PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Blair deLaubenfels of www.worldsbestweddingphotos.com and www.artlifeandbusiness.com is the former co-owner of Junebug Weddings. The founder and editor-in-chief of World's Best Wedding Photos. She’s written over 2,000 bios, created content for hundreds of photography websites, and is a regular speaker at some of the biggest industry events. But what really stands out… She’s personally curated the portfolios from more than 10,000 weddings. Which is exactly why I asked her back on the podcast after receiving this email from her: “What I find fascinating is how almost every photographer I work with misses an important element of their wedding collection. Photojournalists miss details, which means they can’t get published. Classic photographers don’t take risks, so they can’t win awards. Many fail to properly cover key moments like the ceremony and first dance. And I constantly see black and whites overexposed to the point where detail is lost. There are also poses — like twirling the bride — that just don’t work. What I try to do is help photographers maximise every shoot, so they walk away with the visual assets they need to reach their goals… without compromising their style.” In this interview, Blair shares what she sees across thousands of wedding galleries… and how small changes in what you shoot — and what you show — can completely change the clients you attract. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Blair’s journey from fine art school to building a multi-faceted photography career Why curating your portfolio matters more than constantly adding new images How removing “good” photos can attract higher-quality clients The subtle way your portfolio reveals (or confuses) your ideal client Why your natural shooting style should lead your marketing decisions The biggest wedding day coverage mistakes photographers still make Why getting booked should always come before getting published How arriving early transforms your ability to shoot with intention Why most “getting ready” photos feel staged—and how to make them authentic How to create natural, emotion-led images without forced posing Why dynamic group shots instantly elevate your galleries and client experience The must-have ceremony moments many photographers still miss How to balance trends without diluting your distinctive style Why your unique visual voice is your strongest long-term marketing advantage How personal projects and creative exploration can unlock new income streams 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. You don’t say no to your clients — you just don’t show everything you shoot. – Blair deLaubenfels 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 cannot emphasize enough whether I'm copywriting, creating SEO, it doesn't matter what I'm creating for a photographer, they must know their ideal client. – Blair deLaubenfels 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 Blair 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. You can love a photo… but if it doesn’t attract your ideal client, it has to go. – Blair deLaubenfels If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Blair, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below. Show your client that you know how to do the trends, but that you're not a trend. – Blair deLaubenfels   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. You can love a photo… but if it doesn’t attract your ideal client, it has to go. – Blair deLaubenfels 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. You can love a photo… but if it doesn’t attract your ideal client, it has to go. – Blair deLaubenfels 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.​ Join the Live Recording of This Interview This week, I'll be recording an interview with Tracy Goodwin of Captivate the Room, and I'd love for you to be part of it! Not only will we have the episode customised to suit you and your business, but you'll also get to take part, get involved, and put your questions directly to Tracy for use in the episode. Tracy is a voice expert who can reveal the real voice beneath the protection – the one that creates connection, trust and influence the moment you speak. She can help you better connect with your clients and have your natural authority, confidnce and presence shine through. To join the live call, use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89235833897?pwd=3Q2bQkbPwoJyk7v4XUwVdK8HlNmG12.1 The live recording is on Thursday, 9th April at 8 am Sydney local time. Click here to find your local time.    Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: Worlds Best Wedding Photos Blair DeLaubenfels Business Consulting – Art, Life and Business World's Best Wedding Photos on Instagram World's Best Wedding Photos on Facebook Episode 615: Blair deLaubenfels – Booking Luxury Photography Clients Starts with the Right Images—and Words Episode 378: Blair DeLaubenfels – How to curate your way to photography success Episode 053: Fer Juaristi – Success and Happiness as a Wedding Photographer Episode 293: Ben Chrisman – How to Build a Successful Studio Portrait Photography Business You can love a photo… but if it doesn’t attract your ideal client, it has to go. – Blair deLaubenfels Thank you! Huge thanks to Blair for coming on and sharing so openly — especially after reviewing more than 10,000 wedding galleries. What stood out for me… this isn’t about shooting more, or even marketing more. It’s about alignment. Between what you shoot… what you show… and the clients you actually want to book. Because when those things don’t line up, it doesn’t matter how good your work is — you’ll keep attracting the wrong enquiries. And when they do line up? Everything gets easier. You stop competing on price. You start getting better-fit clients. And your work finally starts doing the heavy lifting for you. I’d love to know what stood out most for you in this one… and whether it’s made you look differently at your own galleries — and what you’re choosing to show (or hide). You can love a photo… but if it doesn’t attract your ideal client, it has to go. – Blair deLaubenfels 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 663: Blair deLaubenfels – What 10,000 Wedding Galleries Reveal About Why You’re Not Getting Booked appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Martin Cheung of www.martincphotography.co.uk describes himself as a better business person than a photographer. And if that’s true — we’re in for one hell of a business-focused interview… because his photography is seriously good. Based in Nottingham in the UK, Martin is one of the most respected documentary-style wedding photographers in his market. Since starting in 2013, he’s photographed more than 400 weddings, earned over 130 five-star reviews, and built a reputation for natural storytelling and creative portraiture. Beyond the camera, he’s also the host of the Wedding Photography Unveiled podcast, where he lifts the lid on what’s really happening inside the wedding photography industry. He works closely with his wife, Daiga — a super-talented wedding videographer — to give couples a seamless photo-and-film experience. In this interview, Martin shares how he’s built a 45–50 wedding-per-year business, why relationships beat almost every other marketing strategy, and the simple decisions that keep his business consistent, profitable, and enjoyable to run. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: Martin’s transition from corporate IT to full-time wedding photography Why he deliberately limits revenue instead of chasing more How he maintains 45–50 weddings per year without burnout The real reason networking beats seo and social media How supplier relationships generate consistent bookings Why being easy to work with matters more than your portfolio His exact workflow from shooting to delivery How he delivers previews within 24 hours Why he outsources most of his editing (and how it works) The truth about AI editing tools vs human editors His pricing model and why he avoids upselling heavily How referrals actually happen (without asking or bribing) What photographers get wrong about marketing today Why talking to real clients beats listening to other photographers His thoughts on ageing in the wedding photography industry 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. Running a successful photography business has very little to do with your photos… and everything to do with how you show up as a person. – Martin Cheung 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. The most important metric, and arguably the only metric that matters, is how much money you've earned at the end of the year, after you've subtracted your taxes. – Martin Cheung 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 Martin 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. I'm a big believer in editing is an absolute waste of time. It is unproductive. – Martin Cheung If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Martin, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below. If you want more bookings, start helping people without expecting anything back. – Martin Cheung   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. Clients don’t care how hard you worked… they care how they felt working with you. – Martin Cheung 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. You can build a great business without being the most expensive photographer. – Martin Cheung 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.​ Want to try Oodio for your Editing? Following the recording with Martin, who uses and recommends Oodio, I was in touch with Gautham, one of the Oodio founders, asking for a promo code for you to try the editing solution. Nothing in this for me. Here are the details to receive 50% off your first 3 jobs. Code: AHOD226 Offer: 50% off on the first 3 jobs Validity: 31st Dec 2026 Note: This coupon code can't be combined with any other offer or package discounts. The coupon code can be used by listeners at any point during 2026. The members can first register with us here and then place their first editing order here. There is a field in the order form for coupons. Alternatively, the members can also write to us at support@oodio.net with the code, and we can apply the discount. Warm Regards, Gautham. Join the Live Recording of This Interview Next week, I'll be recording an interview with Tracy Goodwin of Captivate the Room, and I'd love for you to be part of it! Not only will we have the episode customised to suit you and your business, but you'll also get to take part, get involved, and put your questions directly to Tracy for use in the episode. Tracy is a voice expert who can reveal the real voice beneath the protection – the one that creates connection, trust and influence the moment you speak. She can help you better connect with your clients and have your natural authority, confidnce and presence shine through. To join the live call, use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89235833897?pwd=3Q2bQkbPwoJyk7v4XUwVdK8HlNmG12.1 The live recording is on Thursday, 9th April at 8 am Sydney local time. Click here to find your local time.    Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: Martin Cheung Photography Website Wedding Photography Unveiled by Martin Cheung on Spotify Martin Cheung Photography on Facebook Martin Cheung Photography on Instagram Martin Cheung Podcast Pizza, Prosecco & brides Podcast Episode on Spotify Pizza, Prosecco & brides Podcast Episode on Apple Podcast Oodio – post-production for photographers There's always going to be a bit of a selfish reason for anyone recommending you, insofar as they want to know that you're easy to work with. – Martin Cheung Thank you! Huge thanks to Martin for coming on and sharing so openly about what’s actually working in his business. What I really like here… there’s nothing complicated. No funnels. No gimmicks. No chasing every new marketing trend. Just a focus on relationships, a solid client experience, and knowing the numbers that matter. It’s a good reminder that the photographers who stay consistently booked aren’t always doing more… they’re just doing the right things, consistently, over time. I’d love to know what stood out most for you in this one… and whether it’s made you rethink where your next booking is really coming from — and what you might focus on next. Referrals happen naturally when the experience is right — not because you asked for them. – Martin Cheung 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 662: Martin Cheung – He Shoots 50 Weddings a Year… But Not How You Think appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Emma Wise of www.wedlii.com.au is the founder of Wedlii — Australia’s first AI wedding planner. In an email exchange before this interview, Emma told me something that immediately grabbed my attention: AI is already changing how couples find and choose wedding photographers — and if you don’t understand it early, you risk getting left behind. She describes Wedlii as ChatGPT for wedding planning… but with a key difference. It’s backed by real wedding planners. Instead of overwhelming couples with endless options, they review photographers and recommend just three. I’ll be honest — I was sceptical. I fired back with some pretty blunt questions around commissions, why couples wouldn’t just use ChatGPT, and how this model actually works. To Emma’s credit, she didn’t dodge any of it — and that’s what made this conversation worth having. Because whether we like it or not, this is where search, referrals, and decision-making are heading. And if that’s true, we need to understand what it means for how we’re found… and how we’re chosen. In this interview, Emma shares how platforms like Wedlii are changing the way couples search for photographers, why being one of “just three options” matters more than ever, and what you should be paying attention to now if you want to stay visible in the years ahead. