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
We all know that social media is an extremely powerful tool to drive brand awareness and new business! However, we can easily forget about getting out from behind the phone and creating in-person relationships with those that can ALSO drive significant business our way. Krista Marie is here to share strategies for engaging in personal relationships to help grow your business!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Show Notes:
Krista Marie's introduction (5:30)
What big idea does Krista wish she'd known when she started her business?
What was the turning point that made Krista realize the importance of building relationships for her business? (10:13)
How does Krista prioritize relationships as a tool for marketing? (12:30)
1. Establish an intentional mindset that relationship marketing is a long-term play
2. Provide value to others for a mutual relationship
3. Develop relationships with other photographers in your area
4. Be active and engaged in your community
Links:
https://instagram.com/heykristamarie
https://heykristamarie.com
https://heykristamarie.com/profitplan
Show Notes:
Mike's introduction (1:05)
What is a big idea or principle that has helped drive Mike's business over the years? (8:28)
What was Mike's first introduction to using AI? (11:55)
Why are we so "scared" of AI becoming more mainstream? (13:50)
What was the turning point for Mike that pushed him to leverage AI in his business? (17:42)
What AI tools would Mike recommend photographers try? (20:29)
How has Mike implemented AI into marketing his business? (22:10)
Links:
https://mikelloydstudios.com
https://boudoirguild.com
https://youtube.com/@boudoirguild
https://instagram.com/mikelloydstudios
https://chat.openai.com
https://app.copy.ai
https://quillbot.com
So much of creating a great customer experience is about managing expectations, and when it comes to wedding photography, what better way to do this than with a great timeline? Listen in to this conversation with photographer Leah Daniels to learn how to create a powerful timeline for an amazing customer experience!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Show Notes:
Leah's Introduction (2:13)
What was the big idea or principle that Leah wishes she'd known she started her photography business? (4:42)
When did Leah implement timelines into her wedding day shoots? (8:10)
When does Leah work with her clients to create the shot list needed for the timeline? (9:20)
What are the big principles photographers need to implement in order to use timelines successfully? (12:30)
1. Create awareness with the couple about the use of a timeline
2. Check in with couples regularly for any updates
3. Establish the first-look protocol
4. Get family details/needs for family portraits
What does Leah use for her timeline - paper or electronic? (27:30)
Links:
https://leahdanielsphotograph.com
https://instagram.com/leahdanielsphotography
Photography industry magazines have become quite dated in their design, which naturally means an opportunity to launch an alternative magazine! Photographer Mandy Lynn saw this opportunity and decided to take on the challenge of conceptualizing and publishing a new photography magazine called The Bokeh Effect. Listen in to learn the why and how behind the new magazine!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Show Notes:
Mandy's Introduction (2:10)
What was the motivation behind starting a photography magazine? (5:08)
How would Mandy sum up the difference between The Bokeh Effect and other photography magazines? (15:45)
What did the process from ideation to publication look like and how long did it take? (28:33)
How does Mandy choose who/what to feature in the magazine? (33:46)
How can photographers learn more about the magazine and get a copy? (38:23)
Links:
https://mermaidlakephoto.com
https://instagram.com/mermaidlakephoto
https://instagram.com/thebokeheffectmagazine
https://facebook.com/thebokeheffectmagazine
Do you want to stand out amongst the mass of photographers in your marketplace and book more clients? It's time to focus on a niche! Listen to photographer Gary Pope's advice in this episode to learn how to build your business with a hyper-niche!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Show Notes:
Gary's introduction and explanation of his business's brand position (2:31)
What did Gary's business look like before he re-branded to his current brand? (10:28)
How does Gary define "hyper-niching"? (14:35)
How can photographers avoid the common feeling of FOMO when hyper-niching? (22:05)
5 steps to take to hyper-nice your business (29:32)
1. Make an avatar of your ideal client
2. Verify the market viability
3. Identify the pain points of your ideal client
4. Present solutions to the client's pain points
5. Be clear in your messaging
Links:
https://lovelongandprosperphotography.com
https://instagram.com/lovelongandprosperphotography
Building your marketing strategy around social media platforms that you don't control can be a bit risky! What if there was a marketing medium that you controlled, and helped you not only build your brand but also book more clients? Make sure to listen to my conversation with photographer Rachel Larsen Weaver to learn more!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Show Notes:
Rachel's Introduction (2:25)
How long has Rachel been using newsletters as a way to grow her business? (5:36)
Do people actually read a long-form newsletter? (6:58)
What are the 3 major benefits of newsletters over other forms of marketing (10:05)
1. It is unique - not all photographers are sending newsletters
2. You own your email list - you are in control and not relying on other businesses
3. Trends don't impact newsletters - they're timeless
What is the main drawback of using newsletters as a marketing tool? (18:40)
Steps for creating a great newsletter marketing plan (23:12)
1. Solidify your email list
2. Choose an email provider that works for you and your business
3. Make it easy for people to sign up for the newsletter
4. Provide value to encourage repeat opens
5. Grow your email list
How Rachel uses webinars to build her email list (38:10)
1. Know your client base to create content
2. Add value to your clients through the content
3. Coordinate with other vendors for webinars
Ideas for building your email list (47:52)
1. Offer freebies or other promotions when appropriate
2. Provide webinars that pique your potential client's interests
3. Promote your newsletter often
Interested in learning how to write effective newsletters? Sign up for Rachel's newsletter to learn about the course!
