Ignoring post-weddings means losing money: up to 20% per wedding

Many wedding photographers are missing out on up to 20% of their potential income simply by not taking advantage of post-wedding shoots. And the most frustrating thing is that it’s not a lack of talent, but a lack of strategy. One of the most basic principles of marketing is that it’s much easier to sell to someone who already knows and trusts you than to get a new customer from scratch. However, most photographers do not apply this principle to post-wedding shoots. The problem is exacerbated because many couples do not really know what a post-wedding shoot is or why it is worth doing. And if the photographer does not know how to explain or present it in an attractive way, the proposal falls flat. The result: a service that could be profitable ends up going unnoticed.

Not learning how to sell post-wedding shoots strategically means missing out on opportunities, satisfied customers, and profits. Every couple that leaves without knowing about this service is a sale that never happens and a source of income that vanishes. So, if you don’t change the way you communicate your post-wedding shoots, you’ll continue to leave money on the table season after season. On the other hand, with a little planning and creativity, these sessions could be just what you need to reduce your dependence on the peak wedding season and keep your business more stable throughout the year. 

Knowing how to present and sell your post-wedding photos can help you increase the value of each wedding shoot.

Do you know how much you’re losing by not learning how to sell your post-wedding shoots?

We know that many wedding photographers don’t even consider putting more effort into selling their post-wedding sessions. Most focus all their energy on promoting weddings, which are undoubtedly their main service and the one that generates the most revenue. And in part, they are right: the cost of covering an entire wedding cannot be compared to that of a pre-wedding or post-wedding session.

However, what many fail to consider is a basic principle of marketing: selling to someone who already knows you, trusts you, and has experienced your work is much easier than attracting a new client from scratch. That’s why offering this type of service to couples who have already worked with you and, in many cases, even had their pre-wedding session with you, is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss. If you know how to present it in an attractive way, you can increase the budget for each wedding by more than 20% without having to look for new clients. Interesting, right?

And if you don’t have your post-wedding offer well structured yet, don’t worry. In the following article on our blog, you’ll find ideas and practical tips for planning, promoting, and selling this type of session professionally. Because, when well organised, post-weddings can become the financial boost your business needs to maintain a steady flow of income throughout the year.

>> How to multiply your post-wedding reportage sales: here are 7 tricks that work

 

What obstacles are preventing you from doing more post-wedding sessions?

When considering how to promote your post-wedding services, it is normal to have doubts or certain concerns about how to present this proposal to your couples. You are not alone: many wedding photographers face the same obstacles when trying to sell this type of session. Here are the 5 most common problems that tend to slow down the sale of post-wedding shoots:

• I’m not sure how to approach promoting post-wedding sessions.
• My couples usually come with a very tight budget.
• Newlyweds don’t have time after their honeymoon.
• Couples don’t clearly distinguish between wedding photos and post-wedding photos.
• The bride and groom are not aware of the benefits of a post-wedding photo shoot.

In the following sections, we will analyse each of these situations in detail and, above all, we will give you practical solutions so that you can learn to overcome these barriers and sell your post-wedding sessions naturally, effectively and without pressuring your clients.

 

I’m not sure how to promote my post-wedding sessions in the right way

In general, many wedding photographers do not tend to invest too much time or energy in promoting their post-wedding sessions. Some mention them in passing in their information brochures, while others simply offer them as an additional option when couples are overwhelmed by the lack of time on their wedding day.

The problem is that, due to this lack of communication on the part of professionals, most couples fail to perceive the real value of post-wedding shoots and focus all their interest and budget on the wedding reportage.

In many cases, this lack of promotion is because photographers do not know how to present this service in an attractive or natural way. Our recommendation is that, before trying to sell more post-wedding shoots, you start by educating your clients with prior information: explain what a post-wedding shoot is, what its advantages are and why more and more couples are deciding to do one. This way, when the time comes to offer them the service, you will have already paved the way and the proposal will be much more convincing.

