This blog post is going to be a bit different. After having been in the business for about 10 years now, I wish to impart some advice onto budding photographers that I wish I had known sooner. Is it a good idea to volunteer your services within your community? Will that lead to more clients and sales?
The answer is often no. It really depends on the opportunity, location, and audience. For example, model calls, offering a discounted or free session to someone in exchange for image use, can work, but what I have mainly found is that unless the person modeling is truly in love with you and your work and not just wanting free images it is not going to yield a high return for the photographer when it comes to gaining clients and work. So I truly only do model calls when I have something specific I need to practice, photograph, or I need more social media content. Model call clients rarely return as paying clients, almost never recommend their friends, and are only really looking for a discount or free session.
So when I think about volunteer opportunities, I think about what I gain by participating. Does it get me out into the community? Will people see my work? Is there value in what I am doing? I think about this because 9 times out of 10 it will NOT lead to bookings. People search for photographers mainly by price and what they have to offer, not necessarily based upon their skill level. When I volunteer I get lots of interest and people will ask me about what I do etc. but in the end when they come to my website and find I am out of their budget, they do not book. The worst part, they almost always feel the need to tell me that I am out of their budget, which I do not even bother responding anymore. Truthfully, I work within all sorts of budgets and offer payment plans and had they simply asked about that I would be happy to work with them.
So what volunteering have I been doing? A LOT for my church because it is not what I typically photograph, which makes it fun for me. It is a great way to meet members of my church and it helps me feel connected there. I have also been helping out the musical theater department at my daughter’s school. I like doing this because I get to make sure that not only do I get great images of my daughter during performances, but I like ensuring that the other parents also get great memories of their kids. Will either of these things lead to bookings? NO, but I am doing them for me and it makes me happy to provide my services. It also helps keep me fresh and on my toes when business is a little slow which is always a plus!
So the best advice I can give anyone thinking that volunteering your services for a gift basket or offering a model call or helping out at an event, is make sure you are doing it because it provides you with happiness or helps you grow in a different area of your business because in the end you may not get more clients from that opportunity. I would say setting up a booth at a craft fair or farmers market and really advertising and meeting clients in person with your prices and examples of your work maybe a better option for those looking to expand and book clients on the spot!
As always, keep photography fun and about what you love!
Unrelated picture of my favorite twin session ever!
