PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast
PhotoBizX is the number one photography business podcast for portrait and wedding photographers who want to attract more clients, charge what they’re worth, and build a thriving business. Hosted by Australian Master Photographer Andrew Hellmich, this weekly interview show features the world’s most successful and inspiring photographers and industry experts. Andrew’s relaxed, curious interview style draws out incredible depth and honesty, and each episode delivers real strategies, stories, and systems you can implement immediately.
Episodes
690: Tara Shuler – When Mum Wants $5,000 in Photography Wall Art and Dad Wants to Leave
Tara Shuler is a sales trainer, author and founder of Convo Control who believes photographers spend too much time explaining their packages and too little time asking questions.
In this interview, we explore why sending a price list can stall a promising enquiry, what’s behind “we need to think about it”, and the awkward situation where Mum wants $5,000 in wall art while Dad has no idea what the
689: Pipi Diamond – Can You Sell Your Photography Business—or Will You Have to Close It?
Pipi Diamond of Soulful Photography in the San Francisco Bay Area has spent 12 years building her pet and family photography business. Now she wants to sell it—and she’s candid about why.
With three photographers trained, annual gross revenue listed at US$139,000 and an asking price reduced from US$75,000 to US$50,000 after losing her studio lease, Pipi shares what preparing a photography business
688: Andrew Ferdinands – How To Get 80% of Your Photography Work Through Referrals
Andrew “Ferdi” Ferdinands has photographed more than 3,000 events over 17 years and built an event photography business bringing in around $200,000 a year. At its busiest, his team covered roughly 400 events in a year, including 44 in one month.
What caught my attention is that Ferdi says 80% of his work comes from referrals and word of mouth, even though he rarely asks for them. He believes the w
687: Ina Jalil – The Pre-Shoot Consultation That Raised Her Average Sale from $600 to $2,800
Ina Jalil is the photographer behind Ina J Photography, a multiple six-figure pet photography business in Canberra, Australia. Since her first appearance on the podcast in 2022, she has photographed more than 1,000 dogs, grown annual revenue to around $305,000 and increased her average sale from roughly $600 to $2,800.
In this interview, Ina shares how she transformed a disappointing book project—
686: Megan Jones – How 25-Minute Santa Sessions Became a $300K+ Photography Business
Megan Jones of Megan Michael Photography has built one of the most impressive photography businesses I’ve come across.
Her studio has grown from $610,000 in revenue in 2023 to being on track for $3.5 million in 2026, with a team of 13 employees, three full-time photographers and the capacity to photograph up to 14 sessions a day.
In this interview, Megan shares how she moved from $200 sessions to
685: Ben McCoy – The $17 Lead, $105 Booking and $2,400 Portrait Photography Sale
Ben McCoy is the founder of Good Life Portraits, a Perth-based portrait studio that has grown from Ben working out of the back of his car to a seven-person team, around 80 portrait sessions a month and a business tracking towards $2 million in annual revenue.
In this interview, Ben breaks down the systems behind that growth, including how he generates leads, why getting prospects onto the phone is
684: Lucas Z – Why Photographers Making Good Money Still Have No Money
Lucas Z is the founder of The Big Split and has spent more than a decade running a photography business in Aspen, Colorado.
Despite having a successful business and good money coming in, Lucas found himself $25,000 in credit card debt, behind on taxes, with no real savings or assets — and at one point calculated he was spending 99.5% of everything he made.
That experience led him to develop The Bi
683: Gabi Kline Leon – How to Build a Photography Business Averaging $6,000 Per Client
Gabi Kline Leon is a pet and equine photographer who built her business around a very different idea — she doesn’t see herself as simply a photographer, but as a commissioned photo artist.
That mindset has helped her build a low-volume, high-value business where clients regularly spend thousands, her average sale is around $6,000, and one client spent $50,000 across multiple sessions and finished
682: Myriam Ménard – The $20K Wedding Photographer Who Doesn’t Chase Marketing Trends
Myriam Ménard has built a 17-year wedding photography business around something many photographers are moving away from — real relationships, intentional curation and knowing exactly who she wants to work with.
