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
Are you looking to build your portfolio with dream images, while simultaneously building a community of photographers and vendors?
In episode 446 of the Bokeh Podcast, Rachel Howard joins us for a conversation around setting up her recent styled shoot and retreat! Listen in as she shares her approach to the styled shoot, along with what she learned in hosting and leading other 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: Photographing the raw beauty of life in North Alabama and beyond. (3:05)
Client Experience: Consistency and personable. (5:40)
Technique for Time: Creating routines and time blocking. (7:43)
Delegation/Outsourcing: Editing, bookkeeping, and album design. (11:28)
Book Recommendations: (19:54)
Will Power Doesn’t Work by Benjamin Hardy
Personality Isn’t Permanent by Benjamin Hardy
Rachel’s First Styled Shoot (23:00)
Styled Shoot During COVID (23:19)
The Attendees' Expectations (31:57)
Creating Structure (35:18)
Three Questions to Ask Before You Plan a Styled Shoot (46:19)
1. Are you structured?
2. Are you a leader?
3. Can you be real & strip away the pride?
Links:
instagram.com/raw_images_with_rach
Blog Post about Styled Shoot/Retreat
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As an entrepreneur, it's not often that we hear conversations around how to prepare for pregnancy, motherhood, and even loss.
Martha Swann-Quinn joins us to share how she started her personal project, Portraits of Loss, Love and Motherhood, to bring awareness and community to those who have experienced pregnancy loss.
Listen to episode 445 as Martha shares how she experienced two miscarriages of her own after starting this project, and highlights how she navigated these losses while continuing to photograph weddings and families too.
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: Capturing love and life and making memories last for generations to come. (2:17)
Client Experience: Looking at your clients and treating them as people first. (7:09)
Technique for Time: Be intentional with your time. (12:28)
Delegation: Accounting, legal work, and editing. (14:02)
Book Recommendations: (16:04)
Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller
Go-To Lenses (22:23)
50mm & 85mm
"1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage"
"1 in 100 babies are stillborn"
Portraits of Loss, Love and Motherhood
The Importance of an Emergency Fund (41:01)
Knowing What it Costs to Run Your Business (42:59)
Cutting Costs that aren’t Essential. (43:37)
Sharing About Pregnancy (45:10)
Approaching Pregnancy as an Entrepreneur (50:51)
1. Talk with your doctor.
2. Review your contracts with your lawyer to ensure you’re covered.
3. Think through how you want to handle announcing/sharing your pregnancy.
4. Consider delegating and outsourcing tasks (assistants, virtual assistant, editing).
5. Check in with your CPA about your
Do you struggle to turn your inquiries into paying clients? Implementing a simple booking workflow in your Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) could increase your bookings while improving your overall client communication.
In episode 444 of the Bokeh Podcast, Colie James joins us to share how she uses her CRM to not only book the clients, but create consistent communication from inquiry to final delivery. Listen in as she walks us through her automated workflow setup in Dubsado.
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.
Get to Know Colie (3:13)
Brand Position: Photos and films to family members in an experience that no one whines about. (5:26)
Client Experience: You have to deliver what you have promised. (10:56)
Time Technique (16:20)
Delegation/Outsourcing: Editing and CRMs (22:01)
Outsourcing Editing (26:42)
1. Have a clear way of how you edit
2. Communicate your editing
3. Provide valuable feedback.
Podcast Recommendations (30:42)
The Bokeh Podcast
This Can’t be that Hard
The Break Through Brand by Elizabeth
CRM - Customer Relationship Manager (35:56)
CRM’s Colie has used: (36:55)
17Hats
Tave (Owned by Shootproof)
Dubsado
3 Ways Using a CRM Enables Easier Booking
1. Lead Capture Form
2. Templated Emails Easily Accessible
3. The Booking Process & Payment
Automated Booking Workflow (43:52)
- Confirmation Email with Date and Details
- Detailed questionnaire
- Email just before session confirming
- Email after the session with a sneak peak and model release
Colie’s Lead Capture Form Sample:
coliejamesphotography.com/contact
Links
Are digital products right for your business? Whether you're looking to build an additional revenue stream or build up your educational offerings, there are a few things to consider when it comes to digital products!