You can also share stories or real examples from other couples who have already done their post-wedding shoot. Showing how they enjoyed the experience after the wedding or what it meant to them can help your future clients identify with it and encourage them to try something similar.

And if you want to go one step further, offer special packages or promotions where the post-wedding shoot is included or has a more advantageous price. This way, couples will not only see this service as something attractive, but also as an opportunity worth taking advantage of.

 

Most couples have a limited budget for their photographs

Precisely because they are unaware of all the benefits that a post-wedding photo shoot offers, many couples justify not doing one by claiming that their budget is already completely allocated to the main photo report. However, let’s be honest: a post-wedding photo shoot is not as expensive as covering an entire wedding. And when couples understand the emotional and creative value of this type of photo shoot, the price ceases to be an obstacle.

In cases where the bride and groom mention budget as a reason, you can offer them special packages, such as those mentioned in the previous section , which include the post-wedding shoot in an attractive and accessible way. Another excellent strategy is to show them real examples or stories from other couples who have had their post-wedding shoot with you. This way, they can visualise how special and different these images can be when choosing a location other than the wedding day, with a more relaxed atmosphere and without the pressure of the big event.

In addition, testimonials from other satisfied couples can be decisive. Showing how they enjoyed the experience and the value they placed on those photos after the wedding will help your future clients imagine themselves having the same experience and see the post-wedding shoot not as an expense, but as an opportunity to preserve unique memories.

 

After the honeymoon, the bride and groom usually return to their routine with little time for a post-wedding shoot

Another common excuse couples often give is lack of time after the honeymoon. But let’s be honest: this is a flimsy excuse. If there is a really busy time in terms of time, it is before the wedding, when, in addition to their daily routine, the bride and groom are immersed in organising a major event.

In fact, many of these couples have already had a pre-wedding photo shoot in the midst of their preparations, so it’s clear that if they really want to do it, time is not the problem. What happens is that they don’t fully understand the value or possibilities that a post-wedding shoot offers. Unlike pre-wedding shoots, which have already become commonplace, post-wedding shoots are still largely unknown to many clients.

In these cases, your job as a photographer will be to show them how easy and exciting it can be to organise this session. Make them see that they only need to choose a date and that the experience can be as special as they decide. In addition, you can offer them different types of post-wedding shoots that break with the norm, for example:

• In a special location: encourage them to visit a different city or a natural setting with unique landscapes.
• During their honeymoon: accompany them to capture memories in different destinations. If you know how to present this proposal, they may find it irresistible.
• Post-wedding shoot in winter: suggest a session with a totally different atmosphere to the wedding. Photos with winter light or snowy landscapes often have a spectacular aesthetic.

As you can see, the key is to sell the post-wedding shoot as an experience. An opportunity to dress up as bride and groom again, enjoy themselves without rushing, and create unique images that reflect their story in a different way.

 

Many couples do not distinguish between wedding day photos and post-wedding photos

Unlike pre-wedding shoots, where the photographs are clearly distinct from those taken on the wedding day, in post-wedding shoots this is not always obvious to clients. If couples do not perceive the difference, they will find it difficult to appreciate the importance of booking this additional shoot.

In these cases, you can show examples of special post-wedding shoots you have done, such as those mentioned in the previous section. And if you don’t work with destination post-wedding shoots, you can also add elements that visually differentiate these photos: coloured sparklers, eye-catching accessories, costume changes or original locations. All of this helps clients to clearly identify that this is a different and unique session.

As you can see, selling more post-wedding shoots requires educating your couples before the wedding, teaching them the benefits of this type of photography and making them want to have this experience. Simply saying that you offer post-wedding shoots will not be enough; you have to demonstrate their value, show examples and highlight how special this session can be after the wedding.

