Episode Summary: "Here's How To Book Winter Photography Sessions In Your Business"
Main Theme
In this episode of the Book More Photography Clients Podcast, host Brooke Jefferson addresses one of the toughest challenges for photographers: booking clients during the winter months (January–March). Brooke shares actionable and realistic strategies for attracting clients and filling your calendar in a typically slow season. Drawing from her own family photography business experience, she offers session ideas and breaks down a five-step marketing plan designed to keep business thriving year-round.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Problem with Winter Bookings
- Winter is a slow period for photographers—often due to leftover burnout from the busy fall and a drop in active marketing.
- If you "take your foot off the gas" after the holidays, you might experience silence ("crickets") in your business in Q1.
"When we do that, we face consequences because then it feels like crickets in January, February, and March. And I don't want that for you." (Brooke, 02:18)
Three Smart Winter Session Ideas
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Move Sessions Indoors
- Flexibility is key: Oklahoma weather is unpredictable, and many photographers no longer have studio access.
- Get creative with locations—don’t resign yourself to a slow season if you don’t own a studio.
- Tailored mainly to family photographers (the hardest niche to convince clients to shoot indoors).
"You can be creative with your locations and you can still offer indoor options no matter what your niche is." (Brooke, 05:24)
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Run a Single, Targeted Promo in One Month
- Don’t try to discount constantly—focus on one offer, one month.
- Ideas: unique bonuses, reintroducing a Black Friday deal, adding products or extra images.
- Limited promos fill natural lulls while preserving value.
"Decide if it's going to be January, February, or March where... you are going to run some kind of a promo... That’s going to help fill a month that naturally for me is the hardest to book." (Brooke, 08:26)
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Go All-In on Milestone or Mini Sessions
- Minis: seasonal themes (black & white, Easter, grandparent sessions).
- Milestones: focus on life stages (six-month baby, toddlers, pre-teens).
- Select what interests you and your market—focus for easier marketing.
"You just have to pick a milestone—what kind of milestone do you want to pinpoint for people to book you with?" (Brooke, 10:12)
Five Essential Marketing Methods for Winter (15:41)
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Theme Each Month with a Single Focus
- Pick one session type per month to simplify and strengthen marketing messages.
- E.g. January: newborns; February: minis; March: family sessions.
"Every month you are focused on booking one thing—that’s going to help your marketing so, so much." (Brooke, 16:44)
Timestamp: 16:30–17:00 -
Leverage Past Clients
- Contact former clients directly—email, text, or DM offering sneak access or new offers.
- Even if they don’t respond, the outreach matters.
"The answer will always be no if you don't ask." (Brooke, 20:40)
- Great time to reconnect with families you haven’t shot in over a year. Timestamp: 18:45–22:05
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Collaborate with Local Businesses
- Seek win-win partnerships—especially with businesses that share your client base OR offer shoot spaces.
- Examples: coffee shops, boutiques, hair & makeup artists, available office space.
"Collaborate with that local business. Tell them what your ideas are, tell them what your promotion is, find a way that it's going to be a win-win for the both of you." (Brooke, 24:02) Timestamp: 22:10–24:30
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Be Consistent in Marketing
- Consistency is the “backbone” to a fully booked calendar.
- Show up 4–5 times a week on socials, sharing session availability, behind-the-scenes, polls, and your face.
- Selling isn't "gross"—just share what you love.
"That one word [consistency] could literally change your life... It is the backbone to that fully booked calendar that you want so badly." (Brooke, 25:00) Timestamp: 24:35–28:30
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Send One Monthly Email to Your List
- Email marketing is gold, regardless of list size.
- Stay visible with gentle reminders; your consistent presence leads to future bookings.
- If you feel stuck, Brooke offers ready-made Flodesk templates in her Etsy shop.
"If you’re not utilizing your email marketing, then you’re leaving bookings on the table." (Brooke, 29:05) Timestamp: 28:32–31:00
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Fear of Reaching Out:
"Don’t be scared. Again, just get over your fear and just do it." (Brooke, 21:39)
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On Marketing Consistency:
"Show up four to five times a week. Even if it's one time a day. You can do this and it will change the course of your business." (Brooke, 28:11)
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On Asking for What You Need:
"The answer is always, always no if you don't ask." (Brooke, 20:40)
(relating to both business and a personal anecdote with her son’s math grade)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:40–02:45 — Why winter is slow & why it doesn’t have to be
- 03:00–11:00 — Three actionable winter session ideas
- 15:41–31:00 — Five ways to market and fill your winter calendar
- 20:40 — Notable anecdote on asking boldly
- 25:00 — The power of consistency in marketing
Final Encouragement & Resources
Brooke wraps with encouragement to join her free 30-day marketing challenge, letting listeners know it’s never too late to refresh their marketing or mindset.
"I just, I hope you did. I hope you love it... We are in the middle of a 30 day marketing challenge... Bite size, Daily actions... that is going to help you." (Brooke, 31:10)
Resource links mentioned:
Overall Tone & Style
Warm, direct, and practical: Brooke blends “tough love” encouragement with specific, field-tested tactics, making this a highly actionable pep talk for photographers wanting to avoid slow winter months.
Perfect for: Family, senior, and portrait photographers seeking a fresh marketing boost or concrete winter session strategies.