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
Does the thought of trying to sell your services cause you to feel anxious or nervous? Have you been spinning your wheels trying to come up with the perfect sales pitch to book a client? Or do you avoid the sales conversation altogether because it feels more transactional than personal?
In Episode 578 of the Bokeh Podcast, Heather Chesky shares her experience with sales and the process that she uses to book clients with a 30 minute call. As photographers, we may shy away from the sales side of the business, but it really can be simple and summed up this way: knowing what it is that you’re selling and knowing who it is that you’re selling to. Tune in as we chat about the five steps you can take when chatting with a potential client, so that you can go into the conversation feeling prepared and leave the conversation with a booked date on the calendar!
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
Heather’s introduction (2:07)
Brand position (2:57)
Creating a great customer experience (6:34)
Technique for time management (9:01)
How does Heather decide what the most important thing is? (11:22)
Delegation (13:06)
How has Heather learned to more effectively communicate for the sake of good delegation? (16:00)
Book recommendation (20:17)
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Has Heather always been a natural salesperson? (22:14)
How does Heather approach selling something that doesn’t have a personal connection? (23:48)
Where did Heather learn the sales techniques that she uses? (24:34)
Heather’s tips to move beyond introverted tendencies (26:09)
Does Heather practice conversations with herself before speaking with clients? (28:39)
5 Steps to Drive the 30 Minute Call (30:36)
What does it mean to establish boundaries? (32:18)
What does it look like for a photographer to move from surface level questions to deeper, insightful questions? (34:44)
What does it look like to “make your offer”? (39:52)
How can you ask for payment with more ease of mind? (42:35)
What follow up questions might Heather hear from potential clients during the call? (44:01)
Additional education Heather offers (51:11)
Links
www.instagram.com/heather_chesky
Have you found yourself in a creative slump, wanting to branch off from your professional work and create something for yourself? Are you looking for a way to shoot more often, while honing your photography skills and creating a stronger business? Welcome to the 365 Project.
In Episode 577 of the Bokeh Podcast, Elora Viano shares her experience with starting a 365 project several years ago and how it has helped to shape and grow her business. While the task may seem daunting at first, there are so many benefits! Tune in as we chat about what those benefits are and five steps you can take to get started with your own personal 365 Project!
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
Elora’s introduction (1:44)
Brand position (2:37)
How long has Elora been in business? (5:03)
Creating a great customer experience (6:34)
What is Elora’s perspective on the balance between putting yourself out there on social media to garner a better connection with your audience and oversharing? (9:20)
Technique for time management (15:39)
What does Elora’s weekday and weekend schedule look like? (17:48)
Delegation (20:28)
How did Elora find someone that was a good fit to outsource her social media tasks? (23:14)
Book recommendation (26:39)
You Are a Badass Series 4 Books Collection Set by Jen Sincero
What is the 365 Project? (28:46)
What led Elora to start this project? (29:51)
4 Major Benefits of Running a 365 Project (31:04)
1. The opportunity to hone photographic skills
2. Opportunity to share personal work with clients
3. The opportunity for more opportunities
4. The opportunity to teach other photographers
What type of equipment does Elora recommend shooting the 365 Project with? (32:59)
5 Steps to Get Started with a 365 Project (43:14)
1. Use the camera you have with you
2. If you miss a day, it’s okay
3. Keep it organized
4. Find a group for accountability
5. Do something with your work
Links
www.lifelivedphotography.co.uk
www.instagram.com/lifelivedphoto
www.facebook.com/LifeLivedPhoto
TW: Depression
Are you struggling to find balance as a parent and business owner? Can the two co-exist in such a way that you can thrive at both?
In Episode 576 of the Bokeh Podcast, Emily Magers explores what it looks like to navigate both motherhood and running a successful photography business. While there is freedom and flexibility in being an entrepreneur, there are also challenges that must be faced. Tune in as we chat about topics including lack of sleep, missing out on time with people, and mental health.
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.
Emily’s introduction (1:44)
Brand position (2:46)
How does Emily make a new client feel comfortable? (4:06)
Creating a great customer experience (5:54)
Technique for time management (8:29)
Delegation (10:41)
Podcast and book recommendations (14:40)
What does Emily find appealing about true crime podcasts? (15:16)
How many kids does Emily have? (17:13)
How long has Emily been in business? (18:23)
What was the turning point where Emily felt she needed to find a better balance between motherhood and business? (19:32)
4 Challenges That Come with Being a Mother and Business Owner (21:56)
What ideas has Emily come up with to address the lack of sleep issue? (23:27)
What draws Emily to being a night owl? (25:22)
How has Emily adapted to facing the unexpected or changed things to be more predictable? (27:03)
What does Emily see as the balance between transparency and oversharing? (29:58)
When sharing information, is it relevant to the service that Emily provides? (31:28)
How has Emily created space to connect with people amidst running a business? (35:23)
What has dealing with depression looked like for Emily and how is she confronting it? (40:23)
Links
www.facebook.com/magerimagephotography
Living Untethered: Beyond the Human Predicament by Michael A. Singer
Do you feel like you’ve hit the ceiling of growth for your business? Are you looking for new ways that you can scale beyond where you’re currently at? Have you considered leveraging the community and client-base that is interacting with you day in and day out?
