543: Lei Lei Clavey – How to go from zero to hero in the world of high-end luxury weddings

PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

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Lei Lei Clavey of www.leileiclavey.com is on her way to becoming one of the world's best wedding photographers.

She's a Melbourne, Australia-based wedding photographer who entered the market differently than most.

She launched right into the luxury market. Invested in her branding and amazing styled shoots before booking real couples.

In no time at all, she had made a name for herself as the luxury, editorial wedding photographer and only books up to 20 weddings each year.

Take a look at her website or socials; it screams luxury and sits perfectly amongst world-famous fashion labels like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Gucci and Dior.

Her Instagram bio states that you can enquire about European wedding dates in 2025. And yes, she's fully booked for 2024.

In this interview, Lei Lei shares how to go from zero to hero in the world of high-end luxury weddings.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

• Average Client Investment in Wedding Photography: Explore the current market trends and understand what clients are willing to spend on wedding photography services.
• Pricing Strategies for Destination Weddings and Elopements: Tailor your pricing models for unique events like destination weddings and elopements to maximise profitability.
• Breakdown of an 18k Wedding Package: Clearly outline the components and services included in a premium wedding photography package.
• Penetrating the Luxury High-End Markets: Strategies to tap into and attract clients from the luxury high-end market segment.
• Utilizing Engagement Sessions for Wedding Bookings: Leverage engagement sessions as a tool to secure bookings for wedding shoots.
• Setting and Achieving Target Revenue Goals: Understand and work towards specific revenue targets, like Lei Lei's, for a thriving business.
• Building a Solid High-End Luxury Brand: Key elements that contribute to establishing a reputable and high-end luxury photography brand.
• Executing Styled Shoots for Luxury Brands: Step-by-step guide on organizing and executing styled photoshoots to enhance brand appeal.
• Hacks for Shooting Behind the Scenes at Fashion Events: Innovative approaches to capture behind-the-scenes moments at fashion events.
• Aligning Personal Appearance with Brand Image: Emphasize the importance of dressing professionally to align with the brand identity.
• Investing in Quality Models for Styled Shoots: Highlight the impact of investing in professional models for achieving stunning styled shoot results.
• Crafting Effective Brand Campaigns: Strategies for creating and implementing successful brand campaigns for maximum impact.
• Components of a 5k Investment for Styled Shoots: Breakdown of what a 5k investment covers in styled shoots.
• Maximizing Returns from a 5k Investment: Tips on getting the best value and outcomes from a 5k investment in styled shoots.
• Lei Lei's Business Journey and Success Story: Insights into Lei Lei's entrepreneurial journey and the steps that led to her current success.
• Working with Brands in Marketing Campaigns: Lei Lei's process for collaborating with brands and executing effective marketing campaigns.
• Navigating Price Changes in Your Photography Services: Guidance on implementing price changes, including transitioning from lower to higher price points.
• Building Confidence to Raise Your Prices: Strategies for gaining confidence when increasing prices for your photography services.
• Transitioning to a Different Target Market: Insights into Lei Lei's decision-making process when crossing over to a different target market.
• Distinguishing Clients Based on Spending Habits: Understanding the differences between clients who spend less than 5k and those who spend over 5k.
• Benefits of Dealing with Clients Spending Over 5k: Highlighting the advantages and positive aspects of working with higher-spending clients.
• Client Acquisition for Lei Lei's Photography Business: How Lei Lei attracts clients, including her presence on Instagram and other channels.
• Establishing Connections with Overseas Vendors: Strategies for networking with international vendors and suppliers for destination weddings.
• Getting Featured in Major Fashion Magazines: Steps to increase visibility and secure features in renowned fashion magazines.
• Increasing Social Media Presence and Followers: Tactics for growing your Instagram and overall social media following.
• Setting a 10k Follower Goal on Social Media: The benefits and strategies behind aiming for a minimum of 10k followers on social media.
• Boosting Instagram Engagement for Photographers: Tips for increasing interaction and engagement with your audience on Instagram.
• Inquiry Handling from Instagram Clients: Lei Lei's effective process for managing inquiries and client interactions originating from Instagram.
• Key Strategies that Transformed Lei Lei's Business: Discussing pivotal actions or decisions that significantly contributed to Lei Lei's business success.
• Overcoming Setbacks in Your Photography Business: Practical advice on dealing with challenges and setbacks in your entrepreneurial journey.
• Quick Start Guide for Business Relocation: Tips for efficiently launching your photography business in a new location.
• The Power of Networking in Local Communities: Emphasising the importance of joining local communities to foster connections and network your business.

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

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Plus, special member-only interviews.

I was very upfront about my experience. I announced on my blog and on Instagram that my goal was to become one of the best wedding photographers in the world. – Lei Lei Clavey

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Seriously, that's not all.

In addition to everything above, you'll get access and instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable and build friendships with other pro photographers with similar motives to you – to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Lei Lei shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business due to what you heard in today's episode.

It's about balance and success or success and balance in creating you can hustle as hard as you want to but if you're not happy and if you're not balanced in other areas in your life, then you're not going to thrive. You're just going to survive until you don't anymore because you've hit the ground. – Lei Lei Clavey

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Lei Lei or if you want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons.

Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!

Less is more for the luxury market. – Lei Lei Clavey

Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google, and you can leave some honest feedback and a rating which will help both me and the show, and I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.

If I don't have money flow coming in, then I'm not putting enough mindfulness towards money and where it's coming from. – Lei Lei Clavey

Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​

Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:

Lei Lei Clavey Website

Lei Lei Clavey on Instagram

Lei Lei Clavey on Facebook

Lei Lei Clavey on Pinterest

Lei Lei Clavey Education on Instagram

Life and Lens – Focusing on Success and Balance Podcast

Lei Lei Clavey Education

You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero

The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery by Brianna Wiest

Thank you!

Thanks again for listening, and thanks to Lei Lei for coming on and sharing her thoughts, experience and advice on how to go from zero to hero in the world of high-end luxury and destination weddings.

I've done a few styled shoots over the years… now I treat them like campaigns. And this is where I will invest the money in a good model, in trying to make every element the best as I can. – Lei Lei Clavey

That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks, and speak soon
Andrew

The post 543: Lei Lei Clavey – How to go from zero to hero in the world of high-end luxury weddings appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.