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Do you want to charge more for your work? Photographer Kristin Sweeting says that you need to get your portfolio dialed in! Listen in to our conversation to learn how to improve the quality of work that you share in order to raise your prices! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Kristin's introduction (1:26) What principle has Kristin learned that has allowed her to run a business while still having a life? (3:40) What is one idea or principle that Kristin has implemented that has done a lot of the heavy lifting in her business? (9:03) Where are we as a photography industry in relation to withdrawing from building community due to the idea of being introverted? (14:07) Introduction to the idea of focusing on your portfolio for pricing (19:20) How would Kristin respond to the argument that the actual photos don't drive pricing for photographers as much as the experience a photographer provides? (21:35) What makes a portfolio "strong"? (25:30) 1. Include the "unexpected" 2. Consistency (show images that reflect what you say you provide) 3. Attention to detail Links: https://instagram.com/kristinsweeting https://kristinsweeting.com https://dangerschool.com https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dangerous-creatives-a-photography-and-creative/id1435228087

Show Notes: How did the Bokeh Podcast come to fruition? (3:23) How long did it take to find the flow and rhythm of hosting a podcast? (7:30) Why the black v-neck T-shirts? (13:45) What are 3 things Nathan is implementing or focusing on for this year? (22:07) How can you stay focused and maintain time for yourself while running multiple businesses? (31:00) Has hosting the podcast changed your life, through one interview or overall? (39:00) What does a "Nathan Moment" look like - something you do that is just for you and not "productive"? (42:32) A little discussion on "Finding Yourself" vs creating the life you want. (49:00) Has there ever been a situation during the podcast where the conversation wasn't going well? (1:00:45) What's next with Nathan's business ventures? (1:11:48) Links: https://nathanholritz.com https://photographersedit.com Bokeh episode with Shawn Lee: https://www.photographersedit.com/bokeh-podcast/episodes/developing-a-brand-that-makes-a-difference/ https://cheezoo.com

Running a healthy and successful photography business in 2023 is largely about creating an amazing customer experience! Photographer Jasmine Newton is going to share how to up the ante in the experience you create for your branding portrait clients in today’s Bokeh Podcast episode!  The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Jasmine's introduction (4:00) What is the big principle that Jasmine implements in her business to avoid burnout? (13:56) What is a big idea or principle that has enabled growth in Jasmine's business? (22:10) What does "full-service branding photography" mean? (30:18) What drives Jasmine's desire to connect with clients on a deeper level? (32:16) What key principles drive successful full-service brand photography sessions? (38:20) 1. Know your worth, and charge accordingly 2. Approach everything with love 3.  Keep an open mindset What would Jasmine say to a photographer who doesn't know how to determine their pricing? (44:02) How can photographers step out of their shells to approach all situations with love and connection? (48:00) Links: https://javonreneeportraits.com https://instagram.com/javonreneeportraits Love is the Killer App book Brand Brilliance book

You can't escape hard work if you want to build a strong business, but how do you balance hard work with enjoying the life you've created for yourself - and minimize the possibility of burnout? Listen in to this important conversation with photographer Sean Oblizalo to learn simple steps you can take to have the business you want while maintaining peace of mind! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Sean's introduction (2:52) What is one tip that Sean would share that would allow photographers to create a sustainable business while maintaining some freedom and flexibility (5:40) What motivated Sean's effort to create more boundaries in his business this year? (13:15) How would Sean sum up what his motivation is as a photographer? (18:20) What leads to photographers being so focused on the numbers that they lose their motivation and joy? (21:36) Boundaries that Sean has put into place for himself and his business in 2023 (25:42) 1. Only working Monday-Thursday 2. Limiting screen time (response time to emails, texts, and social media messages) 3. Capping the number of elopements shot per week 4. Only taking on ideal clients - not chasing after any and all clients 5. Not offering discounts Links: https://vowsandpeaks.com/best-place-to-elope-colorado/ https://instagram.com/vows_and_peaks Sean's previous Bokeh episodes: https://www.photographersedit.com/bokeh-podcast/episodes/3-elements-of-strong-elopement-photography/ https://www.photographersedit.com/bokeh-podcast/episodes/how-to-photograph-a-first-look/ https://tave.com

