If you’ve ever wondered how to find photography clients after launching your business, you’re not alone. Friend, we’ve all been there. It’s that weird cocktail of excitement and discouragement with a splash of “what am I doing wrong?”

You know the feeling.

You finally decide to go all in on your photography business, design the dreamiest website (with just the right amount of whitespace and maybe a touch too much time choosing fonts), hit publish… and then?

Crickets.

Your inbox? Quiet.
Your calendar? Wide open.
Your mom? Cheering you on from the sidelines (bless).
But the inquiries? Not rolling in quite like you hoped.

But the good news? Finding photography clients isn’t about chasing trends or being the loudest voice on social.

Here are 3 simple things that actually work—no gimmicks, no overwhelm, just real strategies I’ve used, loved, and watched help other photographers, too.

1. Start with the people who already know and love you.

Before you go wild trying to master SEO or track down the perfect hashtag combo, pause. You’ve already got a goldmine of potential clients: your people.

Yep — friends, coworkers, neighbors, your kid’s preschool teacher, your stylist, your favorite barista. These folks already trust you. They want to support you – they just need to know what you’re up to.

Putting yourself out there feels vulnerable, I know. But I promise it’s worth it.

So next time you’re in the chair getting your hair done and your stylist asks, “How’s it going?” or your friend you ran into at the grocery store – don’t brush it off with a breezy “Oh, just busy!”

Instead, try something like:
“Actually, I’m really excited! I recently launched my photography business, and it’s been so much fun working with families!”

You’re not trying to get them to book on the spot. But if they don’t know you’re offering photography services, they can’t refer you—or cheer you on. Friend, people can’t support what they don’t know exists!

2. Show up where your ideal photography clients are already spending time.

Social media doesn’t need to be your second full-time job. It just needs a little strategy.

Pick one or two places where your ideal clients are already hanging out—Instagram? A local Facebook moms group? Maybe even Tiktok if you’re feeling brave.

Then:

• Engage in real conversations (ask about favorite kid-friendly restaurants or rainy day activities)
• Talk like you would to a friend, not like a brochure
• Share behind-the-scenes peeks, recent sessions, FAQs, or even that ridiculously cute outfit your toddler wore to Target

Spoiler alert: people book people they feel like they know.

3. Lead with value (not just “book now!”)

If every post is a “book now!”… well, it might come off a little salesy. And it’s not that they don’t love you – it’s just that they’re not ready yet.

This is your chance to build trust by serving before you sell.

Try sharing:

• Tips on what to wear for family photos
• Your favorite photo locations and why they work so well
• What to expect at a session (and how to prep without losing your mind)

When you consistently show up with helpful content, you become their go-to expert before they’re even ready to hire you. And when they are? Guess who they’ll think of first. You!

Before You Go…

If you’re in that awkward tumbleweed season of starting out (or starting over), I just want to say this:

You are not behind. You’re building something beautiful, and that takes time.

And sometimes you just need someone to walk through the next step with you.

Want Some One-on-One Help on How To Find Photography Clients?

If you’re nodding along thinking, “Okay, but can you just tell me what to do for my business?” I’ve got you.

I offer 1:1 coaching calls for photographers who are ready to stop guessing and start getting strategic.

Whether you’re stuck on marketing, trying to map out your offers, or just not sure how to find photography clients in your local area—I’ll help you figure it out, step by step.

You bring the big dreams—I’ll bring the strategy and snacks. (Okay, maybe just strategy. But if snacks were digital, I’d totally share!)

P.S. Want me to share more on how to find photography clients? Leave a question in the comments and I’ll circle back with a part two all about hashtags, SEO, and showing up like a pro without feeling like you’re glued to your phone.