Senior Photographer vs Wedding Photographer: Which Niche Has More Earning Potential?

I’m just going to come right out and say it: being a booked out wedding photographer is NOT the only way to make “real money” as a photographer. Some may consider this a hot take, and some may think that I am biased as a senior photographer myself, but I’m living proof that a multi-six-figure portrait photography business is completely possible. 

Thinking wedding photography is the way to get those big bookings makes sense, as weddings are definitely an industry where it’s typical to charge 4-figures for your services. But what I want photographers to know is that you can also make 4-figures per client as a portrait photographer without working weekends, editing thousands of images, or spending hours traveling away from home.

Have you been sticking with bookings you don’t enjoy for longer than you’d like to admit?

I get it! If we’re being honest, money is a big motivator for any photographer. Most of us don't go into business full-time to break even, right? 

I know that you’re motivated to provide for your loved ones, invest your money to create long-term wealth, and enjoy the financial freedom you didn’t get to experience growing up. So, you keep saying yes to a certain type of booking that consistently comes your way, because it seems foolish to turn money away. Because, by turning that booking opportunity away, in your mind it seems like you're wasting the earning potential.

But let's flip that on its head for a second. What if, by spending time doing the bookings you don't enjoy, don't want to post about, and don't get excited about — the ones that leave you feeling drained, un-inspired, frustrated — you're actually preventing your business from growing to its full potential?

Without thinking about money for a moment, instead think of how that impacts your photography business from a mental and emotional point of view: when you dread your next booking, you're far less likely to be motivated to create, and worse yet — you might start to believe the lie of “photography just isn't for me after all.”

Money is just money, right? Any booking is just as good as the next one, right?

Not necessarily.

In the beginning of your photography journey, sure, it makes sense to try out all types of bookings and niches so that you can see what you enjoy, what you feel naturally good at, and what fits into your network and lifestyle. HOWEVER: once you start to get more inquiries, more referrals, and feel more confident in your work as a photographer, the best way to SCALE is to SIMPLIFY.

Just like nobody thought it was humanly possible for man to run a 4-minute mile until someone actually came forward and did it, we often don't know what's possible until it's been done before. And I'm here to tell you — simplifying your life and business by becoming an expert in one or two niches is the best way to run a successful photo business.

Before I was a full-time senior photographer, I was just like you.

I was gladly accepting wedding bookings early in my career (I couldn't believe I could make 4-figures from one booking!) but quickly realized, from both a creative and professional POV, that weddings didn't seem like a fit. For one thing, they were usually a bit stressful in general given the multiple 'moving parts' of a wedding day, required a lot more gear, and of course, meant I had to be working most weekends.

I remember thinking to myself, “wait… if I get really good at this, then most of my weekends are going to be working. When did that happen?!” As a business owner, we always have to make decisions based on what we value. And for me, I knew I wanted to spend weekends with my friends and family — the people I love. 

Then, there was the editing. Thousands of images! Even though I had brought in a 4-figure booking, the time spent preparing for, attending, and then editing the wedding meant that my overall hourly rate was a lot lower than I typically charge for a portrait session.

In addition to weddings, I was also booking birthday parties, corporate events, surprise proposals, you name it — and here's the thing: every time I went to prepare for a new session, it was like I had to put away the skill set from the one prior and dust off a brand new set of skills for this next one. It was inefficient from a time standpoint, and uninspiring creatively.

That's where seniors came in. After leaving my full-time corporate job as a data analyst, I decided to do photography part-time and become a cheerleading coach part-time (and I was also doing digital marketing consulting on the side, it was truly my #hustleera). But it was being around teens every day that made the transition into being a senior photographer so, so natural. 

It got to the point where, after launching my first senior rep team in 2018, my afternoons became so booked with sessions that they started to conflict with cheer practice! That was the jumping off point, and slowly but surely, I started to say no to bookings for brands, families, parties, proposals, etc. 

Transitioning to the senior photographer niche wasn’t easy at first.

This kind of shift in your photography business is not an overnight transition!

First, I had to take down all the pages on my website that I had spent time setting up to accept bookings for things like branding, proposals, weddings, parties and events, etc. Then, any time I got a DM I had to exercise the “muscle” of saying no to a perfectly good booking opportunity simply because I knew my time is better spent nurturing ONE niche than spreading my services across multiple.

So for example, in any given month, rather than having 2 senior sessions, 2 proposals, 1 wedding, 1 birthday party, and 1 headshot session for a company (which requires different workflows, equipment, email sequences, etc.) — I was committed to replacing all of that with 8-10 senior sessions.

And in doing so, I became crazy-familiar with every second of the senior client journey.

Opening up that time in your business is what allows you to become known as the go-to, expert-level [insert your favorite niche here] photographer in your area. People who find you have no question or confusion around who it is that you serve, and that makes you all the more magnetizing to work with! 

