You might not win any money. But posting your images on the competition’s website has a lot of benefits. We’ve updated our page for the best daily, monthly, and yearly photo contests. Check back often for updates!

Try our Effortless Editing With Lightroom course to ensure your photos look their best. We provide step-by-step edits for magazine-quality images. Or try one of our many creative photography eBooks or courses to help you submit your best shots!

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What Are the Best Photography Contests to Enter in 2024?

These 23 best photography contests feature impartial judging, clear criteria, and diverse categories. These best photo contests for 2024 all encourage creativity, originality, and technical skill. For your convenience, we have split this list into multiple categories: 

• Beginners
• Black and White 
• Portrait
• Wildlife and Landscape
• Professional

Read the fine print for photo submission guidelines. You want to be sure you’re sending photos in the proper size and format. Most contests don’t accept purely AI-generated images but may allow AI edits.

You can enter Guru’s daily and Life Framer’s monthly contests as much as you like. And we’ll update the 2024 photo contest deadlines as they come up. Don’t miss out on competing for prestigious awards and prizes! We hope you are inspired and have fun with them.

Contests for Beginners 

1. GuruShots Photography Contests

• Deadline: New challenge every day
• Fee: Less than $10
• Prizes: $2 – $2000

GuruShots takes a unique approach to photography contests. A new photo challenge is posted daily, and it’s up to each individual to decide how many challenges to enter.

Some of the winning artworks are exhibited in galleries worldwide. For a fee (less than $10), you can enter the exhibition challenge and submit four images.

The GuruShots website and application also lets you connect with photographers worldwide. Besides winning prizes, you can gain exposure and feedback from other artists, which can help you improve as a photographer.

2. Life Framer Competitions

• Deadline: End of each month
• Fees: $20 to $100
• Prizes: A $24,000 prize fund is shared between the monthly winners. Each month, the 1st and 2nd prize winners have their images exhibited and published.

Life Framer competitions are suitable for photographers from all photo niches.

Every month, a new photo category is introduced. These include black-and-white, street photography, nightlife, world travelers, and animal kingdom. Industry-leading photographers judge each category individually.

Entering one image costs $20, three costs $30, and four costs $40. But you can enter up to 10 images when you upgrade to a premium membership ($100).

The membership also allows you to receive detailed feedback on your photos. This can significantly help to improve your photography.

The Amateur Photographer of the Year Competition provides a great platform for beginners and amateur photography enthusiasts. Its unique format encourages experimentation in different genres of photography. 

You will have ten subjects over ten months to submit work for. There will be winners for each subject and overall winners who have scored high points consecutively across each competition. These categories include black and white, travel, macro, landscape, and more. 

This format is ideal if you need an extra boost to try new genres of photography. It is also perfect for photographers who have a lot of creativity but find it hard to direct. 

5. Anthology Creative Awards

• Early Deadline: July 2024
• Final Deadline: 30th November 2024
• Fees:  €12 (earlybird), €18 (standard) 
• Grand Prize: €500 and publication opportunity 

Anthology Creative Awards is open to photographers working at any level. Therefore, it is a great platform for beginners to test their favorite photos. Themes are kept open and broad, so your strongest images will likely be eligible. 

There are also no restrictions on eligibility for photographers. You can enter if you work from anywhere in the world, and there is no limit to how many photos you can enter. 

Anthology suggests looking at previous winners and their magazine, Anthology, before entering. This will give you a good idea of the kind of work they like and the type of photography that is likely to win in the future. 

Contests for Black and White Photographers

6. MonoVisions Black & White Photography Awards

• Early Deadline: January 21, 2024
• Final Deadline: May 19, 2024
• Fees: $20 or $25 (single), $25 or $30 (series)
• Black-and-White Series of the Year: $3,000 award
• Black-and-White Photo of the Year: $2,000 award

This photo contest is meant to discover the best black-and-white photographers. (Only monochromatic submissions are allowed.) You can enter photos taken with both digital and analog cameras.

Apart from the two main categories (single and series), there are 12 subcategories. These include abstract, conceptual, and nude photography and other standard subcategories.

The entry fee for a series is $30, and for a single image, it is $25. There is an early-bird discount for entries submitted before January 21.

7. Monochrome Photography Award

• Early bird Deadline: July 7, 2024 (cheaper fee)
• Deadline: TBD (November 2024)
• Fees: $17 to $27
• Professional Section Prize: $2,000, certificate, and exhibition
• Non-Professional Grand Prize: $1,000, certificate, and exhibition
• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Category Winners: Certificate and exhibition

Are black-and-white photos your thing? Then this is the photo competition for you. There are 13 categories to enter, including landscape, fashion, and abstract photos.

If you are in the top three of any of them, you will receive a certificate and an exhibition of your work. All winners and honorable mentions will also be included in the Monochrome Photography Awards Annual Book.

Before the early bird deadline, each image costs $22 for professionals and $17 for amateurs; after that, the submission price jumps by $5.

The only rule is that the image must be black-and-white in film or digital. Toned images like selenium or sepia are also accepted. So start getting creative. This is your time to shine.

Contest for Portrait Photographers

8. LensCulture Portrait Awards

• Deadline: February 14, 2024
• Series Award Winners 1st Place Prize: $3,500
• Series Award Winners 2nd Place Prize: $2,000
• Series Award Winners 3rd Place Prize: $1,000
• Single Image Award Winners 1st Place Prize: $2,000
• Single Image Award Winners 2nd Place Prize: $1,000
• Single Image Award Winners 3rd Place Prize: $500

LensCulture’s mission is to discover talented photographers. They look for creative photographs from worldwide. You can submit one entry for free and more with various fees. Plus, enrolled students receive a 30% discount.

This photo contest is open to every type of portrait photography. That includes studio, candid, conceptual, or self-portraits. They appreciate every approach to portraiture. But it has to be executed in an imaginative and refined way.

The winners are offered professional visibility. Their photos are featured at international photo festivals like Photo London 2025.

They also receive press coverage from magazines worldwide. This includes The Telegraph, The Guardian, Washington Post, and The British Journal of Photography.

Read our Creative Portrait Concepts eBook to see how to take your portraits to another level.

9. Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2024

• Deadline: 7th May 2024
• Fee: TBA
• Professional Grand Prize: TBA and exhibition
• Non-Professional Grand Prize: TBA and exhibition
• 6 Professional Category Winners: TBA and exhibition
• 6 Non-Professional Category Winners: TBA and exhibition

The Taylor Wessing Photography Portrait Prize is the leading international photo contest. As the name suggests, it focuses on portraiture.

This Prize promotes and celebrates the very best in contemporary portrait photography. It does so through its established reputation.

Talented professionals, amateurs, and emerging artists can submit their work. The jury selects the best images—many of which are being shown for the first time.

They touch on ideas and concepts surrounding portraits. But they also explore other themes. A range of moods, settings, characters, and expressions are present.

All submissions become an exhibition. This year’s exhibition features 59 images from the winners. Besides first, second, and third place winners, they have introduced an £8,000 commission.

You can view the 2023 portrait winners’ photos and buy the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize book.

Contests for Wildlife and Landscape Photographers

10. BigPicture Natural World Photography Awards 2024

• Deadline: March 1, 2024
• Fee: $25 (up to 10 images), $15 (story submissions)
• Winner: $5,000 and is featured in the California Academy of Sciences annual exhibit
• Category Winners: $1,000

This natural photo award focuses on the world’s natural diversity. And it aims to inspire action to conserve it. The contest accepts nature, wildlife, and conservation images from all around the world. They’re organized into seven categories.

This includes abstract expressions of nature, such as photos from under a microscope. Aquatic life, landscapes, wild animals, and human interactions with nature are also welcome.

You can enter up to 10 single images or six to eight images in the Photo Story category. Entrants are limited to up to 10 photo submissions per email address.

Check out our Wonderful Wildlife eBook to capture those decisive moments in nature.

11. International Landscape Photographer of the Year

• Deadline: TBA (November 2024)
• Fee: $25 per image (every 5th one free)
• Photographer 1st Prize: $5,000, trophy, NiSi 100mm V7 Professional Filter Kit and Explorer EX-ACPROKIT Ascent tripod
• Photographer 2nd Prize: $1,000, trophy, NiSi 100mm V7 Advance Filter Kit, and Explorer EX-EXPPRO Expedition Pro tripod
• Photographer 3rd Prize: $500, trophy, NiSi 100mm V7 Starter Filter Kit, and Explorer EX-EXP Expedition tripod
• Photography 1st Prize: $2,000 and a trophy
• Photography 2nd Prize: $1,000 and a trophy
• Photography 3rd Prize: $500 and a trophy
• 5 Category Special Awards: Special photo print
• Top 101: Certificate and PDF of awards book

If you shoot landscapes, enter the International Landscape Photographer of the Year award. This will be their eleventh year, and it’s still going strong.

The limitations are set to four images per applicant. This is so the experience gained from the competition is easily accessible.

The jury rates the images between 1 and 100 from all these submissions. They choose the top 101 images and move to the second round of judging. First, they find the best images and search for the best landscape photographers.

There is a Photographer of the Year, a Photo of the Year, and five special subject awards. The special categories are black and white, aerial, snow and ice, desert, and seascape.

Each section undergoes a rigorous selection process. The top winners are published and receive a copy of the Landscape Photographer of the Year publication.

The cost is $25 per image, so the maximum you can spend is $125. The images also have to be captured within a year of submission.

The best thing about this photo contest is that you are not restricted in photo manipulation. Just make sure you do it yourself. No AI-generated images are allowed.

Take our Epic Landscape Editing course to ensure your photo entries look stunning.

12. World Nature Photography Awards

• Deadline: March 30th, 2024
• Fee: £30 (6 images)
• Grand Prize: $1,000

In its fifth year, the World Nature Photography Awards continues to provide a great platform for wildlife photographers of every skill level. They provide a wide range of categories, so whatever your niche is in nature photography, you will find a space here. 

This competition also has an ecological approach. They ask that none of the images feature captive or restrained animals. They also plant one tree for every entry, a great way to aid the planet using their platform. 

