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 the reasoning or purpose behind the brand you've created?
In episode 267 of the Bokeh Podcast, Danielle Green and Connor Brogan of Layers Photo emphasize the importance of developing a brand with meaning. If you think it's time to rebrand your business, listen in as they share the steps you need to take to evaluate and build a brand that is based on your passions.
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.
Based in: Northwest Arkansas (00:02:42)
Brand Position: Wedding & Elopement Photographers for Darkly Romantic Dreamers
Advice for Photographers: Keep the spark of wander. (00:19:34)
Time Technique: Treat your job like a 9-5 to avoid overworking. (00:31:16)
Resource Recommendations: Conferences/Workshops & Therapy (00:36:14)
The Gear Bag: Turtleneck Pillow, Eye Cover, Essential Oils (00:41:29)
Steps to Rebranding With Meaning:
1. The Why: At the end of your life, what matters most is the moments you had with the people you love. Nostalgia is intoxicating. And falling in love is probably the most enchanting event of anyone’s life. So capturing a couple and portraying it how it actually feels, that’s a really unique challenge that we are passionate about. We are always looking for new ways to recreate the story and authentic vibe of each couple. (00:55:48)
2. The How: Approaching the clients how they would want to connect with you to build that relationship. (1:00:00)
3. The Where: Telling stories where love lives, not just in exotic places. (1:03:42)
Links:
facebook.com/layersphotography
layersphoto.com/stories/2018/2/23/kata-mari-northern-california
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Are you looking to build a bigger brand for your business that includes a team of photographers?
In episode 266 of the Bokeh Podcast, Jodi Ramos of Millyard Studios discusses how she created a team of passionate photographers who help each other grow in their business. Listen in as she shares how you can build your team, create a healthy environment for collaboration, and find the right photographers for your 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: Following along in the journey of our clients' lives. (5:36)
The Lesson: You can say anything you need to say, as long as you smile. (8:43)
Technique for Time: Map out your schedule for the entire year. (12:28)
Education Recommendations: Learn from other photographers, get a mentor, educate yourself on others’ experiences. (18:51)
The Gear Bag: Gear Ties & Chapstick (12:50)
bit.ly/bp-gearties
Finding the Right Hire: (33:00)
1. Someone you can get along with and enjoy on a personal level.
2. Someone who has an interest in growing in the field and have experience in it.
Principles for Building a Big Business: (36:03)
1. Clarity - Pricing, workflow, and everything in your business is clear.
2. Listen - What is important to your client?
3. Be Kind
Links:
The E-Myth Revisited - bit.ly/emyth-revisited
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Have you created systems in your business that allow you to focus more on your life and less on business?
In episode 265 of the Bokeh Podcast, Dave Shay discusses how automation can help you maintain a better work/life balance by eliminating tasks you are constantly repeating. Listen in as he shares the three important questions you should ask yourself to determine if the work you're doing needs to be automated!
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.
Based out of: Raleigh, NC
The Brand Position/Mission: I’m not the “anything to get the shot” person, because I’m making sure to not distract the couple from their wedding day. I’m here to help couples make their marriages last longer. (8:36)
Advice for Photographers: Success happens when preparation meets opportunity. (13:27)
Brenizer Stitch: Taking a portrait lens and turning it into a landscape by taking 80-90 frames and stitching them together. This keeps the depth of field, but includes the rest of the scene. bit.ly/bp-brenizer (17:20)
Book Recommendations: (23:00)
4 Hour Work Week - bit.ly/bp-4hr
The Power of Habit - bit.ly/bp-powerofhabit
The Gear Bag: Kirkland Chocolate Chip Granola Bars (27:45)
Three Questions to Determine Automation: (36:46)
1. Have I done this more than once?
2. Is sending this manually worth the time for me?
3. If I forget to send this, is my client going to be more frustrated than if I send it on time and it’s just not as personalized?
