How to multiply your sales of post-wedding reports: here are 7 tricks that work

We know that securing a wedding with a couple is already a great achievement and an important boost to your next year’s finances. But what if we told you that every wedding contract could bring you even more profit? Post-wedding photo shoots, along with other extra services such as photo albums, pre-wedding sessions, special format enlargements, albums for parents or even a slideshow on the wedding day itself, are a perfect opportunity to increase each client’s budget and maximise your income.

Think about it: many couples often choose your most basic package because they don’t know you well yet. However, once they experience working with you and discover the real value of each service, they are much more willing to purchase extras, such as a post-wedding photo shoot. That’s why today we want to share with you a series of tips that will help you sell more post-wedding photo shoots and turn many more newlyweds into repeat customers.

Increase your sales of post-wedding photo shoots with these 7 foolproof tips.

How do post-wedding photo shoots work, step by step?

Post-wedding photo shoots are photo sessions that take place after the wedding, usually when the couple has returned from their honeymoon. During these sessions, the bride and groom dress up again in their wedding attire and enjoy a special moment to take photographs without any rush or pressure. These photo shoots offer a great advantage: they allow couples to enjoy the experience in a more relaxed way than on the wedding day itself, while also allowing them to obtain more creative, spontaneous and original images.

However, many couples are not really aware of the benefits of this type of post-wedding photography and, as a result, do not usually book it from the outset. That is why it is essential that, as a wedding photographer, you not only inform them that you offer post-wedding photography, but also learn to convey its value and ‘sell’ this service with the same dedication with which you present your wedding photography.

In addition, each post-wedding session can be tailored to the tastes and styles of each couple: from a romantic setting in the heart of nature to a more modern urban atmosphere. The important thing is that they perceive the post-wedding shoot as a unique memory that complements and enriches their wedding album.

Why is it worth promoting post-wedding sessions?

Nowadays, most couples want one thing above all else: to enjoy their wedding to the fullest. They want to experience every moment of the preparations, spend time with their guests and not miss a single detail of the celebration.

A few years ago, it was common for the bride and groom to be absent for hours after the ceremony to do their couple’s photo shoot. The downside was obvious: they missed the entire cocktail reception and, more importantly, that first relaxed encounter with family and friends before the banquet.

That’s why more and more couples prefer shorter photo shoots on the day itself, leaving room to enjoy their big day without interruptions. Of course, they want special memories and photographs of just the two of them, but they want those sessions to be as short and light-hearted as possible.

This is where post-wedding photo shoots become a great opportunity: they allow couples to have a much more relaxed, unhurried session, in which the photographer can give free rein to their creativity, control the lighting, choose the ideal location and achieve much more polished images. In short, post-wedding shoots not only respond to the couple’s desire to enjoy their wedding without sacrifices, but also offer the photographer the perfect setting to create unique and memorable photographs.

7 practical tips for selling more post-wedding sessions

If you want to improve the quality of your post-wedding shoots and, at the same time, encourage more couples to say ‘I do’ to you so they can enjoy this experience with you, you’ve come to the right place. The post-wedding shoot is a unique opportunity for both the bride and groom and for you as a photographer: they enjoy a more relaxed session, without rushing and with space to have fun, while you can give free rein to your creativity and create truly special images.

That’s why below you’ll find 7 key recommendations that will help you not only improve the results of your post-wedding photographs, but also present them in a more attractive way to your clients. With these ideas, you’ll ensure that this type of reportage is not perceived as an “optional extra”, but as an essential experience to complete the memory of their wedding.

1# Surprise your couples with unique post-wedding photo shoots that are different from their wedding day photos

As we mentioned, many photographers take advantage of post-wedding sessions, which are much more relaxed, to create artistic, carefully crafted and original compositions. On the wedding day, couples usually prefer a quick, shoot so they don’t miss out on the reception and time with their guests. In addition, photographers are often constrained by the venue or space where the wedding is held, which limits their creative possibilities.