There are also professional and amateur categories. This means anyone of any difficulty can enter, even photographers who may have gone on their first safari trip. 

13. The Nature Photography Contest

• Deadline: November 15th, 2024
• Fee: €10 each photo
• Grand Prize: €1,000
• Category Winners: €100

The Nature Photography Contest aims to ‘raise awareness of how crucial it is to protect our planet.’ It does this by selecting and displaying beautiful images from around the world. The top images are selected by working photographers at the top of their field. 

Like the previous competition, this contest plants a tree for every submission. The difference here is that the winner gets to pick the location where all the trees get planted. This is a great way to promote a sustainable future. 

There is a Funny Nature category for wildlife’s comical moments. You can submit your images in as many categories as you want. This competition is also open to landscapes and macro, encompassing all facets of nature. 

Contests for Professionals

14. International Photography Awards (IPA 2024)

• Deadline: TBD, open for 2024 submissions
• Fee: $20 to $65
• International Photographer of the Year Prize: $10,000, trophy, exhibition, and publication
• Discovery of the Year Prize: $5,000, trophy, exhibition, and publication
• 11 Professional Category Winners: $1,200, exhibition, and publication
• 11 Non-Professional Category Winners: $600, exhibition, and publication
• Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Prize Winners in Subcategories: Certificate, exhibition, publication, and ticket to the gala

The International Photography Awards is one of the highest-paying photo contests around. It is also the only place you can land a Lucie Statue. This year will see the 21st annual photo contest.

There are 11 categories to choose from for professional and non-professional photographers alike. They cover everything, including advertising, editorial, and sports. A “special” category also covers niche photography like AI.

The top winners receive a travel allowance and accommodation to collect their awards in New York.

This photo contest is the primary funding mechanism for the Lucie Foundation. It is a non-profit, charitable foundation to honor the masters of photography.

ND Entry fees range from $20 to $65 for single or multiple images. All winning images are published in a high-quality International Photography Awards book.

15. 2024 Aperture Portfolio Prize

• Deadline: January 5, 2024
• Fee: An Aperture Magazine subscription (starts at $9.99/month)
• 1st Prize: $3,000 cash prize, $1,000 gift card for camera gear, an exhibition in New York, feature, and publication
• 4 Shortlisted Artists: Feature and online publication
• All 25 Finalists: Virtual portfolio review

This contest is looking for new photography talents. It finds those who deserve recognition in contemporary photography.

After getting a magazine subscription, you must upload 10 to 15 photos you want to enter. This contest is unique because you must also submit a resume, a photographer’s bio, and a statement about your photo work.

The jury looks at consistency, fresh ideas, and technical aspects. They want a unique approach to the subject. The theme is not further specified. It is up to each person to be as innovative as possible with their photos.

17. Sony World Photography Award 2024

• Deadline: January 12, 2024 (professional and open) and January 5, 2024 (youth), January 5, 2024 (student)
• Fee: Free, $14.95 to $44.95 (optional multiple youth entries)
• Professional Photographer of the Year: $25,000, Sony digital imaging equipment, exhibition, and more
• Open Photographer of the Year Prize: $5,000, Sony digital imaging equipment, exhibition, and more
• Category Winners: Sony digital imaging equipment, exhibition, and more
• Professional 2nd and 3rd Place: Exhibition, publication, and more
• Student Photographer of the Year Prize: Sony digital imaging equipment, exhibition, and more
• Overall Winning University: Sony digital imaging equipment worth $30,000
• Youth Photographer of the Year: Sony digital imaging equipment, exhibition, publication, and more
• Shortlist: Exhibition, publication (student), and more

The Sony World Photography Award has four simultaneous photo contests. They are Professional, Open, Student, and Youth. Each one has a different prize combination of cash and Sony imaging equipment.

Who wouldn’t enjoy $25,000 or $5,000 and camera gear? That’s a lot to help you continue to take stunning shots.

One of the other great things about this competition is the traveling exhibition. No matter which country I find myself in, I always notice the Sony World Photography Award image.

The submitted images must have been taken within a year of submission. You can send at least five and up to 10 images, so don’t be shy.

We love this competition because it is free to enter. That’s right, free. You can also choose from 20 different categories. Youth entrants can buy image bundles to submit as many as they want.

18. Istanbul Photo Awards

• Deadline: January 17, 2024
• Fee: Free (professionals only)
• Prizes: $1,000, $1,500, and 3,000, $6,000 and Sony A7III body, depending on the category, two $1,000 awards for the contest’s 10th anniversary, exhibition, and publication

Anadolu Agency organizes this international news photo contest. The idea first came from capturing Istanbul’s diverse culture from different perspectives. Over time, the Istanbul Photo Awards has become a widely known news photo contest.

One of the biggest perks of this photo competition is that it’s free. You can take part in 10 categories with single photos or a photo series (consisting of 10 images). The jury comprises nine photographers involved in either photojournalism or news editing.

The winners’ works are published in a photobook and exhibited in several cities worldwide. This includes Istanbul, New York, and Tokyo. If you are a photojournalist, this contest is worth a try!

19. PhMuseum Photography Grant

• Deadline: February 15, 2024
• Fee: $25
• 1st Prize: $4,000, exhibition, and more
• 2nd Prize: $2,000 and exhibition, and more
• New Generation Prize: $2,000, exhibition, and more
• Other: Various exhibitions, residencies, portfolio reviews, and more

This competition focuses on the importance of visual storytelling. Photographers with both a classic approach and innovative projects are welcome to enter.

You can enter one or more photo projects centered around a specific theme. The entry fee is $39, but you get an early bird discount ($30) if you apply before the early bird deadline.

An independent jury with various photo backgrounds reviews the submissions. This contest is a great opportunity if you are outstanding in narrative photography. And who wouldn’t be happy about extra cash you can invest in your artwork?

20. Communication Arts Photography Competition 2024

• Deadline: March 1, 2024
• Fee: $20 to $80
• Category Winners: Personalized award of excellence and award certificate

Most photography contests come with cash prizes. The communication arts photo competition stands out as being one that doesn’t. But don’t let that put you off. It is still a revered photo contest.

Your images must have been captured or published between March 2023 and March 2024 to be eligible. Contest fees range from $20 to $80 for photos, depending on the category (nine total).

Besides winning a personalized excellence award, your image is distributed worldwide in digital and print formats. This is in the Communication Arts Photography Annual.

A distinguished jury of designers, art directors, and photographers choose the winning images. If you’re looking for one of the most coveted awards in the photo industry, you have found it. Submit today!

21. Nikon Small World 2025

• Deadline: April 30, 2025
• Fee: Free
• 1st Prize: $5,000
• 2nd Prize: $3,000
• 3rd Prize: $1,500
• 4th Prize: $800
• 5th Prize: $600
• 6th Prize: $400
• 7th to 10th Prizes: $300
• 11th to 20th Prizes: $200
• Honorable Mentions: $100

The Nikon Small World photo contest offers the greatest chance of winning a cash prize. Whether you place first or 20th, you’ll still win money. A video contest (Small World In Motion Video Competition) also exists.

This photo competition is about photomicrography (which differs from macro photography). This is the discipline of photographing through a light microscope.

As a long-standing camera manufacturer, Nikon has run this competition since 1975. That’s longer than I’ve been taking photos, let alone being alive.

Anyone can enter, and they do in droves. They receive submissions from almost every continent on the planet. There are no restrictions. And you don’t have to use Nikon cameras or microscopes.

Each participant can upload three images for free. Even if you don’t want to enter, check out the previous winners. The images are stunning, and they might motivate you to apply.

Maybe you’re not ready to invest in photomicrography. Our Macro Magic course can help you take the first few steps toward discovering the hidden beauty around you.

22. IPA One Shot Photo Contest: Searching for Peace

• Deadline: May 1, 2024
• Fee: $20 (20% discount for each extra category submission)
• Grand Winner: $2,500
• Category Winner: $500
• Total Cash Prizes: $4,500
• A curated collection of the submitted images will be showcased in an online exclusive e-book.

The IPA’s One Shot photo contest is an annual competition. It invites photographers worldwide to submit their best single image capturing a compelling moment or story.

The contest celebrates the power of a single image to convey emotion, provoke thought, or inspire action. This year’s photographers are invited to capture the essence of peace in various aspects of life. There are four categories:

1. Capturing peaceful moments in daily life
2. Showcasing the serene beauty of nature
3. Finding moments of peace amidst conflict and hardship
4. Expressing your vision of peace

Participants can showcase their creativity and skill across various genres. This includes landscape, portrait, documentary, and conceptual photography. The focus is on excellence and originality.

An esteemed IPA Jury Panel selects winners. The panel comprises over 80 recognized gallerists, photo editors, directors, and collectors. It also features photographers and other prominent photographers.

The One Shot contest serves as a platform for photographers to gain exposure and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Photographers can elevate their craft through the pursuit of visual storytelling excellence.

23. LensCulture Art Photography Awards 2025

• Deadline: TBA (December 2024)
• Fees: Free to $45 (30% discount for students), optional $25 for written review
• Series Award Winners 1st Place Prize: $3,500, exhibition, and more
• Series Award Winners 2nd Place Prize: $2,000, exhibition, and more
• Series Award Winners 3rd Place Prize: $1,000, exhibition, and more
• Single Image Award Winners 1st Place Prize: $2,000, exhibition, and more
• Single Image Award Winners 2nd Place Prize: $1,000, exhibition, and more
• Single Image Award Winners 3rd Place Prize: $500, exhibition, and more

The LensCulture Art Photography Awards recognize creativity. And it pushes the boundaries of traditional photography. It brings attention to diverse and thought-provoking art captured through the camera lens.

Both new and experienced artists can show off their work. You can enter one free image, up to 10 ($45).

They accept all sorts of photography styles. You can submit anything from portraits to experimental photos. This gives artists a chance to share their unique perspectives.

Experts in photography and art judge the awards. It highlights photographers who tell compelling stories through their images. Prizes include exhibitions, projections, and features to help kickstart or boost photography careers.

All entrants will receive benefits, including a LensCulture portfolio account and the opportunity to have their work shown to a wider audience through their website and the press.

