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 passionate about making an impact or a difference in your community, but don't know where to start working on a personal project?
In episode 346 of the Bokeh Podcast, Lucy Baber shares the mission behind why she started her personal project, 100 Black Dads, along with the 9 steps she took (and wished she had) to execute this project she's so passionate about. If you're ready to launch your next personal project, this episode is for you!
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: Philly’s FUN Family Photographer (2:15)
Giving Yourself Time to Go Full-Time (9:19)
Advice for Photographers: (11:17)
1. Get a steady income when you go full-time.
2. Prioritize relationships.
3. Prioritize photography conferences.
Technique for Time: Give yourself permission to clock out at a certain time of day for your family. (21:15)
Book Recommendations: (27:39)
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert - bit.ly/bp-bigmagic
The Gear Bag: Bandaids: “Emergency Kit" (31:43)
100 Black Dads: Highlighting the loving and nurturing side of black fathers. (34:02)
Steps to Launching Your Personal Project (44:47)
1. Write a mission statement. (45:33)
2. Clearly define your scope and goals. (50:47)
3. Write a press release. (52:42)
4. Determine a budget, availability, and travel needs. (54:56)
5. Apply for grants and sponsorships. (59:16)
6. Consider wardrobe needs for promo interviews.
7. Plan your launch. (1:02:10)
8. Create a mix of easily attainable goals. (1:03:44)
9. Outsource if possible. (1:06:38)
Links:
lucybaberphotography.com/100-black-dads
Rae Barnes' Episode - bit.ly/bp-157
Untethered Soul by Michael Singer
Ore Adesina's Episode - bit.ly/bp-200
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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 345 of the Bokeh Podcast, Nathan chats with Anna Anderson, a photographer in Madison, WI, to develop a brand position that captures her ability to create beautiful, comfortable moments for her couples. Listen in as they discuss Anna's brand and develop a potential new brand position during this real-time consultation.
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.
What is a Brand Position? (1:40)
Benefits of Brand Position (3:50)
1. Clarifies your unique value proposition to potential clients.
2. Filters irrelevant potential clients.
3. Simplifies marketing messaging.
4. Encourages better time management.
Focusing on One Niche (9:51)
Anna’s Old Unique Value Proposition: Honest, Authentic, and a Damn Good Time (13:50)
Five Prompts Article: https://annamariecreative.com/my-five-go-to-posing-prompts-for-couples/
Researching Anna’s Competition (25:22)
Anna’s Current Brand Position: Wisconsin wedding photographer empowering couples through connection and vulnerability. (38:02)
Final Brand Position Statement: Helping You Feel at Home in Front of the Camera
Website Mockup & Notes:
1. I’m not a graphic designer 😊 This mockup is just meant to demonstrate how one might use a full-screen image to represent their brand, while incorporating a position statement in a visible location above the fold. Hire a graphic designer to do your website design and layout - helping you choose the image, font, and placement of text.
2. In an ideal world, an image with lots of negative space will make room for the logo and navigation to be more visible, and help draw the viewer’s eye to the brand position statement more readily.
3. It’s also good to consider how the image will work when in a mobile format. In this case, you might ask your web designer and/or developer to push image up near the mobile menu, and place the brand position statement right underneath it. This will assure that both are visible above the fold - even in a mobile format.
Links:
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Does your website stand out for potential clients among all of the photography websites they're browsing?
In episode 344 of the Bokeh Podcast, Amanda Shuman of Carry Love Designs shares the steps you need to take to review your website to make sure you're driving visitors to convert into clients. Listen in as she shares a few changes you can make on your website to create a better experience for potential clients!
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.
Headshot by Madeline Harper Photography
Brand Position: Building websites that have a purpose and tells a story to resonate with potential clients. (5:08)
The Meaning Behind Carry Love (6:49)
Advice for Photographers: When you’re just starting out, try everything out. (9:27)
Technique for Time: Outsource the things that don’t require you to do it. (15:16)
Content Recommendation: Social Media Marketing with Michael Steltzner (19:42)
Neuroscience and Marketing Episode 385 (12/20)
Nathan’s Podcast Recommendation: Perpetual Traffic (19:42)
Website Issues that Photographers Are Making: They focus only on the photography and not enough copy. (23:36)
The 10 (or 5) Second Test: Within 10 (or 5) seconds on your site, your visitor should know what you do, who you serve, and what are the next steps. (24:51)
What You Do: Make sure you’re clearly communicating what you do and where you’re located (if you’re a location based business). (25:55)
Who You Serve: Make sure you’re highlighting your ideal clients. (27:43)
Next steps: (30:09)
In the top right hand corner of your website, add a primary CTA.
