PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast 660: Drew Forsyth – From Small Portrait Jobs to High-Profile Commercial Photography Clients
Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area
Drew Forsyth of www.drewforsyth.com is based in the North West of England and photographs some of the world’s most fascinating people, including performers from The Royal Ballet, Nobel Prize-winning scientists, industry leaders, and global changemakers.
Over the past fifteen years, he has evolved from shooting individual portrait sessions to working with high-profile commercial and advertising clients across the UK and internationally.
Drew says his focus is on individuals and organisations who have worked incredibly hard, made big sacrifices, and achieved extraordinary results.
His work has appeared on BBC News and been published in major publications around the world.
Spend a few minutes looking through his portfolio, and it’s hard not to feel a little envious of the lighting, the movement, the locations, the range of subjects, and the overall quality of the work.
In this interview, Drew shares how he made the move from small portrait jobs to high-profile, high-paying commercial clients.
Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:
- Why Drew still sees himself as a portrait photographer, even while working with commercial and advertising clients
- How smaller jobs and weddings helped pave the way to bigger commercial opportunities
- Why usage can be one of the biggest pricing blind spots for photographers
- How asking about budget early can change the entire direction of a shoot
- Why he asks clients what they’d like to remove instead of immediately discounting
- Why staying calm, flexible, and solutions-focused on set is such a valuable skill
- How a self-funded shoot in New York became a portfolio piece every client asks about
- Why being forgotten is a bigger threat to your business than the competition
- How large organisations, paperwork, and payment delays can create unexpected cash flow pressure
- Why more photographers are now reaching out to Drew for advice on moving into commercial photography
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.
The most valuable thing is understanding, okay, if it's my fault, I can do something about that. And this is actually a great opportunity for me to go right, improve my processes, improve the pipeline, improve XYZ… – Drew Forsyth
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'm almost using my personal work as an excuse to reach back out to people… to have something fresh so they've got something new to look at, and I've got a reason to make contact again. – Drew Forsyth
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 Drew 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.
Someone said to me once, your prices should make people wince. And I really like that. And I think that you've nailed it by the length of that noise that people make… the longer that noise is, the more that you absolutely kind of threaded the needle. – Drew Forsyth
If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Drew, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.
People get so caught up in photography and the gear in particular, but really, this is just interpersonal skills. That's all this is. – Drew Forsyth
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.
My biggest competition is not other photographers. My biggest competition is amnesia. People forget you exist, and so that's why you do the newsletter and the Instagram and whatever else — to remind people that you exist. – Drew Forsyth
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.
When the client says, can you do it for £1000? I go, yes… and also, what are we getting rid of? Which location are we going to drop? Who's not coming to the shoot? Are we doing a half day instead of a full day? – Drew Forsyth
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.
Here is the latest review…
★★★★★ So Much Value!
Via Apple Podcasts by Mauritius photographer, Sita Kelly, on March 19th, 2026.
I’ve been listening to PhotoBiz X for years (both premium and free memberships), and I feel like I know Andrew and his family just from listening to the episodes.
Andrew is so personable and shares about his life so you really feel like you know him – I believe his openness and ability to connect with others is what makes him such a great interviewer.
One of my other favorite things about Andrew’s interview style is that he listens deeply – and has a curiosity that really benefits his listeners. He always asks the questions that I want answered – give me all the details!
I have gotten so much inspiration from these interviews with photographers from all different niches from around the world. From mindset to re-inventing your photography business, there really is something for everyone here.
The PhotoBiz X podcast (and especially the membership!) is so packed with value it’s insane.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
One of the biggest lessons that took me quite a long time to learn was you can control what you can control, and you can't control what you can't control. – Drew Forsyth
Thank you!
Huge thanks to Drew for coming on and sharing so openly about how he’s built his business and the thinking behind it.
What I love about this conversation is that it’s not just about commercial photography or bigger-paying clients. It’s about pricing with confidence, staying visible, building strong relationships, and creating a business that supports your life.
I’d love to know what stood out most for you in this one, and whether it’s made you think differently about your own photography business.
I think people want to see that you're busy and you're doing stuff, and people like to hire busy people. – Drew Forsyth
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
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