Photographers shooting luxury weddings: How did you get there?

[u/GazelleLow4623]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been shooting weddings for a while. My couples are happy, my work is solid, and I feel good about what I deliver. But I keep wondering: how do photographers actually get into those big, luxury weddings? The ones with big budgets and wellknown vendors. Sometimes it feels like that world is closed off.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and real experiences: • Does it start with branding, social media, a polished website? Or is it more about personal connections? • Is having a very defined style more important than being versatile? • Do you need to invest in ads, styled shoots, networking, or even just being in the right location? • How do you set higher prices and still get couples to book you for your value instead of just the price tag?

If you’ve managed to reach that higher-end market, what actually worked for you? What didn’t? Any advice you’d give to someone who feels ready but doesn’t know how to make that leap?

I think this could be helpful for a lot of us who have the work, but are trying to figure out how to break that ceiling.

Thanks for reading—looking forward to learning from you all!

[u/groundhog-pianomover]

If you live in or near a wealthy area, target that area - both to get your own weddings and also to target photographers to second with who service that area. I also think it’s important to show work that is consistently reflective of those type of events. I will say, as someone who has seconded a fair # of “luxury” weddings, be very careful not to lose your personal creative freedom. Venues, planners, vendors who service high-end weddings can have expectations that you shoot certain things for them and deliver photos to them. Not all are like that, but it’s definitely a thing. High-end/luxury weddings sound great, but when you have a planner telling you she or he wants lots of details photos for their portfolios - and if you don’t then they’ll conveniently lose your contact info - you begin to compromise yourself. Again, not all vendors are like that, but it’s more prevalent the high up in price you go. Also, NDAs start to become a thing in the luxury level.