293 - Michelle Crandall hit a $10,000 month in her pet photography business—but instead of popping champagne, her brain flipped out. 

If you’ve ever downplayed your wins or feared that success makes you “unrelatable,” this is the episode you need. Heather Lahtinen is chatting with Michelle to unpack the emotional roadblocks around money mindset for photographers—and how to finally overcome them. Once and for all.

What to Listen For:

• Why hitting a $10K month can still feel like a failure
• The sneaky way your brain robs you of celebrating success
• The “relatability trap” photographers fall into—and how to escape it
• How money stories from childhood shape your business today
• Why success can feel like a core value conflict
• The hidden cost of staying small and humble
• What it really means to inspire others
• Why it's not your job to manage other people’s emotions
• How to reframe your money mindset to fuel growth
• Two confidence-building challenges to help you OWN your success

This episode is a deep dive into the emotional side of business growth and money mindset for photographers. Michelle's story reminds us that hitting financial goals is just one part of success—you also have to let yourself feel successful. If you’re ready to shift your mindset, celebrate your wins, and stop hiding your light, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen to the episode now and don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow photographer who needs to hear this! Want to go deeper? Join us inside Elevate at www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevate - save the $200 enrollment fee with the code: PODCAST.

Ready for more support?

•  Join Heather’s next FREE coaching call at www.getcoachedbyheather.com
• Master your pet photography craft at www.hairofthedogacademy.com/academy
• Create a profitable portrait photography business at www.freedomfocusformula.com
• Break into the world of commercial (B2B) pet photography at www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial

Are you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a 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.

292 - Feeling like you "should be further along by now?" You're not alone—and you're not behind. 

Join me and Heather as we dismantle the myth of the perfect timeline and explore what it really means to build a business you love, at your own pace.

What to Listen For:

• Why there's no such thing as “behind” in business
• The invisible “timeline” trap and how it messes with your mindset
• What it really takes to go from $500 sessions to $5K clients
• How belief (not panic) speeds up results
• The difference between inspired action and reactive desperation
• Why your past self would high-five you right now
• The single best question to ask when you're stuck
• How to tap into your future self for clarity and momentum
• What to do when you’re spiraling in scarcity mode

Your journey is unfolding exactly as it should—and you're learning what you need to learn, exactly when you need to learn it. If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you “should be further by now,” hit play and let this be your reset button. 🎧

👉 Listen now, subscribe, and check out our Elevate program if you're ready to get unstuck and grow with support.

🔗Resources from this episode

• The Gap and Gain with Heather Lahtinen
• Get coached by Heather: www.getcoachedbyheather.com
• Freedom Focus Formula: www.freedomfocusformula.com
• Elevate Program: www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevate
• Hair of the Dog Academy: www.hairofthedogacademy.com

Are you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a 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.

291 - Feeling lost in the ever-changing world of SEO? Or wondering if using AI for your website is going to get you smacked down by Google? 

You’re not alone—and this week’s episode with SEO pro Connor Walberg is packed with answers. We’re talking about how to use AI ethically and effectively to boost your rankings, create better content, and stop stressing over your blog strategy.

What to Listen For:

• What E-E-A-T is and why Google cares about it
• How to use AI tools like ChatGPT without sounding like a robot
• What “topical authority” means and how to build it
• Why blog content still matters (and how to make it easier with AI)
• How to brainstorm blog topics that actually attract clients
• What to ask ChatGPT before creating any content
• How photographers can use AI to stand out in local SEO
• The surprising way AI can help with backlinks and outreach
• Connor’s favorite prompts for optimizing website pages

If you’ve been staring at a blank Google Doc, dreading your next blog post or confused about how AI fits into your SEO strategy—this episode is your permission slip to make it easier. Connor breaks it down with practical advice, smart prompts, and a healthy dose of reality. Tune in and give your SEO a serious upgrade.

👉 And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review if this episode was helpful!

Resources from this episode: 

✨Connect with Connor- https://www.connorwalberg.com (Reference this podcast episode to get a free website audit!)

✨Master the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy – hairofthedogacademy.com

✨Stop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistent $2,000+ sales – freedomfocusformula.com

✨Crack the code to booking more clients inside Elevate – freedomfocusformula.com/elevate

✨Discover the world of commercial pet photography- hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial

Are you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a 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.

290 - Let’s talk luxury, artistry, and one-of-a-kind craftsmanship. 

In this episode, I chat with Amy and Tavis Guild about their journey into creating Guild Canvas, why offering high-end art matters, and how photographers can shift their mindset—and their pricing—by focusing on prestige. Warning: You might just throw out all your old samples after this episode.

