When I started my boutique photography business, I knew that not all of my friends were as passionate about custom portrait wall art as I am. But that didn’t stop them from cheering me on and supporting my photography business in other ways! There are many creative things you can do to support your photographer friends that don’t even require you to reach deep into your pockets. Though it may not seem like a lot, each of these ways to support your photographer friends will mean the world to them, no matter how big or small the gesture. It is so encouraging to know that your friends and family have your back in your business endeavors, and want to see you succeed. If you know a photographer or two, here are just a few ways that you can support them this year!
1. Include Them In Silent Auctions
I’ve participated in a lot of silent auctions and fundraisers with Sarah Petty Photography and I love how easy it is to get exposure to so many potential new clients, as well as help out a philanthropic cause with my business! Wanna know where to look? Check to see if your child’s school is having a fundraiser, or if any local foundations or charities you support are holding silent auctions. If you know of any silent auction fundraisers going on near you, you can help your photographer friend get in touch with someone in charge so that they can offer a photography gift certificate as something up for bid in the silent auctions!
2. Make Introductions To People That Could Be Their Ideal Clients
Can you think of someone in your life that can’t wait to decorate the walls of the home they just moved into? Or maybe that friend that just had a newborn or got a puppy. Or maybe a co-worker that has a senior in high school. If you’re ever around a photographer friend where you know of a few potential clients you could send their way, help out both parties and get them connected!
3. Buy Gift Certificates From Them
We’ve all got those one or two people in our lives that enjoy experiences as gifts more than anything else in the world. Why not get them a gift certificate from your fave photographer? They can enjoy one-of-a-kind wall art of their loved ones that they’re guaranteed to cherish forever! Maybe there’s a birthday right around the corner. Or you want to make Mother’s Day extra special. Or you’re at a loss for what to get your in-laws for Christmas. When they realize they’re going to get custom photography wall art, they’ll be thrilled to book a session with your photographer friend ASAP.
4. Share Their Social Media Posts
Even more than commenting on someone’s Instagram photo, sharing your friend’s photography page to your accounts gives the post an even bigger boost. And it gives your photographer way more exposure to all of your followers and friends. It’s easy, it’s free, and it will make your photography friend do a little happy dance… trust me.
5. Don’t Ask For A Discount
This one can be tough because sometimes people expect a “family and friends” discount. If you have the means to pay full price, that’s a great way to show your photographer friend you're so thrilled for the wall art they’re creating. And it tells them that you would never even think to pay anything less than full price. As boutique photographers, we consider many of our clients like family and close friends, but that’s just the way it has to be when you want to serve your clients at the highest level. When you book a session, don’t ask them for a discount. Expect and offer to pay full price.
6. Hire Them For A Holiday Card
What’s better than small business owners supporting small business owners? If you happen to run your own business as well, the best business expense of the year is to hire your photographer friend to do a business Holiday card for you. Holiday sessions are always so fun, especially if you have a small team to include. And, if you send out a family Christmas card every year, consider asking your photographer friend to take new pictures of you and your family for your holiday greetings. Not only are you paying your friends for their photography, but you’re also sending out a card with their logo on the back to hundreds of potential new clients!
7. Comment On Their Social Media Posts
This is your excuse to start scrolling through social media! Supporting your friends on social media by dropping a few words on their posts can be a game-changer. Not only is it a sweet “pump-me-up” for your friends, but it helps boost their credibility on social media. Think about it. Would you rather hire a photographer who has people gushing on their page about how fantastic they are... Or a photographer who doesn’t have any reviews at all on social media? Your support helps get them onto the screen of a potential client! Whether it’s Facebook or Instagram, your photographer friends will love to see your comments!
8. Display Their Art In Your Office And Home
The whole point of photography artwork is to be displayed! If you have pieces from your photographer friend, display them in your home or office. When people come by, they’ll be begging to know who created your heirloom wall art. Do you have space in your place of work? You could also ask your friend to create some demo pieces to hang in higher traffic areas to get exposure for potential clients.
9. Shoot Them A Text
Small business owners are resilient as ever! But that doesn’t mean that they don’t get down on themselves every once in a while. Supporting photographers and letting them know you’re in their corner is something that we fellow photographers are so grateful for. Have you had a session with your photography friend recently? You can shoot them a text telling them how excited you are to see the images. Sending them a text about how thrilled you are to look at their heirloom wall art in your living room can make their day. And sometimes, all we need is a little pick-me-up to get back in the saddle to success.
If there’s one thing for sure, it’s that your photographer friend(s) will be over the moon to have your support, in whatever form it may come in. Small business owners are built on lifting one another as they climb. To have the support from friends and family can make a bigger difference in their business than you would even know! As a photographer in the business for over 20 years, I can say that fewer things make me more warm and fuzzy than when I know that my friends have my back. I love that they are cheering me on every step of the way to success in my photography business.
