Should You Go Back to Your Old Photography Market After Moving?

Moving your photography business can feel like starting over from scratch, and honestly? That’s because in many ways, you are. As someone who’s moved my photography business twice in two years and helped hundreds of photographers navigate relocations, I know firsthand the panic that sets in when you realize you’re leaving behind years of built-up SEO rankings and client relationships.

But here’s what I’ve learned after 17+ years in photography: should you go back to your previous market after relocating isn’t just a sentimental question – it’s a strategic business decision that can either boost your income during slow periods or drain your resources if done wrong. After moving my photography business and helping photographers navigate successful relocations, I’ve created this comprehensive photographer’s guide to making smart decisions about returning to your previous market for additional income.

When I moved from Virginia to South Florida, I faced this exact dilemma. I had this gorgeous client roster, established vendor relationships, and page 1 Google rankings that suddenly meant nothing in my new market. The question wasn’t whether I missed my old location – it was whether returning would actually make financial sense while I built my new business.

Let me break down the real pros and cons so you can make smart decisions about 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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The Biggest Advantage: Strategic Income During Your SEO Rebuild

Look, when you move to a new market, your SEO starts from scratch.

I always tell my clients this reality: you’re going to have slower months while Google figures out that you’re now serving a different location. During this transition period, your previous market represents your warmest possible leads – people who already know, like, and trust your work.

When we left Virginia, I knew my SEO was going to take months to build in Florida. Instead of watching other photographers stay busy during fall season while I sat with an empty calendar, I strategically planned fall mini sessions back in Virginia.

Y’all, that extra income was a game-changer. Even though I had money set aside for the move, who’s gonna turn down making some extra cash when everybody else is busy and you’re not?

This strategy works best as a transition tool, not a permanent solution.

The best part? I got to see friends and family while making money. It felt like a working vacation that actually paid for itself.

Strategic Timing: Seasonal Events Are Your Golden Opportunity

This photographer’s guide wouldn’t be complete without emphasizing that seasonal events with built-in demand are your best bet for profitable returns.

The most successful photographers focus on events that:

• Only happen once a year
• Can’t be replicated in their new location
• Have natural, existing demand
• Justify premium pricing due to scarcity

My go-to seasonal events when I moved:

• Cherry blossom sessions (limited 2-week window in DC)
• Fall color mini sessions
• Holiday-themed sessions

I charged premium rates for cherry blossom sessions because that experience simply isn’t available anywhere else. The scarcity and uniqueness allowed me to cover all travel expenses while generating significant profit.

Pro Tip: I did cherry blossoms and fall minis when I moved, but I didn’t do my red truck minis. Why? Because trying to coordinate a truck rental, find locations, and deal with Northern Virginia traffic while flying in sounded like something I would want to kill myself trying to do.

The Financial Reality You Cannot Ignore

I’m not going to sugarcoat this – you absolutely MUST charge more when you’re traveling back.

After working with hundreds of photographers, the biggest mistake I see is not accounting for additional costs. When returning to your previous market, you have expenses you didn’t have as a local:

• Flight costs
• Hotel/accommodation
• Rental car or transportation
• Meals and incidentals
• Time away from building your new market

Do not try to fly back and do a whole round of minis that just cover your plane ticket. That’s not getting you ahead. I personally like to make money at my job.

After all these years in photography, I’ve learned that money is a pretty good reason to do anything, especially when it’s relatively easy money from established relationships. You’re essentially working for free while neglecting your new business development.

Logistical Challenges That Make or Break Success

The practical stuff matters more than you think, and poor planning can turn a profitable trip into an expensive disaster.

Transportation and Equipment Reality Check

You need to seriously think about logistics before you ever book that plane ticket:

• How are you getting there? Flying limits your gear options
• Will you have a car? Can you borrow from family or friends?
• Can you transport your equipment? Airlines have restrictions
• Is driving feasible? Distance makes a huge difference

Studio Space Complications

If you previously had a studio space, these questions become critical:

• When does your lease expire? Before or after your move?
• Can you temporarily sublet?
• Who monitors for damage? Storms, flooding, break-ins happen
• Where do you store client wardrobes and props?

