Calling all photographers, Kels Converse Education this way >
FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS, KELS CONVERSE EDUCATION THIS WAY >
How to Repurpose Your Content to Market for Elopements
How to use your current content to market for elopements
Marketing for elopements can feel daunting, especially if you haven’t photographed many or any elopements at all. However, there are powerful ways to market your ideal bookings effectively, even if you’re just starting out. One of the most effective tools you can leverage is SEO and keyword marketing. By honing in on specific search terms that your potential clients are using, like “elopement photography” you can increase your visibility online and attract the right audience to your website and social media. BUT as a photographer – visual marketing content is also important!
If your goal is to book more elopements, this blog is for you!
What Is “Content”, and How Do We Get It?
Before we dive into repurposing, let’s clarify what content actually is in the context of marketing for photography. If you’ve been around social media at all in the last decade it’s probably already a no-brainer for you. It could be any form of marketing material, but most commonly its referring to images or video footage. That’s definitely the case for photographers.
“Content” is the shoots or weddings we photograph, whether that be from a paid booking or a styled shoot done for free. Nowadays couples are even hiring “content creators” for their weddings, to document through phones, behind-the-scenes- style footage! Every bit of footage is useful!
The point is, content is something you have (or need) and you’re allowed to use to it market (aka get your ideal clients) for your business! But how do you get it, especially when you’re lacking elopement-specific material? I’ve got you!
Here are three ways to gather content that can be repurposed to help you market for elopements:
- Through Weddings You’ve Already Documented: If you’ve already shot weddings, you likely have a treasure trove of images that can be repositioned to attract elopement clients. Focus on the intimate, candid moments—the ones that look like they could belong to a smaller, more adventurous celebration. Highlight outdoor settings, adventurous couples, or anything that conveys the feeling of an elopement.
- Through Styled Shoots / Mock Elopements: You don’t need a real elopement to create compelling content. Organize a styled shoot that mimics an elopement. This gives you the opportunity to craft the exact type of content you want to market. It also shows potential clients that you understand how to document intimate, personalized celebrations. It could be with a paid model or your BFF!
- Market on Your Website: Once you’ve gathered the content, use your website as a key tool in your marketing strategy. Start by creating blog posts that utilize your existing photography. You can write posts about specific wedding days, or you can create helpful guides on how to plan an elopement, what couples need to know about locations, and how to choose a photographer for an elopement. Blog posts are fantastic for improving your SEO and driving traffic to your site.
Just starting your photography Biz? Download this checklist to get started out on the right foot!
Understanding your ideal client
One thing that is extremely important that most people skip is that you absolutely need to understand your ideal client. You can have all of the content you need, but if it’s not the content that will attract the right person, then it really doesn’t matter. So first and foremost, get to know who this person is inside and out. Understand what they are looking for, and what they want out of their photos. Then you can choose the photos that would best make them gravitate towards you and your work.
Repurpose Current Photos to Create Helpful Blog Posts
Even if the images you have are from weddings and not elopements, you can still create useful blog content for couples planning an elopement. For instance, write about your favorite elopement destinations and pair those articles with wedding photos that evoke the same adventurous or intimate spirit. If you travel, locally or internationally – use those photos to market specific destination elopements!
By strategically using photos that align with the elopement aesthetic, you’re creating a bridge between what you have now and the clients you want to attract. AND positioning yourself as an expert guide to your future elopement clients!
Targeting Your Website for Elopement Clients
If you’re trying to pivot into the elopement niche, repurpose your current content to speak directly to those clients. Take the wedding content you have and emphasize the aspects that align with an elopement vibe. For example, if you have a wedding shoot in a remote, natural setting, you can highlight those elements on your website. Use that content to build out landing pages that focus on adventure elopements, small weddings, or destination elopements. And don’t forget to optimize for SEO!
Market Through Social Media
Social media is another crucial avenue to market for elopements. When using platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, only share the type of work you want to book. Even if it’s wedding photography, focus on posting the more intimate, adventure-filled moments. Caption your photos with storytelling elements and keywords that resonate with elopement clients, like “mountain elopement,” “intimate wedding,” or “adventure photography.”
Remember, social media platforms are a visual search engine, so use the right hashtags, geotags, and descriptions to help your target audience find you.
Use Pinterest to Boost Your Marketing
Pinterest is a powerhouse when it comes to driving traffic to your site. Much like Instagram, Pinterest allows you to share work aligned with the type of elopements you want to book. Create pin-worthy blog posts and link them to your specific landing pages or portfolio pieces. For instance, if you’ve written a guide on eloping in the a National Park, create a pin with a gorgeous image from a related styled shoot or wedding. The pin can link directly to your blog post, giving potential clients helpful information and insight into your work at the same time.
Marketing for Elopements
By following these strategies, you can effectively market for elopements, even if you’re just getting started. Focus on leveraging the content you already have, aligning it with the elopement vibe, and using SEO, social media, and Pinterest to get it in front of the right audience.
If this all sounds confusing to you and you’re looking for some help getting started in elopement photography, I’ve got you friend! Here at Kels Converse Education, we’re diving into allll things marketing, money, boundaries, client experience + beyond. If you’re looking for a community of like-minded photographers to grow with, check out my Biz with Boundaries Mastermind! I‘m a firm believer in accountability being a catalyst to growth! My goal is to see other elopement photographers thrive in their businesses and live the life they love! Whether you’ve been in business for a decade or are just starting out – there’s always room to grow!
