How I’m filling my fall calendar with branding shoots
As our kids step into a new season of learning, it feels like the perfect time for us as photographers to sharpen our own skills too.
Before I share my proven marketing strategy for September, I wanted to let you know that my signature course, From Headshot to Personal Branding for Photographers, is currently 20% off (Use code: SUMMIT20). This course has helped hundreds of photographers create profitable and sustainable branding businesses — and this could be the boost you need to finish the year strong.
The Business Spotlight System
One of the key things I’m doing this fall is running a Business Spotlight throughout the month of September.
This is a super easy and very effective way I've used in the past to get my calendar fully booked.
3-Steps:
1. LIST: I make a list of everyone I photographed in the last year and hand-select businesses and professionals to feature. I'll feature one person/business per day for each day of September.
2. EMAIL: I email the selected people from list four easy questions — I ask them to respond with 1-2 sentences. Nothing crazy! I tell them that space is limited, and I can't guarantee everyone will be featured. And to please send your answers asap.
🟢 Why did you start your business or profession?
🟢 What do you offer?
🟢 Why did you want branding photos?
🟢 What’s your best piece of advice?
3. POST & COPY & PASTE: Next I I copy and paste their answers into a post, tag them on social, link their website, and pair it with the photos from their session. It’s low-effort for me, high-impact for them.
So how does this fill my calendar?
Here's what's happened so far... I've been teasing the Spotlight in the last two-three weeks of August and I've seen an increase in my inquiries by over 200%.
Why? Because people see the teaser images and start thinking,
✅ “I need to get my branding photos done too"
✅ "Let me reach out"
Once the posts go live, people see people they know or recognizable faces being featured, and it sparks a reaction — whether it’s ‘
✅ "I need to do that too"
✅ "I want to look that polished"
✅ "If they’re working with Heike, I should as well..."
The people being featured enjoy the free publicity and added exposure. Many have told me they booked me specifically because I not only deliver great photos, but also because I promote my clients publicly.
💡 And did you notice what question #3 asks? "Why did you want branding photos?" This is where clients give me a persuasive testimonial. They share the problem they were experiencing before their shoot and then explain how I helped them solve it with branding photos! Now you have your clients selling your services for you!
What’s in your pipeline this fall to keep your calendar fully booked and finish the year strong? Let me know — I’d love to hear from you!
Before I go, there’s something about the last long weekend of summer — that mix of nostalgia for the season behind us and excitement for what’s ahead.
As we close out summer and step into fall, I’m looking forward to fresh routines, bold ideas, and creating powerful new imagery for my clients.
Wishing you that same renewed energy as you dive back into your business and finish the year strong,
Heike
PS: If booking more clients (and having those clients say yes to higher packages) sounds like the kind of outcome you want, that’s exactly what photographers experience after taking From Headshot to Personal Branding for Photographers. The best part? It’s not about working harder — it’s about learning smarter strategies that make your business more profitable. Right now, it’s 20% off.
Use Promo Code: "SUMMIT20".