 

Most couples who book their wedding do not understand everything that a post-wedding shoot has to offer

Many couples, in addition to not knowing what post-wedding sessions consist of, also do not clearly understand the benefits they can bring them. Therefore, beyond offering all the information clearly, showing a carefully curated portfolio and promoting your post-wedding shoots, it is essential to draw on the experience of other clients who have already enjoyed these sessions.

Testimonials from real clients are incredibly powerful. Reading first-hand accounts of how positive the experience has been for other couples is often much more convincing than any explanation you can give about the benefits of a post-wedding shoot. Couples identify with these accounts, trust the service more, and understand the real value of this experience.

Therefore, once you have finished working with a newlywed couple, it is highly recommended that you ask them to leave you an online review or testimonial. These reviews will not only help you convince future clients, but they also lend credibility and authority to your work, reinforcing the perception that your post-wedding photography is a professional, valuable and recommendable service.

 

Post-wedding sessions can help you increase your wedding income by up to 20%

 

You have already seen that, in order to get more post-wedding reportage assignments, it is essential to educate and inform your potential clients. You need them to clearly understand what this service consists of and why it may be of particular interest to them. To achieve this, it is not enough to include the information in your portfolio or on your photography website. A very effective tool is your photography blog, which allows you to reach many more people on the Internet who are currently looking for information about this type of photography or any other wedding-related topic. A well-crafted blog not only positions you as an expert professional, but also builds trust and generates interest in your potential clients before they even contact you.

Furthermore, if you can get your clients to leave testimonials and reviews that are visible on your website or blog, the chances of new couples being encouraged to book post-wedding shoots will increase significantly. Nothing convinces a future client more than reading the positive experiences of other couples who have already had a shoot.

Below, we will show you in more detail two Arcadina business solutions that can help you boost your post-wedding business. But first, we want to share a compilation of wedding photographers who do truly incredible post-wedding sessions, so you can get inspired and see the full potential of these sessions.

>> Discover 12 post-wedding photographers with exceptional style and portfolios

 

A photography blog is one of the most effective tools for increasing sales of your post-wedding sessions

 

When it comes to giving your post-wedding photographs greater visibility, a photography blog is an exceptional tool. If you know how to harness its full potential, using the right keywords and writing texts that engage both your readers and Google, you can gradually educate your customers and reach a very specific audience more effectively.

A well-crafted blog not only helps you showcase your work and style, but also creates interest and generates the need for couples to have a post-wedding session with you. With every article, tip or story you publish , you will be building trust, positioning yourself as an expert and making it easier for your clients to perceive the true value of this type of photography.

If you still don’t know how to get the most out of your blog, don’t worry. Here are three innovative ideas to make your post-wedding photos irresistible and attract more couples through your photography blog. With these strategies, your blog will cease to be just a showcase and become a powerful sales tool for your post-wedding shoots.

 

Motivate couples to book a post-wedding session

Using some of the ideas we’ve shared in this article, you can create a series of posts on your blog explaining to future couples the advantages of having a post-wedding session with you. Ideally, you should think carefully about the real benefits you offer, but to guide you, here are some ideas you can develop:

• More time to enjoy the wedding: couples can relax and attend to their guests without worrying about setting aside time for additional photos.
• Getting dressed up again: a unique opportunity to put on the wedding suit and dress again, reliving the magic of the big day.
• A romantic session after the stress: a peaceful and special experience, perfect for unwinding and enjoying each other’s company after the hustle and bustle of the wedding.
• Honeymoon memories: if it’s a destination post-wedding shoot, couples can preserve unforgettable images in unique landscapes.
• Fun or daring experience: options such as trash the dress allow you to create original and exciting photos.

Each advantage or experience you offer can become a separate article on your blog. And if you also add the right keywords and combine the content with stunning photographs of other couples, you will see how your visibility on the Internet increases over time, positioning your blog as a reference and attracting more clients interested in post-wedding sessions.

