Freedom Focus Photography

Latest Episodes:

Let's Get some Press with Zoe Hiljemark Mar 07, 2023

Show notes

182 - I know it's nice to think you can just put up a website, post a few times on Instagram and get found by tons of clients.

I sure wish it was that easy.

It isn't. You have to actively market your pet photography business to get found.

One of the best ways to do that, according to Zoe Hiljemark, is local PR.

Public relations. AKA earned media.

We're talking about getting your name and work out there in your community through local news media, from newspapers to TV stations and social media influencers.

Zoe specializes in public relations and marketing for professional photographers, helping people like you be highly visible and have a thriving business … with lots of clients!

Zoe is my guest on today's podcast and we are talking about leveraging your story, the universal appeal of pets and your amazing images to get some buzz.

What to listen for

4:31 The moment Zoe realized the importance of professional photography

14:08 How to determine your "hook"

20:13 Why there's no time like the present to get earned media

30:20 Who to send your pitch to

35:43 The press release isn't dead but …

42:33 Thinking beyond traditional news media

Guys, getting your story into local media outlets helps establish you as an expert in your field. A feature in the local newspaper or lifestyle magazine can do wonders to showcase your knowledge and skill as a pet photographer.

You build trust within your community and get the attention of potential clients.

Make sure you listen to this episode with Zoe and find the confidence to put yourself out there.

People love pets. People will love your work. People will love you. But they need to know about you first.

Where to find Zoe

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial

Hacking your Mind for Success with Johl Dunn Feb 28, 2023

Show notes

181 - Oooh, sometimes don't you want to just punch something?

It's so easy to get frustrated when you're running a business, especially a photography business where you get to wear all the hats … photographer, marketer, accountant and on and on.

There are more constructive things we can do, though, to ease our stress load and take action in our business. Johl Dunn joins me on this week's podcast episode to talk about the ways we bind ourselves up in fear, which prevents us from taking action.

If you haven't heard of Johl yet, he's The Mindset Coach and his mission is to help photographers like us achieve success by living with a more positive mindset. His approach centers on three key aspects -- mindset, motivation and action --- and, in this episode, Johl gives us all kinds of juicy tidbits on how to hack those into your life.

What to listen for:

10:55 How decisive action and fear go hand in hand

14:02 Tools to help you take that action

25:55 The limiting beliefs that are holding you back

36:10 How one small thought can turn into something great

42:39 Get started with your conscious commitment

Johl's right. Life is too short to be stuck in our fears and not chase our dreams. He recently closed his multi-six-figure portrait studio business to chase his dream, going all in on his coaching business.

What is your dream to chase and how can you manifest that reality?

Where to find Johl

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial

Tax Deductions and Retirement Savings with Tiffany Bastian Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

180 - You've heard the old cliché about death and taxes, right? They're the only two certain things in life.

And neither one is pleasant.

But Tiffany Bastian is, and she makes one of those certainties less painful. The taxes, of course.

Tiffany is the founder of Bastian Accounting, an organization that works exclusively with photographers, helping them get and stay tax compliant. Her group provides online course education and full-service accounting, tax preparation and business formation.

Tiffany has more than 15 years of experience in the tax and accounting world. She has an master's in business administration in accounting and she's a Certified Advanced QuickBooks ProAdvisor. She's also an IRS Enrolled Agent.

On today's episode of the Hair of the Dog podcast, Tiffany gives us a pretty detailed overview of what you can use as a tax deduction for your pet photography business … and what you can't.

I just know there's so much inside this episode that you aren't claiming on your taxes yet. With tax season just around the corner, it's time to figure it out.

What to listen for:

5:08 The key to writing off your OWN photo shoots

12:36 Are dog treats a deductible expense?

27:16 How to calculate your home office deduction

38:00 Changing money due to Uncle Sam into a retirement contribution

50:00 Why hiring a tax adviser actually saves you money

Look, you can't just grab a drive-thru coffee on your way to a shoot and call it a write-off. Nor can you claim the gift of a canned ham.

Wait … what? Yeah, that's what I said. Make sure you listen to find out what that's all about.

Where to find Tiffany

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial

A Marketing Strategy No One is Doing with Heather Lahtinen Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

179 - There is no such thing as "competition."

Every pet photographer has a different style, a different approach, a different attitude toward doing business.