Automated Elements of Business: (39:11)
1. Emails
2. Blogging
3. Post-Wedding Referral Request & Up-sell
Links:
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Are you effectively communicating your unique brand position to your clients? Have you determined what sets you apart in your market?
In episode 264 of the Bokeh Podcast, Mike Morby joins us to discuss the importance of creating a unique brand position with valuable differentiators for your business. Listen in as he shares how you can assess your brand position and approach the communication of your position to your clients.
Advice for Photographers: Building a sustainable business takes time. (1:56)
Book Recommendations: (17:17)
Built to Last - bit.ly/bp-builttolast
Building a Storybrand - bit.ly/bp-storybrand
Ego is the Enemy - bit.ly/bp-egoistheenemy
The Gear Bag: Snacks and Magnetmod.com Gear (20:46)
Brand Position: Mike wants to be known for his use of light, all day wedding coverage, easy to work with, response time, wedding day expert, handles any situation, creativity, and a non-intrusive approach. (33:51)
Determine Your Brand Position: (36:05)
- Review Your Experience with Other Businesses
- Figure Out What You Care About In Your Business & Life
- Assess the Market, But Don’t Pay Too Close Attention
- Determine Your Values
Negative Effects of Paying Too Close Attention to the Market: (39:01)
- Undervaluing Yourself
- Doing the Opposite of What Everyone Else is Doing
Communicating Your Brand Position: (49:26)
Look at the touchpoint in your client interactions, and ask what you can do to implement your differentiators into each touchpoint. Does everything you’re doing support your brand?
Potential Client Touchpoints: (49:26)
- They hear about you.
- They visit your website.
- They contact you.
- You respond.
- Set up consultation.
- They book you.
- And so on.
Links
instagram.com/morbyphotography
morbyphotography.com/2019-business-workshop
Four Hour Work Week - bit.ly/bp-4hr
Kindle - bit.ly/bp-kindle
Libby - meet.libbyapp.com
The E-Myth Revisited - bit.ly/emyth-revisited
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Are you looking to dive deep into defining your photographic style? Sometimes we have to go back to the basics of photography!
In episode 263 of the Bokeh Podcast, Rhea Whitney shares the technical aspects of how she approached developing her photographic style. Listen in as she provides an overview of what’s in her gear bag, her go-to camera settings, and her overall vision for her photography.
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.
Serving: DC, Maryland, & Virginia + Houston, Austin, & Dallas
Brand Position: Capturing portraits & weddings for the chic and modern creative & couple.
Advice for Photographers: Invest in education. (24:39)
Book Recommendations: (31:08)
The Rise of the Youpreneur -bit.ly/bp-youpreneur
Secrets of the Six-Figure Woman - bit.ly/bp-6figwoman
The Gear Bag: Prism & Imagination (34:10)
Equipment: (46:07)
Nikon D750 - bit.ly/bp-nikond750
50mm 1.4 - bit.ly/bp-nikon50
85mm 1.4 - bit.ly/bp-nikon85
35mm 1.4 - bit.ly/bp-nikon35
24-70mm 2.8 - bit.ly/bp-nikon24-70
Macro 60mm 2.8 - bit.ly/bp-nikon60
70-200mm - bit.ly/bp-nikon70-200
Godox Flashpoints - bit.ly/bp-godoxflashpoints
Godox AD200 Strobe - bit.ly/bp-godox-ad200
Links:
facebook.com/rheawhitneyphotography
instagram.com/photobombacademy
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Are you feeling inadequate as a part-time photographer, due to the overwhelming thoughts that you’re not successful until you go full-time?
In episode 262 of the Bokeh Podcast, Seanna Leaf shares how she has found success in her business as a part-time photographer. Listen in as she explains how you should be the only person to determine what success looks like for your photography business, and how to define that success 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.
Brand Position: Focusing on authentic and emotion-filled moments at weddings and between couples. (1:58)
Advice for Photographers: (6:02)
Try every kind of photography to find what you love.
Make meaningful connections in the industry.
