Build and Bloom Photography Podcast With Jessica Whitaker

Hi from WPPI in Las Vegas! In 2025, I set a goal to attend more networking events, and I’ve already learned so much just by observing how people show up in these spaces. At the start of February, I attended a Women in Business conference here in Seattle and picked up some game-changing networking tips. With WPPI around the corner, I want to share my best strategies to help you make a lasting impression—whether you're heading to WPPI or any other conference this year!

Lights, Camera Brand: https://www.lightscamerabrand.com/

Honeybook: ⁠https://share.honeybook.com/Jessicaw⁠

Aftershoot: ⁠https://aftershoot.com/jessica-whitaker/⁠⁠

What's Next:

• Follow me on Insta: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠
• Join the Facebook group: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠⁠
• Business Basics: ⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠⁠

Trade-for-print (TFP) shoots can be an excellent way to build your portfolio, collaborate with models, and refine your creative style. However, without a structured approach, TFP shoots can quickly become frustrating, unorganized, and a waste of time. Many photographers experience flaky models, last-minute cancellations, or misunderstandings about how many images will be delivered.

The key to a successful TFP shoot is treating it just as professionally as a paid session—with clear expectations, organized communication, and structured boundaries.

In this photography podcast episode, I will share the exact step-by-step system I use to run TFP shoots efficiently and professionally, so you can get high-quality results without dealing with unreliable people.

This episode will cover:

• Why I never post model calls on Instagram (and where I find reliable models instead)
• How to set clear expectations upfront to avoid misunderstandings
• How over-communicating prevents cancellations and gets models to take the shoot seriously
• How to structure a TFP workflow from model booking to final image delivery
• How to avoid last-minute cancellations and no-shows
• The boundaries I set to prevent burnout and protect my time

By following these steps, you will eliminate stress, work with dependable models, and create stunning images without frustration.

Honeybook: https://share.honeybook.com/Jessicaw

https://aftershoot.com/jessica-whitaker/⁠

What's Next:

• Follow me on Insta: ⁠https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠
• Join the Facebook group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker⁠
• Business Basics: ⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠

https://aftershoot.com/jessica-whitaker/

What's Next:

• Follow me on Insta: https://instagram.com/jessicawhitaker
• Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker
• Business Basics: https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:30 Photo studio cancelled

23:28 WPPI

38:52 Trade for print

https://www.instagram.com/buildandbloomstudios/

WHAT’S NEXT:

1. Join The B+B Facebook group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildandbloomjessicawhitaker/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
2. Follow Jessica on Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jessicawhitaker⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
3. Follow the Podcast Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/buildandbloom/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast has been made possible by:

• Business Basics:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠

Building a strong photography brand is about more than just taking great photos—it’s about creating a business that’s consistent, recognizable, and profitable. In this episode of the @buildandbloom podcast, I’m joined by brand photographer, educator, and founder of Black Girls Shoot, Mecca Clarke, to break down the key strategies that will help you level up your business.

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/meccaclarkephoto

Black Girls Shoot Info:https://www.meccaclarkephoto.com/blkgirlsshoot/

Black Girls Shoot Event Tickets:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blk-girls-shoot-2025-tickets-1065876157279

Mecca's Website:https://www.meccaclarkephoto.com/

We’re diving into:
📸 The power of systems—why organization and workflows are essential for long-term success.
📸 Personal branding—how to refine your brand identity and attract the right clients.
📸 Consistency in business—how to stay organized while still evolving creatively.
📸 Common branding mistakes—and how to avoid them for a more sustainable photography career.

If you’re ready to bring more clarity, structure, and strategy into your business, this episode is packed with actionable steps to help you elevate your brand and work smarter, not harder.

In 2025 I am changing my business model over to IPS. In this episode, I'm sharing what that process has looked like over the month of January and how I immediately booked my 2nd highest package as a result!!

How to do IPS with Alena: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/1ck8AMTuMQb

"The Portrait System" with Sue Bryce

Aftershoot 90 day trial: https://aftershoot.com/jessica-whitaker/⁠

Photography Contracts for 2025:

WHAT’S NEXT:

This podcast has been made possible by:

What if photography could be more than just snapping photos? What if it could be a space for real connection and healing in a world that feels so disconnected? In this episode, I’m chatting with Christina Mellor (@christinascaptures), a photographer who’s completely reimagined her business to do just that. She’s sharing how she creates sessions that aren’t just about pretty pictures—they’re about helping people feel truly seen. We’re diving into the inner work it takes to hold space for others, the power of being witnessed, and how her approach transforms sessions into moments of self-acceptance and healing. If you’re looking for deeper connection through your work, this one’s for you.

Christina is a self-love and embodiment photographer based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her work celebrates inner growth and the transformative power of being deeply seen and celebrated for who you are. With a mission to bring healing to the world, Christina creates sacred spaces where individuals can release what no longer serves them and step into their most authentic, embodied selves.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinascaptures/

Electric Light Course: https://stan.store/Christinascaptures

Website: https://christinascaptures.org/

WHAT’S NEXT:

This podcast has been made possible by Business Basics: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.jessicawhitaker.co/businessbasics⁠

Let's talk about what is *in* and *out for 2025 ;)

https://www.lightscamerabrand.com

Virtual Assistant Episode:

Aftershoot - message the "support" and tell them you're looking for the 90-day trial & that I sent you.

Photography Contracts for 2025:

SEO Episode:

"Opal" app

WHAT’S NEXT:

This podcast has been made possible by:

I have my friend, Alena (@alenalaurenphoto⁠), on the podcast today talking about everything you need to know to get started in IPS (in-person sales). Which means how to start offering albums & printed goods. Alena holds nothing back in this episode! She goes into mindset shift, why the "shoot and burn" method (digitals only) isn't sustainable, her pricing/pricing structure ,and different ways you can incorporate IPS into your 2025.

Send me a DM on Instagram if you want info on the January girls group where Alena will be teaching!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alenalaurenphoto

Website: https://www.alenalauren.com/

WHAT’S NEXT:

This podcast has been made possible by:

"We listen and we don't judge" is a trend on social media where two people share secrets that otherwise they'd be judged over. For example, a parent and their child and the kid says "Remember when I told you XYZ happened, well really this is what happened..."

I'm reading through the photographers version that I shared over in the Build and Bloom Facebook group.

Resources mentioned:

WHAT’S NEXT:

This podcast has been made possible by: