Moving Your Business? Here’s How to Tell Clients Without Creating Panic

Here’s what I see happen every time a photographer gets moving orders: they panic about how to tell their clients without everything falling apart, then either announce way too early (before they have a solid plan) or wait until the last minute (creating chaos for everyone involved).

Look, I get it. The thought of moving your business can feel terrifying, especially when you’ve spent years building relationships and establishing yourself in your market. But how to announce you’re moving your photography business doesn’t have to be a disaster waiting to happen.

After moving my photography business twice and maintaining strong client relationships throughout both relocations, I’ve learned this: the photographers who struggle with move announcements are the ones who treat it like bad news instead of an exciting transition.

Here’s the thing – with the right plan and timing, you can announce your move in a way that maintains client relationships, generates excitement, and even creates a booking rush before you leave. I’ve done this successfully twice, and I’m going to walk you through the exact process.

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But before we dive in—Hi! I’m Melissa, and I’m an SEO expert here to help portrait photographers finally get found by their dream clients on Google—without the technical overwhelm. Whether you need done-for-you SEO services, step-by-step coaching through my proven system, or monthly blogging strategies (like my Blogging Club membership!), I’ve got the tools to transform your invisible website into a client-attracting machine. Ready to stop being the best-kept secret in your market?

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If you haven’t already, I’d encourage you to listen to the full podcast episode where we break down all these strategies in detail. But if you’re ready to get straight to the actionable stuff, this blog post lays it all out for you step-by-step. Either way, you’re going to walk away with concrete strategies you can implement right away.

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Let me walk you through the exact steps I’ve used to successfully announce multiple business moves without losing momentum or damaging client relationships.

Before You Announce Anything: Get Your Business Logistics Straight

Here’s what drives me crazy: photographers who announce their move before they’ve figured out the basic logistics. Don’t make this mistake.

Don’t announce you’re moving your business until you’ve sorted out these crucial business details:

Studio and Lease Considerations

• When does your current studio lease expire?
• How far are you moving from your current location?
• Can you realistically maintain your lease from a distance?
• What happens if there’s storm damage or issues while you’re gone?
• Are you allowed to sublet your space?

I currently have a client who’s planning to move six months before her lease expires, and trust me – managing a studio from across the country isn’t for the faint of heart.

Current Bookings Assessment

Before making any announcements, you need a solid plan for existing clients:

• Review your booking calendar through your move date
• Decide your final session cutoff date
• Plan how to handle post-move bookings (associate photographer, travel back, or referrals)
• Consider your editing timeline – you’ll want everything delivered before you move

SEO Tip: This is also the perfect time to start your keyword research for your new market. I always tell my Done-for-You SEO clients to begin their location transition months before the physical move.

Step 1: Directly Email Your Current Clients First

This is NOT the time for a mass email blast. Each current client deserves an individual, personalized email with their specific plan.

Pro Tip: Generic emails make clients feel like just another number, while personal emails show you value the relationship.

For Wedding Clients

If you’re a wedding photographer with booked weddings after your move date, here’s what to include:

• Keep it positive: “We’re so excited to share that we’re moving to [location]!”
• Provide the specific plan: “Your wedding is Saturday, October 1st. I’ll be traveling back the morning before your wedding…”
• Have backup coverage ready: Consider having your second shooter plus a third person on standby
• Don’t give them cancellation options unless they ask

When I was a wedding photographer and had babies due around wedding dates, I learned that clients cared more about getting photos that looked like my portfolio than having me specifically there. Your backup plan needs to deliver the same quality and style.

For Portrait Session Clients

• Offer to reschedule earlier if possible
• Explain your associate photographer option if you have one
• Provide clear dates for when you’ll stop accepting local sessions
• Give referral options for after you leave

For Membership Clients

Be upfront about the situation:

• Acknowledge the impact: “It’s possible I won’t be here for your entire membership”
• Offer solutions: Partial refunds, associate coverage, or referrals
• Maintain positive relationships – you want to leave on good terms

Here’s what I’ve learned: I’m not referring a $150 photographer if my average sale is $2,000 – that doesn’t help anyone. Your referrals should match your quality and price point.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the client communication logistics? This is exactly the kind of strategic planning my co-host Alison covers in her one-on-one coaching – comprehensive business guidance for major transitions like relocations.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the logistics of moving your photography business? This is exactly what we cover in my SEO Group Coaching program – step-by-step guidance for photographers who want to master their online visibility, whether you’re staying put or relocating to a new market. You’ll learn my proven 4P system that’s helped me achieve page 1 rankings in multiple cities, plus get the accountability and support to actually implement what you learn. Ready to stop feeling lost about SEO and start ranking with confidence?

Step 2: Create an Exciting Social Media Announcement

Once your current clients are handled, it’s time to go public with a bang.

Make It Trendy and Engaging

I’m not usually the Instagram reel queen, but when we moved back to Virginia, I created one of my most popular posts ever. I had my kids hide in moving boxes with trending music that said “I’m coming home.”

