10 ways to improve your photography business.What separates those who thrive at this profession from those who struggle financially isn’t just their skill behind the camera—it’s how they run their business. This is an important one. Read up.I’ve been a working professional photographer for over 34 years, and during that time, I’ve seen the rise and fall of countless photography businesses. What separates those who thrive from those who struggle isn’t just their skill behind the camera—it’s how they run their business. I’ve worked with major brands like Nike and Apple, and I’ve learned firsthand that building a successful photography career is about more than just making pictures. It’s about having the right systems in place to attract the right clients, deliver consistent value, and grow sustainably. Today, I’m going to show you 10 ways to improve your photography business so that you can stop waiting for opportunities to come to you and start building a business that works for you. Whether you’re an emerging photographer looking to go pro, or a working photographer trying to scale, these tips will help you make that transition more effectively, allowing you to get more clients, charge what you're worth, and turn your passion into a profitable career. We’ll cover key strategies such as narrowing your niche to stand out in a crowded market, creating value-based packages instead of trading time for money, building systems to generate consistent leads, and much more. Each of these steps is designed to help you streamline your business and focus on what matters—growing your career while maintaining your creative integrity. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to transform your photography business and stop leaving money on the table. 1. Narrow Your NicheOne of the biggest mistakes emerging photographers make is trying to appeal to everyone. To grow, you need to specialize. A well-defined niche not only helps you stand out in a crowded market, but it also trains algorithms to show your work to the right people. Whether it’s portraits, food photography, or editorial work, focusing on a specific type of photography allows you to become known as an expert in that field. In my 34 years of experience, specializing has been a game-changer for gaining high-quality clients. Please don’t try to do everything. Obsess at getting the best at ONE thing. No generalist photographer has ever become a household name. Speaking of names, go by the name your parents gave you. That’s you. Build that brand. How far would I have gotten if I stayed with “Technopix Photographic Images?” That’s what I was thinking when I was 19, thinking I knew what I doing, before I went to photography school. Read on. 2. Create a Value-Based BusinessIf you’re trying to get by trading your time for money, you’re missing the bigger picture. Clients hire you for the value you bring, not the hours you spend on the job. Instead of quoting hourly rates, create packages that deliver a complete solution to your client's needs. Learn to communicate the value of what you do, and price your work based on the transformation you provide. This approach leads to higher pricing and better client relationships. 3. Improve Your Website and PortfolioYour portfolio is often the first impression clients have of your work. It should show your best work, but it also needs to speak directly to the type of clients you want to attract. Consider revamping your portfolio to reflect the kind of jobs you're seeking now, not the ones you did years ago. A clean, professional website that tells your story, clearly shows your niche, and leads potential clients to take action (like scheduling a call) is essential for growth. I recently went hard on building out a brand new website with Pixpa and i’m pretty blown away by everything from the templates to the backend to the customer service. Pixpa is the leading no-code website and store builder for photographers, artists & designers. Pixpa empowers creatives to easily build and manage a beautiful, professional website with a built-in online store, blog, and client galleries. (Goodbye Pic-time.) Pixpa’s all-in-one platform has everything you need to showcase, share & sell your work online and grow your business. Pixpa is the top-rated website builder on TrustPilot and Capterra, with a 4.8/5 rating. Build Your Website - Create stunning portfolio websites Start an Online Store - Sell products, services & digital files Sell Images - Sell images as prints & downloads Client Galleries - Share, proof, sell & deliver images Photo Gallery Apps - Personalized gallery apps for clients Start a Blog - Publish a blog to share your stories Made for Creative Pros: Photographers, Designers, Artists, Architects, Fashion Models, Stylists and Creatives. Forget Squarespace and Adobe Portfolio. I dropped AP like 3rd period French. Sign up for the last web builder you’ll ever need. Because you’re a subscriber here, use code PXREF50 to get 50% OFF on annual plans. 