Conclusion: Best Photography Contests

We hope you enjoyed our collection of the best photo competitions for 2024. Entering photography contests is not only fun. It’s a way to test your photos in a competitive environment.

It is also an excellent way to gain recognition and win cash prizes for your art. So enter one yourself! Or, if you don’t want to enter one, check out the winners for inspiration to propel your work!

If you want to improve your chances of winning, try our Wow Factor video course or master composition with our Intuitive Composition eBook! Or check out our Effortless Editing With Lightroom course to fine-tune your work.

Our Best eBooks and Courses for Photography Contests

Wow Factor Photography

Wow Factor Photography

Intuitive Composition

Intuitive Composition

Effortless Editing with Lightroom

Effortless Editing with Lightroom

That’s quite the claim, especially when someone talks about themselves. Can we take his word for it? Peter Lik is a complicated figure in the photography world. He’s as infamous as he is famous. And controversy has followed him for years.

This post is our take on the Peter Lik story. We’ll look at how he made his name. And we’ll find out why his name sparks a debate whenever it’s mentioned.

Insightful Perspective

Peter Lik - Australia

Discover the stunning beauty of the Australian landscape through the lens of a controversial photography genius. Get a unique perspective on the essence of the Australian spirit.

Who Is Peter Lik?

Peter Lik is a professional photographer from Australia. He is mainly known as a nature and landscape photographer. And his works have been published in magazines and hung in galleries all over the world.

In 1994, Lik moved to Las Vegas and started his publishing company Lik USA. And he also opened a photography gallery in the city, mainly to display his work.

He used this as a base to sell his photography products. He has published coffee-table books, postcards, and calendars. In 1997, he published his first full-sized photography book, Australia: Images of a Timeless Land.

He then went quiet, with no new publications for 13 years. He broke his silence with the 25th Anniversary Big Book in 2010. It’s a hefty piece of work with over 500 of Lik’s photos.

The publication of his book seemingly garnered Lik a lot of attention. Shortly after, he sold a single print for $1 million to an anonymous buyer. The work is titled One, as he only made one print. And it’s a shot of the Androscoggin River in New Hampshire.

He then went on a bit of an award run. His photo Ghost won the Art in Nature category at the Windland Smith Rice awards in 2010. Nature’s Best Photography magazine runs this award series.

Another work by Lik won the same award the following year. The 2011 winning shot was Inner Peace, and it was later displayed in the Smithsonian museum.

Since 1997, Lik USA has been growing substantially. He opened three more galleries in Las Vegas, with another nine across the United States. He even had a documentary series, From the Edge with Peter Lik.

2014 Onward: Success and Suspicion

From the ’90s through the early 2000s, everything seems above board with Peter Lik’s career. From 2014 on, his fame continued to grow. But it was around this time that some suspicions began to arise over some of his work and claims.

In that year, Lik claims to have sold a work called Illusion for $2.4 million. Later that same year, he sold Phantom for a whopping $6.5 million. It was the highest price paid for a photograph at the time.

These are big numbers for any art sale, especially photography prints. And the announcement of these sales was met with skepticism. Both sales were to anonymous buyers. No buyers could be identified, and no one came forward. It raised questions over his 2010 sale of One, which was also sold to a nameless buyer.

Since then, Peter Lik has attracted more and more suspicion. Thousands of words have been written about Lik and his claimed sales. Lik USA has remained very quiet on the issue, so speculation is rife.

The Most Expensive Photographs Ever Sold

The sale of Phantom for $6.5 million should put Peter Lik at the very top of the leaderboard for the most expensive photos ever sold. And the sale of Illusion would again put him in the top 30. And yet, Peter Lik does not appear on the list.

Andreas Gursky currently sits at the top of the list. His photo Rhein II sold for $4.3 million, with the sale taking place at Christie’s New York auction house in 2011. This is more than $2 million less than Lik’s sale.

The difference is proof of sale. All the items on the list of most expensive photos have been sold at reputable auction houses. They are usually sold in places like Christie’s in New York or Sotheby’s in London. The only exception is Justin Aversano’s NFT sale.

Sales in these institutions are public. And they document every sale, including buyers and provenance of the work sold.

Peter Lik, on the other hand, sells his work privately. And with the large sales, the work is always bought by an anonymous buyer. No name is given, and no one comes forward. Lik asks us to take his word for it without providing any proof.

Fine art landscapes can pull big money. Andreas Gursky’s Rhein II is a testament to that. But without proof of sale, the art world can’t accept the sale as official.

Another suspicious element with Phantom is that it’s a black and white version of an earlier work. The color version, Ghost, sold a few years earlier for only $15,860. That’s quite a big jump in price for the desaturated version of the same photo.

Peter Lik: Photographer or Fraudster?

Millions of photographers use Photoshop and other editing software. There’s nothing controversial about digital photo editing. It’s part of the process of modern photography.

Some photographers even use software like Photoshop for composite works and digital collages. These are art forms in their own right. And the artists are open and honest about the tools and techniques they use.

David LaChapelle and Chema Madoz are two photographers that famously manipulate their images. But they’re not trying to fool anyone. They are transparent about how they create their artwork.

The same can’t be said about Peter Lik. His work is natural, often working with landscapes. It’s not an area of photography often associated with image manipulation. Usually, the power of nature speaks for itself.

But Peter Lik is far from transparent. And people have been speculating as to whether some of his works are overly manipulated. The word “fake” has even been used to describe his photography.

If Lik were to admit he used editing techniques to enhance his work, there wouldn’t be a problem. But those close to him state the majority of his work is done in-camera.

When such a large part of Lik’s business is selling prints, we have an ethical problem. Is he misleading his buying audience?

The Truth About Moonlit Dreams

Moonlit Dreams is a 2017 piece by Lik that attracted much attention. And a large part of that attention hasn’t exactly been positive. There are many questions about authenticity, with many claiming the image to be a composite.

It’s an impressive photo, combining astrophotography and landscape. You have the large moon in the background and a tree-adorned cliff face in the fore. As striking as the image may be, some elements don’t add up.

The debate goes on whether it’s possible to capture an image like this without Photoshop trickery. Lik claims to work in-camera mainly. But is that possible for an image like this?

We’ll take a look at some of the details of Moonlit Dreams. We’ll take a look at the areas of contention to see why Lik’s claim doesn’t stand up. I’m no expert on photo manipulation, so I can’t say we work alone on this investigation. The folks at FStoppers had a great discussion on the matter.

Clouds

There are two problems with the clouds in the bottom left corner. Firstly, they appear to be back-lit. It means there should be a light source behind them. But as this photo appears to be at dusk with a full moon, the sun should be behind the photographer.

The second problem is that there are even clouds there at all. To get such good detail of the moon’s surface, you need as little atmospheric interruption as possible. Clouds imply a congested atmosphere.

The Moon’s Size

The moon seems far too large in this composition. Even if you used a super-telephoto lens, you would struggle to achieve this size.

Ambient Light

The moon is full, which means the sun is directly behind the photographer. This would be the sun would light the cliffs in the foreground as well. But the cliffs seem to have different lighting, colder and less direct.

Light on the Trees

If you look closely at the trees, you can see they are lit from above. This contradicts the logic of the moon’s lighting. What is illuminating the trees from above if the sun is behind and the moon in front?

Depth of Field

The moon is 384,400 km away from Earth. And the cliff in the image could be no more than a few kilometers away from the photographer. The fact both are in focus means the depth of field would have to be more than 380,000 km. No lens can provide that kind of depth of field.

Recycled Moon

Thanks to the folks at FStoppers, we can see that Peter Lik used the same moon in an earlier image. The moon in Bella Luna has the same marks and shadows. The lighting styles are different, but the moons are identical. This strongly suggests we’re looking at a composite.

As suspicion grew, people contacted his Las Vegas gallery for clarification. Getting an answer wasn’t easy. But Jared Polin finally received an email from a Lik representative in 2018. This was their reply:

“Hi Jared, great to hear from you. Moonlit Dreams is, in fact, a composite photograph. Since before the photograph was released, we have been open and transparent regarding this topic. I do appreciate you reaching out and inquiring. Wishing you a great weekend.”

The clarification is a positive turn of events. The problem is that the Lik estate had to be pushed and probed for the statement to be made. They weren’t transparent about how Lik created the image from the beginning.

The Peter Lik Brand Strategy

Whether Peter Lik is one of the greatest photographers is up for debate. But one thing we know for sure—he knows how to make a name for himself.

Oscar Wilde said, “There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that’s not being talked about.” And Peter Lik certainly knows how to get people talking.

We can start with his claim to be the “most famous photographer. The most sought-after photographer, and the most awarded photographer.” It may or may not be true. But the fact he said this about himself makes people take note.

If people haven’t heard of him before, they’ll want to check out his work. They’ll want to know if his photography backs up his claims.

Not many photographers have their own gallery to sell and display their own. But Peter Lik has 14 worldwide. A gallery brings prestige and credibility to the work, even if they are his galleries.

Then we have the big sales to anonymous buyers—the prints sold for vast amounts of money. But Peter Lik has never provided proof of purchase. For Lik, that doesn’t matter. He’s already stolen the headline.

The fact that many of his photos come under attack for being fake or manipulated plays into this strategy. He only speaks out about this if pushed. He’s happy for people to scrutinize his work because it puts him in the spotlight. Whether for good or bad, people are talking about Peter Lik.

Market Manipulation

The Peter Lik galleries sell hundreds of thousands of prints every year. We can’t dispute this because they keep sales records like any other business. You can buy one yourself if you have a spare $5,000.

The controversy surrounds the big sales. There have been three sales of over $1 million. And each one had an anonymous buyer. The mystery around these exchanges means they don’t make the official lists for expensive photos sales. But that plays into the Peter Lik brand strategy.

It’s impossible to say if the sales took place or not. But the claimed sales build interest in his work. And it inflates the prices of his prints. The huge sales bring people to his galleries and add value to his work.

A skeptic might say this is a ploy to keep prices high. Lik makes a claim about a big sale, the headlines come out, and he can add a few more zeros to the price tags. He’s using the publicity to manipulate the market.

