I'll be honest with you, there's no shortage of photographers.

If you've ever felt like you're shouting into the void and struggling to stand out in the saturated photography industry, you are not alone.

When I first started my business, I thought I had to appeal to everyone. Most of us want to be liked and want our work to be appreciated by all. However, appealing to everyone means that you blend in—not stand out. In order to connect with your dream clients and build a thriving photography business, you need to build a stand-out brand. Of course "branding" makes us thing of beautiful graphic design full of unique logos, curated fonts and color palettes, and an overall cohesive aesthetic. But there are other elements you can incorporate beyond design to build a stand-out brand. Here are 3 steps to help you get started!

Step 1: Hone in on your editing style.

Your editing style doesn't have to be perfect the first day you pick up your camera, and chances are, it will evolve over time. Ask yourself: what are you drawn to and inspired by? What feelings do you want your work to evoke?? Take note of these things and work towards incorporating them into your unique style. Although your style will ebb and flow throughout the years, it's important to stay consistent so your work becomes recognizable.

Allow Lightroom to be your playground. Spend some time tweaking colors and trying out different tools to find the style that best represents you and your brand. If you need some extra support when it comes to mastering your editing, I invite you to check out The Editing Course!

Step 2: Infuse your personality into your brand.

Photography is a personal business. It's your job to capture some of the most sacred moments in your client's lives. Therefore, they want to work with someone they know, like, and trust! Infusing your personality into your brand is how you build that connection with your audience and potential clients, and it also helps you develop a stand-out brand.

There are many other photographers out there. Some may have the same editing style as you. They may live in your area. They may be in your niche. YOU are the one thing that makes you totally unique from all of those photographers. Don't be afraid to show your personality, show up how you choose to (not how you think others want you to), and have fun with it. It may feel scary at first, but it will lead to more aligned clients and a booming business.

Step 3: Create an unforgettable client experience.

People always remember how you make them feel. Mastering your craft is important, but providing your clients with a knockout experience is what will turn them into raving fans. Your clients should feel like the stars of the show from that initial inquiry until final gallery delivery.

Think about how you can go the extra mile at every step with your clients. Going above and beyond with your client experience will inspire your clients to leave a 5-star review and refer their friends to you time and time again.

If you need support on this, I recommend checking out The Client Toolkit.

Each of these steps plays a key role in building your stand-out photography brand that can stand the test of time (and ever-changing algorithms). If you feel overwhelmed with where to begin, Rise Academy is the place for you! In this community, you'll find educational courses on photography and business to help you nail each of these steps, as well as additional resources and live coaching opportunities. This group is for you no matter where you are in your photography journey!