How I Use Flodesk for Email Marketing as a Newborn and Family Photographer

During my newborn and family photoshoots I focus on including standout, personal touches that really make my clients feel cared for and embody the luxury experience that I’m known for. One thing my clients always comment on after their photoshoot is how beautiful the emails I send them are.

I don’t just send out your average plain text emails. Instead, I use the email marketing platform Flodesk to create aesthetic emails that people actually want to read. Whether this is the first time you’ve heard of Flodesk, or you’ve used it before, I’m going to tell you a little more about how I use it to level up my business as a photographer.

( Before we get started, if you want 50% off your first year’s Flodesk subscription, use the code SUZIBIRD or click here )

An example of an email I send my clients using Flodeks

Why Email Marketing Is Important for Family Photographers

You might think that email marketing is just about sending out monthly newsletters or offers, which of course it works perfectly for, but you can also use it to enhance your client experience, build trust with your clients and emulate an even stronger personal brand.

Not only this, but it enables you to prepare your clients for their photoshoot experience. Have you ever done a few instagram posts about what to wear, hoping your upcoming clients see it but it passes them by? Or maybe you’re currently sending them blog posts on what to wear, hoping they’ll click the link and read it? This used to be me too.

In reality, our clients are leading busy lives. They want the details they need to know handed to them quickly and efficiently, without having to read long blog posts and search for information. So, by creating detailed client journey emails, you can send everything they need to know right into their inbox in a format that they’re much more likely to read.

I also use Flodesk to send out newsletters and mini-shoot offers to existing and potential clients - it’s is by far one of the most used and worth-paying-for subscriptions in my business!

Why I Choose Flodesk

There are a few reasons why I’ll always recommend Flodesk over the other options out there:

• Beautiful Aesthetics: The stunning templates make it easy to create beautiful, professional emails that reflect my brand’s aesthetic.

• Easy to Use: The drag-and-drop functionality is simple, allowing me to create and edit emails quickly without spending hours and hours working out how to use it (trust me, it’s far simpler than Photoshop!).

• Simple Pricing: As photographers, we usually have to pay more for platforms as our storage needs grow. However with Flodesk, there are no hidden fees and the price you sign up with is the price you’ll always pay with no exceptions.

• Extensive Features: From automated workflows to checkout pages, Flodesk offers such a wide range of features that I can use in so many different ways as a family portrait photographer.

• Great Support: Whenever I have questions or need guidance, Flodesk’s support team is quick to reply and always helpful. They also have so many tutorial videos that walk you through how to do something, so usually I can find the answer to any questions before having to contact them.

An example of one of my mini session sign up forms on Flodesk

My Favourite Flodesk Features

When I first started exploring email marketing, I wanted a platform that was not only user-friendly but also visually appealing. I had previously used platforms such as MailChimp which worked well, but I just felt that they lacked that certain something that enabled my emails to look just as good (if not better) than my website! As soon as I found Flodesk, I knew it was a bit of me!

Here’s a little more on some of my most-loved features and how I use them in my photography business:

1. Forms to Capture Email Addresses

For anyone starting out with your email marketing, if you want to send out general newsletters then you’ll want a quick and easy way to collect email addresses from people who are interested in hearing more from you. Within Flodesk you can create aesthetic sign-up forms, either to install on your website or by creating a full web-page where potential clients can subscribe to receive exclusive offers and updates. 

When designing forms, it’s essential to keep them simple. I typically include fields to collect people’s names, email addresses, and sometimes even a dropdown menu to let clients indicate their photography interests (e.g., newborn, family, milestones). This reassures people that they will only hear about what they’re actually interested in.

2. Link in Bio Pages

For platforms like Instagram, where linking directly to sign-up forms can be tricky outside of posting it on your story, you could opt to use Flodesk’s link-in-bio pages. This feature allows you to create a dedicated landing page that includes a list of links relevant to your business all in one place, for example links to your latest mini sessions, your portfolio, how to work with you, and your sign-up form. It’s a seamless way for followers to engage with your brand.

3. Checkout Sales Pages for Mini Sessions

Flodesk has a checkout page feature, so if you want to run seasonal mini sessions you can use this to attract clients, give them all the information they need to know and enable them to book online. This not only simplifies the booking process but also provides a polished, professional experience that reflects your brand.

4. Dividing Subscribers into Segments

When I’m emailing my clients, understanding where they fit within my business is essential. Are they a potential client? An existing one? Have they booked a newborn photoshoot, or do they have older children and have booked a family shoot? Within Flodesk, you can add your subscribers into different categories (known as Segments) so that you can select just one group to email at a time. I can categorise clients based on their past sessions, preferences, or stage in their client journey. Then I ensure that the content I’m sending them resonates with each specific group, for example, I can send postpartum tips to new mums or reminders for milestone sessions to returning clients.

5. Automated Workflows for Your Client Journey

Creating automated workflows has been a game changer for my client journey. After a client books a session, they automatically receive a series of emails that guide them through the process—what to expect, how to prepare, and even follow-up offers to encourage re-booking. This not only enhances their experience but also saves me time, allowing me to focus on what I love most: capturing beautiful moments.

How I Customise Flodesk Emails For My Brand

Flodesk have some quick and easy ready-made templates that you can use. I prefer to pick one, customise it and then save it to use moving forwards. Using the same or a similar email template each time helps to build that strong brand recognition that means your clients will know an email is from you just by the way it looks at a glance.

There are a few different ways I edit the templates to personalise them to my brand:

• Fonts: I use the same fonts as in my logo and website to keep my branding and overall image really consistent.

• Colours: I utilise my brand colours as the backgrounds and so that the emails connect with everything else my clients see

• Images: Flodesk allows you to include as many images as you like so you can show your clients examples of what outfits to wear etc, without having to link them to an external blog post.

• Logo: My logo features at the top of every email so my clients know straight away exactly who the email is coming from.

• Links: By adding my website and social media links, my clients can connect with me even more easily.

Workflows

Using Flodesk's workflows has transformed the way I manage my client journey stages, allowing me to automate emails that nurture relationships without demanding my constant attention. By setting up triggers for specific events—like when a client books a session or signs up for my newsletter—I can automatically send tailored welcome emails and photoshoot preparation tips.

For instance, once a client books a session, they receive a series of automated emails packed with tips on preparing for their photoshoot and a heartfelt thank-you message. This not only saves me countless hours that I would have spent crafting individual emails but also ensures that my clients feel valued and informed at every step.

With workflows, it frees up my time so that I’m not spending all of my time on admin and sending out emails, whilst still maintaining meaningful connections with my clients and ensuring they have everything they need. It makes my business far more efficient and enjoyable!

It’s Time To Save Yourself Time

If you’ve been hesitant about starting to use email marketing, I hope this post has inspired you to take the leap. It’s a fantastic way to nurture relationships with clients, build your brand, and ultimately grow your business.

If it feels overwhelming, my advice is always to start small. Start using it for one thing, then slowly explore the extra features as you become more confident using each one.

Want a Discount?

You know I love a discount! You can get 50% off your first year using my sign up code SUZIBIRD or by clicking here to sign up.