One interesting detail is that Lik’s pieces often have a lower resell value. He says his work is “like a Mercedes-Benz. You drive it off the lot, and it loses half its value.” But art isn’t valued in the same way as a car.

Many people buy art purely as an investment. They make a purchase hoping the value will increase over time. And fine art sales usually follow this trend. A piece of art doesn’t lose value when it leaves the gallery.

It begs why anyone would pay such a large sum for work that will decrease in value. It will be worth less than you paid as soon as you get it home. A Peter Lik work is a bad investment. That’s not something the rich are usually interested in.

Conclusion

We’re not trying to argue that Peter Lik is a bad photographer. The guy has talent. And he knows how to use a camera and print photographs. But his success isn’t just about clever camera work. Peter Lik’s success is down to his marketing.

Peter Lik is not just a photographer. He’s a brand. When you look at his website, it has phrases like the “Peter Lik Style™.” His shots are striking. But the same is in the name, not the photography.

The mention of his name will spark a debate. And that works perfectly for him. He doesn’t mind if the publicity is negative, as long as people are talking about Peter Lik. It means people go to his galleries and buy his prints.

It’s harsh to call Peter Lik a fraud. He’s a talented photographer. But use caution when you hear his name. You need to take anything you hear about Peter Lik with a heavy pinch of salt.

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Insightful Perspective

Peter Lik - Australia

Discover the stunning beauty of the Australian landscape through the lens of a controversial photography genius. Get a unique perspective on the essence of the Australian spirit.

Why is Photography Branding Important?

Branding is the act of creating a name, symbol, design, or style that makes your business identifiable. Creating a logo, a slogan, using a certain font and style are all techniques of branding. Good branding makes your business stand out from the crowd.
In the Internet age, how others perceive you and your style is influenced by what they see online and through social media. Look at the websites and socials of your favourite photographers or influencers. Everything looks put together. When you look at their images and feeds, you can recognise the style as being theirs. This polished look is what you should strive for when it comes to your own photography business branding.
Branding your photography business is about creating a clear, consistent message for clients. When they encounter your marketing tools, they should have a sense of who you are as a person and artist.

1. Find Inspiration in the Market

Before starting your photography brand, you should research the market and your competition. Analyse your competition and their top content. Try to find inspiration in the way they manage a successful photography brand.

2. Identify Your Unique Selling Proposition

Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is the benefit your business offers compared to your competition.
This proposition must be unique. Maybe your pictures have a unique style that nobody can copy. Or you offer a faster turnaround than anyone. Or you are the best portrait photographer in your town.
Communicating your USP is an essential part of branding. USP also gives the essence of your brand. Take time to figure out what your photography business’ USP is.

3. Showcase Your Style With a Mood Board

A mood board is a collection of images gathered into a collage. It ensures that everyone on a project is on the same page about the desired result. You can use one to find your style and the ‘mood’ of your business.
Take time to create a mood board. Choose images representing the colors, fonts, and mood you want people to associate with your photography. Mood boards often stand for setting the general atmosphere and style of a photoshoot.
Pinterest and Canva are free and a great place to start when creating a mood board. But only use them as a beginner and evolve to using InDesign or Photoshop later on. Using free tools only do not make your brand look professional.
You can also create a physical mood board by cutting images out of magazines and pasting them onto a large piece of poster paper.

4. Use Keywords

Visuals are more powerful than words, but that does not mean language is not important when exploring and expressing your brand. You should also come up with some words that sum up your style.
Think of at least three words that describe your photography. Consider them each time you are choosing images for your photography portfolio or social media.
We often have an emotional association with some of our favourite images. But these are not always the best images to represent our body of work. Applying a few keywords when culling your images will help you stay consistent in your brand story.

5. Choose Thematic Colors and Fonts

When preparing any marketing materials, it’s important to stick to consistent choices in color and fonts. If possible, try to settle on a couple of colors for your brand early on and stick to them.
There are a variety of ways to approach this. You can go neutral, which is always understated and classic. Or you can choose your favourite colors or the ones that have a special meaning.
A great idea is to do some research about the psychology of different colors. For example, red is the color of passion or drama. It’s associated with strong emotions like anger. Yellow conveys youthful, fresh energy. Green with health, growth, and renewal. Blue is calming, and it represents trust and stability.
When choosing your fonts, be aware that it can create eye fatigue when white typography is against a black background. Black font on a white background is more preferable.
Tip: do not mix serif and sans serif fonts. This is a no-no in the graphic design world.

6. Invest in a Logo

Without a doubt, a good logo is crucial to branding any successful business. A distinctive photography logo does more than tell the audience the name of your business. It acts as a visual symbol for it.
If you are serious about your photography business, research companies that specialise in logo design. Invest in one that will create a high-quality identity for you. A logo subconsciously telegraphs what they can expect from your business. If you cannot afford to invest when you start your photography business, then research your options. Many designers offer freelance services at a lower price, as well. You can also create your own logo with programs like Illustrator or Brandmark.

7. Focus Your Marketing Efforts to Stay Consistent

One big mistake photographers often make early in their careers is trying to be all things to all people. Maybe they want to focus on weddings, but they take on corporate, family, and portrait photography to pay the bills. This is understandable. The important thing is that photography that does not line up with your goals should not be a part of your portfolio or marketing efforts. In short, it’s not part of the brand.
The same goes for any images that are not part of the controlled aesthetic you want to present. The photographs that brand you should have a consistent style, despite any variations in the subject matter.
Study your photographs and identify what makes them unique. What are the common themes that appear from image to image? Those elements are what you want to hone in on and emphasise in your branding and promotion of your work and portfolio.
It is also important to create consistent and coherent looks in your picture style.

8. Use Your Branding to Reflect Your Target Audience

Not everyone can be your client, nor should they be. You should focus your message on the actual people you want to be working with. A strong photography brand shows that you have invested time, money, and resources into creating your business. It gives the sense of a solid foundation and inspires trust. You might have a great portfolio. But if your photography branding is weak or inconsistent, it can keep you from getting noticed by potential customers. But, great branding will make people remember your name and associate it with your imagery. No matter how saturated the industry is with photographers, there will always be work for you if people remember your brand.
Your branding needs to reflect your target audience. It should balance your business personality and the clients’ needs you wish to serve.

9. Create an Experience

Your photography branding creates an experience for your customers beyond your portfolio. It also comes through in your choice of dress, email exchanges, and the way you engage with clients.
It is a minor step but has a huge effect when you add an email signature with your profile picture, website, and contact details. It shows how consistent and professional you are. Also, it gives the impression that you are easy to get in contact with.
Everything you do in your business is part of your brand. Consider this when you are speaking to your clients or taking too long to edit the final product.
The way you move through your business is a big contributor to how clients perceive you. And it affects the likelihood of them hiring you again.

Conclusion

Trying to fit in or emulate what other people in your niche are doing is the quickest way to get left behind. Standing out with consistent photography branding that speaks to your target audience will help you get a foothold in your market. You will earn the loyalty of the clients you most want to work with.
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Expert Photography is here to help you hone your marketing strategy. And while that might sound like boardroom speak, all our tips are down to earth and easy for any photographer to follow. Let’s get started so we can take your photography business to the next level.

What Is Marketing for Photographers?

Marketing for Photographers is one important part of running a photography business. The idea is to build a strategy to increase your profile in the industry, generate clients, and sell your work and services.

Making a living from photography isn’t easy, and it’s becoming harder all the time. But even a small amount of business marketing knowledge can go a long way.

Building a professional-standard website has never been easier or more affordable. And you have social media to help boost your online profile and make your work more visible. You can also send your work to magazines to help get more eyes on your work.

In the following sections, we’ll discuss each aspect of marketing for photography in depth. Remember to click the links in each section for more information.

Making a Name for Yourself

Becoming a famous photographer takes hard work and dedication. Constantly practice your craft to improve your technical skills and develop your unique style. Keep learning about the latest photography technology and techniques.

Treat your photography like a business. Develop your communication and marketing skills to connect with potential clients. Putting your work in front of the right people is key to getting noticed.

Most importantly, never give up on your dream. It can take years to make a full-time income from photography. Stay focused on your goals and keep working to become a famous photographer, even when times are tough.

Getting Noticed

To get your photography noticed, make sure your images are high-quality and visually interesting. Experiment with creative photo projects and share them on popular photography websites to showcase your skills. Running a photography blog is a great way to build your online presence and attract more viewers to your work.

Entering photography contests can help you gain recognition for your talent. Look for competitions that fit your specialty, and always read the terms carefully before submitting.

Getting your photos published in magazines or local newspapers is another effective way to attract clients and establish yourself as a professional photographer.

Joining photography forums and social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn can help you reach a wide audience. Photo-sharing platforms such as Flickr, 500px, and Behance are also excellent for showcasing your work and networking with other photographers.

By consistently sharing high-quality photographs across multiple channels, you can significantly boost your exposure and get your photography noticed.

Attracting Clients

Knowing how to get clients is essential for a successful photography business. Identify your ideal client and research their media consumption habits. Focus your marketing efforts on the most relevant platforms to save time and money.

Launch targeted social media campaigns and consider hosting an open photo shoot to attract potential clients. Maintain a presence with a quarterly email campaign showcasing your latest work. Offer special promotions and loyalty programs to gain new clients and retain existing ones.

Incentivize referrals and join freelancing websites to expand your reach. Volunteering to photograph events can also help broaden your network in your local community. By consistently implementing these strategies to get photography clients, you’ll be well on your way to a thriving photography business.

Magazine Submissions

Getting your photos published in a magazine is a great way to gain exposure and recognition as a photographer. Many magazines accept submissions from both professional and amateur photographers.

When submitting your work, make sure the magazine fits your photography niche. Dodho Magazine, for example, looks for creative and unique photography from around the world. Outdoor Photography is perfect for wildlife, nature, and travel photographers. If you shoot stunning homes, Dwell Magazine is the best choice for real estate photographers.

Remember to follow each magazine’s submission guidelines carefully. Some may require specific themes or have limits on the number of photos you can submit.

By showcasing your best work and matching the magazine’s style, you increase your chances of being featured. Magazines looking for photo submissions provide a fantastic opportunity to get your photography seen by a wider audience.

