Scouting Trip Essentials: Research Your New Photography Market Before Moving

Moving your photography business to a new location can feel overwhelming, but what if I told you there’s a strategic way to set yourself up for success before you even pack your first box? A photography business scouting trip can be the game-changer that transforms your relocation from stressful scramble to strategic success.

After navigating multiple business moves myself and helping countless photographers through relocations, I’ve learned that the photographers who thrive in new markets are the ones who do their homework first. Let me share exactly how to maximize a scouting trip for both your personal life and your photography business.

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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 Alison & I 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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What Is a Photography Business Scouting Trip?

A photography business scouting trip is when you visit your new location before actually moving there. This could be anywhere from a long weekend to a full week, but I recommend at least a weekend minimum to get the most benefit.

Alison has only had the luxury of doing one scouting trip out of her seven moves, but it was incredibly beneficial. She is still using information she gathered from that trip today. It requires significant legwork upfront, but the payoff is absolutely worth it.

The business intelligence you’ll gather is invaluable for your photography career.

Personal Research: The Foundation of Your Business Success

Before diving into business strategy, remember that you’re the CEO of both your business AND your family. Your personal happiness directly impacts your business success, and surprisingly, your personal research often reveals business opportunities.

Housing and School Research

Housing positioning is crucial for photography businesses. When we scouted Charlottesville, I needed to position myself to serve both Richmond and Charlottesville markets. If I’d chosen the other side of town, I would have lost access to the Richmond market entirely.

Consider these factors:

• Commute times for your spouse (happy spouse = business support)
• School districts (where your kids go often indicates where your ideal clients live)
• Geographic positioning for multiple market access
• Future market expansion possibilities

Testing Real-World Logistics

Don’t just look at maps online. During our scouting trip, we actually drove from our potential new home to my husband’s workplace to test the commute. Those windy roads looked short on the map but added significant time in reality.

Business Scouting: Where the Magic Happens

Here’s where your scouting trip becomes a business investment that pays dividends for years.

Location Scouting for Photo Sessions

Drive around your target neighborhoods and start building your location arsenal:

• Parks with open fields
• Unique architectural features
• Beach access points
• Mountain overlooks
• Urban backdrops

During Alison’s Hawaii scouting trip, she discovered that one “perfect” beach location was actually popular for outrigger canoeing. She spent sessions editing boats out of backgrounds! You can’t learn details like this from Google Maps.

Market Intelligence Gathering

Look for these business indicators:

• Other photography studios (proves market demand)
• Boutiques and upscale shopping (ideal client hangouts)
• High-end salons and spas
• Premium children’s activities (dance, music, sports)
• Luxury venues and event spaces

Action Item: Follow these businesses on Instagram, shop there if possible, and start building relationships before you move.

Content Creation Opportunities

This is where strategic photographers separate themselves from the pack. Your scouting trip should generate months of blog content.

Allison’s Hawaii Success Story: During her pre-move scouting trip, she executed mini sessions that provided dozens of family photos with proper model releases. One blog post about “Mini Sessions in Oahu” still drives her most organic search traffic today.

Moving your photography business and not sure where to start with local SEO? Look, I get it – there’s a lot to figure out between keyword research, local optimization, and content planning. This is exactly what we work through step-by-step in my SEO Group Coaching program. You don’t have to figure out local SEO alone or wonder if you’re doing it right. We cover everything from market research to ranking strategies, plus you get accountability to actually implement what you learn. If you want guidance instead of guessing your way through SEO, group coaching might be exactly what you need.

The Pre-Move Offer Strategy

If you can extend your scouting trip, consider executing a pre-move photography offer. This advanced strategy requires significant planning but delivers incredible results.

Structuring Your Pre-Move Offer

Keep it on-brand: Don’t offer services you won’t provide after moving. If you’re IPS (In-Person Sales), offer print credits, not digital files.

Model call vs. mini session: Alison prefers mini sessions with print credits over traditional model calls because:

• You maintain control over styling and timing
• Clients receive value for their time
• You get better variety for your portfolio

Legal Considerations

Research permit requirements and business licensing before offering paid services.

Execution Timeline

Plan 6-12 months ahead if possible:

• Research locations and permits
• Set up booking system
• Create marketing for local Facebook groups
• Plan session logistics
• Prepare model release paperwork

Content Creation Strategy

Your scouting trip should generate 6-12 months of blog content:

Local Business Features

• “Best Family-Friendly Restaurants in [City]”
• “Top Boutiques for Family Photos Outfits”
• “Preschools and Activities for Young Families”

Practical Moving Guides

• “Where to Live in [City]: A Family’s Guide”
• “School Districts Comparison for [Area]”
• “Holiday Activities for Families in [Location]”

Photography-Specific Content

• “Best Photo Locations in [City]”
• “Seasonal Photography Opportunities in [Area]”
• “What to Expect: Family Photos in [Location]”

Timing Your Scouting Trip

Ideal timing: 6-12 months before moving

This gives you time to:

• Write and publish blog content for SEO momentum
• Build relationships with local businesses
• Establish your online presence in local groups
• Create buzz about your upcoming arrival

Minimum timing: 6 weeks before moving

Even a shorter timeline allows you to:

• Secure housing and schools
• Scout photo locations
• Gather initial content
• Make local connections

Maximizing Your Investment

Create systems for efficiency:

• Pre-write blog post outlines before traveling
• Make location checklists for specific photo needs
• Schedule meetings with potential collaborators
• Plan content creation around your personal research

Document everything: Take photos of potential locations during different times of day. Note parking situations, crowd patterns, and seasonal considerations.

The Compound Effect

The photographers who invest in proper scouting trips don’t just survive relocations—they thrive immediately. You’ll hit the ground running with:

• Established local business relationships
• Content that’s already ranking in local search
• Photo locations tested and approved
• Market intelligence other photographers lack

Your Next Steps

Ready to plan your photography business scouting trip? Start with these actions:

• Research your target area using online resources
• Join local Facebook groups to understand market dynamics
• Create a business scouting checklist based on your specific needs
• Plan content creation around your research findings
• Budget for extended stay if pre-move offers make sense

Remember, a scouting trip isn’t just an expense—it’s a business investment that pays returns for years. The photographers who plan strategically before moving are the ones who dominate their new markets quickly.

Looking for more guidance on relocating your photography business? Check out our Pre-Move Checklist to ensure you don’t miss any crucial steps, or explore our SEO strategies for photographers to maximize your online visibility in your new market.

The key to relocation success isn’t just moving your business—it’s strategically positioning it for growth from day one.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the content strategy and SEO planning involved in a strategic scouting trip? This is exactly why I created The Blogging Club – to give photographers monthly content strategies that work for any market, whether you’re established locally or just arriving in a new city. Every month, you get proven blog post topics, SEO-optimized templates, and step-by-step guidance on creating content that attracts your ideal clients through Google search. Members never have to stare at a blank screen wondering “what should I blog about?” because I provide the exact strategies I’ve used to rank on page 1 in multiple markets. Ready to transform your blog from neglected afterthought into a consistent client-attraction machine? Join The Blogging Club and never run out of content ideas again.

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