How to Gain a Photography Portfolio When You Have Zero Leads

When starting my photography business one of the biggest things holding me back was how I did not have a portfolio of work to show. I had a degree, experience as a yearbook photographer (Yet not smart enough at the time to save any of those photos), and part of not one but two photography organizations. but at the end of the day people choose to hire you based off your actual work, all the other stuff just helps with credibility.

I really did not know where to start with getting clients, outreach on social media with the response, "Do you have examples of your work?" Photographing friends and family whose schedule never lined up with mine? And being a second shooter for someone is easier said than done. None of it worked.

I was joining photography groups on Facebook to try to help my exposure and I realized there is a lot of people willing to have there pictures taken for free, or at least exchange for free photos. I was honestly shocked by the amount of response and Dms I was getting forthe ad I put out on two different groups and it and it was really exciting. It definitely took a while because some people would end up ghosting me or flaking out, live hours away, or kept pushing it off, but it worked. In about a month and a half, I finally had enough work and pictures to add to my website, and enough content to start posting on my Instagram and Facebook as well. 

It worked out better than expected because some people would say, "Can I bring my boyfriend," or mention how they play an instrument and it would turn into more than taking self portraits. I then could create a portfolio of work for more niches which really worked out well. On top of that if it really is your first time taking photos it's okay if some of them turn out blurry or not centered because it isn't a paying client. Also since they are doing it for exchange of photos rather than paying you, you have the freedom to try new ideas you have, see what works, what doesn't work, it helps you find your style without pressure. You also get to learn how to work with different types of people and different personalities. Figure out how to bring really stiff, tense, people out of there shell and relax, maybe you can't, meet someone and they be insanely cool and fun to work with. I felt out all of them.

Pro bono work may not be ideal and what you had in mind for your first clients, but it definitely works.