Why does blogging as a photographer really matter? Should I post personal posts, or just sessions? And, how many photos should I include? 5? 30? 100? Does every post have to point back to my business? How often do I have to post? What is its purpose?

These are questions I have found myself asking throughout the past year. After all, I love writing. I’m an English teacher! And, a lot of my favorite photographers blog on a regular basis — some as many as 5 days a week! Take Katelyn James for example. She has BUILT her business on blogging — on education, on personal stories, on lessons learned & sessions shared. And I LOVE it!!

But, I’m not going to lie, blogging consistently is a lot of work. And, in the Midwest, it’s just not anywhere near as common to be blog-based photographer as it is in the South. However, I think it should be. And today, I am going to share five reasons that show my heart behind blogging, and why I hope to do it better in this next year.

1. Blogging lets my clients know what they can expect. 

This may be one of the most obvious reasons for blogging, although I wasn’t able to put it into words until Natalie Franke pointed this out during one of our breakout sessions at Creative At Heart. But think about it! I have a living, breathing portfolio that shows anyone interested in booking me WHAT they will get. If I am consistently blogging, clients should already know that they are going to receive photos that aren’t painfully posed. They will know that I LOVE natural light & natural moments — that my photos capture laughter & joy & LIFE as it is. They will know that we have FUN at sessions — that we run around & giggle, and that shows that clients are COMFORTABLE with me! Which is huge!! But, it also works the opposite way too. Not only will my blog hopefully attract people, but if I’m doing it right, it’s going to send people away! If they are looking for elaborate set-ups or stiff formal portraits lacking personality, they should know from my blog that I’m not the photographer for them. And that’s okay!!

2. Blogging lets me show off my clients & tell their story! 

I get the chance to meet SO. MANY. amazing people through this business. I always say that the relationships I form through a family session or wedding are what makes this business work for me, and it is so true. I LOVE my clients, and I love that I can show just how fun and awesome they are with you! The laughter and joy a mother shares with her kids, the strength and love a father has for his wife and family, the STORY behind a couple’s desire to commit to each other for life — those are what bring me back to sessions day after day, and I want to share that with you!! RELATIONSHIP is inspiring and encouraging; it’s what makes this world go ’round!

This is also why I don’t just post my top 5 favorite photos from a wedding — not that that’s wrong! I know so many photographers who share a limited number of pictures, and it works for them! But for me, I want people to SEE that I am capable of capturing the entire day — not just a few decent pictures here or there. As Natalie said, anyone can put together an awesome gallery page. It takes consistency and WORK to show the whole story. As a photographer, I believe so passionately in conveying something with my photos; your story matters, and I want my readers to see that!

3. Blogging is free* marketing. 

This is another obvious one, and it’s funny, because it was originally my intention behind blogging to begin with. However, the more I’ve reflected on blogging and thought about my purpose, the more I’ve realized this isn’t the main reason I blog. Still, it is worth mentioning — after all, since starting to blog more consistently in March of 2014, I saw a HUGE increase in business, which is great! It’s also worth it to say that it’s not necessarily free…as the saying goes, time IS money, and blogging definitely takes a lot of time :)

4. Blogging shows that I am trustworthy & that my business is growing!

By blogging consistently, I show clients I am invested in this business. It’s not something I do every once in a while, it’s not something I do on a whim, it’s not just a hobby that doesn’t really matter. If you were a client looking to book a photographer, and you saw that he or she hadn’t had an online presence in over 6 months, you probably wouldn’t book them — and you may even think they are out of business! Consistent blogging shows that I care, and that I’m going places.

Now, I will be the first to admit that this has not always a strong suit of mine. I try to blog every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but sometimes things come up, editing takes over, or sickness gets in the way. This is where GRACE comes in. Life happens, and sometimes it’s important to take a step back and focus on what matters. This year, I am implementing a few tools to help keep my blogging on track — even when life gets busy! One thing I’m really excited to start using is Elle & Company’s Blog Calendar. Pre-blogging and scheduling my posts ahead of time will help improve this aspect of my business SO much, and I can’t wait to sit down with those beautiful sheets and plan ahead!

5. And finally, blogging lets me encourage & inspire those around me. This is as big one, guys!! Katelyn James talked a lot about this at Creative at Heart, and it spoke to my soul so much. I remember being asked to create a mission statement as I started applying to colleges during my senior year of high school. And, honestly, it was really hard for me to do! I’ve always been the type of girl that is interested in waaaay too many things — I wear a lot of hats, but I love it! But, as I thought about it, I came up with two words: equip & encourage. 

As I think about that today, it’s crazy to see how those two words I decided on when I was 17 years old still ring true in my life and have come to mean so much! When I post personal thoughts or updates, it allows me to encourage those around me. When I talk about lessons I’ve learned, it equips other women with the knowledge I lacked so they hopefully don’t have to make the same mistakes! When I discuss my struggles & worries with HOPE, it gives my readers strength to think the same. Blogging allows me to be more than just a photographer; it allows me to invest in others and to USE my influence. And that, my friends, is why I blog.

—–

Hey there!! Is this your first time here?? If so, thanks for dropping by & spending time with Sami Renee Photography! My name is Sami Orndorff, and I am a Midwest Wedding & Family Photographer based in the greater Cleveland area with a strong belief in telling stories & spreading joy. Read more here…