Technique for Time: Create lists to stay organized. (9:57)
Google Lists - bit.ly/bp-googlelists
Content Recommendations: (13:27)
Bokeh Podcast
The Photography Together Podcast by Kyle Yates
The Listening by Kayla Tene
The Business of Photography by Sprout Studio
Goal Digger Podcast by Jenna Kutcher
The Gear Bag: Prisms (16:52)
"Lately I have been doing a lot of reflection on my life as a Social Worker and a photographer and realizing that at this point in my life I actually don't want to be a full time photographer & that's OKAY! I feel like we are always bombarded with the thoughts that if your not full-time your not 'successful' and I put that in quotes because truly we need to all determine what success looks like for ourselves.” - Seanna Leaf
Defining Your Own Success: (30:12)
1. Look inward, not outward.
2. Separate your goals into small and big goals, then celebrate them!
Links:
instagram.com/seannaleafphotography
Allie Siarto - How to Sell WITHOUT IPS Episode - bit.ly/bp-249
nathan@photographersedit.com
Getting Things Done - bit.ly/bp-gettingthingsdone
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Have you attempted to grow your Instagram following, but want to ensure you genuinely engage with potential followers?
In episode 261 of the Bokeh Podcast, Devin Robinson shares his secret to streamlining authentic engagement on Instagram. Listen in as he shares how you can start growing your Instagram following today!
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: Bold & Intimate Wedding Photographers Dedicated to Capturing Images that Evoke Emotion (5:46)
Advice for Photographers: Prioritize your life. (14:05)
Technique for Time: Outsourcing to get your time back. (19:43)
Book Recommendations: Launch - bit.ly/bp-launch (25:49)
Streamline Authentic Instagram Engagement: (35:22)
1. Follow new accounts as often as possible.
2. Unfollow inactive users.
3. Search for big events in your area on Instagram and follow people that look like your target bride.
4. Begin engaging with those accounts, using keyboard shortcuts.
Creating Keyboard Shortcuts: Setting > General > Keyboard > Text Replacements (40:58)
Links:
education.anchorandveilphotography.com
nathan@photographersedit.com
kreativsummit.com- January 27-29, 2020 in Orlando FL
Reawaken the Giant Within - Tony Robbins - bit.ly/bp-reawaken
The Anchored Podcast - anchorandveilphotography.com/anchored-podcast
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Is your photography business growing, while you're struggling to attract your ideal clients?
In episode 260 of the Bokeh Podcast, Shauna and Jordon Cooney walk through how they evaluated their existing clients, determined the type of client they wanted to attract, and created a plan to attract them long-term.
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: Help to create marriages that last. (2:29)
Advice for Photographers: Don’t be afraid to invest in education and continue learning. (10:26)
Book Recommendations: (14:37)
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman - bit.ly/bp-5love
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg - bit.ly/bp-powerofhabit
Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt - bit.ly/bp-bestyearever
Start by John Ackuff - bit.ly/bp-startja
Mastering Fear by Brandon Webb - bit.ly/bp-masteringfear
Technique for Time: (18:08)
Utilize a digital calendar.
Chunking tasks for every day of the week.
The Gear Bag: Deodorant (and Old Spice Bear Glove), Sweat Rag, and Step Stool (28:46)
What is an Ideal Client? Someone who sets your soul on fire, who trusts you, and makes your job enjoyable. (32:17)
The Secret to Success: Hustle (41:04)
Steps to Determine Your Ideal Client: (42:57)
1. Determine Your Why
2. Determine the value you want to bring to your client.
3. Do an ideal client brain dump by categorizing them into the most profitable clients, the most referring clients, and the repeat clients.
4. Determine what traits these clients share.
5. Create your ideal client profile.
Your Ideal Client Profile: (56:16)
Age Range
How did they meet their partner?
This or That interests: Coffee or Tea? Wine or Craft Beer?
Links:
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Are you searching for ways to bring additional value to your business by incorporating your life's mission into your work?
