A little on Marketing... SEO/links

For those of you who don't know, I am also a marketing consultant in my spare time, focusing on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) One of the important aspects for photographers like myself, is to get their site higher on the ranks of Google. It's even more challenging for photographers because it is such a broad market. Take a look at my business, there are thousands of wedding photographers in the Washington DC metro area, so it is essential to get my website recognized!!!

I found an interesting article by Carrie Swaills that I'd like to share. It covers the topic of hyper-linking or getting links to your website from other professionals pages. Enjoy!

5 WAYS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS TO GET LINKS (MARKETING)

It sounds crazy, but the number one way to market for free is to get other websites to link back to your website. It’s all…. about the link backs my friends.

It does have to do a lot with SEO (search engine rank) in that every time someone links to you Google analyzes it and “scores” your website and the more people that link to your website from their websites the higher you will show up in searches for photography in your area. What does being higher in a search mean? Excuse my “SEO for dummies” explanation. It means that when people are searching for a photographer they see you first, and it’s free! It is, of course, hard work behind the scenes, but it’s worth it in the end.

Here are a few ways you can get some link backs of your own. Thanks for being so patient for this blog post. I was intending on putting it up last Thursday or Friday, but I was in Vail and out of town for a wedding so I just took a couple days off from the blogosphere.

1. Wedding Websites – if you’re a wedding photographer registering on websites like weddingwire.com, theknot.com, and all those other ones will usually allow you to put a link to your website. A lot of these wedding websites have a system set up where you can pay to be listed in their system, just stick with the free options. All you really want to get out of this is a link back to your website. There are literally hundreds of these types of websites, and some of them are owned by the same company. When you list on one you might find that listing on a few other sites you didn’t sign up for, but that’s okay. Google “wedding websites” and just start going at it!

2. Yellow Pages – Any websites like yellow pages allow you to have a business listing for free and will let you put your website up. There are several and these can be hugely helpful to bring your search engine rank higher.

3. Wedding Blogs – Having a wedding or photoshoot featured on a wedding blog is a great way to be linked to and show off your work. There are other websites and newborn blogs you could potentially submit a session to be published on.

4. Photography Websites – Guest blog for someone looking for writers and you’ll be linked to.

5. Connect with other Vendors – If you are a wedding photographer connecting with local wedding planners, wedding venues, florists, DJs, etc. is a great way to be linked to. Offering them the use of your photos in exchange to a link on their website is a great way to make friends in the business and get linked to. When you give wedding vendors the use of your photos they are usually incredibly grateful and will help refer clients to you too. If you do newborn or family photography you can connect with midwives, birthing centers and hospitals to provide them photos for their websites and get a link back in exchange.

20 Things You Wish You Knew About Photography Posing....

Hi!

For those of you who aren't professionals in the business, or even for those that are, it never hurts to be reminded of certain "tricks" when practicing our photography. A friend of mine sent me this link the other day and I love it... everything in the article is very true! Most of it I already practice but it never hurts for a refresher... so here it is:

http://photographyawesomesauce.com/20-things-i-wish-i-knew-about-photography-posing/

My favorite is the "never shoot below a person" trick. I have used this for years teasing my family and getting on the top set of stairs to take photos at Christmas. It's amazing that it really works!! So try it!

One other point I loved is the "let one pose become many." So true!! Instead of making your client move all around the place, try YOU moving as the photographer. Switching up angles is one of my favorite things to do. Here's one of my examples:

Things are back on track!

Hi blog world,

Well it's official. After almost a year transition I am back on track and ready to begin full-on marketing in my new area of Germantown, Maryland. Moving from a smaller area like Delaware to the DC Metro area has opened my eyes up to many new opportunities and I am very blessed for that. I am excited to gain new clients in this area and explore all the wedding venues! Wedding photographers here I come!

There many be a lot of photographers out there but I am determined to succeed and get my name out like I did in Delaware. Of course I won't forget DE and will still be traveling back for weddings on occasion.

Thank you to everyone who has followed me and supported me through my year of transition...stay tuned for more exciting things from Tara Katherine Photography!