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How building an AI wedding platform forced Emma Wiseman to confront the same overwhelm most photographers unknowingly create for couples Why recommending just three ideal vendors beats endless choice — and what that means for your positioning and bookings How Emma Wiseman’s 15 years as a wedding photographer shaped a more human, trust-driven approach to AI and referrals Why couples don’t actually want more options — they want clarity, confidence, and help making decisions How Wedlii blends AI efficiency with real wedding planners — and why automation should support trust, not replace it Why photographers relying on generic directories risk becoming invisible in a world moving towards curated recommendations How a commission-only model shifts the risk away from vendors — and why outcome-based pricing changes the dynamic completely Why responsiveness, professionalism, and communication now matter more than your portfolio alone How centralising enquiries, bookings, and communication reflects what the most successful photographers already do behind the scenes Why trust is the real currency of referrals — and how poor communication or bad experiences quietly remove you from consideration How showing your personality (not just your photos) builds confidence before a client ever reaches out Why photographers who understand the full wedding ecosystem position themselves as trusted advisors, not just another vendor How building genuine relationships with other vendors creates visibility no algorithm can replicate Why platforms like Wedlii signal a shift towards fewer, better-matched bookings — not more leads at any cost 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. If we don't get you a wedding, you don't pay. If we get you a wedding, there you go. – Emma Wise 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 didn’t want to build another directory. – Emma Wise 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 Emma 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. Directories are going to be dead, but AI actually searches through directories to try and find people. – Emma Wise If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Emma, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below. AI is already changing how couples find and choose wedding photographers…If you don’t understand it early, you risk getting left behind. – Emma Wise   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. If I can’t get you a wedding, I don’t want to lie to you, because I’m in the industry. It’s my face. – Emma Wise 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. If you’re just looking to be a part of our directory, it’s not the right place…We love people that want to be a part of it, like truly be a part of it. – Emma Wise 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: Wedlii Wedlii on Instagram Wedlii on Facebook Thank you! Huge thanks to Emma for coming on and being so open about what’s coming — and how quickly things are already changing. It's great hearing from someone who’s not just talking about the future… but actively building it. This idea of narrowing choices down to just a few trusted recommendations — instead of overwhelming couples with endless options — feels like a pretty significant shift. And whether it’s Wedlii or something else that takes off, it’s hard to ignore where things are heading. I’d love to know what stood out most for you in this one… and whether it’s prompted you to rethink how couples are discovering you — and what you might need to do to stay visible in that process. The big thing that we find with brides and stuff is they’re getting overwhelmed by all the directories. – Emma Wise 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 661: Emma Wise – How AI Is Changing How Couples Choose Wedding Photographers appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.

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: Drew Forsyth Website Drew Forsyth on Instagram Drew Forsyth on LinkedIn Drew Forsyth on Facebook 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 The post 660: Drew Forsyth – From Small Portrait Jobs to High-Profile Commercial Photography Clients appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Rebecca Schmidt of www.boudoirbyrebeccalynn.com recently joined the PhotoBizX Membership, and we got chatting on Messenger, where she mentioned she runs a high-volume boudoir photography studio in Washington State, USA. Naturally, I asked the obvious follow-up question… when you say high volume, do you mean a few sessions a week? Her reply stopped me in my tracks. “We photograph 20–25 clients every week. Between 70–85 per month.” At that point, I knew I had to invite her onto the podcast. Rebecca has built a business that looks very different from the typical one-photographer studio. Her website walks prospective clients through the entire experience — an all-female team, professional hair and makeup, guided posing, and a same-day ordering session. The video on her process page is a must-watch. It shows exactly why clients feel comfortable booking and why the experience feels so polished and professional. From the outside, it looks like an incredibly well-oiled machine — and I couldn’t wait to find out how it all works. In this interview, Rebecca shares how she went from shooting weddings and families to building a multi-million-dollar boudoir studio, photographing dozens of clients every week — and the mindset, marketing, and systems that make that kind of volume possible. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: What running 20–25 boudoir sessions a week reveals about building a high-volume studio based on systems, team roles, and repeatable client experiences — not photographer hustle. Why shifting your identity from “photographer” to “business owner” changes how you think about leadership, sustainability, and long-term growth. How designing a premium boudoir experience — professional hair and makeup, guided posing, and same-day ordering — dramatically increases perceived value and average sales. Why encouraging repeat clients through complimentary sessions and ongoing relationships quietly becomes one of the most powerful growth engines in a portrait studio. How Rebecca scaled from $750K in year one to $3M in revenue by constantly testing, measuring results, and expanding only when demand was proven. Why testing new markets before opening a second studio helps confirm real demand and profitability before committing to expansion. How boudoir studios succeed by marketing confidence and empowerment rather than simply selling photography. Why privacy and image-release limitations make marketing boudoir photography more challenging than other portrait genres. How positioning albums and wall art as the natural outcome of the experience leads to average sales around $3,000–$3,500. Why a soft-selling, guided ordering process can normalise premium purchases without clients feeling pressured. How building a specialised team around the photographer allows the business to scale without the owner becoming the bottleneck. Why Rebecca believes the phrase “hire right and fire fast” is essential to protecting culture, standards, and client experience. How outsourcing areas like advertising and marketing management frees the owner to focus on strategy and growth. Why a consistent lead-generation pipeline paired with a structured sales process is the real engine behind high-volume studios. And why serious growth begins when photographers stop treating their craft like a side hustle and start building a real business system around it. 