In episode 259 of the Bokeh Podcast, Kate McFadzen discusses the ways that you can begin to weave your passion into your photography business. Listen in as she shares how she has adapted her business to focus on empowering love and relationships, and how you can get started pursuing your life's mission.
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.
Niche: Weddings, Boudoir, and Branding (1:46)
Brand Position: Compassionate and consciously curated photography experiences for adventuresome souls. (5:46)
Advice for Photographers: Start before you’re ready and never stop learning. (10:08)
Technique for Time: Outsourcing and asking for help. (13:35)
What to Outsource: Editing, Accounting, Social Media, Admin Tasks, and Blogging (13:35)
The Gear Bag: Glue Dots - bit.ly/bp-gluedots (20:15)
The Klem Klub: A year long memberships for Kate’s clients that includes two mini sessions, monthly online workshops, quarterly fireside chats, and pop up happy hour events. The concept is to have a safe space in a like-minded community.
The Klem Klub Payment Structure: $97/month or $1100/year
The Klem Klub is for People Focusing On:
1. Loving Yourself
2. Loving Your Significant Other
3. Improving Your Relationships with Friends and Family
How to Get Started Pursuing Your Life’s Mission: (44:10)
1. Figure out what your life’s mission is.
2. Brainstorm 2-3 ways to weave it into your business.
3. Find 2-3 friends to bounce ideas off of.
Links:
instagram.com/klemstudiosphotography
Positioning - bit.ly/bp-positioning
22 Immutable Laws of Marketing - bit.ly/bp-22laws
Dax Shepard's Podcast - armchairexpertpod.com
Mating in Captivity - bit.ly/bp-micaptivity
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Are you taking advantage of the benefits of video marketing for your business?
In episode 258 of the Bokeh Podcast, Anesha Collins discusses the video marketing trends in 2019 that you should be incorporating into your business. Listen in as she shares the advantages of video marketing, the steps to implement video into your business, and the tools that will help you succeed.
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.
Did you know? Bokeh comes from the Japanese word Boke meaning blur. (1:24)
"Video can speed up the know, like, and trust factor tremendously.” (13:47)
Advice for Photographers: Never stop learning. (20:17)
Technique for Time: Video Marketing - Following Anesha’s theory, if 3 clients are asking the same question, then it needs to become a video for reference. (27:29)
Book Recommendations:
Building a Storybrand - bit.ly/bp-storybrand (25:03)
Purple Cow - bit.ly/bp-purplecow (35:30)
Six Figure Woman - bit.ly/bp-6figwoman (35:49)
Bonus from Nathan: This Is Marketing by Seth Godin - bit.ly/bp-thisismarketing (37:57)
The Gear Bag: Silver platters, small plates, and other props for detail shots. (38:30)
Advantages of Video Marketing: You’ll have an organic reach on social media that you won’t have to spend money to get. (41:30)
Connecting through Video on Your Site: Show your clients who you are, how you work, and what your portfolio looks like through an overview video on your site. This can help set expectations on what to expect when they book you. (44:24)
Anesha’s Niche: Bright, Clean, & Soul-touching (49:50)
2019 Trends in Video Marketing: (55:23)
1. Live Streaming: Facebook Live and Instagram Live
2. IG TV
3. Blogging with video, overview, and/or a text transcription.
Live Streaming Tools: eCam Live and loola.tv (55:23)
"On social media, we get to the point where there is inauthenticity in your authenticity." - Josh Medlin. (1:04:17)
Steps to Implement Video into Your Business: (1:09:16)
1. Tap into a resource that will guide you the right way.
2. Take a video marketing quiz/assessment.
3. Start using Instagram stories immediately! Find a challenge to participate in if you don’t know where to start.
Content Categories: Create 3 pillars of content categories with sub-categories for each to pull from. (1:13:31)
Links:
Instagram.com/unashamedimaging
Learn with AC Collective - unashamedimaging.com/education
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