Based in Montreal and photographing weddings across Canada and Europe, Myriam charges up to $22,000 CAD for local weddings and starts at €12,000 for European destination weddings. Yet her a
681: Richard I’Anson – From Wedding Photographer to a 40-Year Travel Photography Career
Richard I’Anson has spent 40 years building a photography career that has taken him to more than 100 countries and all seven continents.
In this interview, Richard shares how he went from shooting weddings and portraits to becoming one of Australia’s best-known travel photographers, why those early years were crucial to his success, how the stock photography market has changed, and why photography
680: Brian Levin – Creating $500,000-Looking Videos for $5,000
AI-generated video has moved well beyond the strange hands, extra fingers and obviously fake imagery most photographers remember.
In this interview, filmmaker and Warthog AI founder Brian Levin explains how businesses are now creating photorealistic video content without cameras, actors, large crews or traditional production budgets.
Brian shares how AI is turning still photographs into convincing
679: Melody MacDonald – How to Handle Difficult Photography Clients Without Losing Your Cool
Before becoming a full-time photographer, Melody Macdonald spent more than 20 years working as a 911 dispatcher, where staying calm, listening carefully and communicating clearly were essential.
In this interview, Melody shares what photographers can learn from high-pressure emergency communication, especially when dealing with upset, disappointed or demanding clients. She explains why telling som
678: Marcin Rafalowicz – How to Build a Custom ChatGPT for Your Photography Business
Most photographers are using AI for culling, editing or the occasional social post.
Marcin Rafalowicz believes they’re barely scratching the surface.
In this interview, he explains how to build a custom ChatGPT trained on your voice, your business, your pricing, your clients and the work you want to be known for.
The result is less generic content, faster marketing and an AI tool that becomes more
677: Mycah Bain – Building a Team, Buying Back Your Time and Growing to $340K
If you've ever wondered what it would take to build a photography business that keeps growing without you photographing every session, this episode is for you.
Mycah Bain has spent the past 15 years building a studio that's now generating around $340,000 a year across weddings, branding and portrait photography, supported by a team of photographers and virtual assistants.
In this interview, Mycah
676: Joanna Kilgore – How to Build a Photography Business Anywhere
Joanna Kilgore of Jolee Art & Photography has rebuilt her portrait photography business from scratch in multiple new locations — and managed to become known fast each time.
In this interview, Joanna shares how she adapted when organic social media stopped working, why networking became her biggest marketing advantage, and how everyday conversations in shops, cafés and local businesses have led
675: Kim Jongen – Turning Viral Dog Photos Into Wall Art, Stock Sales and Coaching
Kim Jongen of Mother Puppers Studio is back on the podcast two years after first sharing how she became one of the most recognisable dog photographers in the Netherlands.
In this follow-up interview, Kim shares what has changed since the early days of viral attention, media coverage and being booked out. She talks about reducing the number of clients she photographs each week, raising her prices,
674: Su Kaye – From $81k to $175k by Believing in the Photography Experience You Sell
Su Kaye of [www.sukaye.com](http://www.sukaye.com) is a UK-based family and dog photographer with decades of experience, a reputation for creating unexpected pet portraits, and a business built on client care, confidence and constant evolution.
In this interview, Su shares how she moved from family portraiture into dog photography, grew her business from £61k to £132k, lifted her average sale, and
673: North Sullivan – Building a $10M+ Portrait Studio Business
North Sullivan of www.thephotostudio.com.au has spent over 40 years behind the camera, shooting some of Australia’s largest advertising campaigns.
These days, his focus is portrait photography — but what he’s built is far from a typical portrait business.
We’re talking about a studio business with close to 80 staff, reported turnover upward of $10 million, and — at the time of recording — more tha
672: Alex Vita – Why Photographers Need to Be Picked by AI, Not Just Ranked by Google
Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Alex Vita of www.foregroundweb.com helps photographers turn their websites into enquiry machines. He’s worked on hundreds of photography websites across more than 25 countries — building them, auditing them, and showing exactly what’s working… and what’s costing photographers enquiries. I first interviewed [...]
