How Relationships and Visibility Built a Thriving Wedding Photography Business with Liz Banfield
When you’re building a business in the creative industry, it’s easy to assume that success comes from keeping up with the algorithm or creating perfectly curated posts. But Liz Banfield built a wildly successful wedding photography business by doing something different—focusing on relationships, consistency, and showing up in the real world.
In this episode of the Take Your Shot podcast, I sat down with Liz Banfield to talk about what it takes to build a career that spans decades, earns features in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Martha Stewart Weddings, and still feels fulfilling after 25 years.
This episode is packed with wisdom from someone who’s done the work and stayed in the game—not by chasing trends, but by staying true to her values, nurturing her network, and continually refining her client experience.
Why Relationships Matter More Than Algorithms
From the beginning of our conversation, Liz emphasized that the majority of her work has always come from referrals—never from social media. Her success was built through in-person connections, vendor collaborations, and personal touches that made people remember her long after the event.
She reminded us that in an industry as personal as weddings, relationships will always be your biggest asset. When you prioritize service, communicate well, and genuinely connect with others, you build a network that supports your business without needing to constantly market yourself online.
Liz shared how one referral can snowball into years of consistent work when you take care of the right people and show up with integrity. It’s not about being everywhere—it’s about being unforgettable to the people who matter.
Building a Brand That Stands the Test of Time
Liz’s brand is elevated, timeless, and highly editorial. But it didn’t happen overnight. She talked about how her background in advertising shaped her understanding of brand and client experience—and how consistency over time is what really builds trust and authority.
Instead of pivoting every few years or burning out trying to keep up with trends, Liz focused on perfecting her craft, delivering a luxury client experience, and building a brand that aligned with the clients she wanted to serve.
She encouraged photographers to think about their brand from the client’s perspective. How do they feel when they interact with your website, your email communication, or your portfolio? Every touchpoint is an opportunity to stand out by being thoughtful, professional, and aligned with your brand promise.
Staying Relevant Without Losing Yourself
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was hearing how Liz approaches staying current without chasing every new thing. She’s adapted her business as the industry has evolved—especially in terms of digital tools and technology—but she’s also stayed true to her strengths.
She offered a refreshing take: instead of focusing on what everyone else is doing, focus on what you do best and find ways to elevate it. For her, that meant mastering her client communication, creating strong vendor relationships, and continually refining her craft.
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling an established business, this mindset shift is powerful. You don’t have to do it all. You just have to do what matters, and do it well.
Final Thoughts
If you’re tired of feeling like you need to be everywhere at once, this episode is your reminder to come back to the basics. Relationships, professionalism, consistency, and a strong sense of self will take you further than any viral reel or hashtag ever could.
Liz’s journey proves that long-term success is possible—and it doesn’t have to come at the cost of your values or your peace. Her advice is simple but powerful: be kind, stay curious, keep growing, and serve people well.
Connect with Liz Banfield
Website: https://www.lizbanfield.com
Instagram (Weddings): https://www.instagram.com/lizbanfieldweddings
Instagram (Editorial & Brand): https://www.instagram.com/lizbanfield
To request her “10 Tips to Jumpstart Your Business” freebie, head to her contact page and mention the Take Your Shot Podcast.
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If this post inspired you or gave you a new perspective on how to build a lasting photography business, feel free to share it with a friend in the industry. And as always, thank you for being here.
