Why January Isn’t the Best Time to Showcase Wedding Photography – and What You Should Focus on Instead
If you want to achieve something you’ve never achieved before, you have to do something you’ve never done before.
For wedding photographers, the start of the new year often feels like the perfect time to showcase our wedding portfolios and start booking clients. But here’s a thought: for couples who just got engaged over the holidays, January might not be the time they’re actively looking for a wedding photographer. They’re still in the glow of their engagement, celebrating, sharing the news, and soaking up the moment. It’s usually later – often around February or March – when they start looking at wedding vendors.
So what should you focus on instead? Engagement shoots.
Let’s dive into how planning and curating marketing content for engagement sessions as early as November can set you up to capture new clients at the start of their journey, so you’re top of mind when they begin booking their vendors.
1. Why Engagement Shoots Are Key to Securing Clients Early
When a couple first gets engaged, their attention is on enjoying the moment. In those first few weeks, they’re not necessarily booking venues or searching for wedding photographers. So, while everyone else may be pushing their wedding portfolio, you can take a unique approach by promoting engagement photography.
An engagement shoot allows you to connect with newly engaged couples in a way that’s genuine and exciting. By offering a way to capture that special time in their lives, you build trust and establish yourself as their go-to photographer, all before they even consider their wedding vendors.
2. Using Existing Engagement and Couple Shoots to Attract New Clients
Since we’re in early November, this is the perfect time to go through your portfolio and pick out some of your best engagement and couple shoots. Use these images to create a sense of romance, excitement, and connection in your marketing. When couples see examples of other clients’ stories captured beautifully, they’re more likely to imagine themselves in those photos and reach out to you.
Make your marketing personal. For each image or series, tell a story – whether it’s the location’s significance, the emotions shared, or a unique detail from the couple’s session. When couples see themselves in these stories, they’re more likely to want you as part of their engagement journey.
3. Creating and Curating Targeted Marketing Content in November
Since December is one of the most popular months for engagements, November is ideal for planning and scheduling content that’s ready to launch during and after the holidays. Here’s how to prepare:
Share Seasonal and Travel-Inspired Engagement Ideas
Many people travel during the holidays, making it the perfect time to market proposal or engagement shoots for visitors to your area. Craft posts and ads that highlight iconic local spots or scenic locations perfect for a romantic proposal or engagement celebration.
In your messaging, use language like: “Planning a holiday proposal? Capture it professionally” or “Holiday engagement in [Your Area]? Make it unforgettable with a stunning photoshoot.” By appealing to traveling couples or those wanting to make their engagement memorable, you set yourself up to be their photographer for life.
Create a Story-Driven Engagement Gallery on Social Media or Your Website
Use November to assemble a story-driven gallery of past engagement shoots. This could be a special section on your website or a series of social media posts. Each post can highlight a different couple’s story, showcasing the atmosphere you create in your sessions – whether it’s intimate, adventurous, or heartwarming.
This gallery helps prospective clients picture themselves in those moments, connecting emotionally with your work. The key is to emphasize the experience of the shoot itself, not just the images, so couples can see the value in capturing their engagement memories with you.
Offer Limited-Time Holiday Engagement Packages
Consider offering a unique holiday engagement package for couples who book in December or early January. Add value with special inclusions, like a mini photo album or a short video clip. This kind of package gives couples a feeling of exclusivity and makes the engagement session feel like a celebration.
With this special experience, you build a strong bond that will be hard for them to overlook when they start booking wedding vendors. Plus, they’re more likely to recommend you to friends or family who may be looking for an engagement or wedding photographer.
4. Tap into Destination Potential by Marketing to Holiday Travelers
Many couples plan trips for their engagement, especially over the holiday season. If you’re in an area that’s a popular destination, position yourself as the go-to photographer for holiday proposals and engagements. Market your services as a way to capture a romantic moment during their visit, from proposals to engagement celebrations.
Not only can this approach lead to future wedding bookings, but couples who have an incredible experience with you are more likely to refer you to friends or family. Think of this as an opportunity to build a network of future referrals starting from their engagement session.
5. Timing is Everything: Showcase Wedding Photography in February, Not January
Finally, keep in mind that it’s best to start marketing wedding photography around February or March, when newly engaged couples are more likely to start actively planning. By taking the time now to connect with them through engagement sessions, you position yourself as the photographer they already know and trust when the time comes to book their wedding photographer.
Closing Thoughts
So, as we enter the final months of the year, think strategically about your engagement marketing. Use November to prepare and curate content that speaks directly to newly engaged couples. Instead of focusing on wedding photography in January, let’s capture clients with engagement shoots from the very beginning.
By becoming a part of their engagement journey, you’ll be at the top of their list when it’s time to plan their big day. If you want something new, you have to do something you’ve never done before. Let’s make this season a turning point in your business!
