Ever wonder why some photographers seem to book better clients and make more money, while others just struggle? In this post, we’re going to cover five of the fastest ways to improve your portrait photography so you can become more profitable.
1. Attract the Right Clients by Showcasing the Right Work
This is a tip that might make some people a little uncomfortable, but it’s important: if you really want to be profitable and have your portrait business thrive, try to avoid low-budget jobs. In my experience—and from what I’ve seen in lots of photography groups on Facebook—low-budget clients are often the most challenging to work with. They tend to complain more, push for extra time or additional images without wanting to pay what’s fair, sometimes don’t respect your time, and may even ask for refunds for no good reason.
But the extra hassles aren’t the only issue. If your portfolio mostly features budget shoots, that’s the kind of work you’ll keep attracting. This isn’t about judging anyone—it’s just how people shop for photographers. Potential clients look at your portfolio to see what you do best, and if all they see is low-budget work, that’s what they’ll expect from you.
To attract higher-paying clients, you need to show the kind of work those clients want. That means being intentional about what you put in your portfolio.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you should never do a budget wedding for a friend or help someone out. But if your portfolio doesn’t include something a little more upscale, it’s going to be tough to book the higher-paying gigs you’re probably aiming for.
So, focus on curating your portfolio to reflect the type of work—and the type of clients—you want more of. That’s the first big step toward building a more profitable photography business.
2. Level Up Your Image Quality
Another thing you can do starting right now is decide to level up your photography itself. And of all the ways to improve your images, lighting is by far the fastest way to change the game. I see so many photographers who just avoid learning lighting, maybe because it seems intimidating or unnecessary. But mastering lighting opens up a whole new level of professionalism—and opportunities.
A professional photographer SHOULD really know how to create good lighting anywhere, any time for their clients. I mean, it’s an easy cop out to say, “I only shoot with natural light.” When a photographer takes this approach, it not only limits themselves, it also limits things for their clients. You shouldn’t be at the mercy of weather conditions, or time of day, and where you can shoot—indoors vs outdoors. You need to learn how to use the tools of your profession if you want to be a true professional.
3. Streamline Your Editing Process
I think editing is another area where a lot of photographers fall a little short. Editing starts with making choices; you as the photographer, after a shoot or event, need to get to your images and quickly determine which ones need to go.
After you’ve culled your shots down to a final set of worthy images, then it’s time to do some quick adjustments and show your client what’s available. Maybe include some stylized versions, like black and white, or maybe something you’ve applied your favorite preset to—just so they know what’s possible.
Look, you really don’t want to sit at your computer for hours and hours painstakingly retouching and pixel editing every image, when the client’s only going to select a few. When we’re talking about profitability, you need to watch how much time you spend on a given job. Make good selections and show your clients the best images, not the most images.
4. Keep Improving Your Posing Skills
If you notice that you’re falling short on posing—and let’s be honest, there’s a lot of poorly posed, or even over-posed portraits out there—you’re not alone. If you can benefit from learning how to better pose your subjects, there are a lot of good resources available for that.
Personally, I’m great at posing artistic shots, dramatic shots, and boudoir. But to be honest, “traditional” posing is one area I’ve always struggled with, but I continue working on it, and probably always will—because, let’s face it, with photography, you never stop learning.
5. Curate a Focused Portfolio
I want to throw in this one last important tip. And remember, we’re talking about creating and presenting work that leads to better work, better bookings, and becoming a more profitable photographer. And this tip is so important and I see so many people missing on this one.
You NEED to present a good, solid, curated portfolio. I know it’s tempting to want to throw all your favorite images up on your site, all different styles and subjects. Maybe you think the more you show—like casting a wide net of subjects—the better your chances of impressing people with your artistic range… Maybe you think that it’ll help get you different types of work, or just more work.
But no.
You don’t want to confuse people with your portfolio. You want potential clients to immediately understand who you are and what you offer—especially in the context of what they’re looking for. For example, if you love shooting nature photos, that’s great, but don’t showcase those in the same space where you’re trying to attract family portrait clients. When people are shopping for a photographer, they’re looking for someone who specializes in exactly what they need.
Your portfolio is your marketing tool. It should send a clear, targeted message to the right customer. Here’s a good rule of thumb: only show the kind of work you actually want to book more of. Keep it focused, keep it clear, and make it easy for people to see that you’re the perfect fit for their needs.
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