-Tara

The Final Countdown...

Hello everyone in blog world!!

So the final countdown has begun to my wedding season...I officially have 17 days until I shoot my first wedding of 2012. Where has the time gone? As much as I have enjoyed my three month hiatus, I am eagerly awaiting to get back behind the lens and start shooting. However, weddings can be VERY stressful for the bride/family as well as the photographer. Here are 5 tips I recommend:

1.) Stay calm at all times, no matter what.

2.) Always have a smile on your face and continually remind the bride that it's her day and she is beautiful.

3.) Come with a backup bag of goodies!
Hair pins, lint rollers, panty hose, tape, etc. Even if you don't have to use any of it, it helps the bride relax knowing it's there in case.

4.) Wear a watch. Stick to the schedule!
This is one of the hardest aspects of being a wedding photographer. Brides are always running around crazy and unaware of the time schedule they set. It's your job as a photographer to help them stay on that schedule. Because, if you don't, whether it's your fault or not, you will end up getting the blame for being late.

5.) Always act professional but feel free to lend a hand.
Sometimes, the bride may need you to hold something briefly, watch a toddler who's in the wedding, or just have someone not-related to the event to talk to... if this is the case, try and be as professional as you can but still lend a hand. I know it's not in the photographer's job description, BUT it puts you in that uppermost class of photographers and it will help the day go by very smoothly. As long as it's not interfering with your job to take photos, feel free to step outside your comfort zone and help. :)

Well that's some of my brief advice for shooting weddings. As the season for me progresses, I will occasionally stop in and let you all know how it's going! Until then...

-Tara

Valentine's Day is Around the corner!

Happy Friday my blog friends!

Valentines day is around the corner! Only a few more days to go! Have you gotten something yet for your special someone? Or perhaps just for a family member that you want to show appreciation to? Valentine's Day isn't completely commercial by the way.... it began its roots with St. Valentine back in the day!
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Valentine)

Anyways, if you are tired of the boring chocolates routine... or want to do something special this year, why not consider a photoshoot for your significant other? I have done couples shoots and although some people may find it strange, I think it's great! Just because you're legally "single" doesn't mean you don't have a love to celebrate. Before winter hit, I was able to do a photoshoot for a great couple that although they aren't married, they are definitely in love. See if you think these photos would show that!!

That's it for now!! Have a great day everyone.

One month to go....

Hi bloggers!

I'm sure you have noticed that I've been MIA lately. This is because, for many wedding photographers like myself, January-February is our down-time aka my "stay-cation." I decided not to go on any fancy vacation this year and just spend my free time relaxing, being with my husband and doing smaller photo jobs here and there on the side. Although the break has been nice, I am looking forward to my upcoming 2012 wedding season. My first few weddings begin in March and I can't wait!

As I look back on my 2011 wedding season, I wanted to say thank you to all the brides I had the pleasure working with. I witnessed some beautiful weddings last year and I was able to hold a small part of each one with me. For those of  you who are curious, you can always visit my website: www.tarakphoto.com and check out some of the photographs from 2011. Each year I change the photos on my site to reflect the current year. So, get to looking because in a few months the old photos will be gone and fresh new photos from my 2012 brides will be here!!

Until next time...!

I've moved!!

Hello blog world,

It has been a few months since I've been on here but with good reason... I got married back in September and moved with my husband to Montgomery County, MD. Which is now my freelance base! So far I am loving my new area and am getting used to the congestion of typical DC suburbs. Good news is, there are tons of horse farms in my direct area so I've been able to meet some great contacts and grow the equine line of my business.

This past weekend, I was hired to attend Loch Moy Horse Trials for my "Paparazzi for the Day" service. This is one of my favorite services I offer because I really get to know the client and experience something special with them. Gina, my client, and her family hired me to come to the horse show with her and take photos. I was there from about 7:30am until 3:00pm. She rode really well and I was able to capture all the special moments and everything in between. Here is a sample of photos from the day:

THANKS GINA!! Please feel free to contact me about your next event. Whether it's a horse show, recital, or just a special day, let me come with you to capture all the greats! www.tarakphoto.com