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.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Copyright: © Copyright Photographer's Edit
Over the last year at Bokeh Podcast, we have spent so much time reviewing brand positions, that we thought it was time to offer live brand consultations!
In this special series, we’ll be exploring how to develop brand positions.
In episode 366 of the Bokeh Podcast, Nathan is joined by Morayo Sayles of Piper Brown Photography to chat about potential brand positions that resonate with her current brand. Listen in as they discuss the possibility of morphing your brand position over time as your experience and portfolio begin to support the brand you want to portray.
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. 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: The unique value prop that our businesses offer to our market.
Benefits of a Clear and Distinct Brand Position:
A. Enables Potential Clients to Immediately Know Your UVP
B. Filters Irrelevant Potential Clients
C. Simplifies/Focuses Marketing Efforts
D. Encourages Better Time Management
Morayo’s Goal: Understand what her brand position should be and how to use it in her brand. (2:30)
Based in: Southern New England (4:54)
Current Brand Position: Wedding photographer who occasionally does family portraiture (11:08)
Why Photography (18:56)
Competition (30:35)
Potential Brand Positions:
Rhode Island’s Fun Wedding Photographer
Rhode Island’s Fun & Nerdy Wedding Photographer
Celebrating the Beginning of Your Family’s Legacy
Rhode Island’s Funny Wedding Photographer Next Door
Links
Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller
How to Win Friends & Influence People
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Are you able to pull out real, raw emotions from your clients during your sessions?
In episode 365 of the Bokeh Podcast, Karissa Layne shares about the importance of connecting with your clients so they're comfortable enough to open up around you. Listen in as she walks through the importance touch points from inquiry to the session that allows her to capture her clients on an intimate level.
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. 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: Honest enthusiasm. (2:26)
Brand Position: Capturing your marriage, not just your wedding day and giving you photographs that reflect who you are. (5:35)
Technique for Time: (8:47)
Take 1-2 days off work each week.
Have realistic expectations for what you can get done.
Inspiration: Faith & Family (17:50)
Book Recommendations: (20:28)
Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller - bit.ly/bp-storybrand
Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer - bit.ly/bp-ruthlesseliminationhurry
Bridgetone Podcast - bridgetown.podbean.com/e/the-ruthless-elimination-of-hurry
Capturing Emotion in Your Clients:
1. Get to know your clients on a personal level either in-person, on a call, or through a questionnaire; also let them get to know you as well.
2. Prompt your couples to take an action, then look for the in between moments.
3. Give them space to connect during your sessions by stepping away from them.
4. Provide constant feedback to your clients for encouragement.
5. Work Quickly, but also slow down. Don’t make awkward moments.
Action Tip:Start by encouraging your couples to walk or run to loosen them up.
Why Movement Works: They’re thinking about what they’re doing, not how they look or the camera.
Links:
instagram.com/karissalaynephoto
Anna Anderson's Brand Position Consultation - bit.ly/bp-345
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Do you struggle with creating a seamless experience while posing your boudoir clients?
In episode 364 of the Bokeh Podcast, Anna Johnson of Boudoir Ego walks us through the posing flow she uses to capture a variety of images with a few simple poses. Listen in as she shares some of her favorite tips for delivering the most out of your sessions!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. 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 During COVID-19: Keeping communication open and popping on social media more than normal. (1:21)
Technique for Time: Set a schedule for yourself. (5:29)
Outsourcing/Delegation: Hire a CPA (9:54)
Inspiration: Watching TV (16:25)
Book Recommendations: (23:55)
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis - bit.ly/bp-washface
Calm the F*** Down by Sarah Knight - amzn.to/bp-calmthefdown
There is Growth in Experience (29:26)
Photographers that Inspire Anna:
Posing Flow for Boudoir: (33:15)
1. Starting on the bed; laying on back, stomach, side, feet on wall, etc. + a variety of each of these shots.
2. Move them to half on/off the bed (legs off).
3. Move all the way to the ground; back against the bed, then back on the ground.
4. Move over to the window; against the wall on the ground, on knees, standing up.
5. Move to the couch; Start with sitting, then lay down on back, stomach, side, etc, then kneeling on the couch facing the window/light, etc.
Tip for Shooting Boudoir: Capture a variety of angles and shots for each pose you place your subject in.
Tip for Variety:Shoot through objects like plants, glass balls, prisms, etc.
Links
Anna's Bokeh Podcast Snapshot Episode - bit.ly/bp-231
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Over the last year at Bokeh Podcast, we have spent so much time reviewing brand positions, that we thought it was time to offer live brand consultations!
