I’ve been a branding photographer for over 6 years now, and I started my business from scratch with zero contacts.

I vividly remember the early days of my journey, second guessing myself constantly, but determined to succeed. It was a challenging path filled with self-doubt, long hours, trial and error, and non-stop hustle. But through hard work, passion, an amazing community of people, and faith in myself, I managed to transform my dreams into a multi-six-figure business.

My philosophy of being kind, openminded, and hardworking has been the cornerstone of my success. In my eyes, success isn’t just measured by how much you’re making, but also by the positive impact you have on the lives of others and your ability to achieve peace, purpose, and balance in your own life too. By delivering exceptional service, consistently going the extra mile, and treating each of my clients with genuine kindness and respect, I have fostered long-lasting relationships and built a reputation as a trusted branding photographer in Dallas.

While I’m incredibly proud of how far I have come and what I’ve been able to accomplish in my journey, I now realize that I could have reached this point in half the time and with fewer mistakes if I had someone to guide me from the beginning. Having a photography mentor is an invaluable asset when starting your own business. If you’re interested in a quick read – in my blog, “How Find A Photography Mentor,” I provide insights on what to look for when selecting a mentor.

Thanks to the experience I’ve gained working as a branding photographer, I now have the opportunity to be the mentor that I wish I had to other aspiring branding photographers. I understand the importance of guidance when starting a branding photography business, and I’m here to offer my knowledge and support. If you’re seeking guidance on how to get your branding photography business started, I’ve outlined five essential steps that you can take to embark on your journey.

 

1. Build Your Portfolio

Putting together a strong portfolio is crucial for establishing your brand identity and attracting your ideal clients. Your portfolio serves as a visual representation of your style, skills, and expertise. Take the time to figure out what type of clients you would like to work with and create a portfolio that will resonate with them. Conduct research on your ideal clients, study their needs, and understand how you can help them achieve their own business goals. Once you have a clear idea of who your ideal clients are, it’s time to start planning portfolio shoots.

Reach out to individuals and businesses who fall under your client umbrella and offer them a free shoot (this is exactly what I did when I was starting out). Treat them as you would a paying client to get familiar with what it would be like working with future clients. As you build your portfolio, carefully select the photos that you believe are the best representation of your skills. Remember, quality over quantity. Be sure to have another pair of eyes looking at your portfolio, whether it’s your photography mentor or a trusted friend. They can provide valuable feedback and help you refine your selection.

By investing time and effort into building a compelling portfolio, you’ll be able to attract your ideal clients and demonstrate that you are the right photographer to help them tell their brand’s story. Your portfolio should showcase a diverse range of work that highlights your expertise and ability to capture the essence of your clients’ brands. Each image should be carefully selected and curated to ensure it aligns with your brand identity and resonates with your target audience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Build A Killer Website

Your website is the first (or at least the decision-making) stop on your clients’ journey toward working with you, and it’s crucial to ensure that it effectively showcases who you are, what you stand for, who you work with, and how you can help them. Your website serves as the perfect platform to showcase that carefully curated portfolio that you just worked on. Building a website can be a daunting process (trust me, I know), and there’s no definitive right or wrong when it comes to its appearance. However, there are some essential elements that every website must have.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand the basics of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) so that your website appears whenever someone searches for a branding photographer in your area. Research and incorporate relevant keywords throughout your site to increase your online visibility. Creating engaging and valuable blog content is another great way to rank higher in search engine results.

Secondly, make sure that your website is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and optimized for mobile devices. A clean and intuitive layout will help visitors find the information they need quickly and effortlessly. This includes having clear sections that outline your services, your portfolio, an about page that tells your story, and a contact page that makes it easy for potential clients to get in touch with you.

Lastly, make sure your website reflects your consistent brand identity. Align the design elements such as colors, fonts, and visuals with your overall branding. This consistency will help create a cohesive and professional look that resonates with your target audience.

As a bonus tip, get rid of the noise. Consider removing any unrelated services from your website to focus solely on your specialization in branding photography. While it’s perfectly fine to offer other types of photography such as family or senior portraits, make it crystal clear that your specialty lies in branding photography.

