Marketing for Photographers: Stop the Feast-Famine Cycle

Why Marketing Consistency Matters More Than Perfection for Why Consistent Marketing for Photographers Matters More Than Perfection

You know that feeling when you’re absolutely slammed with sessions, and then suddenly… crickets? Like, where did everyone go?

Oh wait — you stopped marketing three months ago because you were “too busy.”

Marketing for photographers is the difference between a thriving business and one stuck in the feast-famine cycle. When you stop showing up online during busy seasons, you’re setting yourself up for drought months ahead.

And now you’re panicking because:

• You haven’t planted any seeds
• The next three months are looking like a drought
• You have no idea how to get out of this cycle

Yeah. I’ve been there too.

In this week’s episode of the Keep It Moving podcast, Melissa and I sat down with Anomie and Dana, the brilliant minds behind Consistency Club.

Full transparency? Their membership literally saved me this past spring when I had absolutely nothing to share with my email list and was drawing a complete blank.

Consistency Club is basically a marketing director in your pocket — and we talked about why consistency beats perfection every single time, especially when you’re moving, switching niches, or just trying to keep your head above water.

Listen to the Podcast

Listen to the Keep It Moving Podcast. Whether you’re refining or completely relocating your photography business, this show is for you! We cover all the major topics from money, to relocating, marketing and more. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Marketing Feels Like Laundry (And That’s Exactly the Problem)

Let’s be real: marketing for photographers is one of those things that never ends.

Dana and Anomie joked that it’s just like laundry — it needs to be done, but nobody’s excited about it. And there’s no perfect handbook that works for everyone.

Here’s what I’ve learned after years of this:

The platform you choose matters way less than how consistently you show up on it.

The truth about marketing platforms:

• What works for your photographer friend might feel like pulling teeth for you
• Some people love Instagram stories, others (like Anomie) would rather write newsletters all day long
• I used to think I had to be everywhere — Instagram, Facebook, email, Pinterest, TikTok, carrier pigeon
• But you’re actually better off doing one thing really well and then slowly diversifying

Here’s where your ideal clients actually hang out:

• Some are scrolling Instagram at 10 PM in their pajamas
• Others are inbox people who read every single email
• And some prefer to meet you at the local charity fundraiser with a glass of wine in hand

Your job isn’t to be everywhere. It’s to be consistent in the places that matter most to you and your people.

According to Social Media Examiner, consistency in posting is one of the top factors for social media success, even more than the number of platforms you’re on.

You Can’t Afford a Marketing Manager (But You Can Steal Dana)

Here’s the hard truth that Dana shared on the podcast: most photographers can’t afford the number of hours it takes to have someone manage their full marketing plan.

She realized she was doing “mediocre work for a lot of people” because the average photographer’s budget just wasn’t enough for a comprehensive social media strategy, let alone email marketing, blogging, and everything else.

And honestly? Same.

My own journey with marketing help:

• When I was just a photographer, I never felt like I could afford real help with my marketing
• Once I got into education and had a slightly bigger business, hiring someone like Dana was the first thing I did
• (And yes, Melissa, I have thought about stealing her — but Anomie said I’d have to go through her first)

That’s exactly why Consistency Club exists.

It’s designed to put a marketing manager in everyone’s back pocket — without the five-figure price tag.

Every month, you get email and social media templates that are like creative mad libs. The idea is already there. You just fill in your own details, stories, and voice.

Why this actually works:

• You skip the “I don’t know what to post” paralysis completely
• The templates spark ideas instead of boxing you in
• They’re not niche-specific, so you can use them whether you shoot families, newborns, weddings, or all of the above
• You leapfrog over 80% of the work and just fill in the blanks

I’m not gonna lie — when I open a Consistency Club template and see the prompt, I’m like, “Oh, okay, THAT’S what I’m writing this week.” It takes the decision fatigue completely off the table.

Don’t You Dare Start a New Instagram Account

Let’s talk about one of the biggest mistakes photographers make when they move or switch niches.

They think they need to start over with a brand new Instagram account or email list because “nobody in Hawaii wants to see my Virginia Beach content.”

Dana and Anomie were adamant about this: DO NOT start over.

Here’s why:

You never know who knows who.

When I moved to Hawaii, I didn’t delete my Virginia Beach followers. I didn’t start a fresh email list. Because guess what? People on my Virginia list absolutely know people coming to Hawaii.

Real-world example from Dana:

• She’s still on her sister’s wedding photographer’s email list from Sun Valley, Idaho
• She’s never getting married there
• But if a friend mentions planning a destination wedding in Idaho, she knows exactly who to recommend
• That photographer has no idea Dana’s still a potential referral source

The same principle applies when you’re switching niches.

Maybe you’re moving from family photography into brand photography. Don’t segment everyone into perfectly clean little boxes right away. Let it be a little messy. That web of people can work for you.

