how far out to book?

mmmattmmmatt Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
edited April 7, 2009 in Weddings
I'm just curious how far out the typical booking is for you guys? I booked 2 weddings in the past 2 weeks. Last week was for June 2010 and today was for this June... There just is'nt any rhyme or reason to it is there?

Is now a pretty busy time for booking for next year, or for this year? I may be more busy because I redid the site and have tried a little more advertising, but it seems like things are starting to light up a bit.

Matt
My Smugmug site

Bodies: Canon 5d mkII, 5d, 40d
Lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f4.0L, 135 f2L, 85 f1.8, 50 1.8, 100 f2.8 macro, Tamron 28-105 f2.8
Flash: 2x 580 exII, Canon ST-E2, 2x Pocket Wizard flexTT5, and some lower end studio strobes

Comments

  • Jeff_MiloJeff_Milo Registered Users Posts: 327 Major grins
    edited April 6, 2009
    It really seems to depend on how prepared the B&G are. Like you I cant seem to find a particular pattern to it, in the last two weeks I have booked 3 weddings, one for March 2010, one for this July and on Firday I booked one for April 19th (2 weeks from now). From what have heard from others is that its usually 6 months or so. If you follow the Bridal show schedule that would seem to make some sense as they hold most them in November and April.
    Jeff Milo
    MILOStudios


    www.milophotostudios.com
  • BlurmoreBlurmore Registered Users Posts: 992 Major grins
    edited April 6, 2009
    I book less than 50% of my own weddings +1 year out.
    I book my sub-contract jobs NOT more than 6 weeks in advance.
    http://blog.jasonknauer.com
  • FedererPhotoFedererPhoto Registered Users Posts: 312 Major grins
    edited April 6, 2009
    The only risk with the far-out books is that you'll be raising your prices (or, perhaps, want to get out of the business) ... and if you've been in the biz for a while, your prices probably aren't tripling every year, so I'd just book as far as someone was willing.
    Minneapolis Minnesota Wedding Photographer - Check out my Personal Photography site and Professional Photography Blog
    Here is a wedding website I created for a customer as a value-add. Comments appreciated.
    Founding member of The Professional Photography Forum as well.
  • mmmattmmmatt Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited April 6, 2009
    FedererPhoto wrote:
    The only risk with the far-out books is that you'll be raising your prices (or, perhaps, want to get out of the business) ... and if you've been in the biz for a while, your prices probably aren't tripling every year, so I'd just book as far as someone was willing.

    Yeah... my prices are lower than they will be next year but I'm ok with a few deals for some upfront capital! If my 2010 was starting to fill up I would certainly be raising the prices!!

    Thanks for chiming in all! Oh and Jeff for the 19th, Don't let her always have the flowers over her belly! :D

    I'm out for a week or so, so you all take care. Please keep the discussion up.

    Matt
    My Smugmug site

    Bodies: Canon 5d mkII, 5d, 40d
    Lenses: 24-70 f2.8L, 70-200 f4.0L, 135 f2L, 85 f1.8, 50 1.8, 100 f2.8 macro, Tamron 28-105 f2.8
    Flash: 2x 580 exII, Canon ST-E2, 2x Pocket Wizard flexTT5, and some lower end studio strobes
  • FedererPhotoFedererPhoto Registered Users Posts: 312 Major grins
    edited April 7, 2009
    mmmatt wrote:
    Yeah... my prices are lower than they will be next year but I'm ok with a few deals for some upfront capital! If my 2010 was starting to fill up I would certainly be raising the prices!!

    That's a good thing to note - if you are filling up your 2010 already, your prices are probably too low. You're going to want to have your prices such that you jjjjjust fill up in time. It's a tough balance.
    Minneapolis Minnesota Wedding Photographer - Check out my Personal Photography site and Professional Photography Blog
    Here is a wedding website I created for a customer as a value-add. Comments appreciated.
    Founding member of The Professional Photography Forum as well.
  • fcorin13fcorin13 Registered Users Posts: 130 Major grins
    edited April 7, 2009
    Ironically this is what I was just thinking. I do a very select amount of weddings a year (no more than 12) and this year I only have about 4 scheduled. But I've already got 3 for next year! I actually booked one for NEXT September. Yeah, over a year in advance. Who knows! I've gotten several calls for weddings last minute, too, but I haven't been available to do them. It seems brides either over prepare or under prepare! lol
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