055 - Travis Patenaude's "why" is as clear and powerful as that of any pet photographer I've met. 

 You might know Travis from his striking studio portraits of Spanish Galgos, a hunting breed with a history of maltreatment. It's possible his award-winning image "Saying Goodbye" wrung some tears from your eyes. 

This week, Travis shares not only what motivates his pet photography work, but also how he went from absolute beginner to masterful artist. Don't be fooled by the gruff Chicago accent; there’s a whole lotta love behind the Stink Eye brand! It's an inspiring episode, and I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.      

What To Listen For: 

• The most valuable advice Travis got when he was just starting out 
• A common photography "quicksand area"—and how to avoid it
• What you can learn from Travis's methodical approach to mastering Photoshop 
• How to dodge the burnout bullet in your business
• The one single action that resolved his biggest stylistic issue

Resources From This Episode: 

• Stink Eye Photography
• Stink Eye Photography on Facebook
• Travis's Instagram
• Travis's award-winning image "Saying Goodbye"
• HOD Podcast, Episode 52 - Print Competition Demystified with Lisa Asp
• Hair of the Dog Academy
• Hair of the Dog Facebook group
• Hair of the Dog Elevate 

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

054 - If you haven't yet gotten the call, you surely will at some point. Someone's beloved pet is nearing the end of his life; maybe they've just received a terminal diagnosis. You agree to a portrait session, hang up the phone...and panic. How on earth will you make it through such an emotionally charged session? 

 Grief-recovery specialist Wendy Sloneker is my guest on this week's episode. Drawing on her 40 years of experience in the field, Wendy offers sage advice on showing up for your clients during their most difficult hours.  

What To Listen For: 

• Questions and listening techniques to connect empathetically with clients
• Deep thoughts on accepting money for your end-of-life sessions
• How to handle the sales session if a pet has already passed
• Specific products to offer pet parents from these shoots

To further prepare—or help heal your own broken heart—get your hands on Wendy's Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss. She's generously giving away four copies, and you can throw your hat in the ring by following The SugarFace Network on social (links below).   

Resources From This Episode: 
 

• Heart Healing from Loss
• Heart Healing from Loss on Twitter
• The SugarFace Network on Twitter
• The SugarFace Network on Instagram
• HOD Episode 29: Unique Handcrafted Products with Mandi Pratt
• Surviving Death docu-series
• Hair of the Dog Academy
• Hair of the Dog Facebook group
• Hair of the Dog Elevate 

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

053 - For many of our listeners, it's hibernation season. Cold and dark out. Not so many clients calling. Which is why this time of year is also...conference season! 

This week, Heather and I dish about the pitfalls of pet photography education, how to avoid getting stuck in the student trap, and what to do with all those amazing notes you've taken. We're also unveiling the SUPER exciting new project I've been working on, designed to help you get more done in four weeks than you have in the entire last year. BOOM!! 💥  

What To Listen For: 

• Ideas for striking a balance between consumption and creation
• Why we don't believe in right or wrong decisions
• The common habit of the most successful people
• Nicole's game-changer, and the reason Heather's kicking herself
• The space you should leave in your notebooks—and how to fill it up

When it comes to moving your business forward, the only wrong way to do it is not to do it! So tune in for a great conversation about getting into action mode and accelerating your success.  

Resources From This Episode: 

• NEW! The Academy Accelerator (doors opening soon!!)
• 90 Seconds to a Life You Love, by Dr. Joan Rosenberg
• Profit First, by Mike Michalowicz
• Flourish Academy, with Heather Lahtinen
• Hair of the Dog Academy
• Hair of the Dog Facebook group
• Hair of the Dog Elevate 

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

052 - This week's guest is pet photographer Lisa Asp, a self-described print competition addict. Lisa started out behind the camera in a Sears Portrait Studio, and went digital back before Photoshop thought to introduce layers. These days, she's director of Animal Image Makers—you might know them from their fantastic annual conference—and also the recent winner of a Grand Imaging Award at this year's Imaging USA 2021!!!     

Our conversation this week covers the whats, whys and hows of print competition, and—we hope—will leave you excited to dip your toes into the print comp waters. I promise, you won't drown!    

What To Listen For: 

• How to get started with print competitions—and why you should get started!
• The pitfalls of entering images of your own pet, no matter how cute
• The difference between "merit" and "loan," and other lingo demystified 
• AIM's awesome new category this year (I can't wait to see the entries!) 
• How to become an accredited professional of animal imagery 

But wait...there's more! Lisa put together a lil' guide to accompany this episode, called "Top 5 Tricks for Kicking Ass in Print Competition." To get it, text HOTD to (844) 738-8647. Spoiler alert: It might come with a super-sneaky special bonus discount on AIM registration, just for Hair of the Dog listeners like you. 😉 

Resources From This Episode: 

• Animal Image Makers (Virtual) Conference, April 15-18, 2021
• Animal Image Makers Credentialing
• AIM on Facebook
• AIM’s Facebook Group
• AIM on Instagram
• Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
• 12 Elements of a Merit Image
• PrintCompetition.com
• Michelle Parsely's "Preparing for Competition" course
• Tangerine House of Design
• Tangerine House of Design on Facebook
• Lisa's Instagram
• Hair of the Dog Academy
• Hair of the Dog Facebook group
• Hair of the Dog Elevate 

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

051 - Turns out, returning guest Charlotte Reeves and I have a *lot* of thoughts when it comes to camera gear! Not surprising, I guess, for two pet photographers who've been shooting for a collective 25 years. 😯 Join our lively conversation and get the lowdown on the latest gear options, plus stories about scammers, soggy dogs and my enormous man-hands. 

 What To Listen For: 

• What to consider when choosing your camera body
• How to build up your kit if you're just starting out
• The lenses we couldn't live without—and the one that I'm drooling over!
• Which lens brands tend to require micro-adjustments
• The advantages and disadvantages of using a lens adapter
• Practical ways to use Animal Eye AF (and when you should avoid it)

If you've found yourself frustrated that you can't nail your shots, well, it might be a matter of needing more practice. But it might also be that the gear you have isn't suited to the job you're asking it to do. After listening to this episode, you'll be well-equipped to make better decisions about buying (or selling!) your gear.     

Resources From This Episode: 

• Learn Pet Photography (home of the Free Daily Tip series!)
• Charlotte Reeves Photography
• Charlotte's Working with Natural Light course
• Charlotte's RealShoots series
• HOD Podcast Episode 17: Location Scouting Secrets w/Charlotte
• Hair of the Dog Academy
• Hair of the Dog Facebook group
• Hair of the Dog Elevate 

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

050 - In this week's episode, I share one of my favorite business analogies: When you only offer digital files to your photography clients, it's like a baker selling a wedding cake but telling the harried couple to go ice it themselves.  

Even if you're handy with a Wilton buttercream, you'll get something out of my conversation with Eugene Nagaweicki of nPhoto professional print lab. Together we talk about the whys, whats and hows of moving from digitals-only to a product-based photography business.   

What To Listen For: 

• Why you want to sell clients on the "heated seats"
• A misconception people have about digital files
• The danger to your reputation that comes with selling digitals
• Eugene's insight on the consistently best-selling products
• How to avoid leading your clients into this common pitfall

Eugene also has a rockin' deal on product samples for our podcast listeners—tune in for details!

Resources From This Episode: 

• nPhoto Lab
• nPhoto Lab on Facebook
• Hair of the Dog Academy
• Hair of the Dog Facebook group
• Hair of the Dog Elevate 

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

049 - STOP! Do not pass Go, do not collect $200, DO NOT listen to this podcast until you've heard episode 48 from last week!!!

Alrighty, that said...welcome to the second half of our New Year's goal-setting series with mindset coach and all-around rock star, Heather Lahtinen. If you're ready to drop the excuses and create the life of your dreams, this is the episode that will help you get clear on exactly what that looks like.

What To Listen For: 

• What your ice cream-eating strategy says about your approach to life
• The future-paced question that will bring your goals into sharp focus
• A healthier nighttime ritual than, say, bingeing Black Mirror on Netflix
• What it means to set SMART goals, and the critical importance of a "domino goal"
• How most people view goals—and why you need to look at them differently

Spoiler alert: You'll also hear why I haven't hit ANY of my goals for the last several years...and why I feel no shame about that whatsoever!    