3. Understand Good Branding and Marketing

If you are going to provide excellent branding photography services to others, you need to have a solid understanding of branding and marketing principles. Take the time to thoroughly research and familiarize yourself with different marketing platforms and how to utilize images on those platforms. Talk to other branding photographers to gain insights on their own experiences. A photography business mentor would be a great person to get advice from to develop a deep understanding of branding and marketing. 

Whether it’s social media, websites, email marketing or other channels, knowing how to use content will allow you to give your clients invaluable advice. 

When you have a firm understanding of what is needed to build content for a brand, your clients can safely rely on you to help them put together assets that help them achieve their goals on different platforms. As a branding photographer, you can do so much more than just take stunning images, you can also offer your clients comprehensive guidance on building their brand and help them make informed decisions. By continuously honing your skills, gaining knowledge and staying up-to-date on the trends of platforms, you’ll not only elevate your own capabilities but also become a trusted resource your clients can rely on. 

 

 

4. Market Yourself

Once you have spent time learning the basics of branding and marketing, it’s time for you to start applying that knowledge to yourself. You have to practice what you preach. It’s crucial for your business to diversify your marketing efforts to maximize your reach and attract a wider audience. Create your own branding assets and utilize them on different social media platforms and channels. Don’t rely on just one social media platform. Choose 2-3 platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or TikTok, and spread the word about who you are, what you do, and how you provide value to people.

Tell everyone you meet that are a branding photographer. While marketing on social media platforms is vital, do not underestimate the power of face-to-face interactions. Attend networking events in your area, such as those held by your local chamber of commerce, and introduce yourself as a branding photographer. Building genuine relationships and showcasing your passion in person can leave a lasting impression.

While you are building your social media presence and making in-person connections, don’t forget to reach out to people through cold emails and direct messages. Take the time to research the clients you want to work with, collect their contact information, and introduce yourself to them. Craft personalized messages that highlight the value you offer and demonstrate your understanding of their branding needs.

Combining the steps above and start building your client list. By leveraging social media platforms, making meaningful in-person connections, and reaching out directly to potential clients, you can increase your visibility and attract the right clients who align with your branding photography services. Remember, consistency is key, so stay active across your chosen platforms and maintain regular communication with your network. As you build your reputation and expand your reach, you’ll see your client list grow and your branding photography business thrive.

 

 

 

 

5. Constantly Improve Your Skills

As you and your business grow, you will encounter challenging situations such as less-than-ideal lighting conditions, difficult locations, or demanding clients. Continually improving your skills will not only help you handle these situations with confidence but also elevate the quality of your work. Experiment with different lighting conditions and environments to familiarize yourself with challenging scenarios. Seek feedback and testimonials from your clients and utilize the information you receive to enhance the client experience.

Remember, honing your skills is a lifelong journey, and there’s always room for growth and improvement. By embracing the mindset of continuous learning and growth, you’ll gain the confidence and expertise needed to tackle any challenging situations that come your way. Stay open to new techniques and invest in your professional development. Emphasize the importance of feedback and take constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth. With dedication and perseverance, you can refine your skills and provide exceptional results to your clients.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starting a branding photography business is an exciting and rewarding journey, and my best advice is to seek out experts, mentors, and any resources you can get your hands on to help make that journey is as smooth and successful as possible. Learn from others who’ve done it before you – you don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just tweak it to fit your style.

As someone who has experienced the challenges and triumphs of this industry, I now offer mentoring services of my own to photographers looking to grow their businesses. Through personalized guidance, I can help you with marketing strategies, pricing, editing workflows, CODB (Cost of Doing Business) review, and brand building. Together, we can navigate the path to success and empower you to achieve your goals as a branding photographer.

Remember, success in this field requires hard work, kindness, creativity, and a true passion for what you do. With dedication, perseverance, and continuous improvement, you can build a thriving branding photography business that brings joy to both you and your clients. If you’re interested in seeing if I’m the right mentor for you, shoot me an email at info@monikanormandphoto.com, and let’s schedule a discovery call for you!