Bokeh - The Photography Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#77: The Importance of Being Intentional - Shaun Austin Dec 14, 2017

Show notes

Are you growing relationships with your clients? It’s time to start being intentional with those connections.

In episode 77, Shaun Austin, CEO of Kiss Books, discusses how being intentional with building relationships will allow your clients to find trust in you and your work. Listen as he describes the philosophy behind making sales and provides the four questions you should be asking yourself to intentionally grow your business.

The Bokeh podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Post-Production for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast.

About Shaun: Shaun was a wedding photographer for 15 years and is now the CEO of Kiss Books. He enjoys yoga, tennis, and spending time with his wife and kids.

Shaun’s Aha Moment: We Shaun went to move forward with his company, he realized the team of supportive people behind him were cheering him on.

Pursuing Simple: What is your priority or the next top thing to get your client to the finish line? Companies, like Kiss, are here to help you get there, whether through prints, albums, etc.

Philosophy Behind Sales: Investing in Relationships - Without relationships, there is no trust with your business. Everyone’s system may look a little different, but you should have a system in place to secure the relationships.

Four Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Business:

What’s Wanted?

What’s Needed?

What’s Working?

What’s Not Working?

Links:

Episode 18: In Pursuit of Simple - Shaun Austin

Blog: Kiss.us/blog

Personal Instagram: @shaunaustin

Instagram: @kissbooks

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#76: How To Sell More Prints - James Kelly Dec 08, 2017

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Do you ever wonder how you can drive print sales in your photography business? Utilizing prints for growth is a strategy often overlooked nowadays. In episode 76 of the Bokeh Podcast, photographer James Kelly of Scotland shares how he has built a business that focuses of providing his clients with a physical product. Listen as he shares his three step process for growing your print sales. About James: James is a wedding, landscape, and equine photographer in North East Scotland. When he’s not shooting, you can find him spending time with his fiancee, son, and cocker spaniel. James’ “Aha” Moment: When he had his first son, it changed the outlook on his whole life and business. James’ Guide to Sales for Prints & Albums: 1. Review your pricing and make your print sales a priority. James charges more for his service so he can price his prints lower and the client ends up getting more for their money. 2. Communicate the quality of your services & offerings to your clients. 3. Select a company that will provide you with the best quality. Links Jameskellyphotography.com James Kelly Photography @jameskelly_photo The Print Foundry Queensberry Albums

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#75: Deep Work: How to Focus and Get More Done - Rich and Heather Smith Dec 06, 2017

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Do you ever have trouble staying focused on your work? With a world of unlimited distractions, it can be hard to find that focus. In episode 75 of the Bokeh Podcast, photographers Rich and Heather Smith share how they’ve adjusted the techniques in their daily routine to dive into deep work without distractions. Listen is as they share the difference between focusing on deep work and shallow work, provide techniques for productivity, and tools for minimizing distractions. The Bokeh podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Post-Production for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app, add to your playlist on Stitcher, or listen on Overcast. Rich & Heather’s Aha Moment: Getting your business to go deeper and realizing that there is more to the business that can be found. Random Fact About Rich: He’s very adventurous, naming himself an adrenaline junkie. Random Fact About Heather: She’s lived through more natural disasters than anyone she knows, from earthquakes to mudslides. Technique for Finding Free Time: Simply make it happen. The Smiths take December off every year to spend with their family. Deep Work vs. Shallow Work: Deep work can be described as work that takes heavy concentration with no distractions. Shallow work can be described as the type of work that can be taught to someone else easily. Primary Changes to Focus on Deep Work: 1. Accountability with Mentorship 2. Time Blocking Links Deep Work - Cal Newport Boomerang Focus App Forrest App Website: richsmithphotography.com Instagram: @Richsmithphoto

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#74: Entrepreneurship and Self-care - Sara O'Hara Dec 04, 2017

