LEVEL UP: A Wedding Photography + Videography Podcast

248: Unhinged Client Requests & Wedding Industry Truths No One Talks About


Listen Later

In this episode, we are pulling back the curtain on the wedding industry and share the real conversations that usually only happen behind the scenes. From unhinged client requests and early-career mistakes to red flags, pet peeves, and the boundaries that actually protect your creativity and your income, this episode is equal parts honest, educational, and entertaining.

We’ve both been there. Saying yes when we should’ve said no. Offering things that sounded great on paper but burned us out in real life. Ignoring our gut because we wanted the booking. Over time, those decisions taught us powerful lessons about pricing, positioning, professionalism, and staying in our own lane as creative business owners. This conversation dives into what we’ve learned after nearly two decades in the wedding industry, why “more” isn’t always better, and how clarity in your brand, boundaries, and communication changes everything.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated on a wedding day, unsure how to handle client expectations, overwhelmed by industry advice, or conflicted about how to grow without losing yourself creatively, this episode is for you. We’re talking about what actually moves the needle, what advice we disagree with, and how to build a business that feels aligned, profitable, and sustainable long-term.

Sometimes growth doesn’t come from doing more.
It comes from doing things differently.

Listen in, laugh with us, and take what resonates as you continue building a business you’re proud of.

Timestamps:
00:00 - 06:15 | Catching Up & Life Updates: Personal Stories, Family, and Industry Context
06:16 - 14:00 | Unhinged Client Requests & Early-Career Lessons Learned
14:01 - 20:30 | Red Flags, Boundaries, and Professional Standards with Clients & Teams
20:31 - 28:30 | Industry Hot Takes: Pricing, Automation, Branding, and Staying in Your Lane
28:31 - 36:30 | Wedding Day Pet Peeves: Collaboration Breakdowns & Content Overload
36:31 - 40:27 | Final Reflections: Industry Culture, Professional Respect & Listener Engagement

The next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Spring 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 8 week program. Learn more + save your seat here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind

📲 Love this episode? Screenshot and share it on social media! Tag us on Instagram at @TheLevelUpCo and let us know your biggest takeaway.

The Level Up Co. Resources:
- Wedding Planner Email Templates: https://thelevelupco.com/planner-email-template-bundle
- Elevated Client Experience Bundle: https://thelevelupco.com/client-experience-bundle
- Elevated Shot List: https://thelevelupco.com/elevated-shot-list
- The Luxury Framework Course: https://thelevelupco.com/theluxuryframework
- The Luxury Pricing Mini Course: https://thelevelupco.com/reset

Connect with Taylor , Kelley + The Level Up Co.:
🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelevelupco/
🔗Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpetrinovich/
🔗Kelley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/618studios/
💻Website: https://thelevelupco.com/

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

LEVEL UP: A Wedding Photography + Videography PodcastBy Taylor Petrinovich & Kelley Gilster | The Level Up Co.

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

80 ratings


More shows like LEVEL UP: A Wedding Photography + Videography Podcast

View all
Build Your Tribe | Grow Your Business with Social Media by Brock Johnson

Build Your Tribe | Grow Your Business with Social Media

2,627 Listeners

The Amy Porterfield Show by Amy Porterfield

The Amy Porterfield Show

4,602 Listeners

The Goal Digger Podcast | Top Business and Marketing Podcast for Creatives, Entrepreneurs, and Women in Business by Jenna Kutcher

The Goal Digger Podcast | Top Business and Marketing Podcast for Creatives, Entrepreneurs, and Women in Business

12,129 Listeners

Woman of Influence by Julie Solomon

Woman of Influence

1,440 Listeners

Tea With Jainé by Tea with Jainé ™

Tea With Jainé

57 Listeners

Shifting Focus with John Bunn by John Bunn

Shifting Focus with John Bunn

100 Listeners

Powerhouse Women by Lindsey Schwartz

Powerhouse Women

889 Listeners

The Wedding Film School Show by Jason McCutchen, Jared Haskell

The Wedding Film School Show

31 Listeners

The Jasmine Star Show by Jasmine Star

The Jasmine Star Show

2,608 Listeners

Oh Shoot! with Cassidy Lynne by Cassidy Lynne, Bleav

Oh Shoot! with Cassidy Lynne

490 Listeners

Own Your Business by Sam Jacobson with Ideaction

Own Your Business

62 Listeners

Passion With Purpose - Photography Podcast, Creative Business, Six Figure Photographer by Nathan Chanski - Photography Business Coach

Passion With Purpose - Photography Podcast, Creative Business, Six Figure Photographer

552 Listeners

The Business of Luxury Weddings by James × Schulze

The Business of Luxury Weddings

87 Listeners

The Vendor Table - A Wedding and Photography Podcast by Mike Cassara and Lauren O'Brien

The Vendor Table - A Wedding and Photography Podcast

185 Listeners

Khloé in Wonder Land by Khloé Kardashian

Khloé in Wonder Land

3,054 Listeners