This pandemic has been nothing short of life-changing for many people. As a small business owner, I fight the urge daily not to panic about the future of my business. Photographers, like other gig-based workers, are unable to actually go out and do any of their jobs in most parts of the world. While some aspects of photography (like teaching) can be done virtually, most photographers are unable to bring in any income in the current climate. So what is a photographer to do? How can you help your photography business during this downtime? Let’s dive in!

10 Ways To Help Your Photography Business While Unable To Shoot

I. Blog!

Research best blogging practices for optimal SEO. Now is the time to get totally caught up on all those sessions you put off blogging from 2019. Start a running list of blog topics on your phone so you can jot them down as they come to you!

II. Update Your Galleries

When is the last time you went through all your website galleries? Don’t just add new favorites, delete the ones that may not be your BEST work anymore.

III. Try To Get Your Work Featured

If you are a ClickPro consider participating in the Daily Project for a chance to have the featured image of the week. Check out yearly contests like Shoot + Share that are beginning soon and compile your entries.

III. Learn A New Photography Technique

Have you been curious about in-camera double exposures? Dying to learn macro or food photography? Always wondered how to free-lens? Now is the time! You’ll probably never have this much non-shooting time again (let’s hope) so pick up that camera, watch a YouTube video and learn a new skill.

IV. Finish That Family Album You’ve Been Putting Off

In today’s age of digital photography, we have a tendency to download our images and then leave them on our computers indefinitely. Now is the time to get around to printing your images. Curious what album I made for my family this year? Check it out here!

V. Work On Your SEO

I know, SEO is overwhelming and confusing. The great news is that there are lots of resources out there that can give you clear, actionable steps. My suggestion would be to work on adding alt text to each of your gallery images. If I were adding alt text to the image below, I would say something like: ‘parents toss little girls into air during outdoor family session in brookline’.

VI. Plan Out a Month (or More!) of Social Media Posts

You might have time to post daily on instagram right now, but you won’t always. Consider planning out a month of instagram posts in a scheduler like Planoly. Don’t use them now while the pandemic is happening, have them ready to go when your busy season returns!

VII. Consider Starting a 365 Photography Project

If you’re not familiar, a 365 project is a project where you commit to taking one photo daily for an entire year. There is no rule that you have to start on January 1st. Now might be the perfect time to get into a habit of shooting daily. Not only do you have more time with your loved ones, but the days are getting longer and there is plenty of daylight after business hours. Check out this post for some best practices.

VIII. Take A Self-Portrait

Self-portraits can feel like one of those overwhelming challenges, but the more you practice, the easier it gets! If you have a wi-fi enabled camera, look for an app to control your camera from your cell phone. This enables you to use your phone as a trigger making the self portrait much more achievable. Don’t have a tripod? Don’t stress. Put your camera on top of a table top, dresser, or counter!

IX. Update Your About Page

Use that new self-portrait or another recent portrait of yourself and update your About Page! Have you moved? Had a baby? Adopted a new pet? Picked up a new hobby? Get personal and tell your potential clients about it.

X. Clean and Organize Your Camera Gear

It’s probably been a while since you weren’t shooting daily/weekly and had the time to go through all your gear. Watch a tutorial on how to properly clean your gear. Take an inventory of and format all of your SD/CF cards. Make note of things you might be low on before busy season kicks in: thank you cards, gift certificates, business cards, memory cards, lens caps, etc.

Good Luck Helping Your Photography Business!