Last-Minute Holiday Seasonality Ideas for Photographers

Click to view Steven's guest post

by Skip Cohen

​The finish line for 2025 is just a few weeks away, but the race for business is still on! However, if you've followed me for even the shortest amount of time, then you know I'm like a dog with a bone - I just don't give up! There's still time for you to make some noise and finish the year knowing you gave it your very best effort.

While there's nothing new for me to share from my past posts, here's a list of solid winners to help you bring the year to a spectacular close:

• Saying Thanks: As the poem goes on, Santa even checks his list twice to see who's been naughty and nice. So, how's your nice list looking? Are there vendors and associates whom you want to make sure you do something a little extra for this year? From delivery drivers who came through for you to florists, wedding planners, vendors, and even other photographers - remember to let them know you appreciate their support.​​
• Time To Mail Your Holiday Cards! There's still time to put your holiday cards together and get them on their way. And remember - no photographer should ever use a store-bought card - USE YOUR OWN IMAGES!
• "Idea Seeds" - use your social media presence, whether through your own blog or via Facebook and Instagram pages, to plant a few ideas for holiday gifts using photography. It's a little late to squeeze in a portrait session, but it's still possible. Plus, for clients you already photographed this year, now's the time to plant the idea seeds for printed work as gifts for people they're closest to. 

​

• Coloring Books: I've written so much about this idea from Steven Gotz in California. He even joined me with a guest post on the topic. The short version is that he took images from past family and even zoo shoots, removed the color, and turned them into line art. They became pages of coloring books that he gave his clients. And the concept works for virtually every specialty, even an adult coloring book for a boudoir client. The point is to create something unique for a client that makes them remember and appreciate you even more.
• Holiday Events in the Community: I know it's a busy time of year, but do your best to make time for some of the non-profit events happening around you. This is the perfect time to be a photojournalist, capturing the stories in your community and sharing them on social media, especially with the event coordinators themselves.

​​

• Email Blasts: There's still time to plant a few more seeds, but unless you jump on it right now, the clock is going to run out. However, there's no such thing as too much exposure, and even if you don't see any impact on your business, you're still reminding people who you are and what services you provide.
• Involvement in Your Community: From Meals on Wheels to Toys for Tots to food banks and hundreds of local charitable events, every organization needs help! Volunteer your services—with or without a camera in your hands—remind your community you're not just another retailer.
• Need New Gear: I'm still a big fan of post-holiday sales, but a lot is happening right now as vendors fight for the last dollars of 2024. If you need specific gear, now's the time to take a quick look and decide whether the last-minute deals best suit your needs.
• Tax Deductions: You have a little over a month left on tax-deductible expenses for your business. Are there investments you need to make before the end of the year?

Black Friday is just three days away, making this week critical for last-minute ideas to impact your business and brand awareness. The finish line for the year is just five weeks away, leaving you with just enough time to still have an impact.

You snooze, you lose...so don't snooze!

---