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671: Vincent Pugliese – Build a Photography Business That Creates Freedom, Not Just Income
Vincent Pugliese built a successful wedding photography business with his wife, Elizabeth, and in under four years used it to pay off all their debt — including their home.
But the more interesting part is what happened next.
They walked away from the business.
Not because it failed, but because it had done what they needed it to do.
In this interview, Vincent shares why more bookings and more rev
670: Ryan Erickson – $315K from Mobile Pet Photography, Instagram Ads and Market Events
Ryan Erickson is back on the podcast after first appearing in episode 587, and a lot has changed.
His mobile pet photography business in Colorado grew by 50% last year, hitting $315K in revenue — with much of that growth coming from 42 in-person market events, Instagram ads, and same-day in-person sales from inside his custom-built photography trailer.
But this conversation isn’t just about growth
669: Stacey Rolfe – 80% Returning Clients… Without Discounts or Sales Calls
Most photographers are chasing leads.
Posting, boosting, tweaking captions… hoping something sticks.
Stacey Rolfe built a business doing the opposite.
Instead of chasing new clients, she built a system that brings people back—year after year.
Last year:
75–80% of bookings were returning clients
25–30% came from referrals
And the rest? Mostly warm leads
No ads. No pushy sales. No complicated funnel
668: Shawn Black – Boudoir Photography Business, Pricing & IPS Strategy
Shawn Black built one of the most successful boudoir studios in the US — photographing over 125 clients a year and generating close to $450K in revenue at its peak.
But when bookings dropped by nearly 50%, it forced a shift in how he approached marketing, sales, and client experience.
In this interview, Shawn shares what’s changed, what’s no longer working, and how he’s adapting to keep his busine
667: Johl Dunn – Marketing Isn’t the Problem With Your Photography Business
Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Johl Dunn of www.johldunn.com will be familiar if you’ve been listening for a while. He’s been on the show before… and so have many of his clients. He’s featured in our predictions episodes and delivered training on pricing, lead generation, and [...]
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666: Tracy Goodwin – Why Your Voice Is Costing You Clients (And You Don’t Even Know It)
Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Tracy Goodwin of www.captivatetheroom.com is a voice expert, coach, author, and podcaster who’s spent nearly 30 years studying how we use our voice… and what really happens when the pressure is on. She believes your voice is the most powerful — [...]
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665: Art Streiber – Why Clients Trust Him With Million-Dollar Shoots
At the level Art Streiber is working… photography isn’t the hard part.
Managing expectations.
Handling pressure.
Making sure everything comes together when it matters.
That’s the real job.
This interview pulls back the curtain on what clients are actually paying for — and why most photographers are focused on the wrong things.
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664: Heike Delmore – Turning “Just a Headshot” into $5K Branding Photography Sales
Most photographers think the challenge is their pricing… or selling.
But after this conversation with Heike Delmore, it’s clear that’s not where the real shift happens.
Heike is taking clients who ask for “just a headshot”… and turning those enquiries into $5,000 sales — not by pushing harder, but by helping them see what those images are actually for.
Because when a client understands how their p
663: Blair deLaubenfels – What 10,000 Wedding Galleries Reveal About Why You’re Not Getting Booked
You don’t need better marketing.
You need better alignment between what you shoot… and who you want to book.
After curating 10,000+ weddings, Blair deLaubenfels has seen the same mistakes repeated again and again — and in this episode, she shares what’s really holding photographers back, and how to start attracting the right clients without changing your style.
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662: Martin Cheung – He Shoots 50 Weddings a Year… But Not How You Think
He’s booking up to 50 weddings a year… and says most photographers are focusing on the wrong kind of marketing. This one might change how you think about where your next booking is coming from.
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661: Emma Wise – How AI Is Changing How Couples Choose Wedding Photographers
AI is already changing how couples find and choose wedding photographers — and most photographers don’t realise it yet.
Instead of browsing directories and comparing dozens of options, couples are starting to rely on AI to narrow their choices down to just a few trusted recommendations.
