How to Get Photography Clients: 11 Actionable Steps for Beginners

So, you’ve got the gear, the eye, the passion, and potentially even a few good shots under your belt. But no clients. Sound familiar?

This guide breaks down exactly how to get your first photography clients and grow your photography business.

We’re not talking vague tips. These are tactical, beginner-friendly steps that actually move the needle.

Whether you're working on building a photography business or learning how to get clients as a photographer, this guide is for you.

How to Get Photography Clients: Steps You Need to Follow

1. Define Your Niche, Style & Dream Client
2. Build a Strong Portfolio with Storytelling 
3. Launch a Photography Portfolio Website That Converts (Not Just Looks Pretty)
4. Offer Free Gigs 
5. Set Up a Professional Instagram That Feels Personal
6. Leverage Your Inner Circle (The Right Way) 
7. Join Facebook & Reddit Groups (Without Being Spammy)
8. Reach Out to Local Businesses for Partnerships 
9. Run Mini Sessions or Pop-Ups
10. Set Up Booking and Build Your Email List 
11. Collect Reviews & Offer Referral Bonuses
12. Follow Up and Re-Engage Past Clients

1. Define Your Niche, Style & Dream Client

Being specialized in a niche is better than offering everything to everyone. Why? Cause you’ll easily get lost in the noise.

Clients want to hire specialists, not generalists. So, before even thinking about acquiring a photography client, begin by deciding the type of photography you want to focus on.

What is it that piques your interest? Is it the adrenaline rush you get from capturing action shots in sports photography, photographing wildlife to show people nature's elegant beauty, or clicking unique personalities and playful moments of pets?

Next is to define your style. Do you prefer candid, bold editorial looks or something minimalistic, clean, and commercial? By knowing this, you’ll be able to figure out your photography clients better.

If you already have a target audience in your mind, always make sure that you’re as specific as you can.
Invest a considerable time thinking about who your target photography clients are. Ask yourself:

• What are their likes and dislikes?
• What factors drive them to make decisions?
• Where can you find these individuals?

Once you’ve covered this, you can then create blogs, ads, a portfolio, and other marketing materials to attract them.

2. Build a Strong Portfolio with Storytelling

You don't need paying clients to build a great portfolio. Start by doing styled photoshoots, offering sessions to friends or family, or photographing local events to get started.

You may or may not get paid, but for a beginner, the importance must be placed on building a portfolio because this will be the main factor that decides your success.

See, there are two benefits to this. One, you can build your portfolio, and two, it can be a networking avenue where either the agency or agent hires you or refers you to others in the network. Win-Win right?

When it comes to images, ensure they reflect a consistent style and flow like a story, beginning to end. Your work should bring about emotion and show the experience of working with you.

Remember, a curated, intentional portfolio with 10 strong images is far more powerful than 50 random ones.

3. Launch a Photography Portfolio Website That Converts (Not Just Looks Pretty)

Your website is your digital storefront, and it needs to do more than just show pretty pictures.

Having a portfolio website is essential as it allows interested parties to get in touch, view your photos, and collaborate with you. So, make sure that your portfolio clearly details what you do, who you target, and how people can book you.

"I help [type of person] get [specific result] through photography." You're already ahead of most beginners.

Now, if you’re building your own website from scratch, we would advise you to keep the design clean, mobile-friendly, and fast-loading.

Website builders are a great way to skip the hassle of creating a portfolio website from scratch. Builders like Pixpa are no-code, which means you do not require coding knowledge to build websites.

Choose a mobile-friendly template and customize your site by including new web pages, colors, or even fonts according to your brand identity.

Optimize every page for search engines by using relevant keywords, descriptive image names, and alt text (We’ll go deep in the coming sections).

Including an FAQ section or blog also helps you rank higher on Google and builds trust with potential photography clients.

4. Offer Free Gigs

If you’re a newbie photographer, offering free gigs is a smart way to gain experience and establish a network of connections.

