317 - Sales Energy Makeover

Ever worry you sound “salesy” when talking about your pricing? In this episode, we dive deep into sales energy—what it is, why it matters, and how it can completely change your client experience. Inspired by Heather’s real-life adventure at a used car lot, you’ll learn why the words you say matter far less than the energy behind them.

What to Listen For

✔Why a “used car salesman vibe” has nothing to do with selling
✔ The surprising comment that set the tone for the entire car-buying experience
✔ How genuine service energy can instantly build trust
✔ Why “please buy this from me today” can feel totally fine (yes, really!)
✔ How pushy behavior shows up when someone’s in get-energy instead of serve-energy
✔ The real reason clients sometimes feel defensive or pressured
✔ A critical money lesson every creative business owner should know
✔ The moment Heather’s daughter spotted a sneaky finance trick (and what photographers can learn from it)
✔ The difference between empowering a client and manipulating them

Sales doesn’t have to feel icky, awkward, or pushy. When you lead with genuine service energy, clients feel supported—not pressured—and your sessions become easier and more profitable. Listen to the full episode to learn how to shift your sales energy and create client experiences that feel amazing for everyone.

Ready to elevate your sales? Hit play and let’s dive in.

Standard Links to Include

• 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 Us for Coach Week: 3 Days of Live Coaching and Breakthroughs to Help You Unlock Your Photography Business Potential
November 11th, 12th, 13th at 2 PM EST Daily

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.

316 - What if the secret to unstoppable confidence wasn’t about never failing but being willing to feel embarrassed along the way? In this week’s conversation, Heather and Susie unpack what it really takes to believe in yourself, even when the road gets rocky. Literally.

What to Listen For

• The powerful mindset shift that helped Susie finally believe in herself
• Why confidence comes after action, not before it
• How a muddy 4x4 adventure turned into the ultimate business metaphor
• The question Heather asks every struggling photographer
• Why being willing to feel embarrassed can make you unstoppable
• How “I didn’t really try” thinking secretly sabotages your progress
• The difference between disappointment and failure (and why it matters)
• The real reason your confidence plateaus and how to fix it

Confidence isn’t a one-and-done achievement. It’s a practice. And sometimes, the biggest leaps forward come from the moments that feel the most uncomfortable. If you’ve been waiting to “feel ready” before raising your prices, booking higher-end clients, or finally going full-time—this episode is your permission slip to do it anyway.

Listen now, take messy action, and see what happens when you stop letting fear drive.

Coach week starts TODAY!  Join us here: https://www.freedomfocusformula.com/coachweek

More Resources

• 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 Us for Coach Week: 3 Days of Live Coaching and Breakthroughs to Help You Unlock Your Photography Business Potential
November 11th, 12th, 13th at 2 PM EST Daily

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.

315 - You did it all right, the call flowed, you connected, you nailed the pricing talk, and then… nothing. In this episode, Heather and I unpack what to do when a client ghosts you even after your best effort, how to stay curious instead of crushed, and why “doing it right” doesn’t guarantee a yes (and why that’s actually a good thing).

What to Listen For:

• Heather’s 3 phases of the client journey and why phase 3 is the “Wait… what?!” moment
• The truth about doing everything “right” and why that doesn’t always equal booked
• Two mental tracks after a “no”: frustration spiral vs. curiosity and growth
• How to set action goals you control, not outcome goals you can’t
• Smart follow-up strategies and why more than one is essential
• Why ghosting isn’t always rejection
• Turning marketing into something that’s actually fun 
• How to build resilience and self-trust through every “no”
• What to do when fear of failure stalls your next inquiry call

Doing everything “right” doesn’t promise a yes but it can teach you exactly what you need to grow. In this episode, learn how to shift from frustration to curiosity, follow up with confidence, and build resilience that leads to more bookings. 

