Help for Photographers: Blog More, Blog Now

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Blog More, Blog Now

By Shuva Rahim

Blogging is part of marketing for many photographers. While starting a blog can be relatively easy, many find it overwhelming or just don’t feel like they have the time for it.

So why even blog? The main reason photographers blog is to gain exposure. Blogging can help improve your Google search rankings, help establish a relationship with your clients and prospective clients, and eventually get you more business.

Maintaining a blog on a consistent basis does take time and discipline. So here are some ideas on getting and staying in the habit:

  1. Make blogging part of your normal workflow for every client. Shoot. Edit. Blog.
  2. Have a notebook on you (in your car or camera bag). After each session, jot down things that made an impression on you and blog about it.
  3. Write your blog in the first person. Keep the tone fun, positive and conversational. If you don’t consider yourself a “writer,” then get in the habit of reading at least 3 or more blogs daily to help get ideas on what and how you want to represent yourself. Think of your Website as your handshake and your blog as the conversation following the handshake.
  4. Start a blog budget – a list of possible post ideas and when you want to publish them. Also consider pre-blogging, or starting a post you want online in the future.
  5. View your blog as your own personal news service, like the AP or Reuters. Every day something new is happening. So think of things you can blog about at least 2-3 times a week. And blog posts don’t have to be epic entries. They can be as short as a couple sentences.

So what do you blog about? Anything that is news.

  1. Your Sessions. A sneak peek of your shoots is always fun to see. However, some clients may be sensitive to first seeing their photos (blogged) for the world. So ask in advance when they want their session posted.
  2. Products. Show off some of the products you offer and are proud of.
  3. Specials. Talk about any specials you are doing and who they are for.
  4. Events. Announce your participation in an event such as a bridal show or a charity auction. Take photos of the event and blog about it after.
  5. Award and Recognitions. If you won an award or were publicly recognized by an individual or company then talk about it on your blog. If a company named you as an event sponsor, blog about it.
  6. Publications. If your photography got published in a newspaper or magazine then it’s worthy of a blog post.
  7. Conferences and Workshops. If you attended a continuing education event, talk about what you learned.
  8. How You Got Started in Photography. This is a non-timely topic, but a random post about how you got started in photography is always a fascinating read.
  9. Guest Bloggers or Interviews. If there’s a business you work with closely consider doing a Q&A with the owner or write up a piece about them.
  10. Finally, Your Family and Friends. Throwing in a personal post about loved ones gives you a human component to which people can relate.

The more often you blog the more ideas you will find you to write about and the easier it will get. And the more you blog the more exposure you will get, thus leading to more business – something everyone wants this new year.

Shuva Rahim is the owner of Accent Photographics, and focuses on lifestyle images of children, families and weddings in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Before photography, she worked as a newspaper reporter for nearly six years and is thrilled to be using her love for writing with her blog.

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  1. Jen on January 6, 2010 at 9:23 am

    I don’t feel a sneak peek is very good for in person sales. I want to get the emotion associated with seeing your pictures for the FIRST time – it will help influence the sale. I don’t consider my blogsite (my entire photography site is a blog) to be something that is looked at on a regular basis by prospective clients. People look at it when they are considering me for their photography – doesn’t matter when the pictures are put up. I’ll put up the PURCHASED pictures after the sale on the blogsite and facebook… but not before.

  2. Katie Mihalak on January 6, 2010 at 9:58 am

    I have found that my blog is a wonderful tool. However I have found that over this past year, if I know my client has a fb I will post pics on fb and not take the time to post them to the blog. Does anyone else do this? I feel like like it is more worth my time to put it on fb.If you had a choice would you post to blog or fb? It seems that I run out of time to do both.

  3. Ivy on January 6, 2010 at 11:22 am

    Terrific article! I do agree that many of my clients are on FB – but I blog and then post the link on my facebook – which in turn drives more people to my blog. I look at it as a win-win! Thanks for a great post.

  4. Catherine Halsey on January 6, 2010 at 11:50 am

    Great Article. I think blogging about the session is a great way for the person being photographed to share your site with others and it’s definitely a marketing tool. I know I enjoy seeing pictures of my kids on someone elses blog besides my own.

