There’s a quiet, frustrating thing that happens to so many photographers — especially when they’re new to a city, rebuilding their business, or just starting to grow.
The weird messages.
The too-good-to-be-true inquiries.
The “client” who wants to overpay, rush you, or move everything off platform.
And suddenly you’re left wondering…
Why does this keep happening to me?
If you’ve ever felt that way, I want you to know something gently and clearly:
It isn’t because you’re doing something wrong.
And it isn’t because you’re not smart enough to spot scams.
It’s often because of how you’re being found.
Scammers don’t pick randomly- the look for easy doors
Most photography scams aren’t personal. They’re strategic.
Scammers search for photographers who look:
- easy to reach
- hard to verify
- and lightly protected by systems
That usually means people who are booking primarily through:
- Instagram DMs
- Facebook groups or marketplace
- or brand-new pages without much local presence
To a scammer, that looks like an unlocked door.
Not because you’re unprofessional —
but because you haven’t had time yet to build the digital layers that quietly say,
“This is a real business.”
Why new photographers get targeted more
When you move to a new city, like Abilene, you’re starting over in ways people don’t always see.
You may not show up on Google yet.
You may not have reviews from local clients.
Your name might not be attached to a location in search results.
So even though you’re talented and legitimate, online you can still look… invisible.
And scammers love invisibility.
They aren’t just trying to steal money — they’re testing systems.
They go where there’s the least resistance.
The most common photography scams (so you know what to watch for)
Most photography scams follow a few familiar storylines. Once you’ve seen them a few times, they all start to sound strangely similar.
One of the most common is the “family reunion” inquiry.
It usually comes from someone who says they’re planning a big gathering in town and need a photographer quickly. They’re often vague about details, want to pay in full immediately, and may even offer more than your rate. The story sounds warm and sentimental — but the payment is where things unravel.
Another frequent one is sports teams, especially soccer teams.
You’ll get a message about a traveling team needing group photos, sometimes with a long list of players or uniforms. They often want to overpay or send a check and ask you to refund the extra. That “extra” money is what ends up disappearing when the payment turns out to be fake.
You may also see:
- school or youth group photos that lack clear contact information
- corporate or event inquiries with very little detail but a strong sense of urgency
- destination or out-of-town sessions where logistics never quite line up
- messages that feel overly polished, oddly specific, or clearly scripted
These scams aren’t really about photography at all — they’re about testing how payments and communication move through your business.
And again, getting these messages doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It simply means your business is visible in a way that scammers can see.
Email scams photographers are seeing more often
As your business grows, scammers don’t just reach out through DMs — they’ll often try email too.
These messages usually look more “professional” at first. They may reference your website, compliment your work, or mention a specific type of session. But just like other scams, things tend to feel vague, rushed, or oddly specific and scripted once you reply.
Most of the time, the biggest red flag shows up around payment. Scammers often want to pay by check and may say they’re willing to overpay your rate to secure the booking quickly. When payment details feel rushed or unusual, it’s worth slowing things down and letting your process guide the next steps.
If your email is public, getting these messages doesn’t mean your website is doing something wrong. It actually means your business is visible.
This is where having systems in place helps the most. Contact forms, email filters, clear booking processes, and secure payment platforms act as quiet gatekeepers — guiding real clients forward while stopping others before they reach you.
Again, it’s not about being suspicious of everyone.
It’s about letting your business structure do the protecting for you.
What a strong brand does behind the scenes
Here’s the part that surprises a lot of photographers:
A good website, SEO, and online presence don’t just bring in better clients.
They push bad ones away.
When you have:
- a real website
- a Google Business listing
- reviews
- location-based pages
- a booking form
- and clear pricing
…you quietly tell the internet:
“This is a traceable, established business.”
Scammers see that and move on.
They don’t want to deal with:
- contracts
- payment processors
- email systems
- or a brand that can be tracked
So they go somewhere easier.
That’s why photographers who feel “set up” usually get far fewer scam messages — even though they’re more visible.
Visibility with credibility is protective.
It’s also important to say this clearly — having strong systems in place doesn’t mean scam messages disappear completely. No matter how experienced you are, or how established your business becomes, they still happen from time to time.
The difference is frequency. With real systems, a rooted online presence, and clear processes, scam attempts become far less common and much easier to spot. Your business isn’t sealed off — it’s simply better protected.
This is why marketing is also about safety
Marketing isn’t just about filling your calendar.
It’s about creating a presence that filters who can reach you.
A strong brand:
- attracts aligned clients
- sets expectations
- and quietly blocks people who don’t belong in your space
That’s one of the most overlooked benefits of having:
- a website that actually reflects you
- SEO that roots you in your city
- and systems that guide people through a real process
It gives you peace.
If you’re getting scam messages right now..
I want you to hear this kindly:
You’re not behind.
You’re not failing.
You’re not naive.
You’re just in a season where your roots are still growing.
And one small, practical note that surprises a lot of photographers — if you have your phone number publicly listed on Google, that can be a big reason you’re getting spam calls. Scammers and robocall systems scrape numbers from public business listings all the time. If you’d rather keep your phone quiet and your inbox calmer, it’s completely okay to remove your number from Google and let clients reach you through a contact form or email instead.
Every photographer who now feels “safe” online was once right where you are — booking through messages, building trust from scratch, learning how to protect their work.
And you will get there too.
Slowly, gently, beautifully.
A softer way forward
Instead of trying to outsmart scammers, focus on something better:
Build something real.
A website that feels like home.
A Google presence that ties your name to your city.
A booking process that invites the right people in.
That’s how you stop being a target — not by being more guarded, but by being more rooted.
And if you ever want gentle eyes on what you’ve built — your website, your booking flow, or how clients are finding you — that’s something I love helping with. Whether it’s through a website audit, a mentorship, or just learning how to make your online presence feel more like you, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
And in a business built on trust, that changes everything.
Your work deserves a space that protects it, just as much as it showcases it.
