Shoot The Veil

Most wedding photographers think their biggest problems happen on the wedding day. Missed moments, awkward family situations, stress around timelines, or feeling disconnected from the couple. In reality, almost all of those problems start way before the wedding ever happens.

In this episode of Shoot The Veil, we break down the three questionnaires every wedding photographer should have in place and fully automated. These are the systems that help you serve couples better, feel more confident on wedding days, and build a business that actually runs smoothly.

We walk through the inquiry questionnaire and how asking the right questions early helps you understand who your couple really is before the first call. Not just dates and locations, but what they care about, how they think, and what kind of experience they are actually looking for. This alone can change how you sell, how you prepare, and how you show up.

Next, we dive into the pre wedding questionnaire. This is where great service really begins. We talk about learning family dynamics, memorizing names, avoiding painfully awkward moments, and building trust with not just the couple, but their entire wedding party and family. When people feel known, they remember it and they talk about it.

We also discuss how understanding different types of couples helps you conserve energy, serve better, and avoid misaligned expectations. Not every couple wants the same thing, and knowing that ahead of time makes all the difference.

Finally, we cover the post wedding questionnaire and why it is one of the most underrated tools in a photography business. Learn how to gather meaningful feedback, improve your service, create opportunities to go above and beyond, and guide happy clients toward leaving five star reviews and referrals.

This episode is practical, honest, and built from real experiences. From forgetting names to handling mistakes the right way, we share what works and why preparation always beats talent alone.

If you want to feel less stressed, more prepared, and more professional in your wedding photography business, this episode is a must listen.

Download the Shoot The Veil app to access the full playbook, templates, and tools mentioned in this episode, along with courses, guides, and resources built specifically for wedding photographers.

In Episode 38 of the Shoot The Veil (STV) Podcast, we dive into one of the most essential—but often misunderstood—tools for wedding photographers: Instagram. How should you use it? What content works? How do you turn followers into clients rather than just “likes”? Whether you're just starting out or want to level up your social media game, this conversation is packed with strategy, tactics, and perspective.

• The role of Instagram in a modern wedding photography business — not just for show, but as a marketing engine

• How to post with intent and strategy (versus randomly posting images and praying for engagement)

• What types of content perform well in the wedding niche — behind-the-scenes, client stories, educational, personal, etc.

• How to structure your Instagram feed + stories + reels in a cohesive way

• Tips for reels, captions, hashtags, and engagement that convert

• Best practices in balancing authenticity and promotion

• Mistakes to avoid (burnout, inconsistent strategy, content that doesn’t reflect your style)

• How to build a social presence that supports your brand, attracts ideal clients, and leads to inquiries

We also touch on mindset, content planning cadence, and how to keep it sustainable in the long run.

• Wedding photographers looking to build or refine their Instagram presence

• Creatives who feel stuck with content ideas or lack consistent engagement

• Photographers ready to use social media as a business tool, not just a portfolio

• Anyone curious about combining authentic storytelling with effective promotion

Even if Instagram isn’t your favorite platform, the principles discussed here can translate to Reels, TikTok, or other visual social channels.

Shoot The Veil (STV) is a community + media hub for wedding photographers. We bring you real conversations, real insights, and real strategies from pros who walk the path every day.

CONNECT WITH US:

• Visit ShootTheVeil.com for workshops, trainings & community

• Follow us on Instagram for daily tips, behind-the-scenes, and content breakdowns

• Tag us in your work or content experiments — we love to reshare

• Join our newsletter for deep dives, case studies, and bonus content

We want to hear from you:

• What’s your biggest Instagram challenge right now?

• What content type do you enjoy creating most?

• Which tip in this episode resonated with you?

Drop a comment (or DM) and tag @ShootTheVeil — we love seeing your process evolve.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen — it helps more photographers find it.

Tune in now, hit record on your next content batch, and let’s turn those scrolls into clients.
Let’s grow your brand with intention, strategy, and creativity. 🚀

Welcome back to the Shoot The Veil Podcast—created by wedding photographers, for wedding photographers. In this episode, Sam and Danny dive deep into one of the most powerful (and often overlooked) marketing strategies for building a thriving wedding photography business: serving and connecting with wedding planners.

Planners sit at the very top of the wedding vendor “food chain.” When they love working with you, referrals flow, opportunities open, and your business can transform overnight. But winning the trust of planners takes more than just showing up with a camera. It’s about service, generosity, and going above and beyond to make their lives easier.

You’ll hear stories of small but intentional moves—like offering headshots, creating reels for vendors, curating custom galleries, and collaborating on Instagram—that led to massive business growth. From being the “in-house” photographer at a planner’s studio to providing free marketing assets for DJs and florists, Sam and Danny break down how putting others first always pays back tenfold.

✨ Key takeaways for wedding photographers:

• Why planners hold the keys to consistent referrals and how to position yourself as their go-to photographer.

• Practical ways to serve planners: offering curated galleries, capturing behind-the-scenes content, creating timelines, and even shooting headshots on the wedding day.

• How generosity with your images (instead of guarding them) builds trust and long-term value.

• The importance of clear communication around timelines so you and planners are aligned, avoiding friction and stress for the couple.

• Why treating all vendors with equal respect elevates your reputation across the industry.

📢 Calls to Action (CTAs) from the episode:

• Download the Shoot The Veil App to access the full Wedding Planner & Designer Referrals Playbook. Use it as a step-by-step blueprint to grow your business with planners.

• Print the playbooks or keep them on your desk as a checklist and guide for digital and relational marketing.

• Curate and share a dedicated gallery for planners after every wedding—make it easy for them to use and share your work.

• Collaborate with planners and vendors on Instagram—post reels, stories, and behind-the-scenes clips to cross-promote and stay visible to brides.

• Offer free headshots or vendor photos as a way to serve planners and create sticky, long-term relationships.

• Don’t wait—start applying these strategies today to see immediate growth and stronger referrals.

This conversation is a reminder that your network truly is your net worth. When you invest in relationships with planners, serve them selflessly, and give more than you expect in return, you’ll create a cycle of trust and opportunity that will fuel your photography business for years to come.

🎧 Listen now and discover how wedding planners can become the game-changing referral partners your business needs. Then head to the Shoot The Veil App to grab your free playbook and start putting these strategies into practice.