How to Keep Growing Your Photography Business During the Summer Holidays From A Photography Mentor and Parent
The summer holidays are here, and if you're a parent running a photography business, you're probably balancing school break chaos with your passion for creating (and earning a living!). Whether you’re just starting out or enrolled in a photography course, like The Outpost Course to take your skills to the next level, it might feel like business growth has to pause until September. But guess what? It doesn’t. Seriously. Let’s brainstorm it, shall we?
As a photography educator based in the UK, I’m here to remind you that summer is full of potential for your photography journey — no matter where in the world you are.
Capture the Season: Practice Photography at Home
Whether you’ve got toddlers running around or teenagers lounging in the garden, this is the perfect time to practice. Try new photography techniques, test different lighting, and build up your portfolio using your everyday life as inspiration. Document your summer with intention. Capture moments with your kids, pets, or surroundings and turn them into a personal storytelling gallery.
Not only does this keep your creative energy flowing, but it also helps you stay connected to your camera and keep it out of its bag. If you're learning photography or working through a course (seriously, you’re going to want to keep reading for an exclusive discount), real-life practice is the best way to reinforce your skills.
(Though it would be apt to show my family and the photographs I’ve taken this summer already, we don’t post images of our children on the web, so enjoy my husband and some hills.)
Build a Summer Story Gallery
Challenge yourself to create a "Summer Story" project. Choose a theme, like adventure, calm, mess, chaos, activity or connection, and shoot with that idea in mind. Then, curate those images into a digital gallery. At the end of the summer, you’ll have a complete body of work that reflects your growth, style, and storytelling ability.
This is something I encourage in my own photography education programmes - finding ways to keep creating. It's a powerful way to reflect on your progress without needing client work.
Small Steps, Big Progress
Even if you feel like you're chasing your tail, there’s always something you can do for your photography business. Take advantage of quieter moments to:
Schedule your Instagram posts using platforms like Planoly or Later
Update your portfolio with fresh images
Organise client galleries and tidy your workflow
Watch video tutorials or rewatch lessons from your photography course if you’d done one
Practice editing techniques you've been meaning to master
Focus on skills that need a little attention
Little actions add up, especially over the course of six or seven weeks.
Enrol Now: The Outpost Course Starts This October
If you're looking for a UK-based photography education programme that supports your lifestyle and helps you grow sustainably, keep an eye on what's coming up next with The Kefi Club. We make learning photography accessible, fun, and designed for real life.
Here’s something structured to dive into after the holidays, The Outpost Course is now open for enrolment. We officially begin in October, once the kids are fully back in school and routines are a bit more manageable. That means you can sign up now, enjoy your summer, and start fresh with clarity and confidence.
What you’ll get with The Outpost Course:
A 12-week LIVE programme is designed for real life, not perfection, or you can take it at your own pace with lifetime access to the recordings
Video lessons, practical exercises, and interviews with industry experts
A supportive online community of photographers just like you
Tools and mindset coaching to help you grow a sustainable photography business
Lifetime access to the content so you can revisit it anytime
Exclusive discounts for the top industry tools
Whether you're a beginner or ready to level up, this course is made to support photographers juggling life, business, and creativity.
If you want to learn photography in a way that fits around your schedule and finally start moving forward in your business, this is the place to begin.
As a treat, because us parents need one, I’ve knocked off £300 when you enrol over summer.
12 waves from 12 weeks of live lessons during the first round. I can’t wait for October!
Final Thoughts
Will you give it a try? Will you take this summer as a chance to experiment, play, and build your photography skills in the in-between moments? The answer is yes, Han, yes I will.
There’s no pressure to be perfect. Just keep showing up, one click at a time.