In a world where taking a good picture is no longer a differentiator in photography business, creating an amazing client experience is more important than ever! On today's Bokeh Podcast episode, photographer John DeMato shares how he uses strategy calls to take client experience to the next level! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: John's introduction (3:45) How does John run his business in order to minimize burnout? (5:05) What key business principle has enabled John to build his business? (9:00) How do client strategy calls help to create a great experience - prior to the session? (13:10) 1. Communicates care 2. Creates awareness as to what is needed What is the difference between a general pre-session call and a strategy call? (15:20) What are the 3 main categories of questions asked on the strategy calls? (20:40) 1. "Who are you?" questions 2. "Who do you serve?" 3. "How do you solve your client's problems?" How does John gracefully decline sessions if it isn't a good fit between him and the potential client? (25:06) How does John translate the information gleaned from the strategy call to how he runs the shoot? (37:35) How does John make his clients feel more comfortable both on the call and in the session? (40:15) Links: https://johndemato.com/deliver-magic https://instagram.com/dematophoto https://instagram.com/delivermagic https://www.hbo.com/branson

Being there to meet a client’s need is one thing, but is there a way to actually create desire for your brand in the mind of a potential client? Tune in to this episode with photographers James and Schulze to learn how! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: James and Schulze's Introduction (1:34) How long did it take James & Schulze to get to the point of being able to charge $50k for a wedding? (5:35) What is a principle that they have implemented in order to run their business but still have a life? (9:04) What key principle has enabled success in business for James & Schulze over the years? (19:20) Does the type of desire vary between the lower-priced photography client and the higher-priced client? (33:50) How can photographers create want in the mind of their potential clients? (39:50) 1. Create the idea of scarcity with your services 2. Curation of your images - only show images that your potential clients WANT to see 3. Brand Association - connect with vendors, magazines, etc. that represent your ideal client Links: https://jamesandschulze.com https://instagram.com/jamesandschulze https://sagejourney.co https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebusinessofluxuryweddings

In a crowded market with so many photographers, a clear and distinct brand position will enable us to stand out and capture the attention of potential clients more effectively! Join us for today's Bokeh Podcast episode to learn how to establish, communicate, and leverage a strong brand position in your own photography business! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Definition of a Brand Position (6:00) What are the top few reasons why Stacy got into photography? (9:40) What type of photography does Stacy provide? (16:25) What makes Stacy's photography unique? (19:44) Why intention behind both the photographer's business as well as the market is important to consider when creating a brand position statement (32:40) Analysis of Stacy's competition (44:20) A template for creating a brand position statement (55:13) Four ways to stand out in your market and establish a unique brand position (58:05) 1. Offer a new service 2. Be the first to "own" a service 3. Offer a unique variation on a service 4. Offer services to a specific market segment Links: https://stacysavagephotography.com https://instagram.com/stacysavagephotos https://keywordseverywhere.com

In this bonus episode of the Bokeh Podcast, Helene Boudreau walks us through three ways to “outwork doubt” so that you can build the confidence to achieve what you set out to accomplish. It may not be perfect in the beginning, but taking messy action is the first step. Tune in as we chat about what this looks like and how you can implement this advice into your own business! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Helene’s introduction (1:10) Helene’s photography background (2:16) What big idea does Helene wish she would have known when she started? (6:37) When did Helene put the practice of “outworking doubt” into her business? (9:14) 3 Ways to Implement How to Outwork Doubt in Your Business (11:15) 1. Research 70%, jump in with 30% 2. Shoot as much as you can, as quickly as you can 3. Getting reviews and client experience How did Helene go about getting as many sessions as possible in the shortest amount of time? (13:15) Was Helene charging for her mini-sessions? (13:55) How did Helene go about getting client reviews? (15:24) Links: www.helenephotography.ca www.instagram.com/helene.b.photography

In a crowded market with so many photographers, a clear and distinct brand position will enable us to stand out and capture the attention of potential clients more effectively! Join us for today's Bokeh Podcast episode to learn how to establish, communicate, and leverage a strong brand position in your own photography business! And bonus: guest co-host Lisa Aihara of Ellette Studio joins us to give design insight as well! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: What is a brand position? (3:00) The background of Eden's photography business (4:40) How does Eden sum up the type of photography she offers? (13:07) What are a few of Eden's target customer's pain points? (19:00) Two elements to consider when coming up with a brand position statement (24:05) Analysis of Eden's competition (26:00) Design analysis and suggestions from co-host, Lisa Aihara (43:00) Links: https://edenmitchell.com https://instagram.com/edenmitchellphotography https://ellettestudio.com https://instagram.com/ellettestudio

