10 Steps on How to Build Your Photography Brand from Scratch

By Lizzie Russo - September 26, 2023 - Photography, Business, and Brand

Building a photography brand is the goal of all photographers, photo studios, and photography-related businesses. The term "brand" refers to the unique identity that a photography business creates for itself, which sets it apart from its competitors. A brand is more than just a logo or a name; it is the sum total of a photography business's values, personality, reputation, and customer experiences. In this blog post, we will explore what a brand is, and we will discuss ten steps that photography businesses can take to build their brand from scratch.

What is a Brand?

A photography brand is a set of associations that people make when they encounter a photography business, service, or portfolio. These associations are shaped by a photographer's style, vision, expertise, and the quality of their work, as well as their business name, logo, website, social media presence, customer service, and marketing materials. A strong photography brand is one that has a clear and consistent identity that resonates with its target audience. When people encounter a strong photography brand, they should be able to recognize it easily, understand what it stands for, and feel confident in its quality and reliability.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Building a Brand from Scratch

One advantage of building a photography brand from scratch is that you have complete control over its development and direction. You can create a brand that aligns with your values, vision, and goals, and tailor it to meet the specific needs of your target audience. This can give you a competitive advantage and help you stand out in a crowded marketplace. Additionally, building a photography brand from scratch can be a rewarding experience that allows you to express your creativity and passion for your work. However, building a photography brand from scratch also has its pitfalls. One of the biggest challenges is establishing credibility and trust with your target audience. Without a proven track record or established reputation, it can be difficult to gain the trust of potential clients or investors. Additionally, building a photography brand from scratch requires a significant investment of time, money, and resources, and there is always the risk of failure. On the other hand, building a photography brand as a subsidiary of another company can provide certain advantages, such as access to an established customer base, marketing resources, and funding. However, it can also be challenging to maintain a separate identity and brand image while operating under the umbrella of a larger company. This requires careful planning and execution to ensure that your brand is aligned with the parent company's values and goals, while also standing out on its own.

How to Build Your Brand from Scratch

Building a photography brand from scratch can be a daunting task, but it is achievable with the right strategy and approach. Here are five steps that photography businesses can take to build their brand from scratch:

1. Name your business.

The first step in building your photography brand is to choose a name that reflects your business's values, personality, and goals. Your business name should be memorable, unique, and easy to spell and pronounce. It should also be relevant to your niche and target audience. Once you have chosen your photography business name, you should register it as a domain name and social media handles to secure your online presence.

2. Register your business in security exchange or any local registry.

When building a photography brand from scratch, it is important to ensure that your business is registered with the appropriate authorities to establish its legitimacy and protect your intellectual property. This means that you should register your photography business with your local government and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Additionally, registering your photography business with the security exchange or any local registry can help you gain access to funding opportunities, partnerships, and potential investors. It also shows that you are committed to growing and expanding your business, which can attract more

3. Create a logo.

A logo is a visual representation of your photography brand that can help you stand out from your competitors. Your logo should be simple, memorable, and reflective of your business's identity. It should also be adaptable to different media and sizes, such as social media profiles, website headers, business cards, and watermarks on your photos. If you are not skilled in design, you can hire a professional designer or use online logo makers to create a logo.

4. Develop your brand style guide.

Your photography brand's style guide is an essential tool for building your brand from scratch. It outlines the visual and creative aspects of your brand, such as your logo, color scheme, typography, and other design elements. It helps you create consistency across all your marketing materials, including your website, social media, packaging, and advertising. A well-designed brand style guide not only makes your photography brand look professional and polished but also helps clients recognize and remember your brand more easily. It also helps you establish a clear brand identity and differentiate your brand from your competitors.

5. Choose your slogans.

A catchy and memorable slogan is an effective way to build brand awareness and recognition for your photography business. Your slogan should be short, simple, and easy to remember. It should also capture the essence of your brand and what you stand for. When choosing your slogan, consider your target audience and what they value most. It should be unique and stand out from the crowd. Once you have chosen your slogan, use it consistently across all your marketing materials to reinforce your brand message and create a strong brand identity.

6. Create your website.

A website is an essential tool for building your photography brand online. Your website should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and optimized for search engines. It should also reflect your brand's personality and values through its color scheme, typography, imagery, and messaging. Your website should also provide valuable information about your photography services, portfolio, and contact information. You can create a website using platforms such as WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, or hire a professional web designer.

7. Join social media platforms.

Social media platforms is an excellent opportunity to build your photography brand's online presence and engage with your target audience. You should choose social media platforms that align with your target audience and business goals. You should also create profiles that reflect your brand's identity through your profile picture, cover photo, bio, and content. You should regularly post high-quality content that showcases your work and promotes your brand's values. Furthermore, you may strategically use emojis in your descriptions and comments to bring personality and passion to your posts and enhance engagement with your audience.

8. Create content.

Content marketing is a wonderful tool and strategy to build a brand's credibility, authority, and visibility online. You should create high-quality content that is relevant and valuable to your target audience, such as blog posts, videos, podcasts, infographics, and social media posts. Your content should reflect your brand's personality, values, and expertise. You should also promote your content through social media, email marketing, and search engine optimization and use these platforms to reach a wider audience.

9. Refine your products.

Your photography services and products are the core of your brand, and it is essential to refine them to meet the needs and expectations of your target audience. This means understanding your clients' preferences and using that information to improve your photography packages, pricing, and overall client experience. Refining your products and services can also help you differentiate your brand from your competitors and attract more clients. Make sure to conduct regular market research to get ahead of the competition.

10. Improve your customer service.

Good customer service is crucial for building a strong photography brand reputation and fostering customer loyalty. It is important to provide excellent customer service at every stage of the client journey, from initial inquiry to post-shoot follow-up. This means being responsive to client inquiries, addressing their concerns and complaints promptly and effectively, and providing personalized service that exceeds their expectations. Investing in customer service can help you build the ultimate loyal following through word-of-mouth marketing and positive reviews. Building a photography brand from scratch requires time, effort, and resources, but it is a worthwhile investment in your business's success. By following the ten steps outlined above, you can create a strong and memorable photography. Check out our other Photography Business and Brand blogs to learn more! Author Bio: Janella is an outreach specialist in an online marketplace for buying and selling logos and domains, BrandCrowd.