Pros & Cons of Mag Submissions

Submitting photos to magazines can be a great way to get your work seen by a wider audience. It can also lead to paid assignments. But there are some important pros and cons to consider before submitting your work.

Getting published in a magazine gives you exposure to a large audience interested in your field. You may also get paid for your work and open up opportunities for future commissions. Aiming to get published can give you a photography goal to work towards and help focus your work.

On the downside, limited opportunities and high competition mean you may face a lot of rejection. Pay is often low, and the time and money you invest might not pay off. Getting published won’t necessarily lead to anything else. There’s also a risk that trying to please magazines will turn your passion into just another job.

If you’d like to learn more about submitting photos to magazines, we have a detailed guide that covers everything you need to know.

Photography Contests

Photography contests are a great way to showcase your images and get feedback from professionals. Entering competitions can help you share your photos with a wider audience. You might not win money, but posting your images on the contest website has many benefits.

We’ve updated our list of the best photo contests for this year. These 20 photography competitions feature impartial judging, clear criteria, and diverse categories. They encourage creativity, originality, and technical skill.

Read the fine print for photo submission guidelines to ensure you send photos in the proper size and format. Most contests don’t accept purely AI-generated images but may allow AI edits. Always check the rules so you don’t miss out on competing for prestigious awards and prizes!

Photography contests are an excellent way to gain exposure, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and get inspired.

Photography Forums

Photography forums are a great way to connect with other photographers and learn new skills. These online communities allow you to share tips, ask questions, and get feedback on your work.

Some of the most popular photography forums include DPReview, Photo.net, and LightStalking. These forums cover a wide range of discussion topics, including discussions on specific camera brands, editing software, and photography genres.

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, participating in photography forums can help you improve your craft and build relationships with like-minded individuals. To learn more about the best photography forums, check out this in-depth guide.

Creating a Website

When creating a photography website, it’s important to choose the right web hosting platform. Look for a company with fast performance, good security, and accessible customer support. Use a template that highlights your work and clearly conveys your photography style.

Stick to a focused theme for a cohesive look. Limit the number of images and galleries to avoid overwhelming potential clients. Show only your best work that catches visitor attention.

Keep your potential clients in mind when creating your website. Choose commercially viable images that tell a story. By following these tips, you can build a web presence that helps you get your name out there and attract your first clients. If you’d like to learn more about photography websites, check out our in-depth guide to creating a stunning online portfolio.

Writing a Bio

Writing a photographer bio for your website is an important task. It gives potential clients a glimpse into who you are and what you do. Keep the language simple and concise, avoid unnecessary details, and remember to keep it professional.

Introduce yourself in the first sentence, stating your name and the type of photography you specialize in. Let your personality shine through, but keep it professional and relevant to your work. If you have notable achievements or awards, feel free to include them, but stay humble and avoid bragging.

Including a photo of yourself can add a personal touch. Choose an image that matches your photography style and keep it professional. To learn more about creating a photographer bio, check out our in-depth guide.

Starting a Blog

Starting a photography blog is a great way to share your work and attract new clients. Set up your website using Wix or another easy website builder, and find an attractive theme that showcases your photos well.

Write blog posts that target keywords potential clients are searching for, such as “Portrait Photographer in New York.” Use those keywords in your post title, first paragraph, subheadings, and throughout the text. Share helpful information while subtly promoting your own services.

Installing useful plugins will improve your blog. SEO optimizes your site for search engines, and Google Analytics tracks visitor statistics so you can see what’s working.

With some effort, your photography blog will help you get discovered by the right clients. If you want to learn more about starting a successful photography blog, check out our full-length article.

Curating a Pro Portfolio

Creating a photography portfolio is important for any photographer looking to impress potential clients. Start by setting clear goals for your portfolio and tailoring it to your target audience. Study the work of other photographers for inspiration and ideas.

Keep your photos organized and select only your best work. A concise portfolio with a variety of high-quality images is more effective than a lengthy one. Seek feedback from professionals in the photography industry to refine your selection.

Showcase your portfolio online with a professional website using platforms like Squarespace. Consider creating a printed portfolio as well for in-person meetings. If you want to learn more about creating an impressive photography portfolio, check out our in-depth article.

Email Marketing

Email marketing is a powerful tool for photographers to connect with clients and generate more bookings. By sending regular newsletters with engaging content, you can keep your business in mind and build relationships with potential customers.

To get started, divide your email list into groups based on their interests, like weddings or family photography. Plan out the types of content you’ll send, such as special offers or educational tips.

Craft enticing subject lines that will make people want to open your emails. Personalize the emails by using the recipient’s name. Set up an automated email funnel to guide new subscribers through a series of emails that provide useful information and gentle touchpoints. Schedule your emails to be sent at times when people are most likely to open them, like 10 am or 1 pm.

By thinking through the content that will appeal to your customers, you can improve engagement and increase sales. Email marketing for photographers is a reliable way to generate more bookings and keep your clients engaged.

SEO Strategies

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is important for photographers to drive traffic to their website and attract more clients. To improve your photography SEO, make sure your name appears in searches and your site is mobile-friendly. Research relevant keywords and use them strategically in your content.

Consider starting a blog to create content and build backlinks. Publish new content frequently to keep your site fresh. Encourage others to link to your site and share your work on social media.

Create a free Google Business listing so you appear in local search results. Use Google Analytics to track your website traffic and learn about your visitors. SEO for photographers takes sustained effort, but it’s worth it to generate more organic traffic and grow your business.

Website Builders and Hosts

Every professional photographer needs a smart website to showcase their work and serve as a connection hub. Building a website might sound like a daunting task, especially for more tech-shy photographers. But building a professional-standard website has never been easier, and you don’t need any coding knowledge whatsoever. 

The first thing to do is find the right website builder. You’ll need one that suits your style, skills, and budget. Thankfully, there are plenty of options out there, and you don’t need a massive budget to get a professional website. 

Website Builders

Wix is the best website builder for photographers. It’s a no-code platform with drag-and-drop design tools, so you don’t need web design experience. There are thousands of design capabilities, and you can develop your own branding.

Wix uses AI features for quick website building. The templates make it easy to build a website, but you get enough creative control to make it personal. It even gives you logo design tools to help you expand your brand.

Website builders for photographers are an important tool for showcasing your work online. Wix is a well-priced option that anyone can use to create a professional photography website.

Web Hosting

Wix Web Hosting is a great choice for photographers looking for an all-in-one solution to build and host their website. With Wix, you get unmetered bandwidth and a wide selection of plans to choose from. It’s also beginner-friendly and offers excellent 24/7 client support.

Wix hosts your website on a global CDN, allowing people to access your site from all over the world with fast load times. You also get top-notch security features like 24/7 monitoring to keep your site safe from hackers.

If you’re a freelance photographer looking for an online business base, the Wix Core plan is a good option. It gives you 50 GB of storage, basic site analytics, and eCommerce features. As your business grows, you can easily upgrade to a higher plan with more storage and advanced features. Web hosting for photographers is important, and Wix makes it simple to get started.

Portfolio Websites

A photography portfolio website is a must for any photographer looking to showcase their work to potential clients or employers. We’ve compiled a list of the best photography portfolio websites, based on design, usability, and features.

These websites feature stunning and impressive work from photographers around the world. They specialize in a variety of genres, from fashion and food to travel and sports.

Browsing through these online portfolio websites is sure to provide inspiration for curating your own. To learn more about photography portfolio websites, we have an in-depth guide that covers everything you need to know.

Amateur Photography Websites

If you’re an amateur photographer looking to showcase your work online, there are several great websites to consider. SmugMug is a popular choice that offers a high degree of customization, letting you express your unique style. The site has over 70 themes, an intuitive interface, and supports full-screen, high-resolution photo displays.

500px is another top option, providing networking features that keep you connected with other photographers. You can see what’s popular, identify trends, and even reach out to others in the industry. SlickPic is similar, offering an easy-to-use interface, full-screen viewing, and the ability to add labels to organize your photos.

For those interested in learning more about the best amateur photography websites, our article dives deeper into the top options and their features.

SmugMug

SmugMug is a popular website platform for photographers. It offers different plans with varying features and customization options. The Basic plan is affordable at just a few dollars per month. The Professional plan starts at $30 per month but includes more advanced features for selling prints and products.

Setting up a SmugMug site is simple with its user-friendly interface. You can add photos, select themes, and customize your site’s look without needing to code. However, the customization panels may take some getting used to.

SmugMug makes it easy to sell prints and products directly through your website. They work with four printing labs, allowing you to offer a variety of options to your clients. Setting up your price list can be a bit confusing at first, but SmugMug provides a breakdown of base prices, profit margins, and their 15% commission fee.

If you’re looking for a reliable platform to showcase your photography portfolio and sell prints, SmugMug is a great option.

ShootProof

ShootProof is a popular gallery-sharing and business management tool for photographers. It offers a simple and appealing interface that’s easy to navigate. The software is organized, making it easy to find what you need.

ShootProof’s main feature is the gallery proofing. It gives you flexibility in laying out your galleries, a helpful feature that other free gallery apps don’t have. You can also password-protect your galleries, add music, and limit the number of downloads per visitor.

If you don’t already have a business management system, ShootProof provides a simple solution for retail photographers like wedding and portrait shooters. It lets you invoice, send contracts, and create price sheets, discounts, and packages. To learn more about ShootProof, read the full ShootProof review.

ShootProof vs SmugMug

ShootProof and SmugMug are popular online photo services for photographers. While they have some similarities, there are key differences to consider.

SmugMug comes out on top in this comparison. It has a sleek, modern interface that’s easy to use. Creating galleries is simple, with fast uploads and plenty of customization options.

Both services make it easy to sell photos with professional invoicing and payment processing. They also offer excellent customer support and social media integration. Pricing plans vary, but SmugMug provides more value at the lower tiers. For more details on the shootproof vs smugmug comparison, check out the full article.

Using Social Media

Social media is a great place to start if you’re not ready for your own full-blown website. You can display your best work using sites like Facebook and Instagram. You can even use TikTok to display work, demo videos, or tutorials. The same goes for YouTube, which has become a popular outlet for photographers. 

Even if you already have a website, it’s a good idea to use social media as well. You can use social platforms to funnel viewers to your main website, or you can do deals right on your profile.

Let’s look at some of the specific social media sites. We look at each one from a photographer’s point, helping you harness these tools for your photography business. 

Facebook

Creating a Facebook photography page is a great way to showcase your work and build a community of fans. To get the most out of your page, select the right category and fill in the “About” section with information about who you are and the work you do.

Choose a profile picture that represents your photography business, like a photo of you at work or your logo. Use your cover photo to catch people’s eyes and give visual information about your services.

Share your best photos regularly to keep fans engaged, but avoid posting too many similar shots. Add a “Call to Action” button to make it easy for potential clients to contact you. Finally, claim a relevant username that includes the word “photography” and create a Facebook photography page to start building your online presence.

Instagram

Becoming Instagram famous in 2024 is all about using the platform as a social media diary. Share behind-the-scenes shots and creative images your audience can relate to. Make sure your username and bio are easy to find, and include your email and location.

Find other accounts in your field for reposts and targeted campaigns. Use niche hashtags with less than 250,000 posts for your photos to stand out. Be consistent with your posts, so followers know what to expect.

Schedule your posts to build engagement and reply to all comments to broaden your network. As your visibility grows, reach out to brands for photography opportunities. Keep your captions simple to hold people’s attention. Becoming Instagram famous takes time and effort, but it can lead to unexpected opportunities.

Instagram Bio

Your Instagram bio is one of the first things people see when they visit your profile. It’s important to make it interesting and informative. Here are some tips for creating a great photography bio.

Keep it short and sweet. Use just a couple of sentences or bullet points to convey the most important information. Include your location and photography style. Let people know where you’re based and what kind of photos you take.

Add a call to action. Encourage viewers to engage with your work by providing a link to your website or a specific product. Have fun with it! Use inspirational quotes or emojis that match your style. Don’t force it if there aren’t any extra elements you want to include.

A strong bio reflects your unique photographic style and helps you attract followers. By experimenting with different approaches, you can find the perfect bio for photographers that showcases who you are as a professional.

Instagram Captions

Writing great captions for Instagram can improve your posts and engage your audience. Keep your captions conversational and use present tense to make them feel relevant. Consider your audience and the purpose of your caption, whether it’s to inform, explain, or get attention.

If your photo shows a famous or important person, mention their name. You can also use a quote or lyrics in your caption, but be sure to credit the source. Most importantly, your caption should add value to the shot and not just state the obvious.

Captions that create involvement and engage the viewer are the most effective, especially on social media platforms. Posing a question or starting a conversation with your audience can get you more followers or clients. Captions for Instagram are a powerful tool to connect with your followers and grow your presence on the platform.

Hashtags

Hashtags are a great way to get your photos seen by more people on Instagram. Using the right hashtags can help you reach a wider audience and gain more exposure for your work.

The best photography hashtags are specific to your niche. Popular hashtags may have many posts, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best fit for you. Niche hashtags are often better because the people searching for them are more likely to be interested in your content.

When using hashtags, make sure to keep your images relevant. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags, and add your location to help people find your business. You can also create your own hashtags to stand out and build a community around your work. By using photography hashtags strategically, you can improve your reach and engagement on Instagram.

Selling on Social Media

As a photographer, you can make money on Instagram and other social media platforms by selling your photos. Set up an Instagram Shopping account to integrate your product catalog and tag products in your posts. Users can click the shopping bag icon to see product details and purchase without leaving Instagram.

Another way to sell prints is by creating posts that showcase your work and include sizes and prices in the caption. Ask followers to comment or DM you to place an order, then use PayPal for invoicing.

You can also offer unique Instagram photos as stock images for businesses to use in their marketing. Sell them individually, in themed bundles from your posts, or by linking to an eCommerce site in your bio. If you’ve gained a large following, look into sponsored posts and affiliate links to boost your income. Be transparent about any sponsored content to maintain authenticity with your audience. Making money on Instagram as a photographer is a great way to turn your visual content into an extra income stream.

The Benefits of Email Marketing For Photographers

To follow this tutorial, you will need an email address and an email subscriber list. That’s it! Really, there’s nothing complex or scary about email marketing for photographers. You can do this.

Benefits of Email Marketing

You might convert customers from when they first look through your website. What if that relationship takes longer to build, though?
Think of the client who isn’t quite ready to book, but is doing some preliminary research. He/she might look through ten or even 20 photography websites to get a feel for what to expect. If they subscribe to your mailing list as part of that research process, you’re off to a head start. You can develop a relationship with that client through automated emails so that when they are ready to book, you’ll be top of mind.
It’s also a great move to try and convert your social media followers to email subscribers. You may have an active and engaged following on social media, but social media channels are in control of those subscribers. If Instagram or Facebook change their algorithm, for example, could you still reach those followers? If you were locked out of those accounts, would you lose contact with your customers or potential clients? With emails, you own your contact list.

Developing Your Email Strategy

A good way to plan out an email strategy is to use the Who, Why, What, When, How formula.
Who: Think about the different customer groups you may be contacting. Can you group your subscribers into sub-sections, who are interested in specific content? If you photograph both weddings and families, for example, divide your email list into one group for weddings and one for families. The more relevant your content is to your reader, the more likely it is to keep them engaged.
Why: Identify what you want to achieve with your emails. Is your goal to increase bookings, retain clients or to educate customers?
What: Plan out the information you intend to send regularly to your subscribers. Your emails should be fresh and engaging. Keep surprising your customers with varied and interesting content. For example, you might consider:

• Quiet periods: this is a great time to send out a newsletter as it may generate bookings when your income is low.
• Busy periods: give priority booking to your mailing list.
• The run-up to key holidays: run a special offer on gift products.

When: Knowing when you’re going to send emails means you can plan the content better. Reach out to your subscribers regularly. If someone signs up to your email address, they should hear from you that same day. If you send a regular email, make sure this is consistent, and you never drop the ball on it.
How: Which system will you use to send your emails? Using a third-party email service like Campaign Monitor will save you time in the long run. With an email provider, it’s easy to monitor the emails you’ve sent and the success of each email. You can see how many emails have been opened, and how many links have been clicked, for example. When you see what’s working, you can make your next email even more impactful.

Tips for Improving Your Emails

Use Tools to Check and Enhance Your Writing

To make sure your email reads well, try a website like Grammarly, which will identify any grammatical errors.
Use the Hemingway desktop app to analyse the language you’ve used. It will highlight any sentences are lengthy and hard to read. Re-write those sentences, and your email will immediately seem more professional.

Make Your Email Enticing

Think about your own email inbox. Do you open every email you receive? Chances are, you delete a lot that look like boring updates – and open the ones that look interesting, and relevant to you.
Consider your email subject header carefully. Would you open an email headed ‘Summer newsletter’? Unlikely. Use a concise and enticing subject line.
Research email newsletters from brands that are a good fit with yours. Sign up to their newsletters, and analyse their emails. Pay attention to the subject lines. Do they focus on special deals and new products? Do they use emoticons in the subject? Whatever works for these big brands will likely work for you too. Make yours stand out, and it’s more likely people will open those emails.
Think also about the email preview. This doesn’t show in all phones, but it does in some – so make it count. Don’t just leave it to select the first few lines, but use a summary of the content that’s lively and exciting.

Personalise the Emails

Make sure your email sender will allow you to insert the recipient’s first name. Clients expect top customer service, and using someone’s name is the very least you can do.

Photography Business Email Checklists

How to Increase Sign-up to Your Email List

• Make it very clear where someone can join your mailing list;
• Outline the content someone can expect to receive from your newsletter;
• Consider a special offer or a giveaway in exchange for email sign-up.

Thank You for Your Enquiry

As soon as a potential client contacts you, you should send a response thanking them for reaching out to you.
This email should:

• Include photographs from your portfolio;
• Give a sense of your personality;
• Use your one-minute elevator pitch;
• Show your skills and experience;
• Include a clear call-to-action.

Follow-Up Message

If you don’t hear back within a week, remember to send a follow-up email. Make this short and simple:

• A quick reminder of what they had contacted you about;
• Offer to answer any questions they might have.

Confirmation of Subscription to Your Email Newsletter

You can set up an automated email for anyone that signs up to your newsletter.

• Include a reminder of the interesting photography content they will soon receive;
• Make the focus of the email about the recipient, not about you;
• Include some educational advice they can make use of straight away;
• Include photographs from your portfolio.

Pro Tips

Use Email Funnels to Gain Clients

An email funnel is a sequence of automated emails. Set one up to guide new subscribers through a series of emails that will help to nurture your relationship. Many CMS providers (such as Studio Ninja) include the capability to send automated emails. A typical email funnel includes 5 or so emails, sent around a week apart. These can provide useful information to the lead. They also provide some gentle touchpoints throughout those weeks. If you’re a wedding photographer, for example, you might include some tips and pointers around wedding preparation.
Think about what life experiences your clients are likely going through. Provide them with interesting email content that will help them. Increased trust leads to bookings.

Schedule the Send Time Carefully

You’ll need to also plan what time of day to send your emails. Research shows that subscribers are most likely to open newsletters at 10 am (when they have arrived at work) or at 1 pm (when they are checking in on emails over their lunch break). Use research as a starting point and experiment with your own list, to see which times work best for you.

Conclusion

Thinking through the content that will appeal to your customers will lead to better engagement and higher sales. I’ve built a sizeable mailing list over the years. Sending a newsletter out to my subscribers every few months or so reliably generates more bookings. Use email marketing as a tool to keep your clients engaged, and to increase your income!

The Benefits of SEO for Photographers: Why Good SEO Matters

The data shows that 60-80% of click traffic goes to the top three search results. People are more likely to refine a search.
They won’t go to the second page if they don’t immediately find what they’re looking for.
Having good SEO translates into more visitors to your site. This can mean more business for you as a photographer.
Referrals have been the biggest source of business for freelancers. But more and more photographers are now being found through organic searches.
I always make a point of asking new clients how they found me and the answer is often the same. They queried the first several photographers listed in Google.

