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
Have you considered offering more than the traditional photography package to your clients? Diversifying can set you apart and lead to exponential growth in your business!
In episode 496 of The Bokeh Podcast, Kelli White introduces us to the steps we can take to include video in our photography packages! Listen in to hear how with a few simple changes, you too can be a one-stop-shop for your clients!
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 (4:43)
Creating a great customer experience (10:08)
Technique for time management (16:40)
Outsourcing/Delegation (20:15)
Book Recommendation (26:43)
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Kelli's process for adding video into her photography business (31:57)
Ways Video can be impactful for your business (43:48)
1. Sets your business apart from your competition
2. Diversifies your income
3. Improves your photography
4. Expands your reach
5. Allows you to better serve your clients
Steps photographers can take to get started with video (52:20)
1. Learn about the basic gear and settings
2. Practice, practice, practice!
3. Find an editing software and learn it well
4. Do model calls
Links:
instagram.com/kelliwhitephotography
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Sometimes your "why" and your business aren't aligned. When that happens, it might be time to pivot!
Chelsea Hollis found herself needing to pivot more than once since beginning her professional career. In episode 495 of The Bokeh Podcast, she shares how she successfully transitioned to not only a new industry, but also new market segments within the photography industry. Listen in to hear her 4 key steps for making a successful pivot.
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 (5:57)
Creating a great customer experience (16:47)
1. Constant and clear communication while serving them well
2. Show your face and heart in marketing
Technique for time management (24:12)
Outsourcing/Delegation (31:31)
Book/Podcast Recommendation (37:20)
The Husband-Coached Childbirth - Dr. Robert Bradley
Chelsea's business evolution (40:34)
What is a Doula? (43:33)
4 Steps to a Successful Pivot (50:14)
1. Determine your "why" and share that with your clients
2. Consider the lifetime value of your current and potential clients
3. Be present on Social Media - 4 categories for content:
- personal
- education
- entertainment or encouragement
- selling
4. Offer a weekly/recurring resource to reach a broader audience
Links:
instagram.com/milestonemamapodcast
instagram.com/theprosperworkshop
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Are you including an album in your wedding packages? The simple step of adding a basic album to your most popular package could actually generate thousands of dollars in additional income on each wedding!
In episode 494 of The Bokeh Podcast, James and Jess share with us the steps that they used to not only provide their clients with a physical wedding album, but sell albums to family members of the bride and groom as well! Listen in to hear how using these simple steps generated $60k in additional income in one year!
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 (11:06)
Creating a great customer experience (19:32)
Technique for time management (27:15)
Outsourcing/Delegation (34:40)
Background experience with albums (44:25)
Steps for increasing profit from album sales (49:23)
Pre-Wedding:
1. Add an album credit into your most popular package
2. Give the best wedding experience possible to your clients!
Post-Wedding:
1. Design an album with no more than 3 images per page from the beginning of the wedding day to the end of the day
2. Create a slide show set to music with those chosen images
3. Send the link to the full gallery of images
4. Send an email with a discounted offer to upgrade the album
5. Finalize the album design with the client
6. Invoice the client for the album
7. Dropship the album to the client
8. Repeat and scale - sell to family members!
Links:
Link to Erica and Jon's episode: Bokeh Podcast #485
Link to Anna and Ryan's episode: Bokeh Podcast #458
Pala Mikayla Kovacs booked 40 weddings in the first 6 months of starting her photography business. How is that even possible?
In episode 493 of the Bokeh Podcast, she outlines the key strategies that were used to quickly build her business to a level that many photographers spend years working to attain. Listen in for marketing tactics, relationship-building processes, and time management strategies for building and maintaining a highly successful photography 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 (3:12)
Building relationships with clients (4:55)
Creating a great customer experience (15:18)
Techniques for time management: (20:43)
1. Implementing a 4-day work week
2. Planning for the next day before ending the day
Outsourcing/Delegation (27:44)
Book Recommendations: (32:23)
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport
When and why did Pala start her photography business? (38:05)
Marketing tactics Pala used that resulted in booking 40 weddings within the first 6 months of business: (42:50)
1. Build relationships with industry partners
2. Offer free headshots for wedding planners and other industry partners
3. Create videos for venues
4. Offer free weddings when starting out
5. Family front porch mini-sessions during Covid
6. Invest in SEO
7. Utilize Groupon
Links:
instagram.com/photosbypalamikayla
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"Pinterest is just for moms." "People only use Pinterest to find recipes and cute ideas." Are these common misconceptions keeping you from using Pinterest as a marketing platform?
Not Carolina! In episode 492, Carolina Guzik walks listeners through practical steps of how to utilize Pinterest as a search engine in order to reach potential clients. Listen in to hear how Carolina has leveraged Pinterest to be one of the top platforms for driving potential clients to her website!
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.