In contrast, in a post-wedding session, time is no longer an issue and you can choose a location that really suits the style of photos you want to capture. This allows you to experiment with lighting, framing and settings that would be difficult to achieve on the big day.

That’s why it’s essential to offer couples a short and simple reportage during the wedding, while explaining that after the honeymoon, they can enjoy a completely different post-wedding shoot: more creative, fun and free from time constraints. It’s an opportunity to dress up again, relax and relive the excitement of being dressed as bride and groom, while you capture unique images that will perfectly complement their wedding album.

2# If your couples are daring, suggest an unforgettable ‘Trash the Dress’

A very original idea that will allow you to create unique photographs is Trash the Dress, a trend that arrived a few years ago from the US and continues to surprise with its creativity and freedom. The concept of Trash the Dress consists of organising an unconventional photo shoot in which the bride and groom’s outfits can get dirty or damaged during the activity. It is important to reassure the couple by explaining that the outfits can be taken to the dry cleaners and will come out looking like new, and also that they will probably never wear them again, making the experience a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Some ideas for a memorable Trash the Dress session include:

• Photos in the sea, in a river or lying on the beach.
• Throwing Holi powder or coloured paint during the session.
• Getting muddy while walking through a lush forest or climbing a spectacular mountain.
• Horse riding to get shots full of movement and drama.
• Or any other daring idea you can think of that you think the couple will enjoy.

It’s true that not all couples will be willing to get their outfits dirty, but little by little you’ll discover which ones are the most daring and open to this type of experience. For those who are up for it, Trash the Dress is a perfect way to get striking, fun and completely different images from their wedding day.

3# Choose several locations that really impress and stand out in your photos

Locations play a key role in creating stunning post-wedding photographs. On the wedding day, this element is usually beyond your control or limited by the logistics of the event. However, in the post-wedding session, you have the opportunity to advise the couple and choose locations that perfectly suit their style and personality, achieving a more eye-catching and original photo report. In addition, you can propose a session that is totally different from the wedding day. For example, if the wedding photos were taken in a natural setting, for the post-wedding session you could opt for an urban setting or even something more surprising, such as an abandoned train station or an iconic building that adds drama and character to the images.

As an additional strategy, you can invite the couple to have the session in a place that is special to them, such as where they met, the village where they spent their summers as children, or any other place that has sentimental value for them. This will not only make the photos more personal, but will also strengthen the emotional bond with the couple.

Another very attractive alternative is to offer a destination post-wedding shoot. Cities such as Paris, Rome, New York, or any place where you feel comfortable working can become the perfect setting for unique and memorable photographs. These types of shoots not only increase the value of the reportage, but also create extraordinary memories that the couple will treasure forever.

4# Choose the ideal time for your post-wedding sessions carefully

When planning a post-wedding photo shoot, timing is a key factor in achieving striking photographs with personality. If the session is to take place in a natural setting, agreeing with the couple to do it around sunset is an excellent option. The soft, golden light at that time of day lends a more romantic and magical air to the images, creating a warm and enveloping effect that highlights the connection between the bride and groom.

On the other hand, if the post-wedding session is more urban, you can plan to start during the day and continue into the evening. This way, you can take advantage of the natural light at the beginning and then play with the city lights, street lamps and shop windows, achieving a very attractive contrast and creating different atmospheres within the same shoot.

Carefully choosing the time of day not only enhances the aesthetics and creativity of the photographs, but also allows for better planning of poses, composition and settings, ensuring that each image tells a unique and memorable story.

5# Add accessories to make each post-wedding shoot more fun and surprising

When planning a post-wedding shoot, you can incorporate a number of creative elements that make the session truly different and special for the bride and groom. For example, the use of coloured sparklers has become popular in this type of session and is an excellent way to add a vibrant and dynamic touch to the photographs.

You can also encourage the couple to change small details of their wardrobe or style from their wedding day: comfortable trainers, a striking accessory, or the bride wearing her hair down. This will allow you to capture more casual, natural and intimate images, showing each couple’s personality.