In this interview, Emma Wise explains what’s happening behind the scenes — and why your biggest challenge moving
660: Drew Forsyth – From Small Portrait Jobs to High-Profile Commercial Photography Clients
What does it really take to move from smaller portrait jobs to high-profile commercial clients? In this interview, Drew Forsyth shares the mindset shifts, pricing lessons, and relationship skills that helped him make that transition — plus why he believes his biggest competition isn’t other photographers, but being forgotten.
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659: Rebecca Schmidt – From $34k to a $3M Boudoir Photography Business in Just 3 Years
Rebecca Schmidt runs a boudoir photography studio that photographs 70–85 clients every month and generated $3 million in revenue last year.
Just three years earlier, she was a wedding and family photographer earning around $34,000 a year.
In this episode, Rebecca shares how she pivoted into boudoir, built a team of 14, filled her calendar with paid advertising, and stepped away from shooting to fo
658: Jo Lyons – $2,500 Average Sales from a Rural Pet Photography Studio
What if you didn’t need a high-volume photography business to make great money?
In this interview, Jo Lyons shares how she’s built a pet photography business around lifestyle, creativity and connection — while still averaging around $2,500 per client and landing sales as high as $6,500.
Based on a beautiful rural property in NSW, Jo has created a destination-style experience for dog lovers, using
657: Jo Menneer – From $800 to $2,250 Average Sale in Her Photography Business (Without Working Weekends)
Seven years ago, Jo Menneer was running a busy studio shooting both family and boudoir sessions — averaging around £800 per client.
Today, she’s working Monday to Friday only, shooting fewer sessions, and averaging £2,250 per client… with some spending five figures.
What changed?
Not her location.
Not the size of her studio.
Not even the number of sessions she shoots.
In this episode, Jo breaks do
656: Julie Comfort – Design a Client Experience People Can’t Stop Talking About
Everyone says, “Deliver a great experience.”
Almost no one explains what that actually means.
In this episode, I sit down with Julie Comfort — a former destination wedding photographer turned experience designer — to unpack what it really looks like to intentionally design how your clients feel from first enquiry to long after delivery.
We talk about why most weddings (and client journeys) start t
655: Richie Schwartz – Partner With Pet Businesses to Book 10–20 Sessions a Day
Richie Schwartz has photographed close to 100,000 pets over a 40+ year career — and he’s done it with a business model that’s simple, structured and unapologetically commercial.
In this episode, Richie explains how partnering with pet businesses allows him to book 10–20 sessions in a single day, run a tight 30-minute shoot → show → sell workflow, and keep pricing clear enough that buying feels eas
654: Gary Williams – How 100 Short Weddings Became a Calm, Profitable Photography Business
In this episode, Gary Williams returns to the podcast to share what he’s learned from photographing 100 weddings in just two years. We talk about short weddings, simple pricing, Google-driven enquiries, outsourcing, and how designing a business around ease and sustainability has helped Gary build steady momentum without unnecessary stress.
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653: Jamie Booth – From Panic to a Booked-Out Photography Business in 90 Days
In this interview, Jamie shares what really happened behind the scenes as his business quietly started to unravel — the warning signs he ignored, the decisions he delayed, and the moment panic forced him to take action.
He opens up about the systems that failed him, the personal factors that made things harder than they needed to be, and the practical changes that helped him stabilise cash flow, r
652: Emily Cummings – How Dating Photography Became a High-Value, Year-Round Revenue Stream
Dating photography might not be the first niche that comes to mind when photographers think about growth — but in this interview, Emily Cummings explains why it’s become one of her most consistent, high-value revenue streams.
We unpack how Emily identified a specific emotional problem clients were already motivated to solve, why a dedicated dating photography offer pre-qualifies serious enquiries,
651: Stephanie Hill – Building a $200k Photography Studio On Two Days a Week
Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Stephanie Hill of www.totalcapture.com.au is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to photography business and life! She founded her Adelaide photography business, Total Capture Photography, at the age of 19! She says she was originally driven by “a fascination with light [...]
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650: 2026 Photography Business Predictions — What’s About to Change
What actually matters for photography businesses heading into 2026?
