Making a sale on wedding pictures...

I am looking into maybe doing something like Zenfolio for the weddings that I do. I currently offer my wedding couples a cd from their wedding, but how successful is it to make a sale on the wedding pictures if I use zenfolio for extended family members and friends? Is there anyone else who does this, and if you do, are you able to make any sales from the extended families and friends of the bride and groom?

Also, is Zenfolio good, or is there a better that you would suggest?

Thank you so much!!

I like Zenfolio, but I haven't made any money from print orders.

I *love* my premium zenfolio account. The ~$100/year it costs is miniscule compared to what it's made me. My clients love how easy it is for them to order and share with their families as well. I have also made custom products (like a full disc of digitals) available to my clients through Zen. Check out my website and click on "proofs" to see my Zen.

Do you give them a cd for the wedding, or do they need to buy the prints? Since I give the cd, I don't know how often anyone will come and buy a print or the cd if I offer it on zenfolio. Wouldn't they go to the bride and groom to just get a copy of it?

If I sell the full rights to my digitals on a DVD, I still put them up on the website as part of my portfolio. I think it's pretty crazy you give away high-res images with rights on even your smallest package. Missing out on a lot of revenue IMO.


One thing I would consider doing is showing a couple an image that's printed on a good lustre paper from MPIX (or another good lab) vs a cheap glossy from walgreens. This will show your clients the inherent value in ordering prints from you.

I know its crazy, but right now i'm just trying to get the wedding portfolio built up. I have had many many awesome opportunities to do a wedding, BIG weddings, and they chose another photographer because I just don't have the portfolio to please them. I feel like the CD is what the clients want (of course, who wouldn't), and until I get a big enough portfolio and clientele built up, I have to do it. Maybe i'm wrong, and I hope I am...but I don't know if I dare try to not give them the cd. But good thoughts on the prints.

If you don't mind me asking, about how much do you make in revenue from prints? I tried doing the prints thing before with no cd...and people stopped inquiring about shoots. I would love to do prints and make more revenue....but at least here in KC....it might mean no business if I do that.

Thoughts anyone?

Weddings are about hard, fast sales
Portraits are about print sales

I find the web sucks for making sales. Great for advertising your stuff, developing social interaction, but actually clearing sales...not so much. It's almost a luck thing.

On average I find people are more willing to make big purchases in person, or by a more secure option than online. A lot of people still fear buying, especially in large amounts of money, online.

In myself I see a large difference between online sales versus hard, fast sales..to shops, galleries or private buyers/corps.

I find people are more interested if they are buying finished products that are streamlined and presented nicely to them.

If they can see it made, finished, and available as a sample..they're more likely to buy.

Online sales, I'm not too sure how to maximize them. Just some musings

I use Exposuremanager and have had good luck with them. Never used Zenfolio well because I am completely happy with EM.

http://www.exposureman​ager.com/aff/hammerpho​tos

There's a link if you want to check them out. But as far wedding sales you have to decide, your either gonna sell prints or a DVD of images if you sell a DVD you will get no sales.