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. I definitely still love the idea of feeling like a photographer, but I really see myself as a business owner now. I don’t shoot anymore — I have a whole team that does that — so my focus is on the bigger picture of building and running the business. – Rebecca Schmidt 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. Our ads work because the offer is strong. People focus on the ad itself, but the truth is the offer is what makes someone stop and click. – Rebecca Schmidt 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 Rebecca 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. I expect that we're going to have no sales. It's just part of the business model, and I'm completely okay with them, to be honest, because usually that results in a five star review. It might result in a referral, as long as they leave happy and they had a great experience, they're going to tell somebody about that. – Rebecca Schmidt If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Rebecca, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below. Our ads work because the offer is strong. People focus on the ad itself, but the truth is the offer is what makes someone stop and click. – Rebecca Schmidt   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. The emotional stories always connect more deeply than the location-based projects. – Jo Lyons 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. Marketing is everything. You can be the best photographer in the world, but if nobody knows about you, it doesn’t matter. – Rebecca Schmidt 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: Rebecca Schmidt Website Rebecca Schmidt on Instagram Rebecca Schmidt on Facebook Episode 365: Jenn Bruno Smith – How to book, shoot and sell boudoir photography for profit Episode 637: Nidhi Dahiya – Taking Headshot clients to $14K Family Portrait Sales The biggest difference between photographers who struggle and photographers who succeed is that the successful ones treat it like a business. – Rebecca Schmidt Thank you! Huge thanks to Rebecca for coming on and sharing so openly about how she built her photography business — and the mindset shifts that made it possible. What I love about Rebecca’s story is that it isn’t just about boudoir photography or running Facebook ads. It’s about what happens when a photographer stops thinking like a freelancer and starts thinking like a business owner. From building a team and photographing 70+ clients a month to stepping away from shooting altogether, everything Rebecca has done has been intentional. The systems, the marketing, the offer — it’s all been designed to support a much bigger vision than simply booking the next client. I’d love to know what stood out most for you in this one… and whether it’s made you think differently about what might be possible in your own photography business. When you’re running a business with a team, every decision you make affects other people. You’re thinking about the client experience, your staff, the numbers, the growth — everything. – Rebecca Schmidt 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 659: Rebecca Schmidt – From $34k to a $3M Boudoir Photography Business in Just 3 Years appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Jo Lyons of www.jolyonsphotography.com is someone I could have asked to be interviewed 10 times over. Each year, I've seen her taking steps in her business via the PhotoBizX Premium Members' Group, but it was a recent video of her beautiful studio and property that had me sending off my request. In 2018, she was asking about selling wall art in the FB Group In 2020, she started asking questions about building a studio. In 2022, she was posting questions about studio wall colour options. And in 2025, she released a fantastic video showcasing the studio, her property, her work, and happy clients — which you can see on her home page. Looking more closely, it's easy to see this is a photography business operator who loves what she does. You'll see book projects, Dog of the Year campaigns, feature pages on local accommodation and pet-specific websites and a beautifully laid out and easy-to-navigate website of her own. In this interview, Jo shares exactly how she generates $2,500 average sales from her out-of-the-way, rural pet photography studio. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: What 13 years of slow, intentional growth looks like when you build a photography business around lifestyle first Why building a studio before you “need” it can create long-term leverage and opportunity How running fewer sessions but creating a destination experience can lift average sales without burnout Why clients who travel to you arrive pre-qualified, emotionally invested, and ready to buy artwork How anchoring a $10K–$15K ultimate experience reframes value, even when most clients spend less Why application-only book projects work better than open registrations How emotionally driven storytelling projects consistently outperform location-based ideas for sales Why short, high-energy promotions outperform long campaigns that quietly lose momentum How one Dog of the Year campaign can reliably bring in five strong clients every year Why great conversations convert “I just want digitals” enquiries into artwork buyers How personal follow-up beats automation when you deliberately keep your client volume low Why studio-based projects increase profit by reducing travel, time cost, and decision fatigue How wearable branding and QR codes can turn everyday outings into referral opportunities Why Instagram follower count matters far less than local relevance and real relationships How choosing “spaciousness” as a business principle can prevent growth from becoming overwhelming 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. I've learned over the years that the ones who jump straight in are usually the best clients. – Jo Lyons 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’d rather work with fewer clients and give them an incredible experience than chase volume. – Jo Lyons 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 Jo 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. The Dog of the Year campaign brings in some of my favourite clients every year. – Jo Lyons If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Jo, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below. I don’t want a business that takes over my life. I want one that supports the life I want to live. – Jo Lyons 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. The emotional stories always connect more deeply than the location-based projects. – Jo Lyons 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. The people who are willing to travel to you arrive already emotionally invested in the experience. – Jo Lyons 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: Jo Lyons Photography Website Jo Lyons Photography on Facebook Jo Lyons Photography on Instagram Jo Lyons Photography on YouTube Episode 607: Heather Lahtinen – Why Your Photography Business Isn’t Growing (And How to Fix It) Episode 470: Katie Kolenberg – Profitable photography book projects Q&A Episode 606: Caitlin McColl – From Postpartum Depression to Rebuilding a Thriving Photography Business Episode 556: Johl Dunn – Unlock Your Photography Business Potential and Stop Failing Teddy & Me Book Project Episode 601: Jane Thomson – Secrets to Organic Growth. A different approach to photography business success  Episode 475: Ina Jalil – How to easily increase your portrait photography sales consistently Episode 268: Alex Vita – Everything you need for a successful photography website Lead Ads Training for Photographers with John Glaser Episode 524: Alex Cearns – Photography business rules for success and profit If someone says they just want digitals, that’s usually just the starting point of the conversation. – Jo Lyons Thank you! Huge thanks to Jo for coming on and sharing so openly about what’s changed — and what hasn’t — over the past seven years. I do love hearing from someone who’s deliberately shaped her business around lifestyle and experience… not just more sessions or more bookings. The studio, the property, the projects she runs — it all points back to creating something meaningful for the client. Nothing feels accidental. Every part of the experience has been thought through and built over time. I’d love to know what stood out most for you in this one… and whether it’s prompted you to rethink any part of your own business — from how clients first discover you through to what they end up taking home. The studio wasn’t something the business needed at the time, but I knew it would open doors later. – Jo Lyons 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 Screenshot The post 658: Jo Lyons – $2,500 Average Sales from a Rural Pet Photography Studio appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Jo Menneer of www.divinedivas.co.uk was first interviewed on PhotoBizX seven years ago — in person — inside her stunning studio in Bath, UK. And when I say stunning, I mean a converted Methodist church, complete with its own private (and revered) car park. It really is as incredible as it sounds. Back then, the business had two arms: family photography and boudoir. But it was boudoir that was clearly leading the charge — eight sessions a week, on top of four family sessions. Jo and her husband, Neil, were deep in it. Running a team. Managing the studio. Focused as much on systems and growth as they were on the photography itself. This morning, I jumped onto their Facebook page to see the ads they were running these days — and I was stopped in my tracks by the first post I saw. It was a video testimonial from an emotional client who said: “I couldn’t find myself. Two bad marriages, depression, and all that… I came here, and it’s been the best thing in my life.” That’s more than a good review. That’s transformation. Wouldn’t it be incredible to have clients saying that about your business? A lot has changed in seven years — average sales have nearly tripled, family photography has almost disappeared, weekends are free, and the studio now runs on a tightly refined client journey built around confidence and trust. Although I’m not back in the UK this time, Jo is here in Australia — and in this interview, she shares how premium pricing, consistent marketing, structured pre-shoot calls and a deeply intentional client experience have reshaped her studio into a calmer, more profitable and more impactful business than ever before. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: What seven years of intentional evolution really looks like inside a premium studio business Why being able to spend six weeks in Australia without daily check-ins proves systems — not talent — create freedom How keeping Meta ads running consistently (and refusing to “improve” winning campaigns) compounds bookings and stabilises revenue Why adding email marketing years into an established studio deepened nurture and increased conversion How narrowing focus from family photography to premium boudoir strengthened positioning and lifted the average sale to £2,250+ Why building a specialised team (photographer, makeup artist, bookings manager) removes the owner bottleneck and elevates experience How hiring a former client strengthened empathy, brand voice and booking conversions Why five structured pre-shoot calls dramatically increase trust — and warm clients for stronger in-person sales How guided confidence visualisation shifts the conversation from price to identity Why involving partners before the shoot reduces objections and increases commitment to artwork The pricing mindset shift that unlocked five-figure client spends How 12-month in-house payment plans protect premium pricing without discounting Why Meta currently outperforms Google Ads for awareness-driven luxury services How private Facebook communities nurture hesitant prospects for months — even years — before booking Why understanding a client’s financial comfort zone builds trust and prevents buyer’s remorse How Jo is moving toward a three-day work week without sacrificing growth What this entire evolution proves about premium pricing, positioning and long-term sustainability 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. Photography, to me, is part of the whole process of our business. It’s not the end goal. It’s what brings in the money. The end goal for me is them feeling amazing. – Jo Menneer 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. If it works, don’t touch it. I’ve fallen foul so many times thinking, “Let’s try something new,” and suddenly the ad that was working brilliantly just stops performing. – Jo Menneer 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 Jo 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. I don’t want anyone leaving my studio feeling pushed into a sale. I want them walking out excited, counting down the days until their artwork arrives. – Jo Menneer If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Jo, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below. People will spend more than you think. I didn’t believe anyone would pay those prices. My stomach was clenched when we put them up. But they do. – Jo Menneer 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. We probably do five calls with a client before she even comes in. By the time she walks through the door, she already feels seen, heard, and understood. – Jo Menneer 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. If you hate doing the bookings and the sales, find someone to do it. They should more than pay for themselves. You’ll double, triple, even quadruple your business with the right person on board. – Jo Menneer 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… ★★★★★ A Gem in the World of Photography Business Education Via Apple Podcasts by Switzerland family photographer, Amber Roberts, based in Geneva on February 26th, 2026. I’ve been a loyal listener of PhotoBizX for years, and it remains the single most valuable resource for my photography business. Andrew Hellmich has an incredible knack for interviewing; he consistently asks his guests the exact questions I’m thinking, digging deep into the nuts and bolts of the “how” rather than staying on the surface. Beyond the podcast episodes, the Premium membership is worth its weight in gold. Andrew frequently organises fantastic webinars and training sessions led by experts in their fields, providing actionable insights you can actually work on. What truly sets this apart, though, is the culture Andrew has built: – The Community: The Facebook group is hands-down the most supportive and helpful space for photographers on the internet. – The Host: Andrew is a genuinely great guy. He is encouraging, always helpful and deeply invested in his listeners' success. He’s also like a walking encyclopedia of his own archives – if you have a question, he’s always there to point you toward the exact episode that solves your problem. If you want to grow your business and find a community that actually wants you to succeed, look no further. Highly recommended! Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: Divine Divas Website Divine Divas on Facebook Divine Divas on Instagram Spirit Photographic Website Episode 283: Jo Menneer – How to run a truly successful studio based photography business Episode 348: Steve Saporito – How to excite and delight your portrait clients to better sales Episode 549: Richard Grenfell – The successful and profitable move from family to boudoir photography When she sees that artwork every day, she’s not thinking about what it cost. She’s thinking, “Look at that woman. She’s confident. She’s powerful.” – Jo Menneer Thank you! Huge thanks to Jo for coming back on and sharing so openly about what’s changed — and what hasn’t — over the past seven years. There’s something powerful about hearing from someone who’s deliberately reshaped her business around how she wants clients to feel… not just what she wants to sell. Every call, every touchpoint, every decision is intentional. Nothing is there “just because that’s how studios do it.” I’d love to know what stood out most for you in this conversation… and whether it’s prompted you to rethink any part of your own client journey — from first enquiry through to the final sale. We don’t spend time digging into what went wrong in her life. We’re looking for what’s already strong in her. That’s what we build on. – Jo Menneer 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 657: Jo Menneer – From $800 to $2,250 Average Sale in Her Photography Business (Without Working Weekends) appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Julie Comfort of www.theexperientialwedding.com is a wedding photographer turned experience designer. If, like me, you're asking yourself what an experience designer is… I read it’s someone to help you design a client journey that turns every interaction (from inquiry to delivery) into a memorable, relationship-building touchpoint. It should be applicable to photographers of all genres and translate directly to helping you: Differentiate in a saturated market, beyond your portfolio. Increased Referrals + Repeat Business by creating repeatable “wow” moments for your clients Map out your client's journey And create a higher perceived value. This all sounds fantastic, and being totally new to me, I was curious to learn more. In this interview, Julie shares how to intentionally design your clients' experience at every stage of working with you — from the very first enquiry through to long after delivery — so you’re not just delivering photos; you’re creating experiences people remember, talk about, and come back for. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How photographing 300+ weddings revealed the real reason most weddings feel the same Why moving to Berlin and rebuilding from zero forced Julie to rethink how clients experience photography How studying Experience Design at Chaos Pilots shifted her focus from capturing emotion to intentionally creating it Why burnout can be the catalyst for smarter, more sustainable creative direction How the pandemic became the turning point that reshaped her wedding business Why guest experience — not décor — is what truly defines a memorable wedding How designing feelings (not timelines) elevates reviews, referrals and brand positioning Why the planning process itself is an overlooked opportunity to differentiate your business How wedding size directly impacts emotional connection — and how photographers can guide that conversation Why Experience Design applies just as powerfully to family and portrait photographers How mapping your client journey reveals hidden friction that costs bookings Why your first email can win (or lose) the job before you ever get on a call How authenticity in communication beats polished AI content every time Why follow-up emails often win bookings when couples are overwhelmed with choice How to use questionnaires and conversations to uncover emotional drivers that influence buying decisions Why small, thoughtful gestures outperform expensive gifts How making clients feel genuinely seen leads to five-star reviews and long-term loyalty Where automation helps — and where it quietly damages connection Why intentional experience design supports premium pricing without relying on volume 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. When people are overwhelmed with choice, the one who follows up often wins. – Julie Comfort 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. Before you add wow, remove friction. – Julie Comfort 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 Julie 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 want to feel seen. So if you can make someone feel seen, something really, really powerful you can give them is to pay attention. – Julie Comfort If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Julie, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below. I flipped my creative process from hoping something lands emotionally to starting with the emotion and designing backwards from there. – Julie Comfort   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. Personalisation and personalising the experience is another really important factor. Everybody wants to automate everything. And I think, yeah, there's definitely some parts of this that you can automate, but you're really going to get the most impact if you're tailoring the experience to each client. – Julie Comfort 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. Being real, having typos in your in your post, will probably give you away as a human. And I think that's what people want. They want a human. – Julie Comfort 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: The Experiential Wedding Website Julie Comfort Website The Experiential Wedding on Instagram The Experiential Wedding on Facebook Designed for Connection on Substack Custom Photo Projection Flashlight with Personalized Text on Etsy Custom ViewMaster, Personalized ViewFinder Reel on Etsy How can I express myself more authentically on this platform? …If you want to connect to people, we should all be trying to express ourselves a little more authentically. Don't have AI write your captions. – Julie Comfort Thank you! Huge thanks to Julie for coming on and sharing everything she did! There’s something powerful about hearing from someone who’s stepped back, rethought the way things are usually done, and rebuilt her business around intention — nothing just for the sake of it. Just clarity about how she wants people to feel at every stage of working with her. I’d love to know what stood out for you in this interview… and whether it’s got you rethinking any part of your own client journey. I would treat all of them like they are going to either be lifelong customers. …if you wow them on the first time, they're going to keep coming back every year. And that's what you want. – Julie Comfort 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 656: Julie Comfort – Design a Client Experience People Can’t Stop Talking About appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Richie Schwartz of