PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

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 Alex way back in episode 108, more than 10 years ago. Not long after that, he became my go-to person for anything website related. But things have changed. AI is reshaping the way people search, Google is changing the way it displays results, and photographers are asking some big questions… Is SEO still worth the effort? Does blogging still matter? Can AI-built websites actually work? And how do you make sure your photography business is the one Google, ChatGPT or any other AI tool chooses to recommend? In this interview, I put the questions Premium Members posted in the Members Group to Alex — covering AI, websites, SEO, Google Business Profiles, content, schema, website platforms and what photographers should actually focus on now. And Alex shares a grounded, practical look at what still matters, what’s changing fast, and why photographers don’t need to panic… but do need to pay attention. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why photographers worried about AI replacing SEO may be focused on the wrong problem How Google still drives the majority of search traffic, despite the noise around ChatGPT and AI search Why getting recommended by AI tools could become as important as ranking on page one of Google How Google’s AI Overviews are changing website traffic by answering questions before people ever click Why “zero-click search” matters for photographers and what it means for future enquiries How local searches like “wedding photographer near me” remain one of the strongest opportunities for photographers Why fewer, better blog posts based on real experience can beat mass-produced AI content How AI can help with research, strategy and content ideas without replacing your personality or voice Why clear website structure, fast load speeds and helpful content are still the foundation of good SEO How schema and structured data help Google and AI better understand your photography business Why your Google Business Profile is still one of the most important tools for local visibility How consistent business details across your website, Google profile, social media and directories build trust with search engines and AI Why AI-built websites can look finished but still miss the strategy, positioning and conversion thinking that makes them work How photographers can use AI tools to save time, improve strategy and better understand what clients are searching for Why the bigger risk may not be SEO changing, but having a weak or unclear photography business model amplified by more marketing What’s on Offer for Premium Members If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet. Plus, special member-only interviews. The old SEO model was simple: rank high, get the click, make the sale, win the lead. The new model is different. AI reads your website, decides whether to cite or recommend you, and only then does a human see the answer. — Alex Vita You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online. Seriously, that's not all. AI is like a flood coming. You need to move to higher ground. Faster websites, more SEO, more content and more Instagram won’t save a weak business model. They’ll just amplify it. — Alex Vita In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, hold you accountable, and help you build friendships with other pro photographers who share your goals—to build a more successful photography business. What is your big takeaway? Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Alex shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on today's episode. Your website is no longer just the destination. It’s also the source. It’s where AI learns who you are, what you do, and whether you’re worth recommending. — Alex Vita If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Alex, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below. A few years ago, photographers were saying, ‘I need a website.’ Now it’s, ‘I made a website this morning, but something feels off.’ That’s the shift. — Alex Vita   iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons. Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome! Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show. SEO is not dead. The fundamentals still matter: clear site structure, fast pages, and real content. That’s still the foundation. — Alex Vita If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name. Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them. We’re moving deeper into a zero-click world. It’s no longer just about getting people onto your website. You need to be recommended by AI overviews and cited by AI models. — Alex Vita Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​ Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: Foreground Web Foreground Web on Instagram Foreground Web on Facebook Foreground Web on YouTube Foreground Web on LinkedIn PBX108: Alex Vita – Build A Photography Website To Convert Visitors To Clients PBX268: Alex Vita – Everything you need for a successful photography website It’s no longer a numbers game. You’re better off with a handful of genuinely useful posts based on your own expertise and process — content AI can understand, and humans can trust. — Alex Vita Thank you! Huge thanks to Alex for com...

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Vincent Pugliese of www.members.totallifefreedom.com and www.theunconference.live is a former professional photographer who built a wedding photography business with his wife, Elizabeth… and in under four years, paid off all their debt, including their home. But that’s not the most interesting part. What’s interesting is they walked away from that business. Not because it failed. Because it had done what they needed it to do. These days, Vincent is focused on what he calls Total Life Freedom — having control of your time, your work and your money, which he and Elizabeth believe leads to the ultimate freedom in life. He’s also the author of The Wealth of Connection, where he argues that relationships — not marketing tactics — are the real driver of business growth. In this interview, Vincent shares why more bookings and higher revenue don’t automatically lead to freedom, how photographers can use their business to create more options, why paying off debt is only part of the picture, and how building genuine relationships can be more valuable than chasing the latest marketing tactic. This is a conversation about money, freedom, content, connection and building a photography business that supports your life — instead of quietly taking it over. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why photographers chasing freedom often discover it starts with controlling time — not just increasing income How Vincent built a wedding photography business that created financial freedom within four years Why growing a photography business becomes easier when you stop treating yourself like an employee How investing outside your photography business can reduce financial pressure and create long-term security Why paying off debt alone won’t create wealth without building income-producing assets alongside it How strong relationships can outperform polished websites and clever marketing funnels for photographers Why one genuine connection with an event planner can generate more bookings than months of social media posting How reaching out to people consistently every week can quietly become a photographer’s best lead-generation strategy Why photographers with authentic personal brands often create deeper trust than those focused only on selling How writing honest, personality-driven content can build stronger engagement than constantly posting portfolio work Why solopreneur photographers often choose simplicity, flexibility and lifestyle freedom over building large teams How “freedom first, luxury later” can help photographers build a business that supports life — instead of consuming it What’s on Offer for Premium Members If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet. Plus, special member-only interviews. I'm a solopreneur to the core. I keep hitting the same crossroads: grow bigger, build a team and create a “real business”… or keep it small and do it my way. – Vincent Pugliese You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online. Seriously, that's not all. The most valuable thing you can build is your network. – Vincent Pugliese In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, hold you accountable, and help you build friendships with other pro photographers who share your goals—to build a more successful photography business. What is your big takeaway? Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Vincent shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on today's episode. I’ve never been one to let money dictate my happiness. If money doesn’t dictate your happiness, you can be happy whether you have it or not. – Vincent Pugliese If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Vincent, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below. Freedom isn’t outsourcing everything. For me, freedom is being able to work on things I actually love doing. – Vincent Pugliese   iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons. Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome! Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show. If you increase your income, invest that income and create assets that earn in other ways, you don’t have to shoot forever if you don’t want to. – Vincent Pugliese If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name. Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them. One thing financial freedom has given me is the ability to not work with people I don’t want to work with. I can’t tell you how much that’s worth. – Vincent Pugliese Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​ Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: The Unconference Website Total Life Freedom Website Vincent Pugliese on Facebook Vincent Pugliese on LinkedIn PBX474: Vincent Pugliese – Using connection to make business personal and more successful PBX255: Vincent Pugliese – How to Move to a Life of Zero Debt With Your Photography Business PBX434: Liz Wilcox – How to write unsucky emails to book photography clients The business idea was never, “How do we build the best business?” It was, “How do we build a business that gives us freedom to be with our kids?” – Vincent Pugliese Thank you! Huge thanks to Vincent for coming back on and sharing so openly. What stood out for me is that this conversation isn’t really about building a bigger photography business. It’s about building one that gives you more freedom, more options and more control over your life. I loved Vincent’s reminder that more revenue doesn’t automatically mean more freedom — especially if the business still relies on you saying yes to every client, every booking and every opportunity. And his line, “freedom first, luxury later,” I love that! Because a photography business that crea...

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Ryan Erickson of www.fetchphototruck.com first appeared on the podcast back in episode 587. He’s a mobile, come-to-you dog photographer based in Colorado, USA, with a custom-built pet photography studio inside a towable trailer. That trailer allows him to photograph dogs and run same-day in-person sales sessions right outside his clients’ homes. When we last spoke, I remember being impressed by what Ryan had built… but also a little worried. He was working hard. Really hard. And I wondered whether the pace was actually sustainable. Then recently, I learned his business grew by 50% last year and hit $315,000 in revenue. A huge part of that growth came from in-person market events — 42 of them in a single year. He’s also been investing heavily in Instagram ads, seeing a 9x return on ad spend, and only a few weeks before this interview, landed an $8,450 sale from someone who responded to one of those ads. In this interview, Ryan shares what’s working now, what nearly pushed him into burnout, how he’s using Instagram ads and market events to generate serious leads, and why the next stage of growth might be less about doing more… and more about building a business he can actually sustain. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why Instagram ads can attract higher-value photography clients than local market events How Ryan Erickson grew his pet photography business to $315K in revenue Why burnout often comes from the business around photography — not the photography itself How outsourcing market events can help photographers win back their weekends Why photographers often over-explain what clients don’t actually care about How talking about a client’s dog can create stronger sales conversations than pitching packages Why simple, repeatable photography setups can make a business easier to sell and scale How a consistent visual style helps attract the right clients online Why Instagram DM conversations can warm up leads before they ask about pricing How same-day in-person sales turn client excitement into bigger artwork orders Why sustainable growth needs more than a revenue goal  How philanthropy, niche positioning and brand recognition can create long-term demand What’s on Offer for Premium Members If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet. Plus, special member-only interviews. Up until now, it's just been push, push, push, grow, grow, grow, and see what you can get. I've seen where that's taken me, but now I'm reflecting more on what's sustainable and what I want the next five, 10 and 20 years to look like. – Ryan Erickson You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online. Seriously, that's not all. I'm able to focus all my attention on making the humans relaxed, which then makes the dogs relaxed. Very quickly, their dogs feed off that energy too. – Ryan Erickson In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, hold you accountable, and help you build friendships with other pro photographers who share your goals—to build a more successful photography business.     What is your big takeaway? Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Ryan shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on today's episode. The easiest part about what I do is taking the pictures. That's the fun part. It's not draining, it's not stressful, and I'm rewarded by creating the experience. What burned me out was the market events and the physical work involved. – Ryan Erickson If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Ryan, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below. The fact that she saw my ad, reached out, and we started that conversation proved to me there are people who value what we do on social media. – Ryan Erickson     iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons. Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome! Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show. The more options we give people, the more overwhelming it becomes. I think what works for me is keeping it simple and making it all about the personality of the pet and the connection with their owners. – Ryan Erickson If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name. Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them. Sometimes, as the business owners, we're too prideful, and we talk about things we think the client might be interested in. But at those events, you just need someone who's happy to talk about their dog and get them signed up. – Ryan Erickson Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​ The Complete Business Calculator for Photographers Elle Payne from Always Belle Photography has created a simple online budgeting calculator for photographers who want a clearer picture of their numbers. It’s designed to help you work out what you actually need to earn, what your expenses look like, and whether your pricing is supporting the business and lifestyle you’re trying to build. Worth a look if you’ve been guessing your numbers, avoiding the spreadsheet, or wondering whether your current pricing is really enough. You can check it out here: https://photobizx.com/budget The cost is normally $49. This week only, save more than 50% and pay only $20     Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: Fetch Photo Truck Website Fetch Photo Truck on Instagram Fetch Photo Truck on Facebook PBX587: Ryan Erickson – Fetch Photo Truck – A Mobile Pet Photography Business Wagging its Way to Success PBX524: Alex Cearns – Photography business rules for success and profit PBX434: Liz Wilcox – How to write unsucky emails to book photography clients You show what you want to sell and hope that it comes to you. – Ryan Erickson Thank you! Huge thanks to Ryan for coming back on and being so open about where...