How Do Search Engines Work?
An estimated 35 trillion Web pages across the Internet worldwide are “indexed” by Google alone. An Index is a huge database of all the content that Google has discovered.
Search engines work in the following ways:

• Scours the Internet for content, looking over the code and content for each URL found.
• Index: Stores and organizes the content found during the crawling process. Once a page is in the index, it’s possible to be displayed as a result of relevant searches.
• Rank: Provides the pieces of content that will best answer a searcher’s query, and are ordered by most relevant to least relevant.

Search engines also pay attention to lots of other “signals”. For example, how often the page is updated and if the domain is trustworthy.
There are many search engines to choose from and they all use different algorithms. Some sites may give their results in a different order. Or they may even show completely different results altogether.
It may come as no surprise that Google is the preferred search engine for 90% of users.

What Factors Influence SEO?
More than 200 signals can influence where your webpage shows up in any given search. There are so many signals. No particular signal is likely to significantly affect your SEO on its own.
Signals can be divided into “on-page” factors like HTML architecture. And “off-page” factors, such as your participation in social media.
You have to have the technical part of SEO down. And you also need to have compelling content that brings people to your site.
You need to put marketing efforts into place to show people you exist. This is why content creators such as bloggers spend more time promoting their posts than producing them.
Having good on-page factors alone will not give you good SEO. You can change them or improve upon them right away.
Off-page factors take time to build and the results are more slow to be considered by search engines.

How to Improve Your SEO

1. Ensure Your Name Appears in Searches

The appearance of your website in a search result can influence whether people click on it or not. It also affects its indelibility.
Search your name in Google to see what comes up. You need to see a page title and meta description of your site.
Mine says Darina Kopcok Food Photographer – Food & Lifestyle Photographer in Vancouver, Canada.
Location is very important as you want the people near you to be able to find you.
With some photography driven web builders like PhotoShelter and Format, you can update the page title and meta description in the site builder.
Google will re-crawl and re-index your site within a few weeks.

2. Make Sure Your Site is Mobile Optimized

People are now doing a lot of searching on mobile devices. Google skews its results toward mobile-friendly websites.
Your site might come up number one for a search term from a desktop computer. You won’t necessarily be number one in the same search on a phone.
Your photography website must be mobile friendly to be competitive.
“Responsive” websites optimize page design based on the device that is being used to view the content.
You see a single column of content on a phone as opposed to the 2-3 columns of content when viewing on a desktop.
Before you commit to a web builder, make sure it’s mobile responsive.

3. Use Relevant Keywords

Keywords are a major key to powerful SEO. You need a strategy to use them effectively. This requires research so that you can better understand your target market. And how they are searching for your type of services.
Before you grow through search engine optimization, you have to understand who your clients are. And what they are looking for.
What kind of photographer is your ideal client looking for? Do they want a portrait photographer?
Should that portrait photographer specialise in photographing families? Or are they looking for someone to shoot engagement shots and their wedding?
Will the wedding be a destination wedding?

• Some more questions to ask yourself:
• What words do they use when they search?
• What questions do they ask?
• Where are these potential customers located? Are they local, national, or international?
• Are more of these searches being performed on mobile devices?

You may have a way of describing what you do,. But how does your audience actually search for the service you provide? Answering this question is a crucial first step in the keyword research process.
Come up with some keywords that you’d like to rank for. You can enter them into a word research tool. You’ll find similar keywords and average monthly search volume.
You’ll discover other keywords that you might have missed otherwise.
Typing “wedding” into Wordtracker, gives you 504+ keyword suggestions. Many of them relevant results for related terms such as wedding dresses.
You’ll notice a great variety in search volume of keywords. You want to focus on the terms that your audience is searching for. Be sure to also target terms with lower search volume. They’re far less competitive.
Both high- and low-competition keywords can be helpful for your website. Looking at search volume will help you prioritize keywords.

4. Consider Writing A Blog

As a photographer, you’re probably a very visual person. You might not think yourself much of a writer. But you should still consider writing a blog.
In my own experience, when I launched a portfolio site, it took me four months to go from page 6 to page 1 in Google searches. Now I am usually number one when you Google food photographer for my city.
I attribute this in part to the SEO that my web builder Photoshelter gives me. Part of it is also because I have a WordPress blog attached to my site.
Blogging on a separate or sub domain from your photography website allows you to build good textual content and backlinks.
You’re in control of your content and the keywords you use to describe your photos. You can link back to specific images or galleries within your website.
This is a crucial step in building overall SEO. Having links to only your homepage will have limited effect.
When you blog you need to have high quality content. Search engines can penalise your domain for duplicate content, excessive backlinks, or broken external links, among other factors.

5. Publish Content Frequently

It’s common for photographers to spend time putting together their online portfolio. And then forget about it for months or years afterwards.
Google will often factor in new content when ranking search results.
Shots you took of a celebrity chef in 2014 won’t rank well. Make sure to regularly add content to your website to keep your content fresh.
Maintaining a blog is one important way to keep your site updated and your SEO optimized.

6. Get Others to Link to You

Having other sites or blogs to link to you is a great way to boost your SEO. Sites like PetaPixel and FeatureShoot show photographer’s work often. This is a great way to build links.
When your work is featured on a popular site, it creates a cascade of links from other sites. Creating backlinks is very important for good SEO. These are links from other websites to your website.
You can also do guest posts on other blogs where you’re not in direct competition with the host of the blog.
Once others link to you, make sure that you advertise it on your social media channels. Let other sites know about it too.
You must market everything you do and social media is a great way to do that.

7. Use Social Media

Social media continues to play a crucial role in the many signals that drive SEO. Search engines look at social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These are a barometer of what is influential on the Internet.
Love it or hate it, as a photographer, participating in social media is a must. Your social media presence affects your search engine results.
It’s an essential marketing tool. You need to go to where your potential clients are hanging out, and one of those places is social media.
And social media leads to “social proof”. Clients are more likely to buy from you when they have the recommendation of others.
This is why customer reviews on sites like Amazon are so powerful. Trust is an important factor in getting strangers to hire you.

8. Create a Free Google Business Listing

Creating a free Google Business listing is an important step. This allows you to be found in search results. A GMB allows your company information to be output with high visibility in a variety of ways by Google.
When you set up your GMB listing, you’ll also have access to Google My Business Insights. This will provide you with detailed information on how and where consumers are searching for your business. You’ll also know how far away they are when looking for directions, and much more.
Combine this with your website’s Google Analytics data. It creates an overview of how people find your website and listing and the actions they take afterward.
A large percentage of searches are geography-specific, like “Seattle wedding photographer”.
When Google returns results that have a geographic component, Google Maps pack prioritizes them over standard results. This is a set of results plotted on a clickable map.
To get yourself on the map, create a free Google My Business listing, go here.

9. Analyze Your Efforts With Google Analytics

Google Analytics can provide you with advanced metrics and data about your website traffic. Its data collection and reporting can seem quite complex, especially to beginners.
Google Analytics collects data about your website visitors and their interactions on your website. It uses a small piece of Javascript tracking code.
Interactions are all the types of actions users perform on your website. They can be as simple as loading a page, or something more specific like clicking a link or playing a video.
With each user interaction on your website, the tracking code sends information to Analytics.
This is information about your users and their interactions on your website.
The information sent by the tracking code is called a hit. This is a URL string with parameters of useful information about your users.
After you create your Google Analytics account, you need to add the script on your website.
Google Analytics will drop a cookie in the user’s browser for your website. It will help to track every interaction that the user performs on your site.
The information you can gather is as follows:

• The total number of visitors for total traffic (on some website builders like PhotoShelter you can view this in the back end of your account)
• Number of visitors via search in “Traffic Sources > Search”
• Number of keywords driving search traffic
• Number of indexed images
• Number of backlinks

These metrics are useful to learn about your users. They’ll help you improve your marketing strategies, SEO, and to boost your conversions.

Conclusion

Success with SEO doesn’t happen overnight. You need a sustained effort for content building. Combine it with best SEO practices to start appearing on the first results page.
The advantages of doing so are clear. You will generate more organic (aka free) traffic to your website, which could mean a lot more business.

Many photographers make the mistake of letting their marketing slip when they are busy. Although you may not perceive the benefits of effective marketing immediately, it’s a powerful tool that pays off in the long run.

Here are fifteen easy photography marketing ideas to help you elevate your business profile.

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1. Identify Your Target Market for Personalised Photography Marketing Campaigns

The first thing that you need to do before you get started with photography marketing is to identify your niche.

You may already know that you are a food photographer, not a family portrait photographer. But getting even more specific will help you go after your target market.

Food, for example, is a very wide niche. It includes restaurants, farmers, advertising agencies and packaging for products. It may seem counter-intuitive, but choosing a couple of areas to focus on can speed up the growth of your client list.

Stick to what you are passionate about shooting and focus on the marketing efforts that make the most sense for your business. Don’t try to do everything. It won’t work.

For example, imagine that you are a wedding photographer. Create alliances with other vendors that cater to brides. That’s a smart marketing tactic that will pay off in referrals.

2. Build a Customer Database to Keep Track of Projects

Once you have identified your target market, you can start building a client database. This way, you’ll keep track of all your prospects and projects.

An organised database is a crucial step in marketing for photography.

You can input your research about your ideal client. You can also add information about your past and current clients. Moreover, you can add a note of potential co-marketing or charitable partners.

A database will allow you to build a pipeline to track your clients — from initial lead through to your last contact. When times are slow, it gives you a place to turn to for more business.

If you have regular clients you have not seen in a while, a database can be a great reminder. Send them a personalised follow-up or let them know about a holiday promotion.

There are a variety of databases/CRM software that you can sign up for. These will allow you to keep track of your expenses. You can also create questionnaires, which can come in handy. You can even sync them with other apps, like Google Calendar.

I like to use Dubsado, which has creatives in mind. But there are several other options, like Nutshell and Insightly.

3. Have an Up-to-Date Website to Showcase Your Work

Having an online portfolio and a website is among the most essential photography marketing ideas. You cannot expect to have a successful photography business without these two.

Your website should have a section showcasing your photos, a contact part and a section about your services and client reviews.

