1. 14 days before: build a portfolio you can show
If you have no weddings yet, offer two styled shoots or a free engagement session to couples in local Facebook groups. Post: "New wedding photographer in [city] building my portfolio. Free 1-hour engagement shoot for 3 couples in exchange for permission to use the photos." Pick your best 30 to 40 images, not 200.
2. 12 days before: set up a simple booking page
Make one page with your portfolio, your starting price, the areas you cover, and a contact form that asks for wedding date and venue. Publishing a starting price filters out bad fits and saves you calls. Claim a free Google Business Profile with the same info so you show up for "wedding photographer [city]".
3. 10 days before: list 30 venues and planners
Search "wedding venue [city]" on Google Maps and "[city] wedding planner" on Instagram. Write down the venue coordinator or events manager name for each, plus 10 local planners. These people get asked "who do you recommend?" every week.
4. 7 days before: offer venues free photos
Venue coordinators need good photos of their space for their website and listings. Send: "Hi [name], I'm a new wedding photographer in [city]. I'd love to shoot your venue for an hour, free, and give you the edited images to use however you like. Would a weekday morning work?" Book at least three.
5. Launch day: tell your personal network directly
Message 20 to 30 people one by one instead of one broadcast post. Try: "I've officially launched my wedding photography business. Know anyone getting engaged or married in the next year? A name would mean a lot." Then post the same news on your personal Facebook and Instagram with three of your best photos.
6. Launch day: show up in local wedding groups
Join groups like "[City] Brides" or "[State] Wedding Planning" on Facebook and the r/weddingplanning subreddit. Read the rules first, since many only allow vendor posts on set days. Answer real questions about timelines, golden hour and shot lists before you ever mention your business.
7. Days 3 to 10: follow up and ask for second-shooter work
Follow up once with every venue and planner who did not reply. Also message 10 established local photographers: "I'm new and available as a second shooter on any date this season. Happy to send my portfolio." Second shooting earns money, builds your portfolio, and gets you overflow referrals.
8. Days 10 to 14: reply fast and track every lead
Answer every inquiry within a few hours with their date, availability, and a link to book a 15-minute call. Keep a simple spreadsheet of every venue, planner, photographer and couple you contacted and when to follow up. Hulby, an AI cofounder, can find these contacts and draft these messages for you each day.
Mistakes to skip
- Showing 200 mixed photos instead of 30 strong wedding-style images.
- Posting ads in wedding groups that ban vendor promotion and getting removed.
- Hiding your prices, which brings in inquiries that will never book.
- Waiting weeks to reply to an inquiry while the couple books someone else.
Want this done for your wedding photography business, every day?
Hulby finds the people asking for what you built, writes every reply and email, and keeps you on it until they pay. Free to start.
Find my first customersQuestions
How do I get booked with no weddings in my portfolio?
Do styled shoots, free engagement sessions, and second-shooting for established photographers. Show those honestly as your work.
Should I offer free weddings?
At most one or two, with a written agreement. After that, charge a low starting price and raise it as you book.
Are paid directories like The Knot worth it at launch?
Not yet. Claim the free listings and Google Business Profile first, and spend your time on venues and planners.
How long until the first booking?
It depends on your city and season. Because couples book far ahead, keep following up for several weeks before judging what works.