5 January Content Ideas for Photographers (That Actually Get Emails)

1. “10 Images I Almost Didn’t Deliver Last Year”

This one sounds risky. That’s why it’s gold. Share a small set of images you nearly didn’t include in galleries last year. Not because they’re bad, but because they’re quiet, weird, imperfect, or emotionally subtle. Tell the story behind that hesitation. Maybe they weren’t “strong enough”. Maybe they broke your usual rules. Maybe you only loved them later. Then explain why they did make it into the final delivery. Because they mattered. Because clients loved them. Because they told the story better than the obvious hero shots.

Why this is a good idea:
Clients are terrified of “choosing wrong”. When you show your own decision-making process, including doubt, you instantly feel more human and more trustworthy. It reassures people that you care deeply about their images too, not just the obvious highlights.

2. Your First Enquiry of the Year

Not the whole email. Not the details. Just the moment. Share a simple screenshot of your first enquiry of the year. Blur names, blur dates if you want. Pair it with a caption about how this is usually how the year starts, one email, quietly, without fireworks. Or write about how that first enquiry never feels dramatic. It’s just someone finally pressing send after weeks of thinking about it.

Why this is a good idea:
People don’t see themselves in “almost fully booked” posts. They do see themselves in that first brave email. This post normalises the act of enquiring, which is exactly the mental hurdle most January clients are stuck at.

3. The “What Happens If You Do Nothing” Post

This isn’t about pressure. It’s about honesty. Go a bit deeper than “dates fill up”. Explain how it actually happens. That bookings don’t usually flood in, they trickle. One January email turns into another. Calm conversations become decisions. Suddenly it’s March and options quietly disappear. You can mention how often you receive emails that start with “We didn’t think we needed to enquire yet…” followed by “…are you still available?” Keep it kind. No scare tactics.

Why this is a good idea:
People don’t avoid emailing because they don’t care. They avoid it because they underestimate momentum. This post explains time in a calm, factual way — which builds trust instead of panic.

4. A Short, Honest Guide: How to Find Your Perfect Photographer

Not “how to find the best photographer”. That’s subjective and boring. Write a short, friendly guide about how someone can find the right photographer for them. Talk about things like personality, communication style, how much guidance they want, how important printed photos or albums are, or how they want to feel on the day. You can even gently say: “This won’t always be me, and that’s ok.”

Why this is a good idea:
Helping people choose, even if they don’t choose you, positions you as confident and experienced. Ironically, this kind of honesty makes people more likely to enquire, because it removes pressure and builds credibility.

5. Share a Decision You Made for This Year (Not a Goal)

Goals are hopeful. Decisions feel solid. Instead of “this year I want to…”, talk about something you’ve already decided. Maybe you simplified your process. Maybe you reduced options because it overwhelmed clients. Maybe you stopped offering something that didn’t lead to the experience you wanted for people. Explain why you made that decision and how it improves things for your clients, not just for you.

Why this is a good idea:
People trust photographers who sound settled. Decisions signal experience. Experience makes people feel like they’re in good hands and that feeling leads directly to enquiries.

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