In this special series, we’ll be exploring how to develop brand positions based on principals derived from Donald Miller’s book, Building a Storybrand.
In episode 363 of the Bokeh Podcast, Nathan chats with Leah Goetzel to discuss a potential change in her brand position as she approaches moving to a new market. Listen in as the brainstorm potential words and concepts to consider as she makes a big move in her business.
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. 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: The unique value prop that our businesses offer to our market.
Benefits of a Clear and Distinct Brand Position:
A. Potential Clients to Immediately Know Your UVP
B. Filters Irrelevant Potential Clients
C. Simplifies/Focuses Marketing Efforts
D. Encourages Better Time Management
Based in: Dallas, TX; possibly moving to CO (2:21)
Leah's Goal: Would love to create a clear and concise brand position that embodies her brand for when she moves. (6:06)
Current Brand Position: Bold & Vibrant Imagery for Colorful & Kind Souls (8:12)
Why Leah Started Photography: (16:58)
1. Creative Outlet
2. Financial Freedom & Independence
3. Interactions with Clients
Reviewing Current Brand Position (19:02)
Leah’s Competition (25:20)
Brainstorming Brand Position Statements (37:55)
Links
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Are you properly exposing your photos and editing for accurate skin tones?
In episode 362 of the Bokeh Podcast, Ty Pentecost joins our hosts to demonstrate how to edit dark skin tones. Listen in as Ty walks us through editing the following scenarios: greenery in the background, indoor, and harsh lighting.
The audio from Workflow Wednesday episodes is from our weekly Facebook Live videos. Tune in live on Wednesdays at 2:00PM EST, at facebook.com/photogsedit.
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. 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.
Check out the visuals at bokehpodcast.com!
Connect:
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Have you set up amazing and efficient client workflows in your business?
In episode 361 of the Bokeh Podcast, Chelsy Weisz joins us to discuss important principals behind a smart client workflow, along with the primary stages you should plan to incorporate. If your workload feels light due to rescheduling sessions due to COVID-19, now is the time to prepare for when you hit your busy season and don't have as much free time!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. 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: Setting your expectations so that you can exceed them. (5:52)
Brand Position: (7:59)
Photography Brand - Educate & Inspiring Brides in Northwest North Dakota to Turn into a Wife
Education Brand - Preparing Your to Transform Your Business into What You're Supposed To Do
Outsourcing/Delegation: Editing, Virtual Assistant, Podcast Editing (15:33)
Book Recommendations: Start with Why by Simon Sinek - bit.ly/bp-startwithwhy (20:40)
Why Chelsy Loves Workflow (24:01)
Four Stages of Photo Sessions: (24:00)
1. Inquiry
2. Pre-Session
3. Post-Session
4. Ongoing and Marketing
Optional 5. Pre-Sale
Optional 6. Post Sale
Setting Up Workflows: The system you develop needs to be easy to duplicate (tracking, templates, etc) (29:00)
Creating Tasks for Each Stage’s Workflow (34:37)
Using a CRM to Manage Automated Emails (42:25)
Links:
Lindsay Letters Calendar - lindsayletters.co/collections/the-creatives-calendar
thewisephotographerpodcast.com
Ashlyn Write’s Course - copywritingforcreatives.ashlynwrites.com
The Emyth - bit.ly/bp-emyth
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Do you love hearing from other photographers on the the latest topics in our industry? Introducing The Bokeh Morning Show!
In this special series, our host, Nathan, will be jumping on Facebook Live and opening up the phone line to allow guests to call-in for a few minutes of conversation around a specific topic! Guests will contribute their favorite tip to better serve your business!
In this episode, Nathan discusses ways to proactively serve your clients during a slow season where COVID-19 is impacting your ability to engage face to face. Listen in as Shaun Austin and Jamie Gordon call in to share their thoughts as well!
The audio from The Bokeh Podcast Morning Show episodes is from our Facebook Live videos. If you'd love too see us continue this series, make sure to send us a DM on Facebook or Instagram or email Nathan at nathan@photographersedit.com.
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. 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.
Special thanks to Shaun Austin and Jaime Gordon for calling into the show today!
Links
Want to stay on top of news? - Feedly.com
Final Cut Pro free for 90 days - bit.ly/bp-fcp90days
Backlinks to Improve SEO - bit.ly/bp-ppseo
Spring cleaning (digitally) during Corona - bit.ly/bp-giz-springclean
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Are you quick to throw discounts on your services when you need to make money?
