Starting a wedding buisness

[bibowj]

Hello All! IVe been a lurker on this group for sometime, without really contributing anything (with reason), so before I get to the topic of this post, Ill introduce myself.

Im James, 35 and currently serving in the US military in Japan. Ive been a photographer my entire breathing life, with a few years that I stuck my toes in the professional waters. IVe always leaned toward wedding photography because it always allowed me "structured artistic freedom". Im coming up on my last few years before I move on to another career, and I plan going pro again with photography.


When I leave Japan next year, Ill have the choice of two areas to finish my last 2 years at, Virginia(East coast) or California (San Diego area). I plan on using those few year to set up "shop" and get a client base to be fully self sustainable.
(Note: I have a BA in Business.)

I understand that the market is quite saturated with wedding photographers, but i think I have an advantage because I can pretty much move where ever. Here are my questions:

1- Of those two areas, which would be the best and why. If neither, what can I use as a resource to find what areas are flooded and which have a open market? Google? Basically what I mean is, if you had to start new somewhere where it would it be IF it was based only on business opportunity.

2- Would it be better to look at a studio area right away, even just to use as a office.. or should I work from "home (assuming I have the financial ability to do both).
3- In todays market, what do you find as the best way to supplement your income when not doing weddings. Stock? Portraits?


I hope my questions were clear enough to avoid any forum sarcasm or back lash. I REALLY appreciate the time youve taken to read this and even more the time youll take to respond.

Thanks!

[The Mack]

1. San Diego. But it depends on what part of Virginia. You listed a specific area in California, but a broad area on the east coast.

2. I would personally look into building some sort of studio, separate from the house to start with. Low costs > more profit.

3. I don't rely on photography for $$ so I shouldn't be the one to answer this.

[shandra_s]

Hi James,

Though I work out of Canada, here are my thoughts on the last two questions:

I personally do not use an office or even studio and not many of my competitors do either; reason being is that if you are shooting weddings you won't have a use to be in the studio! A great bonus to Wedding Photography. If I was you and just starting I would most definitely work from home unless I had a big number of clients for Studio Portraits,etc.
In terms of just starting out my biggest piece of advice for you would be to get online!! Get a website, a blog, just make sure to get some online presence. All of my inquiries have been through word or mouth or online so in my opinion if you can start right away you will be ahead of the game.

As for making money when not shooting Weddings, I try to book many Portrait sessions and stay with clients (eg- you shoot their wedding then you do their family portraits, and on it goes.)

I also did a few free shoots for close friends and family when I started out to build a body of work-makes a huge difference!

I hope this helps, best of luck to you!

Shandra Stephenson Photography

[ImageGroupPhotography]

San Diego sucks try Virginia!!

LOL

San Diego is one of the most beautiful places in the world for wedding photography or even photography period. Although we probably have 25 photographers in the market for every wedding it still is a viable place to make a nice living. Good luck and if you do come to SD look me up and I'll help you out any way I can.

[ScottME]

I'm going to have to say VA. It's cheaper to live there than CA. Not to mention driving distance from numerous major cities that will have a lot of weddings. (D.C., Baltimore, Charlotte)

[James Robert Gratiot]

I was down in San Diego last week (also did 8 years there in college and afterward)... and honestly, I can't imagine a more pleasant place to set up shop.

[Alleh]

San Diego would certainly be a lot more fun. You can grow a business anywhere is doesn't matter how saturated it is just how much better you are. If you have 3 years to build up before you are fully in business you should be in good standing. Just make sure to go to every single bridal association meeting and network like crazy.

[bibowj]

Its so interesting that everyone said SD, considering that i know it HAD to be saturated with photographers and the cost of living is quite high, where as its cheaper in Norfolk/VA Beach and there is probally far less high end photogs there.

I agree overall in the SD choice, but I would be worried about how long it would take to get established due to market saturation. Im sure it has far more to do withy networking and less to do with having a pretty website...

[BeritOlam]

Bottom line: if you want to focus your business on weddings, the areas where people will *pay more* for weddings is where the most photographers end up. Funny thing about supply and demand, isn't it? ;-)

The reason why photographers like California is because people out here pay a lot more than the rest of the country on weddings....and the trickle-down effects of that means more $$$ to be had for photogs!

Just try going to Texas and charging $2500 for a wedding!! ;-) The market is much smaller for that kind of thing in Texas as compared to San Diego. So you have to know your market (SD vs. Norfolk).

I will say -- if earning *top* dollar is not a massive initial concern in setting up shop (usually because you're earning an income somewhere else), there's all kinds of jobs to be had out here in Southern California.

[Krapo]

Its so interesting that everyone said SD, considering that i know it HAD to be saturated with photographers and the cost of living is quite high, where as its cheaper in Norfolk/VA Beach and there is probally far less high end photogs there.

I agree overall in the SD choice, but I would be worried about how long it would take to get established due to market saturation. Im sure it has far more to do withy networking and less to do with having a pretty website...

+1.

You can very well enter a crowded market and steal market shares by offering a better service, or target a niche segment with something new.
In the end, both locations may be financially attractive but may require a very different business plan.

[Gnhntn]

I would think either place would be good. I am assuming you will be in San Diego, CA, or Norfolk, VA, area, especially if you are Navy. They both should be good.

I am sure you will be able to charge more in San Diego, as stated above, but you lose that additional pay due to the cost of living is going to be higher there. So don't just think of the pay you will get per, and focus on just the money, make sure to look at the big picture when you leave the military. More pay will not equal better living in a higher cost of living area, but could mean the same living conditions as lower pay in a lower cost of living area.

I got lucky when I retired from the military (Navy) and was working with a few contractors that were retired, and they pointed this out to me and made sure I understood it, which really made a huge difference in the way I looked at things.