Want hands-on coaching? Join us for Coach Week, Nov 11–13 at 2pm ET. It's totally free, with replays included.  Sign up here - https://www.freedomfocusformula.com/coachweek

Additional Links: 

• Ep. 284 - Stop Inquiry Ghosting - https://www.freedomfocusformula.com/blog/stop-inquiry-ghosting
• 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 Us for Coach Week: 3 Days of Live Coaching and Breakthroughs to Help You Unlock Your Photography Business Potential
November 11th, 12th, 13th at 2 PM EST Daily

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.

314 - Ever felt a twinge of guilt when offering products after a model call or charity session? You’re not alone. In this week’s episode, Heather and I dive into one sneaky thought that’s quietly killing your photography sales, the fear of pulling a “bait and switch.” We’ll talk about what that really means, why your brain might think you’re doing something shady, and how to shift your mindset so you can confidently sell without hesitation.

What to Listen For:

• What the term “bait and switch” really means (and why it’s not what you’re doing)
• Why photographers feel guilty offering products after “free” sessions
• How this mindset silently sabotages your conversions
• Nicole’s personal experience building a thriving business through charity auctions
• The difference between transparency and deception in your client communication
• The #1 shift that turns your marketing into genuine service
• How to educate your clients before the session so they feel confident and informed
• Why your thoughts about money and worth show up in every sales conversation
• How to serve from integrity while still running a profitable business

If your brain’s been whispering, “I don’t want to trick people,” it’s time to turn down that noise. You’re not being deceptive, you’re being transparent and generous. When you lead with clarity and confidence, clients feel it. Hit play to hear how to shift your mindset and finally stop second-guessing your sales process.

Episode Links

• 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 Us for Coach Week: 3 Days of Live Coaching and Breakthroughs to Help You Unlock Your Photography Business Potential
November 11th, 12th, 13th at 2 PM EST Daily

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.

313 - Let’s be honest, marketing your business can feel terrifying. 🙈

The thought of putting yourself out there? Instant heart palpitations. But what if visibility didn’t have to feel like self-promotion? In this week’s episode, Nicole and Heather uncover the fears that keep photographers hiding behind their cameras and how to shift your mindset so visibility feels like service, not bragging.

What to Listen For

• The real reason photographers say “I don’t know how” to market
• How fear of judgment quietly sabotages your visibility
• Why your brain treats marketing like a life-or-death threat
• A simple reframe that transforms “look at me” into “let me help you”
• How to replace “convincing” energy with “service” energy in sales
• Why not sharing your services is actually doing your clients a disservice
• Why every strategy fails if you don’t first address fear

Visibility isn’t about shouting louder — it’s about showing up to serve. When you reframe marketing as an act of helping instead of self-promotion, everything changes.

If you’re ready to get visible (without the anxiety), join Heather’s new Visibility Workshop inside Elevate at freedomfocusformula.com/elevate — use code PODCAST to save $200 on enrollment.
 
Links: 

•  Join the Elevate program and participate in the Visibility Workshop: www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevate
• Save $200 on enrollment with code: podcast
• Connect on Instagram: @nicolebegleyofficial and @flourishacademy

Join Us for Coach Week: 3 Days of Live Coaching and Breakthroughs to Help You Unlock Your Photography Business Potential
November 11th, 12th, 13th at 2 PM EST Daily

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.

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 Us for Coach Week: 3 Days of Live Coaching and Breakthroughs to Help You Unlock Your Photography Business Potential
November 11th, 12th, 13th at 2 PM EST Daily

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 Us for Coach Week: 3 Days of Live Coaching and Breakthroughs to Help You Unlock Your Photography Business Potential
November 11th, 12th, 13th at 2 PM EST Daily

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 Us for Coach Week: 3 Days of Live Coaching and Breakthroughs to Help You Unlock Your Photography Business Potential
November 11th, 12th, 13th at 2 PM EST Daily

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 Us for Coach Week: 3 Days of Live Coaching and Breakthroughs to Help You Unlock Your Photography Business Potential
November 11th, 12th, 13th at 2 PM EST Daily

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 Us for Coach Week: 3 Days of Live Coaching and Breakthroughs to Help You Unlock Your Photography Business Potential
November 11th, 12th, 13th at 2 PM EST Daily

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.