Surefire Ways a Blog, and Blogging For Others, Can Increase Your Business

by Guest Contributor Anna Gay

If you have even remotely explored the idea of having a photography business, I am sure by now you have realized that as a photographer, you have to wear a lot of different hats. From photographer, to project manager, marketing director, accounting manager and for some clients, personal therapist, you have a lot on your plate! If you do not already have the ‘Photography Blogger” feather in your cap, you may want to explore this exciting and fascinating realm, here’s why:

• Having a blog, even if it is separate from your website, is a great way of showcasing your work, and also reaching a different audience than you would if you had a stand-alone website. People who read blogs have a tendency to comment on blogs, and also Tweet, Share, Re-pin and Stumble, which will eventually drive more traffic to your blog, exposing your work to a new audience of potential clients.
• Photo-blogging gives you the opportunity to share your experiences, and for potential clients to get a feel for how you interact on a personal level. Sure, a photo gallery on your website is great and serves its own unique purpose, but having a space where you can post your best 5-10 photos from a shoot and then explain what you were going for with the shoot, and why it was a great experience, can really make an impression on people because yes, the images do speak for themselves, but a few words on why YOU enjoyed the experience is a perfect way of engaging potential clients.
• It is safe to say that the majority of us are self-taught photographers, which is part of the beauty of photography, and thankfully we have the internet as a tool for learning! Sharing your tips and tricks on your blog is a wonderful way of building a rapport with other photographers, who will, most likely, return the favor by sharing their tips with you. We all have unique experiences and knowledge, so you can share what is important to you – whether it’s editing, gear reviews, vendors that you like, etc.

With the idea of collaboration and sharing in mind, consider guest-blogging for other photography blogs. One of my favorite things to do, and this is something I never considered doing regularly until I tried it, and realized how fun it is: guest-blogging! Through guest-blogging, you will have your work exposed to a whole new audience, and meet others who are in the photography field. In most cases, if there is a blog you enjoy following, you can email them and ask them for an opportunity to write, and most likely, they will take you up on it! When considering a topic to guest-blog about, work with what you know, just like you would on your own blog. Are you a child-photographer extraordinaire? Then look for blogs that cater to family portraiture. Are you a lighting guru? Then explore guest-blogging for sites that are geared towards lighting and the technical aspect of photography. Also, be sure to ask the editors of the blog you are approaching if there is anything in particular they would want their viewers to see, because the editors may have suggestions for you, and writing about something new is always a great way of learning and doing your own research.

As with any worthwhile endeavor, keep in mind that a thriving photography blog, or even a job as a guest-blogger, doesn’t happen overnight. It does take time to build content on your blog, but regular and varied updates will make the process faster and extremely fun.

Anna Gay is a portrait photographer based in Athens, GA and the author of the dPS ebook The Art of Self-Portraiture. She also designs actions and textures for Photoshop. When she is not shooting or writing, she enjoys spending time with her fiancee, and their two cats, Elphie and Fat Cat.