The #1 Way to Build a Thriving Family Photography Business
Photographing cherished moments for families is undoubtedly the biggest honor of my life. . . but it hasn’t been an easy journey to get here. Starting a family photography business isn’t for the faint of heart—fortunately, if you’re already here and are pouring your heart and soul into growing your business, I’d wager a guess that you’ve got a big heart with even BIGGER dreams.
I bet you can relate: one way or another, you discovered a love for family photography, whether it was 10 years ago as a child, when you loved documenting your siblings on your family’s old film camera—or 10 days ago, when you realized your little hobby could actually become a full-time thing. Maybe you’ve photographed families for years on the side of your regular job, taking Christmas card photos for everyone in your small town, or maybe you’ve only done a couple of shoots but have already fallen head over heels for the craft.
Either way, you’re here because you’ve got dreams of turning your passion into something more. You can see the vision in your head; the vision of you running a family photography business that is profitable, soul-filling, and thriving. You can FEEL the transformation already. . . but something has you stuck.
Maybe it’s a lack of paying clients that’s holding you back from going full-time.
Maybe you’re frozen where you’re at, not seeing any forward progress due to that pesky imposter syndrome we all know and hate.
Maybe you just can’t seem to figure out the backend business stuff, and you feel like you’re always dropping the ball on emails, invoices, and deadlines.
Whatever might be preventing you from diving headfirst into building the life + business of your dreams—and one that’s profitable, successful, and sustainable at that—you’re in the right place. Today, I’m sharing the #1 thing that has propelled me into a thriving career as a family photographer, plus a few other crucial pieces of advice that’ll help you avoid making the same mistakes I did at the beginning! Ready to dig in and pinpoint exactly what needs to change in your biz to take it from barely making it to a flourishing, long-term career that supports you in creating a life you adore?
The Quickest Way to Build a Profitable Family Photography Business
Do you want the good news or the bad news first?
The bad news: there are a WHOLE lot of ways to become a professional family photographer. . . but there’s never going to be one “best” way to do it. You kinda have to experiment, throw some spaghetti at the wall, and see what sticks. This requires you to try, fail, and try again—many, many times over. Unfortunately, this is pretty time-consuming, and is a big reason why it takes many photographers YEARS to build businesses that actually support and sustain their lives.
The good news: there is one thing that I’ve seen help creatives like you grow their family photography businesses with ease, and fast-track their way to success—and that’s investing in mentorships.
How do family photography mentorships work?
Typically, mentorships are offered in a couple of different formats: one-off mentorships or continuous mentorships.
One-off mentorships are perfect for photographers who feel like they just need a quick power session to tackle the one thing that’s holding their business back, be it clarifying their brand messaging, launching a brand new service, or adjusting their pricing structure. This is often a higher-ticket offer, and once it’s over, it’s over—and up to you to implement what you’ve learned.
Continuous mentorships are usually offered on a monthly or quarterly basis, providing regular support for photographers who need someone in their corner as they grow. Think of it like having a business bestie by your side who’s constantly invested in your success, providing feedback and advice, bouncing ideas back and forth, and completely dedicated to helping you grow. This is my personal favorite way to hire a mentor, because I’ve seen SO many photographers invest in a one-time mentorship, and then stop being intentional about growing + learning after they’ve implemented the information from that one session.
Why invest in a family photography mentor?
If you got the ick when you heard the word “mentorship,” I get it! We live in a time where there are tens of thousands of online “coaches” providing all kinds of mentorships, coaching services, courses, etc. that unfortunately, aren’t really of substance. Because it’s become significantly easier to provide educational services and create digital products, there’s a whole world of inexperienced photographers who are asking for costly investments, without the credibility to back it up.
All that to say: not all mentorships are like this—in fact, hiring my own mentor years ago is easily the BEST business decision I’ve made to this date. I fell in love with family photography, opened up my business, and poured my entire heart and soul into building my portfolio, attracting leads, and finding my style.
But after a whole freaking year, I still felt like I was just wandering aimlessly through the business world. . . trying everything and feeling like I wasn’t moving forward at all. That’s when I decided to invest in the person who changed everything for me: I learned how to use my voice, found the confidence in what set me apart from my competitors, and started charging prices that actually reflected my talent, worth, and time.
If you can find the right family photography mentor for you and your unique business, you’ll learn how to. . .
