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 how incorporating film into your wedding photography can drastically improve your client experience and allow you to better connect with your couples?
In episode 257 of the Bokeh Podcast, Heather Anderson reveals how offering both film and digital photography not only sets her apart in her market, but has also helped her slow down to be in the moment with her clients. Listen in as she shares how to incorporate film photography into your business, the advantages of shooting on film, and her own post-production workflow for film after weddings.
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: Offering film and digital photography services. (01:54)
Advice for Photographers: Be of service to everyone. (9:34)
Meditation Resources: (15:01)
The Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Card Deck - bit.ly/bp-wildunknown
Book Recommendations: A New Earth: Awakening Your Life’s Purpose - bit.ly/bp-newearth (16:57)
Podcast Recommendations: Oprah Winfrey’s SuperSoul Sundays - bit.ly/bp-oprahsupersoul (17:39)
The Gear Bag: Three Pocket Apron - bit.ly/bp-workapron (18:46)
Heather’s Website Quote: "I specialize in film photography, I love the feeling and aesthetic a film image provokes. Film has pushed me creatively to become a more thoughtful and artful photographer. Shooting in film really forces me to slow down and conceptualize the image before clicking the shutter. This allows me to offer my clients artful and timeless imagery of their wedding day.” (21:15)
Advantages of Working with Film:
It’ll slow you down so you’ll notice if their hand looks awkward, the flowers are off, when rings are crooked, etc.
When you slow down, it allows you to be in the moment.
You take the time to conceptualize the shot you’re about to take.
How do you avoid missing shots when you slow down for film? (26:05)
Hire a second shooter that shoots digital and will be capturing the moments in between and guarantee that you don’t miss the shots.
The Film Gear: (26:57)
Medium Format: Mamiya 645 - bit.ly/bp-mamiya654
35mm: Canon Rebel - bit.ly/bp-canonrebel
Film: Kodak Portra 160 - bit.ly/bp-portra160
Film Tip: Pick your film based on your environment and your couple. (29:53)
Matching Your Images for Hybrid Shooting: c1ick.com
Wedding Film Workflow: (32:57)
1. Mail the film off via FedEx for developing.
2.
Are you missing out on creating powerful portraits due to a lack of connection with your clients?
In episode 256 of the Bokeh Podcast, Dauss Miller discusses the role that psychology plays in a photography business, and how important building relationships is with your clients. Listen in as he outlines the steps he takes to create a real connection, provide a comfortable environment, and direct powerful portraits.
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.
Technique for Time: Look at your workday in 3-hour segments and group tasks that are similar. (8:35)
Book Recommendations: (19:21)
Crushing It by Gary Vaynerchuk - bit.ly/bp-crushingit
Start with Why by Simon Sinek - bit.ly/bp-startwithwhy
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck - bit.ly/bp-notgivinganf
Simon Sinek’s Ted Talk - bit.ly/bp-simon-ted
Advice for Photographers: Understand what you’re passionate about. (23:27)
Brand Position: Creating a unique experience for clients by approaching commercial shoots with an understanding of the company’s brand through research. (26:37)
The Gear Bag: His first business card as a reminder of where he started. (29:00)
The Psychology of Business: Everything is about connecting with, building trust, and building a relationship with the client.
How to Connect with Clients: (39:09)
Understand what motivates them.
Understand what is interesting to them.
Creating a Comfort for Powerful Portraits: (42:02)
1. Get to know your clients before your shoot so you can provide them with comforting things like favorite foods, drinks, music, etc.
2. Maintain eye contact.
3. Engage and compliment.
Links:
The Untethered Soul - bit.ly/bp-untethered
Reawaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins - bit.ly/bp-reawaken
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Have you ever considered relocating your photography business to a smaller town? The process of starting over can be scary and overwhelming.
In episode 255 of the Bokeh Podcast, Janean Gray discusses how she successfully moved her business from a big city to a small town. Listen in as she shares the advice on how to get connected, build your brand before moving, then nurture relationships once you’ve relocated!
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.
Technique for Time: (02:47)
1. Utilizing services and putting processes in place, like Photographer’s Edit and Honeybook.
2. Move your office to your studio.
3. Set aside time to do something for yourself, like running.
Book Recommendations: High Performance Habits by Brendan Bouchard -bit.ly/bp-high-performance-habits (10:57)
Advice for Photographers: Make friends with local photographers.
Brand Position: (20:08)
Newborn Photography - Timeless Newborn Photography with a Luxury Boutique Experience (20:37)
Wedding Photography - Luxury Country Weddings with a Mix Between Classic and Photojournalistic (21:49)
The Gear Bag: Pre-Sterilized Pacifiers (28:18)
I have learned that is it about building relationships and nurturing those relationships. (33:38)
Ways to Restart in a New Market: (35:18)
1. Facebook Groups
2. In-Person Networking Groups
3. Facebook Ads
A Look Inside Janean’s Facebook Ads: (39:41)
- Generic ads within a small radius around the town to women with small children to like her page.
- Boosting posts for open model calls for newborns to a generic area including “everyone.”
