Smiler Photographer Suite

5 Common Booking Mistakes Photographers Make and How to Avoid Them

Photographers often rely on contact forms to capture leads, but converting that interest into a scheduled and paid booking is where the second challenge begins. At Smiler, through working with over 20.000 photographers and delivering over 4 million photos to clients, we've cracked the code to securing

Smiler Photographer Suite

How to Optimise Your Smiler Storefront to Get More Photography Clients

Today we're going to help you turn your Smiler Storefront into a client magnet. This guide shows key steps to maximise your profile, enhance visibility, and drive sales. Following these steps, you'll learn how to refine your portfolio, improve your SEO, and use Smiler’s tools

Photography Industry

Client Galleries vs. WeTransfer vs. Zip Files: An Honest Comparison

A seamless, professional photo delivery process can greatly enhance client satisfaction, word-of-mouth referrals, and optimise a photographer’s workflow. At Smiler, we believe that client happiness is paramount, and after delivering over 4 million photos through our platform, we've found that client galleries offer the best experience for

The Best Online Booking Solution Every Photographer Needs

A standout feature of the Smiler Photographer Suite is 'Services'. This tool allows photographers to present unlimited packages and products on their Storefronts. Potential clients have an easy way to browse their offerings, book, and pay in just a few clicks. This smooth process ensures minimal friction between

Resources

How Much Does It Really Cost to Start a Photography Business?

So, you’re thinking about becoming a professional photographer? It’s an exciting step, full of creative possibilities, but we know it can also feel a bit overwhelming when it comes to the practical side—especially the financial aspects. To build a strong foundation for your professional photography career, it’

Resources

Checklist: Are You Ready to Start a Full-Time Photography Career?

Thinking about becoming a full-time photographer? It’s a bold and exciting move that can be incredibly rewarding! While there’s a lot to handle behind the lens, with the right mindset you can build a business that not only supports you financially but also brings personal and professional fulfilment.

Photography Industry

Insider Tips from Pros: Running a Successful Photography Business

In the photography industry, simply being skilled behind the camera isn’t always enough to thrive as a business because success requires much more than a passion for the craft or creative vision. Photographers also need to handle the business side of things to build a sustainable career. Why do

Photography Industry

Practical Tips for Managing Finances as a Photographer

In the photography industry, there exists a dilemma between passion for photography and financial pragmatism. For many photographers, the love for capturing photos and creating visual stories is what drives them. However, the reality of running a successful photography business requires a keen understanding of financial management – a skill that

Productivity

The Ultimate Checklist for a Better Business Workflow for Photographers

In the competitive world of photography, time is more than just money—it's the difference between capturing the perfect shot and missing it entirely. As a photographer, your passion lies in capturing photos that tell compelling stories. However, the reality of running a successful photography business often means

Productivity

Smart Photography Business Planning for Year-Round Success

The photography industry is inherently cyclical, with peak seasons often dictated by weather, holidays, and cultural events. Understanding these patterns and adapting your business strategy accordingly can be the difference between struggling to make ends meet and a thriving year. In this guide, we'll discuss unique seasonal challenges

Photography Industry

From Parkour to Pixels: My Journey into Travel Photography and Blogging

I still remember the exact moment my passion for travel and photography ignited. It was 2015, and I had just returned from an exhilarating trip to Southeast Asia with four of my parkour friends. We spent three unforgettable weeks exploring Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, where we filmed parkour videos, captured

Productivity

The Photographer's Guide to Nailing Fall Photography

Ah, fall—the season of every photographer’s dream: crispy leaves begging to be the main character in every outdoor photoshoot. If you're tired of reading the same old tips about “golden hour” and “leading lines,” it’s time to spice things up (and no, we’re not

Productivity

How to Turn Your Instagram Followers into Paying Photography Clients

In 2024, Instagram remains a powerhouse platform for photographers to showcase their work and build a loyal following. While likes and engagement are great for visibility, they don’t necessarily translate into booked clients or revenue. One of the main challenges for photographers on Instagram is transforming those double-taps and

Photography Industry

Mastering Mountain Photography: A Journey through Iraqi Kurdistan with Practical Tips

Ahh, the mountains! They're one of the best landscapes for beautiful pictures, if you know how to shoot them!  I'm Chris Oberman, a travel blogger and photographer, living in a different country every two years. Recently, I've lived in the northern part of Iraq,

Photography Industry

Photography Gear or Skill: What Makes a Better Photographer?

The never-ending debate between gear and skill has been a constant source of discussion and controversy. As technology advances and new equipment flood the market, photographers are left wondering: does better gear really mean better photography? Today, we'll go deep into the heart of this question with insights

Smiler Photographer Suite

The New-and-Improved Storefronts: A Photography Website That Stands Out

Many photographers feel a bit of a panic when building a website. There’s so much to think about—choosing the right layout, picking the perfect photos, writing all the copy, and... It’s exhausting just thinking about it! Some photographers start enthusiastically, only to quickly realise that building a

Photography Industry

Photographer Spotlight: Dyutima Jha's Inspiring Journey to Food Photography

Meet Dyutima Jha, an architect-turned-commercial and editorial food photographer and podcaster based in Singapore. As the first South Asian woman to host a food photography podcast, My Food Lens, she has made a significant mark in the industry. After dedicating 15 years as an architect designing healthcare facilities around the

Photography Industry

Building a Strong Personal Brand as a Professional Photographer

The landscape of visual storytelling is evolving rapidly leading photographers to face tougher competition than ever. With the democratisation of photography through smartphones and affordable high-quality cameras, differentiating yourself in this crowded market has become a difficult task. That's why many photographers look for a distinctive edge, such

Photography Industry

Location Scouting: How to Find the Perfect Photoshoot Backdrop

In the photography industry, the backdrop can set a good photo apart from a great one. Whether you're shooting for a wedding, a fashion show, or a simple portrait, the location sets the tone, adds context, and breathes life into your photographs. This is where location scouting comes

Photography Industry

First Looks: What Photographers Need to Know About This Wedding Trend

First look photos has been one of the fastest rising wedding trends. Let’s look at some of the reasons why it is so popular and discuss some of the pros and cons.

Photography Industry

How I Increased My Revenue to Over Six Figures Annually as a Wedding Photographer

In the competitive world of wedding photography, standing out requires more than just talent behind the lens. It involves strategic business practices, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. As a seasoned wedding photographer and videographer, I've generated over $200,000 in revenue for three consecutive years.

Smiler Photographer Suite

Smiler's Latest Feature Updates are Here to Turn 'Busy' into 'Breezy'

As a professional photographer, you're all too familiar with the fact that time is a limited commodity. With the new product updates to your Photographer Suite, you'll be able to manage your calendar better, save time on admin work and make it irresistibly easy for clients

Resources

Preventing Burnout: Self-Care Strategies for Photographers

For many, the prospect of turning a passion into a profession is often defined as a "dream job". While the life of making a living through a creative pursuit like photography might seem simple and fun, the reality is often much more complex. What many people don'

Photography Industry

Dan Higginson on Managing a Wedding Photography Business

Dan Higginson, a documentary wedding photographer, shares some wisdom in the hope of helping you on your journey of managing your photography business.

Productivity

Top 5 Tips to Create a Memorable Photographer 'About Me' Page

Do you think your 'About Me' page is just a bio? Think again! A well-written 'About Me' page can do more for your business than any other self-promotion material. It shows who you are, what you value, and how you work, all these insights can'