Depending on your niche, you can also offer free gigs. For instance, if you’re focused on real estate photography, you can approach real estate agencies or independent agents and offer photography services.

By offering free sessions, you get to practice with real clients, understand the day-to-day realities, and experiment/hone your style.

It also massively helps in shaping your photography process, i.e., from communicating with clients to delivering the final images.

That said, when offering free work, you need to be strategic about it:

• Think of it as an investment rather than a business model.
• Only choose clients that align with your niche or those who can help you grow your network.
• Set limits on session length, number of edited images, and delivery timelines.

Here are a few dos and don’ts to keep in mind when offering free photography sessions.

Do’s

• Use free gigs to build a portfolio in your chosen niche.
• Ask for permission to share the images publicly on your website and social handles.
• Request a testimonial or social media tag in return.
• Set clear boundaries (e.g., session time, number of images delivered).

Don’ts

• Don’t undervalue yourself by offering endless free sessions.
• Don’t work with clients who aren’t a good fit for your niche or style.
• Never skip contracts. Always outline what’s included, even if it’s free.
• Don’t deliver late or inconsistently. Your reputation starts here.

5. Set Up a Professional Instagram That Feels Personal

Before we begin, as a disclaimer, Instagram is not the best option to showcase your images, but it should be one tool among your arsenal for sure.

Instagram has a huge user base, which you can use to market your service, and it often becomes the first place an interested party will look before your website. Therefore, linking your portfolio in your Instagram bio must be a priority.

Additionally, include details like the type of photographer you are, the area you live in, and whether you’re open to work or collabs.

Here’s what a wedding photographer can include in their Instagram bio:

“Wedding Photographer who loves capturing genuine, joy-filled wedding days
Based in [City] – Destination friendly
Click the link to view my portfolio.”

In terms of content, instead of including all your high-quality photos (Let’s keep it for your portfolio website), use behind-the-scenes clips, mini-stories, or reels where you’re interacting with models, subjects, or even providing valuable insights.

By doing this, you’re highlighting the person behind the camera, which is again very important. You’re also showcasing your knowledge and experience as a photographer.

Finally, use captions to explain the story behind a photo and connect emotionally with viewers. Stories, Reels, and consistent posting help establish your presence and personality.

6. Leverage Your Inner Circle (The Right Way)

Your friends, family, and even past coworkers are an excellent starting point when you're learning how to land photography clients.

Offer a limited number of discounted or free sessions and ask them to post about their experience and tag you.
Every photoshoot, even an unpaid one, should be treated like a full client experience. 

It builds your confidence, portfolio, and word-of-mouth referrals, which are gold for beginner photographers.

7. Join Facebook & Reddit Groups (Without Being Spammy)

Without being spammy is very important. Cause most of these forums have rules that would not allow advertising, leading to you getting banned. Just wanted to put this out there before we explain further.

There are thousands of photography-related Facebook groups and subreddit communities full of people either looking for photographers or offering advice.

Search for local city groups, niche interest groups, or beginner-friendly spaces like r/photography or r/AskPhotography.

Join a few that match your style or audience, and start engaging by answering questions, giving tips, or sharing your work.

The goal isn’t to pitch, but rather to be helpful and build name recognition in those circles. Clients often come organically from these trusted online communities.

The best advice for Reddit is to stay true to yourself. Impart your knowledge, offer advice to other photographers, and share your photos. Be You!

8. Reach Out to Local Businesses for Partnerships

Small businesses need quality images for their websites, social media, and ads. 

Find local shops, salons, cafés, or fitness studios whose aesthetic matches your style. So, if you’re into commercial photography, then this strategy is crucial.

See, partnering with local businesses that share your target audience is a no-brainer strategy to help land photography clients.

For instance, it could be for photographing their new product line or staff headshots, in exchange for visibility or referrals.

Before you think of reaching out to your preferred businesses, ensure your photography style and the clientele align.