Don’t forget to add a section about yourself. This should contain your professional background and achievements, as well as your photography mission.

You can also add a few sentences about your personal life to let people get to know you more. The more familiar is someone, the more we can trust them. A few sentences about your hobbies and lifestyle may bring you extra clients.

If you want to upload behind-the-scene shots and professional insights, you can also create a blog section on your website.

You don’t need to write much. A paragraph with lots of pictures works perfectly well. You can describe the session and the experience you or your clients had.

A blog helps position you as an expert in your industry, which is very beneficial to you and your business. It also increases your SEO (Search Engine Optimization). This means your site will come up higher in Google rankings.

When I started my website, I went from page six in a Google search, to page one in four months. This was the result of writing my blog in a consistent manner. I was also trying to provide what my target market wanted to read.

4. Build an Email List to Stay in Touch With Your Audience

The importance of having an email list is getting more and more essential, no matter what kind of business you run.

Social media channels like Instagram and Facebook are crucial to growing your audience. But you don’t “own” them. This means that they can change their algorithms at any time. It can even happen in a way that has a negative impact on your business.

For example, Instagram can ban you from using the same hashtags too much. This can be disastrous if you count on the app as the main way to get eyeballs on your work.

But your email list is your own and you can do with it what you please. That’s why it is wise to redirect your clients from social media platforms. You can do this, for example, by stating in your bio that you only do bookings via email.

An email list is a personal way to stay in touch with your audience. It is also a channel you can use for some of your other marketing efforts. You can run a giveaway or send out your latest blog post via an RSS feed.

When deciding on an email provider, look for one that will allow you to build a funnel.

Once the subscriber signs up, they should go through a series of emails that will help build trust. This will make them more likely to buy products and services from you.

Don’t be too aggressive, though. If you are a freelance photographer, you shouldn’t send out as many updates as a bigger company.

Consistency in the timing and regularity of your emails is key. Otherwise, a new subscriber might opt-out from the email list that doesn’t send updates.

There are a lot of email providers out there. Convertkit is a popular one that will help you build that crucial sales funnel.

5. Create a Referral Program to Get New Clients

One of the best ways to get new clients is through referral. In fact, referrals are one way your business can experience unprecedented growth. Word of mouth is among the best photography marketing ideas.

You can create a referral program in a variety of ways. You can give your clients a discount on their next session if they write a review about you.

A referral program will let customers know what they will get for recommending you. It’s a small investment that can pay off in dividends.

Also, don’t forget to thank your friends and family. They spread the word about your business and bring you new clients. They can be your biggest sources of referral.

For a successful referral program, you need to have business cards and an online and printed portfolio. This way, people can use these tools to promote your business and give your contact.

6. Create a PDF Mailer of Recent Work for Advertising Agencies

This is important for commercial or editorial photographers. It’s also essential if your target market is an advertising or marketing agency.

Photographers contact them all the time, so you can’t count on them to find you on Google. They often turn to the resources they receive via PDF mailers.

Research the companies you want to work for and have a PDF of your work designed by a professional. Send the companies your mailer and update it every four months or so.

You can hire a professional designer to create your PDF booklet. Or you can do it yourself in InDesign. Avoid using free editing tools as they don’t make you look like you’re running a professional photography business.

This will keep you appearing fresh. It’ll give potential clients the impression that you are busy and doing well.

You can use this same tactic if you work with clients in a more direct way, whether they are commercial or retail clients, such as brides or boudoir clients.

It’s a nice way to keep in touch with past clients and it can inspire them to buy from you again.

7. Run a Giveaway to Engage Your Audience

As a photographer, it can be difficult to engage with your clients or potential customers.

Giveaways and contests are a great way to boost your business. They’ll maximise your interaction with your ideal client via visual content.

Running a contest through Instagram or Facebook will generate new leads and followers. You can spread awareness of your brand and services. At the same time, you can engage existing fans.

There are different ways to run a giveaway, but keep in mind that the goal is to create leads.

One way is to ask your followers to tag their friends for a chance to win. Decide on a prize that will fit your target market. Don’t forget that your offers should be in line with the type of photography you provide.

It should also encourage future purchases. The prize can be free prints, photo books or even a free photoshoot.

8. Use Google Business Pages to Improve Your Visibility

Google Business Pages is great. It can improve the chances that people will find you on Google when searching for a photographer.

When you search on Google, you might include a location as one of your keywords. Think ‘London Wedding Photographer‘. Google will put the business profile listings first. The organic listings follow after that in their rankings.

These business listings are free, but you need to have a physical location for your business.

You might prefer to work on location and have a ‘home office’ rather than a studio. Then you need to be comfortable with listing your home address.

9. Use Social Media Platforms to Increase Your Audience

Instagram is one of the most influential channels for visual imagery.

And you don’t have to have thousands of followers to make it work for you. More and more attention is being paid to engagement, so the number of followers and likes an account receives is becoming less important.

You can launch paid campaigns on Instagram to boost up the number of viewers you get by specific target audience strategies.

And, as with other types of social media, you should focus on defining your target audience and follow their accounts.

Take the time to post thoughtful comments that are longer than two or three words. This will improve your algorithms and increase the chances that your potential client will notice you.

is a powerful search engine. It can increase your visibility and put you in front of potential clients. The key is knowing how to use Pinterest as part of your marketing strategy.

First of all, understand that your Pinterest boards are not for you. They’re there to benefit your target audience.

If you are a wedding photographer, all your boards should pertain to weddings. This includes related inspiration, like party planning and bridal dresses.

Make sure to use relevant tags and write a short description for each of your boards.

You should also sign up for a Pinterest-approved app like Tailwind. It’s not expensive and will pay off for you in time spent.

You can also schedule your pins for the week. Tailwind will post them for you at the times where they are most likely to receive the most traffic.

10. Collect and Share Client Testimonials to Build Trust

Have testimonials on your website or on your other promotional materials. This is among the most powerful photography marketing ideas. It allows you to connect to your audience.

People trust the opinions of others. This is why online reviews on sites like Amazon are so effective. In fact, testimonials are the most effective form of sharing content marketing.

Have a few one or two-sentence testimonials posted on your website and on other platforms. This is social proof that can guide new leads through the sales funnel. Many photographers fail to use word of mouth, and that’s why they don’t get clients.

Don’t be afraid to ask for testimonials from every single client who enjoyed working with you. Share them on social media. Incorporate them into blog posts, ebooks and other print materials.

Testimonials shouldn’t be too polished. In fact, they sound more authentic when they are not worded perfectly.

11. Build a Partnership with a Charity to Expand Your Network

Sometimes photographers have a tough time with this one. Many of us have done our share of work for free, hoping it would lead to more exposure.

But teaming up with a charity that you believe in or that aligns with your niche can be valuable. People with disposable income tend to give to charity.

You are not only giving from the heart but also expanding your network. Plus, you are creating new business opportunities.

If you photograph children or families, work with children’s charity or hospital.

As a food photographer, partner up with a related charity like a food bank. This can put you in touch with chefs or food producers.

If you shoot portraits, offer to do headshots for members of the board.

You can find some great tips on how to build a portrait photography business in our ebook Profit from Portraits.

12. Find Co-Marketing Partners to Reach More Clients

Find co-marketing partners with businesses that share your audience. Make sure they are not in direct competition with you.

If you are an architectural photographer, create relationships with real estate agents.

If you shoot glamour shots or boudoir portraits, try lingerie boutiques, hair salons or other speciality shops. These can be great allies for cross-promotion.

Reach out to these businesses and pitch an idea or two of how you can support each other. It can be as simple as a mention in an email newsletter or exchanging discounts for referral customers.

Your end goal is to develop a relationship that is beneficial to both. Your initial approach should focus on what you can do for them.

This approach will be much appreciated. And it’ll make your contact more likely to want to reciprocate.

Make sure to discuss what each party wants out of the partnership. This will ensure that you’re both on the same page. So no one ends up feeling their expectations went unmet.

13. Create an Open Photo Shoot for Networking Opportunities

Hosting an open photoshoot is a great marketing strategy. It’ll reinforce your market position, add value to guests and extend your reach.

When you host an open photoshoot, you have total control over the style and how you run it. This will reinforce your brand and position in the marketplace.

You can showcase your working style and let your invited guests experience your workflow.

Your guests will associate your brand with the fantastic experience they had at the photoshoot. This will drive them to buy from you in the future.

Hosting an open photoshoot also provides opportunities for follow-up. You can thank your guests for attending. Send them a little freebie that they would enjoy. You can also give them a coupon to receive a discount off the next booking with you.

If you host an event that your guests enjoy, you can choose to make it a regular occasion.

Your repeat attendees are likely to bring prospective clients to your next event. And they’ll spread the word about your products and services.

14. Build a Strong Brand to Stand Out From the Crowd

As a business person, your brand is essential to your success.

Your business name and logo are important aspects of your brand. However, your brand is so much more.

Your brand is what your clients or potential clients think when they see your work. It’s not only about the style of your photography. It includes everything from your website design to copy presented on your marketing materials.

It’s important to take the time to develop your image in the marketplace. This will help you to connect to your target market. A well-defined brand sends out a signal to the right customers.

Branding speaks to people on a subconscious level. Think of some of the popular brands around us. You’ll have associations with those products and services even if you have not used them yourself.

15. Get Featured On Photography Blogs to Increase Your Online Presence

There are a lot of different photography blogs out there. Find a way to get featured and let your clients know where they can see your posts.

Being featured on other photography blogs increases your online presence. This way, you can expand your audience and drive more clients to your website.

It’s smart not to limit yourself to your own channels only. Let other people talk about your work and enjoy the benefits of it.

Conclusion

Photography marketing can seem daunting at first, but it’s an essential part of building a photography business.

Marketing doesn’t have to be time consuming or complicated. Start by trying one or two of these tips and add more as you go.

Be conscious about promoting your work and put effort into building your own brand. You’ll become a photography marketing expert in no time.

Efficient Performance

Apple MacBook Air M2

Boost your photography marketing solutions with a supercharged, strikingly thin laptop that offers up to 18 hours of battery life and advanced camera and audio capabilities.