How to start and grow a successful photography business: Tips for new photographers
I often get asked by new or aspiring photographers what I would change if I were starting my business today. Honestly? Not much. The foundation I built years ago in a small coastal town still works—even in today’s world of fast-paced social media and shifting trends.
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Find your style & learn your craft inside out
Aside from the obvious, learning your craft and replicating those results in any setting, a key part of that is finding your voice and finessing your style. It’s great to mimic and perhaps borrow ideas from others around you, but make them your own. If you are constantly copying what everyone else is doing, you will never find your own style.
Just create
Don’t just talk about wanting to be a photographer; go be one. Get out there and photograph, make images. Make good images, make bad images, create.
Implement systems in your business
Implement a system for running your business early on. It’s much easier to create systems in your business before you are photographing larger volumes and bringing on additional people to work for your studio. Find a studio management software system, hire an accountant, and get dialed in on your bookkeeping. Having these business systems in place will allow you to grow without as many hiccups along the way, and the systems can be fine-tuned to accommodate your growth. They also free you up to do more of what you love, and I am guessing that’s photographing.
Build momentum
How? The ways are endless, but here is how I went about it.
Focused on building my website and SEO. Eventually, I found myself on the first page of Google in Wilmington, NC, for wedding photography (organically).
Started asking every client for a review (after serving them well, we will come back to this) and building up my review base online. This helped solidify my referral base and increase inquiries.
Got involved with my local CrossFit gym, which led to my creating marketing images and managing their social media monthly. I also coached a few days a week in the mornings for fun. Through the gym, I also got wedding, portrait, and headshot clients. It doesn’t have to be a gym, but where do you love to spend your spare time? Start there.
Got involved locally with a women’s leadership class, which led to freelance magazine gigs. Although the jobs didn’t pay much, my name was visible all over the town I was marketing to, which reinforced my name and brand recognition.
Loved second shooting for other photographers, and it was another way to improve my own skill set and add additional income, a snowball effect.
Got involved in any local photography and industry groups I could, including the local Chamber of Commerce.
Attended conferences through WPPI (PPA is another great one) to stay on top of trends within the photography industry. Find one that appeals to you, and go!
Attended workshops led by industry professionals with a proven track record in the field I was trying to learn or improve in. This is also a great way to make photography friends from all over the world and have a community for life.
Serve your clients
I don’t just mean show up, take some good photos, and move on. Before the session, are you finding out the key players at the session, the family dynamic, and any no-go photos? Are you providing ideas for wardrobe, guiding them on the best times to photograph, and showing up with a smile on your face? Are you delivering images when you say you will? Studies show that it costs between five and ten times more to acquire a new client than to retain an existing one. Serve your clients so they turn into repeat customers and walking referral sources. And it bears saying, serving your clients will take you much farther in business than going “viral” on social media. Put your energy where you will make the most impact.
Not all shoots are glamorous
Sometimes you will have a session that you might consider “boring”, but it gives you the income to support your other creative avenues. Maybe product photography isn’t your favorite, but it supplies you with 30% of your annual income. Some photographers might say to only photograph what you love. I say the opposite: if there are ways to bring income into your business that you can still provide exceptional imagery for (if you need the extra money), then use that income to support your family and other creative pursuits.
Final Thoughts
These same pillars have carried me through every relocation—even two big overseas moves in just the past three years. When you focus on finding your voice, serving your clients well, and showing up in your community, growth will follow. Do those consistently, and your business won’t just survive—it will thrive.
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