Katie and Jeremy are Heartstory Photography, one of Australia’s most-awarded family portrait photography studios. In their guest blog below, they discuss five strategies you should be focusing on in your portrait business right now:

1. Build community
2. Call in support
3. Tweak your systems
4. Take care of your current clients
5. Diversify your marketing

Start your journey today by working on these activities, and delve deeper by:

• Joining our Zoom session with Katie and Jeremy next Thu, 23 Nov at 7.30pm
• Attending the 4 day Elevate Photography and Business Intensive in March 2024

We believe that photography changes lives and creates history. The role of a trusted photographer is about creativity and connection and it takes skill, passion and dedication to do it well. We don’t believe that every photography business should be exactly like ours but we do believe that the principles, values and strategies by which we operate will make your business more successful, profitable and fun. We want more photographers to find success and satisfaction through the journey of business. It’s a wild ride, and the last 4 years have been the wildest! 

1. Build community

Find new ways to connect with your local community to build partnerships and collaborations with other businesses and organisations. The environment has changed and thinking outside the box has more power than it used to. Partnerships and collaborations are reciprocal and they can build your audience and expand opportunities. A larger bank of people care a lot more about community than they used to a few years ago. Align yourself with businesses that have similar values to you and you’ll find more ideal clients.

2. Call in support

Many of us are still weary from the intensity of 2020-2022. Hustle culture is not the way forwards. We are tired and more aware than we used to be. We need our businesses to survive and function without us having to be ‘on’ all the time. Now is the time to increase the support around you so you can step into your zone of genius. Make sure your support network have your best interests at heart and you feel good about them being involved in your business. This means solicitors, accountants, coaches, health providers, nannies, tech support, team members, virtual assistants etc.

3. Tweak your systems

If you’re still doing things the same way you used to, it’s time to level up. There is new tech, and new automations that are designed to save you time and make you more efficient and productive. There are also people who specialise in certain areas who can do it for you. Our clients are smarter than ever before and they notice when things don’t run smoothly. They have points of comparison. They are also busier than ever before, read less, pay less attention and make more mistakes. It’s more important than ever to adapt and ensure that we’re taking good care – of ourselves and our clients.

4. Take care of your current clients

It’s true that lead generation has become more expensive and conversion rates have dropped for many service-based businesses. So instead of continuing to spend your time and money seeking new clients, shift some of that attention back to your current client base. You can create higher lifetime values if you can find ways to get your current clients back to you more often. Serving current clients is easier, quicker and more satisfying and they will love you for it.

5. Diversify your marketing

We used to say that you should have 5 different marketing (lead generation) streams going at any one time. It might have been: socials, paid advertising, giveaways, your website and a few joint partnerships. Now I believe you need more like 10-15. The more diverse your marketing is, the more reach you’ll have and the more bookings you’ll generate. For a lot of photographers, marketing is the hardest part, but remember you’re a creative! Marketing has the potential to be a lot of fun and a juicy way to use your people skills and your creative skills at the same time. Stop relying so heavily on social media, consider the three stages of your funnels and the buying cycle and grow more tendrils. A lot more.

Join the Elevate Zoom session

Thursday 23 November @ 7.30pm

Join Katie and Jeremy online as they delve into more detail about the 5 things they believe you should be focusing on in your photography business right now. They are generous educators, and will also share some of their biggest failures and successes from 20+ years in business.

(Apologies Kiwis! We realise this time is inconvenient for you but we couldn’t coordinate a more agreeable hour. Register and we’ll send you a link to the recording.)

Register now

Join the Elevate workshop

1-4 March 2024, Canberra

Family, newborn, pet, branding and boudoir shooters alike will benefit from this photography and business intensive by Heartstory Photography. Over 3.5 days Katie and Jeremy will host shoots to hone your craft, and teach you everything they know about business. Including how to optimise the customer experience, how to build a business that’s more profitable and fun, complete with an enviable work/life balance. Take advantage of their early bird offer by booking before 30 Nov. 

Register now

More advice for portrait photographers

For more information and inspiration about portrait books and albums click here.