Preparing for the Busy Season: A Photographer’s Guide to Tybee Island’s Tourism Boom
As the weather warms up and visitors flock to Tybee Island and Savannah, the tourism season kicks into high gear. For a photographer like me, that means long days, back-to-back shoots, and countless hours of editing. While I love capturing families, couples, and weddings, the sheer volume of work can be overwhelming if I’m not fully prepared.
Whether you’re a fellow photographer, a small business owner, or just someone gearing up for a busy season, preparation is key. Here’s how I get ready before the floodgates open.
Getting Ready to Capture Your Best Moments
Busy season is my favorite time of year because it means creating incredible memories for you and your loved ones. From joyful family beach sessions to romantic weddings in Savannah, each shoot is unique and inspiring. To make sure I’m ready to capture these special moments, I spend time beforehand making sure I'm rested, energized, and inspired.
Creatively Inspired: Exploring new photography ideas and locations ensures client photos are unique and beautiful.
Prepared for Anything: Expecting the unexpected allows me to adapt smoothly, ensuring my clients have a stress-free and enjoyable experience.
Fine-Tuning
Once the season hits, I’ll be working 80-90 hours each week, I won’t have much time to tweak my website or fix a broken booking link. That’s why I do all of that now.
Updating my portfolio – I refresh my website with my recent work,
Streamlining my booking process – I make sure my calendar, email responses, and pricing are all clear and easy to understand.
SEO check-up – I optimize my website and blog posts for search terms like “Tybee Island family photography” and “Savannah wedding photographer” so potential clients can find me easily.
Organizing Gear and Backup Plans
During peak season, the last thing I need is a dead battery or a missing lens. I double-check all my gear now to avoid problems later.
Camera maintenance – I clean my lenses, check my sensors, and make sure my memory cards and hard drives are ready.
Backup everything – I make sure my cloud storage and external hard drives are in place so I don’t risk losing any precious moments I’ve captured.
Emergency kit – From extra batteries and SD cards to a rain cover for my camera, I pack for any and all situations.
Managing Business and Prioritizing
One of the hardest parts of the busy season is the behind the scenes stuff between photo shoots.
Clear communication with clients – I make sure my website and emails set expectations about turnaround times and availability.
Efficient editing workflow – Since I’ll be processing thousands of photos each week, I refine my editing process now and get the benefits when the season picks up.
Prioritizing high-impact tasks – I focus on what moves business forward and makes clients happy.
Embracing the Chaos and Staying Motivated
Busy season is exhausting, but it’s also when I create some of my favorite work. I do it because I love capturing real, beautiful moments for families and couples visiting Tybee Island and Savannah.
Focusing on the good – Yes, it’s a grind, but it’s also an opportunity to meet amazing people and create lasting memories.
Looking ahead – I keep in mind that once the season slows down, I’ll have time to rest, reflect on a great year, and grow even more.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for the busy season isn’t just about having my camera ready, it’s about making sure I can handle the workload without burning out. By setting myself up for success now, I ensure that I can give my clients the best experience possible while keeping my sanity intact.
If you’re planning a trip to Tybee Island or Savannah and want to book a session, now’s the time! Availability fills up fast, so reserve your spot here and let’s create something amazing.