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Stacey Rolfe of www.staceyrolfephotography.com and www.toghub.com.au is one of those photographers who’s built a business that doesn’t just look good from the outside… it actually works. She’s a Sydney-based family photographer who photographed 131 families last year and generated over $300,000 across her different income streams. Roughly a third comes from photography, another third from building CRM systems for photographers through her business, The Tidy Tog… and the rest from education, mentoring, and events. Before photography, Stacey spent 12 years as a corporate lawyer in London and Sydney — and that background shows up everywhere in how she runs her business. She thinks differently. While most photographers are chasing leads, posting on Instagram, and hoping something sticks… Stacey has built a system that turns past clients into repeat bookings — again and again. Last year, around 75–80% of her bookings came from returning clients… with another 25–30% from referrals. That alone is worth paying attention to. In this interview, Stacey shares how she’s built a business around simplicity, systems, and client experience — and why that approach can make marketing easier, sales more natural, and your business far more sustainable. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why photographers focused on systems (not leads) are outperforming competitors How Stacey Rolfe built a $300K+ multi-income business Why repeat bookings become automatic when sessions feel like a yearly tradition How subtle, presumptive selling drives rebookings without pressure Why removing friction from your client journey increases bookings and referrals How simple pricing structures lead to higher upgrades and easier decisions Why larger print credits outperform discounts and drive real product sales How premium mini sessions attract better clients and feed full bookings Why automation builds trust, improves experience, and saves hours every week Why the “best” business model is the one that fits your life—not industry expectations What’s on Offer for Premium Members If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet. Plus, special member-only interviews. Most photographers are chasing leads… I’m focused on systems, client experience, and making what you’re already doing more efficient and more profitable. — Stacey Rolfe You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online. Seriously, that's not all. It sounds small to automate emails and reminders… but those tiny things create a domino effect of trust in your business. — Stacey Rolfe In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, hold you accountable, and help you build friendships with other pro photographers who share your goals—to build a more successful photography business.   What is your big takeaway? Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Stacey shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on today's episode. Almost 80% of my bookings are returning clients — and that shows up even stronger than in the leads. — Stacey Rolfe If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Stacey, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below. As soon as pricing feels confusing or hidden, you lose trust — and that’s what stops people booking. — Stacey Rolfe IPS Like a MoFo Training – Session 1 is in the bag; one session to go. Don't miss out! If your IPS sessions feel awkward… inconsistent… or you’re hearing “we’ll think about it” more than you’d like… This is for you! Because most photographers don’t have a sales problem. They have an IPS problem. Richard Grenfell has built a process that delivers $3–4K in average sales with a 97–98% conversion rate. No pressure. No discounting. No “sales tricks.” Just a better way to run the entire experience. And the part most photographers miss? They're losing the sale before the session even begins. If your work is strong… but your numbers don’t reflect it… Do not miss this. All the details are here: https://learn.photobizx.com/ips-like-a-mofo-registration/   iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons. Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome! Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show. If you make the experience amazing and show people why this matters, it stops being a one-off shoot… it becomes something they do every year. — Stacey Rolfe If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name. Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them. You don’t have to run your business a certain way — you have to build one that fits your life. — Stacey Rolfe Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.​   Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: TidyTog Website TogHub on Instagram TogHub on Facebook Stacey Rolfe Photography Website Stacey Rolfe Photography on Instagram Stacey Rolfe Photography on Facebook That first shoot is intimidating and vulnerable — if you can remove that stress, people don’t want to go looking for another photographer. — Stacey Rolfe Thank you! Huge thanks to Stacey for being so open to sharing everything she did. What stood out for me… this isn’t really about marketing. It’s about systems, simplicity, and removing friction. Because when you get that right… Clients come back. Referrals happen naturally. And you stop chasing every new lead. Love to hear what stood out for you. While other photographers are spending hours on sales and delivery… I’m out doing another shoot. — Stacey Rolfe That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business! Thanks for listening—speak soon, Andrew The post 669: Stacey Rolfe – 80% Returning Clients… Without Discounts or...

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Nik Buttigieg of www.nikbuttigieg.com is someone I feel like we’ve all been on the journey with as he’s built an incredibly successful portrait photography business. He’s been a listener — and an active PhotoBizX member — since 2018. I first brought him on in 2021 for the Coaching Diaries series. Back then he was living in a remote part of Western Australia, shooting out of a caravan parked in his front yard, and only just starting to find his momentum. Then in 2022, he packed up his family, his life, and his business and moved to Albury — a large rural town on the NSW/VIC border. He hit the ground running and immediately put everything he’d learned into practice. We covered that whole transition in episode 531. That was two years ago… and since then, something has shifted. You can see it in the way he shows up in the members’ Facebook group, how he talks about marketing and client experience, how he approaches sales, lead generation, and running a proper studio business. It’s like watching all the pieces finally lock together — the hard work, the lessons, the discomfort, the experimentation — suddenly operating in full flow. I was genuinely excited to sit down with him again — not just because he feels like an old mate, but because I wanted to understand what sparked this shift… and the conversation did not disappoint. In this interview, Nik shares his low-pressure marketing strategy for filling his studio with ideal clients. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: The simple shift that took Nik from shooting in a caravan to running a high-performing studio — and why your environment has more to do with confidence and growth than most photographers realise. How building a small, reliable team frees you up to focus on marketing and sales — the work that actually moves your revenue needle. The studio setup approach that creates consistency, speed, and predictable client satisfaction (no weather stress, no location roulette). Why diversifying your lead generation — expos, fundraising, giveaways, partnerships, and seasonal promos — protects you from slow months and keeps bookings rolling in. <li c

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Danilo & Sharon Vasic of www.daniloandsharon.com are a husband-and-wife team based in Italy but travelling the world to photograph stunning weddings! Incredibly, they met at age 7, started dating at 14, have been married for more than 10 years, and have 2 kids. Their roots are in fashion & advertising, where they were regularly shooting fashion covers for Elle magazine. These days, they are one of the world's best luxury destination wedding photographers. Their style is often described as editorial wedding photography, where they clearly step in and help direct a scene to get the most out of it for their clients. They also teach their workflow, editing, lighting and visual storytelling — and you'll understand why if you take one look at their images. Stunning does not come close to describing their work. Take one look at their Instagram feed, and it literally looks like a series of fashion magazine covers. Sure, there are some actual covers from little magazines you may have heard of, like Vogue! Seriously, take a look at their portfolio, it's to die for! In this interview, Danilo and Sharon share how they went from €50 weddings to a global luxury photography business with photography pricing starting at €50,000! Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How Danilo and Sharon built a thriving editorial-style wedding brand that’s now booked out a year in advance Why charging from day one changes everything — your confidence, your standards, and your clients’ respect How their fashion and advertising roots shaped a high-end wedding style couples around the world now crave The preparation process that turns luxury clients into co-creators — from mood boards to fashion-inspired lookbooks How understanding the mindset of high-net-worth clients removes intimidation and builds instant trust Why investing in your presence — from wardrobe to words — is as critical as investing in your craft The simple change that transformed their bookings: adding Sharon to sales calls and personalising the connection <i class="fusion

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Jason Guy of www.jgboudoir.com is a US-based boudoir photographer with 10 years of experience photographing women. In an email exchange, he told me that after listening to a bunch of interviews with other boudoir photographers, his processes differ from what he'd heard. He told me he'd never been interviewed before but would be happy to talk business and marketing. Following a little look around, I discovered his detailed boudoir guide, which goes into more detail than I'd seen before, covering topics like Hair Removal, Tan Lines, Teeth Whitening, and a Blueprint to Tone Up & Become Unrecognisable in 6 Months. There was another detailed post on his process for making toddler moms look like models. He has his price list clearly visible on his website, and you will love the retro photo viewer he offers. For someone who fell into boudoir photography by accident, he seems to be doing a hell of a job! In this interview, Jason shares how four clients a month became a $200K photography business. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: The unexpected career shift that took Jason from painting contractor to boudoir photographer—and how his trade background surprisingly gave him an edge behind the camera How using boudoir as a “training tool” to master posing and direction turned into a business that helps women see themselves differently Why photographing models can be harder than working with everyday women—and how Jason earns trust and confidence from clients who’ve never been in front of a camera The client experience that converts nervous first-timers into raving fans and has them referring friends before they’ve even seen their photos How Jason attracts health-focused, motivated clients without relying on censored ads or social algorithms that bury his work The simple offline marketing tool that keeps bookings coming—and why Jason always hands out more referral cards than people ask for A sales process that never feels pushy—how he designs albums clients can’t say no to while keeping everything transparent and ethical <i class="fusion-li-icon a

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Yaneck Wasiek of www.wasiofaces.com and www.wasiodigital.com is today's incredible guest! While travelling recently, I shared that I had visited Poland in one of the emails I sent to PhotoBizX listeners and members. That email prompted a response from Yaneck, who I learned was originally from Warsaw. He grew up there and left Poland at 20. I also learned he runs a $600k+/ year studio with his wife. And he has a Facebook Group with over 1000 members focusing on business, and his WASIO Digital platform to help photographers with digital marketing. His photography business started in 2017, when they lived and worked in a tiny studio. From here, they moved to a larger home and converted part of it to a studio space – which was still tight, but functional. And in 2020, they moved the studio out of their home and have a beautiful, spacious, purpose-built studio in Los Angeles, USA. Focusing on headshots, his work is first class, with an easy-to-navigate website and packed with information to serve any client — I was  looking forward to learning the secrets of his success. In this interview, Yaneck shares the simple systems that helped him build a $600K/year headshot photography business. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: The simple lead generation system Yaneck uses to bring in $15K corporate jobs — without chasing clients or relying on luck How he turns one-off headshot sessions into long-term corporate relationships that keep paying year after year The pricing setup that gets clients happily paying more — and why clear, honest pricing always beats “premium positioning” Why consistency in lighting, background and crop can become your biggest advantage with repeat clients The door-to-door strategy that built a six-figure studio from scratch — and how one free shoot turned into $150K in bookings Why showing up and building relationships still beats any algorithm when it comes to growing your business How Yaneck uses LinkedIn to attract steady work (and what most photographers get wrong there)