In Episode 575 of the Bokeh Podcast, return guest Jennifer Garcia provides incredible insight into how you can leverage feedback from your community. Tune in as we chat about what a “Win-Win-Win Outcome” looks like, how you can find balance between asserting yourself as the business owner and acknowledging the perspective of others, and three ways that you can start collecting feedback from your community right away!
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.
Jennifer’s introduction (1:30)
Brand position (2:30)
Does Jennifer see this as a business model that will be more sustainable over the long run? (4:27)
Creating a great customer experience (9:36)
What is a tangible example of a “Win-Win-Win Outcome” for Jennifer? (10:30)
Techniques for time management and delegation (11:40)
How did Jennifer make the distinction between what requires her involvement and what does not? (16:00)
Book recommendation (19:20)
Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable by Tim Grover
https://www.amazon.com/Relentless-Unstoppable-Tim-S-Grover/dp/1476714207
How did Jennifer arrive at finding that the answer to the question about where to go next lies in listening to your community? (12:36)
How long ago did Jennifer arrive at this realization? (22:54)
How can photographers allow others to give direction on what they are doing as a company? (25:07)
What is the balance between asserting yourself as the business owner and acknowledging the perspective of others? (30:25)
Jennifer’s suggestions to getting outside of yourself (33:47)
How can we begin to view the idea of change as something good, rather than something negative? (36:18)
3 Ways You Can Get Feedback From Your Community (38:25)
How can you create email newsletters that stand out amongst the noise and get engagement? (45:25)
Has Jennifer ever experimented with offering gift cards as a ‘thank you’ for completing a survey or poll? (53:34)
The value of specificity (54:09)
Links
Episode 312: Taking Your Next Risk
www.instagram.com/sparkstudiosoc
If you’ve been part of the wedding industry for any length of time, you know the foundational importance of building relationships for business growth. But have you missed out on a relationship that could scale your business more effectively? From event designers and coordinators to florists and the venues themselves, there is an enormous well to draw from by way of wedding vendors that is largely untapped.
In Episode 574 of the Bokeh Podcast, guest Thomas Bui dives into how photographers can begin to establish working relationships with wedding vendors. Tune in as we chat about the importance of both communication and patience, having passion for the work that you do, and so much 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
Thomas’ introduction (1:56)
Brand position (3:50)
Was it intentional for Thomas to include music on his website? (6:03)
Creating a great customer experience (8:14)
Technique for time management (14:34)
Delegation (18:19)
Book recommendation (25:50)
What has Thomas’ experience been working with photographers who may have missed the mark on building valuable relationships with wedding vendors? (29:10)
5 Ways to Developing a Valuable Working Relationship with Wedding Vendors (41:53)
Is there a form of communication that Thomas finds most helpful? (44:57)
Thomas’ big takeaway to working with wedding vendors (57:10)
Links
Have you been spinning your wheels trying to create an awkward-free experience for your clients? Are you using the same poses over and over, without really understanding why? Are you unsure of how to communicate with your clients in a way that evokes emotion and connection?
In episode 573 of the Bokeh Podcast, returning guest Taylor Fisher walks through her course, The Not-So-Awkward Guide to Posing Couples. Whether you’re a new photographer looking to start off with a strong foundation or a seasoned professional looking for ways to breathe new life into your business, there’s something for everyone! Tune in as we chat about common mistakes that are made, how trust can be built before and during your sessions, and how you can learn both body language and how to communicate emotion for successful sessions with your clients!
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
Taylor’s introduction (1:50)
What was Taylor’s motivation to create the guide? (4:50)
3 common mistakes photographers make when hosting a session (7:11)
Where do you get the original ideas to become an expert? (10:49)
4 Pillars to Hosting a Successful, Emotional Couple’s Session (18:14)
The Not-So-Awkward Guide to Posing Couples course (44:36)
Taylor’s favorite prompts (48:19)
Links:
Episode 162: https://www.photographersedit.com/bokeh-podcast/episodes/design-taylor-fisher/
Episode 558: https://www.photographersedit.com/bokeh-podcast/episodes/how-to-make-more-money-by-refining-your-brand/
www.instagram.com/taylorjonesphotography
www.taylorjonesphotography.com
Have you been struggling with what to do after the money hits your bank account? Are you unsure about taxes, profit margins, and how to manage each payment in a way that sets you up to be profitable down the line?
In episode 572 of the Bokeh Podcast, returning guest Braden Drake sets the stage for financial success by offering practical tips for making your money work for you. Whether you've experienced a lack of education in regard to money, a lack of money talk in your personal life, or an "I'll do it tomorrow" mentality, you're in good company. Tune in as we chat about minimizing stress when it comes to taxes, owner's pay allocation, and 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.