In episode 359 of the Bokeh Podcast, Katie Wussow joins us to discuss how you should be pricing yourself not only during a crisis, but all the time. Listen in as she share her opinion on discounting your services and why it's a bad move for your business.
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. 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: Good Communication and Simplified Terminology (6:08)
Brand Position: Business coach for creative entrepreneurs, focused on the basics, with a background in finance. (11:25)
Technique for Time: Time blocking everything. (14:41)
Delegation/Outsourcing: Handing off work and training someone does take time and is a skill. (18:59)
Book Recommendations: The Dip by Seth Godin (26:18)
The Truth Behind Discountin; (30:47)
Discounting Services vs. Products (33:50)
Where to Start Pricing During a Crisis:
1. Know your numbers and your margins.
2. Qualify your leads.
3. Connect what you do with your client’s values.
Why You’re Getting Pushback on Your Pricing; (42:26)
1. Your leads aren’t qualified.
2. You’re not helping them understand the value of what you’re providing.
Links:
Katie's Audio Technica Mic - amzn.to/bp-audiotechnica
Game Changer Podcast with Katie Wussow - thegamechanger.buzzsprout.com
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Over the last year at Bokeh Podcast, we have spent so much time reviewing brand positions, that we thought it was time to offer live brand consultations!
In this special series, we’ll be exploring how to develop brand positions based on principals derived from Donald Miller’s book, Building a Storybrand.
In episode 358 of the Bokeh Podcast, Nathan chats with Rachel Sima-Castro, a northern California-based photographer to define a brand position that empowers women and their families and matches the mission behind her brand.
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. 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: The unique value prop that our businesses offer to our market.
Benefits of a Clear and Distinct Brand Position:
A. Potential Clients to Immediately Know Your UVP
B. Filters Irrelevant Potential Clients
C. Simplifies/Focuses Marketing Efforts
D. Encourages Better Time Management
Based in: Sacramento, CA and serving Northern CA (3:15)
Specializing in: Film portrait photographer (3:15)
A Glimpse at Rachel’s Competition (10:35)
Rachel’s Current Brand Position: Dreamy, intimate photography for women and families. (12:31)
Creating Separate Brands (12:31)
Frequently Used Words in Rachel’s Brand: Intimate, Feminism, Portraitist, Film
Rachel’s Goal: Find language for film that clients will understand.
Rachel’s Competition (36:51)
Brainstorming Brand Position Statements (42:46)
Describing Experience vs. Product (52:01)
Potential Brand Position Statements: Honest, Intimate Portraiture for Women (53:00)
Links
instagram.com/rachelsimaphotography
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Are you overwhelmed at the idea of learning IPS?
In episode 357 of the Bokeh Podcast, Andrew Funderburg of Fundy Designer joins us to share how when you simplify the process for your clients by offering limited products, print sales can play a huge role in your business's growth plan! Bonus: Andrew also shares helpful recommendations for getting through this slow season due to COVID-19.
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. 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.
Working on Your Business During COVID-19:
1. Set yourself up financially for success. (5:40)
Think of how you’ll survive if you have no income for 6 months:
Look at how you can reduce or skip payments temporarily.
Review all of you financial assets.
2. Create a plan and strategy for the next 3 months. (11:00)
- How can I generate extra revenue?
- How can I just costs in my business?
- How can I reconnect with vendors during this time to stay top of mind?
Tip: Create multiple strategies based on different scenarios for time.
Bonus Tip: How are you going to set yourself up for success compared to your competitors in your market? Idea: Design dual-sided cards for your vendors; one side for you and the other for the vendor.
3. Keep yourself busy by using your newfound free time to do something different. (17:05)
- Top down photoshoots for your albums
- Design wall-art mockups in Fundy.
- Design save-the-dates for your engaged couples.
- Design studio magazine.
- Review your pricing and packaging.
Planning Your Products: (29:34)
1. Choose an album
2. Choose 2 types of wall art.
3. Choose cards your clients may want.
Steps to Approaching IPS: (38:06)
1. Predesign your album.
2. Set up an appointment (in person or zoom).
3. Set up a slideshow, starting with 10 favorite images, then products.
Links
instagram.com/fundysoftwareinc
Meditation Apps: Headspace or Waking Up
Street Photography Book - bit.ly/bp-funderburg-sp
Album Design Book - bit.ly/bp-funderburg-albums
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