- Geo-targeting around a specific venue if there is a wedding expo going on, because there are brides in that area.
Where are Janean’s Clients? (41:29)
Newborn Clients are on Facebook
Wedding Clients are on Instagram
Testing Your Pricing Through Mini Sessions: Let your clients choose the number of digitals they want so you can see what is more popular and will sell better! (44:19)
Links:
facebook.com/gainesvillephotographer - Janean Gray Photography at Magnolia Lane Studio
instagram.com/janeangrayphotography
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Are your wedding days so busy that you find very little time to capture the wedding party photos?
In episode 254 of the Bokeh Podcast, Alina Thomas provides a step-by-step posing workflow to capture a variety of wedding party photos when you’re on a time crunch.
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.
Technique for Time: Batch working to schedule blog and social media posts. (1:58)
Book Recommendations: Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller - bit.ly/bp-storybrand (6:48)
Advice for Photographers: Consistency is key to anything you commit to. (9:47)
Brand Position: A wedding photographer for couples who want more than just beautiful pictures, they want a full experience. (14:24)
The Gear Bag: Macro Filters - bit.ly/bp-macrofilter (20:05)
Step-by-Step Wedding Party Posing Flow:
1. Camera - Wedding party lined up on each side of the couple, looking at camera. (28:28)
2. Laugh - Original position, but looking at each other and laughing. (28:54)
3. Cheer - Original position, with couple kissing & wedding party cheering. (29:32)
4. Camera - Have the wedding party move around and pair up, then repeat the first three poses, starting with looking at camera. (29:59)
5. Laugh - New position, but looking at each other and laughing. (29:59)
6. Cheer - New position, with couple kissing & wedding party cheering. (29:59)
7. Silly - Full wedding party making silly faces.
8. Walking - Bride & Groom walking ahead of everyone else, then kissing.
9. Selfie - Have wedding party get together like they’re taking a selfie, but the photographer is shooting it.
Quick Tip: Take a landscape and portrait image for double the images.
Links:
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Is your editing style inconsistent? While exploring your creativity can be empowering, you could be hurting your overall client experience!
In episode 253 of the Bokeh Podcast, Denise Karis discusses the importance of creating a consistent look in your editing, and how it plays a role in how your clients perceive your brand. Listen in as she shares three ways to create a consistent editing style that won't diminish your artistic freedom.
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.
Technique for Time: Try to make your time count for double whenever you can. (Ex. When her son needed attention, but she needed to edit, she taught her son photoshop.) (5:19)
Book Recommendation: You’re a Badass by Jen Sincero -bit.ly/bp-badass (8:28)
Advice for Photographers: Don’t wait for permission from anyone. (18:55)
Brand Position: A wedding photographer that encourages you to have and to hold (your photos through prints and products). (21:28)
One-Week Post-Wedding Gifts:
25 Prints from the Wedding to the Couple (24:35)
3-5 Prints to the Parents of the Couple (26:06)
The Gear Bag: A bag of medication and Shout wipes.
The Importance of Consistency:
Consistency is important to set expectations for your clients. Imagine going to Starbucks and expecting your favorite drink to taste like you enjoy, yet the barista decides to make the drink based on their mood.
How to Produce Consistent Patterns In Your Work:
1. Pick a signature image that represents your style and builds your portfolio based on that image.
2. Put into words what you love about your work.
3. Allow other people to be different without it affecting your style.
Links:
denisekaris.com/day-5-why-consistency-is-important-in-photography
Engaged in Arizona Youtube Channel
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Do you find yourself struggling to create a consistent and smooth flow between poses during your couples sessions?
In episode 252 of the Bokeh Podcast, Sara and Alex Lucas of Al Weddings walk through their workflow to easily pose couples without hesitation. Listen in as they share their six main poses, along with variations to each pose!
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: Originally, Sara and Alex branded themselves as a husband and wife team, offering wedding photography and videography. Today, they’ve found that couples are looking for photographers they can connect with on a personal level and their reviews always include comments on this aspect more than the photography. (00:05:36)
Advice for Photographers: No matter where you are in your business, remember to learn and continue to educate yourself. (00:15:42)
Technique for Time: Create a structured workflow that you stick to. (00:21:03)
Book Recommendations: (00:34:38)
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod - bit.ly/bp-miraclemorning
Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey - bit.ly/bp-moneymakeover
How to Set the Tone for Smooth Posing: (00:44:37)
Remember that your clients are experiencing you for the first time, so using repetitive posing is fine, they’re not going to know. You can also plan to use points of reference in your posing so that not every session feels the same.
A Posing Circle: Download the guide here! (01:03:37)
1. Walking
2. V/T Pose
3. Chest to Chest
4. Reverse V
5. Stacked (Prom)
6. Action Poses
Links:
Tuesday Together - risingtidesociety.com
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Have you considered the positive impact your relationship with wedding venues can have on your photography business?
In episode 251 of the Bokeh Podcast, Joe Dantone discusses how networking with wedding venues can be an amazing asset in your marketing plan. Listen in as he shares how prioritizing these relationships has resulted in more booked weddings than any other referral source.
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.
