As I mentioned in last week’s blog post, college grad season is right around the corner! If you’re intrigued by the photography’s greatest untapped market, but aren’t sure how to dive in, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you launch into this exciting niche, step-by-step.

Step 1: Challenge Your Assumptions…Research and Understand Your Market

You’re going to be tempted to think College & Sorority Photography is just like other genres you’re familiar with, like high school photography… but it’s NOT. It’s crucial to understand the college ecosystem, so don’t be afraid to challenge your assumptions about what will work and what won’t! Spend time on your local college website, sorority social media pages, and even take a walk across campus if possible. Creep on social media pages to get a feel for the major events like gamedays, formals, fundraisers, and other significant happenings. Knowing what events are popular and when they occur will help you plan your calendar!

Step 2: Network and Build Connections

Networking is key in any photography business, but especially in the college and sorority scene. Here’s how you can start building those essential connections:

• Student organizations: Reach out directly to sorority and fraternity leaders.
• Attending tailgates: These are perfect for casual interactions and showing off your friendly, approachable side. Bring your camera, capture some moments, and share them with the attendees.
• Running social media giveaways: This is a great way to gain visibility. Offer a free session as a prize, which not only introduces your work to potential clients but also increases your social media following.

Intrigued? I’ll be covering more on this topic in next week’s post!

Step 3: Tailor Your Portfolio

You’ll want to start posting college content on Instagram so that students know you serve their demographic. Don’t have that content yet? Don’t worry, friend! If you’re just starting out, consider offering a few free or discounted sessions to build your portfolio and presence on campus! In as little as one friend group shoot, you can start gaining college followers! If you don’t know how to effectively run profitable giveaways that grow your following and generate revenue, be sure to download my free giveaway checklist to get ensure you’re ready to grow!

Step 4: Don’t Know? Ask the Students!

The college demographic is always changing, and so are students’ tastes and what’s popular on social media… and on campus! As you grow your audience, don’t be afraid to ask the students who are following you for their input… no one’s a bigger expect on campus life than the students who attend that school!

Final Thoughts

Starting in college and sorority photography is all about understanding your market, building the right connections, and continuously adapting to the trends and needs of your clients. With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to making a name for yourself in photography’s greatest untapped market this grad season!