Shifting Focus (How To Film Weddings)

440. Growing Her Instagram to 110k Followers Using THIS Strategy | Staci Brucks Photography Dec 15, 2025

Be the FIRST to know about my private Mastermind Group: https://johnbunn.myflodesk.com/mentorship

In this episode of the Shifting Focus Podcast, John Bunn sits down with Staci Brucks, a wedding photographer who grew her Instagram following to over 110,000 by doing something most people avoid.

She stopped overthinking and started taking action.

Instead of waiting for perfect posts, perfect captions, or perfect timing, Staci focused on consistency, alignment, and showing up as herself online. That single shift led to real momentum, brand deals, and sustainable growth without chasing trends or algorithms.

• Why overthinking stalls growth

• The difference between strategy and momentum

• How consistency builds trust faster than perfection

• Posting before you feel ready

• Building relationships that create referrals

• Using Instagram as a business tool, not a stress machine

• Balancing creativity with professionalism

• Creating efficient workflows

• Working smarter with tools and systems

• Staying aligned while you grow

Follow Staci:

Website https://stacibrucksphotography.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stacibrucks/

🎧 Listen to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://bit.ly/4owsWiM

📱 Instagram:

John Bunn - http://bit.ly/2AYTiE2

John Bunn Films: https://bit.ly/43S3866

Get in Touch:

✅ Brand deals, promotions, podcast info, etc., email john@johnbunnfilms.com

Sponsors and Affiliates:

⭐️ Bride and Groom Video - John's Personal Editor for Video: https://bridengroom.video/johnbunn/ - $100 off the first project of $400, promo code JOHNBUNN100

⭐️ Get 1500 Free Edits with Imagen.ai: https://imagen-ai.com/?ref=johnbunn

⭐️ Wanderlust Videos - Wedding Video Editing: http://bit.ly/46JuGyF - 10% Off discount code: JOHNBUNN10

⭐️ Musicbed - The Best Place to License Music: https://bit.ly/45HQjhC - 14 day free trial

⭐️ Inly - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/41Akxkf - 10% off with promo code JOHN

⭐️ Storymix Media - Wedding Video Editing: https://bit.ly/47rrN5E

⭐️ Lemlii - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/45rhAnl Promo Code - JohnBunn25 (25% off any plan for 12 months)

⭐️ Multiply Media - https://bit.ly/46OdZCe - 15% off with promo code JOHNBUNN

⭐️ PlotLine Pro - AI Powered, Story First Filmmaking Tool - 3 Free days - https://www.plotline.pro/?via=john

⭐️ Spingle - AI culling and editing - https://bit.ly/4m80XnZ - 2 week free trial

⭐️ Honeybook - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/4lmrKvf - 30% off

⭐️ Gamut - Color Presets and LUTs: https://bit.ly/3HltJCj

⭐️ Flodesk - Emails Made Easy: https://bit.ly/4md3ltE - 50% off

#weddingvideography #weddingphotography #shiftingfocuspodcast

Chapters:

00:00 Staci's journey into photography

02:03 Transitioning from corporate to creative

04:58 Business model and client relationships

07:46 Pricing and wedding coverage

11:05 Finding the right clients

14:03 Marketing and momentum

16:57 Networking and referrals

23:15 The power of small gestures

26:04 Client relationships in action

27:00 Authentic social media strategy

34:51 Editing workflow and efficiency

43:55 Balancing art and business

52:49 Overcoming self doubt

57:35 Personal branding on social media

58:47 Building confidence

59:19 Authentic connections

59:22 Booking higher budget clients

439. BONUS EPISODE - MASTERMIND Announcement - Grow Your Video Business Recording with John Bunn Dec 11, 2025

Be the first to know when I launch my Mastermind Group: https://johnbunn.myflodesk.com/mentorship

Are you feeling stuck in the middle market? I am working on an exclusive 12 week Mastermind Group that launches in January. We are going to walk through the 3 areas of your business you need to be focused on in order to get unstuck from the middle. I guarantee this will show you the exact areas you are missing it, and give you the tools to take them to the next level, so you can stop getting vanilla work. Hit the link to be the first to know when it goes live: https://johnbunn.myflodesk.com/mentorship

In today's bonus episode, I sit down with Ryan Koral from the Grow Your Video Business Podcast and get interviewed by him. I think this episode is full of gold for you to really take into action in 2026. Also, be sure to check out Ryan's podcast here: https://www.studiosherpas.com/podcast