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Does your business get so overwhelming that you have little to no time for self-care? In episode 74 of the Bokeh Podcast, Sara O'Hara of Sara Jeanne Photography opens up about a time in her life when she realized, not only the importance of self-care, but the impact it had on her business. Listen as we dive into the importance of emotional health, embracing time management techniques, and Sara's four steps to self-care. The Bokeh podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Post-Production for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app or add to your playlist on Stitcher. About Sara: Sara is a wedding photographer in Montana, but also works for the International Academy of Wedding Photographers. She loves the mountains, coffee, dark beer, and traveling. Sara’s Aha Moment: While you can do anything, you can’t do everything. Time Management Technique: Sara’s learned that the best way to get things done is to schedule it. They plan ahead for everything, date nights, days off, weddings, consultations, etc. Four Steps to Self Care:
1. Schedule Time Off - Take the time to care for yourself and enjoy time for yourself. If that means you need to put it on the calendar to make it happen, then put it on your calendar.
2. Define Your Own Success - While there are so many different definitions of successful, make sure the goal you're striving for is one that you're setting for yourself and planning for.
3. Live Three Miles Deep Instead Of Three Miles Wide - Rather than focusing on the surface level things, put your efforts into the things that truly matter and will help grow your business.
4. Outsource - Whether you're outsourcing a component of your business or your personal life, review the tasks you're completing and analyze what pieces are absolutely necessary for you to be involved in, then outsource the rest. Links
Website: sarajeanne.com
Instagram: @sarajeanne2
Facebook: Sara Jeanne Photography
International Academy of Wedding Photographers
Rising Tide Society

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#73: Time Management for the Photographer - Erika Grace Nov 30, 2017

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Do you ever feel short on time? As if you’re unable to manage your schedule well enough to effectively run your photography business? In episode 73 of the Bokeh Podcast, photographer Erika Grace shares the techniques and workflows she uses to manage her weekly schedule. Listen in as she explains the importance of organization and repetition in her schedule that allows her to efficiently operate her business with little to no stress. The Bokeh podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Post-Production for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app or add to your playlist on Stitcher. About Erika: Erika is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Deland, Florida. Erika’s Aha Moment: When Erika realized she could make a living doing what she loved, it motivated her to pursue the trade. Time Management Technique: Erika has created a weekly schedule that include certain tasks set for certain days of the week and she avoids changing that. What Organization Means to Erika: When it comes to photography, Erika has no problems being carefree. When it comes to business, Erika has to stay organized in order to successfully run her business. One Tip for Maintaining Time Management: Get into a repetitive groove that will allow for you to get more work done. Links erikagracephoto.com Instagram: @erikagracephoto

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#72: How to Photograph Mitzvah Celebrations - Rachael Spiegel Nov 29, 2017

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Have you considered narrowing your photography services to a niche market, but unsure how to go about doing so? In episode 72, photographer Rachael Spiegel shares how she has built a successful career in the niche market of photographing only Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. Listen in as Rachael shares three tips she utilized to educate herself in her practice, gain experience under established professionals, and network with vendors in her specialty. The Bokeh podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Post-Production for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app or add to your playlist on Stitcher. Rachael’s Aha Moment: When Rachael was studying photojournalism, a photo editor reviewed her portfolio and told her that she didn’t see her passion in the photos she was taking, Rachael immediately knew she was right. She hadn’t found her passion in news photography. Time Management Tool: Photographer’s Edit handles all of her editing so that she can spend more time with her family. Benefit of Going to School for Photojournalism: To be in a community that was so supportive was beneficial, especially for an industry that is a solitary profession. Bar Mitzvah: The celebration of a Jewish boy turning 13 and becoming an adult in the eyes of Judaism and becoming an active member of the religious community. Bat Mitzvah: The celebration of a Jewish girl turning 12 and becoming an adult in the eyes of Judaism and becoming an active member of the religious community. Bat Mitzvahs are relatively new (around 100 years old, Bar Mitzvahs have been celebrated for around 800 years). Mitzvah Services: Mitzvahs can be celebrated in a variety of ways, including a synagogue service where the child reads from the Torah, leads the service, or does an alternate service. Many Bar and Bat Mitzvah children are also required to pick a community service project to work on during the year preparing for their Mitzvah. Mitzvah Celebrations: After the service, many families host a celebration. Depending of the family, it could be in a ballroom with a DJ and dinner or it could be a small gathering. Horah: Traditional circle dance with everyone on the dance floor and the child is lifted into the air in a chair. In some cases, the family of the child will be lifted in the air on chairs as well. Challenges in Photographing Mitzvahs: Many synagogues will not allow you to photograph the service, so you have to coordinate an alternate date to shoot formals in the synagogue. You’re also photographing in a sacred place, where certain behavior, such as horsing around and jumping in the air, is disrespectful, so you need to find more subtle ways to create a feeling of relaxation and comfort with the family. Rewards in Photographing Mitzvahs: In order to truly appreciate a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, you have to understand everything that goes into it, including the preparation of the child for the year leading up to it, learning a new language, reading the Torah, singing, etc. You get to capture the celebration of a child’s hard work and the joy it brings to the family. 3 Steps to Breaking Into Mitzvah Photography: 1. Educate yourself on the essentials of Bar

