Email Marketing for Photographers: How Flodesk Solves Your Client Booking Struggles

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As a photographer, I know firsthand the struggle of juggling multiple tasks, from booking clients to managing your shoots and everything in between. Yet one of the biggest pain points I hear from photographers is this: “I need more clients!”

It’s not just about taking stunning photos, it’s about nurturing relationships, staying top of mind, and converting leads into paying clients. And the best tool to help you do that? Email marketing.

But here’s the thing: many photographers either aren’t using email marketing or they’re overwhelmed by how to start. That’s why I want to introduce you to Flodesk, the email marketing platform that’s not only easy to use but also a game-changer for photographers struggling with client bookings.

billboards on a street marketing Flodesk, an email marketing system

Why Email Marketing Is Essential for Photographers

If you’re relying solely on Instagram, word of mouth, or the occasional ad to bring in clients, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful tools for growing your photography business: email marketing.

Unlike social media, where algorithms can bury your posts, email marketing lands directly in your clients’ inboxes—right where you want to be. Plus, we don’t own social media and it could go away overnight (how many people do YOU know who’ve been hacked?!)

Email marketing is your personal direct line to potential clients. It’s a chance to connect, build trust, and show off your beautiful work. Every time I send an email to my list, I book a client – I’m not joking! The key is that I am do not overload them with “fluff”; I send them value.

Think of it like this: when someone subscribes to your email list, they’re saying, “I’m interested.” Now it’s your job to nurture that interest until they’re ready to book. That’s where Flodesk comes in.

Why Flodesk Is Perfect for Photographers

Flodesk is the perfect email marketing platform for photographers because it combines stunning design with simplicity. No more clunky platforms or hours spent trying to figure out how to make things look good. Flodesk’s drag-and-drop email builder makes it easy to create beautiful, on-brand emails that reflect your photography style. Whether you specialize in high school seniors, headshots, or weddings, your emails will always look as polished as your photos.

Plus, Flodesk has a suite of features that solve many of the common problems photographers face:

  • Beautiful, customizable templates: Flodesk’s templates are designed to look modern and sophisticated, so even if you’re not a designer, your emails will look like they were crafted by one. This is huge for photographers who want their brand to shine through every touchpoint. You can even create and share some of yours with friends or even sell them.
  • Automations that save you time: Instead of manually emailing each new inquiry, Flodesk allows you to set up automated workflows that nurture leads while you’re busy behind the camera. Especially during busy season like we’re in now, this is a key factor too many of you are not taking advantage of. You’re swamped September – December and then come January, you don’t have clients (I call this the feast or famine cycle) and Flodesk will help you get off that roller coaster!
  • List segmentation: With Flodesk, you can segment your email list to send more targeted and relevant content. Maybe you have a list of clients who have booked senior portraits, and another of people who have inquired about headshots. Flodesk lets you tailor your messages to fit each group’s specific needs and it is SO easy.

👉 Ready to elevate your email marketing? Get 50% off your first year of Flodesk.

graphic of a computer showing flodesk, an email marketing serviceHow to Use Flodesk to Book More Clients

Now, let’s talk strategy. It’s not enough to just send out pretty emails—you need a plan that will help you attract and convert leads into clients. You know that I am all about combining strategy and mindset, so here are some tips to get you started with Flodesk and email marketing:

✅ Create a Lead Magnet to Attract New Subscribers

A lead magnet is an incentive that encourages potential clients to join your email list. This could be a free guide, a discount on your services, or even a printable that would appeal to your target audience. For example, if you’re a senior photographer, offer a free guide titled, “10 Must-Do’s During Senior Year.” (Hint: try and think of SEO-optimized, but not overly done topics so you stand out). Once they subscribe, you can follow up with a series of automated emails that lead them toward booking a session – without you having to do this manually.

Example: Click HERE to grab a doc of all my best tips for senior photographers looking for more clients.

✅ Send Regular Newsletters to Stay Top of Mind

The key to email marketing success is consistency. Don’t just send emails when you have a promotion or a session opening—make it a habit. Share behind-the-scenes stories from your shoots, tips on how to prepare for a session, or highlight recent client work. Flodesk makes it easy to design visually stunning newsletters that your subscribers will love to open. I even send my subscribers little gifts every now and then, like free Starbucks coffee (easy to do by uploading a photo of your bar code). Click HERE to see a recent email I sent to my photography clients and if you like that template, feel free to add it your own Flodesk! 

✅ Use Automations to Nurture Leads

One of the most powerful features of Flodesk is its automations. You can set up a sequence of emails that automatically sends when someone subscribes to your list. This can include a welcome email, followed by a series of emails introducing your photography services, sharing client testimonials, and offering limited-time promotions to encourage bookings. It’s like having a virtual assistant doing the follow-up for you—without you having to lift a finger. You guys, if you not using this …. please get on it asap.

✅ Segment Your List for Personalized Messaging

Not all of your subscribers are the same, so why send everyone the same email? With Flodesk, you can segment your list based on the type of photography services your subscribers are interested in. For instance, you can create one segment for clients who’ve booked family portraits and another for those who are interested in headshots. Tailoring your messaging to specific segments shows your audience that you understand their needs, and it increases your chances of converting leads into clients. I love that I can exclude lists as well.

