How to get photography clients without social media and without constantly playing Instagram’s algorithm game? Is it even possible? If you’re tired of trying to crack the Instagram or TikTok code, Laura BC has some great tips to offer. In her latest video, she shares how to find clients without needing to post online at all.
Laura says she’s still a fan of social platforms as they’re great for exposure. However, she totally understands that not everyone enjoys being glued to their phone or chasing algorithms. I personally have less and less patience for this, and I’m not even trying to get clients – I just want to have fun and follow the stuff I like. I even deleted both my personal and business accounts get some rest, I don’t even care about the visibility anymore.
If you’re getting fed up like I am, and still want to get photography clients, I think Laura’s tips are great to show you other ways to build your client base. It’s time to get smart and strategic offline.
Memorable Business Cards
Laura’s first and favorite tip is classic: networking, but with a twist. She reminds us that word of mouth is powerful, but people can forget names easily. Enter business card. But not just any plain, old-school card—she’s talking about stylish, eye-catching designs that reflect your brand.
To help with this, Laura recommends using design.com, a user-friendly platform with tons of photography-specific templates. You can also design your own using tools like Canva or Adobe Express. I played with these two and had lots of fun, while also learning some design basics along the way. Of course, if you can afford it – I’d always recommend hiring a graphic designer who knows exactly what they’re doing.
Once your cards are ready, the key is how you use them.
Let Your Business Cards Do the Work for You
Laura suggests dropping your business cards off in places where your ideal clients already hang out. Are you a portrait photographer? Try yoga studios, gyms, or Pilates classes. She says that instructors often need content for their websites or social pages, so this can be a good place to start. If you’re into music photography, you can leave your cards at local event venues. You get the idea.
The goal is to get your name in front of people who are already in need of your skills, without having to pitch yourself every time. Honestly, as an introvert, I find this pretty helpful! Just a quick, friendly chat at reception is usually enough, and you don’t have to chat to a ton of people. Whew!
Laura encourages making this a habit and gives two small action steps to get started:
- Drop cards at three different local businesses
- Always carry at least five cards and hand one out whenever photography comes up in conversation
Simple, right? You’ve got this!
Offer Mini Sessions at Local Events
Another tip Laura swears by is showing up at local events and offering mini-sessions. These are quick, low-cost shoots that give people a taste of your work and help you find photography clients.
Events like farmers markets, art shows, museum nights, or networking meetups are great spots. Laura says to bring your camera, hand out cards, and snap some candid shots. Then, send a few free photos to the event organizer as a thank-you, and pitch yourself for their next event. It’s a low-pressure way to showcase your skills, make connections, and start building your local reputation.
Level Up with Flyers and Your Best Photo
If you want to go the extra mile, Laura recommends making flyers with your strongest photo—what she calls a “hero shot.” Flyers give you more space to highlight your services or promote mini sessions, and a striking image will instantly show what you’re capable of.
Again, you can use design.com for this. They have ready-to-edit flyer templates just for photographers, including options for drone services, portrait work, and more. Once your flyer is done, print a few and drop them off just like your business cards.
To stay accountable, Laura suggests another small challenge: distribute 3–5 flyers to different local businesses.
Bonus Tip: Build a Referral Network
Now for Laura’s bonus tip—and it’s a big one. She calls it the most powerful strategy for getting photography clients: referrals and partnerships.
People trust recommendations from others they already know. So, she suggests teaming up with professionals who already work with your ideal clients. For example:
- If you shoot weddings, connect with wedding planners
- For portraits, partner with makeup artists or hairstylists
- For fitness photography, link up with personal trainers
You can offer them a commission, a discount, or even free photos for their own business in exchange for sending clients your way. Laura used this approach successfully in London and says it’s one of the best long-term strategies for growing a high-paying client base.
The Bottom Line: Finding Photography Clients Doesn’t Have to Be Online
The bottom line is that, while social media is a great tool, it’s not the only one. So, if t has started to drain you, it’s good to know that there are alternatives. You combine these offline strategies with your online presence… And maybe, eventually, drop social media entirely (but maybe that’s just me dreaming of the ideal world :)). Most importantly, stop waiting and start doing. Whether it’s printing cards, showing up at events, or setting up referral partnerships—action is the way to find photography clients.
[Get Photography Clients Non-Stop WITHOUT Social Media | Laura BC]
