In a recent blog post about how to earn income as a photographer, we touched upon something we thought would make a useful post on its own. A great source of client referrals for a portrait, wedding, or event photographer can be vendors or suppliers in the industry.

Here is an example. There are numerous vendors involved in the wedding industry. Any of those vendors can be a great source of referrals for a photographer. (For the purpose of this article, we will refer to other industry professionals, such as florists, event planners, as vendors.) 

First, we should point out the obvious. You need to be a talented photographer who behaves professionally. Shoddy work or bad behavior during a photoshoot or event will not garner you any favours with other professionals. Treating other vendors rudely, won't either. Keep in mind that you're all there for the client, and you'll need to work together politely.

So, how do you get those critically needed referrals? One answer is to arrange (style) a photoshoot with other professionals. The images from the photoshoot can then be included in the portfolio of everyone involved in the shoot. It's an excellent way of meeting and working with other professionals, particularly others that are also new to the industry and are also looking to establish relationships. It's also an excellent way to add to your portfolio.

The importance of networking

Here is a typical networking scenario. A bride approaches you to do her wedding. While speaking with you, she mentions she's still looking for a florist. You happen to know a talented floral designer and pass the name along to the bride. You've just done a big favor to that floral designer. Now, turn that scenario around.

The bride is speaking with a designer and needs the name of a great wedding photographer. The floral designer knows you and your work and gives her your name. That is how networking with other industry professionals can pay off. 

Identify professionals

Just who are these others you should seek out? 

• Floral designers

• Event planners

• Venue managers or employees

• Caterers

• Beverage distributors, including wines and liquor

Other you might reach out to are a bit more peripheral depending on the industry but could be useful contacts:

• Event promoters

• DJs

• Event musicians

• Stylists

• Makeup artists

• Bridal shops

All of these professionals can be connectors for you.

Getting started

Every photographer will need a portfolio to display your best work. The images contained in it can reflect work you were hired for or staged photoshoots created to showcase your skills.  

 If you are just starting out as a photographer, you might not have a lot of paying gigs. A staged photoshoot could be the answer! Creating a staged photoshoot in collaboration with other fledgling industry professionals can be beneficial for everyone involved. But where do you start? How? Who should you ask to help? This is what you'll need to get started on the road to creating a staged photoshoot: 

• Design the photoshoot incorporating ideas that will help showcase your talent.

• Create a list of required vendors needed to bring the design to fruition.  

• Approach the vendors and agree that in exchange for their participation in the photoshoot, you will give them high-quality images from the shoot for their own portfolio.

Approaching vendors

Now that you have identified vendors, you'll need to contact them. Their participation is no small commitment on their part, and your convincing them to participate will be no small feat.

They will need to invest time and money if they join in a photoshoot for which they're not being paid. You will have to convince them that working with you will be to their benefit. 

Here is an example of how setting up a simple wedding shoot might look:

• You will need someone to model a wedding dress.

• A wedding dress vendor will need to lend a dress.

• A floral designer will provide floral arrangements.

• A wedding venue will need to be borrowed.  

The more complex the photoshoot, the more the needs become, and, likely, more vendors will be needed. Don't hesitate to ask a vendor to recommend another if you need more connections. Let's say you've approached a florist, but don't have a venue connection. It's probable that the florist has one and can help secure a borrowed venue.

When you approach the vendors, you will need to:

• Explain why you want their help doing a photo shoot.

• Discuss your initial design ideas. (They might have some thoughts to contribute as well.) 

• Commit to creating professional images they can use to include in their portfolio of work, social media, or for marketing purposes. 

• Everyone involved should be recognized each time the images are used publicly. 

• Be prepared for a lot of hesitancy, especially if you've had no previous contact with the vendor. 

• Keep trying. 

Coordination

Once you have secured the necessary vendors, you should host a meeting of all involved vendors parties to discuss the shoot. If you have already designed the photo session, present your ideas to the others during this meeting. If you haven't, this meeting is an excellent time to brainstorm to come up with a design.

Everyone needs to treat the photo session as if it were an actual paying gig. Because it is a collaboration of professionals with no real client/bride, everyone needs to have a clear understanding of their role and what is required for a successful result. 

There will need to be meticulous coordination for the actual event. Setting up a timeline is a great idea. If one of the vendors you're working with is an event planner, let them take the helm to coordinate the photo shoot just as they would organize an event. 

Remember that everyone involved has chosen to give up their time to be there. It is critical to respect everyone's time and coordinate in a way that works well for all. In many instances, the photoshoot could be the first time these folks work together. If it all goes well, aside from being your first networking contacts, they could be the first vendors to refer clients to you!

During the photo session

Once the day arrives, treat it like another photo session. Everyone else has done their part - almost like a theater production - and set everything up, ready for pictures. This is where you need to shine and pull it all together into some amazing images! 

Before anyone arrives for the session, you should be ready to go as a professional photographer. The equipment has been checked; batteries backed up, lighting is perfect. 

During the photo session:

• Be assertive, but accommodating to others if they bring up any concerns or want to make adjustments. 

• You're the director of the show, just as you would be if you were shooting an actual wedding session. 

• Don't forget that the others are as worried that their work is being portrayed in the best manner. 

• It's your job as a photographer to alleviate their fears. 

• Make sure that everyone gets credit for their role in any social media posts. Tagging others not only gives them credit, but it also shows professional courtesy that will likely be returned one day.

Most importantly, this is where others will see you in action. If you're an obnoxious tyrant, they won't want to work with you on an actual project. And it's doubtful they will recommend you to a prospective bride!

After the photo session

After the photo session, you will want to do some post-production editing on the images. Send a small collection of the best images to everyone involved in the photo session. You should do that before you publish them publicly. 

Ideally, you've come to an agreement in advance as to how many edited photos each person will have. There are several ways to get the images to others. You could let them select which images they want from proofs you present to them. 

Do not forget to sign your images for appropriate credit.

When it's all over, images have been delivered to the other vendors and new images added to your portfolio. So, what does this all mean? 

It means that you've now worked with a group of other professionals who've seen you (and each other) in action and can refer clients to you. It means you have new styled images for your portfolio to use with prospective clients. It also means that you've tagged them in social media posts and exposed your work to their followers and vice versa. 

The results of a styled photo session with other professionals can be impactful for your business. It's a lot of work to coordinate, but it's well worth it.