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area A couple of months ago, I interviewed a UK-based photography business coach, Kenny Martin — also known as The Studio Doctor. His recipe for success was to shoot portraits, focus on the numbers, get people in front of your camera as often as possible and give them the chance to spend more. He and what he shared were a big hit with listeners. Then he surprised me with this email… Kenny says: I never mentioned that my daughter Natalie is one of the top wedding photographers practising today: incredible work, incredible business and a completely different approach to most wedding photographers. As well as being an awesome shooter she was one of my best salespeople and contributed £3.2 million over 7 years. Then she moved from sales and went all in on weddings and has never looked back. Top Fearless Photographer in Scotland, Top 10 wedding photographer in the UK, UK Wedding Photographer of the Year a couple of times and awards left, right and centre from other associations. It's obvious how proud Kenny is of Natalie. But what really sparked my interest, aside from her accolades and incredible portfolio… is why in the world would she be focusing on weddings when all I'm guessing she's been told is portraits are the way to go for a successful business. In this interview, Natalie shares how she books £3,000+ wedding photography packages by leading with albums, not digital files… in fact, she doesn't even offer the digitals. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: The mindset shift that keeps wedding photography exciting — even after hundreds of weddings Why chasing joy instead of money can actually grow your profits How Natalie consistently books £3,000+ weddings in a market that says “you can’t charge that here” The surprising power of meeting couples face-to-face (or on Zoom) before talking price The exact moment she asks couples to book — and why it works so well How to handle “you’re out of our budget” without dropping your prices or apologising <i class="fusion-l

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Trevor Dayley of www.magnetmod.com and www.trevordayley.com posted something interesting on Instagram recently – it was titled “If I Were the Devil Trying to Ruin a Photographer’s Career.” He told me (and I can see) it blew up—and in rolled the DMs, shares and comments. Turns out a lot of photographers are feeling what he put into words: Doubt. Burnout. That nagging feeling you’re falling behind, even when you’re doing good work. He says it sparked some honest conversations. To give you a little more background… Trevor was a full-time wedding photographer. Has been shooting professionally for about 15 years and has photographed over 500 weddings. He was voted one of the Top 100 Wedding Photographers by SLR Lounge — take one look at his work and you'll see why. He now has a job at MagMod, where he works with photographers to help them create better images and run stronger businesses. In this interview, Trevor shares how to build a thriving photography business without the social media grind. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: The mindset shift that helped Trevor stop chasing likes and start defining success on his own terms How cutting back on weddings opened the door to more creativity, freedom, and genuinely better client experiences Why showing vulnerability online builds stronger trust and deeper connections — with both clients and other photographers Trevor’s refreshingly simple, no-pressure approach to mastering off-camera flash while shooting real weddings The power of small, supportive peer groups (like Trevor’s “Breakfast Club”) to keep you accountable and growing fast How he builds new referral networks from scratch every time he moves to a new area — without any awkward self-promotion Why being real and consistent online will always attract more loyal clients than any perfectly curated feed The gratitude habit that turns vendors, ven

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Nidhi Dahiya of www.nidscreations.com sent me a DM, which led to this incredible interview. She said in that message: Hi Andrew! I just had my biggest month for portrait revenue in May, with USD$123.3k in sales. Nidhi first appeared on the podcast for episode 462 in 2022. At the time, she was working a full-time job, but expanded her photography business from a $30,000 annual turnover to over $750,000! This was through a combination of headshots, families and senior photography sessions. After some additional research for today's interview and following her message, the standout headline for me was how she achieved an average sale of $11,000 by offering multiple genres of photography per client. I couldn't wait to learn more about this process! In this interview, Nidhi shares how to take branding and headshot client enquiries to $14K family portrait sales. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: The branding strategy that positions you as the go-to photographer (so clients stop shopping around) How to consistently attract premium buyers without spending a cent on ads Why niching your message, not just your genre, is the real key to scaling The consultation approach that builds instant trust and sets up five-figure sales How Nidhi regularly turns sessions into $14,000+ sales using wall art and products Smart ways to handle clients with smaller budgets — while still leaving them feeling valued The role of mindset in business growth (and how belief shifts can transform your bookings overnight) Behind the scenes of Nidhi’s home-based luxury studio and the little touches that elevate the client experience Why showing clients the end product first (albums, wall art, website images) changes how they buy How coaching and

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Ilana Wechsler of www.teachtraffic.com was first interviewed for episode 513 back in 2023 — and I’m thrilled to have her back. Ilana specialises in helping business owners, including photographers, run profitable Google and Facebook ad campaigns — without needing to hire an expensive agency. She has managed over $30 million in ad spend and now focuses on teaching simple, practical strategies that actually work. Many photographers tell me that ads feel overwhelming or too expensive… Ilana’s here to show they don’t have to be. Because when done right, ads can be one of the best ways to generate quality leads and bookings — attracting incredible clients who are already searching for photography. In this interview, Ilana shares simple Google Ad strategies that actually generate photography bookings. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why Google Ads still matter for local photographers (even with AI search on the rise) The trap of Performance Max campaigns — and better alternatives that actually work Why Google Ads often beat Facebook for conversions (and the crucial difference between them) The mindset shift you need: Forget cost-per-click — track cost-per-qualified-lead instead Smart starting budgets, when to scale your spend, and the two numbers that really matter A simple, low-maintenance campaign type that saves hours of keyword research and works for most photographers How to know if it’s your ads or your website holding back bookings Why understanding “quality score” can make or break your campaigns When to run ads even if you already rank #1 in Google search Clever ways to track every lead — including phone calls — so you know exactly what your ad spend is getting you <img class="bordered aligncenter wp-image-25243

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Maddie Mae of www.adventureinstead.com is a US-based elopement photographer… with a difference! She was one of the first, if not THE first, elopement photographers. After shooting big weddings for 5 years, a couple booked her an elopement in the Rocky Mountains. She says this booking changed the course of her life and the trajectory of her business. It was elopements or bust from then on. Fast forward to today, and she's photographed over 300 elopements in the last 10 years. Has worked in over 40 countries, photographing weddings. Take one look through her portfolio and you will die with envy… the locations, photography, couples and moments will blow you away. In this interview, Maddie shares how to run a profitable destination elopement photography business. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How Maddie manages travel, seasonal shifts, and stacked shooting schedules while staying profitable Why aligning client expectations with your creative goals sets you up for long-term success The SEO, Pinterest, and Instagram strategies that bring a steady flow of high-value enquiries Building a portfolio that sells — and how styled destination shoots can fast-track your bookings and brand positioning The trust-building tactics that spark referrals and repeat clients How Maddie books dream jobs in regions with strict photography rules Humanising your brand online — why personal storytelling and behind-the-scenes content create stronger engagement Futureproofing your marketing with AI, Google Ads, and a clear homepage message How education and mentorship can expand both your influence and your income Bringing your creative vision to every job while keeping the client experience front and centre <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-25036" src="https://photobizx.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Maddie-Mae-Photography-Podcast_3.jpg" alt

Maddie Mae of www.adventureinstead.com is a US-based elopement photographer… with a difference! She was one of the first, if not THE first, elopement photographers. After shooting big weddings for 5 years, a couple booked her an elopement in the Rocky Mountains. She says this booking changed the course of her life and the trajectory of her business. It was elopements or bust from then on. Fast forward to today, and she's photographed over 300 elopements in the last 10 years. Has worked in over 40 countries, photographing weddings. Take one look through her portfolio and you will die with envy… the locations, photography, couples and moments will blow you away. In this interview, Maddie shares how to run a profitable destination elopement photography business. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How Maddie manages travel, seasonal shifts, and stacked shooting schedules while staying profitable Why aligning client expectations with your creative goals sets you up for long-term success The SEO, Pinterest, and Instagram strategies that bring a steady flow of high-value enquiries Building a portfolio that sells — and how styled destination shoots can fast-track your bookings and brand positioning The trust-building tactics that spark referrals and repeat clients How Maddie books dream jobs in regions with strict photography rules Humanising your brand online — why personal storytelling and behind-the-scenes content create stronger engagement Futureproofing your marketing with AI, Google Ads, and a clear homepage message How education and mentorship can expand both your influence and your income Bringing your creative vision to every job while keeping the client experience front and centre What is your big takeaway? Following this interview, I’d love to

Kirstie McConnell of www.classicoportraits.com and www.classicoportraits.com.au will be well known amongst pet photographers and long-term listeners to the podcast. Originally based in Adelaide, where she was South Australia's first specialist pet photographer before cofounding The Pet Photographers Club with equally talented photographer, Caitlin McColl. She has appeared on the podcast multiple times, where she presented two separate Masterclasses on how to Set up for Success as a Pet Photographer and How to Successfully Move into Pet Photography. Since then, she met, fell in love with and married a handsome Italian gentleman and moved to Italy, where she started a brand new business — Classico Portraits. It hasn't been plain sailing, but she's built the photography business into something special, where she averages $5000 for her tourist portrait sessions. Now… she’s relocating back to Australia and planning to hit the ground running as she starts over, again, with her new photography business as a Gippsland & Mornington Peninsula photographer where she'll be focusing on families, couples and pets on adventures. In this interview, Kirstie shares exactly how she moved from pets to premium portraits and reinvented her photography business. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How a move to Italy reset Kirstie’s creativity and sharpened her positioning Why she pivoted from pets to luxury family portraits—and what changed in her sales The “start from zero” plan: building a client base in a new country without a network Turning tourism partners into a pipeline: hotels and operators with €400+/night guests SEO as the quiet workhorse: ranking in multiple Italian cities for high-spend enquiries From pets to people: what transfers, what doesn’t, and how to price for the jump Cold outreach that compounds: 380+ targeted emails, and why she doesn’t follow up Same-day sales, poolside viewings, and the buyer experience that lifts average order value (AOV) <i class="fusion-li-icon awb