Links:
https://rachellarsenweaver.com
https://instagram.com/rachel.larsen.weaver
https://flothemes.com/
It's difficult enough to build and run a photography business, but things get a LOT more complicated when family and kids get mixed in! Join the conversation with photographer Gavin Boulware today as we talk about how to best balance photography business life with being a parent!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Show Notes:
Gavin's Introduction (10:40)
How has becoming a father affected Gavin's perspective on his photography business? (14:08)
What has been the most challenging aspect of balancing being a parent and running a photography business? (32:13)
What has been one of the biggest benefits of becoming a parent as it relates to being a business owner? (35:20)
Principles for how photographers can balance parenthood with running a business (46:26)
1. Clear communication with your partner
2. Utilize a shared calendar such as Google calendar
3. Take advantage of apps to simplify workflow
4. Build and leverage your network
How does Gavin handle client requests for evening or weekend work? (1:20:45)
Links:
https://gavinboulware.com
https://instagram.com/iam_gavinb
https://www.paidinexposurepodcast.com/
There's a different way to draw in potential wedding clients that not many photographers are leveraging. Kari Bjorn is here to help us all learn more about the methodology in today's Bokeh Podcast episode!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Show Notes:
Kari's Introduction (2:07)
Kari's thoughts on why photographers do not focus on proposal photography (4:12)
How does Kari photograph proposals without them feeling too "set up"? (9:30)
What does marketing and communication with the future groom look like? (20:15)
What tools does Kari use to find data on proposals in his area? (30:37)
What does the transition from shooting the proposal to marketing to the couple as a wedding photographer look like? (35:40)
Links:
https://instagram.com/karibjorn_
Repeat business can make up a large part of the growth of a photography business, but what are you doing to generate that repeat business? Photographer Jakievious Phillips is here to share how to launch and develop a loyalty program for your photography clients! Make sure to listen in!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Show Notes:
Jakievious's Introduction (1:16)
How would you sum up what a loyalty program is? (5:05)
When did Jakievious decide to implement a loyalty program in his business? (9:15)
How does Jakievious sum up the benefits of a loyalty program to his business? (12:12)
Which genres of photography can benefit from a loyalty program? (13:48)
What 5 steps should photographers take to implement a loyalty program? (19:05)
1. Consistency and loyalty to your brand
2. Date your clients (build strong relationships)
3. Track KPI's (Key Performance Indicators)
4. Implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
5. Loyalty tactics
How does Jakievious make a genuine effort to create relationships with clients? (24:53)
Why is it important to track KPI's? (32:34)
How do Standard Operating Procedures tie in with a loyalty program? (43:32)
Links:
https://www.jepitome.com
https://instagram.com/jepitome_photography
https://smile.io
https://getsproutstudio.com/
https://yotpro.com
https://pagespeed.dev.web
https://ahrefs.com
Need a fresh start? Maybe you're ready to leave your "normal" job and go full-time with photography, or maybe you just want to shift the direction of your existing business? Join us for this conversation with photographer Jasmin Blais to learn how to pivot to something new intentionally, intelligently, and with minimal stress!
The Bokeh Podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Editing for the Professional Photographer. You can subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, follow on Spotify, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.
Show Notes:
Jasmin's Introduction (1:18)
Jasmin's recent pivot in her own life and business (3:53)
What are some of the biggest fears that you have to face when making a pivot? (8:56)
1. Financial fears
2. Fear of what others think
3. Fear of letting others down
4. Fear of rejection
How did Jasmin plan for the shift in finances? (15:26)
Where did Jasmin's fear of what others might think come from? (21:14)
Important principles that allowed Jasmin to move beyond the fear to jump into something new (34:45)
1. Understanding your values
2. Life comes in seasons
3. Don't dwell on mistakes
4. The importance of communication
Links:
jcphotography.com
https://instagram.com/jcphotographysk
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