Technique for Time: Have time to decompress with someone in your life before your day starts and set aside a special day each week with your family. (4:12)
Content Recommendations: Chase Jarvis & Pye Jirsa (6:48)
Advice for Photographers:
1.Make sure you have a good accountant. (10:30)
Bonus: Check out Joe’s accountant, Mike Clipper, on the Bokeh Podcast here: Episode 153
2. Always ask questions, listen and observe, try new things and fail to learn. (11:22)
Brand Position: Documenting genuine moments, creatively. (14:11)
The Gear Bag: "The Frankenstein"(18:29)
Manfrotto Nano Clamp: bit.ly/bp-manfrotto
Phottix US-A3 Ball Head: bit.ly/bp-phottixswivel
Joe’s Business Backstory: (22:54)
Why Venues? The first place that most couples go during wedding planning is their venue. If that venue recommends you, they already have a significant amount of trust in you. (24:25)
How to Stand Out With Venues: (31:15)
1. Follow Up with the Venue: Right after the wedding is done, send the coordinator an email letting them know that you’ll send the images over shortly to use with an appreciation note.
2. Show Up and Connect: Hand deliver the images so you can put your face out there.
3. Give in Appreciation: Deliver a thank you gift at the end of the year as an Thank You
Links:
Instagram.com/joedantone_photography
instagram.com/dantone_creative
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Are you experiencing enough growth in your business to consider hiring additional staff?
In episode 250 of the Bokeh Podcast, Brett Yacovella shares the ins and outs of the hiring process as he reveals five significant paradoxes in the process of growing your team.
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.
Technique for Time: Intentionally use tools that will allow you to create time. (2:31)
Being Present: Stop letting your technology interrupt your connections. (12:57)
Book Recommendations: (17:50)
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Franklin Covey - bit.ly/bp-7habits
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown - bit.ly/bp-daretolead
Advice for Photographers: (19:42)
1. You ought to not just be good in what your profession is.
2. Find your unique niche.
Brand Position: (24:18)
1. We are highly relational.
2. We come as a team.
The Gear Bag: (25:49)
1. Prophoto Lights
2. Yourself
5 Significant Paradoxes to Scaling a Business: (41:01)
1. Revenue Growth Potential with Increase Overhead Expenses (41:28)
2. Ability to Reach More People as Opposed to a Loss of Individual Connection with Your Clientele (49:30)
3. Innovation & Artistry as Opposed to Losing Control of Quality & Style through Delegation (52:24)
4. Managing and Leading People vs. Managing and Leading Clients Individually (58:01)
5. Managing Ourselves vs Leading Others.
Links:
Friction by Jeff Rosenbloom - bit.ly/bp-friction
Episode 63 with Tomas Flint - bit.ly/bp-63
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Are you leaving money on the table because you aren’t interested in implementing an in-person sales (IPS) model?
In episode 249 of the Bokeh Podcast, Allie Siarto shares how she’s successfully incorporated print sales into her workflow without having to meet up with her clients for an additional reveal.
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.
Technique for Time:
Use a scheduling tool for ease of scheduling time with people. (2:07)
Plan out time for when you’ll work and won’t work. (4:05)
Ask for help where it is needed, like childcare. (4:05)
Batch content creation. (4:28)
Automate everything you can. (4:35)
Book Recommendation: (8:28)
The Emyth - bit.ly/bp-emyth
The Zero Waste Home - bit.ly/bp-zerowaste
Advice for Photographers: Avoid debt, budget where you can, and put some time into the business side. (15:36)
The Gear Bag: A reflector as a traditional reflector, shade, and the bag for when someone sits on the ground. (22:03)
Benefits of Print Sales:
1. Money
2. Happier Clients
Four Ways to Virtually Sell More Print Products:
1. Curate your products. (36:06)
2. Set client expectations. (38:55)
3. Give your clients the right tools. (41:57)
4. Host a virtual viewing party. (47:40)
How to Push Sales in a Timely Manner: (52:43)
1. Set up a timer to expire the gallery.
2. Incentivize the purchase with a sale.
Links:
Schedule Once - oncehub.com
Swift Galleries - theprintmakersystem.com
https://www.boomeranggmail.com
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Are you preparing to turn your photography hobby into a professional business, yet worry about getting overwhelmed?
In episode 248 of the Bokeh Podcast, Kishia Saffold of Short Stuff Photography discusses the workflow, systems, and marketing tips you need to implement into your business to avoid that feeling of overwhelm!
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.
Technique for Time: Waking up at 4AM to go to the gym will keep you disciplined in all areas of your life. (2:33)
Book Recommendation: Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill - bit.ly/bp-thinkrichgrow (11:20)
Advice for Photographers: Don’t buy everything you see on youtube. (15:33)
Brand Position: Making people who aren’t photogenic feel comfortable in front of the camera with professional makeup and quick turn-around times. (17:59)
The Gear Bag: Prism (22:05)
Proudest Moment: Voted Best Photographer in her area last year.
Systems for an Efficient Business: (29:54)
Marketing Tips for Photographers: (38:07)
1. Consistently Posting on Social Media
2. Television
3. Networking Opportunities
Links:
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
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