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Kirstie McConnell of www.classicoportraits.com and www.classicoportraits.com.au will be well known amongst pet photographers and long-term listeners to the podcast. Originally based in Adelaide, where she was South Australia's first specialist pet photographer before cofounding The Pet Photographers Club with equally talented photographer, Caitlin McColl. She has appeared on the podcast multiple times, where she presented two separate Masterclasses on how to Set up for Success as a Pet Photographer and How to Successfully Move into Pet Photography. Since then, she met, fell in love with and married a handsome Italian gentleman and moved to Italy, where she started a brand new business — Classico Portraits. It hasn't been plain sailing, but she's built the photography business into something special, where she averages $5000 for her tourist portrait sessions. Now… she’s relocating back to Australia and planning to hit the ground running as she starts over, again, with her new photography business as a Gippsland & Mornington Peninsula photographer where she'll be focusing on families, couples and pets on adventures. In this interview, Kirstie shares exactly how she moved from pets to premium portraits and reinvented her photography business. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How a move to Italy reset Kirstie’s creativity and sharpened her positioning Why she pivoted from pets to luxury family portraits—and what changed in her sales The “start from zero” plan: building a client base in a new country without a network Turning tourism partners into a pipeline: hotels and operators with €400+/night guests SEO as the quiet workhorse: ranking in multiple Italian cities for high-spend enquiries From pets to people: what transfers, what doesn’t, and how to price for the jump Cold outreach that compounds: 380+ targeted emails, and why she doesn’t follow up Same-day sales,

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Rebecca Hunnicutt of www.hunnicuttphotography.com is a lifestyle family, maternity and newborn photographer based in Portland, Oregon. She first came onto my radar when I discovered her teaching photographers how to turn ordinary locations into amazing images with confidence and ease. The more I dug, the more impressed I was — she runs photography classes for kids, works with pre-schools, creates profitable model call promotions, all while running a successful family photography business. Her website is beautifully clear and easy to navigate, featuring stunning imagery and a pricing page that clearly states: Most families spend around $1,500. I couldn’t wait to dive into this one. In this interview, Rebecca shares how, like her, you can build a profitable, adaptable (to you) and fun photography business that you love! Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How Rebecca built a thriving family and school photography business in Portland The seasonal secret behind her profits — and why September to December makes all the difference Balancing school photography with family life — Rebecca’s smart scheduling hack Turning schools into goldmines: average spend per student and the role communication plays Why converting school families into portrait clients isn’t as simple as it sounds Teaching kids photography — how Rebecca fills her slow season with profitable camps Model calls done right: boosting bookings while delighting clients Pricing strategies that turn smaller sessions into big print and album sales The automation hacks Rebecca leans on to handle high client volume without burning out Why education matters — Rebecca’s move into courses, mentorship, and her “Sight Lines” brand The juggling act: running multiple income streams without losin

Rebecca Hunnicutt of www.hunnicuttphotography.com is a lifestyle family, maternity and newborn photographer based in Portland, Oregon. She first came onto my radar when I discovered her teaching photographers how to turn ordinary locations into amazing images with confidence and ease. The more I dug, the more impressed I was — she runs photography classes for kids, works with pre-schools, creates profitable model call promotions, all while running a successful family photography business. Her website is beautifully clear and easy to navigate, featuring stunning imagery and a pricing page that clearly states: Most families spend around $1,500. I couldn’t wait to dive into this one. In this interview, Rebecca shares how, like her, you can build a profitable, adaptable (to you) and fun photography business that you love! Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How Rebecca built a thriving family and school photography business The seasonal secret behind her profits — and why September to December makes all the difference Balancing school photography with family life — Rebecca’s smart scheduling hack Turning schools into goldmines: average spend per student and the role communication plays Why converting school families into portrait clients isn’t as simple as it sounds Teaching kids photography — how Rebecca fills her slow season with profitable camps Model calls done right: boosting bookings while delighting clients Pricing strategies that turn smaller sessions into big print and album sales The automation hacks Rebecca leans on to handle high client volume without burning out Why education matters — Rebecca’s move into courses, mentorship, and her “Sight Lines” brand The juggling act: running multiple income streams without losing focus Rebecca’s forward plan — refining camps, expanding education,

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Jenna Harrison of www.theuncommonway.com appears to be living her dream — and has been, ever since she threw in her great career to pursue her dreams of travel and freedom. I first became aware of her when we connected via email, and she told me that she had built her business by implementing strategic constraints and sticking to a 3-day workweek. Since then, she’s grown the business to a point that allowed her to retire her husband early, move their family to their dream location, buy their dream home, and live what she calls a “blue zone” lifestyle overseas. As someone who’s all about living the life I want — and with that being the number one reason I started a photography business so that I could stop trading hours for money — I was keen to schedule this interview. I did have some reservations, though. Although she doesn’t label herself as a mindset coach, there’s definitely a hint of those “woo-woo” concepts that I’m a little wary of. But then I read and watched some of the success stories from the business owners she’s helped… and it’s clear there’s a ton we can learn and apply to our own businesses. In this interview, Jenna shares how you can build a 3-day workweek photography business by focusing on mindset, smart systems, and designing your business to serve the life you actually want. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: From wedding bookings to world travel – how Jenna built freedom into her photography business Why mindset, not marketing, became the secret weapon behind her rapid growth The sales shift that turned awkward chats into confident, high-converting conversations Breaking free from the business fishbowl and spotting opportunities others miss How working with a Princeton-trained coach unlocked Jenna’s next level of success The three pillars of a thriving photography business – unique offer, strong systems, CEO mindset Pricing with confidence and why money mindset determines your income more than your skill The discomfort hack – leaning into fear as the fuel f

Jenna Harrison of www.theuncommonway.com appears to be living her dream — and has been, ever since she threw in her great career to pursue her dreams of travel and freedom. I first became aware of her when we connected via email, and she told me that she had built her business by implementing strategic constraints and sticking to a 3-day workweek. Since then, she’s grown the business to a point that allowed her to retire her husband early, move their family to their dream location, buy their dream home, and live what she calls a “blue zone” lifestyle overseas. As someone who’s all about living the life I want — and with that being the number one reason I started a photography business so that I could stop trading hours for money — I was keen to schedule this interview. I did have some reservations, though. Although she doesn’t label herself as a mindset coach, there’s definitely a hint of those “woo-woo” concepts that I’m a little wary of. But then I read and watched some of the success stories from the business owners she’s helped… and it’s clear there’s a ton we can learn and apply to our own businesses. In this interview, Jenna shares how you can build a 3-day workweek photography business by focusing on mindset, smart systems, and designing your business to serve the life you actually want. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: From wedding bookings to world travel – how Jenna built freedom into her photography business Why mindset, not marketing, became the secret weapon behind her rapid growth The sales shift that turned awkward chats into confident, high-converting conversations Breaking free from the business fishbowl and spotting opportunities others miss How working with a Princeton-trained coach unlocked Jenna’s next level of success The three pillars of a thriving photography business – unique offer, strong systems, CEO mindset Pricing with confidence and why money mindset determines your income more than your skill The discomfort hack – leaning into fear as the fuel for faster growth From 30 days of going live to unstoppable vis

Kelly Warkentin of https://kindredphotography.ca/ and www.kellywarkentin.com is a Canadian-based family and newborn photographer, photography business coach, and mother of three. Although she's coaching other photographers, shooting makes up 90% of her income and brings in over $85,000 in revenue. She said in an email to me, as much as I love photography, running a business while raising young kids left her constantly torn — working late nights, saying yes to too much, and still not earning what she needed. Then she restructured her business to serve her life. Fewer clients. Higher sales. Better systems. And the freedom to be present with her kids without sacrificing ambition. Today, she's also coaching photographers on the system she uses with clients to hit regular 4-figure sessions to work less and focus on family. In this interview, I was hoping to learn how photographers can earn more while working less, even with young kids at home, and Kelly didn't disappoint when she shared how to turn $150 photography sessions into 4-figure clients and a life you love. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How Kelly went from $150 shoots to $2K clients — and what really made the difference The surprising way she finally found freedom in both motherhood and business The bold move that shifted everything — and why SEO coaching changed the game What happens on that very first call that gets dream clients saying yes The pre-session secret that builds trust and makes sales feel effortless Why albums turn out to be the easiest “yes” you’ll ever get from a client How to sell without saying a word — the quiet power of artwork on your walls The unexpected marketing mix that actually works when others don’t Why a simple coffee chat can turn into a premium booking How to attract high-achieving clients who happily pay more The flexible, empathetic

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Kelly Warkentin of https://kindredphotography.ca/ and www.kellywarkentin.com is a Canadian-based family and newborn photographer, photography business coach, and mother of three. Although she's coaching other photographers, shooting makes up 90% of her income and brings in over $85,000 in revenue. She said in an email to me, as much as I love photography, running a business while raising young kids left her constantly torn — working late nights, saying yes to too much, and still not earning what she needed. Then she restructured her business to serve her life. Fewer clients. Higher sales. Better systems. And the freedom to be present with her kids without sacrificing ambition. Today, she's also coaching photographers on the system she uses with clients to hit regular 4-figure sessions to work less and focus on family. In this interview, I was hoping to learn how photographers can earn more while working less, even with young kids at home, and Kelly didn't disappoint when she shared how to turn $150 photography sessions into 4-figure clients and a life you love. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How Kelly went from $150 shoots to $2K clients — and what really made the difference The surprising way she finally found freedom in both motherhood and business The bold move that shifted everything — and why SEO coaching changed the game What happens on that very first call that gets dream clients saying yes The pre-session secret that builds trust and makes sales feel effortless Why albums turn out to be the easiest “yes” you’ll ever get from a client How to sell without saying a word — the quiet power of artwork on your walls The unexpected marketing mix that actually works when others don’t Why a simple coffee chat can turn into a premium booking How to attract high-

