How to Restart Your Photography Business in a New City

Let’s talk about something that honestly makes my palms sweat just thinking about it: having to restart your photography business over in a brand new city. Leaving behind your client base, your vendor relationships, your local reputation… everything you’ve worked so hard to build? Terrifying.

But here’s the thing – while I hope I never have to start from scratch, there are some clear steps I know would need to happen to get the ball rolling. Whether you’re actually planning a move or just curious about how to build a strong local presence, let’s break down exactly how I’d approach rebuilding a photography business from the ground up.

How to Get Started in a New City – The Weekly Breakdown:

Week 1: Local Research & Networking

First things first – I’d grab my laptop and dive into serious research mode. Using our Pregnant in Your City guide as a framework, I’d map out:

• Local mom groups and pregnancy forums
• Birth centers and OB/GYN offices
• Popular baby boutiques
• Prenatal yoga studios
• Childbirth education centers
• Active doulas and midwives

Pro tip: Don’t just make a list – create a spreadsheet with contact info, social media handles, and notes about their business style. This becomes your networking roadmap.

Week 2: Digital Presence Setup

Before reaching out to anyone, I’d make sure my online presence is rock solid:

• Update my website with location-specific SEO
• Create a Google Business Profile with local keywords
• Set up location-targeted social media profiles
• Update all pricing and packages for the local market
• Create a simple inquiry workflow that highlights local availability

Week 3: Strategic Networking

Here’s where the magic happens. Instead of cold emailing everyone at once, I’d:

• Join 2-3 key local Facebook groups for moms and pregnant women
• Attend a local birth professional meetup (they exist in most cities!)
• Visit the top 3 baby boutiques as a “new local mom” to get a feel for their vibe
• Connect with 5 doulas or birth educators on Instagram
• Offer to grab coffee with 2-3 established photographers (not direct competitors)

The key? Be genuine. Don’t lead with “I’m a photographer looking for clients.” Lead with “I’m new to the area and love connecting with others in the birth and baby space.”

Week 4: Content Creation

Time to show up consistently with local-focused content:

• Share “new to the city” stories and adventures
• Highlight local spots relevant to new parents
• Create content answering common local questions
• Share tips about preparing for newborn photos in your specific climate
• Post about local baby-friendly cafes or parks

Week 5: Strategic Partnerships

Now that I’ve laid the groundwork, I’d focus on building real relationships:

• Offer headshots to birth professionals in exchange for network introductions
• Create location-specific resources for local birth centers
• Partner with a baby boutique for a mini session event
• Join the local chamber of commerce or professional photography groups
• Consider a small sponsorship of a local mommy-and-me class

The Secret Sauce to Starting Over in a New City: Solve Local Problems

Here’s what most photographers miss – every city has unique challenges for new parents. Maybe it’s:

• Limited indoor shooting locations during harsh winters
• High humidity affecting newborn comfort
• Local hospital policies about fresh 48 sessions
• Cultural considerations specific to your area
• Transportation challenges in urban areas

Become the photographer who understands and solves these local challenges. That’s your competitive edge.

The Long Game

Remember, building a local presence takes time. Focus on:

• Consistency in showing up (online and in person)
• Building genuine relationships (not just business connections)
• Creating value for your local community
• Adapting your approach based on what works in your specific market

And here’s the truth – while you’re building these connections, you might need to:

• Take on some lifestyle family sessions to build local word of mouth
• Offer a few strategic discounted sessions to key community members
• Invest time in local SEO and Google reviews
• Be patient as your reputation grows

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? Your success in a new market isn’t just about your photography skills or even your marketing budget. It’s about becoming a valued part of the local parent community.

Need help creating those strategic workflows and email templates for your local outreach?

That’s exactly what we designed our systems to do. You bring the local knowledge, we’ll help you turn it into bookings.

Ready to dive deeper into researching and connecting with your local market? Grab our Pregnant in Your City guide for just $27 to get started with your own location-specific strategy. It’s packed with email templates for both clients and vendors, a professionally designed canva template and video tutorials on exacmply how to map out your local birth and baby network efficiently.

What would you tackle first if you were restarting your photography business in a new city? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your strategy!