  5. Amy on January 6, 2010 at 12:04 pm

    I post to facebook and my blog. I think a blog is important for branding yourself. A blog is a way for the cutomer to not only become a fan of your work but also a fan of you. There are some rockstar photogs out there who have less than stellar images but a rockin personality and people are flocking to them for their wedding photography. One very well known lady comes to mind and she has been the first to admit that she doesn’t feel that her images are the best out there. She feels that her branding, writing style, and personality have won over many of her clients. Not just her photos. People like to feel emotion, and I believe writing a preview of the day, how it made you feel, etc etc are what will distinguish you from other photogs. I could blog a wedding and say “here is Kara and Mike: The wedding was beautiful and now they are bound together for life” and post some beautiful images. Or I could say, “she hugged her dad tightly just before they interlocked arms to walk down the isle. From the first moment Mike spotted Kara, I knew that this day would be an opportunity for me to experience a deeper love than I had ever experienced before. His smile beamed as he looked down at Kara and the tear that rolled down her cheek sparkled in the light coming through the tall church windows. This was the day that two best friends would become one. This was the day that they took a solem oath to love, honor, and cherish one another for the rest of their lives…” and just go from there. I know that if I were searching for a wedding photographer again (my wedding has come and passed) I would really be drawn to those I could connect with more emotionally. I myself know that I have a long ways to go in the photography business and that my images are ar from stellar, but I try very hard to connect with my clients on a more emotional level and have fun with them. Since amping up my blog I’ve had a lot more compliments!

  6. Heather on January 6, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    In response to Kaite…. I blog and then have my posts directly imported to Facebook as “notes”. Thus accomplishing both at the same time. Application settings / Notes / Note Settings is the way I believe I set it up via Blogger. If I am friends with them on Facebook, I will tag them in the note thus allowing all of their friends to be exposed to the blog post also. It seems to save me time and get exposure to both worlds. Give it a try.

  7. J'Lynn on January 6, 2010 at 1:41 pm

    Really great info! Thanks!!!

  8. Brendan on January 6, 2010 at 1:49 pm

    I’ve discovered by reading blogs by so-called professionals how little some folks really know (present company excluded).

  9. Michelle on January 6, 2010 at 1:51 pm

    I actually found that my clients LOVE seeing their sneek peek. It’s gets them so excited for more and that warms my heart. I also try and save the best images for them so see privately, but I think most people love it, I’ve never had a complaint. The more iages you put out there for people to see the better. Not everyone likes the same thing so give them options is what I say. 🙂 Great post…thanks!!

  10. Michelle on January 6, 2010 at 1:55 pm

    I also love being able look at others tips and trades. As a newbie to the business this helps to inspire me and who doesn’t want to inpsire others? 🙂

  11. Leslie on January 6, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    I love blogging, maybe I’m in the minority?? But I’ve found that it allows me to show off my photos better than facebook (plus I do send my clients their sneak peeks for their FB account) I only post 1-3 of my favorites from the session and often keep the really great shots for their gallery. It helps when people are excited to see their preview then share my blog with family and friends which increases my blog traffic.I do have some loyal followers now who check regularly~ and let me know if I’ve been too long between posts!! 🙂

  12. Tamara Kenyon on January 6, 2010 at 3:50 pm

    I just started really blogging in the last year and I highly enjoy it. Though I don’t get a lot of interaction on it, I can tell that people are reading. During the slower part of the season (winter) I’ll blog about lots of personal stuff and during the busy part it’s always photos. It has also brought me high on the Google rankings in my area so I can’t complain about that.

  13. MCP Actions on January 6, 2010 at 8:21 pm

    I strongly believe that Facebook and Blogging go hand in hand. They work perfect together. I do not think of it as one versus the other.

  14. Massimo Cristaldi on January 13, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    Some thoughts on the value of Blogging and Social Media for Fine art photographers:http://www.massimocristaldi.com/wordpress/blogging-with-a-target-is-there-a-tribe-for-fine-art-photographers/

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