312 - Do you ever feel like the odd one out because you’re not chasing six-figure revenue? You’re not alone, and you’re not doing it wrong. 

This week, we dive into how to uncover your true motivation, avoid resentment, and create a photography business that fuels your soul while still honoring your time and value.
 
 What to Listen For:

• A simple test to know if money is your main driver—or just fuel for your mission
• The happiness threshold: why security matters more than “more”
• The sneaky sign you’re undercharging
• Why passion alone won’t save a project once requests and revisions roll in
• The energy exchange principle: how pricing protects respect on both sides
• How “action → clarity” reveals your true motivation (not the one you think you have)
• The cleanest way to barter (and why money is the universal stand-in)
• How purpose + profit together make challenges easier to push through
• A practical exercise to decide: income replacement, vacation fund, or creative outlet?

Your photography business doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. When you know what truly drives you, and set prices that reflect the value of your time, you’ll build a business that feels aligned, sustainable, and fulfilling. Tune in now and start shaping a business that supports both your purpose and your lifestyle.

Links from the episode:

• Nicole’s Instagram: @nicolebegleyofficial
• Heather’s Flourish Academy - https://flourishacademy.mykajabi.com/
• Master the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com
• Freedom Focus Formula – www.freedomfocusformula.com
• Elevate – www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevate
• Commercial Pet Photography Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

311 - What would make someone walk away from a $250K legal career to photograph dogs? 

For Kelly McNamara, it wasn’t a midlife crisis, it was clarity. In this episode, Heather sits down with Kelly to uncover the unexpected tools (including an AI version of Heather!) that helped her trade courtroom stress for creative freedom and build a business that lights her up.

What to Listen For

• The $250K “golden handcuffs” keeping Kelly stuck and what finally made her break free
• How following every business “rule” still left her frustrated and stuck
• The moment a simple framework flipped everything she thought about success
• Why her first sales breakthrough had nothing to do with pricing
• The wild twist: how Heather’s AI clone became her late-night coach
• The self-doubt that almost stopped her next big project and how she overcame it
• The belief that turned “outlier” into “trailblazer”
• How confidence (not strategy) became her most profitable skill
• The one thought she used to feel unstoppable, even after setbacks

From six-figure attorney to thriving pet photographer, Kelly’s story proves that transformation doesn’t start with strategy. It starts with belief. Her journey inside Elevate shows what’s possible when you back yourself fully and stop waiting for “someday.”

🎧 Listen now to hear the twists, triumphs, and takeaways that just might change how you see your own business.

IMPORTANT RESOURCES 

• Get Coached by Heather (Fast Track Coaching): https://www.getcoachedbyheather.com
• Hair of the Dog Academy: https://hairofthedogacademy.com
• Freedom Focus Photography Podcast hub: https://hairofthedogacademy.com/podcast
• Free Guide – Top 10 Dog Poses: https://hairofthedogacademy.com/poses
• Elevate Coaching (with Heather): https://hairofthedogacademy.com/elevate
• Nicole Begley Photography: https://nicolebegleyphotography.com
• Hair of the Dog Conservation Fund: https://hairofthedogconservationfund.org
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hairofthedogacademy | https://instagram.com/nicolebegleyofficial
• Leave a podcast review

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

310 - Ever tried buying a black-tie dress online and decided “hard pass” once you saw the return policy? Yep, same. 

In today’s episode, we turn that frustration into a masterclass on your photography client experience. Where’s the friction? What’s confusing? And what tiny tweaks convert more inquiries into bookings (without feeling pushy)? Let’s make your process easy. 

What to Listen For:

• The dress-shopping disaster that exposed the #1 sales killer in your business (and how to fix it)
• The quick workflow audit and what this reveals in 10 minutes
• The “grandma test” and why a second grader should understand your booking steps
• A simple swap that beats long questionnaires (and still gets you better info)
• My “Triple Guarantee”: what it is, why it works, and the two times I actually used it
• Micro-frictions you don’t notice (scheduling, codes, portals) that cost you bookings
• Where to educate proactively so clients feel excited, not overwhelmed

Your booking process shouldn’t feel like a return policy nightmare. When you make things clear and easy, clients relax, trust you more, and say yes faster. Listen in to find out how to simplify your workflow and boost your bookings.

