PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast 652: Emily Cummings – How Dating Photography Became a High-Value, Year-Round Revenue Stream
Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area
Emily Cummings of www.emilycummingsphotography.com was introduced to me by Nidhi Dahiya in Episode 637 of the podcast.
In an email, Nidhi told me that Emily is having amazing success in her photography business and that her revenue is on track to hit half a million this year.
I jumped over to her website to take a look and loved what I saw!
A beautifully bright, clean, and easy-to-navigate website includes a great introduction video.
Take a look at the services she offers, and you'll see it's a range that includes: Flat Lay, Commercial, Headshots, Personal Branding, Products, and Fashion.
But it was the dating photography services she was most excited about when we started talking about recording.
After a little more digging, I found a whole new website: Ten Little Birds, which appears to be her separate brand for newborn, children and family photography.
I'm not sure how she's juggling all this, but it was fun to dive in and learn more!
In this interview, Emily shares how dating photography became a high-value, year-round revenue stream.
Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:
- How Emily built a near–half-million-dollar photography business by running multiple complementary brands, including a studio that pays for itself through rentals.
- Why choosing a highly accessible studio location — parking, transport, nearby amenities — quietly removes friction and attracts higher-value, out-of-town clients.
- How turning a 1600-square-foot studio into an experience hub, not just a shooting space, improves efficiency, confidence, and client buy-in.
- Why niching into dating photography worked because it solves a specific emotional problem — not just a visual one — and positioned Emily as the go-to specialist.
- How a dedicated website page for a niche service does more heavy lifting than social media by pre-qualifying clients before they ever enquire.
- Why Google Ads and strategic partnerships outperform organic reach when you’re targeting serious clients beyond your local area.
- How premium pricing becomes easier to hold when the client experience includes consultations, styling, hair and makeup, and guided image selection.
- Why showing images immediately after the shoot builds trust, boosts satisfaction, and prevents buyer’s remorse before it can start.
- How consistent pricing across all genres simplifies decisions for clients and protects long-term profitability.
- Why investing in mentors, marketing support, and systems isn’t a cost — it’s how Emily scaled without burning out or stalling.
What’s on Offer for Premium Members
If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet. Plus, special member-only interviews.
People didn’t want to hire just a family photographer for their dating photos. Having a dedicated dating page showed this was a specialised service, not a side thing. – Emily Cummings
You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online. Seriously, that's not all.
I used to price everything differently, and it was just messy. Now everything follows the same structure, and it’s made my business so much simpler. – Emily Cummings
In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable, and help you build friendships with other pro photographers with motives similar to yours—to build a more successful photography business.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Emily shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on what you heard in today's episode.
People can tell when photos are AI. What AI can’t replicate is the experience of seeing yourself and realising you actually look great. – Emily Cummings
If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Emily, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.
Definitely have a specific dating page. That is one thing that I've heard people say to me that they didn't want to just hire the family photographer… they understand that there's a nuance there. And so when I had a specific page for that, it set me apart. – Emily Cummings
iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs
I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons. Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome! Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.
Dating photography is evergreen. People are always looking for relationships — it doesn’t disappear in January. – Emily Cummings
If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name. Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.
Instead of telling myself why something wouldn’t work in my town, I just tried it — and it usually worked better than I expected. – Emily Cummings
Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Emily Cummings Photography Website
Ten Little Bluebirds on Facebook
Episode 462: Nidhi Dahiya – Focus on ROI and what makes you happy for photography business success
Episode 637: Nidhi Dahiya – Taking Headshot clients to $14K Family Portrait Sales
Episode 553: Liz Hansen – This is the pathway to a million dollar photography business
Episode 355: Heidi Hapanowicz – Everything you wanted to know about personal branding photography
Episode 087: Sue Bryce – How to Make Real Money From Your Photography Business Right Now
When it comes to family photography, that’s a want. But when it comes to business headshots or dating photos — people need those. – Emily Cummings
Thank you!
Huge thanks to Emily for such a generous and honest conversation. This episode is a powerful reminder that real momentum in photography comes from clarity — about your offers, your clients, and the kind of life you want your business to support.
I’d love to know what this interview shifted for you, and what you’re now seeing differently in your own business.
Clients don’t just walk away with photos — they walk away feeling confident, and that confidence carries straight into their dating life or their business. – Emily Cummings
That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!
Thanks for listening—speak soon,
Andrew
The post 652: Emily Cummings – How Dating Photography Became a High-Value, Year-Round Revenue Stream appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.