Carolina's Brand Position (2:25)
Providing a great customer experience (7:43)
Time Management Techniques (10:15)
Book Recommendation (18:00)
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
TedTalk on Steal Like an Artist
Pinterest Misconceptions (21:23)
Motivation for Carolina to use Pinterest for marketing (22:10)
Biggest mistakes that photographers are making when using Pinterest (29:11)
1. Treating Pinterest like a Social Media platform
2. Assuming that their audience isn't on Pinterest
3. Not using key words or phrases for search optimization
4. Pinning other's content
Using Pinterest as a search engine (34:50)
1. Include information about your business in the bio description
2. Create specific boards by niche (venues, styles, type)
3. Provide value to clients that will lead them to your website
How much time does Carolina spend on Pinterest for marketing efforts? (45:30)
Links:
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
You've likely heard of brand ambassadors, or even ambassadors for senior portrait photographers, but have you ever considered incorporating ambassadors into your family photography business?
In episode 491, Heather Floyd gives away her secrets of how she developed an ambassador program for her adventure family photography business! Join in to hear the most important components for selecting ambassadors, as well as the value proposition for the ambassador. Sign us up!
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.
Heather's Brand Position (4:30)
How Heather began marketing the adventure family photography idea (7:41)
What brought about the idea of starting an ambassador program? (14:14)
What are the most important components of an ambassador program? (16:55)
1. Find Ambassadors who are willing to "work" with you
2. Limit the number of Ambassadors
3. Make the Ambassadors feel special through having responsibilities
4. You make all of the decisions!
Value proposition for the Ambassador (various times throughout the conversation)
1. Free images
2. Surprise gifts throughout the year
3. Referral credits
Links:
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
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Which is more effective in booking clients - the attractive elements of a website or the practical information shared on the pages?
Both! Karie Denny shares with us in episode 490 of The Bokeh Podcast that a professional website should be both aesthetically appealing AND informative! Listen in as she shares tips for what to avoid when designing your website, as well as key elements that are must-haves!
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.
Ace and Whim's Brand Position (5:15)
Creating a great customer experience (9:33)
- Honesty
- Patience
- Persistence
Balancing time between family and running a business (17:49)
Book Recommendation (23:51)
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
Elements of a website that are visually appealing but not necessarily helpful in converting clients: (29:16)
1. Using pretty fonts that are difficult to read
2. Too little copy
3. Designing a website for peers instead of potential clients
Strategies for effective website design: (46:41)
1. Clear and creative CTA's (Calls to Action)
2. Include movement and transitions on your pages
3. Have a clear and present brand position
4. Offer a freebie that allows you to capture email/contact info
5. Create a visual flow
Links:
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
How can personal faith and values transcend into the world of business? Do the habits and tendencies that we possess in our personal lives also shape how we run a business?
Loyalty, trust, honesty and intentionality are not only the core values on which Demetrius Neal built his business, but also the driving motivators in his personal life. Listen in to episode 489 of the Bokeh Podcast to hear how his faith and morals are at the foundation of his business, and how his work ethic is shaped by these guiding principles.
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.
Demetrius' brand position (1:15)
Values that drive Demetrius' work ethic: (13:55)
1. Loyalty
2. Trust
Creating a great customer experience (16:55)
Delegation/Outsourcing (24:44)
Educational or Inspirational recommendation (27:50)
Demetrius' journey in religion (38:33)
What is the significance of faith in relation to his business? (46:28)
3 Habits Demetrius implements regularly to grow his business: (53:04)
1. Pray every morning
2. Take initiative in reaching out to potential clients
3. Be honest
Links:
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
We all want to feel accepted as we are, and nowhere else does this hold more true than when we have a little less clothing on than normal!
In episode 488 of the Bokeh Podcast, Jessica Hunt shares how she is intentional about making every client feel comfortable, cared for, and celebrated - regardless of body type, race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual preference. Listen in to hear how she structures her boudoir sessions to turn them into an empowering, confidence-inspiring experience!
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.
Jessica's entrance into and inspiration for boudoir photography (5:32)
Jessica's brand position (19:44)
How does Jessica define "body shaming"? (27:09)
How to avoid the potential of excluding certain body types in your boudoir photography work (32:55)
How Jessica sets the tone prior to the shoot (46:10)
Steps taken during the shoot to ensure clients feels comfortable: (59:28)
1. Pampering the client with hair/makeup/nails by a professional
2. Friendly conversation between Jessica and the client in order to get to know each other
3. Reinforcement of the safe space for the client
4. Client-specific playlists are created to be played during the session
Hiding a body vs. posing according to how the client wants to be seen (1:08:20)
Links:
jessicahuntphotography.com/boudoir-photographer
Jessica's First Bokeh Podcast Interview: Episode 153
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"Street photography is the palate cleanser for my wedding photography.”
Hear this and more in episode 487 of The Bokeh Podcast as Kanayo Adibe describes how he marries skills learned in street photography to his work as a wedding photographer. Listen as Kanayo explains which three main elements of photography are the keys to fusing the two genres together to achieve beautiful, emotional images.
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.
Kanayo's definition of his street photography: Documenting the Human Condition (6:08)
What initially drew Kanayo to street photography? (7:10)
Elements of good street photography (12:12)
1. Light
2. Composition
3. Moment
Inspiration for Kanayo's street photography (18:43)
Aside from light, composition and moment, what additional elements of street photography are useful in wedding photography? (25:20)
1. Heightened senses
2. Ability to pull stories together
Kanayo's Brand Position (29:33)
Book Recommendations: (38:29)
The Suffering of Light by Alex Webb
Cuba: Island at a Crossroad by David Alan Harvey
Links:
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
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