5 Tips for Growing Your Photography Business in a New Area

Your Key Steps for Growing Your Photography Business from the Ground Up

Starting your photography business from the ground up can feel like an intimidating task. Whether you have just moved to a new city, or even if you haven’t moved but are looking to grow your business right where you are, it can be challenging. I began my photography business in the Fall of 2014, only to move to a new city just months later where I had to start again from scratch. There are a few things I focused on as I worked to build a successful family photography business over the last 2 years, and I wanted to share them with you! Understanding a few key steps to growing your photography business in a new area will set you up for success.

Growing Your Photography Business in a New Area

Update your Website

One of the first things you should do when you’ve moved to a new area is make sure your website is updated with your new location. You’ll also want to start adding and updating the text, keywords and Alt text on your site to include your new area. Including wording like “[Your City, State] Family Photographer” or “[Local Park Name] Family Photos in [Your City, State]” in your blog post titles or in the Alt text for your images will help you come up in Google searches so that people can find you!

Research your Market

It will be important for you to do some research of other photographers in your area and use their price points as a baseline to see where you might “fit” within the local market. This is not to say that you should compete 100% on price, but you must allow your market to tell you what people are willing to pay for your services, especially when you are new to the market. As you build your demand and prove your worth, you are better able to command higher price points.

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Build that Portfolio

Whether you have been taking photos for years, or are just starting out, we all need to build our portfolio. Before I moved, I had already done all of my “portfolio building” sessions, but I opted to do a few more in my new city. Why? Because this was a great way to get my work out there in a new place, and the special rate I gave to my portfolio building clients was a low-risk way for them to “try out the new girl in town.” Getting a couple of sessions under my belt allowed me to get the exposure I needed, and got some buzz going in my new area.

Tell everyone you know that you are open for business and looking to take photos. You might consider creating a special package for the first 3-5 people that book with you. Use those sessions to blow them away with a great experience and coach them into marketing for you by telling their friends to help you spread the word.

Focus on Client Experience

One of the BEST things you can do is give your client’s an experience that will blow them away. Focus on going above and beyond for them so they can’t help but share with all of their friends how amazing it was to work with you. Think of small ways to serve your clients well, whether it’s taking bottles of water and bug spray with you to a hot family session, or sticking some extra hand warmers in your pocket for cold hands during winter sessions. Kind, unexpected gestures show that you care. It really is true that a little thoughtfulness goes a long way!

Patience is Key

One of the most important things to remember when you are growing your business is that nothing happens overnight. When you begin to feel discouraged, keep in mind that it takes TIME. But even just one referral can spur your business forward, so never underestimate the power of one client, one review, one session. Every little piece of this process matters.

Growing your photography business in a new area is not a task for the faint of heart, but it isn’t an impossible feat. With a little patience and these tips under your belt, you can be taking in clients in no time!