Wedding Photographer Resources

I have learned quite a bit in the past year on how to free myself from the vicious cycle of advertising. I have also found that people that are contacting me from referrals now are so much more in to my work than people that have found me from advertising. For example, if I see a nice ad in a magazine about a product, I would look at it and just flip the page. If I heard my friend talk and rave about the product. I will be much more likely to buy it. Here is the list of resources that I have found how to get more real referrals from people not advertising. If you follow every video, book and podcast you should be in good shape.

The [B] School
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=271568066

This podcast has some of the best advice on how to be referred from wedding professionals. Listen to every video and take lots of notes. If you do everything Becker says. It will take your wedding photography to the next level.

Camera DoJo
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=262942668

This is a recent podcast I just found. The two guys talk about everything in wedding photography from a great interview with LA wedding photographer Candice Cunningham to new techniques.

Pictage.com Podcast
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=292239980

This podcast is hosted by Sarah France and she interviews a lot of very successful wedding photographers. This is also geared to Pictage users but it has a lot of great content.

F-Stop Beyond
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=292239980

This podcast interviews the person beyond the lens I guess you could say. It has some good stories and some helpful information.

Dane Sanders Book - Fast Track Photographer
This book is a great resource on seeing if you are cut out to be a wedding photographer.
It shows you that it is YOU, not your photography that gets your clients.

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All of these resources I have picked up in the past year from listening to these podcasts, videos and books are worth so much it is hard to believe almost all of it is free. If you find a helpful podcast that are similar to these please leave a comment. Thank you.
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Remember your network is your net-worth.

BrianKellogg.com

Sarah France talks about Aperture Vs. Lightroom

Sarah France (Aperture person) talks to Camera Dojo (Lightroom guys) and sounds like the Dojo guys like Aperture a little bit. ;)

Sarah talks about all the main points why Aperture is better and the main reason that I have all Macs now.

http://cameradojo.com/2009/04/07/podcast-44-conversation-with-sara-france-introduction-to-apple-aperture/

I have a crazy idea...

I plan to use all of my money that I would use advertising this year and use it for networking. I know other wedding photographers will think I am nuts but I think it will be the best thing I can do for my business. This is how I plan to spend my time and money.

1. I am sending out CDs to every wedding vendor I have worked with in the past three years with hi-res photos that they can use. I will have my small branding/watermark in the corner just like my blog. If they would like to use the photo with out a watermark they can sign with this agreement http://docs.google.com/a/briankellogg.com/Doc?id=dgvbhf2w_09m99xgct. In the letter I will also explain that they can always view and download any of the images through my MobileMe.com site http://gallery.me.com/kelloggphotography
I will also encurage them to use Mpix.com for prints and get a few Canvas Gallery Wraps for bridal shows and to decorate their walls. I also tell them if they reffer me and I book a wedding. I will give them a leather bound album highlighting their business.

2. I am making a 20 page album layout of these images with Aperture and printing a ten dollar soft cover book highlighting their business through Apple. This book will be great for florists, venues, dress designers, even bands and DJs will love to show everyone the book with my branding on the front cover.

3. I also plan to make a 8x10 collage for every business I have worked with. I will give them a pack of 25 for free to start out. I will only charge one dollar per print after that because I have a deal with Pictage.com. You can download the psd here http://www.briankellogg.com/Collage.psd

4. I might even give all of my wedding vendors one or two 11x14 Canvas Gallery Wraps as a nice gift.

MobileMe and how to use it to network

This video shows you how www.MobileMe.com works and how to network with reception halls and over vendors right after the wedding.

http://gallery.me.com/kelloggphotography

You can download the photoshop templete here.

Why all wedding vendors should have a blog

Steve from Night Music DJ e-mailed me to just say hi and liked my website and blog. He said he was just browsing to get ideas for making a better website for his DJ service. I found on his website he did not have a blog. I was just thinking to myself every wedding vendor needs a blog. This is part of the e-mail I sent back to him...

I think you could benefit a lot by adding a blog. A blog basically creates a new web page every time you make an entry. Just post one or more photos of people having fun and yourself. Always include all of the details of the reception hall, ceremony location and everything else. Then when people google that reception hall they run in to your blog page that has the text (reception hall) you typed on it. Always include a link to your website at the bottom of each entry and more clients will visit your main website. This will also increase your visibility and give your main website higher rankings on google because of this. You can go to blogger.com to make a free blog or try Squarespace. Squarespace can even take place of your web page if you like. Try it out here for 14 days http://www.squarespace.com/?associateTag=bkellogg also you can view the Squarespace tour here http://www.squarespace.com/tour/
E-mail me if you have any questions about any of this. Good luck with your website.

briankellogg.com <--- see ;)