Here’s 3 things I did when I first started my photo business in Utah that directly lead to paid work: 1. ATTENDING STYLED SHOOTS - after moving from Florida to Utah, I didn’t have any photos in my portfolio that looked like I was even based here. I started attending styled photo shoots to expand my portfolio and start shooting in popular locations near me. Whether you create a styled shoot yourself or attend someone else’s, any event where you can build a diverse portfolio filled with images you’d love to shoot with a paying client will help you do so. I was able to show people what type of work they could expect if they booked with me. Always show, not tell! (Now I host styled shoot events - check out @shotatcolorpop !) 2. START AN AFFILIATE PROGRAM - When I got my first ever paying client after relocating (senior portrait session), I let them know that if they referred any of their friends to me for their own photos, I would pay them a commission. This was something I had never tried before but it actually worked! If you’re struggling to book new clients but have an archive of past ones, reach out to them and let them know you have an affiliate program. Word of mouth is still a great way to get booked. 3. PITCH TO LOCAL BRANDS - Directly pitching myself to local brands is another way I was able to get hired. Create a PDF file with your best work ( but make sure it’s similar in style to the brand you’re emailing) and let them know you’d love to be considered for any upcoming projects. Make sure to keep it brief and include direct links to your portfolio! Let me know if you’ve tried these methods and found success!