creativeLIVE – Marketing Your Photography Business

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To help you prepare for our massive annual event, Photo Week 2016, we’re presenting some of our favorite teachers who will be there.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll be sharing everything from their insights and guidance on how to make it in the photography profession, how to frame excellent images within their domains, how to establish your own distinct style, and much more.

Katelyn James, a wedding photographer and community marketer extraordinaire, was my interviewee today. This Virginia-based wedding photographer has learned a thing or two about marketing her photography business over the years, and her work has a sizable social following.

Katelyn started her wedding photography business while still in college, and by her second year, she was shooting 25+ weddings per year. Katelyn spends more time teaching other photographers about techniques, business tips, and how to market your photography business now that she’s established in the industry.

Here’s our conversation with Katelyn on how to create (and manage) a strong community for your photography company.

You talk about your clients becoming members of your tribe rather than simply making a one-time transaction. Can you tell me when you first started doing this?

“I first realized I had a community forming within my pool of clients when one of my brides named herself a ‘KJ Bride,'” says Katelyn. It suddenly dawned on me that these brides were so taken with their experience that they had given themselves a title!”

“Make your customers so happy with their experience that they form a community around you.” @katelynjames

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“After that, I began focusing on the experience and community that surrounded my business rather than typical marketing approaches.” And guess what? It was successful. Brilliantly! We’ve been expanding and strengthening the ‘KJ Bride’ community for seven years, and it’s stronger than ever. I don’t believe I could ever return to a traditional marketing strategy in my firm.”

Create a community for your company, and you’ll never need to use the term “marketing” again. @katelynjames

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Katelyn is an excellent example of how providing more than just a product or service – creating a meaningful experience for your customers – can sow the seeds of a powerful community for your company.

Q. How do you manage to be a part of your wedding shoots while also growing your business?

“Outsourcing,” says Katelyn. ‘Katelyn, how much would you give to live a life with your husband?’ questioned one of my mentors. ‘How much is that to you?’ That one question transformed my photography business and my life. I couldn’t make any more excuses.”

Outsourcing will substantially assist you build your photography business. @katelynjames

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“At this point, I realized that my work/life balance was unhealthy, so I began delegating work that I didn’t absolutely have to do, and guess what… everything worked out.” In fact, because I had margin in my life, my business and income have grown significantly.”

What else does the CreativeLive audience need to know about you?

“Be aware that I grew up in the country and have been told that I have a slight accent,” Katelyn says. I’m overjoyed to be on CreativeLive and can’t wait to share my story and business experience with new and old friends. There are so many photographers in our industry who have the potential to start their own community, and I’m excited to share the practical steps and education that will help them do so!”

Join us for Photo Week 2016 to learn how Katelyn has built a strong community around her photography business.

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