Navigating Slow Periods: Empowering Commercial Photographers to Not Lose Their Minds
If you’ve been following industry news (or experiencing it yourself), 2023 has been a notably slooooow season for a lot of photographers. What many thought was a personally quiet year has turned out to be a broader industry trend, leaving many of the folks i’ve spoken with feeling uncertain and restless. However, instead of succumbing to frustration, let’s collectively try to shift our focus towards what we can control. If you’re currently experiencing a down-tick in client work, here are a few things you could be focusing your energy on.
Test Shoots: Slow periods offer a perfect opportunity to experiment and push your creative boundaries through test shoots. Collaborate with models, stylists, and makeup artists to create fresh and innovative concepts. These shoots not only help you stay engaged and passionate about your work but also allow you to update your portfolio with new images.
Personal Projects: Use downtime as a chance to embark on personal projects that align with your artistic vision and interests. These projects can be passion-driven and less focused on commercial viability, allowing you to explore new techniques, subject matter, or styles. Personal projects can not only fuel your creativity but also showcase your unique perspective and attract clients who resonate with your artistic voice.
Business Organization: While busy periods make it hard to stay on top of administrative work, slow periods provide an opportunity to tackle important business organization tasks. Update your client database, streamline your workflow processes, and review your financial systems. By organizing and optimizing your business operations, you'll lay a strong foundation for when work picks up again.
Enhance Marketing Systems: Take advantage of the extra time to assess and improve your marketing strategies. Evaluate your existing marketing channels, such as social media, website, and email campaigns, and identify areas for improvement. Consider implementing new marketing tactics that you haven’t previously considered. Strengthening your marketing systems will help you stay visible and work to attract your ideal clients even during slow periods.
Portfolio Reviews: Seek out opportunities for portfolio reviews, whether through industry events, mentors, or online communities. Constructive feedback can provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses of your body of work. Adjustments based on these reviews can help you refine your portfolio and better align it with the needs and preferences of your target market. (It’s worth mentioning that you don’t need to take every bit of feedback as a need for change - some things come down to preference. If you’re getting the same feedback over and over again, that’s something to look into!)
Revamp Your Website: A well-designed and up-to-date website is the most important element in your marketing. Take this downtime to refresh your website's layout, update your portfolio images, and ensure that your contact information is readily available. Pay attention to user experience and make sure your website showcases your unique style and expertise effectively.
Seek Peer Support: Reach out to fellow commercial photographers to foster a supportive network. Engage in conversations about the industry, share experiences, and offer each other advice and encouragement. Collaborating and learning from each other can provide fresh perspectives, inspiration, and much-needed support during slow periods.
Invest in Education and Skill Improvement: Continuous learning is always a good idea for personal and professional growth, and when it’s slow this can offer some mental health relief. Consider enrolling in workshops, online courses, or attending industry events during slower periods. Develop new techniques, explore emerging trends, and expand your knowledge base.
Remember - ebbs and flows are normal! They’ve happened before, they’ll happen again. Try to stay focused on action over frustration, and try to ride the wave.