How to Establish Yourself in the Pet Photography Market
Learn How to Tap into this Profitable Market
Pet photography is a growing market. People consider their pets as members of their family, and they want to commemorate them with portraits and other popular products. Try these profitable tips if you’re looking to expand into this market.
Develop Your Style
If you’re wondering where to start, think about the style you want to offer your clients. Maybe create perspective by having pets sit on furniture or utilizing props to give each portrait a specific look. Capture personality by photographing pets while they play. Establishing your style will help you market your business and differentiate you from other photographers.
Know Your Marketing Plan
Your style and products reflect your brand, and every brand has a target market. Think about who you want to work with. Singles and empty-nesters who view their pets as children? Or families who combine pet portraits with family photo sessions? Figure out your clients and cross market with that target audience. Find out where your target market spends their time and what social media sites they frequent. From there, you can tailor your marketing materials to best suit the right audience for your business.
If you want to extend pet portraits to your current client base, let them know that pet photography is a service you provide. Display your work throughout your studio, website, and marketing materials. Once you have their interest, show your clients the various ways pet portraits can be a fun and loving display of their beloved companions.
Try a One-Day Event
Want to make a splash into pet photography? Host a one-day event that offers pet-portrait mini sessions. This can help your current clients try out pet photography and bring in new clients for your business. To access new clients, try making the sessions a charity event. You can offer a free pet portrait print for donations to an animal rescue organization.
Portrait photographer Vicki Taufer hosts a one-day mini session promotion just for pet photography. Her event consists of discounted 10-minute sessions for her clients where they receive a free 5x7" print at their return order appointment. By having clients book their order appointments in advance, she’s able to spend time offering them additional prints and products.
See how Vicki utilizes this promotion to get new clients into her studio, create an excellent experience for them, and turn the event into an annual success.
Best Products for Pet Photography
Is your client a fan of wall collages? Suggest they have their pet stand out on its own with a Gallery Wrap that is specifically designed to fit their home. Or give your clients the option to present their pet in a Framed Print. With numerous frame and print selections, your clients are sure to be satisfied with this popular classic.
If your client has more than one four-legged friend, show them how Image Cubes are a great showcase of their pets that add dimension to any desk, shelf, or table. Each Image Cube has six customizable sides for images, graphics, and text, making them the ideal choice to commemorate multiple pets.
Mini Books are the perfect way for your clients to share their favorite images of their pet while having them all in one place. Have your client take their pet’s portraits and turn them into a Mini Book calendar they can enjoy all year long. Available in a wallet and 3x3" size, these calendars can be given as a gift, hung on the fridge, or used as a practical decoration for any desk.
Want More Details?
Photographer Kim Hartz runs a photography business with pets at the center of it. She shares her advice for marketing, planning, and photographing pets. Find out how she succeeds in this market and how you can too.
