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Welcome to this week’s edition of SeniorInspire the Newsletter. It's not the most important email you’ll get today… but let’s be honest, probably top three.

This week we’re giving away a FREE copy of Start Smart: The Senior Photography Business Guide I Wish I’d Had. 🎉 Scroll down for the giveaway details.

We’re also talking about responding to inquiries... how many times you should follow up before it goes from “professional” to “this person is absolutely not taking the hint.” There’s a line. It’s a thin line. We’re going to find it.

In Why I Love This Image, we’ve got a beautiful, personality-packed image from April Manning that’s going to make you pause for a second look.

And our Photographer of the Week is Sharon Holy, who continues to do what she does best — consistently turning out strong, reliable, high-quality work.

Let’s get into it!

—Nick

This Week’s Question:
What’s the best way to follow up with inquiries… and when do you stop if they don’t respond?

This is one of those topics that sounds simple, but quietly costs photographers a lot of business.

Because most people don’t lose inquiries from pricing. They lose them from… disappearing.

Let me explain.

Start Here: Speed Matters More Than You Think

If you take one thing from this, it’s this. Follow up the same day if you can.

Not tomorrow. Not “when things slow down.” Not after you’ve had time to craft the perfect response.

Same day.

And if you can do it within a few hours, even better.

Think about your own experience. Let’s say you need a tree cut down. You call four companies and leave messages for all of them. You’re not analyzing their brand voice or comparing their pricing structure. You’re just waiting to see who actually calls you back.

And usually, one does... maybe two if you're extremely lucky.

Guess who gets the job? Yeah, not the guys who couldn't be bothered to message you back.

Don’t be the photographer who “meant to respond.” Be the one who actually does.

Match Their Method (Mostly)

In general, you want to follow up the same way potential clients reached out to you.

• If they text, text them back.
• If they call, return the call.
• If they email, respond by email.

Make it easy for them.

The one exception for me is when someone fills out a contact form on my website. I’ll send them a detailed email right away, but then I’ll also send a quick text letting them know to be on the lookout for it.

Because here’s the reality. A lot of emails end up in spam. They just do. And what feels like being ghosted is sometimes just… they never saw your response.

That quick text really cut down on the number of ghosts I had to deal with.

Facebook Messages… Proceed With Caution

If someone reaches out through Facebook, I’ll respond there, but I also try to move the conversation off the platform as quickly as possible.

Something simple like: “Hey, I just sent you a message here, but can I grab your email or phone number so I can send you the details?”

In my experience, trying to manage client communication entirely through Facebook Messenger is… not ideal. Messages get buried, notifications get missed, and things just feel less professional.

Get the conversation somewhere more reliable.

What About Calling?

When I first started, the advice was simple. Pick up the dang phone and call.

And in theory, that still sounds great. But in reality, people just don’t answer their phones the way they used to.

You can absolutely try it, especially if they reached out by phone first. But I’ve seen fewer and fewer inquiries start that way, and I’ve had much better success beginning my end of the conversation with email or text. It’s less intrusive, easier for them to respond on their own time, and more in line with how people communicate today.

When Do You Stop Following Up?

This is where a lot of photographers either give up too early… or follow up forever.

My general rule is three attempts.

If I’ve reached out three times and haven’t heard anything back, I assume they’re not a hot lead right now. But that doesn’t mean they’re gone forever.

At that point, I’ll move them to a cold prospect list and check back in with them once or twice during the season, especially if I have openings I’m trying to fill.

Because every once in a while, someone who went quiet suddenly becomes very interested again.

But after three ignored messages, you probably don’t want to keep chasing them like they’re your only lead. They’re not.

A Small Shift That Makes a Big Difference

Here’s the bigger picture. Following up isn’t just about “checking in.”

It’s about positioning yourself as someone who is organized, responsive, and easy to work with.

And in a world where people are used to being ignored, that alone can set you apart.

You don’t need a fancy system. You don’t need a perfectly worded email. You just need to be the person who actually responds, follows up, and makes it easy for someone to say yes.

Final Thought

Most inquiries aren’t lost because of your work.

They’re lost somewhere between “I’ll respond later” and… never responding at all.

Be the one who follows up. You’ll book more sessions without changing anything else.

Have a burning question you want answered in a future column? Head over to www.seniorinspire.com/asknick. I’ll be there manning the phones and waiting for your questions...

This week’s Photographer of the Week is Sharon Holy from Chardon, Ohio.

Sharon is one of those photographers whose personality comes through in her work in the best possible way. There’s a sense of joy and connection in what she creates that feels genuine, and you can tell her clients are having a great time in front of her camera.

I’ve really enjoyed following Sharon’s work, and I think you will too. Take a look at the images we’re sharing this week and get to know her a little better in her bio below.

Hi everyone, I’m Sharon, the photographer behind Sharon Holy Photography, based in Chardon, Ohio, a small city just east of Cleveland.

I feel like I’ve always had a camera in my hand, from school functions to sporting events, but I officially started my photography business 15 years ago. For most of that time, I’ve specialized in high school seniors. It’s such an honor to capture seniors as they enter this new journey and milestone in their lives.