What to listen for:

• Why Guild Canvas isn’t “just” a canvas—and what truly sets it apart.
• Why offering only one product can actually boost your sales (and confidence).
• How Amy and Tavis went from overwhelmed product menus to simplified, luxury-focused selling.
• The psychology behind prestige pricing—and how to tap into it.
• Why what you show and say determines what you sell.
• Marketing tips for attracting clients who value heirloom artwork.
• The myth of the “part-time photographer” and why profitability still matters.
• How charitable marketing and community engagement can attract your dream clients.
• Real-world sales insights—including how one studio removed all other products and never looked back.
• Tavis’s unique “Prove It” senior model (and why it works).

Whether you're ready to go all in or just want to test the waters with a price anchor, Guild Canvas is the kind of product that can truly shift your business. Simpler. More elevated. And more profitable. Go check them out and let them know I sent you!

Connect with Guild Canvas

• Guild Canvas Club Facebook Group
• Guild Canvas on Instagram
• Guild Canvas Website

More Resources

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

Stop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistent $2,000+ sales – freedomfocusformula.com

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

Discover the world of commercial pet photography- hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial

Are you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a 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.

289 - What if the secret to building a successful photography business wasn’t more hustle—but more joy?

In this uplifting and radically honest episode, I'm joined by J. Nichole Smith, branding guru and joy-first evangelist, to explore what happens when you choose joy over fear—in both your life and your business.

If you've ever worried about raising your prices, selling to clients, or marketing during uncertain times—this conversation is for you. Nic and I get real about burnout, fear-based selling, joy-fueled branding, and what it actually takes to build a business that not only pays the bills... but feels really good to run.

What to Listen For:

• What “Joy First” actually means—and why it matters in business
• The difference between discomfort and danger (and why one leads to growth)
• The truth about fear-based marketing (and why it’s everywhere)
• How to tell when you’re making decisions from fear instead of alignment
• A reframe for all the “I can’t charge that much” stories in your head
• The myth of the starving artist—and how to walk away from it
• A dead-simple framework for building a brand that feels right
• How psychological consistency in your visuals builds trust and sales
• A surprisingly effective way to spark joy daily (and it’s not just gratitude)

Choosing joy isn't just feel-good fluff—it's a practical, powerful strategy to build a business you love. Whether you're burned out or just stuck in fear-based thinking, this episode will help you reconnect with what lights you up. 🎧 Hit play, and don’t forget to subscribe and share the joy!

Resources from this episode

Future-Proof Your Pet Photography Business: Register here-  hairofthedogacademy.com/futureproof

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

Stop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistent $2,000+ sales – freedomfocusformula.com

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

Discover the world of commercial pet photography- hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial

J.Nichole Smith's Website - joyfirstworld.com

Connect with Nic on IG - @jnicholesmith

Are you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a 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.

288 - What if I told you that your assumptions about what a client can spend have nothing to do with reality—and everything to do with your mindset? 

Ever looked at a client’s house, car, or outfit and thought, “They’ll never spend that much”? Or maybe the opposite—expecting a huge sale based on their zip code? In this episode, Heather and I break down why judging your clients' wallets is a dangerous game—and how it’s probably costing you real money.

What to Listen For:

• The real reason your brain tries to predict client spending
• Why judgment is usually more about you than them
• What “clean thinking” means and how it improves your sales
• How disappointment-avoidance is sabotaging your business
• A mindset shift that instantly makes sales conversations easier
• What silence during a sales conversation actually means
• Why two clients with the same income may spend wildly different amounts
• How Heather handles post-sale disappointment (spoiler: it’s genius)
• The key to offering your services without attachment or judgment

The biggest sales mistake we can make? Judging clients before they even walk through the door. When we drop the assumptions and focus on service over outcomes, the entire sales process becomes lighter—and more profitable.

So give this episode a listen, challenge your assumptions, and let your clients decide for themselves.

Resources in this episode:

Is your pricing setting you up for success? Find out how much you need to make per session to reach your revenue goals with this free calculator! Get it here: www.hairofthedogacademy.com/target

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

Are you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a 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.

287 - What do you do when someone in your market is offering free sessions and $15 files? You listen to this episode, that’s what.  

Deep breath, my friend. In this episode, we’re revisiting a powerful conversation about how to thrive in a saturated market—even when someone is giving away sessions practically for free. If you’ve ever doubted whether clients will pay more, this is for you.

What to Listen For:

• Why low-cost photographers aren’t a threat to your high-end business
• The mindset shift that frees you from price competition
• How to attract clients who want to invest in custom artwork
• What your $2,000+ clients truly value (hint: it’s not a bargain)
• The real reason people pay more—and it’s not just “better photos”
• How to stop worrying about what others charge
• The power of differentiation in a saturated market
• How to build a service that low-cost photographers can’t compete with
• Why cheap photography often repels your ideal clients (and that’s a good thing)

This episode is your permission slip to stop stressing about the $15 digital file photographer in your area. Instead, focus on building a boutique business that attracts clients who value quality, service, and the full experience. 💫

🎧 Hit play, tune in, and DM me your thoughts @nicolebegleyofficial on Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Resources in this episode:

Is your pricing setting you up for success? Find out how much you need to make per session to reach your revenue goals with this free calculator! Get it here: www.hairofthedogacademy.com/target

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

Are you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a 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.

