Creating a Luxury Wedding Market in a Non-Luxury Location

Think you can’t charge luxury prices because of where you live? Think again!

In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Mike Cassimatis, a St. Louis-based luxury wedding photographer, shares how he created a high-end wedding market in a location that wasn’t traditionally considered luxury.

Mike reveals how strategic networking, branding, and vendor collaboration allowed him to go from $1,500 weddings to charging $18K+ per event—all without moving to a major luxury hub like LA or NYC.

If you’re a wedding photographer or videographer looking to break into the luxury market, raise your prices, and build a sustainable business no matter where you live, this episode is a must-listen!

In this episode, we cover:
✔️ How Mike transitioned from side-hustle photography to a full-time luxury brand
✔️ Why mindset is the key to charging higher prices—even in small markets
✔️ How to collaborate with vendors to raise the luxury standard in your area
✔️ Why networking isn’t just about planners—florists, DJs, and makeup artists matter too
✔️ The best way to educate clients on high-end pricing & perceived value
✔️ Why curating and only showcasing premium work helps attract luxury clients
✔️ How to position your brand for long-term success and continued price increases

💬 What’s your biggest challenge in breaking into the luxury market?
DM us on Instagram @TheLevelUpCo or share your thoughts in the comments on YouTube!

⭐ Enjoyed this episode?
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Timestamps:

00:00 – 05:00 | Introduction
05:01 – 15:00 | The Journey to Full-Time Luxury Weddings
15:01 – 25:00 | Creating a Luxury Market in a Non-Luxury Location
25:01 – 35:00 | Strategic Networking & Building Industry Relationships
35:01 – 42:00 | Pricing, Brand Positioning & Future Goals

The next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in October 2025! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 12 week program. Learn more + save your seat here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind

📲 Love this episode? Screenshot and share it on social media! Tag us on Instagram at @TheLevelUpCo and let us know your biggest takeaway.

The Level Up Co. Resources:
- Wedding Planner Email Templates: https://thelevelupco.com/planner-email-template-bundle
- Elevated Client Experience Bundle: https://thelevelupco.com/client-experience-bundle
- Elevated Shot List: https://thelevelupco.com/elevated-shot-list
- The Luxury Framework Course: https://thelevelupco.com/theluxuryframework
- The Luxury Pricing Mini Course: https://thelevelupco.com/reset

Connect with Taylor , Kelley + The Level Up Co.:
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🔗Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpetrinovich/
🔗Kelley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/618studios/
💻Website: https://thelevelupco.com/