🎧 Listen to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://bit.ly/4owsWiM

📱 Instagram:

John Bunn - http://bit.ly/2AYTiE2

John Bunn Films: https://bit.ly/43S3866

Get in Touch:

✅ Brand deals, promotions, podcast info, etc., email john@johnbunnfilms.com

Sponsors and Affiliates:

⭐️ Bride and Groom Video - John's Personal Editor for Video: https://bridengroom.video/johnbunn/ - $100 off the first project of $400, promo code JOHNBUNN100

⭐️ Get 1500 Free Edits with Imagen.ai: https://imagen-ai.com/?ref=johnbunn

⭐️ Wanderlust Videos - Wedding Video Editing: http://bit.ly/46JuGyF - 10% Off discount code: JOHNBUNN10

⭐️ Musicbed - The Best Place to License Music: https://bit.ly/45HQjhC - 14 day free trial

⭐️ Inly - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/41Akxkf - 10% off with promo code JOHN

⭐️ Storymix Media - Wedding Video Editing: https://bit.ly/47rrN5E

⭐️ Lemlii - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/45rhAnl Promo Code - JohnBunn25 (25% off any plan for 12 months)

⭐️ Multiply Media - https://bit.ly/46OdZCe - 15% off with promo code JOHNBUNN

⭐️ PlotLine Pro - AI Powered, Story First Filmmaking Tool - 3 Free days - https://www.plotline.pro/?via=john

⭐️ Spingle - AI culling and editing - https://bit.ly/4m80XnZ - 2 week free trial

⭐️ Honeybook - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/4lmrKvf - 30% off

⭐️ Gamut - Color Presets and LUTs: https://bit.ly/3HltJCj

⭐️ Flodesk - Emails Made Easy: https://bit.ly/4md3ltE - 50% off

#weddingvideography #weddingphotography #shiftingfocuspodcast

438. Finding Story Faster with Hello Tomorrow Films and Plotline Pro Dec 08, 2025

In this episode of the Shifting Focus Podcast, John Bunn sits down with Hello Tomorrow Films to unpack how great wedding films are built through story, not just cinematography. This conversation dives into how to develop a recognizable style, differentiate your brand in a competitive market, and build real relationships that fuel long-term success.

The team also introduces Plotline Pro, an AI tool built specifically for filmmakers that helps uncover story hidden inside long-form audio. By organizing dialogue, identifying speakers, and revealing story structure, Plotline Pro gives filmmakers a faster and clearer way to shape narrative without sacrificing creativity or emotion.

Whether you are refining your voice, rebuilding momentum, or looking for better systems inside your workflow, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how one brand has built a business rooted in story, relationships, and intentional creativity.

Check out Plotline Pro: https://www.plotline.pro/?via=john

If you are looking for mentorship and a small group of creatives who are serious about building a business with clarity and direction, get on the waitlist for my online mastermind. Send an email to john@johnbunnfilms.com with the subject line MENTORSHIP or join the waitlist here: https://johnbunn.myflodesk.com/mentorship

Follow Hello Tomorrow Films:

Website: https://www.hellotomorrow.ca/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellotomorrowfilms/

🎧 Listen to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://bit.ly/4owsWiM

📱 Instagram:

John Bunn - http://bit.ly/2AYTiE2

John Bunn Films: https://bit.ly/43S3866

Get in Touch:

✅ Brand deals, promotions, podcast info, etc., email john@johnbunnfilms.com

Sponsors and Affiliates:

⭐️ Bride and Groom Video - John's Personal Editor for Video: https://bridengroom.video/johnbunn/ - $100 off the first project of $400, promo code JOHNBUNN100

⭐️ Get 1500 Free Edits with Imagen.ai: https://imagen-ai.com/?ref=johnbunn

⭐️ Wanderlust Videos - Wedding Video Editing: http://bit.ly/46JuGyF - 10% Off discount code: JOHNBUNN10

⭐️ Musicbed - The Best Place to License Music: https://bit.ly/45HQjhC - 14 day free trial

⭐️ Inly - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/41Akxkf - 10% off with promo code JOHN

⭐️ Storymix Media - Wedding Video Editing: https://bit.ly/47rrN5E

⭐️ Lemlii - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/45rhAnl Promo Code - JohnBunn25 (25% off any plan for 12 months)

⭐️ Multiply Media - https://bit.ly/46OdZCe - 15% off with promo code JOHNBUNN

⭐️ PlotLine Pro - AI Powered, Story First Filmmaking Tool - 3 Free days - https://www.plotline.pro/?via=john

⭐️ Spingle - AI culling and editing - https://bit.ly/4m80XnZ - 2 week free trial

⭐️ Honeybook - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/4lmrKvf - 30% off

⭐️ Gamut - Color Presets and LUTs: https://bit.ly/3HltJCj

⭐️ Flodesk - Emails Made Easy: https://bit.ly/4md3ltE - 50% off

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hello Tomorrow Films

01:18 Networking and building real relationships

16:02 Branding and identity in wedding filmmaking

18:55 Developing a unique style and creative voice

21:59 Navigating introversion in business

24:59 The balance between art and business

32:14 Building a strong brand

33:46 The role of story in wedding films

34:52 Introducing Plotline Pro

40:12 The development of Plotline Pro

42:36 User feedback and experience

44:22 AI and the future of filmmaking

47:15 Plotline Pro features

48:52 Final thoughts and community

#weddingvideography #weddingphotography #shiftingfocuspodcast

437. Nobody Books You For Your Work (They Book You For Trust) w/ John Bunn Dec 01, 2025

Nobody books you because you are good enough. They book you because they trust you.

📧 Sign up to learn about John's Private Mentorship Group by emailing john@johnbunnfilms.com

In this episode of the Shifting Focus Podcast, John Bunn shares real stories from the last year of his business and shows why relationships, reliability, and reputation matter more than raw talent. This is not a theory episode. It is a look at how trust quietly compounds into better clients, higher level bookings, and long term momentum.

John explains how one relationship can change everything, why slow money often turns into fast money, and how being dependable builds a brand that no algorithm can replace. If you are tired of chasing leads and want to build something that lasts, this episode will change the way you think about growth.

00:00 Why Trust Matters More Than Talent 02:18 Nobody Books You For Your Work 05:10 The Montana Wake Up Call 08:42 Every Booking Is a Branch 12:33 Slow Money Versus Fast Money 16:01 Reputation Travels Faster Than Marketing 19:47 Why Trust Pays Late But Pays Big 23:20 What Luxury Really Means 26:04 Dependable Beats Impressive 28:35 What Comes Next

Key Takeaways

Trust is what gets you chosen, not your work. Every wedding you book is a new branch on your business tree. Trust compounds silently until it suddenly shows up in big ways. Your reputation moves faster than any marketing strategy. Luxury is built on safety and reliability, not flash. Trust pays slowly at first and then multiplies later. The fastest way to grow is to be dependable, not impressive. Relationships work, they just do not work quickly. Being calm and steady on a wedding day builds your future. Trust is only one piece of a much bigger picture.

📱 Instagram:

John Bunn - http://bit.ly/2AYTiE2

John Bunn Films: https://bit.ly/43S3866

Get in Touch:

✅ Brand deals, promotions, podcast info, etc., email john@johnbunnfilms.com

Sponsors and Affiliates:

⭐️ Bride and Groom Video - John's Personal Editor for Video: https://bridengroom.video/johnbunn/ - $100 off the first project of $400, promo code JOHNBUNN100

⭐️ Get 1500 Free Edits with Imagen.ai: https://imagen-ai.com/?ref=johnbunn

⭐️ Wanderlust Videos - Wedding Video Editing: http://bit.ly/46JuGyF - 10% Off discount code: JOHNBUNN10

⭐️ Musicbed - The Best Place to License Music: https://bit.ly/45HQjhC - 14 day free trial

⭐️ Inly - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/41Akxkf - 10% off with promo code JOHN

⭐️ Storymix Media - Wedding Video Editing: https://bit.ly/47rrN5E

⭐️ Lemlii - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/45rhAnl Promo Code - JohnBunn25 (25% off any plan for 12 months)

⭐️ Multiply Media - https://bit.ly/46OdZCe - 15% off with promo code JOHNBUNN

⭐️ Spingle - AI culling and editing - https://bit.ly/4m80XnZ - 2 week free trial

⭐️ Honeybook - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/4lmrKvf - 30% off

⭐️ Gamut - Color Presets and LUTs: https://bit.ly/3HltJCj

⭐️ Flodesk - Emails Made Easy: https://bit.ly/4md3ltE - 50% off

#weddingvideography #weddingphotography #shiftingfocuspodcast

436. The Real Strategy Behind Getting Booked by Top Planners Nov 24, 2025

In this episode of the Shifting Focus Podcast, John Bunn pulls back the curtain on what really moves the needle when it comes to getting noticed, trusted, and booked by top wedding planners. Fresh off a packed wedding season and a retreat surrounded by elite planners, John unpacks the mindset shifts, the strategy, and the long-game approach that has helped him grow his business into the luxury space.

