Slow season for photographers can feel like a rare chance to catch your breath. It’s the perfect time to focus on refining your business, elevating your client experience, and preparing for the year ahead. Whether you’re looking to attract dream clients, update your portfolio, or optimize your workflows, this downtime can be a game-changer for your photography business.
Here are six essential things to do in slow season for photographers to stay productive and set themselves up for a successful year!
1. Invest in Ongoing Education
The slow season for photographers is the ideal time to focus on personal and professional growth. Investing in education—whether through coaching, online courses, or in-person mentoring—can elevate your skills and business strategies.
- Coaching provides personalized feedback and accountability to help you overcome challenges and set clear goals.
- Online courses let you dive into topics like pricing, marketing, and client experience at your own pace.
- In-person mentoring offers hands-on learning to refine your craft and gain confidence in areas like posing, shooting, and the backend of running your photography business.
By prioritizing education during the slower months, you’ll position yourself as a stronger, more skilled photographer when the busy season returns! (And save yourself tons of stress)
2. Audit Your Website
Your website is your storefront, and the slow season is the perfect time to give it the attention it deserves. Are you speaking to your dream client through your copy and portfolio images? Is your ideal client able to easily submit a contact form when they land on your website? Have you gone through your website from the client perspective in a while? This is your chance to test all the things to make sure you’re not missing out on booking your dream clients down the road!
- Update your portfolio images to showcase your best work and attract high-end clients.
- Refresh your website copy to clearly communicate your value and expertise.
- Optimize your website for SEO by adding keywords like “newborn photography services” or “[your location (city, state)] family photographer.”
A polished, up-to-date website can help you stand out and make sure your potential clients have a seamless experience when looking at your services!
3. Binge Write Blog Posts and Schedule Pinterest Pins
Blogging and Pinterest are powerful tools for photographers, especially when paired with strong SEO strategies.
- Write several blog posts in advance, focusing on topics like “How to Prepare for a Newborn Session” or “Top Locations for Family Photoshoots in XYZ.”
- Create Pinterest pins for your blog posts and services, and schedule them using Tailwind to keep your content visible year-round.
- Use keywords that support your overall Blog Post topic (and what your ideal clients are most likely searching) in your blog titles and descriptions.
This approach will drive more traffic to your website and keep your brand top of mind for potential clients!
4. Plan Out Instagram Posts and Reels
Staying active on social media is key to staying visible, even during the slow season. Take this time to plan your Instagram strategy:
- Map out themes for your posts and reels, such as behind-the-scenes content, client testimonials, or sneak peeks of upcoming changes to your business.
- Batch-create and schedule your content using tools like Planoly or Later to maintain consistency.
By planning ahead, you’ll have a steady flow of content to keep your audience engaged and excited about your work. It’s all about working smarter, not harder!
5. Plan and Shoot Model Sessions
If you want to attract dream clients, you need to showcase the kind of work you want to book. Model sessions are an excellent way to enhance your portfolio during the slow season for photographers.
- Choose session types and models that align with your ideal clients, like luxury maternity or family sessions.
- Partner with vendors to create styled shoots that elevate the overall look and feel of your work.
These sessions not only boost your portfolio but also give you the opportunity to refine your skills in a low-pressure environment.
6. Run Your Numbers and Update Your Cost of Doing Business
The slow season is a great time to focus on the financial health of your business.
- Recalculate your cost of doing business (CODB) to account for new expenses like software subscriptions or upgraded equipment.
- Adjust your pricing structure to ensure you’re covering your costs while remaining profitable.
- Set financial goals for the year ahead, such as increasing your average sale or booking higher-value clients.
Understanding your numbers will give you the confidence to price yourself for profit and avoid burnout during busier months.
How to Make the Most of the Slow Season
The slow season for photographers is the best opportunity to focus on growth, strategy, and preparation for the year ahead. By investing in education, optimizing your website, and creating fresh content, you’ll be setting the foundation for a more successful and profitable year.
Ready to Elevate Your Photography Business in 2025?
Big things are coming, and I can’t wait to share them with you! At the end of February 2025, I’m relaunching my coaching membership (previously known as Membership to Motherhood Photographers) to give photographers like you the hands-on support, guidance, and community you need to grow a profitable, sustainable, and aligned business—all at an affordable monthly rate.
Whether you’re looking to dive into a vault of pre-recorded masterclasses and behind-the-scenes session videos, participate in live group coaching calls, or get more personalized support and feedback from myself, this membership will have everything you need to take your business to the next level!
By joining the waitlist, you’ll be the first to know when enrollment opens, and you’ll lock in access to the tools and support at an extremely affordable monthly rate! Think monthly coaching retainer LESS for than $50/month!
I can’t wait to work together to help you feel more confident in your pricing, attract dream clients, and elevate your client experience—all without burning out! You deserve to build a business that works for you, and this coaching will be intentionally designed to help you do just that!