The primary purpose of your website is to convert visitors to customers. If it's not doing so consistently, it's time for change! Listen in to this conversation with Jeff Brown to learn how to update your website for higher conversion and business growth! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Jeff's introduction (1:35) What big principle can Jeff share to help photographers work more efficiently? (5:27) What big idea helped enable the growth Jeff saw in his photography business? (10:15) Why does Jeff think photographers tend to focus on the aesthetic of their website vs the goal of conversion? (15:40) What are the 5 big ideas that will help photographers improve website conversion? (20:47) 1. Have 1 primary purpose and 1 backup purpose for your website 2. Communicate the benefits of hiring you vs just sharing pretty pictures 3. Delete the testimonial page 4. Include pricing on your website 5. Blog with the intention of showing up for indirect searches Links: https://thephotographersmentor.com https://thephotographerssuite.com https://surferseo.com https://ubersuggest.com https://hoth.com

Cameras on phones are just cheap, lackluster wannabes when it comes to professional photography. Or are they? Join us for really important food for thought in this episode with photographer Kim Kovacik, as we talk about the role of phone cameras in the professional photography world! Oh, and spoiler alert: Kim has photographed an ad campaign for a well-known brand...with her phone! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Kim's Introduction (2:45) What was Kim's introduction to using her phone for photography? (4:35) Will it take some time for the professional photography world to accept a phone as a camera? (10:50) How did Kim snag the opportunity to photograph for Panera - using her phone? (20:45) What are some of the technical strategies Kim considered when shooting for Panera? (29:50) 1. Photographed in raw 2. Capture the lo-fi aesthetic 3. Locked lighting manually on the phone screen 4. Shot hand-held at times Links: https://instagram.com/kimkovacik https://kimkovacik.com https://kimkovacik.com/panera

There seems to be a subconscious assumption that being a photography business owner equals chaotic, high-hour work weeks - especially during busy season! But what if that wasn't the case?! Photographer Sara Price is here to share with us how to minimize overwhelm with a more intentional approach to workflow! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Sara's introduction (1:40) What is one thing that Sara has implemented that has helped her business to move forward and grow? (7:15) What is a big principle or idea that helped Sara as she started and grew her business? (19:38) What did Sara's life as a photographer look like before she made changes that minimized overwhelm? (22:30) What was the turning point that caused Sara to make change? (25:16) What were some of the areas of Sara's business that she adjusted in order to minimize overwhelm? (31:03) 3 big ideas that allow Sara to minimize overwhelm? (36:41) 1. " I don't do overwhelm" mantra 2. Filtering what you give your attention to 3. Adapt to the mindset of focusing on fun - both in business and life Where is the balance between having fun and making sure that you're focusing on your business enough? (48:10) Links: https://saralprice.com https://instagram.com/saral.price https://upwellphotography.com

We all know that social media is an extremely powerful tool to drive brand awareness and new business! However, we can easily forget about getting out from behind the phone and creating in-person relationships with those that can ALSO drive significant business our way. Krista Marie is here to share strategies for engaging in personal relationships to help grow your business! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Krista Marie's introduction (5:30) What big idea does Krista wish she'd known when she started her business? What was the turning point that made Krista realize the importance of building relationships for her business? (10:13) How does Krista prioritize relationships as a tool for marketing? (12:30) 1. Establish an intentional mindset that relationship marketing is a long-term play 2. Provide value to others for a mutual relationship 3. Develop relationships with other photographers in your area 4. Be active and engaged in your community Links: https://instagram.com/heykristamarie https://heykristamarie.com https://heykristamarie.com/profitplan

Show Notes: Mike's introduction (1:05) What is a big idea or principle that has helped drive Mike's business over the years? (8:28) What was Mike's first introduction to using AI? (11:55) Why are we so "scared" of AI becoming more mainstream? (13:50) What was the turning point for Mike that pushed him to leverage AI in his business? (17:42) What AI tools would Mike recommend photographers try? (20:29) How has Mike implemented AI into marketing his business? (22:10) Blog writing Email copy generation Writing ad copy Creating client profiles Social media content generation Links: https://mikelloydstudios.com https://boudoirguild.com https://youtube.com/@boudoirguild https://instagram.com/mikelloydstudios https://chat.openai.com https://app.copy.ai https://quillbot.com

So much of creating a great customer experience is about managing expectations, and when it comes to wedding photography, what better way to do this than with a great timeline? Listen in to this conversation with photographer Leah Daniels to learn how to create a powerful timeline for an amazing customer experience! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Leah's Introduction (2:13) What was the big idea or principle that Leah wishes she'd known she started her photography business? (4:42) When did Leah implement timelines into her wedding day shoots? (8:10) When does Leah work with her clients to create the shot list needed for the timeline? (9:20) What are the big principles photographers need to implement in order to use timelines successfully? (12:30) 1. Create awareness with the couple about the use of a timeline 2. Check in with couples regularly for any updates 3. Establish the first-look protocol 4. Get family details/needs for family portraits What does Leah use for her timeline - paper or electronic? (27:30) Links: https://leahdanielsphotograph.com https://instagram.com/leahdanielsphotography

