The Real Reason You’re Struggling to Book Fashion Photography Clients
So, you’re showing up. You’re doing the shoots. You’ve got the passion. But the bookings? Crickets.
If you’ve ever looked at your calendar and thought, “What am I doing wrong?” - I want to tell you something important: It’s probably not you.
Most fashion photographers I’ve worked with aren’t struggling because they lack talent, they’re simply missing one key piece of their business.
In this post, I’ll break down the 4 areas photographers get stuck in, how to figure out your missing link, and what to do about it.
The 4 Things Holding You Back from Getting Booked
After 10+ years in the fashion photography industry — and mentoring thousands of photographers — I’ve noticed most people hit a wall in one (or more) of these four areas:
Your style isn’t strong or recognizable
Your portfolio doesn’t attract the right clients
You’re not pitching consistently or effectively
Your pricing is off, and you’re getting ghosted
Let’s dive into each one.
1. Your Style Isn’t Clear Enough
If someone looked at your work without your name attached, would they know it’s yours?
If the answer is “not really,” your dream clients probably feel the same. If they can’t tell what to expect from working with you, they’re unlikely to reach out.
This doesn’t mean you need to be super niche. But your style should be recognizable and intentional, like a signature.
A strong style becomes your visual calling card. It’s what makes someone scroll through Instagram and say, “Oh wow, that’s so [your name].”
2. Your Portfolio Isn’t Doing the Work
Your portfolio is either helping you get booked, or stopping you from getting booked.
If you’re sharing everything you’ve ever shot, or posting a mishmash of styles, it can confuse potential clients. They don’t know what kind of work you want to do, or where you fit.
Instead, your portfolio should show only the kind of work you want to get hired for.
This means curating and planning what goes on your site and social media with care. A well-crafted portfolio doesn’t happen overnight - but it makes a huge difference.
3. You’re Not Pitching (or You Gave Up Too Soon)
You could be the most talented photographer on the planet, but if no one sees your work, it won’t matter.
Most photographers I meet aren’t pitching at all. Or they send one email, get ghosted, and give up.
To land dream jobs, you need to pitch consistently, clearly, and with confidence. This is how you build relationships over time, and how those relationships turn into bookings.
4. Your Pricing Isn’t Sustainable
If you’re guessing your prices, undercharging, or saying yes to every job out of fear, you’re not alone. But you can’t grow a sustainable career this way.
As photographers, we’re also business owners. That means we have to talk about money - even if we hate spreadsheets.
Understanding usage fees, value-based pricing, and how to price profitably is non-negotiable. You deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Full stop.
I’ve Been There Too
I’ve made every mistake on this list.
I didn’t know how to describe my style.
I undercharged, and then overcharged.
I pitched the wrong way (or didn’t pitch at all).
I waited to be “discovered.”
Everything changed when I started treating my photography like a business. And now? That’s what I teach other photographers to do too.
Want to Know Which Area You Need to Focus On?
If you’re nodding along thinking, “Yep… that’s me,” - I made something just for you.
It’s a free quiz that helps you uncover which of the four key areas is holding you back - style, portfolio, pitching, or pricing - and gives you a personalized plan to improve it.
It’s called "Discover the Missing Link to Becoming a Booked Fashion Photographer."
It takes 2 minutes. It's fun. And it could completely change how you approach your career. Take the quiz here →
You’ll get a custom result + follow-up emails to guide your next steps, all tailored to where you’re at right now.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to stay stuck. You don’t have to wait around hoping someone magically finds you. You can take action, build a strong business, and create the career you actually want - and it starts with figuring out your next best step.
So take the quiz, get clarity, and let’s move you toward a career you’re proud of.
You've got this.