That's why it's OK to make friends with other photographers in your area.

Heather Lahtinen and I both run educational websites to make you a better photographer and a better businessperson. Sure, you could say we're competitors but we make it work and send each other clients.

Just like Heather did when she was one of the most successful wedding photographers in Pittsburgh.

You can employ this strategy in your community, too, setting up a referral system with other photographers.

What to listen for:

4:37 Partnering with the competition is not an outlandish idea

12:10 The importance of working with photographers you trust

20:11 Your market isn't as saturated as you think it is

26:33 How Heather and I define our "partnership"

It is OK to be friends with the competition! It's even better if you can start sending each other clients when you know one might not be the right fit for you.

Get started on making those connections now.

Where to find Heather

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial

DSLR vs Mirrorless with Charlotte Reeves Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

178 - Do you know what the biggest difference between DSLR and mirrorless is? There's no mirror!
Ummmm … duh, Nicole. That's why they call it "mirror-less."

But really, when you make the switch to mirrorless, you might even be holding your shutter release button down and thinking the whole time "I got a lemon! This thing isn't doing anything." Meanwhile, you just loaded 8,362 images onto your memory card because you didn't hear a thing.

Haha! Can a memory card even hold 8,362 images?

Seriously, though, you guys, there are some major differences between your digital single lens reflex camera and the new mirrorless systems. I brought onto the podcast today Unleashed Education's gear guru Charlotte Reeves to break it all down for us.

Charlotte, also of Charlotte Reeves Photography in Brisbane, Australia, is a graphic designer turned award-winning photographer. She is a master of natural light, especially backlight, and has an eagle eye for the teeniest of distractions in an image.

What to listen for:

2:52 Charlotte's struggle with GAS … gear acquisition syndrome

10:14 The differences between DSLR and mirrorless

18:22 The mind-blowing mastery of animal eye detection

25:31 The benefits of the flippy screen

32:31 Why you don’t have to ditch your DSLR right now

Where to find Charlotte

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial

When is an Investment Worth it with Heather Lahtinen Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

177 - Heather Lahtinen likes to save money. She doesn't like to spend money. She's an accumulator.

Heather is back for another episode to talk about money, mindset shifts and how she was convinced to spend $18,000 on coaching for herself.

Oh yeah, that does sound like a lot of money, doesn't it? I mean, it's a new compact car. Or a travel trailer to go see the world. Or a motorcycle.

Hmmm … I think I want to see Heather on a motorcycle.

This episode is all about what it takes to make a big investment in yourself and the mental blocks we need to break down to get past our doubts of saying "yes."

What to listen for:

6:17 The difference between micro and macro mind shifts

9:16 How disempowering questions can stop you from moving forward

19:42 Who Heather believed in so much she spent $18,000

34:55 The four questions Heather asks herself before jumping in

41:57 The ripple impact of investing in yourself

Heather is a goal-setter and a go-getter, you know that. She's already made that $18,000 back and now she's on her way to her seven-figure business.

So I ask you, what's holding you back from investing in yourself?

Where to find Heather

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial

Serving through Grief with Angela Schneider Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

176 - I promise today's episode about end-of-life pet photography isn't as depressing as it might sound.

So many of us dive into pet photography with the vision of rolling around on the ground and having some serious snuggles and giggles with happy, healthy dogs and horses and all the animals.

That's what Angela Schneider thought, too, even though she had been through the agonizing loss of her beloved boy, Shep.

When she noticed that one-third of her clients at Big White Dog Photography were coming to her for end-of-life sessions, she started to study pet loss grief so she could understand their needs and support them better.

Then her world turned upside down. Her mom died on January 28, 2022, and she was left wanting to understand so much more about her own grief and pain.

One year later, she has created One Last Network and is teaching other pet photographers about grief and how we can better serve our clients who come to us for rainbow sessions.

And that's what Angela and I are talking about on today's episode.

What to listen for:

10:52 How Angela niched Big White Dog Photography by hearing the dreaded four-letter C-word

19:31 The whirlwind of events that led her down the path of pet loss grief

30:00 You might double your end-of-life clients by learning about grief

36:04 Why you shouldn't feel bad about charging for end-of-life sessions

49:31 One thing you can do during your end-of-life sessions to support your clients

You guys, so many of us are doing these sessions and Angela has come up with a way to level up the service you offer. And you know how much I love niching down in your business!