RESOURCES

Master the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy - www.hairofthedogacademy.com

Stop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistently $2,000+ sales in the Freedom Focus Formula - www.freedomfocusformula.com

Crack the code to booking more clients inside Elevate - www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevate

Discover the world of commercial pet photography in the Commercial Pet Photography Academy - www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

309 - What do limited releases, “cooked” plush waffles, and personalized packaging have to do with your photography business? Everything. 

Heather and I break down how experience design turns ordinary products into premium purchases—and how you can copy the right pieces for your studio.

What to Listen For

• A secret that instantly makes clients crave what you offer.
• Why putting limits on access can actually increase demand.
• The one line that flips “overpriced” into “worth it.”
• How your personal values can sell just as strongly as your photos.
• The uncomfortable money question photographers avoid—and why it matters.
• Tiny touches (like packaging) that lead to big sales.
• Why industry “standards” for costs might be holding you back.
• The real reason middle-market clients say, “I’ll print it myself.”
• A quirky “face-picking” trick that makes client decisions easier.
• The clean pricing script that stops second-guessing in its tracks.

Premium pricing isn’t about squeezing clients. It’s about crafting an experience that matches the value you deliver, and stating your price cleanly. Want coaching on your exact offers and mindset? Grab a spot in Heather’s next Fast Track Coaching or jump into Elevate for community, coaching, and results.

RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE: 

Get Coached by Heather (Fast Track Coaching): https://www.getcoachedbyheather.com

Book mention: Stories That Stick by Kendra Hall

More Resources

• Hair of the Dog Academy: https://hairofthedogacademy.com
• Freedom Focus Photography Podcast hub: https://hairofthedogacademy.com/podcast
• Free Guide – Top 10 Dog Poses: https://hairofthedogacademy.com/poses
• Elevate Coaching (with Heather): https://hairofthedogacademy.com/elevate
• Nicole Begley Photography: https://nicolebegleyphotography.com
• Hair of the Dog Conservation Fund: https://hairofthedogconservationfund.org
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hairofthedogacademy | https://instagram.com/nicolebegleyofficial
• Leave a podcast review

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

Today I’m chatting with my friend Adam Goldberg of AGoldPhoto, a studio pet photographer, shelter-dog hype man, and the brain behind “Second Shot.” He started in shelters back in 2013, built a thriving studio, and is now circling back to his roots with a model that funds adoption photos through brand sponsors. It’s smart, generous, and wildly scalable.

If you love the idea of photographing rescue pets but struggle to find the time with your adulting responsibilities and bills, this one’s for you.

What to Listen For:

• The surprising reason Adam first picked up a camera at the shelter (hint: it wasn’t about the dogs).
• How pit bulls changed the course of his career—and what he discovered that the news never shows.
• Why he refunded $100,000 in bookings overnight…and what he built from the ashes.
• The single question that sparked the idea for Second Shot.
• How a casual social media post turned into brand sponsorships that now fund adoption photos.
• The behind-the-scenes of what sponsors actually want, and why some don’t care about analytics at all.
• What makes this model irresistible to shelters (and why Adam warns photographers not to ask for money too soon).
• The unexpected pushback he faced from other photographers and how he handled it.
• Why Adam believes photographers shouldn’t have to choose between paying their bills and saving lives.
• Where he sees Second Shot going next and how you might be able to join in.

Adam’s “Second Shot” model proves you can serve shelters, create real adoption momentum, and still get paid for your craft. If this lights you up, go follow Adam, say hello, and tell him Nicole sent you. Then hit play and take notes—you’ll walk away with partnership ideas you can action this month. CTA: Subscribe, share this episode with a rescue-loving friend, and leave a review so more photographers can find it.

Additional information: 

• Adam’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/agoldphoto
• Adam’s website: https://agoldphoto.com
• Facebook group: Studio Pet Photography Help

More Resources:

• Freedom Focus Photography Podcast: https://hairofthedogacademy.com/podcast (or your preferred podcast hub)
• Hair of the Dog Academy: https://hairofthedogacademy.com
• Free Guide – Top 10 Dog Poses: https://hairofthedogacademy.com/poses
• Freedom Focus Formula: https://nicolebegley.com/freedom-focus-formula

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

Ever wonder what separates a $500 sale from an $8,000 sale? In this episode, Heather sits down with three Elevate photographers, Marcie Fry, Katie Carmickle, and Jessica Wasik, who each closed an $8K sale in the same week. You’ll hear their journeys, the marketing that worked, and what ACTUALLY made this sale possible.  Spoiler alert, it wasn’t a specific pricing strategy.

What to Listen For

• How three different photographers each closed $8K+ sales in one week
• The early struggles—charging $25, $100, or $150—and how they grew from there
• What allowed them to move from “I can’t charge that” to confident $8K+ sales
• How giveaways, referrals, and in-person connections led to big-ticket clients
• Katie’s $23K sale story and what she learned about letting clients decide without discounting
• Jess’s transition from free pet Santa photos to multi-six-figure sales
• Marcy’s strategy of tailoring packages around client budgets while keeping profit in mind
• What to say instead of “anything else?” in a sales session to keep momentum going
• Why your photography skills alone aren’t the deciding factor in hitting big numbers

Big sales aren’t reserved for a lucky few, they’re possible for you too.  This episode is breaking it all down. Tune in to hear how these photographers did it and how you can too. Listen for the outreach, the follow-up, and the offer that sealed the deal.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to the show for more strategies, or check out Elevate to get the coaching and community that makes sales like this possible.

Important Links

• Elevate: www.flourish.academy/elevate
• Hair of the Dog Academy: www.hairofthedogacademy.com
• Freedom Focus Formula: www.freedomfocusformula.com
• Commercial Pet Photography Academy: www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

306 - If you’ve ever wondered why inquiries go silent or potential clients disappear, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: the real reason isn’t your pricing, your competition, or even the economy. 

In this week’s episode, Heather breaks down the surprising truth behind why clients aren’t booking—and how you can turn it around starting today.

What to Listen For:

• The simple reason clients don’t book (and why it’s not your pricing).
• How to take action daily and build unstoppable momentum.
• The difference between hoping for clients vs. actively creating them.
• What Heather means by “failure gold” and why failing more often can accelerate your growth.
• How to build belief before you have results (and why this is a game-changer).
• The mindset shift that turns rejection into confidence.
• Why your first $1,000–$10,000 sale can feel exciting AND easy.
• A challenge you can do today to start proving to yourself that clients are out there waiting for you.

Booking clients isn’t about fancy contests or a secret strategy—it’s about uncovering the real reason behind the “no’s” and shifting into action that works. Heather’s insights will surprise you, but once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

👉 Don’t miss the rest of the 4 Clients in 4 Weeks Challenge—replays are available now, and you can still join us live for the final two calls.

Additional Resources

• Master the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com
• Stop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistent $2,000+ sales in the Freedom Focus Formula – www.freedomfocusformula.com
• Crack the code to booking more clients inside Elevate – www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevate
• Discover the world of commercial pet photography in the Commercial Pet Photography Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial
• Join the 4 Clients in 4 Weeks Challenge – www.hairofthedogacademy.com/4c4w

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

305 - You might think you’re avoiding certain business moves because they’re “not the right time” or “too complicated.” But what if the real reason is that you’re avoiding a feeling? 

In this conversation, Heather shares her own breakthrough about risk, safety, and the emotions we’re unwilling to feel — and how that awareness can change everything.

