From Zero to Hero; My Journey to High-End Weddings with PhotoBizXposed

Podcast
Written By Lei Lei Clavey


In this episode of the Life & Lens Podcast, join me for my podcast interview on Andrew Hellmich’s PhotobizXposed podcast about navigating moving from the high-end client to the luxury market and how I create styled shoots that are campaigns for my brand.

Andrew Hellmich of PhotobizX by is a go-to educator and podcaster for aspiring and established photographers. On his weekly podcast he interviews successful photographers from around the world to uncover how they run their photography businesses, whether wedding, portrait or headshot photography and turn a profit. He’s interested in what photographers really do in their business, exposing ‘how’ they run their business so that we can shortcut the road to success.

What I love about Andrew’s podcast and his style is that he talks about the nitty gritty of running a successful business; things his listeners can turn into real advice. From topics such as trends, branding, advertising and accounting his interviews with photographers aims to inspire and motivate us to run businesses that we love and that thrive!

In our interview, we talk about how launching my business with the specific goal to the world’s best wedding photographer, changed the trajectory of my success. Rather than entering as an entry-level wedding photographer, I crafted a brand and marketed myself to the high-end niche. From the outset, I wanted to attract high-end clients, planning luxury weddings with an editorial aesthetic. Was I open about my experience? Absolutely, I was and always am transparent about my experience as a fashion photographer who pivoted to shooting weddings. What attracted my ideal clients to me was my luxury branding, personal brand and strategic content from fashion backstage and styled shoots. I also think that putting your big goals and dreams out into the universecreates a magnetic force where people want to support you; so why not put it out there? 

Some books I recommend on the Podcast that truly changed by mindset are You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero and The Mountain is You by Brianna Wiest.

As I transition from the high-end to luxury client, listening back to this podcast has been a chance to reflect on how my business is evolving. I hope you enjoy the PhotobizX interview and that you can take from it some gems of advice that you can implement in your own business today.

4 Main Takeaway Points:

  • Penetrating the Luxury High-End Markets means you need a strategy to tap into the luxury high-end market segment. My advice is this area is to take calculated risks, invest in your own campaigns to create the content that your ideal client is attracted to and finally consider your brand image and ensure that how you show up on social media, in client calls and on a wedding day aligns with your brand identity.

  • Breakdown of an 18k Wedding Package: Clearly outline the components and services included in a premium wedding photography package. For the luxury market ‘less is more’, so keep packages simple and remove out ‘extras’. Luxury clients are less price driven and value; trust, desirability and brand alignment. For overseas weddings booked far in advance consider your future value as a photographer and how much the opportunity means to you in terms of portfolio and your personal growth.  

  • Having a strategy for your business, including how and where you want to grow will allow you to keep make decisions with a clear perspective. Outlining specific marketing goals such as how and why you turn up on social media and where your work is featured, means you approach this area of your business with intentionality. To me, hitting 10k followers on social media was important for social proof and carving out my place as a top photographer. With this goal in mind, content creation and social media engagement came easily because I was investing in social media as part of my marketing strategy.

  • Styled Shoots are Campaigns for Your Business": Don’t wait for the perfect portfolio wedding to launch your business. Invest 5k into your own styled shoot and it will pay back 10 x over. Plan your styled shoot so that you can shoot the type of content that will attract your ideal client, including working with other vendors who have the same ideal client and model/s who will bring your concept to life.

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode: 

Lei Lei Clavey

Hi, my name is Lei Lei. I am a wedding and editorial photographer. I love to have a fun relaxed time with my couples and capture your day discreetly as if I were a fly on the wall. No posing, only gentle guidance from me when needed. My job isn’t only about being at your wedding but in the months leading up to it to get to know you and your love story. This is so I can capture the day as it naturally unfolds, staying true to who you are as a couple. Every love story is unique and I want to tell yours organically and honestly through my images.

https://www.leileiclavey.com
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