I know a photographer in Houston who moved to North Carolina but still keeps her studio with an associate. She flies back once a month for scheduled sessions. It’s brilliant, but it’s also its own can of worms because you’re operating two businesses in two states with different legal and tax requirements.

When Mother Nature Has Other Plans

Weather is the wild card that can completely destroy your best-laid plans.

Alison learned this lesson the hard way during a cherry blossom trip. There was this late freeze right as the magnolia trees were budding – they were in full bloom stage with tight buds starting to open. Within 24 hours of that freeze, the National Park Service announced the buds were dead and wouldn’t be opening. See you later, try again next year.

How do you recover from that? That’s an act of God, that’s mother nature. You can’t put fake buds all over that big tree.

Weather contingency strategy:

• Build backup days into your travel plans
• Communicate weather policies clearly upfront
• Have a Plan C ready (alternative locations/session types)
• Accept that sometimes you have to refund and absorb costs

I had that one client who was going to blow up my phone asking why we couldn’t reschedule when she missed her session. I’m like, because I’m flying out tomorrow. That’s just not going to happen. For that client, I gave her money back and blacklisted her from future sessions.

Full Sessions vs. Mini Sessions: Both Can Work

Don’t automatically assume mini sessions are your only option.

If you don’t need to book many sessions, reach out to your established annual clients: “Hey, I know we do your family photos every year around this time. How about I schedule you for this particular Saturday when I’m visiting?”

Stack two sessions on Saturday, two on Sunday with past clients at their normal booking timeframe. Depending on what you charge, you could make thousands of dollars for one weekend with just full sessions.

The biggest consideration is geographic clustering. You don’t want to be flying back once a week to do individual sessions scattered across your old market.

When NOT to Return: Red Flags That Save Money

Honestly, there are situations where going back is a terrible financial decision.

Avoid returning to your previous market when:

• No seasonal demand exists – don’t try to create something from nothing
• Travel costs exceed potential profit margins
• Weather is highly unpredictable for your chosen dates
• You lack local support systems for logistics
• It interferes with building your new market presence

Alison is from Charleston and would love to go back for sessions there, but the reality is there are no unique seasonal events like cherry blossoms. Yes, there’s summer, but summer lasts months – it’s not a scarce, two-week opportunity. Without an existing client base large enough for something like Santa minis, it’s much harder to create profitable demand from scratch.

Making Strategic Decisions vs. Emotional Ones

What I’ve discovered after helping hundreds of photographers through relocations: successful returns require strategic thinking, not emotional attachment.

The photographers who profit from working their previous markets:

• Calculate real costs before making any commitments
• Focus on seasonal events with natural demand
• Charge premium rates that justify the extra effort
• Plan realistic weather contingencies
• Don’t let old market work distract from new market building

Let’s get your SEO set up properly in your new location so you don’t have to travel back to your old market unless you genuinely want to. In my SEO Group Coaching program, you’ll learn my proven 4P system for establishing strong local visibility wherever you land.

Your Strategic Action Plan

Ready to make smart decisions about your photography business relocation? Here’s your immediate action checklist:

✓ Calculate all travel expenses before setting session prices

✓ Research seasonal opportunities with existing demand

✓ Plan comprehensive weather backup strategies

✓ Price sessions to generate real profit above all costs

✓ Prioritize building your new market SEO foundation

Want to master your SEO? My Done-for-You SEO services handle all the technical optimization so you can focus on photography, or join The Blogging Club for monthly content strategies that establish your expertise in any location.

The biggest mistake I see photographers make is trying to figure out business strategy and SEO optimization alone. Don’t spend months wondering whether your efforts will work. After 17+ years in photography and helping hundreds of photographers succeed, I know exactly what strategies generate real results.

Let me help you build a photography business that thrives whether you’re staying put or starting fresh in a new market.

If you like this blog post, we think you’ll love these:

Relocating Your Photography Business Without Losing Your Google Rankings

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