If you are a wedding photographer, there are two logical places to start out marketing your business: the local wedding guides, and the local wedding fairs.

So when we made the transition to full time wedding photographers, we went “logical” and tried out both.

We quickly learned that wedding fairs have a lot of benefits … and just as many things that can make them a total waste of your time. Here are my strategies for getting all you can out of your next wedding show.

Lesson #1: Get Into The Right Fair

There are two types of wedding fairs: the razzle-dazzle show, and the intimate affair. The razzle-dazzle show is the wedding showcase that is put out to attract Cinderella’s of all types. Their goal is to get thousands through the door, a huge fashion show on stage, and give out fantastic prizes to get the brides coming back year after year.

The intimate affair is a small showcase of local vendors, and is usually limited to a select amount in each field. It’s usually put together at a local venue that is trying to increase its own bookings, and showcases many of the vendors it works with on a regular basis.

Don’t discount either event. The intimate event may or may not help you book a bride, but the exposure to the other vendors may be priceless. Likewise, the razzle-dazzle event may be completely overwhelming to most brides in attendance, but a great lead can bring you in your top client for the season.

Lesson #2: Get your booth into the right location

Once you decide on displaying your photography at a bridal expo, make sure you book early. Take a close look at the floor plan, and choose a booth that will give you optimum exposure. You never want to be stuck in the far back corner. Instead, look for doorways, natural flows of traffic, and places where people may gather. Also look at what vendors will be around you. A high traffic vendor can be extra traffic for you too. [Read more...]