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area John Mills of https://souldog.studio hit £200K in two years with his pet photography business in the UK. He puts it down to Facebook Ads and the follow-up discovery calls! We were exchanging emails recently, and he told me that he'd pivoted to dog photography around two years ago, having moved to a new part of the UK. He rented a studio so he could finally start doing IPS. He said he'd always planned to move into pets, but knew having a studio with art on the walls would be essential. He said, I’ve waited to send this email until it was official. Turnover last year was just under £200k, with 95% coming from Facebook and WANTED ads. He has a lovely, easy-to-navigate website with a strong emphasis on booking a Discovery Call. And I love his NO OBLIGATION OR PRESSURE SALES POLICY – straightforward and easy to see on his investment page. In this interview, Jon shares a ton! Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: From headshots to hounds — how Jon built a thriving pet photography brand from scratch Why client feedback is pure gold (and how Jon uses it to create unforgettable experiences) Charging what you’re worth — the pricing approach that boosted profits without scaring clients off Discovery calls that qualify the right clients and save time, energy and sanity Why a studio full of artwork sells more than words ever could Facebook ads that actually work — and the simple tweaks that keep enquiries coming in Coffee, dogs, and photos — the local partnerships creating real win–win opportunities Outsourcing for growth — how handing off editing freed up time and fuelled consistency Smart automation that books clients while you sleep Real stories and authentic testimonials that actually drive bookings Pricing with confidence — and why it means happier clients and fewer headaches

John Mills of https://souldog.studio hit £200K in two years with his pet photography business in the UK. He puts it down to Facebook Ads and the follow-up discovery calls! We were exchanging emails recently, and he told me that he'd pivoted to dog photography around two years ago, having moved to a new part of the UK. He rented a studio so he could finally start doing IPS. He said he'd always planned to move into pets, but knew having a studio with art on the walls would be essential. He said, I’ve waited to send this email until it was official. Turnover last year was just under £200k, with 95% coming from Facebook and WANTED ads. He has a lovely, easy-to-navigate website with a strong emphasis on booking a Discovery Call. And I love his NO OBLIGATION OR PRESSURE SALES POLICY – straightforward and easy to see on his investment page. In this interview, Jon shares a ton! Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: From headshots to hounds — how Jon built a thriving pet photography brand from scratch Why client feedback is pure gold (and how Jon uses it to create unforgettable experiences) Charging what you’re worth — the pricing approach that boosted profits without scaring clients off Discovery calls that qualify the right clients and save time, energy and sanity Why a studio full of artwork sells more than words ever could Facebook ads that actually work — and the simple tweaks that keep enquiries coming in Coffee, dogs, and photos — the local partnerships creating real win–win opportunities Outsourcing for growth — how handing off editing freed up time and fuelled consistency Smart automation that books clients while you sleep Real stories and authentic testimonials that actually drive bookings Pricing with confidence — and why it means happier clients and fewer headaches Investing in yourself through coaching and community for long-

Patrick Fore of www.terriblephotographer.com  and www.patrickfore.com is a San Diego-based commercial photographer and creative director with over 15 years of experience in graphic design and photography. His work is first-rate! He is seriously, a fantastic photographer. Beyond his impressive portfolio, Patrick is also the author of Lessons from a Terrible Photographer and hosts the Terrible Photographer Podcast. It wasn't his photography that first caught my attention, though. It was an email from PhotoBizX Member and photographer, Ben Shakespeare, who wrote… Hi Andrew, I've been listening to something and was compelled to email you. Sometimes you hear something that really strikes you – 99% of the time so far that's come from your podcast, but just before I headed away on holiday (after a really intense 2025 so far) I found the Terrible Photographer's podcast. As someone who had been at the limit of what was physically possible in my business, it was exactly what I needed to hear. I'm not sure if you'd feel it would be right for Photobizx in terms of business growth, but I've been back and listened to every episode twice, such was the impact it's had on me. That was enough for me to go searching and I'm rapt to say in this interview, Patrick shares the brutal truth about photography business, boundaries, and burnout. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: From Grammy winners to hair stylists — how chasing the “dream job” nearly broke Patrick. The burnout signs too many photographers ignore — and how he pulled himself back. Walking away from a six-figure salary — and earning more by putting life first. Boundaries that protect your business, creativity… and your sanity. The photography industry’s harsh reality — beyond the Instagram gloss. How smart SEO brought a flood of clients from a standing start. When free work works — building a portfolio that attracts the right people. The art–business balancing act: earning well without losing your voice. Why

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Patrick Fore of www.terriblephotographer.com  and www.patrickfore.com is a San Diego-based commercial photographer and creative director with over 15 years of experience in graphic design and photography. His work is first-rate! He is seriously, a fantastic photographer. Beyond his impressive portfolio, Patrick is also the author of Lessons from a Terrible Photographer and hosts the Terrible Photographer Podcast. It wasn't his photography that first caught my attention, though. It was an email from PhotoBizX Member and photographer, Ben Shakespeare, who wrote… Hi Andrew, I've been listening to something and was compelled to email you. Sometimes you hear something that really strikes you – 99% of the time so far that's come from your podcast, but just before I headed away on holiday (after a really intense 2025 so far) I found the Terrible Photographer's podcast. As someone who had been at the limit of what was physically possible in my business, it was exactly what I needed to hear. I'm not sure if you'd feel it would be right for Photobizx in terms of business growth, but I've been back and listened to every episode twice, such was the impact it's had on me. That was enough for me to go searching and I'm rapt to say in this interview, Patrick shares the brutal truth about photography business, boundaries, and burnout. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: From Grammy winners to hair stylists — how chasing the “dream job” nearly broke Patrick. The burnout signs too many photographers ignore — and how he pulled himself back. Walking away from a six-figure salary — and earning more by putting life first. Boundaries that protect your business, creativity… and your sanity. The photography industry’s harsh reality — beyond the Instagram gloss. How smart SEO brought a flood of clients from a standing start. When free work works — building a portfolio that attracts the right people. The art–busines

Liam and Dominique Shaw of www.yorkplacestudios.co.uk were introduced to me by Blair deLaubenfels of World's Best Wedding Photos. Blair told me they are credited with bringing street photography to weddings, and their artistic vision and approach to their work is absolutely brilliant. They are also the authors of “Is This Something?” A guide to capturing the unposed image through the lens of a wedding day. Following that intro, off I went to take a look at what I could learn online. The first thing to jump out at me regarding their images wasn't amazing light, a trendy colour cast, mind-blowing locations or model-like subjects. Their images required me to stop, slow down and absorb what I was looking at. And stopping to appreciate their photography is so worth the effort. Slowing down allowed the magic of their images to emerge… from humour, storytelling, complex layers, beautiful moments, and a quirky interpretation of weddings, families and events. Their images are just so good! In this interview, we dive deep into the business of creative documentary photography and how you can build a standout wedding brand by leaning into your vision, attracting the right clients, and letting go of industry “shoulds.” Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: From a Scarborough high street studio to £4K weddings — how this brother-sister team built a brand photographers (and couples) rave about Why the booking journey starts with vibe — not a price list Shooting just 20 weddings a year… and earning more because of it Don’t wait for the moment — create it: how they capture magic without staging a thing The underrated combo that still fills their calendar: SEO and word of mouth Charging what you’re worth — and why their prices reflect value, not volume How the right website portfolio attracts the best clients (and gives them total creative freedom) Turning education into a £70K side hustle — and why they still do it for the love The truth about w

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Liam and Dominique Shaw of www.yorkplacestudios.co.uk were introduced to me by Blair deLaubenfels of World's Best Wedding Photos. Blair told me they are credited with bringing street photography to weddings, and their artistic vision and approach to their work is absolutely brilliant. They are also the authors of “Is This Something?” A guide to capturing the unposed image through the lens of a wedding day. Following that intro, off I went to take a look at what I could learn online. The first thing to jump out at me regarding their images wasn't amazing light, a trendy colour cast, mind-blowing locations or model-like subjects. Their images required me to stop, slow down and absorb what I was looking at. And stopping to appreciate their photography is so worth the effort. Slowing down allowed the magic of their images to emerge… from humour, storytelling, complex layers, beautiful moments, and a quirky interpretation of weddings, families and events. Their images are just so good! In this interview, we dive deep into the business of creative documentary photography and how you can build a standout wedding brand by leaning into your vision, attracting the right clients, and letting go of industry “shoulds.” Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: From a Scarborough high street studio to £4K weddings — how this brother-sister team built a brand photographers (and couples) rave about Why the booking journey starts with vibe — not a price list Shooting just 20 weddings a year… and earning more because of it Don’t wait for the moment — create it: how they capture magic without staging a thing The underrated combo that still fills their calendar: SEO and word of mouth Charging what you’re worth — and why their prices reflect value, not volume How the right website portfolio attracts the best clients (and gives them total creative freedom) Turning education into a £7

Kenny Martin of  www.thestudiodoctor.co.uk is someone I’ve been hearing about behind the scenes for a while now — especially from photographers in the UK. Known as The Studio Doctor, he is a portrait photographer and mentor based in Scotland. He’s been shooting professionally since the ‘80s, launched one of the UK’s first fully digital portrait studios, and now travels across the UK, Ireland and Europe helping studios grow, pivot, or get back on track. He’s not big on self-promotion — you won’t find a massive online presence — but talk to anyone who’s worked with him, and they’ll tell you: Kenny’s the real deal. No fluff, no gimmicks, just honest advice and solid results. It was Susan Renee, from last week's episode, Premium Member and fantastic pet photographer, who first reached out and said: “Kenny tells it how it is. You’d love speaking with him.” In this interview, Kenny shares his thoughts and ideas on building a sustainable photography business by focusing on profit over hype. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why profit matters more than turnover (and how to stop chasing the wrong number) The 7 parts of your client journey you have to get right — from first enquiry to final sale How one smart shift to wall art tripled the studio’s average sale Could you be unknowingly filtering out your best clients? The old-school sales tool that still works: telesales done the right way How a simple pram shop promo filled the calendar and boosted bookings Still leaning on Facebook ads? These proven promo ideas work better (and cost less) The £14.4k coaching offer that turned into a 15-year photography business Why smaller, simpler studios are the path to profit and balance Want to double your sales? It starts before the shoot, not after Why copy-paste business plans fail — and what to focus on instead The real numbers