Focus on creating a mutual win: they get beautiful photos, and you get content, exposure, and possibly repeat clients.

Provide them with value upfront by way of complimentary branding sessions, images for a style shoot featuring their products/services, and more.

The idea is to connect with them on a personal level. Admire the work that they’re doing and tell them how your services can further support their goals.

Maintain that relationship through communication, like tagging them on your social media channels, collaborating for future work, and so on.

9. Run Mini Sessions or Pop-Ups

Mini sessions are short, lower-cost shoots that are easy to promote and perfect for beginner photographers looking to build a client base fast.

Pick a theme, date, and time slot, then offer multiple clients a chance to book back-to-back.

These sessions are great for holidays, seasonal promotions, or collaborations with local events or venues. Not only do you get paid, but you also get multiple portfolio pieces and new leads.

10. Set Up Booking and Build Your Email List

Make it easy for someone to book you. Instead of back-and-forth messages, use booking tools available on site-building platforms to let clients see your availability and schedule themselves.

For instance, with Pixpa, you can book an appointment via your portfolio website through Square Appointments. All you need to do is include a dedicated “Booking Button”.

Use intake forms to gather details and automate confirmations to look more professional.

While you're at it, start building an email list. Even a simple monthly email can keep you top of mind with leads and past clients.

11. Collect Reviews & Offer Referral Bonuses

After every successful photoshoot, ask for a short testimonial you can use on your website and social platforms.

Positive reviews build trust and influence future clients. Then take it one step further by encouraging referrals.

You can use these testimonials in your social handles, pricing guides, and most importantly, your photography portfolio website.

Always ensure you ask your clients' permission beforehand when you’re mentioning their name.

Offer a small bonus, like a free print or discount, for anyone who refers new clients. Make sure your past clients have a reason to recommend you and an easy way to do it.

Clearly communicate your referral program in your follow-up emails and social media posts so that clients are aware of how it works.

By consistently gathering reviews and rewarding referrals, you create a feedback system that both skyrockets your credibility and develops a steady stream of new photography clients through trusted recommendations.

12. Follow Up and Re-Engage Past Clients

Don’t let your past clients forget you. Reach out during key moments like birthdays, anniversaries, or seasonal events with a friendly reminder and a booking link.

Now there’s a fine line! You cannot be too pushy. You’re being thoughtful and making their lives easier.

Building relationships with existing clients is one of the most reliable ways to grow your photography business.

Bonus: Share Your Expertise

Even as a beginner photographer, you can build authority by creating helpful content.

Write blog posts that answer common client questions, share tips on preparing for shoots, or break down your creative process.

Consider contributing guest posts to local lifestyle blogs or being interviewed on podcasts.

Becoming a visible expert in your niche helps attract photography clients who already trust you.

Go Forth and Land Your Photography Clients

Learning how to get photography clients isn't about chasing trends or copying others. It’s about showing up, building trust, and being easy to work with.

Start with two or three of these steps, be consistent, and give it time. Your work deserves to be seen and paid for.

Whether you're looking to land your very first photography client or grow your photography business to new heights, this guide is your foundation.

FAQ

How do beginner photographers find clients?

Start by building a solid portfolio, defining your niche, and offering discounted shoots to friends or local businesses. From there, use Instagram, a website, and community groups to promote yourself.

Is it necessary to have a website to get photography clients?

Yes. A website builds credibility, shows off your work, and helps you get discovered via search engines. It also simplifies the booking process for potential clients.

What are the best platforms to market a photography business?

Instagram and Facebook are excellent for visual content. You should also optimize your website and consider joining local or niche Facebook and Reddit groups.

Do mini sessions help attract new clients?

Absolutely. Mini sessions are low-commitment, affordable options that introduce you to new clients and fill your calendar quickly.

How can I turn one photography client into more?

Deliver a great experience, follow up, ask for reviews, and offer referral incentives. Happy clients are your best marketers.