Worried about how to grow a thriving photography business as a full-time senior photographer?

Sometimes photographers think that if they're new to the area, or are a certain age, that they just don't have the tools to have a successful senior rep program. Not true. Senior model teams, also known as ambassador programs, are a proven method to build the demand for your senior photography business, year after year. They don't have to be expensive, humongous, or time-consuming. The key to a successful senior rep team is building them right into your client base, and adding in a 'tilt' that you look forward to every year! Learn more about how to create a stand out senior rep program here.

Whatever you decide to focus on, go ALL in.

If you're a photographer who wants to scale to six-figures and beyond without weddings, a photo studio, or a jam-packed schedule, then I have good news: you CAN earn 4-figure portrait photography bookings on repeat (multiple times per week) WITHOUT putting in all the hours or weekends that other niches require. This process is even easier when you have all the right tools. Check out my freebie to learn the exact 3 email phases I go through with each of my 4-figure clients.

How To Make More Money As A Photographer

Let me guess — you wish you were making more money as a photographer. Right?

Listen, what I know about you is this: You are so talented at what you do. You’re passionate about capturing beautiful moments and creating images that make your clients stop with their jaws dropped and say, “Wait whaaaat?! I can’t believe that’s me!”

You know you just nailed that session. You’re proud of the images, and you can already see how thrilled your client is going to be when they receive them.

You send over the gallery, and you’re excited and hopeful. You think, “They’re definitely going to upgrade. They’re going to want all these images—how could they not?!”

But then… crickets.

Maybe a day goes by. Maybe two. You don’t get the upgrade notification, and suddenly, doubt creeps in. You start second-guessing yourself:

“Was my pricing too high?”

“Should I have given them more time to decide?”

“Maybe I should just email them again and remind them…”

Here’s the truth that might sting a little: It’s not that your pricing is wrong, and it’s not that your clients need more time. Actually, it’s the opposite.

A common myth I hear is that the best way to make more money as a photographer is by offering gallery upgrades.

When you deliver an online gallery and leave the decision entirely in the client’s hands, it's passive. You’re hoping they’ll see the value on their own, and crossing your fingers that they’ll take the time to review, discuss, & upgrade on their own.

But, believe it or not, HOPE is not the strategy that will get you (or your clients, frankly) the best possible outcome.

Your clients are busy. They do love their photos, but they don’t always have the time or energy to scroll through the gallery, weigh their options, and make decisions. And the longer you give them to decide, the easier it becomes for them to get swept back into the current of everyday life, forgetting about it entirely.

Here’s the thing: It’s not about giving them more time—it’s about giving them LESS time and MORE guidance.

What to do instead? Position yourself as the expert.

Become the trusted guide that walks them through their options every step of the way. You're not "putting the ball in their court" and expecting them to take action. Rather, you're right alongside them from inquiry to sale.

Another way to close the deal? Make upgrades irresistible.

For 4-figure sales and above, you need to be offering multiple types of upgrades that have a lot less to do with images, and a lot more to do with each client's unique story and needs.

The third route to a no-brainer? Master your messaging.

With love, this hands-off gallery approach is not the way to scale your business to six figures and beyond without burning out.

The good news, though, is that there’s a much, much better way.

In fact, there’s a way to work with your clients so that they’re excited to pay you three times what they paid for the session. A way to serve them at a higher level and build a business that gives you true financial freedom AND time freedom — and not just a packed calendar.

This is the shift that will change everything for you. And it starts with knowing what to say and when to say it.

I hear from my students all the time that since they don’t live in a luxury area, the clients in their market simply won’t pay higher prices. I know successful photographers who charge luxury prices who operate in small towns with corn fields in their backyard! 

These are limiting beliefs that unfortunately are far too commonly accepted in the photography industry. It's almost like a comfort blanket that helps photographers justify playing small. 

Anyone who wants to generate wealth as a photographer must have the courage to say, "You know what? No. I know what I'm capable of, I know I can do this. If anyone can build a successful, profitable photography business, it's me! I'll figure it out. I'll learn from the best. I'll surround myself with people who have done this already."

There is always a solution, always a way to make more money as a photographer, no matter where you're located. If you don't book the luxury clientele, someone else in your area will.

6 Tips for Photography Business Growth: What NOT To Do

The key to photography business growth isn’t just about adding more to your plate — it’s about understanding what thoughts and habits to let go of to catapult you forward. There was a point in my business where I was saying yes to virtually any photography inquiry that landed in my inbox simply so that I could justify my decision to have left my corporate job just months earlier. Realizing I was now going to have to pay for health insurance, figure out my own retirement plan, and pay my rent meant one thing: anyone who was willing to pay me was going to get photographed! 

