I’ll never forget the feeling of trying to book my first wedding photography clients.
I had the passion. I had the gear. I had the late nights watching YouTube videos and saving inspo boards like my life depended on it. But you know what I didn’t have? A portfolio that would actually make a couple say, “Yep, we trust her with our once-in-a-lifetime day.”
That’s the catch-22 no one really talks about:
To book weddings, you need a portfolio.
But to get a portfolio, you need weddings.
And unless your best mate is marrying their high school sweetheart in a vineyard next weekend… where do you even start?
The slow road (aka what most photographers do)
Most people slog through the early years saying yes to everything. Shooting elopements for free, begging to second-shoot, trying to DIY styled shoots that look, well… DIY. It works, eventually, because it’s exactly what I did… But it takes years to get to where you actually want to be.
You spend so much time trying to make connections with vendors, convincing couples to “take a chance on you,” and figuring it all out solo. And while you’re waiting to finally attract your dream clients, you end up stuck shooting weddings that don’t light you up.
The shortcut (aka what I wish existed when I started)
Here’s the truth: you don’t have to wait years to book the kind of clients you actually want.
This is exactly why I created my in-person workshops.
Because when you walk into a workshop like the one I’m hosting at Feathertop Winery this October, everything changes.
You walk away with:
✨ A luxury portfolio (think: dream couples, styled setups, editorial vibes) that immediately positions you for high-end bookings.
✨ Networking with planners, florists, stylists, and other photographers — the kind of connections that would normally take you years to build on your own.
✨ Practical education and behind-the-scenes insight on posing, directing, lighting, and storytelling… things you can’t learn from just scrolling Instagram.
And the best part? You’re not doing it alone.
There’s something about being in the room (and out in the vineyards, cameras in hand) with like-minded photographers who just get it. You leave not only with images that will get you booked, but with friendships and accountability that keep you moving long after the workshop ends.
Why this matters for booking clients
Couples don’t want to gamble on a photographer who “might” be able to capture their day. They want proof. They want to see galleries that feel like them — polished, intentional, beautiful.
When you can show a portfolio that screams experience (even if you’re just starting out), you skip the years of hustling for scraps and go straight to booking clients who value what you do.
That’s what workshops do. They give you the portfolio, the connections, and the confidence to stop waiting and start building the business you actually want.
Ready to skip a few years?
If you’re tired of wondering how to book your first wedding photography clients, this is your shortcut.
On October 28th, I’m hosting an intimate workshop at Feathertop Winery in the Yarra Valley. There are only 6 tickets available, because I want this to feel hands-on, personal, and impactful.
You’ll walk away with the kind of images and industry connections that can change everything for your business.
👉 Grab your spot here before they’re gone.