This one is all about relationships, presence, value, and consistency. Not hacks. Not shortcuts. Just the intentional work that builds a brand planners want to refer again and again. John also shares a teaser for an upcoming mentorship experience designed for creatives ready to level up in 2025.

Want to join my private mentorship group that is coming up? email john@johnbunnfilms.com and say 'i want mentorship' to be added to the list for more info as soon as it is available.

🎧 Listen to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://bit.ly/4owsWiM

📱 Instagram:

John Bunn - http://bit.ly/2AYTiE2

John Bunn Films: https://bit.ly/43S3866

Get in Touch:

✅ Brand deals, promotions, podcast info, etc., email john@johnbunnfilms.com

Sponsors and Affiliates:

⭐️ Bride and Groom Video - John's Personal Editor for Video: https://bridengroom.video/johnbunn/ - $100 off the first project of $400, promo code JOHNBUNN100

⭐️ Get 1500 Free Edits with Imagen.ai: https://imagen-ai.com/?ref=johnbunn

⭐️ Wanderlust Videos - Wedding Video Editing: http://bit.ly/46JuGyF - 10% Off discount code: JOHNBUNN10

⭐️ Musicbed - The Best Place to License Music: https://bit.ly/45HQjhC - 14 day free trial

⭐️ Inly - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/41Akxkf - 10% off with promo code JOHN

⭐️ Storymix Media - Wedding Video Editing: https://bit.ly/47rrN5E

⭐️ Lemlii - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/45rhAnl Promo Code - JohnBunn25 (25% off any plan for 12 months)

⭐️ Multiply Media - https://bit.ly/46OdZCe - 15% off with promo code JOHNBUNN

⭐️ Spingle - AI culling and editing - https://bit.ly/4m80XnZ - 2 week free trial

⭐️ Honeybook - CRM for creatives: https://bit.ly/4lmrKvf - 30% off

⭐️ Gamut - Color Presets and LUTs: https://bit.ly/3HltJCj

⭐️ Flodesk - Emails Made Easy: https://bit.ly/4md3ltE - 50% off

00:00 Thanksgiving Reflections and Wedding Season Wrap-Up

02:23 Insights from the Wedding Crashers Retreat

05:30 Building Relationships with Wedding Planners

09:34 Adding Value to Planners: The Key to Success

12:23 The Importance of Reciprocity in Relationships

16:19 Playing Chess, Not Checkers

20:12 Showing Up Big on Wedding Days

23:31 Staying Top of Mind After the Wedding

27:22 Consistency and Presence in the Wedding Industry

31:08 Earning Your Way into Planner Circles

35:24 Mentorship and Future Opportunities

#weddingvideography #weddingphotography #shiftingfocuspodcast

435. From Discount Weddings to 20K Bookings: A Year of Transformation Nov 17, 2025

In this solo episode of Shifting Focus, I'm breaking down the exact steps I took to go from charging half my worth to securing $20,000 wedding bookings in just one year. This is the real behind-the-scenes story of how I rebuilt my business, redefined my brand, and committed to the kind of consistency that actually moves the needle.

I'm sharing the moment things shifted for me, starting with a $7,500 wedding that changed everything. Instead of seeing it as a setback, it became the catalyst that reignited my passion and reminded me what was possible when I treated every project as an opportunity.

We'll dig into how brand perception shapes your pricing, why consistency on social media matters more than ever, and how intentional networking opened the doors to planners and vendors who trusted me with bigger and better work. If you've ever felt stuck, undervalued, or unsure how to elevate your business, this episode is your roadmap.

What you'll learn:

• How shifting your brand perception changes what you can charge

• Why consistency on Instagram led to over a million monthly story views

• How networking and in-person connections accelerated my bookings

• The mindset shifts that helped me grow into a luxury creator

• Why every project, even discounted ones, can build long-term momentum

Whether you're a filmmaker, photographer, planner, or any type of creative business owner, these lessons apply. This past year has proven that when you get intentional about your brand and how you show up, your business can transform faster than you think.