Nobody tells you that when you start a wedding photography business, it’s way more than capturing love stories. When you’re working to be a full time professional, there is so much that goes into building a successful business. Let’s face it: it can be overwhelming. But a simple solution can help manage the stress: hiring a virtual assistant for wedding photographers.

What Does a Virtual Assistant for Wedding Photographers Do?

First and foremost: what actually is a wedding photography VA? We’ve heard of assistants on event days to help carry equipment, manage cards, and set up lighting. But the backend of your wedding photography business is just as important. Having a helping hand will allow your business to grow and flourish in the long term.

The Role of a Wedding Photography VA

A virtual assistant is someone who can help you manage your business remotely. They can be located anywhere in the world and can work on an as-needed basis. A wedding photography VA can handle a variety of tasks, depending on your business needs. Your virtual assistant for wedding photographers can assist with social media, email management, and so much more.

Tasks That a Virtual Assistant Can Help with in Your Wedding Photography Business

At the Genie VA, our clients assign our team of virtual assistants to a variety of tasks. Since every wedding photography business is different, the tasks your team can help with vary. Some of the most common tasks include what we’ve listed below. This has helped our photographer clients start a business, or move from part-time to full-time.

Have a Wedding Photography VA Handle Your Email Management

When you have a right-hand person manage your emails, you’ll stop dreading the constant influx of messages in your inbox. A virtual assistant can help you attain “inbox zero” status by organizing and prioritizing your emails. They can also take care of the day-to-day administrative emails like inquiry responses or common questions from couples and vendors.

Work with a Virtual Assistant for Wedding Photographers on Social Media

I mean, let’s be honest: social media is a huge part of marketing for wedding professionals. But logging onto Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook, and the million other connected networks can be… daunting. There are stories, posts, reels, videos, carousels, pins… every platform with their own format and needs. Working with a VA for wedding pros can save you massive time in your social media marketing schedule.

Hire a VA for Wedding Photographers for Website Management

If you’re a full-time wedding photographer, chances are you have a lot of work to share. Between engagement sessions, proposals, weddings, maybe even families–– there’s a lot to put out there! Work with a virtual assistant to maintain your website. Keep your portfolios up-to-date by having someone manage your content. You’ll show the best, newest work to potential clients without stressing about keeping things fresh.

How a Virtual Assistant Can Assist with Client Communication for Wedding Couples

Tired of getting the same repetitive questions from your customers? Have a VA for professional wedding photographers help to manage client communication. Whether that’s via email or through your CRM workflows, this is something that will allow you much more peace. A helping hand can answer questions about RAW files, engagement session locations, first look timing, and so much more.

Manage Your Calendar with the Help of an Assistant Online

Does looking at a busy calendar make you want to pull your hair out? A VA can help you manage your calendar virtually. You can work directly with them to manage appointment times and schedules. Make it easier on yourself so that your days don’t feel overwhelming. Between capturing wedding days, editing, wedding planning for timelines, and the million other hats you wear… let a VA help structure your days to be more manageable.

How to Find a Wedding Photography VA for Your Business

Not every team will be a good fit for your business. You’ll want to find someone that’s a personality match and works at a speed you’re comfortable with. Having transparency is key to working remotely as a team. Ensure that when you reach out to potential assistants that they can explain their processes and what to expect.

Discuss Preferred Communication Styles with Your Team

Some teams will communicate with you via Slack, while others will prefer email. Find out what works best for you and your team. Ensure that your communication styles are discussed ahead of time with the virtual assistant for wedding photographers. When your styles align, it will be easier for you to work together.

Check Out Their Skills and Experience

Does the team you’re looking at have experience working with people in your industry? At the Genie VA, we work with wedding photographers and videographers on a daily basis. We understand the industry and the nuances that come with it, including fluctuating schedules and seasons. Always be sure to check the reviews, and you can even ask for references.

How to Train and Work with Your Photo Business VA Effectively

When you choose to hire a virtual assistant for your wedding photography business, you should always make sure to tailor their services to your needs. Have a discussion on what your priorities and goals are in working with their team. At the Genie VA, we love to customize our services to each client. Our team remains transparent and flexible, focused on delivering a tailored experience to our photographers.

Let Them Know Your Needs and Expectations

If you need certain tasks done more urgently than others, be sure to share this with your assistant. By remaining open and honest, you’ll receive the best possible experience. Set clear deadlines and goals for each project. For long-term recurring tasks, you’ll want to set a cadence in which you receive regular updates.

Be Vulnerable with Your Virtual Assistant

When someone is coming in to help you and your business, you’ll want to be honest about any fluctuations in your life. Whether it is a change in your schedule, juggling a job, or just a change in mindset, stay transparent. Help them to help you with your needs if you aren’t feeling your best. An example is for wedding photographers with newborns; they may have a different set of needs in handling their business than someone who is a recent graduate.

Improve the Efficiency of Your Business with a Helping Hand

When you spend less time on the backend of your wedding photography business, you have more time for your photography skills. This will help you to deliver the best possible experience to your clients. As you continue to grow, develop, and raise prices, you’ll want to ensure your experience matches up to your offerings.

Outsource Your Customer Service to a Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant can also help improve your customer service by handling phone calls, responding to emails, and managing social media accounts. By providing timely and professional responses to inquiries, you can build trust with potential clients and increase the chances of booking more weddings.

Regain Your Work-Life Balance as a Wedding Photographer

Perhaps the most important role of a wedding photography VA is to help you to maintain a work-life balance. By delegating tasks that don’t require your specific expertise or personal touch, you’ll have more time to focus on your personal life. We can’t think of any professional who doesn’t want more time to spend with family, friends, and loved ones.

Increase Your Online Presence with the Help of a Photography VA for Weddings

A virtual assistant for wedding photographers will help you to maintain a strong online presence. Your team can help maintain a wedding photography blog, which can be a major factor for accessing potential clients. Work smarter, not harder by having a helping hand to take over tasks that don’t require specific expertise.

Have an Assistant to Monitor Your Digital Reputation

Your wedding photography VA can help you monitor your online reputation by tracking mentions of your brand on social media and review sites. By responding promptly to negative feedback and thanking customers for positive reviews, you can build a positive reputation online and attract more clients to your business.

Leverage Email Marketing to Engage Past, Present, and Potential Clients

Email marketing is another effective way to stay top-of-mind with potential clients. A virtual assistant can help you create email campaigns that promote your services, share valuable content, and encourage recipients to take action. By building an email list of interested prospects, you can nurture leads over time and increase the likelihood of booking more weddings.

Hire a Virtual Assistant for Wedding Photographers You Can Trust

At The Genie VA, we provide a wide range of high-quality virtual assistant services for wedding photography professionals. We know the ins and outs of the industry and understand just how much work goes into running a successful business. Let’s work together to build up your photography business and take it to the next level. Reach out to our trusted team of wedding photography virtual assistants today to get started.

Photography Credit: Megan & Kenneth