Episode Overview
Title: Get Ahead of Slow Season with 5 Creative Ways to Keep the Cash Flowing
Host: Brooke Jefferson
Date: September 25, 2025
In this episode, Brooke Jefferson tackles the challenge of "slow season" in photography—especially the winter months when bookings and cash flow can dip. Drawing from her own experience, including recent life and business changes, Brooke offers five actionable, creative tactics for photographers to maintain income, even when sessions slow down. The focus is on proactively preparing now, rather than scrambling when the calendar empties.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
Facing Slow Season: Mindset and Transparency
- Brooke shares her current situation: Recently moved, no studio, balancing a day job, and facing upcoming surgery that will sideline her for 4–6 weeks.
- The message: Slow season doesn't have to mean “no income.” Plan ahead to turn slow months into profitable ones.
- Quote:
"Here's good news. Slow season doesn't have to mean no income... I want to really challenge you to think about it this year, your slow season not being a slow season and actually it being profitable." (03:10)
1. Black Friday Pre-Sale (07:46)
- Concept: Offer a limited number of discounted sessions for purchase during Black Friday, with sessions booked for the typical slow months (Dec–March).
- Details & Strategy:
- Discount should be limited (e.g., $100 off, only 5 spots).
- Must set booking deadlines; if rescheduled past deadline, regular prices apply.
- Can also offer perks instead of discounts (e.g., extra prints, additional mini-session, double deliverables).
- Mindset shift: Not about cutting rates endlessly, but creating urgency and immediate cash flow for lean months.
- Quote:
"If you are going to discount, make sure that you limit it because you don’t want 50 people booking out your calendar and you are not ever getting full price for another session." (09:18)
2. December Gift Card Promotions (15:12)
- Concept: Use December’s gifting season to promote photography session gift cards/certificates.
- Strategy:
- Make gift certificates a "limited-time, luxurious item" (not sold year-round).
- Set expiration (typically 6–12 months from purchase).
- Push the urgency and exclusivity—clients tend to buy for loved ones.
- Practical note:
"If you do it the right way... maybe you have one week, or maybe it’s the whole month of December, I don’t know—where your main promotion is your gift certificate." (16:13)
3. Print and Product Sales Promotions (19:50)
- Concept: Reconnect with past clients, offering special deals on prints and products.
- How-to:
- Limited-time, higher-than-normal discount (e.g., 20–30% off vs. standard 10%).
- Spend-based bonuses (“spend $50, get $25 in extra prints”).
- Use email campaigns and visual guides to market offerings.
- Why it works: Pure profit—no need for new session work, just selling existing images/products.
- Quote:
"This is one of my favorite ways, because it literally is pure profit for you. You’re not having to go... you’ve already done all of that." (20:29)
4. Market Indoor Lifestyle Sessions (23:22)
- Concept: Shift focus to indoor shoots—suits all photography niches and overcomes weather concerns.
- Niche breakdown:
- Brand/headshot: coffee shop, coworking space, etc.
- Family/newborn: in-home or studio (if available).
- Senior: “out-of-the-box” indoor locations (ice cream shops, inside schools).
- Couples/weddings: venues, styled shoots, workshops.
- Confidence tip: If uncomfortable shooting indoors, run model calls to practice and boost your portfolio.
- Quote:
"I know you’re like, ah, but I’m really just... I’m not confident in the photography that I can do indoors. Okay, well then go get a model call going for an indoor session—do it." (26:31)
5. Lean Into Your Referral Program (28:20)
- Concept: Double down on referrals and word-of-mouth during sluggish periods.
- Reason:
- “Slow season is the time to lean into getting more referrals, get your name out there, figure out how to get people talking about you.”
- Action: Consider creating or re-energizing your referral program (Brooke teaches the specifics in her courses).
- Quote:
"During your slower seasons, that’s the time to lean into getting more referrals, get your name out there, figure out how to get people talking about you." (28:30)
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- "Raise your hand if winter or slow season has ever made you panic a little. My hand is high in the air..." (01:23)
- "If you even just do two out of five of these, you are solid. Shout out to the person who does all five of these because you will really see how profitable your winter can be." (30:43)
- On offering coaching:
"If you listen to all five of these and you’re like, oh my gosh, my head is spinning... This is exactly what we could map out on a one-on-one strategy call." (31:12)
Practical Takeaways & Calls to Action
- Don’t wait for slow season to hit—prep your promotions, systems, and marketing now.
- Choose 2–3 tactics that feel manageable and fit your business model.
- If you need more tailored help, Brooke offers (temporarily discounted) strategy calls for custom planning.
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:00 – 03:10: Brooke’s introduction and mindset for the episode
- 07:46 – 14:58: Black Friday pre-sale strategy
- 15:12 – 19:40: December gift card promotions
- 19:50 – 23:18: Print and product sales ideas
- 23:22 – 28:16: Marketing indoor lifestyle sessions across niches
- 28:20 – 30:38: Referrals and word-of-mouth during slow season
- 31:12 – 32:40: Coaching offer and encouragement to plan ahead
Episode Summary
Brooke delivers a value-packed solo episode, cutting straight to five actionable ways photographers can proactively manage and even profit from the dreaded slow season. Blending honesty about her own circumstances with tested business tactics, she motivates listeners to reframe slow months as strategic opportunities rather than dry spells. With approachable advice and infectious encouragement, this episode is perfect for any photographer seeking predictable income and peace of mind when bookings cool down.