How do you go about getting your first weddings? at DVinfo.net

Arif Syed · December 5th, 2008, 04:40 PM

How did you convince your first couple of clients that they can trust you with their precious video without a heft portfolio?

I am in the infant stages, and am no where ready to begin my venture but would like to hear some tips for when I am ready.

Blake Cavett · December 5th, 2008, 05:12 PM

Give them away!
Find a friend who knows someone... charge nothing (or next to nothing) and make no promises. Do about 2-4 like this... have a nice demo reel, charge accordingly and keep your fingers crossed.

Good luck!

William Smyth · December 5th, 2008, 05:15 PM

Also, try checking out Craigslist, you may find someone that can't afford a video, but may have a little money to throw your way. Deliver more than they expect, it will generate great word of mouth.

Dave Blackhurst · December 5th, 2008, 06:20 PM

Particularly for the first couple of outings (while you're finding out whether or not you can hack the gig), do them for friends/acquaintences or maybe find a videographer who needs a second shooter "for experience" not pay...

Get a reel together of other things you've shot, show you can frame, compose, edit and mix down a good product.

For the first few times, shoot and edit like you're being paid thousands even if it's for a free meal at the reception or a "wedding gift" for your friends, and the biz will come. Plus you'll get a demo or two that will show off what you can do for a paying client.

Harry Settle · December 5th, 2008, 10:26 PM

We had a couple of friends with kids getting hitched that we did for the cost of tapes and other supplies. By the time we got around to doing these freebies we had already contracted and completed four other paying weddings. We met up with a local photographer at one of the paid gigs who instantly started lining us up with referrals.

Jason Robinson · December 6th, 2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arif Syed

How did you convince your first couple of clients that they can trust you with their precious video without a heft portfolio?

I am in the infant stages, and am no where ready to begin my venture but would like to hear some tips for when I am ready.

easy... they wern't going to do a video anyway and I volunteered to have a go at it. If someone actually had listed a video as important, then they already would have looked around for a seasoned pro. Otherwise, the offer of "hey I'll learn and give you what I can" is a tempting offer for the couple on a budget.

Troy Davis · December 9th, 2008, 01:15 PM

Like the others suggested do a freebie or close to it. My first wedding was a freebie.

Noel Lising · December 9th, 2008, 01:26 PM

Hook up with a photographer, tell them they can offer Videography for free for 1-2 weddings they are quoting on as you are starting out. That would almost certainly land them the business plus you'll build business realtionship.

Art Varga · December 9th, 2008, 01:28 PM

yup - do one ( and only one) freebie to get something in your portfolio. Also put your absolute best into that one. I spent a crazy amount of hours editing that first free wedding. I can't stand to look at it today but I'm proud of the effort I put in and it got me 12 paid gigs within the next year - good luck!

Denny Kyser · December 9th, 2008, 07:22 PM

I agree, under promise, over deliver.

I am still learning and have to say I am glad I did not charge much of anything my first several, and made it clear what they were getting. So far they have all been happy, but I was not. Just so much to learn and you want to do what you see on here and it just does not happen like that. I did invest in the correct equipment to get the audio under control that was an editing nightmare for me until I added a pro mixer, now I can concentrate on shooting more.

December 5th, 2008, 04:40 PM	#1
Arif Syed Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Elmont, New York Posts: 143	How do you go about getting your first weddings? How did you convince your first couple of clients that they can trust you with their precious video without a heft portfolio? I am in the infant stages, and am no where ready to begin my venture but would like to hear some tips for when I am ready.

December 5th, 2008, 05:15 PM	#3
William Smyth Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 153	Also, try checking out Craigslist, you may find someone that can't afford a video, but may have a little money to throw your way. Deliver more than they expect, it will generate great word of mouth. __________________ www.williamsmythvisuals.com

December 5th, 2008, 10:26 PM	#5
Harry Settle Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bemidji, MN Posts: 276	We had a couple of friends with kids getting hitched that we did for the cost of tapes and other supplies. By the time we got around to doing these freebies we had already contracted and completed four other paying weddings. We met up with a local photographer at one of the paid gigs who instantly started lining us up with referrals. __________________ "DOH"!!!

December 9th, 2008, 07:22 PM	#10
Denny Kyser Major Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Warren, Pa Posts: 785	I agree, under promise, over deliver. I am still learning and have to say I am glad I did not charge much of anything my first several, and made it clear what they were getting. So far they have all been happy, but I was not. Just so much to learn and you want to do what you see on here and it just does not happen like that. I did invest in the correct equipment to get the audio under control that was an editing nightmare for me until I added a pro mixer, now I can concentrate on shooting more. __________________ 2 Canon XF305's Kyser Photography www.kyserphoto.com

December 5th, 2008, 05:12 PM	#2
Blake Cavett Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Madison Posts: 330	Give them away! Find a friend who knows someone... charge nothing (or next to nothing) and make no promises. Do about 2-4 like this... have a nice demo reel, charge accordingly and keep your fingers crossed. Good luck!

December 5th, 2008, 06:20 PM	#4
Dave Blackhurst Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Apple Valley CA Posts: 4,874	Particularly for the first couple of outings (while you're finding out whether or not you can hack the gig), do them for friends/acquaintences or maybe find a videographer who needs a second shooter "for experience" not pay... Get a reel together of other things you've shot, show you can frame, compose, edit and mix down a good product. For the first few times, shoot and edit like you're being paid thousands even if it's for a free meal at the reception or a "wedding gift" for your friends, and the biz will come. Plus you'll get a demo or two that will show off what you can do for a paying client.

December 9th, 2008, 01:15 PM	#7
Troy Davis Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 263	Like the others suggested do a freebie or close to it. My first wedding was a freebie.

December 9th, 2008, 01:26 PM	#8
Noel Lising Major Player Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 789	Hook up with a photographer, tell them they can offer Videography for free for 1-2 weddings they are quoting on as you are starting out. That would almost certainly land them the business plus you'll build business realtionship.

December 9th, 2008, 01:28 PM	#9
Art Varga Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Belle Mead, NJ Posts: 552	yup - do one ( and only one) freebie to get something in your portfolio. Also put your absolute best into that one. I spent a crazy amount of hours editing that first free wedding. I can't stand to look at it today but I'm proud of the effort I put in and it got me 12 paid gigs within the next year - good luck!