How NOT to start a wedding business

This is the funniest craigslist post i have seen in a while. I really hope it’s a joke. Hope you enjoy it as much as i did.

If it doesn’t show up here’s the text from the craigslist posting.

Hi there! My name is Lindsay and I’ve just got a brand new camera for Christmas but haven’t even taken it out of the box. I really want to get into the wedding photography business because I see so many people in Utah are getting married and it looks like easy money. I can’t guarantee that even one photo will turn out looking good but I sure will try. Some pictures will be used for my portfolio and my future website. I start booking appointments this week! I am now booking for Spring and Summer of 2010.

I specialize in all types of Lifestyle photography including:

Weddings – You’ll have to pay $15 for gas money outside of Salt Lake City
Bridals
Engagements
Families
Children
Portraiture
Fashion

My style is classy, elegant and artistic. I would be honored to be part of your special occasion or photography needs considering I have no professional experience. I would love to capture those beautiful moments for you and your family.

I have so much passion for being a pro wedding photographer! All my friends and family tell me I take great pictures at all our outings and picnics. I’m putting together a web site of all the flower pictures and sunsets I’ve taken so you can see how good I am. I even have a few pics of my pet dog which turned out really great!

But I don’t have a business license, liability insurance, flashes, extra batteries, or even more than a kit lens that came in the box. If something goes wrong, you’re out of luck. To keep things cheap for you, I won’t even back up any of your images. Less cost for me means less cost for you. Just passing the savings on. I expect to be paid in cash or personal check because I don’t plan on claiming this income on my taxes.

I know many fun and beautiful locations. I really care about making brides look beautiful! I add glow and selective color to all of my images, giving them the best look possible. No need to hassle with computer programs.

Bridals and Engagements are only $100. Please trust me to do your wedding. I’ll do it cheap just to build up my portfolio. I will only charge you $250 for your entire wedding day. This is a deal. My camera cost me $700 brand new. All sessions include a Hi Resolution CD with FULL copy right release included, which means you get to print your pictures at Wal-Mart! Here’s the BEST Part! I offer 100% guarantee on ALL my sessions! Don’t pay a cent until you are 100% happy with your pictures!

I own a camera therefore I can take photos like the pros, who charge alot more. Most brides in Utah spend $2,500 on professional wedding photography. Since I have no experience I’ll only be charging $250 (90% off regular wedding photography prices) to shoot full day wedding coverage.

Think about it: Pros charge alot of money because they have alot of expenses. I don’t.

Pros have:
-a business license
– multiple cameras
-thousands of dollars in lenses and flashes
-hard drives to back up the images
-insurance
-experience
-people skills
-color calibrated monitors
-professional print labs
-professional albums

I have none of this stuff so we’ll keep it cheap, just for you!

E-mail me if you want to set an appointment or if you have any questions, I will gladly respond.

See the original post here.

So what’s your favorite problem you see with this posting?

More about Amber

Born in Denver, CO and raised in Upstate New York, I have traveled the world and now happily live near Mullica Hill, NJ in South Jersey with my 3 boys and baby girl on 4 acres of woods. I've enjoyed shooting since 2001, officially becoming a business in 2006. Although photography brings me much joy, I try to find ways to craft and create in other mediums too!

6 thoughts on “How NOT to start a wedding business

  1. Jessie

    Oh I have SO many favorite problems with this ad!! The fact that she “specializes” in everything, her $700 camera, printing the photos at Walmart … it’s all so (sadly) true.

    Reply

  2. Michelle Woodland

    PLEASE tell me this isn’t real!!! I hope no one actually responds. UGH

    Reply

  3. gfmedia

    Definitely a pro photogs sense of sarcasm. If it was real, several of those things would never been brought up, bc the average joe doesn’t know what it takes. I see a pissed off photog just trying to be funny about what they see.

    Reply

  4. Christian

    I agree with gfmedia, this is obviously sarcasm. Actually it had me believing it for a while. The worst part is that I’m pretty sure this could have been written about me… well some parts of it anyway…

    Reply

  5. Tavia

    LOL. Sounds like a pro is a little bitter there are amateurs taking business from him. That was funny though, thanks for sharing.

    This part was my favorite –

    “I add glow and selective color to all of my images, giving them the best look possible.”

    Reply

  6. Rachelle

    Oh my goodness I wouldn’t even know where to start. I really hope this is just bitter sarcasm. If it’s not there’s a serious problem here!

    Thanks for sharing, it was quite amuzing to read this!

    Reply

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