Ways to build your client base this summer

3 most techniques for photographers to achieve better results in summer months

Photographing in the summer presents unique challenges like harsh sunlight, high contrast, and extreme temperatures. Here are three techniques that can help photographers achieve better results:

  1. Utilise Golden Hours
  • Technique: Shoot during the “Golden Hours,” which are the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. The sunlight is softer, warmer, and casts longer shadows, creating a more flattering light for portraits and landscapes.
  • Benefits: Reduces harsh shadows, enhances colours, and adds a magical quality to the images.
  • Tip: Plan your shoots around these times, and scout your locations in advance to make the most of the brief window.
  1. Use Reflectors and Diffusers
  • Technique: Utilise reflectors to bounce light into shadows and diffusers to soften harsh sunlight.
  • Benefits: Helps in controlling light and reducing strong contrast, especially for portraits. It also allows you to fill in shadows and reduce squinting in subjects.
  • Tip: White and silver reflectors are great for filling shadows, while translucent diffusers work well to soften direct sunlight on the subject’s face.
  1. Play with Shadows and Silhouettes
  • Technique: Embrace the high contrast and bright light to create dramatic shadow effects or silhouettes. Position your subjects in a way that captures interesting shadows or outline their shape against a bright background.
  • Benefits: Adds visual interest and mood to your photos, especially in mid-day sun when shadows are at their most intense.
  • Tip: Look for natural elements like trees or buildings to cast shadows or shoot against bright skies to create clean silhouettes.

Implementing these techniques can help you harness the summer light and conditions to create stunning images.

Shooting during the golden hour offers soft, warm, and flattering light, ideal for many types of photography. Here are the best camera settings to consider:

  1. Aperture (f-stop)
  • Portraits: Use a wide aperture (f/1.8 to f/4) to create a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and keeping the subject sharp.
  • Landscapes: Use a narrower aperture (f/8 to f/16) to keep more of the scene in focus.
  1. Shutter Speed
  • Adjust based on your subject. For still subjects, use slower speeds (1/60 to 1/250 sec). For moving subjects, increase to 1/500 sec or faster.
  1. ISO
  • Keep ISO low (100-400) to avoid noise. Increase ISO slightly as the light fades.
  1. White Balance
  • Set to “Daylight” or “Cloudy” to maintain the warm tones of the golden hour.
  1. Exposure Compensation
  • Slightly underexpose (around -0.5 to -1 EV) to avoid blown-out highlights and preserve details in the sky.
  1. Focus Mode
  • Use single-point autofocus for precise focusing on the subject’s eyes in portraits or a specific focal point in landscapes.
  1. Use of Filters
  • Consider using a graduated neutral density filter to balance the exposure between the bright sky and darker foreground.
  1. Composition
  • Use the natural light direction creatively. Side lighting and backlighting can add depth, highlights, and interesting shadows.
  1. Shooting in RAW
  • Shoot in RAW format to maximise flexibility in post-processing, allowing for better adjustments of exposure, white balance, and colour tones.

These settings can vary depending on your camera and shooting conditions, so always be ready to make adjustments as the light changes during the golden hour.

I would recommend enrolling for a short photography course to assist you in understanding how to perform under these lighting conditions. There are many challenges so it is important to be up for the job.

What are the most popular Jobs for photographers in the summer

At this time, we are approaching summer in Cape Town. Not only is the outdoor lighting different to other months of the year, Christmas and season popular celebrations and events are taking place. 3 most popular photography job requests include:

  1. Event Photography: Capturing weddings, corporate events, and private functions is in high demand.
  2. Lifestyle and Fashion Shoots: There is a need for photographers to work on campaigns, influencer shoots, and look-books.
  3. Tourism and Landscape Photography: With the influx of tourists, there’s a demand for capturing the scenic beauty of Cape Town, often for promotional material or social media content.

These roles often require versatility and experience in different lighting conditions and environment as well as able to understand that lighting is key and limited in achieving the best results.

Securing photography job inquiries from clients of this nature require a blend of marketing strategies, networking, and delivering high-quality work. Planning and understanding light is essential as golden hour is often short. Make sure you have a good weather application to refer to tat will indicate factors such as wind, sunrise and sunset. It is vital that you remain in constant communication with your client so they understand these factors and how the shoot may be influenced, or need rescheduling.

