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Nik Buttigieg of www.nikbuttigieg.com is someone I feel like we’ve all been on the journey with as he’s built an incredibly successful portrait photography business.

He’s been a listener — and an active PhotoBizX member — since 2018. I first brought him on in 2021 for the Coaching Diaries series. Back then he was living in a remote part of Western Australia, shooting out of a caravan parked in his front yard, and only just starting to find his momentum.

Then in 2022, he packed up his family, his life, and his business and moved to Albury — a large rural town on the NSW/VIC border. He hit the ground running and immediately put everything he’d learned into practice. We covered that whole transition in episode 531.

That was two years ago… and since then, something has shifted. You can see it in the way he shows up in the members’ Facebook group, how he talks about marketing and client experience, how he approaches sales, lead generation, and running a proper studio business. It’s like watching all the pieces finally lock together — the hard work, the lessons, the discomfort, the experimentation — suddenly operating in full flow.

I was genuinely excited to sit down with him again — not just because he feels like an old mate, but because I wanted to understand what sparked this shift… and the conversation did not disappoint.

In this interview, Nik shares his low-pressure marketing strategy for filling his studio with ideal clients.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

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One of the biggest issues for photographers is actually getting people in the studio. Once they’re in, they see the experience, they see their family on the wall — that’s when they invest. — Nik Buttigieg

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 not going to sugarcoat it — it’s hard work. You have to step outside your comfort zone and push yourself, because there’s no silver bullet. But it pays off. — Nik Buttigieg

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.

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Nik 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’ve given up trying to pre-qualify people too much. Treat everyone like a $10,000 client, make it all about them, and the numbers stack up in your favour. — Nik Buttigieg

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Nik, or a way to thank her for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

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 we go in with a preconceived idea that they're not going to spend, they probably won't. Give them a good experience. — Nik Buttigieg

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.

It's hard work, you need to really put in some hard yards and hours and mental strength to push things forward. It's not easy. There's no real silver bullet with making the business easy and to grow. — Nik Buttigieg

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.​

Nik Buttigieg Website

Nik Buttigieg on Facebook

Nik Buttigieg on Instagram

Episode 531: Nik Buttigieg – How to relocate your photography business and get profitable fast

Episode 436: Nik Buttigieg – Change your mindset for photography sales success

Episode 396: Nik Buttigieg – The Coaching Diaries with Johl Dunn

026 Premium Only: Nik Buttigieg – From strength to incredible strength with his small town photography business

Episode 556: Johl Dunn – Unlock Your Photography Business Potential and Stop Failing

Episode 557: Brendan Taylor – Photography business success all comes down to the follow up

Episode 348: Steve Saporito – How to excite and delight your portrait clients to better sales

Brendan Taylor Baby Art Studios

TogPod

The Fully Booked Engine

GoHighLevel

Running the business this way is low-pressure, no bait and switch. If someone just wants the artwork they’ve won, amazing — they still walk away with something beautiful. — Nik Buttigieg

Huge thanks to Nik for being so open and generous in this chat. His story — from working out of a caravan in remote Western Australia to running a $600K+ portrait studio in Albury — is proof of what’s possible when you commit to the craft, stay motivated, and keep pushing your business forward.

He’s built success on his own terms by focusing on consistency, client experience, and genuinely helping families create something meaningful — not hype, hard-sell tactics, or shortcuts.

I’d love to hear what resonated most with you — what’s one idea you can implement into your own photography business after hearing this episode?

Our average sale has definitely dropped — but overall revenue has skyrocketed. It’s just so much easier to get people through the door now. — Nik Buttigieg

That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks for listening—speak soon,

The post 643: Nik Buttigieg – The Low-Pressure Strategy Filling His Studio With Ideal Clients appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.