March 25, 2026

The Secrets to Facebook Ads for Photographers with Brooklyn Grotte

39 minutes

The Secrets of Facebook Ads with Brooklyn Grotte

If Facebook and Instagram ads have ever felt overwhelming, confusing, or just… not worth it, this episode is going to completely shift how you see them.

Today, we’re joined by Brooklyn Grotte, a business strategist and ads expert who helps entrepreneurs scale their revenue through strategic, data-driven advertising. What makes Brooklyn’s perspective especially powerful is that she started as a photographer herself. She understands exactly where you are and what it takes to grow a photography business in a way that actually leads to consistent, aligned clients.

In this conversation, we break down what’s actually working with ads right now, how photographers can start using them in a way that feels simple and sustainable, and the biggest mistakes that are keeping people stuck.

Whether you’re brand new to ads or you’ve tried them before without results, this episode will give you a clear path forward.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

The biggest misconception photographers have about Facebook and Instagram ads

When it actually makes sense to start running ads in your business

The difference between boosting posts and running strategic ad campaigns

How to use ads to generate real revenue, not just likes or followers

Why a strong, specific sales page can dramatically increase conversions

The best beginner-friendly ad strategy for photographers

How to grow your email list using low-cost ads

What’s working right now with targeting (and how it’s changed)

The types of ad creative that are performing best today

How to use messaging and hooks to stop the scroll and drive bookings

Simple strategies for local targeting as a photographer

What to focus on first if you want to book your next clients using ads

Key Takeaways

You do not need a big budget to start.

One of the biggest myths around ads is that you need thousands of dollars to see results. In reality, you can begin with as little as $5/day and build from there.

Ads work best when your foundation is already in place.

Before running ads, you should have a clear audience, a strong portfolio, and a proven offer. Brooklyn recommends starting once you’ve reached around $50K in revenue and have consistent client demand.

Not all ads are created equal.

If your goal is bookings, you need to run the right type of campaign. Engagement and awareness ads may grow your audience, but sales and lead ads are what drive revenue.

Specificity converts.

Sending someone to a general investment page is far less effective than sending them to a page tailored to exactly what they saw in the ad. The more aligned and specific the experience, the higher the conversion.

Email list growth is one of the best entry points.

Running a simple freebie ad is one of the easiest and most effective ways to start. It builds your audience, creates a custom audience for future ads, and helps you gain confidence with the platform.

Creative and messaging matter more than targeting.

With recent Meta updates, broad targeting is now the norm. Your ad’s success depends far more on your visuals, messaging, and especially your hook than on detailed audience settings.

The first 3 seconds are everything.

Up to 80% of conversions come from the hook. Clear, emotionally resonant messaging that speaks directly to your client’s thoughts will outperform even the most beautiful imagery.

Organic-style content is winning right now.

Ads that feel natural, behind-the-scenes, and less “polished” are often outperforming traditional ad creatives. Think iPhone clips, BTS moments, and simple on-screen text.

A Simple Starting Point

If you’re brand new to ads, here’s where to begin:

Create a simple freebie (like a session prep guide)

Run a lead ad with an instant form

Keep the form simple (name + email only)

Deliver the freebie via email (not instantly on the screen)

Let it run at a low daily budget to start building your list

From there, you can begin layering in more advanced strategies like sales pages, retargeting, and higher-converting lead campaigns.

Connect with Brooklyn

You can find Brooklyn here:

Instagram: @biz.with.brooklyn

Website: bizwithbrooklyn.com

Resources Mentioned

Brooklyn also shared a beginner-friendly resource for getting started with ads, which we’ve linked for you below.

Email List Accelerator:

https://bizwithbrooklyn.com/email-list-accelerator-enrollment

Here’s a custom code for listeners to take an addition $10 off (making it only $17 for them): PODCAST10

Loved This Episode?

If this episode helped you think differently about ads and how they can support your business, we would be so grateful if you left a review. It helps more photographers discover the show and grow alongside this community.

Connect with us here:

Marie: https://marie-elizabethphotography.com | @marie.elizabeth.photo

Amber: https://lightlivinphotography.com | @light_livin_photography

We’ll see you next week ✨

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By Marie Elizabeth and Amber Courtney

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