4. Build a System for Client AcquisitionYou cannot rely on word of mouth or random referrals if you want consistent work. Build systems for marketing, lead generation, and follow-up. Tools like ScoreApp for scorecard style lead generation on autopilot or Senja for collecting testimonials makes it easier to get clients and capture social proof after you’ve blown them away with your work. You can automate much of this to ensure that new inquiries turn into paying clients using a simple sales funnel sharing your transformations. Without these systems, you’re stuck waiting for clients to find you, instead of strategically growing your business in the background, daily. See how I’m using this tool I built with ScoreApp to get 100 warm leads a week. 5. Leverage Social ProofSocial proof, in the form of testimonials and case studies, is invaluable in attracting new clients. People want to see that others have trusted you and had success working with you. I’m so happy I found Senja, (mentioned in a YouTube video no less) which makes it so you can easily collect and showcase client testimonials which adds credibility to your brand. Make sure you use their simple widget system to embed these testimonials so they are visible on your website. Download social media formatted testimonials and share them, and use them in your proposals to build trust with potential clients. See how I use Senja at TheCartyMethod.com. 6. Use Email Marketing to Stay ConnectedYour email list is one of your most powerful business assets. Building a list allows you to stay in touch with clients and potential clients, nurture those relationships, and share your latest work or offers. By offering a free resource (a lead magnet) like a scorecard or simple PDF guide, you can start capturing emails today. Regularly sending valuable content builds trust and keeps you top-of-mind when clients need photography services. 7. Refine Your Pricing StrategyAre you confident in your pricing? Many photographers undercharge because they fear losing clients. But pricing isn’t just about covering your costs; it’s about reflecting your value. If you're unsure about your rates, it’s time to do some research. Look at what photographers in your niche charge, but more importantly, understand the value you bring to clients and price accordingly. Having clear packages that solve your client's problems can help you charge more confidently and avoid constant price negotiations. Download my free pricing E-Book here. 8. Invest in Client RelationshipsBuilding strong relationships with your clients leads to repeat work and referrals. Treat each client like they’re your most important one. Over-deliver on your promises and make their experience memorable. Whether it’s sending a thank-you note, checking in with them after a shoot, or going above and beyond during the editing process, those small touches lead to loyal, repeat clients who will recommend you to others. 9. Get Serious About Personal BrandingAs photographers, our personal brand is everything. How you present yourself online and in person shapes how potential clients perceive you. Be consistent with your branding across all platforms—from your website to social media profiles. Share your story, your process, and your expertise. Authenticity goes a long way in connecting with your audience. This is especially true on platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn, where people are not just looking for pretty pictures, but for the personality and passion behind the work. 10. Constantly Improve Your SkillsFinally, never stop learning. Whether it's improving your technical skills, mastering new software, or refining your business processes, growth is essential. Take workshops, follow industry leaders, and always be open to constructive criticism. The more you invest in yourself, the better your photography business will become. And remember, it’s not just about taking better pictures, it’s about executing ideas and solving problems for your clients in ways that set you apart. If you’re serious about taking your photography business to the next level, watch my latest video where I dive deep into “How I Crush Photoshoots with NO STUDIO”. You’ll get practical, no-nonsense advice that you can start using today to see real improvements in your natural light work. Click the thumbnail below, and I’ll see you there. I hope today brought you value. Of course, I’ll see you next Saturday but don’t forget, we send out content multiple times per week. Leave a comment if you’re enjoying our new format. We’re working hard behind the scenes to bring you the best information on the internet on transitioning to pro or fixing struggling your photography business. P.S. The new SteveCarty.com is LIVE. The best website I’ve ever built. Have you seen it yet? I’ve just added an archive a tearsheets and new work. Can’t wait to hear what you think. 👉🏾 I am a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA. My goal here is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators. 👉🏾 Mindset shifts and Immersive Pro Education on YouTube 👈🏾 20.9K Subscribers. Learn more about me and see my work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com Join my photographers mentorship community 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com/community Have your photographs reviewed by me twice weekly on YouTube 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com/youtubesubmissions Work with me 👉🏾 theCartyMethod.com Short Hits of Advice from a 34 Year Pro. Playlist Thanks for making it to the end. This video below is my best “behind the scenes” on a photoshoot that i’ve done in a good while. I can’t wait for you to see it. Watch how I use natural light knock out 4 looks in a really short timeframe. HOW I CRUSH PHOTOSHOOTS WITH NO STUDIO.You’re currently a free subscriber to Carty’s Substack. To see the archives, consider upgrading your subscription for just $5/month. |
10 ways to improve your photography business.
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