#71: Why We Do What We Do - Jessica Kaucz Nov 27, 2017

Show notes

Do you ever forget the "why" behind your business? What is it that motivates and drives you to continue building your photography business? In episode 71 of the Bokeh Podcast, Jessica Kaucz of See Me Roar dives into the passion and motivation behind her work that has become the "why" in building her business. From personal experience to impacting the lives of others, Jessica's primary goal in her photography is to empower women. Listen in as she shares 4 simple steps you can take to finding the "why" in your photography business. The Bokeh podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Post-Production for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app or add to your playlist on Stitcher. Jessica’s Aha Moment: She needed to let the public get to know her personally online so they can decide if they want to work with her. If they can’t connect on a personal level, then she’ll never be able to get those photos out of them. Time Management Technique: If you have kids, you understand the organization that must come with them, so Jessica stays organized, which helps keep her time managed. Why Jessica is a Photographer: She wants to show people the beauty in real life, in daily life. Jessica photographs in a very raw and real way. She’s on a journey to empower women and in order to do that she no longer removes what some would call “flaws” in photographs. Jessica’s Motivation Behind Her Work: Her two daughters inspire her to make a change in the definition of beauty. She doesn’t want them to feel like they have to be an ornament for somebody. 4 Steps to Finding Your “Why" 1. Try a lot of things and give yourself the opportunity to find what it is you truly enjoy. 2. Listen to what people are saying about you and find out what works with your clients that you do. 3. Take time to think about what bits of life make you excited and use that as motivation. 4. Remove the limitations of society and the noise in your mind and think about what you really want to do. Links: Blog: Unashamed Stories of Abuse Survivors Facebook: See Me Roar Instagram: @seeme_roar The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer

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#70: How Outsourcing Led to Growth in My Business - Andrea Bogard Nov 24, 2017

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Have you noticed opportunities to grow your photography business, but don’t feel like you have any extra time to invest in those efforts? Is your busy schedule keeping you from building the photography brand of your dreams? In episode 70 of the Bokeh Podcast, Andrea Bogard of Northern Art Photography shares how making the decision to outsource her photo editing to Photographer’s Edit gave her the time necessary to pursue a new business venture. She used the time that would have been spent behind a computer to launch a niche photography business that combines her love of sport and photography! The Bokeh podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Post-Production for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app or add to your playlist on Stitcher. Andrea’s 1st Aha Moment: When Andrea realized that she wanted to make a career out of photography, she switched her degree from Accounting and Law to Accounting and Business to prepare her for building her own business. Andrea’s 2nd Aha Moment: She wanted to pursue photography in a way that would provide her with a great income, but also feed her soul. While her business was thriving, she was looking for something to combine her passions. After realizing the work and time involved to growing her business, she decided to outsource her editing. Challenges with Outsourcing Editing: Andrea’s biggest challenge with outsourcing was letting the control go. Advantages to Outsourcing: Andrea was able to save money on childcare and take the time to grow her businesses. She even launched a brand new business, Life A Field, with the additional time she had available from not editing. Links: Photography Website: northernartphotography.com Instagram: @northern_art_photography Facebook: Northern Art Photography Photo Booth Website: lifeoutsidethebooth.com Sporting Photography Website: lifeafield.com

