Stay ConnectedWelcome to The Bokeh Podcast, where we help photographers build sustainable businesses!
Host Nathan Holritz and his guests will help you build your brand, focus your marketing efforts, refine your workflows, and dial in your photographic technique – all with efficiency in mind.
In the end, we not only want you to succeed as a photography business owner, but to still have a life through it all.
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Copyright: © Copyright Photographer's Edit
Do you feel stuck with your work? Do you browse social media and wish you or your business were as "successful" as other photographers?
Twyla Jones is here to tell you how to stop playing the comparison game, be brave, and do your thing! Listen in to episode 527 of The Bokeh Podcast to hear the hard truths about the behaviors you may be exhibiting that are causing you to feel stuck, and strategies that you can put into play that can help you to break out of that rut in order to grow your business!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer and Miilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You’re Photographing. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Brand Position (4:22)
Creating a great customer experience (8:09)
Technique for time management (13:25)
Outsourcing/Delegation (17:05))
Book Recommendation (23:04)
Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
How can photographers think outside the box to be more creative in their work? (28:06)
What are some behaviors that get in the way of growing a business? (37:50)
1. Playing it safe to avoid failure and for the sake of consistency
2. Comparison - ask yourself "why" 3 times if you're finding yourself wanting something you don't have
3. Imposter syndrome
How can photographers better balance the importance they place on their work as it relates to their identity? (52:11)
Links:
https://www.emotionalstorytelling.com
https://www.instagram.com/somethingrad
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
"Referrals are the foundation of the marketing pyramid." - Daniel Moyer, episode 526.
In ep 526, Daniel Moyer shares his technique for building relationships with his clients that go beyond the traditional client/photographer interaction and engagement. Listen in to hear how his deep relationships have not only built connections with his current clients, but have also been the main source of his future referrals.
Brand Position (8:07)
Creating a great customer experience (14:11)
Technique for time management (17:22)
Book Recommendations (22:35)
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
A Simple Path to Wealth by J. L. Collins
Ask Powerful Questions: Create Conversations that Matter by Will Wise
What were the pain points that led to the change in Dan's business? (27:40)
5 Steps for Transforming Your Photo Business (33:28)
1. Knowledge is Power - Don't just learn facts to learn about your clients, KNOW them
2. Differentiate yourself by flipping the wedding photography script
3. Be along for the journey, not just the booking and the wedding day
4. Seek positive emotion to anchor decision-making to - sell good feelings, not fear
5. Referrals are the most valuable form of marketing currency
Links:
https://www.focusedphotographers.com
https://www.danielmoyerphotography.com/
https://www.instagram.com/danielmoyerphoto
https://www.instagram.com/getfocusedphotographers
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Managing a photography business is an art, but managing a high-volume wedding photography business takes that to a different level. How can one person manage all of the moving parts necessary to keep one moving forward?
In episode 525 of The Bokeh Podcast, Rick Liston shares the processes he has developed for his high-volume wedding photography business that have allowed him to manage 100 weddings per year - and keep his sanity. Listen in to hear the pre-and post-wedding workflow strategies for delegating and streamlining the time-consuming tasks that bog down photographers.
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer and Miilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You’re Photographing. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Brand Position (3:58)
Creating a great customer experience (10:40)
Technique for time management (12:30)
Outsourcing/Delegation (15:20)
Book Recommendation (19:58)
Never Lose a Customer Again by Joey Coleman
Description and background of Rick's business model(24:40)
Principles that drive efficient workflows (33:50)
Most important pre-wedding workflow steps (37:35)
1. Share ideas and tips with couples prior to the wedding day
2. Collect vendor data prior to the wedding for post-wedding sharing
3. Gather information about your couples prior to the wedding for points of connection on the day
Post-wedding workflow (43:00)
1. Outsource editing, but share a sample slideshow the day after the wedding
2. Automate the sales process - set up a gift registry!
3. Utilize a Virtual Assistant for tasks such as album design and blog posts
Key steps for communication when outsourcing editing (45:18)
Links:
https://www.weddingworkflows.com
https://www.instagram.com/rick_liston
https://www.instagram.com/weddingworkflowsh
The dreaded word - taxes. Few of us truly understand them, all of us have to pay them. Can we be proactive in avoiding the most common tax mistakes in order to have a simpler, less stressful tax paying experience?
Pay close attention to episode 524 of The Bokeh Podcast as Braden Drake, Tax Attorney and Accounting Consultant for creatives, breaks down the top 5 tax mistakes that most creatives tend to make, and provides simple explanations and solutions for how to avoid them! Listen in as he shares resources and tips for how to break the cycle of poor management and decision-making when it comes to your financial and tax habits!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer and Miilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You’re Photographing. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Brand Position (5:22)
Creating a great customer experience (9:12)
Technique for time management (13:00)
Outsourcing/Delegation (18:30)
Book Recommendation (22:00)
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
Unf*ck Your Biz Book by Braden Drake
Top 5 Tax Mistakes (25:25)
1. Failing to pay quarterly taxes (or saving for quarterly taxes)
2. Not understanding the basics of taxes
3. Overspending to "save" in taxes
4. Poor record-keeping
5. Forming an S Corporation at the wrong time
Mistake #1 - Information about paying quarterly taxes (26:18)
Mistake #2 - A breakdown of the basics (28:48)
Mistake #3 - How photographers tend to overspend (30:25)
Mistake #4 - Tips for best record-keeping habits (33:25)
Mistake #5 - Explanation of S-Corps and the benefits/drawbacks to creating one (40:05)
Links:
What do you offer to your clients that sets you apart from your competition? But the bigger question is - how do you share that message with potential clients?
In episode 523 of The Bokeh Podcast, Jess Fernandez of Maui Family Photo dives into what is unique about her photography business, and how she can state those features simply and concisely in order to draw in her ideal clients. Listen in to hear the ideas and potential brand position statements that may help Jess stand apart from the competition in her market.
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer and Miilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You’re Photographing. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Background and focus of Jess's photography business (3:20)
Definition of a Brand Position Statement: (9:17)
A unique value proposition (UVP) that sets your business apart from the competition in your market.
Benefits of a Clear and Distinct Brand Positioning: (10:00)
A. Enables Potential Clients to Immediately Know Your UVP
B. Filters Irrelevant Potential Clients
C. Simplifies/Focuses Marketing Efforts
D. Encourages Better Time Management
Focus of Jess's photography business (12:50)
What sets Jess apart from her competition (24:30)
Pain points of Jess's client base (32:11)
Analysis of Jess's competition (40:50)
Potential Brand Position Statements (1:01:02)
Maui's Most Fun Family Photographer
Links:
https://www.mauifamily.photography/
https://www.instagram.com/mauifamilyphoto
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Potential clients see your amazing work posted on social media. They also see a similar style of images from your competition. What unique strategies can you use to set yourself apart in order to book those clients?
Send your clients on a virtual journey of what it is like to work with you! Sean Brown joins us for episode 522 of The Bokeh Podcast to explain how to convey the client journey in your marketing efforts. Listen in to hear strategies for not only building out the steps for your client journey but also sharing it in a strategic way that will sell them before they even speak with you!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer and Miilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You’re Photographing. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Brand Position (3:41)
Biggest lesson learned since Sean's first episode (14:30)
Why photographers need to do more than just "show up" on social media (20:23)
How is "client journey" defined by Sean? (23:50)
Phases in a client journey (36:09)
1. Before the session
2. During the session
3. After the session
4. Educational/Marketing
What are the keys to the educational/marketing phase? (40:35)
1. Explain the "why" behind the services you offer (features and benefits)
2. Differentiate your SM content to best fit the different platforms and phases of the client journey
Advice for photographers to begin thinking like a CEO (48:00)
How to build the "during the session" phase of your client's journey (50:49)
How to multi-task during a session in order to capture content for Social Media (56:05)
Links:
Sean's first Bokeh episode - Episode390
instagram.com/seanbrownproductions
https://www.seanbrownproductions.com
https://www.seanbrownproductions.com/photographers
Sean's vlog of the client journey
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
What are you doing to stand out amongst the throngs of photographers in your market? A strong, distinct brand positioning is a great place to start.
In episode 521 of the Bokeh Podcast, Kirsten Ogden of Kirsten J. Photography joins us to dig into how she can set herself apart in her market as a wedding and couple's photographer focusing on adventurous couples. Listen in to hear the recommendations and ideas that will help her stand out from her competition!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer and Miilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You’re Photographing. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Definition of a Brand Position Statement: (2:55)
A unique value proposition (UVP) that sets your business apart from the competition in your market.