I’m all about fun and energy. I’m the photographer cracking jokes (admittedly corny) to keep the vibe light. I love being each senior’s hype girl, creative storyteller, making sure they feel truly special, beautiful, and confident. From the first laugh to the final heirloom print, my goal is to make their senior portrait experience a highlight of their year!

My model team is truly one of my favorite parts of my business. I love collaborating with seniors to push artistic boundaries and step outside the traditional comfort zone, whether we’re highlighting their specific passion or bringing a unique, stylized vision to life. It’s the perfect opportunity for me to experiment with new techniques as well!

At the end of the day, my goal isn't just to deliver a gallery of images. It’s to provide a milestone experience with images and products that capture this chapter of their lives to be cherished for generations to come.

Hey! Want to be considered for our Photographer of the Week feature? Head to www.seniorinspire.com/potw and submit your work.

Remember, you don’t have to be the loudest. You don’t have to have the biggest following. You just have to be doing good work and willing to share it.

Let’s have a little fun this week.

I’m going to give away a free copy of Start Smart: The Senior Photography Business Guide I Wish I’d Had to one reader.

Entering is simple. Just hit reply or email me and tell me one problem you’re having with your pricing.

That’s it.

It could be something serious like:

• “I’m not making any money”
• “People aren’t spending what I thought they would”
• “I have no idea what I should be charging”

Or something slightly less serious like:

• “Every time I raise my prices, I panic and change them back”
• “I keep changing my pricing… again”
• “The dog keeps eating my homework”

No judgment here. I’ve heard all of these before, and probably said a few of them myself at one point.

I’ll pick one name out of a hat from everyone who replies and announce the winner in next week’s newsletter.

And if you're not feeling particularly lucky, but still want the book, hop over to Amazon and grab it. I think you'll be glad you did.

Each week, I’m spotlighting one standout image from the thousands of senior photos we’ve featured over the years — in the magazine, on Instagram, and beyond. Whether it’s the light, the vibe, or just that unexplainable something, these are the images that made me stop and say, “Wow.” 

This week’s Why I Love This Image comes from Kentucky photographer April Manning, and this one leans all the way into glamour in the best possible way.

Right away, it feels like a magazine cover. Everything about it is polished, intentional, and just a little bit bold. This is not a quiet portrait. It knows exactly what it wants to be and commits fully.

Let’s talk about that pose, because it’s doing a lot of the heavy lifting. That S curve is about as classic as it gets, and here it’s executed beautifully. It creates flow, it adds shape, and it gives the image that unmistakable sense of elegance and confidence. It’s not subtle, but it doesn’t need to be. This is one of those times where leaning into it is exactly the right call.

The over-the-shoulder pose paired with that expression is what really seals it. She’s not just looking back, she’s delivering a look. There’s confidence, a little attitude, and just enough edge to match the styling. It fits perfectly with the overall vibe. You can’t put someone in a dress like this and ask for a soft smile. This needed something stronger, and she absolutely delivers.

Speaking of the dress, it’s a showstopper. The texture, the color, the way it hugs and then flares, it all works. That pop of pink against the dark background creates instant separation and keeps your focus exactly where it should be. The volume in the sleeve adds just enough drama to balance the fitted shape, which keeps the image from feeling too rigid.

Hair and makeup are dialed in as well. The long, flowing waves add softness to contrast the structure of the pose, and the makeup enhances her features without overpowering them. The earrings are a great finishing touch. They catch the light and add a bit of sparkle that complements the dress without competing with it.

Lighting here is another quiet strength. It’s clean and controlled, shaping her face and body in a way that highlights form and texture. The background stays deep and unobtrusive, which allows the subject to stand out even more. There’s no distraction, just a strong, focused presentation.

Compositionally, I love how she’s framed within the darker panels. It gives the image structure and a bit of a high-end, editorial feel. Everything feels contained and intentional.

At its core, this image is about confidence and presence. It’s about stepping into a moment and owning it. That’s not always easy to pull off, but when it works like this, it really works.

So yeah, that’s why I love this image.

Are you teaching a workshop on the horizon, I’d love to help you spread the word. NO CHARGE - No strings.

Just send me the details and a graphic, and I’ll get it in front of a bunch of senior photographers who might want in.

SeniorInspire the Newsletter goes out to about 2,500 senior photographers across the country, and nearly half of them actually open it (the rest are slackers who probably don't go to workshops either).

Anyway, just reply to this email with the details and a graphic, and I’ll get it in front of a bunch of senior photographers who might just want in.

Simple as that.

If you made it this far and have any opinions or ideas I'd love to hear it. Good, bad, whatever. Just hit reply or send me an email and let me know what you think. I love the feedback!

Thanks for reading all the way to the end. I always appreciate you being here.

You can feel it, right? The weather’s starting to turn, the light’s getting better, and that little voice in the back of your head is saying, “Uh… busy season is coming.”

This is the calm before the chaos. The last few quiet weeks before your calendar fills up, your editing queue starts growing faster than you’d like, and your weekends mysteriously disappear.

So if there’s anything you’ve been putting off like dialing in your workflow, tightening up your pricing, or cleaning up your communication... now’s the time. Future you is about to be very busy… and very grateful you got your act together.

See you next week. Let the season begin. 📸

Nick
SeniorInspire

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