If they have children or pets, don’t hesitate to suggest including them in the session. This will turn the shoot into a unique and fun family experience, creating memorable memories that transcend the wedding day.

As you can see, the key to a successful post-wedding shoot is to plan creatively and in advance. With a little imagination, you can transform a photoshoot into an unforgettable experience for the bride and groom, while significantly improving your wedding photography.

6# Describe in detail what the post-wedding photographs might look like

A key point in securing more post-wedding shoots is for couples to understand exactly what this photo session entails. Although it may seem obvious, we often forget that the bride and groom are not aware of all the advantages of this type of shoot. That is why it is essential to explain it in detail, highlighting the benefits and the unique experience they will have.

It is not enough to show a few post-wedding photos on your social media: it is advisable to dedicate a whole section of your website exclusively to these sessions. This way, clients will be able to see examples of the different styles, settings and creative possibilities, and all their questions will be answered before they make a decision. The clearer and more comprehensive the examples you show them, the easier it will be to encourage them to book the session.

What’s more, this strategy doesn’t just work for post-wedding shoots: it also helps to promote your pre-wedding and wedding shoots, showcasing the variety and added value you offer as a photographer. Here are some more tips to take your pre-wedding, wedding and post-wedding shoots to the next level and make each session a memorable experience for your clients.

>> Marketing tips for wedding photographers

7# Make couples see post-wedding shoots as an extra service they can’t pass up

When including information about post-wedding sessions in your communication channels, whether on your photography website, social media, brochures or presentations, it is not enough to simply explain what these shoots consist of and answer the most common questions. It is also essential to create a need for them and show their true value. Make couples understand that these sessions are a unique opportunity to fully enjoy their wedding day without having to sacrifice a single moment with their guests.

Remind them that, unlike the big day reportage, the post-wedding shoot allows them to dress up as bride and groom again and experiment with more creative, exclusive and personalised photographs, capturing memories that they could not obtain during the wedding. And to reinforce these arguments, use testimonials and real examples from couples who have already hired the service. Seeing the positive experiences of other couples builds trust and makes new clients perceive the post-wedding shoot as an essential complement, bringing them significantly closer to the decision to hire your photography services.

Combining clear information, specific benefits and real testimonials makes the post-wedding shoot an irresistible proposition and positions your service as an essential part of the wedding experience.

Multiply your post-wedding report sales with these 7 tips from Arcadina

Every wedding you book involves a huge amount of preparatory work: promoting your campaign, responding to emails, interviewing couples, following up on quotes, among many other tasks. That’s why, once you’ve got a couple to choose you as their wedding photographer, it’s much easier to offer them additional services, such as post-wedding shoots.

To increase your sales, organise an original and fun post-wedding shoot and present it in great detail, not only to your current clients, but also to those who have not yet hired you. Showing them the value and unique experience that this service offers will make it much easier for them to decide to include it.

Just as you prepare each wedding and post-wedding shoot with care, creativity and strategy, both to sell and to surprise your couples, pre-wedding shoots also require the same attention.

At Arcadina, we provide you with a series of tools that will help you showcase your photographs, explain how you work, offer a more professional service to your clients, and delegate a multitude of tasks. If you are not yet familiar with them, you can try them free of charge for 14 days with no commitment.

This time we wanted to share with you the interview of a fantastic wedding photographer, our friend and ambassador Carlos Felipe Ortiz.

>> Arcadina has a new ambassador, photographer Carlos Felipe Ortiz

And finally we would like to know: what strategy do you use to sell your post-wedding photographs to your clients? We’d love to read your answers in the comments.

Arcadina goes with you

Fulfil your dreams and develop your career with us. We offer you to try our web service free for 14 days. And with no commitment of permanence.

Arcadina is much more than a website, it is business solutions for photographers.

If you have any queries, our Customer Service Team is always ready to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We listen to you.