Success tips for freelance photographers

Being a successful photographer isn’t something that happens in a flash. It takes hard work, dedication, and the right knowledge. But even the best photographers can struggle if their business knowledge isn’t up to date. 

That’s why we’ve compiled this list of our top tips. They are:

• Make sure you can edit
• Keep your website clean and tidy
• Perfect your portfolio
• Build your brand
• Make connections
• Develop your videography skills
• Ask for reviews

Here are our top picks for the things you need to know to make your freelance photography business a success.  

It doesn’t matter how much you adjust your camera settings before the shot, you always need to edit in post-production. The specific amount of editing varies from image to image, but no picture will instantly be perfect.

So make sure you know how to edit.

Amateur photographers might be able to get away with slapping a filter on their pictures. But if you want to offer professional services, you need to do it yourself. 

Some of the edits you’ll have to make can include lighting adjustments, colour balancing, and background adjustments. These elements can seem small on their own, but together they have a huge impact on your photos. 

If your skills need a little touch-up, there are loads of online courses you can try. Have a look at Udemy or SkillShare. 

It may seem simple, but there are so many websites that are too messy. Think about it, have you ever come across a website that seemed thrown together? If you have, did you stay on it for very long?

Most don’t, and that’s exactly why you need to make sure your website looks as good as your photos. Where a clean and tidy website highlights professionalism, a messy one does the opposite. 

But you don’t need to be a whizz at website design. By using sites like Fiverr or PeoplePerHour, you can hire someone with the right skills to do the hard work for you. 

If you prefer the DIY approach, there are plenty of template-based website builders to choose from. Sites like Wix or Squarespace let you use pre-existing templates to build an elegant website by yourself. 

When showing other people your capabilities, it all comes down to your portfolio. If yours is full of images that don’t really say much, then it probably won’t attract much attention. 

On the other hand, if each image has been specially chosen and conveys a specific theme or feeling, you’ll have a very effective portfolio. 

Some people make the mistake of simply putting up every picture they’ve ever taken. This is only suitable if you haven’t taken many photos. As you become more experienced, you may even decide to leave out entire photoshoots.

This is because your portfolio should help you convey a particular message. If a set of photos doesn’t mesh well with that message, leave it out. Nothing’s stopping you from having multiple portfolios. 

In fact, it’s common for photographers to have multiple portfolios, each dedicated to a different element. For example, Janis Photography has several categories on his portfolio page, including weddings, portraits, and family shots. 

These categories help potential customers decide if your styles would suit their needs, and can expand your clientele. 

You might be a photographer, but you’re also a business owner. As a business owner, you need to make sure that your business has a strong brand. 

It’s no secret that people choose the brands they know, so make sure you become one of those brands. If you’re getting into wedding photography, for instance, then you could focus your brand on elements related to weddings. 

This could involve posting a specific type of social media content, or interacting with other photographers in that niche. 

You don’t need to be the ‘best in the world’, but focus on becoming known in your local area. Once you achieve that, you can try expanding into other locations and keep growing your business. 

This is one of the most important tips you need to be aware of. Make connections with other people in your industry. That means all levels, including models, makeup artists, costume designers, and other photographers. 

You might be wondering “why do I need all these connections?”. 

The answer to that is simple, connections are essential for improving your abilities. 

For example, having a group of models on call lets you explore new techniques or styles. A much more professional solution than experimenting during a client’s hours. 

Your connections can also send work your way, and vice versa. 

Clients aren’t always after standard photography anymore. Some want that little bit extra, like a video to go along with their photos. 

The videos don’t need to be anything extreme. Often a couple of panning shots might be enough. 

By learning some basic videography, you can offer these additional services and stand out from the crowd. 

Once a client has received their photos and is happy with them, ask them if they could leave a review. Some will, others won’t. But by asking, clients are more likely to do it.

A good rating could be the deciding factor for some customers. Not having one, or having a bad rating can mean they choose your competitors instead. 

It’s much harder to be successful if you’re leaving money on the table. Invoicing properly and quickly is paramount to getting paid on time. That’s why you could always benefit from the Countingup app. 

Instead of waiting until you get home, and then spending another few hours trying to make an accurate invoice — use Countingup’s invoicing feature. 

This feature lets you create detailed and fully customised invoices, straight from your phone. It even lets you attach your business’ logo to it, for added professionalism. 

This means that you can have an invoice ready to be sent within minutes of packing your gear away. 
But that’s not all the Countingup app offers. If you want to check out how helpful these features are, all you need to do is download the app for free.