How to land new jobs this summer

  1. Start Building a Strong Online Presence
  • Website: Create a professional website showcasing your portfolio, services, pricing, and contact details. Make sure it’s visually appealing, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly.
  • Social Media: Utilise platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to showcase your work. Engage with your audience through stories, reels, and posts, and use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience.
  • SEO Optimisation: Use keywords related to your services (e.g., “Cape Town wedding photographer”) in your website and social media profiles to improve search engine rankings.
  1. Build your Network and Collaborate
  • Networking Events: Attend photography expos, art shows, and business networking events. Building relationships with other photographers and professionals can lead to referrals and collaborations.
  • Collaborations: Partner with other businesses like event planners, makeup artists, or fashion designers for collaborative projects. This can help you access their client base and expand your reach. Clients will often require these services and expect the photographer to oversee this as part of the job.
  • Join Photography Groups: Participate in local photography clubs or online communities to learn, share, and connect with other professionals and potential clients.
  1. Leverage Client Testimonials and Referrals
  • Request Reviews: After completing a project, ask satisfied clients to leave reviews on your website, Google, and social media platforms. Positive reviews build credibility and attract new clients. Google my business is very useful in this regard to provide client satisfaction, images and reviews that new and potential clients often require as the final “decision maker” before confirming the preferred photographer for the job.
  • Referral Programs: Offer incentives such as discounts or free prints to clients who refer new customers to you. This encourages word-of-mouth marketing. Positive Word of mouth I regarded as one of the best ways to secure new business.
  1. Offer Special Promotions and Packages
  • Seasonal Discounts: Provide discounts or packages during peak seasons like summer or the festive period to attract more clients.
  • Loyalty Programs: Offer returning clients exclusive deals or additional services at a discounted rate.
  • Themed Shoots: Create themed sessions (e.g., beach, vintage, family reunions) to attract specific demographics. Promote these themes on your website and social media. Should your business be operating in a beautiful and scenic city such as Cape Town, there are many packages that you can provide to meet the expectations of the client.
  1. Use Online Advertising and Marketing
  • Google Ads and Social Media Advertising: Invest in targeted ads to reach a specific audience based on location, interests, and behaviours. This is particularly useful for promoting events or specific services.
  • Email Marketing: Build an email list of past clients and leads. Send out regular newsletters with your latest work, special offers, and photography tips to keep your audience engaged.
  • Content Marketing: Write blogs or create vlogs and short video reels related to photography tips, behind-the-scenes stories, or client experiences. This can position you as an expert and improve your website’s SEO.
  • Foundation linking: this is one of the best ways to increase your ranking and grow your business.
  1. Create a Client-Friendly Experience
  • Professionalism and Communication: Be prompt in responding to inquiries and maintain a professional tone. Clearly outline your services, pricing, and what clients can expect. Always keep the phone on and be in close proximity to your emails. Clients are impressed by immediate responses to their queries, this will also keep you ahead of the competition.
  • Flexibility: Offer flexibility in scheduling and tailor your packages to meet client needs. This could mean adjusting shoot durations or offering extra digital files.
  • Deliver on Time: Timely delivery of images and products creates a positive experience and increases the likelihood of referrals and repeat business.
  1. Showcase Diverse Work
  • Versatile Portfolio: Display a variety of work including portraits, events, landscapes, and product photography. This demonstrates your capability to handle different types of projects which will open the door to more client enquiries.
  • Specialised Services: If you specialise in a niche (e.g., maternity shoots, wildlife photography), highlight this expertise in your portfolio and marketing materials.
  • Client Stories: Share stories and testimonials that highlight the experience and satisfaction of your clients. This helps potential clients connect with your work on a personal level. This is best achieved through the relevant social platforms and Google my business.
  1. Participate in Local Community and Charity Work
  • Community Events: Offer your services for local community events or charity functions. This not only helps you give back but also puts your name out there in the local community and the online community groups for referals.
  • Pro Bono Work: Occasionally doing pro bono work for a cause you care about can lead to valuable exposure and networking opportunities.
  1. Keep Learning and Adapting
  • Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest photography trends and techniques. Attend workshops, online courses, or webinars to enhance your skills.
  • Feedback Analysis: Analyse client feedback to improve your services. Understanding what clients value can help you fine-tune your approach and offerings.
  1. Utilise Client Management Tools
  • CRM Software: Use Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools to keep track of client inquiries, bookings, and follow-ups. This ensures a smooth and professional client experience. A common go to for monitoring your results would be your monthly Google analytics report.
  • Automated Replies and Reminders: Set up automated responses to acknowledge inquiries and reminders for bookings, which can save time and improve client communication.

Final Thoughts

Securing photography job inquiries is about more than just having talent; it’s about effectively marketing yourself, creating a strong client network, and consistently delivering excellent results. By applying these strategies, you can position yourself as a sought-after photographer in your market.