Warning: It took six takes because my daughter thought jumping out of boxes was the best game ever!

Generate FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

Your announcement should create urgency:

• “We’re moving to [location] this summer!”
• “If you want a session before we leave, now’s the time to book!”
• “Only accepting [current location] sessions through [date]”

Use Strategic Hashtags

Remember to include hashtags for both your current location AND your destination. You want current clients to see you’re leaving AND potential new clients to know you’re coming.

SEO Insight: This is the same principle as keyword research – you need to think about what both audiences are searching for and position yourself strategically.

Step 3: Send an Email Blast to Your Full List

After your social media announcement gains traction, send an email to:

• Your waitlist
• Past clients who might want another session
• Newsletter subscribers
• Anyone who’s expressed interest in working with you

Connect your email back to your social media post – ask people to comment and share, which creates a domino effect of engagement.

Step 4: Update Your Website Immediately

Add a Notification Banner

Put a banner at the top of EVERY page on your website that says something like:

• “We’re moving to Hawaii! Click here for details”
• “No longer accepting Florida sessions after [date]”
• “Now serving Virginia starting [date]”

I kept my notification banner up for 2-3 months before moving and 3-4 months after arriving in the new location. It doesn’t matter how people find your website – they’ll see the announcement.

Update Your Contact Form

This is crucial: Add a required field asking for the client’s city. Even with a giant banner at the top of my website, I still get inquiries from my old location constantly.

Having the city requirement lets you:

• Quickly identify if someone is in your service area
• Send appropriate referral templates for out-of-area inquiries
• Avoid wasting time on consultations with people you can’t serve

Create a Blog Post (Optional)

While a moving announcement blog post won’t drive SEO traffic, it serves as a central hub for information. You can link to it from social media and your notification banner.

SEO Tip: This is also when you should start optimizing your website for your new location keywords. Don’t wait until after you move – start the SEO transition early.

Step 5: Prepare Your Referral System

Create a vetted referral list BEFORE you announce. Research photographers who:

• Match your style and quality
• Serve your price point
• Have good reputations in the area

I actually hired photographers on my referral list for my own family photos and branding shoots. This gave me firsthand experience with their work and professionalism.

Have a template email ready for out-of-area inquiries. Interestingly, I get more “thank you” responses to referral emails than I do to my actual pricing emails!

Pro Tip: Quality referrals build your reputation even after you leave. Other photographers remember when you send them good clients, and that relationship can benefit you later.

Essential Mindset: Keep It Positive

No matter what words you choose or how you announce you’re moving your business, keep it positive. It’s easy to get in your head about what people will think, especially if you’ve been in the same location for years.

Here’s what I’ve learned after moving twice: Don’t play the mental game of worrying about reactions. You have plenty of actual logistics to stress about – don’t add imaginary problems to the list.

The photographers who struggle with move announcements are usually the ones who approach it apologetically instead of confidently. Your clients will take their cue from your energy.

Your Moving Announcement Action Plan

Ready to announce your move? Here’s your step-by-step checklist:

✅ Finalize all business logistics (studio, lease, timeline)
✅ Plan current client communication with individual emails
✅ Create engaging social media content with strategic hashtags
✅ Send email blast linking back to social media
✅ Update website banner on all pages
✅ Add city requirement to contact form
✅ Prepare referral list and template emails
✅ Set up inquiry notifications so you can respond quickly

SEO Bonus Step: Start your keyword research and website optimization for your new market during this announcement phase.

Moving your photography business doesn’t have to mean losing clients or momentum. With clear communication, strategic timing, and a positive attitude, your move announcement can actually generate excitement and create a final booking rush.

Here’s what I want you to remember: moving your business is just as strategic as any other major business decision. The entrepreneurs who thrive in new markets aren’t just the ones who pack efficiently – they’re the ones who communicate professionally and maintain relationships throughout the transition.

Moving your business doesn’t have to mean losing clients or momentum. With clear communication, strategic timing, and a positive attitude, your relocation announcement can actually generate excitement and create a final booking rush.

For photographers specifically: don’t forget about your SEO strategy during this transition. While you’re handling the announcement logistics, your website optimization for the new market should be happening simultaneously.

The biggest mistake I see when moving your business is treating the announcement like bad news instead of an exciting opportunity. Your energy and approach will set the tone for how clients respond.

Ready to dominate search results in your new market? My Done-for-You SEO services help photographers successfully rank in new locations within months of relocating – turning your business move into a strategic advantage rather than a setback.

Download our 35+ Blog Post Topics for Photographers to keep your content marketing strong during your transition, or join The Blogging Club for monthly content strategies that work.

Questions about announcing your photography business move? Drop us a line – we’ve been through this process multiple times and love helping photographers navigate major transitions successfully.

If you love this post, you’ll want to read these next:

How to Book Out Your Calendar Before You Move Your Photography Business

Moving Your Photography Business Without Losing Everything You’ve Built