Braden’s background (2:38)
Where did Braden’s book idea come from? (4:54)
What was the motivation for creating a book like this and the communication style to go along with it? (6:23)
Defining cash flow (8:40)
Why isn't there a basic understanding of cash flow management? (11:11)
How can you minimize the stress associated with setting aside a designated percentage for taxes? (14:01)
Braden’s recommendation on the best approach to handling funds when you get paid (15:15)
How do photographers go about calculating a profit margin? (18:18)
Should photographers be considering taxes in the profit margin equation? (19:32)
Is there a goal profit margin percentage in the photography industry? (20:07)
The process for owner’s pay allocation (22:26)
Braden’s course, Profit Rx (26:38)
Book Recommendations
Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller
Links:
https://www.photographersedit.com/bokeh-podcast/episodes/top-5-tax-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them/
www.instagram.com/bradenadamdrake
https://www.bradendrake.com/podcasts/unf-ck-your-biz-with-braden
https://www.bradendrake.com/book (Available for pre-order now!)
Comparison. We've all heard this word and we're familiar with how it can invade every area of life if you allow it to. While our personal lives are often affected most noticeably, in our fast-paced, social media-driven society, our businesses can be affected as well. Comparison to someone else's journey can lead to feelings of frustration, disappointment, and defeat, but it doesn't have to be that way!
In episode 571 of The Bokeh Podcast, we are joined by Sarah Larae, as she opens up and discusses what her journey has looked like and how she has overcome limiting beliefs! After walking through struggles in her personal life and falling victim to self-deprecation and feelings of insecurity, Sarah discovered that true success comes from being true to yourself. Tune in as we discuss four practical steps that you can take to begin defining success for yourself, too!
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.
Sarah’s thoughts on the importance of in-person community (3:08)
Brand position (7:10)
How does Sarah differentiate “joyful” in her brand? (8:46)
How does Sarah encourage “slow to warm” clients to embrace a joyful attitude? (10:39)
Sarah, on being comfortable with herself (13:39)
How was Sarah able to overcome being insecure? (16:38)
Creating a great client experience (19:15)
How has Sarah learned to ask the right questions? (21:24)
Technique for time management (25:08)
Outsourcing/Delegation (26:58)
Book recommendation (29:34)
What has driven the tendency in our culture to compare ourselves to another person? (31:47)
Where did Sarah’s perspective come from? (34:12)
Sarah’s perspective on “bravery” (37:22)
Sarah’s transition, moving out of comparison (47:42)
Sarah’s definition of “success” in the past (49:32)
Sarah’s definition of “success” now (52:00)
4 Steps Toward Making a Shift to Defining Success for Yourself (57:15)
Links:
Sarah Larae Photography - Website
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
Are you feeling overwhelmed and burned out in your photography business?
In episode 570 of The Bokeh Podcast, we are joined by Aida Glowik, as she provides practical tips on how to minimize feelings of overwhelm, not only in your photography business but in your life. Tune in to gain insight on what the root cause of overwhelm is, how planning can look on a tangible level, and how you can be sure your business is serving your goals.
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.
Aida’s mission and background (4:00)
Photography podcast’s brand position (6:22)
Creating a great customer experience (7:41)
How to balance time more effectively (11:34)
What does planning look like for Aida on a tangible level? (12:30)
Paper planning vs digital planning (13:40)
Practical planning practices (15:18)
Elements of Aida’s business that she’s experimented with delegation (21:09)
Book recommendation (24:40)
Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
The Thank You Economy By Gary Vaynerchuk
https://bokehbookshelf.com
What did overwhelm look like for Aida, as a business owner? (27:19)
What is the root cause of overwhelm in photographers? (30:53)
Workflow Tips for Minimizing Overwhelm (31:33)
1. Prepare in advance
2. Simplify and get organized
3. Make sure your business is serving your goals
Favorite software (40:40)
Links:
https://www.charitywater.org
www.aidaandtim.com
www.instagram.com/aidaandtim
www.wedding-photography-podcast.com
www.instagram.com/aidaglowik
My Wedding Season – The Podcast
Time Management From the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern
www.asana.com
https://wedding-photography-podcast.com/planner
If you've been looking for practical steps on how to improve your website for better conversion, we've got all of that for you..and more!
Tune in to listen in to episode 569 where host, Nathan Holritz is joined by Mia Admire. Together, they walk through her website and social media feed, implement a series of steps that can be put into practice right away, and create a plan to convert visitors into clients!
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.
6 Steps to Improving Your Website for Better Conversion
1. Don't put too much emphasis on certifications/awards (8:59)
2. Establish and communicate a clear brand position (11:56)
3. Choose a simple website design (29:03)
4. SEO (41:14)
5. Clean up social media feeds to showcase what you want to shoot (45:19)
6. Get out and connect with your target clientele (49:17)
Book Recommendations
Links:
https://www.miaadmirephotography.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mia_admire_photography/
Photography Education Resources
Website & SEO Resources
SEO Podcast Recommendations
Episode 511: UX and SEO for Higher Website Conversions – Julia Bocchese
Episode 535: A Fresh Approach on SEO Tactics – Feuza Reis
Episode 515: How to Use Keywords to Maximize SEO – Kyle Goldie
Episode 432: SEO for Photographers – Corey Potter & Dylan Howell
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