5 years ago, when I took my first photography client on board, I felt like I was going back in time.
So many tools and strategies that were well known and widely used in other industries were not only unknown to photographers but were also rejected and dismissed whenever I mentioned them in photography groups (and my gratitude goes to Maddy Rogers for trusting my words before anyone else).
Despite my frustration, I knew those strategies were going to be very much present in the future of this industry… and I could see that from my clients’ results.
My “marketing life” was so easy back then.
Then, 2020 and lockdown arrived… and I remember waking up the morning after the announcement more determined than ever to keep everybody focused, to help everybody be ready for the next steps.
The moment lockdown began, I knew marketing would change forever and I wrote so everywhere.
I knew social media and ads were the easiest and fastest go-to tool for businesses to sell, so I knew “fast” marketing would become harder.
I also knew that there was no “going back to normal” because those unable to work due to restrictions would want (and need) to catch up when reopening.
Of course, what I could not foresee were a war and recession and so here we are, 5 years later, surrounded by trainers and photographers who have now discovered the tools and techniques my clients have been using for years.
Am I worried?
No, because to me, that is the past of marketing. That age is gone forever, and photography is not the first industry going through a shift of this magnitude.
That’s why my priority for the last 6 months has been defining what’s needed for us all to succeed in the next 5 years.
There has not been a day where my brain has not been processing and observing, and then processing some more.
Feedback from photographers, other coaches, and trainers, mixed with my own perception and experience.
And now things are clear.
There are four things needed for us to stay sane, ahead of others and profitable in the next 5 years:
1 – More unique and new FAST strategies (and yes, this includes social media and ads)
With so many walking on the path we have paved, the “usual” won’t keep working forever.
And for sure, you don’t want to end up fighting over a £20 session fee with every photographer around you.
This is why the Marketing Mastermind will always be a big part of the coaching.
The Marketing Mastermind for Newborn Photographers is a 1-to-1 marketing coaching with 3 unique characteristics:
- It offers hands-on help to get you bookings. From advertising to writing posts and landing pages, we do the work together
- It is 100% tailored to your studio. We don’t copy and paste strategies because we know that every business is different.
- It uses marketing that feels good. No pressuring, pushing people, no dancing in front of your phone just because “reels are the future”.
2 – The ability to connect with our clients on a deeper level
… trust me – we are all fed up with being sold stuff every moment of every day.
I see it from data, that “tricks” don’t work anymore. Our clients know that if they spend enough time looking around, they will find amazing quality at an amazing price.
So, if you think what makes you unique is either of these things… we have a problem.
Connecting with clients simply means better, more meaningful content that truly shows your clients who you are.
Why? Because that makes you irreplaceable.
But I know creating great content is not easy, especially when writing is involved, and that is why we are introducing “Pathway to Creation: Creative Marketing for Photographers.”
This is all about using your creativity, and photography, to create meaningful marketing content.
We’ll develop creative photography projects, visuals and any format of media that comes naturally to you and we’ll bring it to life for your audience to see.
I won’t be alone in this journey, you will be helped by other coaches, trainers and our partner labs.
3 – Tired yet? Time for a story
When I was in school PE for girls was volleyball. Every week.
Now, if you have ever met me in person, you know there is not one cell in my body engineered for that. Not one, and I don’t even like it.
So, every week was a nightmare, every Tuesday I would try to escape the torture. A whole hour of feeling inadequate and hating it all. Just let me do something else, ANYTHING.
But no, you’re a girl, volleyball it is.
That story, and many more similar ones, are what life feels like if you are not engineered for the mainstream.
And if you enjoy working with me… you are not.
Whether it’s “too short,” too tall, too big, too sensitive, overthinking, too shy, or too much of an introvert.
That’s why alternative views, paths, and ways of doing business matter so much to me, and why the world needs them so desperately now.
But here’s the thing:
No matter how good and needed these “alternative paths” are, if the world doesn’t know about them, if they are not sustainable (mentally and financially) for the ones carving them they cease to exist.
That’s why I am introducing The Shift: Conscious Business for Newborn Photographers.
From how to deal with business when you are highly sensitive to boundaries and kinder, warmer strategies to convert clients… The Shift combines my marketing background and experience as a certified Human Factors Trainer.
4 – And now something most of you already know, the Perfect Pricing Blueprint.
This, too, is here to stay and it continues to help photographers get more conversions and sell MORE without pushing and pressuring people.
So, there you have it, welcome to Grow Your Photography Studio v2!
Want to know more?
Book a 30-minute FREE DISCOVERY CALL
Hi, I am Giulia (weird, uh? It sounds like Julia – but it’s written with a “Gi”) and I am the founder of Grow Your Photography Studio.
I am known for my no-BS, hands-on approach to helping newborn photographers get more clients and grow a business they actually enjoy running. I believe marketing should not be a “necessary evil” and that taking action is the first and most fundamental step toward success.
Thinking about our Marketing Mentoring programme? Read this first
We don’t do sales calls, but if you feel we might be a good fit you can book a free discovery call to work with me for an hour and see how that feels.
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