How to Actually Break into the Luxury Market Step-By-Step - Emma K Films
Aug 30, 2023
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Learn how to break into the luxury wedding filmmaking market step-by-step, from going from $400 to $27K wedding films to dealing with negativity and pushing past it. Discover mindset secrets as a female filmmaker and how to get your first gig in the luxury market. Explore personal branding, working with editors, and making high-end planners want to work with you. Plus, delve into the connection between personal relationships and art, handling uncomfortable brides, determining personal style, and the value of community and vulnerability in the industry.
Transitioning to the luxury market requires building a portfolio that showcases luxury weddings and understanding the style and brand of luxury planners and venues.
Networking with luxury planners and providing value through behind-the-scenes content or teaser reels can help build relationships and stand out in the luxury market.
Luxury weddings have a distinct style characterized by refined, editorial, and moody elements, and it is important to adapt to each unique luxury market.
Personal branding should align with the luxury market, exuding sophistication and refinement through appearance, venues, and overall ambiance.
Presenting oneself as professional and mature in the luxury wedding market, including dressing professionally and being mindful of social media presence, is crucial for success.
Deep dives
Transitioning to the Luxury Market
Transitioning to the luxury market requires building a portfolio that showcases luxury weddings. To do this, the first step is to recognize the style and brand of luxury planners and venues that you want to work with. Tailor your emails and communications to show that you understand their brand and what they value. Networking with planners and offering to create behind-the-scenes content or teaser reels for them can provide value and start building relationships. Style shoots can also be instrumental in creating a portfolio that reflects the luxury market. Remember that luxury weddings are not just a nicer version of what you are currently producing, but a distinct style with refined, editorial, and moody elements. Keep in mind that luxury markets can vary by location, so consider moving to areas with a thriving luxury market if necessary.
Providing Value to Planners
When networking with luxury planners, it is essential to show what value you can bring to the table. Understand and research their brand to tailor your communications accordingly. Offering to create behind-the-scenes content or teaser reels can demonstrate your skills and commitment. Remember that you don't need to offer a surplus of videos, but a strategic approach to providing value. Be selective in your social media marketing and focus on showcasing high-quality content that aligns with the luxury market. Networking with intention and providing value can help you stand out and build relationships with luxury planners.
Understanding Luxury Style
Luxury weddings are not solely defined by having more money to spend, but by a distinct style. While it is challenging to describe without visual examples, luxury weddings often feature refined, editorial, and moody elements. Luxury venues and settings can include urban spaces, coastal locations, or high-end hotels. Pay attention to the style of decor, clothing, color palettes, and preferred photographers that are emblematic of the luxury market. Keep in mind that each luxury market may have its unique characteristics, so be adaptable and observant to provide content that resonates with planners and clients in that specific market.
Evolving Personal Branding
Breaking into the luxury market often requires evolving your personal branding to match the desired image. Consider your appearance and how you present yourself on your about page, website, and social media. Dress professionally and in line with the luxury market aesthetic. Tailor your brand to exude sophistication and refinement that would resonate with luxury clients. Showcase your work in venues and settings that align with the luxury market, even if you may have to travel to do so. Focus on capturing the essence of luxury weddings, including the attire, venue, and overall ambiance. Remember that personal branding should complement the luxury market style and create an impression of elegance and exclusivity.
Establishing a Professional and Mature Brand
The podcast episode discusses the importance of presenting oneself as professional and mature in the luxury wedding market. The speaker shares how they dressed in suits for all weddings, regardless of budget, to project a professional image. They also emphasize the need to be mindful of social media presence, avoiding oversharing personal details that may affect brand perception.
Crafting an Artistic and Luxury Feel
The podcast delves into the importance of creating an artistic and luxury feel in wedding films. The speaker highlights the significance of capturing shots that feel expensive and showcase creativity, using movement, lighting, and composition to elevate the overall aesthetic. They discuss the concept of fine art and the role of mystery, mood, and aesthetics in producing distinctive and high-end films.
Collaborating with Editors and Refining Quality
The podcast explores the process of collaborating with editors to ensure the final films reflect the desired brand and vision. The speaker emphasizes the importance of over-communicating and providing specific feedback to achieve the desired outcome. They express their commitment to improving the quality of their films by focusing on composition, artistry, and pushing creative boundaries.
Building Relationships with Clients and Planners
In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses the importance of building relationships with clients and planners in the wedding videography industry. While it may not always be possible to become best friends with clients, it is crucial to establish trust and understanding. The speaker emphasizes the need to thoroughly research and understand the wedding timeline, as well as the couple's style and vision. They suggest requesting design decks and mood boards from planners to get a sense of the couple's preferences and inspiration. The goal is to provide the best possible video by honing in on the couple's desired style and capturing special moments.
Balancing Artistic Vision and Client Expectations
The podcast episode also delves into the balance between artistic vision and client expectations in the luxury wedding videography market. The speaker acknowledges the desire to produce films that speak to their brand, but also recognizes the need to meet client expectations. They discuss the challenge of subbing out edits and the potential trade-off in artistry. By charging more and taking on fewer weddings, they can dedicate more time to focus on the art of their films. They emphasize continuous growth and improvement as a filmmaker, acknowledging that even the most successful creators still have areas they are working on. The key is to embrace vulnerability, share experiences, and learn from one another within the filmmaking community.
In this episode, Emma shares: How to actually break into the luxury market step-by-step
We also cover: How to go from $400 to $27K wedding films, Pushing past negativity from your friends and family, Mindset secrets as a Female in the Luxury Industry, How to get your first gig in the Luxury Market, Make High-End planners instantly want to work with you, Personal Branding in the Luxury Market, Working with editors and growing a high-end brand, Can a less personal connection with your couples lead to better art? and more!
👋🏻 The Profitable Filmmaker: Crazy excited! Next month my course The Profitable Filmmaker will be launching again! This course will teach you exactly how to make $100k+ per year as a wedding filmmaker in any location, market, or economy. A recent student just went from $23k a year to $96k a year from weddings alone after taking the course! I'll be sharing more details soon!
