Photography can be a lucrative business if you have regular clients and a growing reputation. Be prepared to do the groundwork if you’re wondering how to get more photography clients. Photographers have many tools for improving bookings, from portfolio curation to search engine optimization and discounts.

Here’s a look at five tips on booking clients for your photography business:

1.    Identify Your Niche

Photographers can handle various client needs, but you need to identify your niche to book more clients. Most people who seek photography services look for specific services. You can target clients looking for wedding photographers, videographers, and event coverage. Other people seek professional quality product images, web design graphics, and family portraits. 

Providing general photography services without a particular niche is less appealing to clients seeking businesses in specific areas. Identifying your niche makes it easy to build a customer database and categorize your clients. Gaining more business may require targeting each group independently with custom marketing ads, promotions, and follow-ups.

2.    Curate Your Portfolio

A photographer is nothing without a well-curated portfolio of premium-quality photographs. Modern photographers can leverage platforms like Instagram to create a curated feed of their best photos and a few from behind the scenes. Make sure you’re showing the right pictures and posting regularly. Most of the images should be the ones professionally made for your clients.

The best strategy is to post every day and limit the number of casual shots to a bare minimum. You should also have an easily accessible and downloadable portfolio you can refer clients to. The first thing people want to see is your past work to determine if you’re a suitable choice. Having a professional portfolio is mandatory if you’re going to attract more clients.

3.    Make Yourself Accessible

Booking more photography clients involves optimizing your business for easy access. Modern photographers can rely on the internet marketing mix, including search engine optimization, social media marketing, paid advertising, influencers, and mobile ads. The goal is to appear on top of result pages when prospect clients search for photography services.

You need a professionally built website, active social media pages, and Google Business Profile. Appearance on online directories, local forums, and other media will boost your presence and accessibility. You need clear contact instructions to make it easier for clients to reach your photography business. Make sure you reply to all inquiries promptly.

4.    Ask People You Know

Finding more clients for your photography business requires marketing and pitching on all fronts. You can approach people you know directly and inform them about your newest deals and services. Start with your close friends and family, colleagues, and other acquaintances. Ask them to spread the message and become advocates for your business.

If you have an email list, send customized messages and promotions to invite people to take advantage of discounts. Offering incentives, such as discounted prices and freebies, is one way to attract more people. Ask those you know if they would like to leverage one of your promotions and personalized photography services.

5.    Work With a Business Mentor

Running a successful photography business requires professional insights from experts who know what’s needed to get a client. If you’re new to the photography industry or struggling to achieve success, working with a mentor can help you through these challenges. Some mentors offer online courses and programs covering the core aspects of the photography business.

You can leverage templates and other downloadable assets to learn more about growing a photography business and booking clients. Mentorship programs will equip you with the knowledge needed to find, target, and attract your desired clients. You’ll learn the current success strategies and technologies to help with networking, marketing, pricing, and more.

How to Get More Photography Clients 

Photographers are easy to find from a simple online search. So how do you stand out from the competition? Businesses searching for how to get more photography clients should focus on learning the trade through mentorship programs and online resources. Understanding the marketing and bookings process gives you a better chance of identifying and reaching the right targets. You should set aside a budget for marketing, advertising, and growth.