www.petsphotography.com has shaped the pet photography industry more than most photographers will ever realise. Based in New York, he has one of the longest-running and best-known pet photography businesses in the US, and he's been shooting for over 40 years! He has photographed close to 100,000 pets (literally) and built one of the most well-known volume pet photography businesses. He helped turn “pet photography” from a cute niche into a legitimate, sustainable career path. If you’ve been around PhotoBizX for a while, you might remember the first time we had Richie on the show in 2017 for episode 204! I said in that episode intro, and it's as relevant today as it was then… His photography is not to every photographer's taste. But he knows what his customers want and how to make the money! I’m talking about the fun, funny and very cool Richie Schwartz, and in this interview, he shares how he’s built a high-volume, highly profitable pet photography business — including partnering with pet businesses to book 10–20 sessions a day — all while keeping the model simple and focused on what his customers actually want. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: The unexpected way licensing pet photos for calendars and books turned one project into long-term passive income through royalties. Why partnering with pet stores, groomers, daycares, and kennels created a predictable, high-volume photography business model. How batching dozens of pet photo sessions in a single day massively increased revenue per hour without increasing marketing spend. The simple pricing structure—selling by photo “sheets”—that made buying easy and boosted average sales per client. Why making sales during the session (not after) dramatically improved conversion rates and reduced abandoned orders. The operational systems and assistants that make high-volume photography scalable instead of exhausting. How partnerships with major retailers like Petco and PetSmart unlocked credibility, volume, and national-level opportunities. Why community fundraising calendars and pet contests quietly built brand authority and repeat business. The multi-channel marketing mix—flyers, social media, in-store promos—that keeps bookings flowing without relying on algorithms alone. How a fun, structured client experience leads to higher print sales, stronger referrals, and loyal repeat customers. The subtle upselling tactics (sizes, bundles, add-ons) that increase revenue without feeling pushy or salesy. Why training associates in sales and customer service matters more than teaching camera settings. How mentoring photographers creates leverage and turns a solo business into a scalable photography team. Why is adapting to digital delivery, COVID disruptions, and AI tools essential for long-term photography business survival? The overlooked role of awards, community involvement, and consistent online presence in boosting visibility and trust. How creating educational content and partnerships can open new income streams beyond client photography. The long-term lessons from decades in pet photography—and what they reveal about building a resilient creative business. 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 way I make money is by high volume pet photography partnering with pet stores…High volume means, like, in a weekend, I do what people do in a month or two photo session wise. – Richie Schwartz 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. One of the benefits that I offer to these places when I approach them about what I want to do, is that they don't have to do anything except put some flyers on the table, put a poster in the window. – Richie Schwartz 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 Richie 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. My photo session is 30 minutes. That includes about 10 minutes taking pictures, 10 or 12 minutes, and then the rest of the time is showing them the pictures and selling, making the sale. So we do it all right then and there. It's one stop shop. I call it the shoot, show and sell. – Richie Schwartz If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Richie, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below. One of the best sales techniques is to say, do you prefer this one or that one, not, do you like this one? Ask your clients OR questions rather than YEs or NO questions. – Richie Schwartz 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. I don't advertise, other than putting my flyers on Facebook and Instagram when I'm going to be someplace. …Once in a while, I will boost one of these posts… but all these years, I've been in business with literally next to no advertising. – Richie Schwartz 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. I’m basically the school photographer for pets. – Richie Schwartz 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.​ Masterclass: Know Your Numbers — a hands-on workshop with Kim Hamblin If you’ve ever felt like you’re guessing when it comes to pricing, marketing, or whether your photography business is actually profitable, this live masterclass is for you. In this 90-minute, hands-on workshop, Kim Hamblin will guide you through a simple, practical way to understand the numbers that matter most — without overwhelm, jargon, or spreadsheets taking over your life. This isn’t a watch-and-forget session. You’ll work through your own numbers (privately), gain real clarity on what to focus on next, and leave with a clear profit plan you can actually follow. It’s designed specifically for portrait photographers (family, newborn, maternity, pet, etc.), and even if your income is still under $30k, you’ll walk away knowing exactly what needs to change to grow with confidence.    Early access is $97 (price doubles after the live session).    Replay included if you can’t attend live.    Money-back guarantee. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start making confident decisions in your business, this is one training you don’t want to miss. Registration and details are here: https://photobizx.com/knowyournumbers This is happening NEXT WEEK! Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: Richie Schwartz Website Richie Schwartz on Instagram Richie Schwartz on Facebook Episode 204: Richie Schwartz – Pet Photography Business The Right Way You don’t need fancy pricing. Keep it simple and let them choose more. – Richie Schwartz Thank you! Huge thanks to Richie for coming back on and being so open about how he runs his business. There’s something very cool about hearing from someone who’s been doing this for decades and is still clear on what works for him. Not chasing every new idea. Not overcomplicating things. Just building a model that suits his market, his strengths, and the way he wants to work. That kind of clarity is easy to overlook, but it could be the biggest takeaway. I’d love to know what stood out for you in this interview — and whether it’s had you questioning or refining anything in your own business. High volume isn’t one dog an hour — high volume is 10 to 20 pets in a day. – Richie Schwartz 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 655: Richie Schwartz – Partner With Pet Businesses to Book 10–20 Sessions a Day appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area Gary Williams of www.garywilliams.photography