EP 84 - What I’d Do Differently if i were trying to book my first 5 clients
Hey friends — it’s Summer Grace, and this post is inspired by a topic that comes up a lot in the Summer School community: how to actually book those first few clients when you’re just getting started as a wedding photographer. If I were starting over from scratch, here’s exactly what I’d do differently.
First things first — it’s not about the logo.
I know it feels like you need to have the perfect website, the perfect Instagram grid, and a logo that belongs in a design gallery. But the truth? None of that books your first clients. What does? Connection. Clarity. Confidence in your offer (even if you’re still figuring things out).
So don’t get stuck in the “branding before booking” spiral. You don’t need a fancy site—you need a clean, simple portfolio that shows the kind of work you want to do, and a way for people to contact you.
Skip the underpaid gigs. Build your own portfolio.
Please don’t feel like you have to say yes to every lowball offer just to get photos in your portfolio. You’ll end up burned out and misaligned. Instead, create your own shoots that reflect the work you want to be hired for. Grab some friends, rent a dress, style a flatlay—whatever feels creatively exciting. This lets you control the narrative and attract clients who want exactly that.
Use your network. On purpose.
One thing I’d do way earlier? Be more intentional with my own network. I’d reach out to old classmates, coworkers, friends-of-friends—just letting them know I was starting this thing. Not in a spammy way, but in a, “Hey, just wanted to share what I’m up to” kind of way. And recently, I even told Jake we should switch up our usual coffee shop routine—because being in new places means meeting new people. You never know who you’ll sit next to.
In-person > Instagram.
Don’t underestimate how far face-to-face connection can take you. You can post all day, but an actual conversation builds trust so much faster. Go to local events. Shoot behind-the-scenes for a florist or planner. Be around the kind of work you want to do—and the people who are doing it.
Create what you wish you were hired for.
This one changed everything for me. If no one is hiring you for your dream work yet, make it happen yourself. Styled shoots aren’t just for aesthetics—they’re a billboard for your future client. Show what’s possible when someone hires you, and people will start to see it *for* themselves.
Act like a business from day one.
Even if you’re new, don’t act like you’re just figuring it out. Use contracts. Send invoices. Deliver with intention. When you carry yourself professionally, people take you seriously—and they refer you like you’ve been doing this for years.
And here’s the mindset shift that matters most:
Stop asking, “How do I get clients?” and start asking, “How do I make it easy for someone to say yes to me?”
That means having a clear offer. A simple process. And a vibe that makes people feel like, “Yes, you’re the one I want to hire.”
Whether you’re just starting out or reinventing yourself, remember: you don’t need everything figured out to get started. You just need to start with heart, show up consistently, and create opportunities where none exist yet. That’s what I’d do.
If you’re looking for more support, come hang with us inside Summer School—it's where we talk about all of this and more, with people who truly get it.
You’ve got this. See you out there.✨
— Summer
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