What is up, Climb Tribe? It’s time to dive deep into carving out your niche in this seemingly just really concentrated world of photography. As someone who’s navigated the chaotic waters of wedding and elopement photography, I get it. The first step in coming up for a breath is finding your niche in photography. It’s perfectly normal to feel lost in the crowd of insanely talented photographers on Instagram, wondering, “What the fuck am I doing here?” 

Let me level with you—I’ve been there too. Even with a multiple six-figure business, I’ve asked myself that same question. But here’s the thing: stumbling through this crowded industry teaches us how to step into our power and find our unique place. This episode is about exactly that: carving out your niche to attract couples who resonate with you, your voice, and your authentic style.

Pssst if you prefer to listen over reading, check out my podcast episode on this topic!

Carving Out Your Niche – The Climb with Kelsey – Apple Podcasts

Carving Out Your Niche – The Climb with Kelsey | Podcast on Spotify

Feeling Lost in a Crowded Market, Why You Need to Identify Your Niche in Photography

Let’s back up, what is a niche in photography? Confession time. Early in my career, I photographed anything that stayed still long enough —flowers, trees, even my poor family with classic portrait photography, endless candids. Got fifty bucks for a dog’s birthday party? I was in. I LOVE mountains, maybe I should also be a landscape photographer! All of these areas are totally niches!! But you have to focus on ONE! While I was interested in these things, being the jack of all trades left me scattered. I started to feel like people only cared for my work because of the price tag, not me or my art.

Should you have a niche? The truth in any industry is this: people want specialists. Elopement photographers, especially, need to specialize because elopement couples crave someone who understands their unique journey. The more specific you become IE niching down, the better you’ll connect with your couples, and they won’t be looking at the price tag—they’ll be seeing your value.

Now, they’ll be those in the industry who talk about Why It’s Not Important to Find Your Photography Niche. This is good advice for your personal photography! If photographing dogs in the street makes you happy, do it!!! But keep your website, social media, and elevator pitch focused on what you want to do for your business. 

iPhotography reiterates, “I don’t think you NEED to have a photography niche unless you are trying to start your own business. Outside of trying to go pro you don’t need to define your photography style otherwise. There is more importance to finding a niche when it comes to your business and income because you’ll be competing with other photographers in your area.” Yep, that’s the hammer and the nail we are talking about. 

When you have decided on your niche, follow these 25 Must Do Steps!

Discovering Your Unique Voice

What I really want to stress is that it’s not about which niche is best for photography. It is about what niche is best for YOU! Being authentic and yourself is going to get you far more results (and make you way fucking happier) than trying to be something you are not.

Let’s get real about discovering your unique voice as a photographer. Step away from Instagram, go to your happy place, and ask yourself: What do you love about photography? Who are your dream clients? What makes you different?

For me, the joy I see in couples and the beauty of nature fuel my passion. My dream clients aren’t just those with a big budget; they share my values of authenticity and adventure. And my ‘different’ comes from personal experience—a sad story, but one that warms my heart.

I lost my dad when I was 19. It sunk in that life’s too short to live with regrets. I cherish the emotions of the present, and I’m drawn to couples who do, too—who ditch the rules and live their wedding day their way. That story is my superpower, and it’s shaped how I photograph and connect with clients.

What kind of couples are you drawn to? What is the common theme? Once you have narrowed down on this, you can focus on how to market to them!

How to Communicate Your Value with Your Niche in Photography

The two most important things you need to look for in your website is clarity and consistency. If clients are struggling to understand your brand, you will lose them. Go through your website and see what it says. You don’t have to be SUPER niche, but if you promote action photography, landscape photography, newborn photography, wedding photography then you are losing couples. We brand ourselves as adventure elopement specialists, that’s the value we bring. Can we take a photo of a baby? Sure. Will it be the best newborn photo you have ever seen? Sorry, no. It’s just not where we practice our craft.

All of these will help you price with a purpose.

Translating Your Voice into a Brand Message

Once you’ve discovered your niche in photography, use your voice to translate it into your brand message. Tell your damn story! People connect with stories, and your journey is worth sharing. Why do you wake up each morning to work as a photographer? Let that belief fuel everything—your content, your brand, your entire business.

Solve your clients’ problems through your story. Maybe your dream clients are overwhelmed by traditional wedding pressures. Use your experiences to empower them, educate them, and offer honest-to-God resources. Your brand story becomes their guide.

You have your Niche in Photography Now You Need to Attract Aligned Clients

So how do you whisper into the ether and attract your aligned clients? When your message aligns with your voice, it’s like sending a bat signal into the sky. Your dream clients will flock. Use storytelling in your marketing, build a killer portfolio, and get your SEO game on point. Blogging is your BFF for attracting clients who are searching for answers that only you can uniquely provide.

Avoiding the Comparison Trap

Ah, Instagram—the highlight reel of perfection. It can make you feel like you’re not good enough. Trust me, it happens to me at least once a week. But the trick is to spend less time scrolling and more time focusing on your path. Celebrate every win and practice gratitude daily.

Remember, Climb Tribe, nobody else can do it the way you can. The world needs your unique voice, your passion, your story. So go out there and fucking own it. Be you. Your clients need you, just as you are. Keep climbing, keep shining, and never be afraid to be yourself.

Ready to work together? Check out Coaching for elopement photographers