In episode 443 of the Bokeh Podcast, Nicola Dixon is sharing the primary reasons to add digital products to your business, how to decide if they're right for you, and how to overcome your potential fears in launching them!
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.
Communication (4:48)
Client Experience (11:31)
Demonstrating Value to Your Market (18:49)
Technique for Time: Batch working with efficiency. (28:51)
Outsourcing/Delegation: Copywriting and Facebook Ads (38:21)
Book Recommendation: You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero (41:12)
Why You’d Add Digital Products
Adding Revenue Stream
Working Less Hours
How to Decide if Digital Products are Right for You (49:57)
- If you’re fully booked but still want to grow your business
- If you’re getting questions regarding your knowledge
Fears Photographer’s Have: (58:30)
- My audience is too small. | You just need an engaged following.
- What gives me the authority to teach? | You just have to be a few steps ahead of the person behind you.
- Needing perfection. | Just get started.
"Everything is waiting for you on the other side of consistency."
Links
nicoladixon.co
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After an amazing conversation at this year's Photo Cookout Conference with Cat Williams, I knew she was a perfect guest for the podcast!
If you're ready to take your customer service experience to the next level, listen in as Cat shares a powerful concept that will ensure you're approaching your customer service strategy with intention!
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.
Meet the Curator (2:47)
Approaching Customer Experience as a Curator (5:42)
Based: in Houston, TX (9:36)
Ladiiva Kreations Origin (11:17)
Customer Experience: Personalization makes it everything. (15:10)
Technique for Time: Find a happy medium with your work/life balance. (20:16)
- Adjust the 9-5 Work Schedule
- PTO from the FT job is PTO from the photo business.
- Set dedicated working hours.
Outsourcing/Delegation: In-Person Sales (24:31)
Book Recommendations: Soar by TD Jakes (28:46)
Overcoming Fear (31:35)
Downstream vs Upstream (51:18)
Upstream - Who you consider your vendors
Middle - You
Downstream - Your client
Applying Upstream/Downstream Concept to Business (1:01:55)
- Surveys to gain feedback
- Personalization in services
Links
instagram.com/ladiivakreations
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We live in an entrepreneurial space where our income options are limitless when we decide to diversify our revenue streams!
In episode 441 of the Bokeh Podcast, Sam Hurd joins us to share how to approach a diversifying your income and the questions to consider when planning for a a potential revenue stream.
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.
Winner of 0 Awards (8:07)
Brand Position: Emphasizing the creative, most strange, least expected couples of the couple (17:01)
Photo Mentioned in Episode (22:15)
https://www.samhurdphotography.com/planning-virtual-wedding/
Book Recommendations: I Will Teach You to Be Rich (27:35)
Diversifying Income (31:20)
Questions to Ask Regarding a New Revenue Stream: (39:47)
1. Is there a demand?
Ex: Do people actually ask you questions about your talent/photos?
2. Are you capable of executing this new revenue stream?
Ex: Teaching - breaking things down and explaining it thoroughly?
3. Can this additional stream be generated efficiently?
4. Is this sustainable?
Creating Patreon (44:35)
Approach to Adding Value (55:34)
Being Honest with Yourself (59:55)
Mentioned in this Episode:
Ben Thompson of Stratechery.com
Links
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Organization—it's a word most creatives hate. We're here to tell you that it doesn't have to be a bad word and it isn't just for nerds.
In episode 440 of the Bokeh Podcast, Tracy Moore shares how organization can make a powerful and positive impact on your efficiency in business. Listen in as she shares the benefits of her favorite systems and softwares!
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: Trouble-Maker Photographer for Adventurous Senior Girls (9:34)
Adventurous Do Good Contest (11:32)
Customer Service: Be interested in them. (14:39)
Technique for Time: (21:19)
Time Blocking
Eisenhower Method
Delegation/Outsourcing (28:18)
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Photography Business Mentor (@tracymoorephoto)
Book Recommendations: (38:57)
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnige ?