If I'm honest, I was a little scared, wondering if having a photography business was this temporary, somewhat-financially-helpful hobby, or if it was going to launch me into the ambitious, high-level career I had always dreamed of.

I wish I’d had a helpful list of things NOT to do in this phase, so I’m happy to pass this photography business growth information along to you, another photographer looking to level-up!

1. Don’t underestimate the power of specializing (aka “niching”)

The question of whether or not to niche is common.

Yes, in the first year or two of your photography business, saying “yes” to all kinds of photo gigs is important so you can test out what you enjoy/feel naturally good at.

I get it! As a photographer, you don’t want to be put in a box or find yourself photographing the same type of client over and over and over again. But a photographer who wears a business hat just as much as a creative one knows that in order to scale your business to the point where you can leave your other job, enjoy financial freedom, and maximize TIME freedom — becoming the go-to for one niche is the wisest business move.

In other words, don't try to be everything to everyone – narrow down to your ideal client instead of accepting every type of booking.

Note: It also makes sense to do what I call one primary niche and one complementary niche, like:

• Seniors and families

• Weddings and boudoir

As these clients overlap, it gives you a chance to work with them multiple times without diluting your brand specialty.

2. Don’t worry too much about a logo

I still remember making my logo from scratch in Photoshop while on a babysitting gig in college — I was left deciding between a lovely, clunky black and white sunset or an 80s-esque colorful triangle situation (Let's just say, it wasn't my branding that got me booked in the early days). 

Instead, I focused heavily on client service (leaning into how my clients FEEL, not just how they LOOK). Simple things like showing up early, delivering images on time, and accommodating requests (to an extent) left me with a LOT of happy clients who were telling their friends about me. Then, once I had a great year with lots of profit to show for it, I hired a professional designer to re-design my entire brand — colors, logos, patterns, icons, submarks — you name it. 

In the meantime, there are so many great free tools like Canva to get started — to start, make your logo something that has your name in it. Personal brands are powerful! Plus, you can always change it later.

3. Don't underprice your services

If you're starting your business from absolute scratch without photography experience, then practicing is crucial before you start working with paid clients. At first, rather than positioning sessions as "paid photoshoots," think of them as "portfolio builders" or practice sessions. Once you have enough sessions to a) feel comfortable moving through a session and using your camera properly, and b) have a portfolio that represents your body of work — then it's time to start charging!

A lot of photographers overthink pricing when it's actually quite simple. When you're getting started, meet the market rate. Not less. Then, as your demand grows (and with the right specialization and business skills, it will), then you raise prices to level out demand. Didn't think you were stepping back into economics class, did ya?!

Then, when you’re ready to really scale your business financially (i.e. booking 4-figure clients consistently), there's one ESSENTIAL shift to be made at this point  (what my students know as a luxe upsell method) 

If you find yourself consistently booked, but feel like you're “missing something” when it comes to achieving financial freedom as a photographer, check out my free guide, luxury client email prompts: 3 non-negotiable phases for 4-figure bookings.

4. Don’t skip contracts

Always have a contract, even for friends or small gigs. Contracts protect you (and your client) and sets professional expectations about deliverables, deadlines, payments, reschedules and cancellations. 

Not only that, but peace of mind that your assets are protected is priceless!

This is also why having a CRM like Honeybook is great — you can manage client contracts, payments, and emails all in one place.

5. Don’t forget about taxes

Most of us photographers didn't realize we would end up in a career that requires us to be tax-savvy rather than just collecting our W-2 during tax season — but… here we are.

Do not forget to set aside a percentage of every payment for taxes to avoid any unwelcome surprises come tax season. Hire a tax professional to help you with understanding the best legal structure for your business (LLC, sole proprietor, etc.), setting up a business bank account, and knowing how much to set aside with each transaction.

6. Don’t miss out on 4-figure sales messaging

It's true — there is a photography world where collecting $1,000, $2,000, $3,000+ sales on repeat is the norm (even 5-figure sales in many cases) — but never without the right messaging.

One of the most common mistakes to avoid in order to get closer to luxury clientele who refuse to work with anyone BUT you? Here it is: do not overload potential clients with unnecessary details; instead, issue just the RIGHT amount of information at the RIGHT time.

Not sure what you're missing when it comes to luxury client emails? Download the freebie to learn the exact 3 email phases I go through with each of my 4-figure clients.

For me, the most challenging things I encountered as I strove for photography business growth were pretty simple. First of all, the “noise” of “markets are saturated” and “the algorithm is against us” etc were not true at all. Secondly, I was accepting way too many bookings. It felt great to be in demand, but after a while, going out on sessions constantly (sometimes multiple in one day) started to take a toll on my creativity, and even the way I served my clients. It was at that point I knew it was time to make a pricing (and business model) shift.