appeared on episode 581 of the podcast and was a total hit with listeners. In that interview, Gary shared how his personal project of photographing business owners in his local area — Camden Passage in London — led to a beautiful photography book and becoming very well known in his community, which helped him attract new clients to his photography business. Recently, I received this email from Gary. He says… Hi Andrew I just hit a nice milestone. I have been photographing weddings for almost exactly two years and just did my 100th yesterday! I know you like numbers. I would say 70% of these are 2-3 hours long, Town Hall weddings. The average price for weddings in 2024 is just under £1000, and for 2025, those pre-booked are just over £1400. I don’t know if it’s of any interest to have me back on the show sometime to talk about what I have learned in that time. … I thought that make a terrific topic and here we are. In this interview, Gary shares what he’s learned from photographing 100 weddings in two years — including how he’s built a calm, sustainable business around short town-hall weddings, simple pricing, Google-driven inquiries, and clients who genuinely value ease over ego. Here's some more of what we covered in the interview: How diversifying income streams (photography, music, voiceover) creates financial stability and removes pressure to overbook weddings. Why personal projects can quietly generate high-value commercial work through genuine relationships, not pitching. How a local community book project became a long-term brand asset with both historical and commercial value. Why separating websites by service type (weddings vs commercial) clarifies messaging and improves client qualification. How Google Ads consistently outperform social media for booking-ready clients who are actively searching with intent. Why outsourcing editing, blogging, and social scheduling frees creative energy and increases capacity without sacrificing quality. How tools like AfterShoot, editors, and zoom lenses dramatically speed up workflow and reduce post-production fatigue. Why transparent, straightforward pricing builds trust and makes adding extra hours feel helpful rather than salesy. How venue-specific and price-led Google Ads attract better-fit leads and significantly improve conversion rates. Why detailed location guides and genuinely useful website resources pre-educate clients and increase enquiry-to-booking conversion. How clear website copy filters out high-maintenance clients before they ever make contact. Why Google leads convert far better than directory leads — and when directories can still make commercial sense. How wedding fairs and in-person conversations dramatically increase booking rates through trust and human connection. Why designing a business around energy, downtime, and sustainability supports long-term consistency. How prioritising client comfort — especially for people who dislike being photographed — creates better experiences and stronger referrals. Why “ordinary people who just want nice photos” represent a large, underserved part of the wedding market. How creativity, playfulness, and flexibility during shoots lead to more memorable days and better word-of-mouth. Why investing in coaching and ongoing learning is a long-term growth lever, not a short-term cost. 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. We can't all be experts on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, presenting ourselves, having great SEO and developing our photography practice…doing this, doing that… we have to prioritize. Because, don't forget, we're also trying to have a life as well in all of this stuff. – Gary Williams 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. Your website shouldn’t impress photographers. It should qualify clients before they ever contact you. – Gary Williams 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 Gary 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. I think there’s a huge part of the wedding market that’s just ordinary people who want some nice pictures of their special day, and that’s it. It’s not rocket science. It’s not difficult. – Gary Williams If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Gary, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below. Good enough is good enough, because the only person who would notice the extra four hours of work is me. – Gary Williams 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. I’ve built my business around people who hate having their photo taken — and they’ve been my best clients. – Gary Williams 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. You don’t need every wedding. You need the right type of wedding, repeatedly. – Gary Williams 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.​ Masterclass: Know Your Numbers — a hands-on workshop with Kim Hamblin If you’ve ever felt like you’re guessing when it comes to pricing, marketing, or whether your photography business is actually profitable, this live masterclass is for you. In this 90-minute, hands-on workshop, Kim Hamblin will guide you through a simple, practical way to understand the numbers that matter most — without overwhelm, jargon, or spreadsheets taking over your life. This isn’t a watch-and-forget session. You’ll work through your own numbers (privately), gain real clarity on what to focus on next, and leave with a clear profit plan you can actually follow. It’s designed specifically for portrait photographers (family, newborn, maternity, pet, etc.), and even if your income is still under $30k, you’ll walk away knowing exactly what needs to change to grow with confidence.    Early access is $97 (price doubles after the live session).    Replay included if you can’t attend live.    Money-back guarantee. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start making confident decisions in your business, this is one training you don’t want to miss. Registration and details are here: https://photobizx.com/knowyournumbers This is happening NEXT WEEK! Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: Gary Williams Gary Williams on Instagram Gary Williams Events Photography Gary Williams on LinkedIn Islington Town Hall Wedding Photographer SEO for Wedding Photographers – Alex Does Digital Episode 581: Gary Williams – How Personal Projects Can Boost Your Photography Business Episode 004: Israel Smith – A Meteoric Rise, Weddings to Portraits, Lifestyle and Depression My pricing isn’t cheap — it’s sensible. And sensible attracts the kind of clients I actually enjoy working with. – Gary Williams Thank you! Huge thanks to Gary for such an open and thoughtful conversation — again! What he shared is a strong reminder that meaningful progress in photography comes from clarity — about the work you enjoy, the clients you want to attract, and the kind of life you want your business to support. I’d love to know what stood out for you in this interview, and where it’s had you rethinking your own business. I’d rather deliver the full gallery in four days than tease sneak peeks for weeks and drag the process out. – Gary Williams 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 654: Gary Williams – How 100 Short Weddings Became a Calm, Profitable Photography Business appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.