Never Split the Difference
15 Invaluable Laws of Growth
How to Win Friends and Influence People for Teen Girls
FOCUS Mastermind (41:17)
F - Finding Your Niche
O - Optimizing Your Brand
C - Client Acquisition
U - Unforgettable Client Experience
S - Systems & Sales
3 Major Benefits of Systems (44:35)
1. Time Saving (46:27)
2. Better Client Experience (53:37)
3. More Income Overall (55:14)
Systems Tracy Has in Place (57:27)
Client Galleries
Contracts & Invoicing
Deciding on Softwares (58:32)
Good Reputation
Word of Mouth
Client Facing Experience
Time Saving
Softwares (1:01)
We've talked about the variety of ways you can advertise and market your photography business on the Bokeh Podcast. We've even shared how to set up Google Ad Campaigns in previous episodes,.
In today's episode, our special guest, Yaneck Wasio, joins us for another episode to share how to design an effective Google Ad Campaign that converts! Listen in as he guides us through 5 principals to a strong ad campaign!
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.
Customer Experience: Actively listen (5:08)
Getting Started with Google Ads (8:44)
Advantages of Google Ads (10:51)
- Your audience is actively searching for your services.
Disadvantages to Google Ads (13:28)
- They can be more expensive than FB Ads
Google Search vs Google Display Ads (13:50)
5 Principals of a Strong Google Ad Campaign (20:31)
1. Keywords
2. Ad Copy
3. Monitoring
4. Landing Page
5. Email & Communication Follow Up
Keywords (21:21)
Broad Terms
Keywords
Negative Keywords
Writing Good Copy for Ads (27:14)
Adwords Campaign Structure (27:53)
Campaigns > Ad Sets > Ads
Monitoring Ads (34:07)
1. Keyword Monitoring
2. Ad Performance
3. Google Ads w/ Google Analytics
Setting Goals (37:46)
Landing Pages (41:42)
Follow Up via Email (47:08)
Links
Episode 310: The Art of Print Sales
Episode 43: How to Move Into a New Market
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Your photography style can define so much of what you become in your photography business.
In episode 438 of the Bokeh Podcast, we're joined by Jenny Losee to discuss her approach to a session, along with how it impacts her style of photography. Listen in as Jenny shares how she got started in photography and came to develop her own unique style of photography.
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: Capture the beauty of living in natural art. Natural, organic photography inspired by nature and emotion. (2:19)
Client Experience: Communication, Planning, & Fine Tuning (3:35)
Technique for Time: Working during baby's morning nap times. (11:17)
Book Recommendations: (15:05)
A New Earth
The Untethered Soul
Bokehbookshelf.com
How Jenny Got Started (18:50)
How Jenny Developed Her Style (32:36)
1. Communication with clients.
2. Pre-plan meditation and visioning process.
3. Create a game plan onsite early.
4. Editing film and digital side by side.
Avoiding the Paparazzi Photographer (34:20)
The Editing Process for Film vs. Digital (36:21)
Links
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
We've heard the importance of optimizing your website for search engines, but are you taking advantage of Google My Business?
Our producer, Haylee Gaffin comes out from behind the scenes to explain how setting up her Google My Business listing has increased website traffic, bookings, and overall profit for her photography studio! Listen in as she walks us through the detailed process of setting up your Google My Business listing!
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: Helping small businesses and entrepreneurs grow their business through photography, marketing, and podcast production.
Customer Experience: Communication (8:58)
Communication in Delegation (14:18)
Technique for Time: (18:05)
Time Blocking
Outsourcing/Delegation (22:38)
Accounting/Taxes
Social Media Marketing
Book Recommendations: (26:00)
To All the Boys I Loved Before
Google My Business Listing (31:50)
Success in Google My Business Listing (33:37)
40% of Studio Rentals Come From Google
50% of Headshot Clients Come From Google
Rankings on Google (30:41)
Chattanooga Photography Studio:
#1 on SEO
#4 on Google My Business Listings
Chattanooga Headshot Photographer
#6 on Google My Business Listings
Not Even on the First Page of SEO
SEO & Google My Business Listing
Setting Up My Google Business Listing (38:30)
1. Head to google.com/business and create your account.
2. Set up your business listing or claim the existing business.
3. Add your business information.
4. Verify your business (by postcard, phone, or email).
5. Add photos to your listing.
6. Add a Business Description or Brand Position.
7. Begin creating content posts to your Google My Business Listing.
Three Considerations in Ranking Your Google My Business Listing (43:35)
1. Distance
2. Relevance
3. Prominence
Requesting Reviews (47:01)
Links
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