Photography is a fantastic hobby to have, but when you want to make it into a business, you have to take it more seriously.

You have to make a business plan, work out a marketing strategy, and above all, you have to find ways to get clients. 

Finding clients when you’ve just started out isn’t always so easy, and it can take a lot of work before you start getting them regularly.

Clients need to be able to trust you and you need to be able to trust them, so you will have to build up your reputation a bit before you start getting regular gigs. 

If you are looking for some tips on how to get clients for photography then you’re in the right place! Read on to find out how you can get clients for yourself. 

How To Get Clients For Photography

Getting clients might not be easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible! You just need to know where to look and what to do.

We’ve put together 5 tips that will help you get your own clients for photography so you can get your business off the ground.

1. Work Out Your Target Audience 

Before you do anything else, the most important thing to start with is working out your target audience.

It’s normal when you first start out to just take on any clients you can get, but as you get more successful, you should start to work out who your target audience is. 

The only way you’re going to successfully work out who is your target audience is by going out and getting experience.

This way, you’ll be able to find out which styles of photography and shoots you like, and which ones don’t really work for you. 

Working out who your target audience is is not going to happen overnight, so don’t expect to ask yourself that question and just know straight away.

Give yourself a chance to try out different styles and clientele to see which ones you work best with. 

2. Use The Right Social Media Platforms

Once you have worked out your preferred photography style and who your target audience is, you next need to work out which social media platforms you should be focusing on.

The right social media platforms will come down to which ones your clients are most active on, so you will need to do some research into your client’s social media habits too. 

Facebook and Instagram are the safest options to start out with because they are the two social media platforms that pretty much everyone uses.

You can also link them together so you can post on both platforms at the same time.

If you’re still doing research into which social media platforms your clients use the most, make a Facebook page and Instagram account to get your online presence started. 

When using social media for your photography, especially Facebook and Instagram, you need to be mindful of how you use it. [Read: Augmented Reality TRIPLES Photographer’s Sales]

Don’t just copy what other photographers are doing. Instead, make sure that you cater your posts to your clients, so you can draw new clients in.

You want to stand out from the crowd and look appealing and approachable! 

3. Host An Open Photoshoot 

A great way to draw clients in is to host an open photo shoot. These are free photography shoots where the potential clients can see how you work, what sort of style you use, and how you interact with your clients. 

Everyone loves free stuff, and though you won’t make any money from an open photoshoot when it’s done right, it will definitely benefit you in the long run.

Along with letting people see your style and the way you work, open photoshoots also give you the chance to network and get to know your clients. 

If you know your clients a bit before you’ve actually met them, this can really help form a level of trust with them that will encourage them to want to work with you more.

Networking is extremely important when it comes to getting clients for photography. 

4. Create Special Offers On Your Shoots

Photoshoots can be quite expensive, and you’ll find that lots of people do want to hire you, but they simply can’t afford it.

Luckily, there are things you can do to entice your potential clients without them having to break the bank. 

Special offers are a great way to bring new clients in and they also bring existing clients back into the fold. If you offer discounted photoshoots or some deals, you’re more likely to see people asking for your services. 

It is important with special offers and discounts to only do them once in a while. If you always have a special offer or a discount, then it will lose its appeal and these special offers will just become standard to your business. 

You can theme your special offers by only having them at certain times of the year, or set up a loyalty program for clients who use your services multiple times. 

5. Join Freelancing Websites

Another great way for you to build up your client base is to join freelancing websites.

There are hundreds of different freelancing websites out there and when you join and use them, you are putting your name and business out there for more people to see. 

Freelancing websites are especially good for newer photographers and businesses.

They give you the opportunity to gain some real-world experience and they can help you find your niche and target audience. 

You also get paid for your work on these websites, so if you are looking to make a bit of cash, this is a great place to start. 

Conclusion

Getting your photography business off the ground isn’t an easy task, but when you know what you are doing, it isn’t so hard to achieve. 

Use the tips we have provided here to gain your own clients and build up a solid reputation and business! 

More ways to own your clients: Photographers/Artists: You Need to Own Your Clients