In between all the low-paid gigs, I would research master's degree programs and local job openings. I never felt completely confident that this thing was going to "work" — until one month it clicked, I figured out what it means to serve premium clientele instead of mainstream clientele. After that, everything changed. No more wedding bookings — I didn't want to work on weekends! No more birthday parties, heart-racing proposals, or couples sessions. I had done enough sessions to realize what I was best at, and planned to channel my energy into premium clientele completely.

What started as a side-gig editing photos from a small laptop on the Ikea desk in my own bedroom has since grown into the multi-six figure, streamlined, manageable senior photography business of my dreams. Are you ready to learn more about making your dream photography business a reality?

How to Audit Your Senior Posing Flow in 6 Steps | Senior Photography Education

Having a senior posing flow changed the game for me as a senior photographer. I used to get a bit nervous before sessions, print out entire posing sheets, and scramble through Pinterest inspo before a session — only to forget it all once we started. Leaning on shortcuts, like a posing app or storing pose inspo on my memory card, wasn’t cutting it either. Having a posing flow means being able to nail LOTS of different poses with a degree of speed that keeps the client comfortable (which should be a huge priority for senior photographers) and most importantly, creates killer results. A well-developed posing flow is like a built-in guide in your mind that guarantees each session, no matter the time limit or circumstance, will lead to happy clients who love their images.

A senior photographer’s posing method begins well before the session takes place. Use the following questions to assess whether or not your senior posing flow needs a revamp.

1. Prep

Is your posing expertise communicated in the inquiry, discover, prep, & check-in phase of your senior photography experience?

Posing starts waaaaaaay before the photo session. Before physically posing the client, it's important to mentally and emotionally check-in with their expectations around the session in general. This is the perfect opportunity for you to be their trusted advisor, their guide, the expert in their photography experience. Don't miss out on these important pre-session touch points.

2. Kickoff

What are you SAYING before you start DOING? How do you establish yourself as the trusted guide? Do you show the back of the camera? What pose do you start with?

Start with the same base pose and/or introductory phrase: 

"You couldn't mess this up if you tried!"

"Remember, I'm going to tell you exactly what you need to do."

"Let's start with some easy, no-pressure warm-up poses."

The number one thing on your client’s mind when you first get started is probably something about being nervous, so help them feel safe and excited with a simple verbal reminder.

3. Language

Are you explaining the pose verbally or physically? Are you snapping photos in silence? Are you using positive, proactive language when redirecting your clients?

If your plan going into sessions is to stay quiet behind the camera and wait for your client to figure it out, think again! Try to fill almost every moment with verbal affirmation, positive/constructive adjustments, and of course, physically demonstrating the pose as well. 

Remember, these clients don't have a mirror, and they can't always see the back of your camera! All they see is a photographer with a big camera pointed at them. How are they going to know how it's looking if you don't tell them? Communication is non-negotiable for a positive client experience.

4. Expectations

Are you establishing expectations early and clearly?

Establishing expectations as they relate to posing includes:

• Where to park and meet you

• Who should come to the session

• What parents or guests do during the session

• How you’ll be directing the client today

• Choosing poses according to both parent & senior preferences

Remember, we serve TWO clients: parent and senior. Be sure to have clear approaches to making each party feel catered to and taken care of.

5. Variations

Do you spend several minutes setting the client into a pose, only to snap a bunch of the same base pose without taking advantage of the variations available?

Are you posing your clients, prompting them, or both? 

How do you change your posing flow between girls, guys, twins, young teens, and larger groups? 

Are you leveraging the posing power of props during your senior sessions?

Even the slightest change to add variations can be the difference between a regular photo session that simply satisfies the client and an amazing senior photo session that has your client posting your images, leaving you rave reviews, and insisting their friends and family book with you ASAP!

6. Style

How are you making your poses unique to your photography style? Do you enjoy posing your clients? How often are you trying out what inspires you?

"No one is you, and that is your power" 

The best poses will reveal themselves over time. At first, maybe by accident, but eventually you'll start to see patterns in your work and realize, "hey, that's kind of my thing! I love it!" Of course in our world it's easy to find ideas and be inspired by others, but don't forget to also look inward, take time to rest and recharge your creative battery, and try new things with willing clients or your model team.

Not only will having a solid posing flow allow you to show up to your sessions confident that you can trust yourself and nail it, but your clients will feel it, too. Every client is different and will require different degrees of guidance, and every location, weather scenario, and session differs, too. Having a flow means having an ADAPTABLE method, rather than using the same reference sheet for each and every client. They’ll see your confidence and expertise during the session, and be wowed by the results in their photos. Happy clients lead to the most valuable result of them all: warm, eager, trusting word-of-mouth referrals!

Ready to take your senior photography to the next level? With a solid senior posing flow and my 9-piece posing kit, you’ll be unstoppable! Download the posing kit here for free.