TIP: Flodesk also added a new feature called LINK ACTIONS: Link actions give you the ability to automate actions when subscribers click on a specific link in an email. Members can now add a link action to the following types of links: text, layout, image, video, Instagram, link bar, button, countdown and e-commerce blocks.

graphic that says introducing link actions for automations from flodesk email marketing platform

Actions available are: Add to segment(s) Remove from segment(s) Add to workflow(s) Remove from workflow(s) Update custom field

Here’s a quick How To:

  1. For plain text blocks
    1. Highlight the text you want to link
    2. Select the link option and add a URL. (Note – a URL must be added for the link actions button to be clickable!)
    3. After the URL has been added, click the lightning bolt.

       

    4. Add any link actions that you choose by clicking the “Add Actions” button
  2. For buttons, layouts, ecommerce, countdown timers, and other blocks:
    1. Select the block that you want to link
    2. In the right hand panel, click the “link” tab
    3. Add a URL to the URL box
    4. At the bottom of the tab, click the dropdown for “Choose Action” to select the link action you’d like to add

✅ Make Booking Easy with Integrated Call-to-Actions

Every email you send should have a clear call to action (CTA) that makes it easy for your audience to take the next step. Whether it’s booking a consultation, signing up for a mini session, or simply replying to your email with questions, make sure the CTA is clear and easy to follow. Flodesk’s easy-to-use buttons and links make this seamless, so you can guide your subscribers exactly where you want them to go.

👉 Want to see how Flodesk can simplify your email marketing? Try it out and get 50% off your first year.

Flodesk’s Checkout Feature: A Game-Changer for Selling Your Photography Services

One of the most exciting new features Flodesk has rolled out is the Flodesk Checkout, which simplifies selling products or services directly through customizable, high-converting sales pages. This is a game-changer for photographers looking to sell digital products like presets, e-books, or even online photography workshops—without needing a separate website or complicated e-commerce setup.

Flodesk Checkout is built with simplicity in mind, allowing you to set up beautiful sales pages that match your branding and convert more effectively. Whether you’re selling physical prints, booking photo sessions, or offering digital downloads, the process is seamless and integrates with Stripe for smooth payment processing.

Plus, Flodesk takes things to the next level by enabling upsells and discount codes, giving you the tools to maximize your revenue without additional stress. This is perfect for photographers who want to offer package deals, discounted session bundles, or even add-on products during the booking process.

With Flodesk’s Checkout feature, you can sell your services while maintaining a gorgeous, on-brand experience for your clients—without the need for an extra platform. Whether you’re booking headshots, senior sessions, or offering limited-time mini sessions, Flodesk Checkout makes it easy for your clients to pay, and for you to make more money effortlessly.

👉 Ready to start selling your photography services with ease? Try Flodesk and get 50% off your first year.

By incorporating Flodesk’s Checkout feature into your photography business, you’ll find yourself spending less time on the tech and more time behind the camera—where you truly shine.

screenshot of the checkout options selling a photography session from Flodesk, an email marketing platform

Bringing It All Together: How Flodesk Can Transform Your Photography Business

As photographers, we’re often pulled in a million directions—shooting, editing, marketing, client management—and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when you’re not booking enough clients. But here’s the thing: the missing piece could very well be email marketing.

When I’m coaching photographers, 8 out of 10 will report that they either do not use email marketing at all or they use it maybe once or twice a YEAR! I’m not saying that social media marketing isn’t important, but it should NOT be your first line of marketing. In my minicourse Repurpose, I teach you how to start with a long form piece of content like your blog, then email a portion to your list, THEN create content from that long form piece of content.

You should not be creating new content constantly; when you have a system in place, and you are delivering value straight to your target clients, you WILL stay booked and busy!  

With Flodesk, not only do you get stunning email designs that capture attention, but you also have access to tools that make nurturing and converting leads a breeze. From customizable forms that help you grow your list faster, to the new Checkout feature that allows you to sell your services and digital products directly from your emails, Flodesk makes it easier than ever to connect with potential clients in a meaningful way.

Flodesk’s powerful automation tools save you time by handling follow-ups for you, while their segmentation features ensure that every email you send is highly targeted to the right audience. The smart link actions and in-depth analytics help you stay on top of your email marketing game, making data-driven decisions that increase engagement and, ultimately, bookings.

If you’re struggling to book clients and want to streamline your marketing without the headache, Flodesk is your answer.

The platform does more than send beautiful emails—it’s a complete client conversion machine designed to work for you behind the scenes so that you can focus on what you love: capturing moments. Don’t let tech overwhelm you or hold you back from growing your business.

👉 Ready to book more clients and simplify your workflow? Get started with Flodesk and enjoy 50% off your first year 

Flodesk is the secret weapon that photographers need to finally master their marketing and fill their calendars. Let’s get you booked solid!

mockup of a laptop computer on a beige background showing the email marketing platform Flodesk

Like these kinds of posts? Make sure you’re subscribed so you can get them delivered straight to your inbox by clicking HERE.  And don’t forget to follow and subscribe to my podcast “Tried & True With a Dash of Woo”, where I chat all things strategy and magic for creative entrepreneurs just like you!

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