 

Design a post-wedding portfolio on your blog that stands out for its quality and style

Another of the most common mistakes we find in the few post-wedding articles that photographers publish is the excessive number of photographs that upload from the same report. Publishing a complete post-wedding report in a blog article is a real strategic mistake. From experience, we know that not all the images from a post-wedding session are truly impressive. However, in these reports that have been planned in advance, choosing the perfect location and time, a series of photographs are always generated that leave couples speechless.

These are precisely the images you should highlight on your blog, not the entire report. If you upload all the photos, the most spectacular ones may go unnoticed among the rest, or if there are too many, future clients will not even see them. The key is to carefully select the most powerful images, those that best reflect your style, the emotion of the session, and the experience that couples will have with you.

In this way, each article on your blog becomes a small showcase of impact, capable of capturing the attention of future clients and convincing them that a post-wedding shoot is an experience they won’t want to miss.

Let your couples discover the story behind your post-wedding shoots

In addition to including the best images from each post-wedding shoot or a compilation of several sessions in your articles, it is essential that you try to answer any questions couples may have. Anticipating their questions not only builds trust, but also helps them understand the value of your post-wedding shoots. Here are some ideas you can develop in your articles:

• Explain why other couples decided to book your post-wedding sessions: share their motivations and how they experienced it.
• Showcase charming locations: select places that may interest couples and serve as inspiration for their own session.
• Provide ideas for sessions: from destination post-wedding shoots to more daring options such as the famous trash the dress.
• Create articles with testimonials from couples: collect experiences from couples who did their post-wedding shoot after their honeymoon, showing how they enjoyed the process and the results.

In addition, talking about specific locations or iconic places not only inspires your clients, but also helps you rank higher in search engines, for example, as a post-wedding photographer in London or other cities where you work.

With this content, your articles will cease to be mere showcases of images and become useful, inspiring and strategic guides, capable of attracting new couples and motivating them to hire your post-wedding service.

 

Boost your sales with Google reviews

 

On Arcadina’s websites, you have the option of activating a Reviews section, where your clients can leave their comments about what it was like to work with you. This not only provides transparency, but also builds trust with future clients, who can read real experiences before deciding to hire your services.

But we also know that the vast majority of your clients use Google Reviews to leave their opinions, and that many other couples consult this platform before choosing a photographer. That’s why you can now connect your Google reviews directly to your photography website, automatically displaying the most recent comments and ratings.

This integration allows you to strengthen your online reputation, increase the credibility of your services and, most importantly, encourage couples to book a post-wedding session alongside their wedding photography.

In the following article on our blog, we explain in more detail how to take advantage of this option, which is a strategic tool for attracting customers and increasing your post-wedding sales in a simple and effective way.

>> You can now add Google reviews to your photography website

 

Sell more post-wedding sessions by using your blog and showcasing reviews from your satisfied customers

As you can see, it is entirely possible to give your post-wedding sessions greater visibility. You just need to explain to your clients what this photo report consists of, why it is important to book it, and present it in an attractive way to pique their interest.

As a final recommendation, avoid creating gallery-type articles where you only include a headline, the bride and groom’s details and a dozen or so photographs. Not only does this format not contribute to your positioning, but it also bores visitors, as it does not provide them with any additional information. Remember that you already have your image galleries on your website for people to view photos from these sessions. The blog, on the other hand, is the perfect tool for educating your clients, showcasing the benefits of post-wedding shoots and selling more sessions each season.

What’s more, if you want to explore how our photography blog works from the inside, you can now try it out along with the rest of our business solutions for 14 days free of charge and with no commitment. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience how this tool can help you increase your post-wedding bookings and improve the visibility of your work.

This time we are going to share with you the interview of a fantastic wedding photographer, Cristina Grañena.

>> ‘Arcadina is the assistance in the shadow’, Cristina Grañena

And finally we would like to ask you: How much time do you spend on promoting your post wedding photos? We’d love to read your ideas in the comments.

 

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