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Kenny Martin of  www.thestudiodoctor.co.uk is someone I’ve been hearing about behind the scenes for a while now — especially from photographers in the UK. Known as The Studio Doctor, he is a portrait photographer and mentor based in Scotland. He’s been shooting professionally since the ‘80s, launched one of the UK’s first fully digital portrait studios, and now travels across the UK, Ireland and Europe helping studios grow, pivot, or get back on track. He’s not big on self-promotion — you won’t find a massive online presence — but talk to anyone who’s worked with him, and they’ll tell you: Kenny’s the real deal. No fluff, no gimmicks, just honest advice and solid results. It was Susan Renee, from last week's episode, Premium Member and fantastic pet photographer, who first reached out and said: “Kenny tells it how it is. You’d love speaking with him.” In this interview, Kenny shares his thoughts and ideas on building a sustainable photography business by focusing on profit over hype. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why profit matters more than turnover (and how to stop chasing the wrong number) The 7 parts of your client journey you have to get right — from first enquiry to final sale How one smart shift to wall art tripled the studio’s average sale Could you be unknowingly filtering out your best clients? The old-school sales tool that still works: telesales done the right way How a simple pram shop promo filled the calendar and boosted bookings Still leaning on Facebook ads? These proven promo ideas work better (and cost less) The £14.4k coaching offer that turned into a 15-year photography business Why smaller, simpler studios are the path to profit and balance Want to double your sales? It starts before the shoot, not after Why copy-paste business

Susan Renee of www.kingshillstudios.co.uk in Scotland first reached out with a concern I hear more often than you'd think: Are giveaways hurting my brand? She’d been told by another coach to stop running Facebook competitions — that it made her look “cheap” and would attract the wrong kind of clients. Thing is, Susan had the numbers. The bookings were coming in. Clients were returning. The system was working… she just wasn’t sure if she should trust it anymore. So, I connected her with last week's guest and photography business coach, Kim Hamblin, who helped her dig into the data and reverse-engineer a smarter way to run ads that work — and, most importantly, to back herself and her business. This interview isn’t just about giveaways or Facebook ads (though we cover plenty of that). It’s about what happens when doubt creeps in, especially after a tough year personally. It’s about the power of mindset, knowing your numbers, and staying consistent with what’s working — even if it looks different from what the “experts” say you should be doing. Susan’s story is real, relatable, and packed with lessons for any photographer second-guessing their path. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why “free” doesn’t have to mean “cheap” — and how Susan uses giveaways to build a premium brand that attracts the right clients How she went from second-guessing herself to fully booked — with the help of some smart, strategic Facebook ads The hidden goldmine in nurture sequences — and how they turn cold leads into loyal, paying clients What it was like to grieve and grow a business at the same time — and how it shaped where Susan’s headed now The big lessons from 10 years in business — including why she stopped listening to every coach and started trusting herself Why knowing your numbers matters more than following the latest trends or “expert” advice The Facebook ads trick Susan swears by — and how reverse engineering her goals changed everything Want return clients? It starts with delivering an incredible first experience — even if it came from a giveaway <i class="fusion-l

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Susan Renee of www.kingshillstudios.co.uk in Scotland first reached out with a concern I hear more often than you'd think: Are giveaways hurting my brand? She’d been told by another coach to stop running Facebook competitions — that it made her look “cheap” and would attract the wrong kind of clients. Thing is, Susan had the numbers. The bookings were coming in. Clients were returning. The system was working… she just wasn’t sure if she should trust it anymore. So, I connected her with last week's guest and photography business coach, Kim Hamblin, who helped her dig into the data and reverse-engineer a smarter way to run ads that work — and, most importantly, to back herself and her business. This interview isn’t just about giveaways or Facebook ads (though we cover plenty of that). It’s about what happens when doubt creeps in, especially after a tough year personally. It’s about the power of mindset, knowing your numbers, and staying consistent with what’s working — even if it looks different from what the “experts” say you should be doing. Susan’s story is real, relatable, and packed with lessons for any photographer second-guessing their path. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why “free” doesn’t have to mean “cheap” — and how Susan uses giveaways to build a premium brand that attracts the right clients How she went from second-guessing herself to fully booked — with the help of some smart, strategic Facebook ads The hidden goldmine in nurture sequences — and how they turn cold leads into loyal, paying clients What it was like to grieve and grow a business at the same time — and how it shaped where Susan’s headed now The big lessons from 10 years in business — including why she stopped listening to every coach and started trusting herself Why knowing your numbers matters more than following the latest trends or “expert” advice The Facebook ads trick Susan swears by — and how reverse engineering her goals changed everything Want return clients? It s

Kim Hamblin of www.kimmarie.co was first interviewed on episode 420 of the podcast, where she shared the full story behind selling her incredibly successful portrait studio in Auckland, New Zealand — a studio bringing in over $500,000 in revenue. In that chat, we covered how she built the business, why she decided to sell, and what came next. One of the big takeaways? Expos were the engine behind most of her bookings, not Facebook ads. That led to her popular PhotoBizX training: How to book unlimited portrait clients at expos and massively reduce your reliance on FB ads — still current and available on the PhotoBizX website. We also discovered that Kim was feeling drawn to business coaching and planned to make that her next chapter. Fast forward to now… and that’s exactly what she’s been doing. In this episode, Kim shares how to build sales confidence and the business metrics that matter in any photography business. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why selling her studio was the start of something bigger — and what Kim’s mission looks like now The emotional side of stepping away from a thriving business (and what she wishes more photographers knew) The most important question to ask before you hire a coach Why waiting till burnout hits is the worst time to get support How Kim built a six-figure studio and a life she actually enjoyed Are you chasing six figures… but ignoring the numbers that matter most? Why simplicity is your best growth strategy — especially when it comes to systems The SOPs that took Kim from chaos to clarity in her business The sales game-changer most photographers miss: education before the shoot How role plays and debriefs helped Kim’s team build confidence and convert more clients Objections? Here’s how to handle them without slash

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Kim Hamblin of www.kimmarie.co was first interviewed on episode 420 of the podcast, where she shared the full story behind selling her incredibly successful portrait studio in Auckland, New Zealand — a studio bringing in over $500,000 in revenue. In that chat, we covered how she built the business, why she decided to sell, and what came next. One of the big takeaways? Expos were the engine behind most of her bookings, not Facebook ads. That led to her popular PhotoBizX training: How to book unlimited portrait clients at expos and massively reduce your reliance on FB ads — still current and available on the PhotoBizX website. We also discovered that Kim was feeling drawn to business coaching and planned to make that her next chapter. Fast forward to now… and that’s exactly what she’s been doing. In this episode, Kim shares how to build sales confidence and the business metrics that matter in any photography business. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why selling her studio was the start of something bigger — and what Kim’s mission looks like now The emotional side of stepping away from a thriving business (and what she wishes more photographers knew) The most important question to ask before you hire a coach Why waiting till burnout hits is the worst time to get support How Kim built a six-figure studio and a life she actually enjoyed Are you chasing six figures… but ignoring the numbers that matter most? Why simplicity is your best growth strategy — especially when it comes to systems The SOPs that took Kim from chaos to clarity in her business The sales game-changer most photographers miss: education before the shoot How role plays and debriefs helped Kim’s team build confidence and convert more

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Brennan Haelig of www.jumpstartroi.com is the CEO and Founder of Jump Start ROI – a marketing agency that helps business owners find and attract their perfect leads and turn them into paying customers. This includes Done-For-You advertising across Facebook, Instagram, Google, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok. Plus, they help with your website copy, landing pages, email and text messaging. I first became aware of Brennan and his company through long-term PhotoBizX Member, past guest and course presenter, John Glaser. Here's what John told me in a recent message… I have a podcast guest for you. He is running my Facebook ads and is totally cutting the costs. For example, one of my best booking and sales genres is senior dogs. However, about a year ago, the ads stopped working, and all my leads were worth around $20. I stopped doing it, tried again, and got the same result. This guy started one for me, and I am getting $3.50 leads. He is working with another photographer, and they have reported some success with him. John was, of course, referring to Brennan Haelig, who shares how photographers should be utilising Meta Ads that actually work, and don't cost a fortune. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why a basic website didn’t hold Brennan back from scaling a profitable agency The surprising truth about Upwork: how it can attract premium clients, not just cheapskates Is your marketing agency ripping you off? What you should get for $1,500 a month — and what to steer clear of An affordable way to test ads before paying big money to an agency Why Brennan still backs lead ads as the best bet for photography leads — and how to make them pay The simple ad formula photographers can use: portrait images + strong headlines = more conversions How to stop wasting money on dud ads with creative testing and data-led decisions Marketing on autopilot while you’re on holiday — how automations can keep bookings rolling in <i class="fusion-li-icon awb-icon-che

Brennan Haelig of www.jumpstartroi.com is the CEO and Founder of Jump Start ROI – a marketing agency that helps business owners find and attract their perfect leads and turn them into paying customers. This includes Done-For-You advertising across Facebook, Instagram, Google, YouTube, LinkedIn and TikTok. Plus, they help with your website copy, landing pages, email and text messaging. I first became aware of Brennan and his company through long-term PhotoBizX Member, past guest and course presenter, John Glaser. Here's what John told me in a recent message… I have a podcast guest for you. He is running my Facebook ads and is totally cutting the costs. For example, one of my best booking and sales genres is senior dogs. However, about a year ago, the ads stopped working, and all my leads were worth around $20. I stopped doing it, tried again, and got the same result. This guy started one for me, and I am getting $3.50 leads. He is working with another photographer, and they have reported some success with him. John was, of course, referring to Brennan Haelig, who shares how photographers should be utilising Meta Ads that actually work, and don't cost a fortune. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why a basic website didn’t hold Brennan back from scaling a profitable agency The surprising truth about Upwork: how it can attract premium clients, not just cheapskates Is your marketing agency ripping you off? What you should get for $1,500 a month — and what to steer clear of An affordable way to test ads before paying big money to an agency Why Brennan still backs lead ads as the best bet for photography leads — and how to make them pay The simple ad formula photographers can use: portrait images + strong headlines = more conversions How to stop wasting money on dud ads with creative testing and data-led decisions Marketing on autopilot while you’re on holiday — how automations can keep bookings rolling in Why Facebook still beats TikTok, Google, and LinkedIn for local lead gen (and how to use it) <i cla