Benefits of a Clear and Distinct Brand Positioning: (3:50)
A. Enables Potential Clients to Immediately Know Your UVP
B. Filters Irrelevant Potential Clients
C. Simplifies/Focuses Marketing Efforts
D. Encourages Better Time Management
Focus and location of Kirsten's photography business (6:08)
What sets Kirsten apart from her competition? (13:25)
Pain points of client base (19:15)
Kirsten's motivation for starting her photography business (26:10)
Analysis of competition (39:35)
Potential Brand Position Statements (1:01:27)
Christchurch's Premier Photographic Experience for Couples
Christchurch's Premier Photographer for Couples
The South Island's Premier Photographic Experience
Links:
https://www.kirstenjphoto.com/
http://instagram.com/kirstenjphoto
Ready to begin working on Brand Positioning for your business? Check out our free downloadable worksheet today, and learn more about how to position yourself in your market!
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The "hustle life" of putting your head down and knocking out tasks can drain you of your creativity. How can you ensure that you are finding ways to mix creativity into your productive work life?
In episode 520 of The Bokeh Podcast, Kalla Ramberg shares her strategies for finding ways to infuse creativity into daily tasks, and for making intentional decisions for her business that allow creativity to shine through. Listen in to hear tips for finding the flow that will allow you to avoid the burnout that comes from focusing on productivity and neglecting your creative drive.
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer and Miilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You’re Photographing. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Brand Position (3:13)
Creating a great customer experience (13:09)
Technique for time management (18:35)
Book Recommendation (23:20)
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Delegation/Outsourcing (29:26)
How productivity gives Kalla "flow" to be more creative (43:50)
Tips for how to be both productive and creative (49:28)
1. Be intentional with what you're doing
2. Be self-aware to evaluate whether or not what you're doing is killing creativity
3. Infuse creativity into daily work
4. Make time to do "fun" work (even if it is unpaid)
Links:
instagram.com/kallarambergphotography
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
You have the creative aspects of your business down, and you enjoy them immensely. But what about the systems and processes that actually drive your business to be profitable? How structured are you in implementing those to maximize profit?
In episode 519 of The Bokeh Podcast, Olie Moss of Equine Photo School shares how he grew his business to a 6-figure business, several times over! Listen in as he shares the key areas where processes and workflows are crucial, and the tools and tricks that he uses to implement those workflows in order to drive sales, and ultimately maximum profit, for his business.
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer and Miilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You’re Photographing. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Brand Position (2:55)
Creating a great customer experience (5:04)
Technique for time management (8:08)
Outsourcing/Delegation (10:22)
Book Recommendation (12:55)
Rise of the Youpreneur by Chris Ducker
Important principles for leading a team (20:41)
The development and growth of Olie's business (26:17)
Why photographers tend to focus on art over systems (30:18)
What are the most important systems that photographers should implement in their businesses? (41:40)
1. Customer acquisition and retention
2. In-person experience
3. Sales process
How Olie provides the best in-person experience possible for his clients (51:00)
Olie's photographic process (53:55)
The sales process (58:13)
Links:
Just imagine. . .you walk into a restaurant and your favorite foods are already on the table, a server that knows your preferences is waiting for you, and your favorite music is playing in the background. Before you've taken a bite, you're in awe of the experience and raving about the restaurant already. What if your clients felt that way when walking into a session with you?
In episode 518 of The Bokeh Podcast, Stefanie Cole shares with us how she differentiates herself as a photographer by providing a client experience that is unique and first-class. Listen in to hear how she built her brand to attract her ideal client, including tips for how to start a client closet that is unlike anything you've seen!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer and Miilu: The Simplest Way to Create and Manage Timelines and Shot Lists for the Events You’re Photographing. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Brand Position (2:40)
Technique for time management (8:30)
Outsourcing/Delegation (13:50)
Book Recommendation (19:30)
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
What was the AHA moment for Stefanie that caused the transition to focusing on client experience (25:38)
What elements of Stefanie's business were "leveled up" to provide a better client experience? (33:20)
1. The Client Closet and Client Styling
2. Planning and communication
3. Marketing the experience that will be provided
4. Managing kids during a phase
How does Stefanie draw in her ideal client? (45:00)
1. Controlling the perception of her business's brand
2. Underpromising and overdelivering
3. Consistency
4. Scarcity
What are 3 elements of a strong client closet? (49:23)
1. Build your brand's style first in order to draw in your ideal client
2. Charge enough to build and maintain the closet
3. Buy durable, versatile clothing
Links:
instagram.com/stefaniecolephotography
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
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