When I first started my business, I was getting all different types of session requests: newborn, family, pets, seniors, commercial, and even real estate!
I took them all!
Why?
Because I could do it. But after a while, I found that just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Think about your work. Is there something you photograph that you just feel such a strong connection with that when you have those sessions, magic happens? It’s not just good, but you feel inspired.
Well, that’s how I found my niche. I found that deep inside, I felt so inspired and connected to newborn lifestyle and weddings. Yeah, I could photograph seniors, and it was good, but I didn’t feel that magic and connection like I do when I photograph my lifestyle work. There are so many different things to photograph, so here are a few tips to help you find your magic.
1. Try it out.
Did you recently receive an inquiry to photograph someone’s dogs? Try it out! You won’t know if you love something without trying it. Even down to the way you photograph. Use props, don’t use props, photograph in a studio, photograph in your client’s home. See what feels right and you’ll start to learn not only what you’re good at, but what you feel connected to.
If you aren’t getting inquiries for something specific you want to photograph, put a casting call on social media offering a free session. Do a casting call looking for an expecting Mother, photograph her maternity session and who knows, it may lead to a newborn session or a family session down the line!
2. Find your inspiration.
My very first few newborn sessions, I tried newborn posing. I brought all of the blankets, the heater and all of that jazz. It just didn’t feel right. I sat down and thought about why I felt so disconnected.
I thought about what inspires me. One of my biggest inspirations with photography is old photos. Photos of me as a baby, photos of my Grandma and my Mom, and even retro photos of celebrities. So, my next newborn session, I shot it lifestyle and there it was – the magic. I felt connected, proud and inspired. I found my niche.
3. Learn to say “no.”
That leads me to my next point. Learn to say “no.” Just because you can photograph something, doesn’t mean you have to. I still get inquiries asking for newborn posing and refer them to friends of mine. Posed newborn photography is beautiful, but I don’t feel like when I do it, it’s the best work I could do, so I don’t do it.
4. Trust yourself.
Do what you love and you won’t work a day in your life, as the old Asian proverb goes. Okay, so we will still work, but we’ll look forward to the sessions. And then we will run to our computers and edit the photos right away, because we will be so excited, proud and inspired!