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#69: B2B Relationships for Photographers - Emily Edgar Nov 21, 2017

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Does the thought of networking terrify you? Whether introvert or not, it can be a scary thought to make connections in large groups or B2B events. In episode 69 of the Bokeh Podcast, Emily Edgar of Emily Nicole Photography shares how she decided to start networking through personal outreach rather than large events. This simple realization that relationships can be formed in a more authentic way has completely changed her business. Now she has developed a personal connection with a large network of industry professionals that has brought success to her business. The Bokeh podcast is brought to you by Photographer’s Edit: Custom Post-Production for the Wedding and Portrait Photographer. You can also subscribe to the Bokeh podcast on the Apple podcast app or add to your playlist on Stitcher. About Emily: Emily is a family and small wedding photographer based out of Vancouver. You can typically find her with her cat(s) and fiancé planning their wedding for next year. Emily’s Aha Moment: It’s so easy to take the time to call industry related professionals and make connections. Time Management Technique: Making the decision to outsource her editing has freed up her time, so much so that she can take on more weddings each year. Vancouver’s Networking Scene: There are large networking groups and conferences, but Emily tends to stick to the smaller groups of one or two when she’s meeting up with them. 3 Keys To Developing Strong, Beneficial B2B Relationships:
1. Find companies that align with your specific business and reach out to them.
2. Be prepared to tell them what you want from the relationship and the details around it.
3. Share your images and provide value for them in the relationship. Emily brings the following to her networking meetings: 1. Images specific to the vendor’s needs 2. Prepared packages of her services Links Website: www.emilynicolephotos.com/ Instagram: @emily_nicole_photos Facebook: Emily Nicole Photos Kiss Books

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#68: How to Speak Your Client's Language on Instagram - Jasmine Star Nov 20, 2017

Show notes

Are you having trouble connecting with your clients on Instagram? Is it possible to engage them in a meaningful way that enriches their experience with your brand? We think so!

In episode 68 of the Bokeh Podcast, Instagram maven and branding expert, Jasmine Star reveals how she goes deep with her Instagram audience to create real connections. There's a lot to learn as Jasmine shares her journey from photographer to branding strategist. Listen in and get connecting with those clients!

About Jasmine: Jasmine Star decided that law wasn’t for her, so she left law school to pursue photography. After years in the business, she realized she felt a calling to help other entrepreneurs build their brands on social media. Now she's built Social Curator with the help of her husband, JD.

Jasmine’s Aha Moment: She realized she can make her own rules.

Why Jasmine Transitioned: Jasmine felt like she reached a creative ceiling. She realized she was one of 35 hired hands at a wedding, not Jasmine.

Why Jasmine Chose This Path: Jasmine feels convicted to empower strong business owners.

About Social Curator: Jasmine empowers entrepreneurs to build a brand and market it on social media by having the right things to say, the photos to post, and knowing exactly what to do.

Jasmine’s Top Tip for Social Media: Emulate what is being done, shared, and seen. The people that are getting the most engagement is because they were one of the emulators of doing it first.

How to Effectively Communicate Your Brand on Instagram: Use your Instagram profile as a business card:

- Your Physical Location

- What You Do

- Who It’s For

- How They Can Contact You

What is Social Curator? It’s a monthly social media subscription that walks you through what you should be focusing on in social media for that month. It breaks down what is actually working.

Links:

Website: jasminestar.com

Social Curator Website: mysocialcurator.com

Instagram: @jasminestar

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