286 - If you’ve ever said, “I’m just doing this on the side,” and used that to justify your low prices… this episode is your wake-up call. We’re pulling back the curtain on the actual math of part-time profitability, common mindset traps that keep you stuck, and how to finally price your sessions like the legit business owner you are.

What to Listen For:

• Why pricing low as a part-time photographer sets you up for burnout
• The big mindset lie that says “if it’s fun, I shouldn’t charge much”
• Why your expenses don’t change just because you’re part-time
• The one thing you MUST track to know if your pricing is profitable
• How $2,000+ average sales actually make part-time photography easier
• Why your limited availability is a pricing advantage
• How to reframe your beliefs about money, value, and success
• A simple piece of homework that can change your pricing mindset overnight

Whether you're in it for creative expression or building toward full-time, your part-time photography business deserves full-time profits. It's time to ditch the guilt and own your value. Start pricing like a pro—because your time, talent, and artistry are worth it.

👉 Be sure to grab the free Session Profit Planner and take your first step toward part-time profit that actually pays.

 And if you haven’t already, hit subscribe and share this episode with a photographer friend who needs to hear it.

Resources in this episode

Is your pricing setting you up for success? Find out how much you need to make per session to reach your revenue goals with this free calculator! Get it here: www.hairofthedogacademy.com/target

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

Stop competing on price 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

Are you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a 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.

285 - If the word “sales” makes you feel a little… icky, you’re not alone. Many photographers dread the sales process, fearing they’ll come off as pushy or make their clients uncomfortable. But here’s the thing—sales should be about service, not pressure. Tune in to learn how to confidently guide your clients through a seamless, enjoyable sales experience that results in higher sales and happier clients.
 
What to Listen For:

✔️Why the “let me think about it” objection happens—and how to prevent it
✔️ The #1 rule that ensures your clients are never shocked by your pricing
✔️ How to make the sales session a fun and stress-free experience for your clients

✔️ What to do when your brain panics over a big sale (hello, imposter syndrome!)
✔️ The difference between in-person sales (IPS) and online galleries—and which one actually makes you money
✔️ Why decision fatigue is killing your sales—and what to do about it
✔️ The exact structure for a seamless, high-converting sales session
✔️ How to confidently present pricing without second-guessing yourself
✔️ The best way to handle price objections without discounting your work

Sales don’t have to feel sleazy. When you approach them from a place of service, you’ll not only make more money, but you’ll create an incredible experience for your clients. Ready to transform your sales process? Tune in now and start closing those profitable sales with confidence!

Recommendations for sales software: 

Fundy: https://www.fundydesigner.com/

ProSelect: https://www.prostudiosoftware.com/

Swift Galleries: https://swiftgalleries.com/

More Resources:

Is your pricing setting you up for success? Find out how much you need to make per session to reach your revenue goals with this free calculator! Get it here: www.hairofthedogacademy.com/target

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

Stop competing on price 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

Are you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a review!

Are you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a 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.

284 - Ever send your pricing to a potential client only to hear... crickets? 😬 You’re not alone! 

Many photographers assume price is the problem, but more often, it's the way value is communicated. In this episode, we’re diving into how to stop clients from ghosting you and start booking more sessions with a strong website presence and an inquiry response that converts.

What to Listen For:

✔️ Why pricing isn't the real reason clients ghost you
 ✔️ The #1 thing you must have on your website to attract higher-paying clients
 ✔️ How to visually showcase your products and experience (not just your images)
 ✔️ Where to find high-end product mockups to elevate your website
 ✔️ The single most important question to ask every inquiry
 ✔️ Why responding with just a price list is a huge mistake
 ✔️ The best way to handle common objections before they even arise
 ✔️ How to personalize your inquiry response to increase bookings
 ✔️ How to use Video Ask to streamline your inquiry process
✔️ Why first impressions matter—and how to make yours count

Your website and inquiry process are the first steps in making clients excited to book with you—not just compare prices. By showcasing your products, personalizing your responses, and addressing objections before they come up, you’ll start turning more inquiries into actual bookings.

🎧 Listen now and make sure your inquiry process isn’t costing you clients!

Is your pricing setting you up for success? Find out how much you need to make per session to reach your revenue goals with this free calculator! Get it here: www.hairofthedogacademy.com/target

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

Stop competing on price 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

Are you enjoying the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast? Please leave a rating or a 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.