Instead of vague trend predictions or recycled advice, this New Year Special brings together a group of experienced photography business coaches — each answering a specific question within their area of expertise.
The result is a wide-angle look at what’s genuinely shifting right now: how clients are finding photographers, how buy
649: Vincent Peters – The Courage to Stop Imitating and Start Seeing with Your Photography
Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Vincent Peters of www.vincentpetersstudio.com doesn’t just capture moments — he reveals something deeper about the people we think we already know. He's a German-born photographer, artist, and visual storyteller whose images have graced the pages of Vogue, GQ, and Harper’s Bazaar, [...]
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648: Raphaëlle Granger – Building a $200K Wedding Photography Business with Fewer Weddings
Raphaëlle Granger didn’t grow her photography business by doing more weddings, chasing trends, or copying what looked successful online. With a background in photojournalism and fashion, she learned early that beautiful work alone doesn’t guarantee a sustainable business — especially when the work itself isn’t aligned with how you want to show up creatively or personally.
In this conversation, Rap
647: Ben Potter – How Fundraising Replaced Facebook Ads in His Portrait Studio
In this episode, I’m chatting with Ben Potter from BP Portrait Art in Melbourne — a photographer who has quietly built one of the most profitable and systemised portrait studios I’ve seen.
Ben shares how he moved away from Facebook ads, why community fundraising became his most reliable lead source, and how trusting the numbers — not emotions — transformed both his sales and his confidence. We dig
646: Brittni Schroeder – How to Streamline, Systemise and Scale Your Photography Studio
If you’ve ever felt stuck doing everything yourself in your photography business — constantly emailing, reminding, scheduling, following up — this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.
In Episode 646, I’m joined by Brittni Schroeder, a former high-end photographer who built one of the most in-demand senior portrait brands in her area… before discovering her true strength: helping business
645: Stacey Brown Randall – The Referral System Every Photography Business Needs
Referrals are one of the most powerful growth levers in a photography business — yet most photographers treat them like something mysterious or magical that “just happens” when the work is good enough.
In this conversation, Stacey Brown Randall dismantles that myth completely.
She explains why great photos and happy clients don’t automatically lead to consistent referrals… and why the missing link
644: Bruce Vincentiis – From YouTube Tutorials to a Luxury Hotel Photography Business
Luxury hotel photography isn’t a niche most portrait or wedding photographers ever think about — but after hearing Bruce Vincentiis’ story, you might see it differently. Bruce went from teaching himself photography through YouTube tutorials in Asian internet cafés to becoming an approved photographer for brands like Marriott, Accor, and Hyatt. In this episode, he opens a window into a world most p
643: Nik Buttigieg – The Low-Pressure Strategy Filling His Studio With Ideal Clients
Nik Buttigieg’s business has transformed dramatically since the last time he was on the podcast. Back then, he was running sessions out of a tiny room in a caravan in regional WA. Today, he’s built a thriving portrait studio in Albury, with staff, systems, a full shooting and sales setup, and revenue pushing the $600K mark — with his eyes firmly on seven figures.
What’s most interesting isn’t just
642: Danilo & Sharon Vasic – From €50 Weddings to a Global Luxury Photography Business
From €50 weddings in Serbia to a million-euro photography business in Italy — Danilo and Sharon Vasic’s story is as inspiring as it is practical.
What started as two teenagers shooting for friends turned into one of the most in-demand luxury wedding brands in the world. Today, they’re photographing multimillion-euro celebrations across Lake Como, the South of France, and beyond — blending their fa
641: Jason Guy – How 4 Clients a Month Became a $200K Photography Business
When a repetitive strain injury forced Jason Guy to hang up his paintbrush, he picked up a camera — and accidentally discovered a whole new career photographing women in a way that changes how they see themselves.
Today, Jason runs a $200K-a-year boudoir business from Sonoma, California, photographing just four clients a month and handling every step himself — from first email to final album. His
640: Yaneck Wasiek – The Simple Systems That Built a $600K/Year Headshot Photography Business
Headshot photographer Yaneck Wasiek runs a $600K-a-year studio built on systems, consistency and connection — not luck.
