My Advice To Beginner Photographers
My advice to beginner brand photographers
A few months ago, I was emailed by a photography student just before their graduation, to ask for my advice about getting started in the personal brand photography industry. I really enjoyed answering, so today I wanted to share that advice in case it comes in handy to any of photographers wanting to learn… this advice is especially for beginner brand photographers, so I hope you enjoy!
If you could go back in time and speak to your younger self, what one piece of advice would you give to yourself about starting a new business in personal brand photography?
I would tell myself to focus on my portfolio first and foremost! It's easy to get distracted by social media or getting a logo designed, but your portfolio steers the direction of what kind of clients will get in touch with you and it matters more than anything else. I would say to get really clear on what kind of clients you would love to work with, creating a target audience persona that represents them, and then approach some folks who fit this persona and exemplify the kind of clients you want to support. The truth is we should all be shooting regular creative work just for our portfolios, even if we are many years into our work!
What is the most effective way to find new clients?
i.e. Do you approach businesses/people individually, go to networking events, social media, your website, etc
It's been different things in different seasons of my business! In the early days, it was Instagram, as that was growing rapidly and people were just starting to use it seriously for business. Following that, it was my coworking space in Northampton that connected me with a network of like-minded business owners. This was my favourite era if I am honest and I've just joined a coworking space to see if this connects me to a business community here in Edinburgh! Currently, it's back to social media again, but I know from talking to photographers that none of us are the same. I'd love to give SEO more of my attention this year, because I feel close to burning out creatively if I'm trying to go all-out on Instagram.
What social media tool do you find the most effective and why?
The one you love most will always be the most effective! I love Instagram more than anything else so that's where I get most of my clients, but if I were putting those same hours of engagement and creativity towards LinkedIn, I'm sure I'd be saying LinkedIn instead. Certain platforms attract certain kinds of people, so if you can connect with a tribe on a particular platform, that tribe will respond to you putting great content out there.
In terms of pre-planning a photoshoot, what do you find is the most effective method in getting the best information from a client?
e.g. a questionnaire, a Zoom call, a face-to-face meeting, etc
I use a combination of methods in my sessions, usually Zoom and a questionnaire. I use a consultation call to get to know the client and prime them to dive deeper in their welcome questionnaire, and they receive this questionnaire once they’ve settled their deposit. Some people open up more on the call, some more in the questionnaire, but I have a very thorough process so I like to do both.
Other than your camera and key equipment, do you have any survival kit suggestions to bring on a shoot with you with a client?
Tissues are important, wet wipes for screens, a handheld mirror can be handy, and fairy lights if I am in a rut and want to do something creative!
What do you find is the most effective way to get a client to feel comfortable with you in front of the camera?
Preparation. Most of the work is done before the session, because the way clients show up to a session is coloured by how nervous they are. If you can answer their questions, address their worries, and get them used to you through calls before the session, they will feel much less nervous and you will have way less work to do. That's why I swear by PDF guides on outfits and props, and have a photoshoot plan to walk them through their day.
At the session itself, I allow for time to chat and settle in before I pick up my camera, I demo everything I want them to do so they can see me making a fool of myself first, and chat constantly. I use their welcome questionnaires to help me chat to them and settle them in. Sometimes I do a breathing exercise to calm them down, get them to shake their bodies with me to relieve tension, and play their favourite music to help them unwind.
There you go my loves!
I so hope that this post was helpful to those of you looking to learn a little more about brand photography; do let me know if you enjoyed!
In the meantime, lots of love and happy Monday,
Anna xxx
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