Here’s what you should do instead:

• Keep your accounts and lists completely intact
• Use tagging or segments on the backend to organize (I have tags for Virginia Beach, Quantico, Okinawa, and Hawaii)
• Send location-specific content to those segments when it makes sense
• But also send universal emails that go to everyone — stories about yourself, business tips, behind-the-scenes moments
• Every few months, send a “hey, I’ve been in Hawaii for a year — here are my travel tips” email to your entire list

If you’re moving away from a location or niche:

• Invite people to opt into your next venture
• Give them a guide or resource as an incentive (like “My Top 5 Photo Locations in Hawaii”)
• Track who actually wants to stay connected instead of just assuming no one cares
• Let people make that decision for themselves — don’t make it for them

Geo-Tagging Is Your Secret Weapon (But Give It Time)

If you’re moving to a new location, start geo-tagging that place before you even unpack your camera.

This is such a normal part of my life now that I forget it’s even a strategy. But Anomie brought it up, and it’s brilliant.

Here’s the deal with geo-tagging:

• Your phone is ridiculously smart
• If you’re in Virginia Beach but geo-tagging Hawaii, your phone (and Instagram’s algorithm) will think you’re on an extended vacation
• The algorithm won’t catch on until your actual location data shows you’re living there long-term
• So yes, geo-tag your new city, post about it, talk about it
• But also know there’s only so much you can do ahead of time

What actually works:

• The algorithm needs to see that you’re actually THERE before it shows your content to local people
• This is where consistency comes back into play
• You can’t post three times about Hawaii before you move and expect the algorithm to do all the heavy lifting
• You’ve got to keep showing up once you land

My personal geo-tagging strategy:

• I have location tags for Virginia Beach, Quantico, Okinawa, and Hawaii all saved
• I use them strategically depending on where I’m posting from and who I’m trying to reach
• It’s become second nature, but it took intentional effort in the beginning

Research from Hootsuite’s Social Media Trends Report shows that location-tagged posts can increase engagement by up to 79% for local businesses, including photographers.

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Consistency Beats Motivation Every Single Time

Here’s the thing nobody tells you about marketing for photographers: motivation is a terrible strategy.

You’re not always going to feel like posting. You’re not always going to be inspired to write an email. And that’s exactly when the feast-famine cycle kicks in.

How the cycle starts:

• You get busy with sessions
• Life gets chaotic
• Summer hits or the holidays roll around
• Marketing flies right out the window
• Three months later, you’re wondering why your inbox is empty and nobody’s booking

That’s why systems matter more than inspiration.

Templates, batching, and memberships like Consistency Club exist to take the pressure off your brain. They’re the scaffolding that keeps marketing for photographers sustainable even when you don’t feel like it.

Here’s the truth:

• Your ideal clients aren’t just looking for you the one week you feel motivated to post
• They’re searching for a photographer at random times throughout the year
• If you’re not consistently visible, they’re going to find someone else
• The boring, unglamorous work of showing up actually compounds over time

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present.

It’s about planting seeds even when you don’t see the harvest yet. It’s about trusting the process and showing up anyway.

Consistent Marketing for Photographers: Breaking the Feast-Famine Cycle

If you’re moving, pivoting, or just trying to get your marketing back on track, I want you to hear this: you are not starting from scratch.

What still matters:

• Every follower you’ve ever had
• Every past client who loved working with you
• Every email subscriber on your list
• They’re all part of your web

Webs are messy, but they’re also incredibly strong.

Your action plan:

• Don’t delete your accounts
• Don’t reinvent the wheel
• Just keep showing up with consistency
• Use a little bit of strategy
• Lean on templates and systems that make marketing for photographers easier to actually follow through

Resources to help you keep moving

If you want a marketing manager in your pocket (seriously, it’s a game-changer), check out Consistency Club. Anomie and Dana have created something truly special for photographers who are tired of spinning their wheels.

Looking for more ways to attract clients without burning out?

• Grab my free guide: 39 Ways to Get New Clients — packed with actionable strategies you can implement today
• Follow me on Instagram @alisonbellphotog for behind-the-scenes business insights, real talk about growing your photography business, and the occasional Hawaii sunset
• Book a free discovery call to talk through your specific situation and figure out your next move together

You’ve got this. And you’re definitely not alone in this.

More Resources for Photographers

• 
  Marketing for Photographers: Stop the Feast-Famine Cycle
• 
  Photography Blogs for Beginners: The Posts That Still Bring Me Clients Years Later
• 
  Financial Fridays: The Ultimate Guide to Managing Your Photography Business Finances (Without the Stress)
• 
  The Ultimate Guide: How to Use AI for Photography Blogging (Without Losing Your Voice)
• 
  How to Handle Difficult Photography Sessions: The Essential Contract Clause That Saved Me When a 4-Year-Old Melted Down
• 
  The Ultimate Photography Business Marketing Plan That Actually Works (No More Last-Minute Scrambling!)