What to Post on Instagram During a Slow Season as a Family Photographer

If you’re a family photographer and you’ve been opening Instagram, scrolling past post after post of photographers showing off their latest sessions… while you haven’t had a shoot in what feels like weeks or even months… you’re not alone.

The truth is, every photographer goes through slow seasons. But no one really talks about it.

That’s why I created this YouTube video—because I’ve been there too. And I want to help you navigate what to do when you’re in a slower season and unsure of what to post.

📺 Watch the video below to learn the 3 types of content you can share when you’re in a lull—and why they still work to keep you top of mind and visible to future clients:

Why You Should Still Market Your Business During a Slow Season

A hard truth I’ve learned: Your marketing shouldn’t stop just because your bookings do.

Even when your calendar is quiet, you should still be showing up consistently. Why? Because your audience—especially those lurkers who are following but haven’t reached out yet still need to see your value and feel connected to you.

3 Content Ideas for the Slow Season

Here are the three types of content I recommend posting when you have no new sessions to share:

1. Behind-the-Scenes Content

Share how you edit, what gear you use, your process, or even your “why” behind your business. This kind of content helps your audience connect with you on a deeper level and reminds them what makes you different from other photographers.

2. Educational Content

You don’t have to be an industry educator to educate your clients. Think of FAQs, getting ready tips, seasonal guides (like how to prep for a fall mini session), or anything that helps your clients feel more prepared and confident. Bonus: this helps your SEO too!

3. Personal Connection Content

Let your audience get to know the real you. You don’t have to overshare, but little glimpses into your life—whether you’re training for a 5K, learning to bake, or reading a new book—help build trust and relatability.

When you weave these three together, you’re building consistency and trust, even when you’re not actively shooting.

Bonus Tip Not in the Video: Start Tracking Your KPIs

One of the biggest reasons I knew I was heading into a slower season this year? I track my marketing and business KPIs every single month.

Here’s what I track using Enji (my go-to marketing system):

• Income and expenses

• Number of sessions

• Google Analytics data

• Social platform performance

• Inquiry and conversion rates

Because I’ve been doing this month after month, I now know that July is historically a slower season for me here in Middle Tennessee. That knowledge lets me plan ahead with margin—mentally, financially, and strategically.

If you’re not tracking your numbers yet, I highly encourage you to start now.

Want Weekly Marketing Help That Works in Slow Seasons Too?

If this post resonated with you, I’d love to invite you to join the Family Photographers Marketing Society.

It’s a low-cost, high-impact weekly marketing membership made just for family photographers. Each week, I send out:

• Instagram post ideas tailored to your client’s journey

• Weekly email content ideas

• Local SEO prompts and strategies
  All in a simple Google Doc, delivered every Thursday.

It’s like having your own marketing plan handed to you every week—for the cost of a cup of coffee.

👉 Join the Family Photographers Marketing Society here

You’re Not Alone in the Slow Season

Whether you’re in your first year or your fifth, slow seasons happen. But you don’t have to let them derail your business or your confidence.

Keep showing up. Keep planting seeds. And stay consistent with your marketing.

If you found this helpful, let me know in the comments or send me a message—I’d love to hear what tip you’re going to try first.

Meet Your Fractional CMO & Launch Strategist for Family Photographers

Hi! I’m Dolly DeLong—a Nashville-based family photographer turned systems + marketing educator and Fractional CMO for family photographers and solo business owners.  After years of juggling motherhood, running a thriving family photography business, and helping other creatives behind the scenes with their launches and marketing, I realized something: the backend matters just as much as your booking calendar.

Now, I serve two kinds of faith-driven creatives:

• Family photographers who want to stop ghosting their audience and finally stay consistent with Instagram + email marketing. 

• Solo business owners who have a digital offer they want to launch—but feel completely overwhelmed by the pre-launch phase

Through my weekly podcast, YouTube channel, and blog, I offer strategic (but doable) content on systems, workflows, launch planning, and consistent marketing rhythms that won’t burn you out.

I’m here to help you stop duct-taping your backend together and instead build systems that support your life and values—whether you’re marketing mini sessions or launching a course.

When I’m not strategizing a launch calendar or batch recording content during nap time, you can find me photographing families in and around Nashville, watching reruns of Survivor, eating something sweet, or walking with a podcast in my ears. (Yes, I’m that girl.)

🎯 Ready to finally market with intention and launch with clarity?
Let’s get started—because you don’t have to do this alone.

👉 Work with me to plan out your launch
👉 If you are a family photographer needing marketing help click here