The Product Photographer’s Guide to Pitching Brands on Instagram & Email (Steal Our Exact Templates)

Intro: Stop Pitching Like Everyone Else

Let’s be honest — sending a cold DM that says “Hey! I’d love to work together!” isn’t going to cut it anymore.

If you want brands to take you seriously (and actually reply), your pitch needs to be clear, professional, and all about them — not you.

In this post, I’ll break down:

• The 5 essentials of a strong brand pitch

• How to pitch via Instagram vs. Email

• Common mistakes photographers make

• And give you access to the 10 exact pitching templates I use to land high-paying clients

Part 1: Why Pitching Matters, Even If You Hate It

You don’t need to be outgoing or salesy to land dream clients — you just need a system.

Pitching puts you in control of your income instead of waiting around for website or Instagram inquiries.

Pitching to brands works if:

• You want to work with brands but don’t know how to start

• You’ve pitched your photography before and got ghosted

• You want a repeatable way to fill your calendar with paid work consistently

Part 2: The Anatomy of a Winning Pitch

Here’s what every brand pitch should include:

1. A personalized opener – Mention something specific about their brand or recent post
2. A clear offer – What exactly are you offering? A shoot? A collab? A custom proposal?
3. Why you – A quick value prop or past result
4. Proof – A link to your portfolio or relevant past work
5. A simple call to action – Like “Would you like me to send over ideas?”

You don’t need to overthink it — just sound human, helpful, and professional.

Part 3: Instagram DMs vs. Email – Which Is Better for Pitching Brands?

Wondering whether to reach out to brands via Instagram or email? The answer depends on who you're targeting and what you're trying to say.

When to Use Instagram DMs:

Instagram DMs are great for starting casual conversations and building relationships with:

• Small to mid-size brands

• Independent founders or social media managers

• Brands you already follow and engage with

DMs are perfect for breaking the ice, especially if you:

• Keep it friendly and brief

• Show you’ve done your research

• Offer value instead of saying “Just checking in!”

When to Use Email:

Email is more professional and gives you space to:

• Pitch larger brands or marketing agencies

• Share a full proposal or outline your services

• Attach a portfolio, case studies, or a pricing guide

Pro tip: Many of our students start the conversation on Instagram, then shift to email once the brand shows interest. It’s the best of both worlds—warm outreach with a professional close.

Part 4: Common Pitching Mistakes (Don’t Do These)

• Using copy/paste messages with no personalization

• Making it all about you

• Not showing any examples of your work

• Not asking a real question that encourages a response

Part 5: Want to Copy & Paste Our Exact Pitch Templates?

To save you hours of overthinking, I bundled up 10 plug-and-play Instagram & Email Pitching Templates that photographers can customize and start using today.

They’ve helped us and our students:

• Get paid brand collaborations

• Turn cold DMs into real clients

• Book thousands of dollars in projects — without the awkwardness

To save you hours of overthinking, I bundled up 10 plug-and-play Instagram & Email Pitching Templates that photographers can customize and start using today.

Here’s what’s inside:

• 5 Instagram DM templates

• 5 Email pitch templates

• Designed specifically for photographers

• Easy to customize and sound like you

Download Now ->

They’ve helped us and our students:

• Get paid brand collaborations

• Turn cold DMs into real clients

• Book thousands of dollars in projects — without the awkwardness

Grab the template->

Part 6: A Brand Replies and Wants to Learn More- Now What?

So you used one of our Instagram or Email Pitching Templates and the brand actually replies. 🙌

Now you’ve got their attention… so how do you keep it?

This is where most photographers drop the ball. They either fumble the follow-up or don’t know how to present their ideas professionally.

Here’s what we do instead:

Step Up with a Pitch Deck (But Only When It’s Worth It)

If a brand responds and seems genuinely interested, this is your chance to go the extra mile — especially if it’s a brand you really want to work with.

That’s when we pull out our Pitch Deck Template.

A pitch deck gives you a clean, visual way to share:

• Concept ideas tailored to their brand

• Past results or relevant work

• Your pricing structure or package options

• Why you’d be a valuable creative partner

Download Now ->

But here’s the thing — don’t make one of these for every brand. It’s extra effort and time. Save it for the brands that feel aligned with your values, pay well, or could turn into a long-term relationship.

📌 Think of it like this: Instagram DMs open the door. A custom pitch deck helps you walk through it like a pro.

👉 Ready to impress when the moment comes?
Grab our Pitch Deck Template. It’s the exact one we use when we want to seal the deal with high-ticket clients.

Final Tip: Consistency Wins

Pitching isn’t a one-time thing. Brands need to hear from you at the right time — and you won’t know when that is unless you keep showing up.

Start by sending just 5-10 pitches a day. You’ll be amazed at what happens in 30 days.

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