Photography industry magazines have become quite dated in their design, which naturally means an opportunity to launch an alternative magazine! Photographer Mandy Lynn saw this opportunity and decided to take on the challenge of conceptualizing and publishing a new photography magazine called The Bokeh Effect. Listen in to learn the why and how behind the new magazine! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Mandy's Introduction (2:10) What was the motivation behind starting a photography magazine? (5:08) How would Mandy sum up the difference between The Bokeh Effect and other photography magazines? (15:45) What did the process from ideation to publication look like and how long did it take? (28:33) How does Mandy choose who/what to feature in the magazine? (33:46) How can photographers learn more about the magazine and get a copy? (38:23) Links: https://mermaidlakephoto.com https://instagram.com/mermaidlakephoto https://instagram.com/thebokeheffectmagazine https://facebook.com/thebokeheffectmagazine

Do you want to stand out amongst the mass of photographers in your marketplace and book more clients? It's time to focus on a niche! Listen to photographer Gary Pope's advice in this episode to learn how to build your business with a hyper-niche! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Gary's introduction and explanation of his business's brand position (2:31) What did Gary's business look like before he re-branded to his current brand? (10:28) How does Gary define "hyper-niching"? (14:35) How can photographers avoid the common feeling of FOMO when hyper-niching? (22:05) 5 steps to take to hyper-nice your business (29:32) 1. Make an avatar of your ideal client 2. Verify the market viability 3. Identify the pain points of your ideal client 4. Present solutions to the client's pain points 5. Be clear in your messaging Links: https://lovelongandprosperphotography.com https://instagram.com/lovelongandprosperphotography

Building your marketing strategy around social media platforms that you don't control can be a bit risky! What if there was a marketing medium that you controlled, and helped you not only build your brand but also book more clients? Make sure to listen to my conversation with photographer Rachel Larsen Weaver to learn more! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Rachel's Introduction (2:25) How long has Rachel been using newsletters as a way to grow her business? (5:36) Do people actually read a long-form newsletter? (6:58) What are the 3 major benefits of newsletters over other forms of marketing (10:05) 1. It is unique - not all photographers are sending newsletters 2. You own your email list - you are in control and not relying on other businesses 3. Trends don't impact newsletters - they're timeless What is the main drawback of using newsletters as a marketing tool? (18:40) Steps for creating a great newsletter marketing plan (23:12) 1. Solidify your email list 2. Choose an email provider that works for you and your business 3. Make it easy for people to sign up for the newsletter 4. Provide value to encourage repeat opens 5. Grow your email list How Rachel uses webinars to build her email list (38:10) 1. Know your client base to create content 2. Add value to your clients through the content 3. Coordinate with other vendors for webinars Ideas for building your email list (47:52) 1. Offer freebies or other promotions when appropriate 2. Provide webinars that pique your potential client's interests 3. Promote your newsletter often Interested in learning how to write effective newsletters? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter to learn about the course! Links: https://rachellarsenweaver.com https://instagram.com/rachel.larsen.weaver https://flothemes.com/

It's difficult enough to build and run a photography business, but things get a LOT more complicated when family and kids get mixed in! Join the conversation with photographer Gavin Boulware today as we talk about how to best balance photography business life with being a parent! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Gavin's Introduction (10:40) How has becoming a father affected Gavin's perspective on his photography business? (14:08) What has been the most challenging aspect of balancing being a parent and running a photography business? (32:13) What has been one of the biggest benefits of becoming a parent as it relates to being a business owner?  (35:20) Principles for how photographers can balance parenthood with running a business (46:26) 1. Clear communication with your partner 2. Utilize a shared calendar such as Google calendar 3. Take advantage of apps to simplify workflow 4. Build and leverage your network How does Gavin handle client requests for evening or weekend work? (1:20:45) Links: https://gavinboulware.com https://instagram.com/iam_gavinb https://www.paidinexposurepodcast.com/

There's a different way to draw in potential wedding clients that not many photographers are leveraging. Kari Bjorn is here to help us all learn more about the methodology in today's Bokeh Podcast episode! The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Show Notes: Kari's Introduction (2:07) Kari's thoughts on why photographers do not focus on proposal photography (4:12) How does Kari photograph proposals without them feeling too "set up"? (9:30) What does marketing and communication with the future groom look like? (20:15) What tools does Kari use to find data on proposals in his area? (30:37) What does the transition from shooting the proposal to marketing to the couple as a wedding photographer look like? (35:40) Links: https://karibjorn.com https://instagram.com/karibjorn_ https://pic-time.com