Text Messaging Transformed My Photography Business

When I think about the game-changers in my newborn photography business over the past couple of years, implementing text messaging ranks right up there with mastering Photoshop and developing my signature editing style. Let me take you behind the scenes of how this simple switch revolutionized how I connect with clients and dramatically improved my booking rates at our Boise studio.

The Email Communication Challenge

By early 2023, I was at my wit’s end with email communication. I had a healthy list of leads coming in from my website and social media, but it felt like shouting into the void. My carefully crafted emails with all their beautiful formatting and helpful information were disappearing into the black hole of spam folders, never to be seen again.

I’d spend hours creating the perfect email sequences, only to see dismal open rates. When I followed up, potential clients would often say, “Oh, I never got your email,” or worse, they just ghosted me entirely. I started to question whether my work was resonating with people at all. Maybe no one actually wanted newborn photos from me?

The frustration was real. I had all these potential clients but couldn’t seem to connect with them effectively. I was spending time creating gorgeous galleries and sample workflows, but if no one was seeing them, what was the point?

Why Traditional Communication Failed with Modern Parents

During a particularly frustrating week of zero email responses, I had a conversation with John Glaser that completely shifted my perspective. When he suggested implementing text messaging as a primary communication channel, I initially balked.

“Text messaging? For my professional photography business? That seems so… casual,” I remember telling him.

John just laughed and pointed out something I hadn’t considered: the demographic I was serving—new and expecting parents in their late 20s and early 30s—preferred texting over every other form of communication. They weren’t ignoring me because they weren’t interested; they were just communicating differently than I was.

“They don’t want to read a long email or pick up the phone,” he explained. “They’re sleep-deprived, juggling a million things, and they want quick texts that give them answers fast.”

The lightbulb moment hit me: I was trying to communicate with my ideal clients in ways that worked for ME, not them.

Implementing Text Messaging in My Photography Studio

After that conversation, I decided to integrate text messaging into my business workflow in early-2023. I personally use Skipio, but there are plenty of options out there—many CRMs now offer text messaging capabilities built right in. The key is finding a system that works with your existing workflow rather than adding more complexity.

The transition wasn’t without its challenges—I had to rethink how I communicated important information in shorter, more digestible formats—but the results were almost immediate.

Benefits of Text Messaging for Photographers

• Higher response rates: People actually started responding! Those “dead leads” suddenly came back to life.
• Faster client decisions: Questions got answered, appointments got scheduled, and most importantly, newborn sessions got booked.
• Reduced no-shows: My no-show rate for phone consultations and pre-session meetings plummeted thanks to automated text reminders.
• More personal connection: Brief but frequent communication built stronger relationships before clients ever entered our Glean & Co studio space.

Setting Professional Boundaries with Business Texting

One major reason I chose a dedicated business texting service rather than just using my personal phone number was to maintain clear professional boundaries. This has been absolutely crucial for my sanity and work-life balance.

When you’re photographing newborns, you’re working with parents who are often up at all hours. Without proper boundaries, you might find yourself getting messages at 2 a.m. from a mom who remembers to ask a question during a middle-of-the-night feeding. While I love my clients, I don’t need to be jolted awake by business texts when I’m trying to sleep!

Using a dedicated service allows me to:

• Set “business hours” for when texts can be delivered
• Create automated responses for after-hours messages
• Keep my personal phone number private
• Stay compliant with text messaging regulations and spam laws
• Give clients a professional way to opt out if they choose

I’ve set up an automatic response that goes out for any texts received outside of business hours:

“Thanks for reaching out to Glean & Co Photography! We’re in the studio Monday-Thursday, 9am-3pm, and a real person will respond to your message during those hours.”

This simple message manages expectations and keeps me from feeling like I need to be “on call” for my business 24/7.

Maintaining the Personal Touch in Text Communication

One crucial lesson I learned quickly was the importance of maintaining a personal touch in these messages. Nobody wants to feel like they’re getting automated texts from a robot, especially when they’re trusting you to photograph their precious newborn.