Where to find Angela

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial

10 Timeless Photography Business Lessons Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

175 - Are you tired of setting goals that never happen? Are you ready to create a clear plan?

Boy oh boy, you gotta listen to this episode.

It's just me this week, all by myself. But don’t you worry, I have a ton of goodies for you.

Whether you're just starting out or have been in the pet photography industry for a while, this episode can help you take your business to the next level.

Today, I have 10 timeless lessons that I've picked up since I launched my first photography business 13 years ago.

13 years ago? Holy shamoley, where does the time go?

From pricing to marketing, I am all about giving you actionable advice and inspiration. These 10 timeless lessons are essential for running your pet photography.

What to listen for:

4:14 The more you charge, the more you get paid

12:06 How to overcome your brain block about selling artwork

20:17 The difference between making great photos and having a successful business

22:11 Why you need to get out of your comfort zone and talk to people

29:24 I answer the question "when does this feeling of 'I can't do this' go away?"

You guys, we have to remember that the pet photography business is constantly evolving and it's easy to get caught up in all the new technology and trends.

With these 10 timeless lessons, though, you can build a foundation that's solid.
Upcoming training
On Wednesday, January 18, I'm hosting a master class with Heather Lahtinen to get you ready to smash your goals out of the stratosphere. We're taking you much deeper than SMART goals to a process that helps you reach our biggest goals faster.

Join us!

One more … on Wednesday, January 25, Jessica Wasik from Bark & Gold Photography is hosting a free training to show us how she used her calendar contest strategy to build her six-figure pet photography business from nothing.

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial

Content Marketing with Tavia Redburn Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

174 - I heard you groan. Nicoooooooole, I don't wanna blog. I don't know what to blog about! I don't have time to blog!

Trust me, I feel your pain. Blogging isn't one of my favorite things to do either. I would tell you all the reasons you should be blogging but I'm going to get my friend Tavia Redburn to do it instead.

Tavia joins me on the podcast this week to talk about all the good things about content marketing. She breaks down why we need to be using content marketing to build our business and how "content marketing" isn't just about blogging.

Yeah! There's so much more to it, like IG carousels and YouTube videos, and you can have fun doing it. Tavia gives us some simple, practical ways to get started on drawing attention to our pet photography businesses … even by using content we may already have.

What to listen for:

7:24 Why Tavia decided to niche down into birth photography

12:30 How content marketing sets you apart from the competition

18:14 Creating content that speaks to different types of clients

26:28 Repurposing your content for multiple channels to reach your clients

36:32 How to create a lead magnet that draws clients in

Guys, you don't have to be intimidated by content marketing. Tavia makes it super simple so don’t miss this episode. Soon, we'll all be content masters!

Oh and we touch on the power of artificial intelligence to make content marketing even easier.

Wait … I'm not done. Tavia is coming into the Hair of the Dog Academy for a workshop on the topic of AI but you have to be a member to access it.

If you are a member, the event is already posted in the Circle community. If you aren't, now is a great time to make the leap. Head to hairofthedogacademy.com/academy to get started.

Where to find Tavia

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial

Systematize your Business in the New Year with Shanice Miller Jan 03, 2023

Show notes

173 - Oh boy. If you've been listening to the Hair of the Dog podcast for any length of time, you know that systems are one of my love languages.

Yep. If you want to get me all excited, start talking about ways to streamline your business and automate stuff.

So, when Shanice Miller of Taskly Group dropped an email into my inbox that said, "Let's talk systems," well, friends, I got giddy.

In today's episode, Shanice Miller breaks down simple ways we can let go of some administrative tasks in our pet photography businesses and concentrate on the parts we love doing most – creating amazing images!

What to Listen For:

10: 10 Easy ways to track metrics in your business

15:07 How to use those metrics to adjust your processes

17:22 Three steps to hiring your first subcontractor

22:26 Documenting your expectations can bring your clarity

29:11 Selecting the right software for your business

Oh, spoiler alert … there isn't one "right" software for your business. The right one is the right one for you!

You guys, you can get started with just the most basic system. It doesn't have to be scary or complex. Get listening and let Shanice chase away the Automation Boogeyman!

Connect with Shanice

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial