3 Easy Tips for Getting Rehired by Your Existing Clients

I’ve been a photographer for over 10 years, and I wanted to share these three simple things I do to get rehired by my existing clients.

Now, there are obviously many things that you can try. But I wanted to share the things that have worked for me that I think are somewhat effortless and also don’t annoy brands or clients. 

You can watch or read the tips. It’s your choice, but if you’re ready to get rehired by existing clients then let’s jump right in!

Getting Rehired by Existing Clients Tip 1: Share a Concept Idea With The Client

This is my personal favourite and something I love doing. It feels effortless and doesn’t feel like work. It makes it really easy to reach out to clients. 

I’m constantly on social media and Pinterest and looking at different concepts for photography. So when something really sparks my imagination or I get inspired by it, I always save the idea. 

This helps with inspiration for shoots and I use this method for an existing cocktail client I work with. I think about the specific types of liquor brands and recipes that I can create for them. 

So when I find something that I think is really cool, that I would love to work on and that aligns with the brand, I save it into a specific folder. Imagine getting rehired by existing clients to create work you’re excited about.

Then I reach out to that client and pitch my new idea and concept. Just like the images above. I pitched this idea to them.

Clients love this for a number of reasons, especially if it’s a small brand, because not only are you being proactive but because you’re helping them out with creative concepts. You’re also demonstrating you understand the brand’s needs and can bring something innovative to the table.

The best part of all is typically once I’ve shared these ideas with clients, I’ve gotten hired and paid to create the things that really excite me. 

Getting Rehired Tip 2: Reshare Client Work on Social Media

Not to be underestimated, the power of this next tip is really simple and easy – but it works!

Reshare a photo from a job that you did with a client.

In my photography business, I have monthly retainer clients, clients I work with for over a quarter for a specific season. Then there are other clients that I work with maybe once a year. 

The clients I work with once a year, are the ones that I need to make sure they remember me. What I like to do to get rehired by existing clients I only shoot for once a year is share a photo that I love from a particular photo shoot.

Then I mention or tag the brand, the creative agency, and the art director. This works as a little reminder to say, “Hey, I’m still here and I’d love to work with you”. 

What I’ve learned over doing this for a number of years is that people that work at magazines, agencies, and brands, they’re just people that have jobs and they move on to other jobs. Whoever takes over that job, doesn’t know I exist. So you just wanna pop in and stay relevant. 

The aim here is that the new employees will remember who you are and decide to reach out.

BONUS TIP: It can also work in the opposite direction. If your contact moved to a different creative agency. They may remember you and pitch to have you on a job as the photographer because you did such a good job last time and were really good assets.

Send Portfolio Updates via Email: Getting Rehired Tip 3

My third tip is just to send a simple email. I hear you though, what if you are unsure what to put in that email? What’s gonna help you stand out and be helpful to the client? 

My recommendation is to reach out with either a portfolio update or share a new skill that you’ve acquired.

Maybe you’ve started doing beverage photography, or maybe you’ve mastered noodle styling.

You might have a bunch of new props or you’ve moved into a new studio. Perhaps there’s something more you can offer them with your photography service. 

Sometimes it can feel icky like we’re bothering a brand by emailing them. But after doing this for so many years, you’ll be surprised at what will come back.

Don’t let those little voices tell you what to do because your email could just be the saviour that a client is looking for. 

On the flip side of that perhaps the client doesn’t get back to your email and as a creative, we can take that personally, like we’re just not good enough for the client to hire us. But what we have to remember is that email is text. 

No matter how good that photo is, if the subject line wasn’t enticing for them to click on or their inbox just got bombarded, then they’re never going to see that photo. So we just have to keep trying and be courteous.

How do You Cut Through The Noise?

I’ve been lucky enough to do some social media account takeovers with large brands, and I’ve seen what’s on the other side. I’ve seen what it’s like for brands and how many people are reaching out to them. 

They get hundreds of direct messages. Hundreds of tags t in a day. I tell you this not to let that put you off, but sometimes there’s a lot of noise out there.

I think the way that we do that is we want to be really thoughtful in the content we’re sharing. You want to tag them in your best work only. Don’t tag them every day in hundreds of things. 

Sometimes with brands that I really wanted to work with, it took me like five years to get there. 

The key things to remember here are to share something you’re passionate about, share your best work, and just show up time and time again. 

If you enjoyed this post on getting rehired by existing clients, make sure you also check out Practical Tips for Client Creative Briefs For Photographers: What to Include.