Use different phrases to take them to the same action throughout your homepage/site.
Using Your About Page as a Sales Tool (34:29)
Setting Your Website’s Main Goal (40:46)
Hansel & Gretle Method (43:53)
Links:
carrylovedesigns.com/website-academy
The Brand and a Plan Podcast - carrylovedesigns.com/podcast
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Do you have trouble when it comes to pricing yourself in order to run a successful business?
In episode 343 of the Bokeh Podcast, Hayley Sheppard joins Nathan for a live pricing consultation to discuss the concerns she has when it comes to pricing herself. Listen in as they discuss how financial goals, investing into your business, and upgrading your equipment play a role in your long-term accounting plan and pricing yourself.
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.
Hayley’s Style & Nostalgia (4:00)
Biggest Pricing Challenges/Concerns (10:31)
How to be Prepared for Tax Season
Deductions and Write Offs
Percentages to Save for Tax
Investing in Advertising
Justify Upgrading Equipment
When to Raise Pricing
Find a Great Accountant (16:24)
Get Started with Quickbooks Online (17:39)
How Much to Save for Taxes (21:22)
Hayley’s Current State of Pricing (28:18)
Tip: Don’t put too much emphasis on your experience, education, and equipment. (35:58)
Pricing Yourself: (35:58)
Are you meeting your personal financial goals?
Look at the market and competition.
Advertising and Styled Shoots (37:55)
Upgrading Equipment (50:26)
Links:
goldenheartscollective.com
instagram.com/goldenheartscollective
jasminestar.com
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Are you struggling with where to start when it comes to building a brand for your business?
In episode 342 of the Bokeh Podcast, Bernel Westbrook of Branded by Bernel joins us to discuss the four pillars that make up a good brand. Listen in as she dives into the importance of each pillar and how they can help you establish a unique brand that represents you.
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: (1:53)
Advice for Photographers: Start time blocking from the beginning. (4:31)
Technique for Time: Take a day off during the week. (8:03)
Closed on Thursdays.
Content Recommendations: Mistakes Make Magic Podcast - bit.ly/bp-mistakesmakemagic (10:26)
Branding vs. Brand: (14:58)
Branding is a feeling.
Brand is your position as your business (visual and voice).
4 Pillars of Branding: (15:59)
Visuals
Values
Vision
Voice
Your Visuals: Visuals should be cohesive. (16:41)
Ex: Logo Design, Website, Brochures, and Guides
Your Values: Importance of Core Values (23:11)
Your Vision: Your business and brand plan. (25:01)
Your Voice (26:32)
Links:
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 339 of the Bokeh Podcast, Nathan chats with Ashlee Hamon, a photographer in Tampa Bay, to start brainstorming a potential unique brand position for her business. While not every consultation will end in a definitive brand position, we're focused on getting photographers thinking about setting themselves apart from their competition.
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.
Catch Up w/ Ashlee (2:43)
Episode 118: Making the Switch to Mirrorless - Ashlee Hamon
About Ashlee’s Business (8:18)
Years in Business:8
Located in:Tampa Bay, FL
Current Brand Position: Specializes in vibrant wedding, engagement, maternity, and branding portraiture. (9:59)
The Importance of the Word Creative (12:09)
What Sets Ashlee Apart: Colorful Aesthetic & OCF Knowledge (13:01)
Tip for Brand Position: Don’t focus on the technical aspect, because it isn’t as important to your clients. (14:57)
Top Strengths (15:56)
Determination
Self-Reliant
Willingness to Fail
Adaptable
Responsible
Favorite Things About Photography: (34:45)
Interacting with People
Capturing Significant Moments
Researching Competition (38:14)
Contrasting Ashlee’s Brand to the Competition (47:24)
Links
instagram.com/ashlee_hamon_photography
Episode 118: bit.ly/bp-118
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What if you could sift through all the career advice being fed to you by all those industry experts, and distill it to 4 big ideas for a successful career?
