Podcast Ep 401 - Before You Join a Networking Group, Listen to This
Before You Join a Networking Group, Listen to This
Many photographers are told the same thing: “You need to network if you want bookings.” So they join local groups, attend weekly meetings, introduce themselves, and commit their time, hoping it will lead to steady clients.
And sometimes… it doesn’t.
In this episode, we hear what it actually looked like after a full year of showing up consistently—early mornings, weekly meetings, building relationships—and still seeing only a handful of direct photography bookings come from it. Not because networking is useless, but because photography referrals work differently. People don’t pass along a photographer’s name the same way they recommend a realtor or insurance agent. The timing has to be right. The trust has to already exist. And the need has to be personal.
That realization can feel discouraging at first, but it’s also clarifying.
The goal isn’t just to “do what everyone says works.” The goal is to understand where your effort creates traction. Networking might build confidence, visibility, and communication skills. It might help you learn how to talk about your work. However, it doesn’t automatically translate into immediate income—and that doesn’t mean it failed.
It means the return might look different from what was expected.
The photographers who last aren’t the ones who chase every strategy. They’re the ones who pay attention. Who asks:
- Where do my clients come from?
- What environments feel aligned with the people I want to serve?
- Where does my time feel invested—not just spent?
Before joining a networking group, the better question isn’t “Will this get me clients?”
It’s “What role do I want this to play in my growth?"
While community, confidence, and learning to speak about your work all matter, none of them replaces clarity about how your business grows.
And sometimes the most powerful shift isn’t finding the perfect group.
It’s realizing you’re allowed to build your photography business in a way that fits you—not just the advice you keep hearing.