Find confidence in your craft through discovering your unique style, approach, and ideas
Build a long-term career in family photography that actually pays the bills
Create a sustainable marketing strategy that brings your dream clients right to your doorstep
Refine your messaging so that you attract all the right people, and repel the others
Curate a portfolio that immediately communicates your talent to clients
Set up supportive workflows and systems that make running your business easy
And SO much more, depending on the mentor you hire as well as your unique goals, dreams, and struggles.
What topics are included in family photography mentorships?
Here are the most common areas covered in family photography mentorships:
Social media strategy
Brand messaging
Client experience
Portfolio review
Editing and gallery delivery
Pricing and packages
Besides all the typical stuff, there are a few extra topics that I’m passionate about & love to include in my mentorships:
Creating art vs. Christmas card photos
Raising your prices
Honing in on your signature style
Building your portfolio
What about online family photography courses and programs?
Sure, you could buy guides, presets, and courses all you want. . . but nothing, and I mean NOTHING compares to the luxury of having someone who is solely dedicated to you and your success by your side. I truly cannot understate the value of gaining an outside perspective from someone who is familiar with the in’s & out’s of your business, but doesn’t have an emotional stake in the game: they’re able to take an objective look at what needs to be changed, and guide you every step of the way.
Plus, let’s be real: how many courses and products are in your course graveyard right now?! It’s super easy to get excited about a course, invest hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in it, and then never find the time to sit down and complete it. Let me tell you, your well-earned money is so much better spent on a committed human who can offer personalized support, and adapt with you as your business grows.
What if I can’t afford a full family photography mentorship?
I’m a firm believer that money shouldn’t be the thing that stops you from getting the support you need—which is why I’d encourage you to invest in lower-cost education if that’s what is available to you.
In my experience, one of the most valuable (and budget-friendly) ways to see quick improvement in your biz, is to have your website audited by an expert. I’ve talked to many photographers who think they need to redo their entire website in order to level up their marketing and better connect with their clients, but oftentimes your current website just needs a little bit of a makeover instead!
Website audits are an incredible way to get an outside perspective + outside eyes on your website, which is probably your babyyy to you—and something that’s hard for you to look at objectively. From the first welcome on your homepage to those crucial booking pages, it’s so important that your website takes customers through a clear journey that makes sense, and encourages them to take action at the end.
When you book a Website Audit with me, you’ll receive a personalized 15-minute Loom video that walks you through exactly what to change, add, or delete on each and every page of your website. You’ll leave with a clear roadmap of simple tweaks that can turn cold leads into inquiring potential clients who can’t WAIT to work with you. Book an audit now to get a list of easy, tangible changes you can make in your business right away to start seeing results!
How to Find the Right Family Photography Mentor For You
Oooh this is such an important part of the process. You don’t just want to hire the next person you come across who’s offering mentorships: it’s crucial that you find the RIGHT person for what you’re looking for. Below are a few final tips I have for finding the perfect family photography mentor for you!
Think about what level of support you’re looking for
It’s okay if you don’t know the answer to this one quite yet—it may be something you don’t figure out until you’ve actually started the process of inquiring with potential mentors, and can see what they’d recommend. Different photographers will offer different mentorship formats, so it’s good to think about what level of support you’re looking for beforehand.
Are you looking for someone to be by your side long-term, or for a quick one-off session?
Would you prefer in-person sessions with someone who lives near you, or are you okay with virtual?
Would it be valuable to you to have an open line of communication with your mentor where you can regularly ask questions, receive feedback, etc.?
Think about your own personal learning style and how you absorb + implement information best, as well as what works best with your schedule and current stage of your business.
Ask industry peers for recommendations
Just like when your clients are asking their loved ones for photographer recommendations, do the same on your search for a mentor! It’s much easier to find someone trustworthy, credible, and worth the investment when somebody you know has already worked with + had a great experience with them. Ask around your industry to get reccs before you go rifle through a bunch of random strangers on Google!
Don’t be afraid to ask alllll the questions
Finally, advocate for yourself and what you’re looking for by asking questions, clarifying any confusion, and telling potential mentors what your needs + desires + dreams are. What works for another photographer may not work for you, and one mentor won’t always be the best for everyone. Do your research, but also trust your gut, and go with the person who feels right to you.
Throughout my years as a family photographer I’ve tried countless strategies, made endless mistakes, and discovered what truly works. That’s why I’m here to fast-track you to a thriving business that you’re obsessed with—one that not only pays the bills, but fills your soul on every level.
My books are now open for 1:1 mentorships, with options for a one-time intensive or a monthly membership; whatever serves you best. I’m an open book, and I’m here to prioritize YOUR progress. If you’re ready to grow, grab a spot on my calendar here—I can’t wait to serve you!
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