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Brianna Shrader of www.shyheartstudios.com was interviewed for episode 484, where she shared her insights on how to grow a team to support a fast-growing and profitable photography business. She also delivered a fantastic series of training on how to utilise AI in your photography business last year. Today, I’ve asked her back for what I know will be a motivational episode. Last year, when Laurie Brown delivered her 40 Over 40 marketing strategy training — which has been hugely successful for her — Brianna jumped in. Brianna recently completed her campaign, and if you watch the 2-minute highlight film from her Gala evening that her PR team put together, you’ll be blown away! Seriously, it looks amazing! But it hasn’t been plain sailing. Brianna emailed Laurie and me to say this: Well… I did it!!! Last Thursday, I hosted my Stories of Motherhood Gala. There were a lot of things against me when I kicked this campaign off, and I learned a LOT. It did not pan out to be the big money-maker I had hoped it would be, but I’m already planning for next year anyway. I know that through everything I learned and all of the incredible material I have from it this year, next year will be even more successful. It picked up the most traction in the last 30 days. None of my paid ads went well, but I managed to book about 20 clients (my goal was 30). I had one AMAZING sponsor at $7500, which was the biggest motivation for me to keep pushing through. Andrew — I know we talked about doing an episode about this, and I’m more than happy to do so… but just wanted to give you fair warning that it was not as successful as Laurie’s have been. HOWEVER, I am extremely proud of how it all came together. It was literally my first rodeo, and I know that round two will be even better. That was more than enough for me — and I asked Brianna back for this interview, where she shares all the details behind the scenes of a 40 over 40 campaign. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How she turned a challenging campaign into a powerful learning experience Why starting early is the secret weapon for successful photography campaigns <i class="fus

Brianna Shrader of www.shyheartstudios.com was interviewed for episode 484, where she shared her insights on how to grow a team to support a fast-growing and profitable photography business. She also delivered a fantastic series of training on how to utilise AI in your photography business last year. Today, I’ve asked her back for what I know will be a motivational episode. Last year, when Laurie Brown delivered her 40 Over 40 marketing strategy training — which has been hugely successful for her — Brianna jumped in. Brianna recently completed her campaign, and if you watch the 2-minute highlight film from her Gala evening that her PR team put together, you’ll be blown away! Seriously, it looks amazing! But it hasn’t been plain sailing. Brianna emailed Laurie and me to say this: Well… I did it!!! Last Thursday, I hosted my Stories of Motherhood Gala. There were a lot of things against me when I kicked this campaign off, and I learned a LOT. It did not pan out to be the big money-maker I had hoped it would be, but I’m already planning for next year anyway. I know that through everything I learned and all of the incredible material I have from it this year, next year will be even more successful. It picked up the most traction in the last 30 days. None of my paid ads went well, but I managed to book about 20 clients (my goal was 30). I had one AMAZING sponsor at $7500, which was the biggest motivation for me to keep pushing through. Andrew — I know we talked about doing an episode about this, and I’m more than happy to do so… but just wanted to give you fair warning that it was not as successful as Laurie’s have been. HOWEVER, I am extremely proud of how it all came together. It was literally my first rodeo, and I know that round two will be even better. That was more than enough for me — and I asked Brianna back for this interview, where she shares all the details behind the scenes of a 40 over 40 campaign. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How she turned a challenging campaign into a powerful learning experience Why starting early is the secret weapon for successful photography campaigns The real reason she chose motherhood over a proven 40 Over 40 campaign <i cl

Sara Monika of www.saramonika.com is a super-talented wedding photographer with over 13 years of experience and more than 350 weddings under her belt! She has an awesome website that must truly connect with her ideal clients, thanks to both the beautifully written copy and gorgeous photography. However, that is not why I've asked her for this interview. In a recent interview with Pet Photographer extraordinaire Caitlin McColl, she shared that outsourcing has completely transformed her business and the way she lives her life. That's when she dropped the name of today's guest. Caitlin told me Sara was the queen of outsourcing and helped her get that side of her business dialled. That was enough for me, and here we are! In this interview, Sara shares how to outsource smarter and learn the real key to earning more and working less as a photographer. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How outsourcing helped Sara break the income ceiling and reclaim her life as a mum and creative The 3 unmistakable signs it’s time to outsource (and the hidden cost of ignoring them) From 15-hour days to part-time hours and six figures — how Sara redesigned her business model Why you don’t need to earn more to start outsourcing (and how waiting holds you back) Sara’s ethical approach to outsourcing editing to the Philippines — and how it creates a true win-win The hybrid system: how she combines AI with human editors to slash turnaround time A behind-the-scenes look at her workflow: from Lightroom to Google Drive with her VA and editor Why building a team isn’t a luxury — it’s a smart strategy for growth The numbers: how $4,300 in outsourcing saved her 669 hours — and what she did with that time How to attract reliable, values-aligned virtual assistants Why boredom, burnout and busywork are signals to outsource — not signs to “hustle harder” The c

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Sara Monika of www.saramonika.com is a super-talented wedding photographer with over 13 years of experience and more than 350 weddings under her belt! She has an awesome website that must truly connect with her ideal clients, thanks to both the beautifully written copy and gorgeous photography. However, that is not why I've asked her for this interview. In a recent interview with Pet Photographer extraordinaire Caitlin McColl, she shared that outsourcing has completely transformed her business and the way she lives her life. That's when she dropped the name of today's guest. Caitlin told me Sara was the queen of outsourcing and helped her get that side of her business dialled. That was enough for me, and here we are! In this interview, Sara shares how to outsource smarter and learn the real key to earning more and working less as a photographer. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How outsourcing helped Sara break the income ceiling and reclaim her life as a mum and creative The 3 unmistakable signs it’s time to outsource (and the hidden cost of ignoring them) From 15-hour days to part-time hours and six figures — how Sara redesigned her business model Why you don’t need to earn more to start outsourcing (and how waiting holds you back) Sara’s ethical approach to outsourcing editing to the Philippines — and how it creates a true win-win The hybrid system: how she combines AI with human editors to slash turnaround time A behind-the-scenes look at her workflow: from Lightroom to Google Drive with her VA and editor Why building a team isn’t a luxury — it’s a smart strategy for growth The numbers: how $4,300 in outsourcing saved her 669 hours — and what she did with that time How to attract reliable, values-aligned virtual assistants Why boredom, burnout and busywork ar

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Lewis Fackrell of www.lewisfackrell.co.uk is this week's interview guest, and I was looking forward to this, a little more than usual. I first approached Lewis when I learned that he offered hybrid coverage for his wedding couples. At the time, I hadn't seen any of his videos and was more interested in the business side of how it all worked and how useful an interview would be for you, the listener. Once I learned that he'd been shooting and offering hybrid coverage – both stills and video – for over six years and that his couples were receiving the combo well, we scheduled this interview. It was only then I had a deeper look at his work and it's the first time since I stopped shooting weddings that I've thought how incredibly lucky we are to be invited in to capture these days for our clients. I think that's a testament to the work I saw on today's guest website. Then, after a little clicking and scrolling, I found his videos and wow, no wonder his couples love his approach. He's combining world class photography with incredible video and beautiful editing to deliver a 3-5 minute highlights film that truly sucks you in. There's one video in particular that surely must be a booking machine for him, which I'll ask about shortly. In this interview, Lewis shares the BIG advantage of shooting and offering hybrid packages and why couples want photo and video together. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why offering both photography and video has become his edge — and why couples genuinely love it How shifting focus to the business side of hybrid shooting unlocked more bookings and higher sales The real reason couples don’t need convincing to say “yes” to video — and how he makes the decision feel easy His perfectionist workflow: 4 days, 5 hours a day, to craft each highlights film The behind-the-scenes strategy that lets him shoot both video and stills — solo Why the word “hybrid shooter” means nothing to clients — and what to say instead that resonates The upsell strategy that works: book photo first, then add video once trust is built <li clas

Lewis Fackrell of www.lewisfackrell.co.uk is this week's interview guest, and I was looking forward to this, a little more than usual. I first approached Lewis when I learned that he offered hybrid coverage for his wedding couples. At the time, I hadn't seen any of his videos and was more interested in the business side of how it all worked and how useful an interview would be for you, the listener. Once I learned that he'd been shooting and offering hybrid coverage – both stills and video – for over six years and that his couples were receiving the combo well, we scheduled this interview. It was only then I had a deeper look at his work and it's the first time since I stopped shooting weddings that I've thought how incredibly lucky we are to be invited in to capture these days for our clients. I think that's a testament to the work I saw on today's guest website. Then, after a little clicking and scrolling, I found his videos and wow, no wonder his couples love his approach. He's combining world class photography with incredible video and beautiful editing to deliver a 3-5 minute highlights film that truly sucks you in. There's one video in particular that surely must be a booking machine for him, which I'll ask about shortly. In this interview, Lewis shares the BIG advantage of shooting and offering hybrid packages and why couples want photo and video together. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why offering both photography and video has become his edge — and why couples genuinely love it How shifting focus to the business side of hybrid shooting unlocked more bookings and higher sales The real reason couples don’t need convincing to say “yes” to video — and how he makes the decision feel easy His perfectionist workflow: 4 days, 5 hours a day, to craft each highlights film The behind-the-scenes strategy that lets him shoot both video and stills — solo Why the word “hybrid shooter” means nothing to clients — and what to say instead that resonates The upsell strategy that works: book photo first, then add video once trust is built How he's using gear (and clever setup hacks) to shoot seamlessly, capture r

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Lindsay Baca of www.lindsaybaca.com, today's interview guest, appeared on my radar in a different way to usual. She joined the PhotoBizX Membership and had a hassle setting things up to listen to the premium episodes on her podcast app. We jumped on a call, so I could help get it sorted, and we started chatting about her business. I learned about her adventure sessions, which sounded amazing. After seeing her website and social media, I fell in love with her photography – yes, I'm a total sucker for shallow depth of field, incredible outdoor scenes, and happy people with their dogs! She has been in business as a photographer since 2012. She was running three separate brands with three separate websites before rebranding and focusing exclusively on pet photography in the great outdoors. Based in Portland, Oregon, in the USA, in this interview. Lindsay shares how she rebranded, raised prices, and found her niche (and happiness). Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why Lindsay walked away from weddings to chase dogs — and never looked back How following her gut led to a thriving business and more time with her kids The turning point that changed everything in her business Doubling her prices = better clients, more bookings, no burnout What a $240K year looks like for a solo dog photographer Ditching “shoot everything” for “shoot what I love” — and earning more doing it The rebrand that flipped the switch — and how SEO helped her get found How upgrading to Sony levelled up her action shots (and client reactions) Why ongoing learning isn’t optional — it’s essential Turning pet lovers into print-buying superfans The relaxed sales approach that starts with a chat and ends with wall art Sho

