be more than willing take the lower end if DJ wants to take the higher end!

If I can send anyone your way, I definitely will as well. Good luck with everything . . .

Brian

Welcome Laura! Your images really are very good. I especially liked your atlantic coast shots. You have to go to Oregon to get anything close to that dramatic austere look. Beautiful! What a great addition to our little forum!

DJ has really served us by creating this positive, encouraging, upbeat space to help, guide and inspire. Your contributions will no doubt add a flavor we'd be missing before now. And, your east coast sensibilities will also keep the rest of us honest! Thanks for coming on board and best of luck as you build your business locally.

Dane

Hey Laura --- Welcome... Glad to see you here!! I think you will find this forum very helpful and informative (I know I have)... Seem like most here are in the Southern California area, but we have a few of us in other states (I'm in Colorado). Look forward to seeing more images and I will be getting mine up as soon as I can!!

--- Gregg

Hey Dane,

I just discovered opensourcephoto.com! Cool site, man! You and DJ truly are among the new leaders in our photography community. I'm bummed that I'm not going to WPPI this year, although I'll actually be in Vegas the week before! Just remember the #1 rule . . . "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!" I hope you guys have a great time out there.

Brian

Hi all ~

Here in the SB area we have ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants). the group meets every other month for networking and a meal. Meetings are held at different locations between SB and Simi Valley. If any of our local forum members are interested, I'd be happy to forward the next invitation. Non-members may attend one meeting before joining.

thanks everyone for the support. Somehow I've jinxed us tho, since I posted not one call for an east coast wedding ; )

Will be back in NY in April shooting so that may generate some calls, will be happy to recommend.

Whomever asked about what equipment I'm using, I shoot with Nikon F100s, all film at this point although more and more tempted to leap into digital, just haven't done enough research yet. (Busy enough trying to generate business on a new coast!)

L

Laura ---

I'm still researching the digital realm myself! Right now I'm shooting mostly family and senior portraits on a Nikon N60. And since I just moved to Colorado a few months ago, I'm just getting stuff started really. Here's to us bringing in some new business!

--- Gregg