Resources From This Episode: 

• Goal-Setting Worksheet 
• Atomic Habits, by James Clear
• The Miracle Morning, by Hal Elrod
• The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg
• The 12-Week Year, by Brian Moran
• Hair of the Dog Academy on Instagram
• Nicole's Instagram page
• Flourish Academy website
• Flourish Academy podcast
• Flourish Academy on Facebook
• Hair of the Dog Academy (doors opening soon—get on the waitlist here!)
• Hair of the Dog Facebook group
• Hair of the Dog Elevate program

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

48 - "It's like Monday on steroids!"
 
 In case you haven't already guessed, I *love* the new year. And this week, podcast regular Heather Lahtinen and I talk about making this new year your best year yet. In the first of a two-part series on setting goals, we chat about how reflecting on the past year can set you up for future success.

What To Listen For: 

• A 5-question process for evaluating 2020 (c'mon, it wasn't all bad)
• The advantage of being proactive instead of reactive
• Why you'll want to keep last year's calendar handy
• The one person that *everyone* should have in their life
• Heather's optimistic take on 2020—plus her impressive new muscles!

After listening, download the Goal-Setting Worksheet below, carve out some quiet time, and put yourself in a positive mindset. Then get to it—I promise, it'll be time well spent.  

Resources From This Episode: 

• Goal-Setting Worksheet
• Your Best Year Ever, by Michael Hyatt
• 90X Goal Planner
• Hair of the Dog Academy
• Hair of the Dog Facebook group
• Hair of the Dog Elevate program

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

047 - Five days into the new year, and we're still doing a happy dance that 2020 is over! Finally, we're blessed with a blank slate and a fresh chance to realize some BIG dreams in the year ahead. 

But sometimes, despite all the optimism of a new year, reaching for audacious goals can trigger your fears. This week, Dorie Howell of In-Person Sales Mastermind joins me to talk about tackling fear, doubt, discomfort and indecision—the four horsemen that, if left unchecked, can stomp unceremoniously all over your business. 

What To Listen For: 

• The two types of entrepreneurs (which one are you?)
• What you should ask yourself before taking any action
• The one thing your clients desperately want more of in 2021!
• How the latest iPhone cameras actually help your business  
• What to do when you're stuck in indecision

Learn how fear is a good sign, timelines are optional, and why it's time to say no to your grandma's ravioli—metaphorically speaking, of course. 

Resources From This Episode: 

• IPS Mastermind
• IPS Mastermind on Facebook
• IPS Mastermind on Instagram
• Dorie's personal Instagram
• Hair of the Dog Academy
• Hair of the Dog Facebook group
• Hair of the Dog Elevate program

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial 

046 - The podcast addicts in the crowd might recognize the voice of this week's guest, Kirstie McConnell, co-host of Australia's Pet Photographers' Club podcast. After a whirlwind year (including marriage and an intercontinental move!), Kirstie shares—from her new home in an Italian olive grove—how she wound down one business and started a very different one. 

What To Listen For: 

• Why Kirstie hates the "my business is my baby" philosophy
• The forward-thinking decision to make when you're just starting out
• An addiction you might be suffering from, without even realizing it
• How COVID allowed Kirstie (and maybe you?) to reflect on a critical question 
• Her single best piece of advice for making your 2021 successful

 And if you've resolved to take better physical care of yourself in the new year, you'll want to hear all about Kirstie's new endeavor—tailored specifically for you.

Resources From This Episode: 

• The Pet Photographers' Club
• The Pet Photographers' (Virtual) Conference, Feb. 4-6, 2021
• Pilates with Kirstie
• PhotoBizX podcast
• E-Myth Revisited, by Michael Gerber
• Hair of the Dog Academy
• Hair of the Dog Facebook group
• Hair of the Dog Elevate program

CONNECT + LEARN MORE:

Explore all things photography education at nicolebegleyedu.com

Ready to build a profitable photography business? Visit freedomfocusformula.com

Master the craft of pet photography at hairofthedogacademy.com

Follow along on Instagram - @nicolebegleyofficial