Are you still in love with what you’re shooting on the daily?

Maybe you’ve gotten a little bored and are feeling the siren’s call to expand into another genre of portraiture or another type of product or presentation.

You’re not alone. Joining me this week to discuss the need for expansion and change in our business is portrait photographer, Kristine Logan.

Kristine is from Fort Wayne, Indiana and in the last few years, she took her business from specializing in personal branding and editorial portraits and expanded into the wild and wooly world of family portraits.

And she was absolutely terrified.

Tune in as Kristine reflects on the challenges of shifting to managing family sessions - posing, wrangling kids, and everything that goes with a genre she thought she would NEVER pursue. 

She’ll share how she managed all that AND how she finally pushed past her hesitation to raise prices to make her business profitable and sustainable.

She’ll share some of the game-changing nuggets she implemented from our Art of Selling Art course; plus the game-changing “ahas” that helped her shift her mindset toward less fear and more confidence.

Transparent communication with clients? Yes.

Setting higher expectations? Absolutely, and it all led to increased sales.

Kristine also touches on how her mom, a passionate photographer, greatly impacted her own approach as an artist. How that influence helped to create meaningful, timeless portraits for her clients and that business and art can go hand-in-hand if you let them.

If you're a portrait photographer looking to expand your offerings or get inspired, Kristine’s story is full of lessons on growing your business, getting comfortable with scary changes, and the value of printed portraits. (Spoiler alert: embracing growth and mentorship can work wonders.)

Tune in for a real conversation about the wins, setbacks, and, most importantly, life lessons of running a fulfilling portrait photography business, especially when you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone.

In this episode, you will learn the importance of:

• transparent communication with clients
• continuous learning, even when it feels uncomfortable, and scary
• finding balance between profitability and efficient business operations
• staying true to your artistic vision while meeting clients' needs
• mentorship, self-reflection, and growth in building a successful photography business

Timestamps:

[2:23] Kristine began as a mom taking family photos before transitioning into a professional portrait photographer.

[5:09] Early challenges in Kristine's career involved structuring her business and handling difficult client dynamics.

[7:06] Hear how Kristine's success improved by adjusting her sales approach and managing client expectations during consultations.

[9:45] Kristine reflects on having struggled with implementing systems but becoming more efficient after considering her learning process.

[12:19] ATJ stresses that business adjustments require time and patience based on personal preferences and experiences.

[13:48] We learn that Kristine’s mother was a talented hobbyist and photographer, creating beautiful hand-painted portraits of her kids.

[16:17] Kristine’s shares how her mother, suffering from Alzheimer's, recognized her senior portrait but couldn’t remember her as an adult.

[19:12] Kristine plans to dedicate some time to transferring data and streamlining finances by switching software subscriptions.

[21:21] Kristine is learning to focus on fewer images in albums, pushing clients toward meaningful wall art.

[24:16] Kristine stresses serving her clients with genuine intentions rather than focusing just on money.

[26:57] ATJ points out how money is necessary for business, but transparency and alignment with clients are also important.

[28:57] Transparency in pricing and consultations improves client relationships and helps prevent regret or dissatisfaction later.

[32:26] ATJ adds that transparency about pricing helps clients understand potential spending, leading to more informed decisions being made.

[35:03] Kristine discusses the importance of focusing on money without neglecting other business aspects like technology and marketing.

[37:15] Not every learning resource is the right fit, but it’s important to implement what resonates with and benefits you.

Click here to listen!

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“I love ATJ & The ReWork!.” <– If that sounds like you, please take a minute and rate and review the show! This helps us support more portrait photographers — just like you — move toward building the PROFITABLE, sustainable businesses that they really want. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let ME know what you loved most about the episode (and any topics you are dying to learn about). 

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You can also email me directly with your suggestions at: [email protected] - OR DM me directly on Instagram @atjphoto or @do.the.rework 

We’d love to hear your thoughts, suggestions and ideas! 

Links and Resources:

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Ultimate Client Consultation Form

Frequently Asked Difficult Questions (FADQ’s)

Sales Sabotage Evaluation Tool

Allison Tyler Jones Education Courses

Do The ReWork

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Allison Tyler Jones

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Kristine Logan

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