Lindsay Baca of www.lindsaybaca.com, today's interview guest, appeared on my radar in a different way to usual. She joined the PhotoBizX Membership and had a hassle setting things up to listen to the premium episodes on her podcast app. We jumped on a call, so I could help get it sorted, and we started chatting about her business. I learned about her adventure sessions, which sounded amazing. After seeing her website and social media, I fell in love with her photography – yes, I'm a total sucker for shallow depth of field, incredible outdoor scenes, and happy people with their dogs! She has been in business as a photographer since 2012. She was running three separate brands with three separate websites before rebranding and focusing exclusively on pet photography in the great outdoors. Based in Portland, Oregon, in the USA, in this interview. Lindsay shares how she rebranded, raised prices, and found her niche (and happiness). Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why Lindsay walked away from weddings to chase dogs — and never looked back How following her gut led to a thriving business and more time with her kids The turning point that changed everything in her business Doubling her prices = better clients, more bookings, no burnout What a $240K year looks like for a solo dog photographer Ditching “shoot everything” for “shoot what I love” — and earning more doing it The rebrand that flipped the switch — and how SEO helped her get found How upgrading to Sony levelled up her action shots (and client reactions) Why ongoing learning isn’t optional — it’s essential Turning pet lovers into print-buying superfans The relaxed sales approach that starts with a chat and ends with wall art Showing products early = bigger sales later A smooth client jo

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Courtney Bryson of www.cmbryson.com is a US-based pet photographer who lives in a rural community of only 800 people. However, she has an average sale of $6000! It was this email from PBX Premium Member Laurie Elmer that prompted me to request this interview. She wrote… My good friend and amazing pet photographer, Courtney Bryson, has developed an innovative hybrid process for in-person sales, out of necessity due to her location relative to her clients. She has managed to combine all the personal touches that make IPS so successful, delivering them via pre-recorded video, including album and wall art mock-ups. I bet listeners would love to learn more about her process. That was enough for me! Still… In addition to that email, I took a look at her easy-to-navigate website. I saw beautiful albums, stunning wall art, terrific photography and clear navigation to get in touch and book a session for your dog or horse. Requesting this interview was a no-brainer! In this interview, Courtney shares how to sell albums and artwork without in-person consults (either in person or via Zoom). This is the perfect sales strategy for introvert photographers. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why Courtney’s happy to drive 3 hours to a shoot — and how it pays off The small-town marketing approach that brings in big-city bookings How she ranks #1 for “Atlanta pet photographer” — and stays there The simple referral line that brings in her best clients How a six-email sequence turns leads into high-paying bookings Why charity sessions are a win for her calendar and her bank account What happens when you tell clients: “10 summers, not 18” Why she only markets to dog-obsessed professionals — and ignores the rest How talking price early makes everything easier later Charging £1,000 to book? Here’s how that filters for serious clients</l

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Marcus Anthony of www.marcusanthonyphoto.com is today's guest, and I don't often say I'm pumped to record an interview, but today is different! And for a number of reasons. Our special guest has been a PBX Member since 2017! I first interviewed him for episode 326 in 2019. When researching that interview, I learned that he picked up a camera to make a bit of money on the side. He established himself quickly as a wedding photographer but moved to portraits. When I released that last interview, he had a record month of USD$ 55,111 in July 2019. Moving to today, I recently learned he's written a book! He says it's sort of his philosophy on business (not specifically aimed at photographers) and the best way he knows for entrepreneurs to grow. We exchanged several messages, and he told me his business has undergone quite a transformation since we last spoke. He said, I’ve made roughly 9 million dollars in revenue the last 3 years and spent 2.6 million on FB ads! I'm talking about Marcus Anthony and I'm rapt to have him with us now! In this interview, Marcus shares how shifting his focus from products to offers completely transformed his business — leading to more leads, higher conversions, and a team-run studio that doesn’t rely on him picking up a camera. He dives into the mindset behind his success, the KPIs he tracks religiously, and why generosity and simplicity have become his most powerful marketing tools. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why Marcus hasn’t touched his camera in over 15 months — and why that’s a good thing Scaling without a studio: the pop-up model that lets him launch fast Forget perfect plans — how messy action helped him grow in new cities What Marcus looks for before launching in a new city (hint: it’s not just demographics) Training a team to shoot like you — without losing your brand Copycats aren’t the problem — staying stuck in product-mode is Facebook Ads still work (if

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Tom Trevatt of www.tomtrevatt.com and I have been exchanging emails since 2021, when he completed the little questionnaire on the PhotoBizX website to receive some personalised interview suggestions. At the time, he was into headshot photography, working part-time as a photographer, and looking to attract more clients. In 2022, he told me, “Business was going well. I’ve had quite a profitable few months and am considering moving into a much bigger studio – it’ll be a big move and quite expensive, but I think it will be worth it in the long term.” Two years later, in 2024, I heard another update from Tom… I have now had two decent studios in central London and have grown the business to six figures. However, right now I am in the process of building out a small home studio to replace the separate studio, as I want to keep more of the revenue I make rather than let my studio landlord have it! I have also decided to drop below the VAT threshold of £90k for this next year or two in order to grow the business's reputation without such a massive tax liability. For me, this business was never about trying to make as much money as possible but about giving me the kind of life I want to lead—for the time being, that's perfectly possible under 90k. Finally, in 2025, I had this update from Tom, “At the end of last year, I secured a contract to photograph 530 lawyers at a global law firm, and it has had a life and business-changing impact. The contract itself is worth over £200k and will likely include ongoing updates to pick up the new hires every month, so over the next few years, the value of this one customer may exceed half a million!” So, within the first two months of the year, I’ve smashed past that VAT threshold of 90k and am careening towards a turnover this year of £300k or more, which is wild to me. In this interview, Tom shares how a $200k contract changed everything in his headshot photography business. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: From part-time to full-time: How Tom turned a side hustle into a six-figure studio Are UK headshot photographers falling behind? A frank look at the market From uni halls to studio walls — how a lockdown pivot became a thriving business Running a business and staying creative? Tom’s f

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Dave Koch of Real Estate Media Utah had me excited to record something different for today's interview! Dave has been running a successful luxury real estate photography business in Utah, USA, for the past decade. His Instagram bio says: Utah's Premiere Real Estate & Architectural Photographer, Custom Commercial, Aerial and Home Media Creators. And looking through his feed, you'll see stunning images and comparison examples of what a less talented photographer would produce, compared to his work. His website is easy to navigate and full of beautiful imagery of stunning homes. He says on his site: From social media-optimised vertical videos for ‘Reels' to floor plans, 3D tours, and video tours, we’ve got you covered. And… We shoot everything- from ten-million-dollar homes in Park City to duplexes in Magna. As someone who hears that real estate photography is a terrible genre in which photographers are overworked and underpaid, I'm looking forward to learning more and seeing if I'm totally wrong. In this interview, Dave shares a smarter way to do real estate photography and how to shoot less to earn more. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why real estate photography is actually problem-solving How fewer jobs can mean better money when you're targeting luxury listings Why your website sets expectations long before a client phone call Charging by the square metre (and not undervaluing twilight shoots) Why listening to the homeowner first, helps you shoot with purpose Diversifying into commercial work to stabilise your income Learning through mistakes—and how that sharpens your creative instincts The importance of getting it right in camera instead of relying on Photoshop Why ambient + flash blending still trumps HDR Rethinking ultra-wide lenses and choosing angles that feel natural <i class="fusion-li-icon awb-

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Blair deLaubenfels of www.worldsbestweddingphotos.com and www.artlifeandbusiness.com  was first interviewed for Episode 378 of the podcast, where she detailed the best ways to curate your portfolio to better market and promote yourself and your business. She believes curation is the one big thing that can bring you bookings, recognition, and profitability with your photography. Blair is the former co-owner of Junebug Weddings. The founder and editor-in-chief of World's Best Wedding Photos. She’s written over 2,000 bios, created content for hundreds of websites, and is a regular speaker at top industry events. In a recent email exchange, she wrote: Since we last recorded in 2020, the wedding photography industry has been through many changes. There are new technologies and trends, and new challenges in terms of marketing. I would love to talk with you about what has emerged in the last five years and how your listeners can boost their businesses now. I was keen to hear more, expecting you'd feel the same, so I'm rapt to bring this interview to you. In this interview, Blair shares how to book luxury photography clients and why it starts with the right images—and words. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Why your portfolio is your biggest marketing asset—and how to curate it with purpose The massive industry shifts since 2020 that most photographers are still ignoring How the elopement market has exploded—and why it’s a perfect fit for many creatives The real key to attracting luxury clients (hint: it’s not just your images) How to use your portfolio to speak directly to your dream clients Why your words matter just as much as your photos when it comes to booking The science behind first impressions—and how to win someone’s attention in seconds How to define and connect with your ideal clien

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Charles Moll of www.charlesmoll.com is a full-time wedding photographer based in Bozeman, Montana, with 7 years of experience. Before wedding photography, he honed his marketing, videography, and photography skills worldwide while working for non-profits. Since pursuing photography full-time, the Wedding Photo Journalists Association has recognised him as one of the top 150 photographers in the world. Around 80% of his business is weddings, with the other 20% being volume and family photography. His website and online presence are very wedding-centric. Most of his clients come from Google, referrals, networking groups, and The Knot and Wedding Wire. In the past 3 years, he's had to start from scratch twice after relocating. In this interview, Charles shares how he wins out-of-town wedding photography clients with smart SEO, not big advertising. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Seven years strong — Charles Moll has been running a full-time photography business for seven years now, earning his place among the top 150 wedding photographers worldwide. It's been a steady, intentional build, not an overnight story. Non-profit beginnings, business brain — Starting out in the non-profit sector gave Charles more than a good heart — it sharpened his marketing, video, and storytelling skills, which he’s carried straight into building a thriving photography business. Weddings by design — He didn’t fall into weddings by accident. Charles chose this path, wanting to combine meaningful storytelling with a business that could support him long-term. When COVID hit, he rebuilt — Like a lot of photographers, Charles took a hit when weddings disappeared. But instead of sitting back, he used the time to rework his pricing, double down on education, and come back stronger and more focused. From safe job to full-time leap — Leaving full-time work wasn’t a reckless jump. Charles mapped out milestones, kept a close eye on finances, and made the move carefully — managing both his mindset and money along the way. Rebuilding after every move — Relocating to a new city m