In episode 340 of the Bokeh Podcast, Nathan chats with his long-time friend Jason Groupp about the 4 most important lessons he's learned over the last 30+ years of being in the photography industry. Listen in as he shares his journey of being a photographer, making the shift to a corporate role in the industry, and now taking a leap of faith and pivoting into a new 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 city of St Louis portrait photographer with expertise in finding the best iconic locations for your family. (3:19)
Family Photos Made Easy (4:57)
Technique for Time: No eating until work is done for the morning—recognizing when you’re most productive and rewarding yourself for getting work done during that time. (10:10)
Apps mentioned: (19:20)
Google Docs - docs.google.com
Content Recommendations: sethgodin.com, fizzle.co/show, buildingastorybrand.com/blog (20:45)
The Gear Bag: shootsac.com (23:34)
Jason’s Background (24:44)
Managing a Creative & Task Oriented Corporate Role (31:24)
The 4 Most Important Lessons for Photographers: (43:18)
1. Understand how important your job is.
2. Shoot for the moments.
3. Create a business plan every single year.
4. Surround yourself with community
Becoming an Educator in the Creative Industry (1:04:08)
Links:
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 339 of the Bokeh Podcast, Nathan chats with Kristin Amaro, a family, newborn, and milestones photographer in middle Tennessee to develop a unique brand position to add value to her marketing efforts.
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 Introduction (1:42)
Market: Middle Tennessee (3:45)
Specializes in: Families, Newborns, and Milestones (5:30)
The Struggle with a Unique Value Proposition (8:06)
Meaning of Business Name: AFH - All For Him (9:45)
Why Kristin Started a Photography Business (12:36)
1. Giving her clients a gift that they can’t give themselves.
2. The art aspect of photography
3. Financial Security
Personal vs. Professional Strengths (25:52)
Top 3 Strengths (26:47)
1. Self Awareness
2. Self Motivation
3. Humility
Nathan’s Brand Messaging & Visual Suggestions: (37:38)
Helping You Commemorate Family Milestone With/Through Beautiful Photographs
Links
afhonline.com
instagram.com/afhcaptureanddesign
Building a Storybrand
Lucybaber.com
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Do you find yourself questioning how to define your brand position while listening to the Brand Position section of our Bokeh Podcast interviews?
In this bonus clip from episode 338 with Christine Tremoulet, we take a deeper dive into the topic of brand position. Check out this 30 minute conversation where Christine shares practical, actionable, and inspirational advice on defining your brand position!
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.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Does it feel like you're failing at your Instagram marketing game, because you're no where near the 10k follower mark? Maybe you have 10k followers, but you're not booking clients!
In episode 338 of the Bokeh Podcast, Christine Tremoulet joins us to explain how you can implement a successful Instagram strategy in your local market with or without a large following. Listen in as she shares how to adjust your Instagram marketing plan and create more qualified leads locally, through engagement, hashtags, and a little bit of strategy.
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: Photographer, story strategist, and confidence catalyst.
Draw Clients In That Don’t Know You (13:21)
Marketing on a Global Level (30:40)
Why 10k+ Followers Isn’t an End-All (36:22)
Be Mindful of Your Hashtags (39:04)
Connecting Locally: (41:15)
Who are you following and engaging with? Are they your potential clients?
1. Start connecting with people who match your ideal client, along with the people who comment on their posts.
2. Start connecting with other businesses and add value to those businesses publicly.
3. Make a short list that you can really focus on regularly.
Using Hashtags: (47:57)
1. Don’t just use the ones everyone else is using.
2. Use hashtags that relate to your local market.
3. Use all 30 hashtags that Instagram allows.
4. Use Instagram search for hashtag research.
Optional Instagram Strategy: (55:05)
Create a personal account to get inspired by other photographers so that your business account is following and engaging with your target market.
Links:
instagram.com/christinetremoulet
christinetremoulet.com/instalocal
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