Image Source: Adobe Stock & Andrew Neel - Unsplash
If you’re just starting your professional photography journey, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. Your skills are sharpening every day, but that pivotal first step - landing your first paid client - feels like the most challenging hurdle.
So many aspiring and newly qualified photographers face this dilemma, overwhelmed by competition, unsure how to price their work, and confused by how to get photography clients.
Luckily, you don't have to go it alone. The Photography Institute provides practical, real-world guidance, transforming your passion into a viable career pathway. Read on to learn the hacks that worked for our graduates and the secrets to landing your first photography job.
In short…
Remember, action leads to confidence! Your first client is closer than you might think. Consistent effort and persistence are key to starting your professional photography journey.
You don't need dozens of paid shoots or an exhaustive collection of images to land your first photography client. What you do need is a carefully curated selection of your top 5–10 photographs that demonstrate your style and technical proficiency.
We recommend leveraging your coursework assignments and self-initiated projects. Focus on images that tell a story, demonstrate your understanding of light and composition, and showcase a variety of subjects and styles relevant to the niche you’re aiming for.
Think of your portfolio as a visual handshake with potential clients, showcasing your perspective and capability. Remember, quality always trumps quantity. A concise, impactful portfolio will resonate far more than a sprawling, inconsistent one. Learn more beginner portfolio tips in this guide: Develop a Photography Style: Find Your Authentic Approach.
Image Source: Ramiro Pianarosa & Kevin Bhagat - Unsplash
To find your first photography job, you need to define your niche and identify your ideal client. This isn't about limiting yourself – it's about developing a strategic focus.
Consider what subjects you’re naturally drawn to. Think emotive portraits, commercial concepts, or high fashion shoots. By pinpointing who you genuinely want to work with - their demographics, interests, and pain points - you can tailor your portfolio and messaging to resonate with them.
This targeted approach to beginner photography clients is far more effective than a broad appeal, allowing you to establish expertise in a specific area. For a deeper dive into choosing your niche, read our guide on How to Become a Photographer in Australia: Everything You Need to Know.
Don’t be shy to leverage your existing networks. Start by reaching out to friends, family, classmates, and even your tutors at The Photography Institute. These are the people who already know and trust you, making them a valuable way to find beginner photography clients and sources of referrals.
Consider offering a discounted or even a free shoot in exchange for a genuine testimonial and permission to use the images in your portfolio. This exchange provides you with invaluable experience and social proof.
Even when working with close contacts, always treat the interaction as a professional service. Clearly communicate your process, deliverables, and any payment terms. This establishes a professional precedent and ensures your growing business is based on building client trust and respect. For more insights, read our guide to Monetising your Passion for Photography.
Portfolio prepared? Now it’s time for some strategic promotion to attract your first photography client.
Here are some photography marketing tips:
Image Source: Image Source: Olga Serjantu - Unsplash & Adobe Stock
Beyond direct promotion, start engaging with your local photography and creative community. Get involved in online forums, Discord servers, and local meetups, where you can learn from peers and establish a presence. Make a point of attending industry events, and gallery openings to connect with fellow creatives and potential collaborators.
Why are these interactions so invaluable? Because word-of-mouth recommendations from other professionals who know and trust your work can be a powerful referral source, often leading to your very first photography job.
How to get photography clients? Develop a high-value, low-commitment introductory offer. This could be a specially priced package designed to give new clients a taste of your services without a big upfront investment.
To generate initial interest and bookings, create a sense of urgency by offering limited slots or an exclusive price. Be clear about what’s included, for example, a 30-minute session and 5 edited digital images. This transparency builds trust and manages expectations.
Here’s a simple guide to help you build your initial offer and get paid for your first photography job.
| Shoot Type | Typical Beginner Rate | Deliverables |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly (general) | Free – $50/hour | Digital images, basic edits |
| Event (2–4 hours) | $100 – $300 total | 50–200 digital images, basic edits |
| Portrait/Headshot | $50 – $150 per person/session | 5–15 digital images, basic edits |
| Wedding (full day) | $500 – $800+ | 200–500 digital images, basic edits |
| Product Photography | $15 – $50 per image | Edited digital images, basic retouching |
The Business of Photography (Module 7 of the Diploma course) shares practical guidance on how to start a photography business, price your work, and successfully manage clients. Download our prospectus to learn more.
Image Source: Adobe Stock
When it comes to getting paid as a photographer, approaching your first job with professionalism is essential. Always use simple, clear contracts to define the scope of work, deliverables, and usage rights, setting a professional tone from the outset.
Establish crystal-clear expectations upfront regarding delivery timelines and payment terms. Finally, to earn those valuable referrals and glowing reviews, deliver more than you promised. Exceeding expectations can transform a single booking into the start of your photography business!
Securing your first client is just the beginning. Real growth comes from continuously learning and adapting. To build momentum and refine your approach, embrace these three core principles:
Getting your first photography client can be daunting, and the key thing is preparation. You need to prepare a portfolio of your best work, ideally focused on one area of photography: family portraiture, weddings, events, lifestyle etc. Even at this early stage, you want to come across as professional, so I recommend having a website, social media, and a physical printed portfolio. There are many great options for photography websites like livebooks.com or format.com, which are very easy to use and look professional. Invest in a domain name. So my website is wallispictures.com, my Instagram is @wallispictures, and my emails are name@wallispictures.com. This will always give a better impression than a third-party URL or name@gmail.com.
Image Source: PI Tutor Gary Wallis www.wallispictures.com
Then the obvious starting point is to use your connections, the approach is different for varied types of work. So, if you aim to become the local family photographer, photograph all your friends and family. Post these on your social media, encouraging the subjects to do the same with your details. Facebook is still perfect for this area. You can offer discounts and competitions to get started, and ensure that clients know that the discounts enable you to use the images for promotion. Referrals and word of mouth are essential for this type of work.
For more commercial work, again, use any personal connections you can and reach out to local businesses. Contact them directly; it is all about building relationships. You can offer discounts for first bookings. Very few clients will want to be your first client, so make sure your folio gives them the confidence to book you. So, if you want to shoot food/lifestyle, go into your local café and ask them if you can take pictures for your folio. Offer them images in return; everyone wants content for social media these days, and may even commission you, but it will look like a ‘job’ in your folio and give clients the confidence to book you to do similar for them.
The key is to be polite and professional at all times. You do not know where these first interactions will lead. Some could become repeat clients that you work with for a while.
Photography Tutor at The Photography Institute
Gary Wallis is a seasoned freelance photographer with over 20 years of experience, specialising in fashion and portraiture. His work has appeared in top global magazines like Japanese Vogue, Marie Claire, and i-D, and he's shot for commercial clients including Topman and Sony.
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Want to know the fundamental step every professional photographer takes to secure their first client? They overcome hesitation and simply start. The question of how to get photography clients is all about preparation and persistence. With the right strategies, landing your first photography job is entirely within reach.
The Photography Institute is here to support you every step of the way. We provide more than just technical and creative expertise, but also the crucial professional guidance, portfolio development support, and industry insights needed to fast-track your first client win.
Ready to launch your career? Explore our courses, download the prospectus, and if you're excited by what you find, contact The Photography Institute today.
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