Getting your name out there is one of the most important aspects of running a photography business. If you can’t reach your target clients, then you can’t make a profit. But whether you’re just starting out or have several years in business, it can be a huge time commitment to put together a marketing plan. Not to mention the cost!
But there are efficient ways to market your photography business that won’t take up all of your time or money. Here are 10 smart, effective ways to market your photography business and attract your dream clients.
1. Use your website.
Having a website is pretty standard, but keeping it up to date and easy to navigate will set you apart. Chances are if you don’t have a professional-looking website, then people will go elsewhere. Your website should have photos that represent your best work, information about your sessions, location and pricing. Include your business branding and make it super easy to read.
Even if you don’t have the time or money to create a website from scratch, you can easily use a site like Adobe Portfolio (which is included with your Creative Cloud subscription) to make a pro website quickly and easily.
2. Harness the power of social media.
Use all the social media outlets at your disposal — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest — to market your photography business. Post daily to increase traffic and awareness. Schedule your posts during busy times of the day to be seen by more followers.
Make sure to include relevant tags on your posts. For example, include your location, your type of photography and tag other pages that feature photos (like #clickmagazine).
Related: 5 Social media marketing tips to grow your photography business
3. Send out a newsletter.
Part of making your website work for you is harnessing your web traffic. If you do not have a pop-up or way to capture information from the people who visit your site, you are missing out on a great lead source. Capture the email addresses for potential clients so you can build up a newsletter mailing list and keep your name at the top of their minds.
Send out a monthly newsletter to existing and potential clients. Let them know what’s new (are mini sessions coming up?), offer decorating tips (how to frame a photo, how to hang wall groupings…), or even share photography tips. Consider offering incentives (instead of discounts) for booking by a certain date, ordering a certain amount or for referring friends. Make sure to include a call to action.
MailChimp has a great free mailing system that allows you to create a pop-up to sign up for your monthly newsletter. Hello Bar, also is a great free toolbar you can place at the top or bottom of your website to capture info.
4. Partner with local businesses.
Partnering up with local businesses that might share the same target clients is a great way to market your photography business in your community. Think of creative ways to team up with local businesses in a way that benefits both parties.
For example, I have teamed up with a local farm. They allow me to use their beautiful land for portrait sessions. In return, I advertise to other photographers that they are allowing portrait sessions on their farm for “x” amount. It’s a great relationship.
Other ideas might include hair salons, spas or clothing boutiques.
Read: Your next photography client could be standing right next to you
5. Make sure your SEO is on point.
When a client searches for a photographer in your area, does your name show up first on Google? There are ways to make your business and post show up on the first page of listed businesses. For example, use SEO (Search Engine Optimization) plugins, keywords, and alt tags. Think of Google as blind — they need help to see your post.
When using tags on your post, be specific as possible. Include your location, your genre of photography and a few specific keywords that are relevant to your post. When uploading photos to your blog post, make sure to name them a keyword or phrase and include alt tags that describe the photos.
Try to blog at least once a week. The more content, the more views. More views = more potential!
Read: 10 Steps to making your blog post popular… because otherwise, what’s the point?
6. Focus on getting referrals.
Word of mouth advertisement is the best compliment, and a great way to market your photography business. If you can get all of your current clients to refer their friends to you for photos, your business can keep growing exponentially.
So how do you make your clients excited to give your name out to their friends? Treat every client like they are your highest paying client. Make them feel special and they’ll be sure to tell their friends. Make sure to reward them with a referral bonus, so they continue to spread the love (For example, offer a print credit on their next session).
7. Donate to charity.
This may not get you instant clients, but people will react. Donating sessions or working with charities gets your business name out there and associates your business with your local target market. Offer a free session at a local auction for a good cause — maybe your local school auction or a children’s hospital. Many times the organization will offer to promote your business for being a sponsor or participant in the auction or charity event.
8. Use video to your advantage.
Use fun videos to get clients’ attention. You can use sites like Animoto to easily create short videos to promote your business. These are awesome for wedding or senior photographers who have a special niche. People LOVE seeing your work presented in a non-traditional way and they love sharing videos or slideshows of their session photos.
9. Get featured by other groups or publications.
Submit your photos or an article idea to get published or featured on other photography blogs. For example, you may write an article for a local moms group on how to prepare for family portrait sessions. Or, offer your expertise through articles in photography magazines, blogs and inspiration sites. This helps get your name out there and establishes you as an expert in your field.
10. Provide an amazing client experience.
“Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so that when people see you do it they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.” — Walt Disney
I love this quote because it is so true for every business out there. Customer service is so important. Deliver more than what is expected. Go above and beyond. Your products should be an extension of your brand. Offer your clients what no one else does. Stand out from the crowd by creating the ultimate positive client experience.
These business marketing strategies won’t cost you extra money. They are available to anyone and work for new or established photo businesses. So get your name out there!
Starting up a photography business or relocating your business can be difficult. But marketing your photography business doesn’t have to take up all your time or cost tons of money. Use these strategies to get your name out there and get your dream clients!
Photos by Erica Williams
This post was originally published on May 20, 2016 and was updated on February 23, 2022.
You learn ,then after learning do it . Today I am your graduate ,I will give my customer the best of the best
are you able to manage SEO when using adobe portfolio?
Excellent article! Its always so difficult to run a company without having proper marketing in place. It can definitely make or break you! This concise list of ways to market a photography website is a very useful read for anyone trying to market their photography business. Thanks!
These photos are stunning! I’m not one to leave comments usually, but I really think these deserve to be praised!! Gorgeous.
Thank you so much Annie for your kind words:)