What to Listen For:

• How your self-concept influences your willingness to take risks
• The connection between “safety” values and growth plateaus
• Why avoiding certain feelings leads to hesitation and missed opportunities
• How to identify the emotions you’re most unwilling to feel
• Why “incompetence” isn’t failure — and how to reframe it
• Using your values (and their opposites) to uncover hidden fears
• How small risk-acceptance shifts can unlock bigger moves
• The role of capacity work in expanding your tolerance for risk
• Why the only real risk is how you’ll feel
• Practical ways to step into the next-level version of yourself

Growth always comes with some risk — but most of the time, the “danger” is just how you think you’ll feel if something doesn’t work out. When you expand your capacity to feel those emotions, you stop hesitating and start taking aligned, confident action. Listen now to learn how to shift your self-concept, stretch your risk tolerance, and step into the identity of the photographer — and business owner — you want to become.

Resources 

• Master the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com
• Stop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistent $2,000+ sales in the Freedom Focus Formula – www.freedomfocusformula.com
• Crack the code to booking more clients inside Elevate – www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevate
• Discover the world of commercial pet photography in the Commercial Pet Photography Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial
• Join the 4 Clients in 4 Weeks Challenge – www.hairofthedogacademy.com/4c4w

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

304 - The fastest way to change your photography business? Change the way you see yourself. In this episode, Heather and I break down the self-concept shifts that help you introduce yourself confidently, market without second-guessing, and invest in your growth like a CEO. 

If you’ve ever felt like an imposter, struggled to get results from courses, or shamed yourself for “not doing enough,” this conversation will free you up to start making real progress.

What to Listen For:

• The hidden role your self-concept plays in marketing and sales success
• Why “I’m missing one secret thing” thinking holds you back
• How to confidently introduce yourself as a photographer without hesitation
• The difference between consumer and investor mindsets—and why it matters
• Why you don’t need to watch everything in a course to get huge results
• How to measure ROI on education and coaching
• Why trusting yourself to “figure it out” is an identity game-changer
• The danger of relying on social proof instead of self-belief
• How to extract value even from imperfect programs

Shifting your self-concept from “I’m just a photographer” to “I’m a professional, resourceful business owner” changes everything. When you start thinking like an investor instead of a consumer, every decision becomes about extracting value and creating results—fast. 

Listen now to discover how to step into your CEO role, trust your ability to figure things out, and start building the business (and life) you actually want.

Resources from this episode: 

• Register for 4 Clients in 4 Weeks: www.hairofthedogacademy.com/4c4w
• Master the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy - www.hairofthedogacademy.com
• Stop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistently $2,000+ sales in the Freedom Focus Formula - www.freedomfocusformula.com
• Crack the code to booking more clients inside Elevate - www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevate
• Discover the world of commercial pet photography in the Commercial Pet Photography Academy - www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

303 - When you're stuck between following your gut or trusting a “proven” system, what do you do? 

In this episode, Nicole and Heather unravel the real question behind the question—and it’s not what you think. We’re talking friction, experimentation, and how to confidently build a business that fits you.

What to Listen For:

• The real question photographers are asking when they’re unsure about pricing
• Why friction-free strategies are secretly a myth (and a trap)
• The key difference between fear and intuition when it comes to your gut
• Nicole’s two simple questions to test if your pricing is working
• What to do when you’re overwhelmed by all the “expert advice”
• Why Heather is rethinking how she markets Elevate
• The difference between the “right” price and a price you can make right
• What happens when you copy/paste strategy without doing the work
• How to shift your mindset from “plug and play” to “test and refine”
• Why friction is the fast lane to growth (not the roadblock)

What if your business isn't broken—it just wasn’t built for a formula? In this powerful episode of the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, Nicole and Heather explore what happens when a proven strategy doesn’t deliver and how to stop chasing “easy” and start building a plan that actually works for you. We’re diving into the messy middle, where growth lives, and why friction isn’t something to fear—it’s something to follow. Click through and start rewriting the rules.

Additional Resources:

• Join the free challenge: www.hairofthedogacademy.com/4C4W
• Master the craft of pet photography: www.hairofthedogacademy.com
• Join the Freedom Focus Formula: www.freedomfocusformula.com
• Crack the code to more clients with Elevate: www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevate
• Learn commercial pet photography: www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.