In this interview, he shares exactly how he generates $15K corporate jobs, books 4–5 sessions a day through automation, and turns one-off shoots into long-term partnerships with brands like Microsoft, LegalZoom and Zillow.
From a simple website popup that fills his calendar to a
639: Natalie Martin – £3.5K+ Wedding Photography Bookings by Leading with Albums, Not Digitals
Natalie Martin isn’t your typical wedding photographer — and she definitely doesn’t follow the crowd. While most photographers lead with digital files and hope clients come back for an album, Natalie has flipped the script.
Her couples start with an album — and pay a premium for the experience that goes with it. The result? A thriving business averaging $6,000+ per wedding, consistent bookings, an
638: Trevor Dayley – Building a Thriving Photography Business Without the Social Media Grind
After photographing more than 500 weddings and being named one of SLR Lounge’s Top 100 Wedding Photographers, Trevor Dayley hit a turning point — realising that likes, followers, and hustle weren’t the true markers of success.
In this interview, Trevor shares how he rebuilt his photography business around connection, creativity, and community. He opens up about shooting fewer weddings for more ful
637: Nidhi Dahiya – Taking Headshot clients to $14K Family Portrait Sales
What if your next headshot or branding client could turn into a $14,000 family sale — without ads, discounts, or pushy tactics?
That’s exactly what portrait photographer Nidhi Dahiya is doing. She’s built a million-dollar business while still working full-time — and in this episode, she shares the exact mindset and messaging that makes it possible.
You’ll hear how she:
• Turns one booking into mul
636: Ilana Wechsler – Simple Google Ad Strategies That Actually Generate Photography Bookings
🎧 636: Ilana Wechsler — Simple Google Ad Strategies That Actually Generate Photography Bookings
Ever feel like Google Ads are too confusing, too expensive, or just a waste of money?
Ilana Wechsler of TeachTraffic.com
is back to prove otherwise — and to show photographers exactly how to make ads work without wasting time or cash.
With over $30 million in ad spend under her belt, Ilana breaks down
635: Maddie Mae – How to Run a Profitable Destination Elopement Photography Business
What does it really take to build a profitable photography business around destination elopements? Maddie Mae was one of the first to go all-in on this niche, and she’s since photographed over 300 elopements in more than 40 countries.
In this detailed interview, she shares the business lessons learned along the way — from managing crazy travel schedules and client expectations to using SEO, Pinter
634: Kirstie McConnell – From Pets to Premium Portraits, Reinventing a Photography Business
What happens when you leave behind a successful pet photography business, move countries, and start again from zero?
That’s exactly what Kirstie McConnell has done—twice. From being South Australia’s first specialist pet photographer to building €5,000+ luxury portrait sessions in Italy, she’s now preparing to relaunch back home in Australia.
In this episode, Kirstie shares the real strategies beh
633: Rebecca Hunnicutt – Building a Profitable, Adaptable & Fun Photography Business
Ever wondered how to build a photography business that’s profitable, flexible, and actually fun to run? In this episode, I chat with Portland-based family photographer Rebecca Hunnicutt, who’s managed to balance school portraits, family sessions, kids’ photo camps, and even an education brand — all without burning out.
Rebecca shares her smart strategies for filling slow seasons, running model cal
632: Jenna Harrison – Building a 3-Day Workweek Photography Business
What if you could run a thriving photography business in just three days a week — and still have the freedom to live life on your terms? In this episode, Jenna Harrison shares how she built a business that allowed her to retire her husband early, move her family overseas, and enjoy what she calls a Blue Zone lifestyle.
Jenna explains how mindset shifts, smart systems, and confident sales strategie
631: Kelly Warkentin – Turning $150 Photography Sessions into 4-Figure Clients and a Life You Love
What if you could turn $150 shoots into $2K clients — and do it while working less and living more? In this episode, Canadian family and newborn photographer Kelly Warkentin shares how she restructured her business to support her life instead of draining it.
Kelly opens up about going from late nights and burnout to fewer clients, higher sales, and better systems that freed her up to be present wi
630: Jon Mills – How a Pet Photography Business Hit £200K in Two Years
What does it take to hit £200K in just two years with a pet photography business? In this episode, Jon Mills from Soul Dog Studio shares exactly how he built a thriving studio from scratch after pivoting into dog photography.
From discovery calls that qualify clients to Facebook ads that actually work, Jon reveals the simple systems and mindset shifts that fuelled his growth — including why a no-p
629: Patrick Fore – The Brutal Truth About Photography Business, Boundaries, and Burnout
Ever feel like the business of photography is running you, instead of the other way around? In this episode, San Diego-based commercial photographer and podcast host Patrick Fore gets brutally honest about burnout, boundaries, and what it really takes to build a business that works for your life.
From chasing “dream jobs” that nearly broke him to walking away from a six-figure salary and finding m
628: Liam and Dominique Shaw – The Business of Creative Documentary Photography
What if you could book fewer weddings, charge more, and have total creative freedom? In this episode, Liam and Dominique Shaw of York Place Studios share how they built a thriving documentary-style business by leaning into their vision, attracting clients who value their approach, and letting go of industry “shoulds.”
From pricing with confidence and booking through vibe (not just numbers) to SEO,
627: Kenny Martin – Profit Over Hype. Building a Sustainable Photography Business
What if the key to growing your photography business wasn’t more bookings, bigger studios, or endless ads — but focusing on profit over hype? In this episode, I chat with Kenny Martin, “The Studio Doctor,” who’s been helping photographers across the UK and Europe simplify, refocus, and build businesses that actually last.
Kenny shares why chasing turnover is a trap, the 7 parts of your client jour
626: Susan Renée – Are Giveaways Hurting Your Brand or Building It?
Ever wondered if giveaways are helping or hurting your photography brand? In this episode, Susan Renée of Kingshill Studios opens up about the doubt that crept in after being told competitions made her look “cheap” — even though her bookings, sales, and client loyalty told a very different story.
With the help of coach Kim Hamblin, Susan dug into her numbers, refined her Facebook ads, and discover
625: Kim Hamblin – Photography Sales Confidence and the Business Metrics That Matter
Ever feel like you’re working harder than ever but still not seeing the profit you want? In this episode, Kim Hamblin — who once ran a $500K+ portrait studio before moving into business coaching — shares how to build sales confidence and focus on the metrics that actually move your photography business forward.
From handling objections without discounting, to the simple systems that take you from
624: Brennan Haelig – The Photographer’s Guide to Meta Ads That Actually Work (and Don’t Cost a Fortune)
Struggling to make Meta Ads pay off for your photography business? In this episode, Brennan Haelig of Jump Start ROI shares how to stop wasting money on dud ads and start generating quality leads without blowing your budget.
We dive into the simple ad formula that works for photographers, why lead ads still beat the rest, and the must-know tips for testing creatives and making data-led decisions.
623: Brianna Shrader – Behind the Scenes of a 40 Over 40 Campaign
What happens when your big photography campaign doesn’t go quite as planned? In this episode, Brianna Shrader takes us behind the scenes of her first 40 Over 40–style project, where passion, persistence, and some unexpected wins carried her through the challenges.
From securing a $7,500 sponsor to pulling off an emotional gala event, Brianna shares the lessons she learned about marketing, storytel
622: Sara Monika – Outsourcing Smarter: The Real Key to Earning More and Working Less as a Photographer
Feeling like you’re always working but never quite getting ahead? In this episode, wedding photographer and educator Sara Monika reveals how outsourcing became the game-changer that allowed her to earn more while working less — and reclaim her time as both a creative and a mum.
She shares the 3 signs it’s time to outsource, the hybrid system she uses with AI and human editors, and how $4,300 spent
621: Lewis Fackrell – The Hybrid Advantage and Why Couples Want Photo and Video Together
What if the easiest way to stand out in a crowded wedding market was to offer both photos and video — without hiring a second shooter? In this episode, Lewis Fackrell shares how hybrid coverage became his edge, why couples say “yes” without hesitation, and how he’s built a profitable system that works for both him and his clients.