I make sure every text sounds like it’s coming from me—casual, friendly, and with just enough of my personality to make it feel authentic. Instead of “Your appointment is scheduled for tomorrow at 2 PM,” I’ll send something like “Can’t wait to chat about your new baby tomorrow at 2! I’m excited to hear your vision for the session. See you then!”

That small touch makes clients feel like they’re texting with a real person (which they are!), building that connection before we ever meet in person.

The Magic of Automation Without Feeling Automated

The real beauty of using a platform like Skipio is the ability to set up personalized touchpoints that happen automatically but don’t feel automated.

For example, I set up birthday texts for all my newborn clients:
“Happy FIRST birthday to sweet Ellie! Can’t believe it’s been a year since I got to snuggle that precious girl. Hope your celebration is as beautiful as she is! Would love to see you for a milestone session soon. cheers, Paige”

Those little messages take me seconds to set up when I book a client, but they make families feel remembered and valued long after our session. And yes, they often lead to booking those milestone sessions!

I also create seasonal marketing campaigns that can be scheduled months in advance:
“Fall mini sessions just opened up! Only 5 spots available for October 15-16. Reply YES to grab your spot before they’re gone!”

This has been especially helpful during the summer when I’m taking time off with my boys. I can set up all my fall booking texts in advance, so I’m still generating business while enjoying pool parties and gymnastics camp.

Choosing the Right Text Messaging Solution for Photographers

When selecting a text messaging platform for your photography business, consider these factors:

1. Integration capabilities: Does it work with your existing CRM or client management software?
2. Scheduling features: Can you set business hours and schedule messages for the future?
3. Personalization options: How easy is it to customize messages for individual clients?
4. Compliance tools: Does it help you stay within legal guidelines for business texting?
5. Cost structure: Is it based on number of contacts, messages sent, or a flat monthly fee?

If your CRM already includes texting features, that might be your simplest option to start. If not, standalone services like Skipio, TextMagic, or EZ Texting offer amazing features specifically for small businesses. (note, i only have experience with Skipio! Do your own research on the best option for your photography biz.)

The Results Speak Volumes

The numbers don’t lie: my booking rate increased by nearly 40% in the six months after implementing text messaging. My lead-to-client conversion time shortened from weeks to days in many cases. And perhaps most importantly, the stress of wondering if my communication was even reaching potential clients massively improved.

This shift also allowed me to develop more genuine connections with clients before they ever set foot in my studio. By the time they arrive for their session, we’ve already had multiple friendly text exchanges, making them feel comfortable and understood. It also helped me to know that the important information I was sending had actually been received, reducing misunderstandings and frustration for both sides.

Is It Right for Your Photography Business?

If you’re on the fence about adding text messaging to your client communication toolkit, ask yourself these questions:

Are your emails getting low open rates?
Do clients often miss appointments or seem uninformed about details you’ve sent?
Is your target demographic young parents or millennials?
Are you looking to streamline your client communication?

If you answered yes to any of these, it might be time to consider text messaging as a serious business tool rather than just a casual communication method.

Getting Started

If you’re ready to make the switch, start small. You don’t need to overhaul your entire communication system overnight. Begin by adding a quick “hello! Did you get the email I sent over?” text message to your inquiry process, and see how many clients respond.

From there, you can gradually build out automated sequences for different client touchpoints:

Inquiry follow-ups
Appointment reminders
Session prep information
Gallery delivery notifications
Review requests
Birthday wishes and milestone reminders

Remember, the goal isn’t to replace meaningful communication—it’s to meet your clients where they already are and make it easier for them to work with you.

Ready to revolutionize your client communication?

Our SMS and Email Communication Guides work seamlessly together to ensure you’re reaching clients effectively, regardless of their preferred communication style. Each guide comes in 12 different brand voices, so your messages always sound authentically like you – whether you’re warm and nurturing, direct and professional, or playfully creative. Stop losing clients to poor communication and start converting more inquiries today! Get the bundle here →

Cheers to no more ghosted inquiries!

Paige

Have you implemented text messaging in your photography business? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!