From booking strategies and upsells that add pure profit, to workfl
620: Lindsay Baca – Rebranding, Raising Prices, and Finding Her Niche (and Happiness)
What if the key to standing out in a crowded photography market wasn’t doing more — but getting crystal clear on who you are and who you serve? In this episode, New Mexico photographer Lindsay Baca shares how she built a thriving portrait business by leaning into authenticity, clarifying her brand, and connecting with the right clients.
From learning to say no, to building partnerships that fuel r
619: Courtney Bryson – How to Sell Albums and Artwork Without In-Person Consults
What if you could sell albums and wall art without the pressure of in-person consults or Zoom calls — and still average $6K sales? In this episode, US pet photographer Courtney Bryson reveals the hybrid system she built to make IPS work in a small town of just 800 people.
From ranking #1 for “Atlanta pet photographer” to a video-led sales process clients love, Courtney breaks down how she attracts
618: Marcus Anthony – Offers, Not Products: Rethinking How You Sell Photography
What if the reason you’re stuck isn’t your pricing, your marketing, or even your photography — but the way you think about what you’re selling?
In this episode, Marcus Anthony shares how shifting from selling products to creating offers completely transformed his business. We’re talking $9M in revenue over three years, a team-run studio that doesn’t rely on him, and growth strategies that work ac
617: Tom Trevatt – How a $200k Contract Changed Everything in His Headshot Business
Imagine landing a single contract worth over £200k — enough to reshape your business overnight. That’s exactly what happened for London headshot photographer Tom Trevatt, and in this episode, he shares how it all came together.
From side hustle beginnings to a six-figure studio, Tom opens up about pricing with confidence, building visibility with SEO and podcasts, avoiding burnout, and knowing whe
616: Dave Koch – Shoot Less, Earn More: A Smarter Way to Do Real Estate Photography
What if shooting fewer homes could actually make you more money in real estate photography? In this episode, Dave Koch of Real Estate Media Utah shares how he built a thriving luxury-focused business by treating photography like a business first, and an art form second.
Dave dives into charging smarter (think square metres, not just time), why your website sets client expectations before you even
615: Blair deLaubenfels – Booking Luxury Photography Clients Starts with the Right Images—and Words
What if booking luxury clients wasn’t about chasing trends but showing the right images and saying the right words? In this episode, Blair deLaubenfels shares how purposeful curation and clear messaging can transform your photography business.
From the explosion of elopement photography to the science of first impressions, Blair dives into the shifts shaping today’s market and what most photograph
614: Charles Moll – Winning Out-of-Town Wedding Photography Clients with Smart SEO
What if you could book out-of-town wedding clients without spending a fortune on ads? In this episode, wedding photographer Charles Moll shares how smart SEO, intentional branding, and a streamlined client experience helped him rebuild from scratch twice and still land premium bookings.
From ranking where destination couples are searching to crafting packages that sell themselves, Charles breaks d
613: Walid Azami – Calling Out the Fakes in the Photography Industry
What if the biggest threat to your photography business wasn’t cheap competition or AI — but the advice you’re taking in? In this episode, Walid Azami returns to the podcast to call out the fakes in the industry and share how to spot the difference between real mentors and marketers chasing quick wins.
From researching coaches like you would a lens, to trusting your gut over slick testimonials, Wa
612: Laura Längsfeld – How a Senior Dog Project Became a €50K Business
What if one heartfelt idea could turn into a €50K photography project? That’s exactly what happened for German pet photographer Laura Längsfeld when she created a senior dog book after losing her own beloved pet. What started as a passion project became both therapy and a thriving business.
In this episode, Laura shares how she combined traffic ads, a smart filtering system, and simple landing pag
611: Renee Bowen – Senior Portraits That Sell: What Teens Want, What Parents Buy
What if you could create senior portraits that teens are excited to share and parents are proud to buy — while consistently landing $3,500+ sales? In this episode, Renee Bowen shares how she built a thriving business blending psychology, luxury branding, and marketing that speaks to both audiences.
From redefining senior portraits beyond the cap and gown, to using model teams for word-of-mouth mar
