250 - Welcome to the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast! 

In this special episode, we're kicking off a three-part series dedicated to one of the most exciting and requested topics: travel hacking. 

If you've ever dreamed of traveling for free or at a fraction of the cost, you're in the right place.

Today, we'll explore how to leverage credit card points to maximize your travel rewards, whether you’re aiming for luxurious trips or frequent getaways on a budget. 

Tune in to discover the strategies that can make your travel dreams a reality, and how we have an advantage since we are running a business as well!

Here's what you'll learn in this episode:

Introduction to Travel Hacking: Learn what travel hacking is and how it can help you travel for free or at a significantly reduced cost.

Choosing the Right Credit Cards: Tips on selecting the right credit cards based on your travel goals and spending habits.

Security Benefits of Credit Cards: Why credit cards are more secure than debit cards for travel and everyday use.

Annual Fees and Credit Scores: Discussion on whether annual fees are worth it and how opening new credit cards affects your credit score.

Credit Card Travel Insurance: Real-life examples of how credit card travel insurance can save you money and hassle during unexpected travel issues.

Resources From This Episode:

• Nicole’s Travel Resources 
• Hair of the Dog Academy 
• Elevate Coaching Program
• 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.

249 - In this episode of the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, we’re jumping into our imaginary DeLorean and time traveling to share the ultimate 3-step success formula we wish we had known from the start! 

Join Heather and me as we reveal how making decisions, taking action, and trusting yourself can transform your photography business. 

We also share personal stories and insights on overcoming obstacles, learning from the past, and embracing the future with confidence.

What To Listen For:

• Trust Yourself: Emphasize the importance of trusting yourself and your decisions, and how this mindset can transform your business.
• Past vs. Future Self: Reflect on what advice Nicole and Heather would give to their past selves and how to connect with their future selves for guidance.
• Intuition vs. Anxiety: Explore how to differentiate between intuition and anxiety when making business decisions.
• Dealing with Big Sales: Learn techniques on how to handle large sales discussions without feeling anxious or doubtful.
• 3-Steps to Success: Highlight the mantra of making decisions, taking action, and trusting yourself as key to success.
  
  

Resources From This Episode:

• Hair of the Dog Academy 
• Elevate Coaching Program
• 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.

248 - In today's episode of the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, I'm flexing my superpower – digging into a photographer's pricing and helping them make quick and easy changes that result in majorly elevated sales!

Today, we're chatting with Michaela from BMac Photography in San Diego, who was running a very successful business with a $1,700 average sale. Most of her clients would purchase an album, but she was struggling to get them to purchase more.

With one little shift, her first client after our chat purchased not only an album but also a wall piece, resulting in a $3,800+ sale!

Tune in to hear how you can apply these simple yet powerful strategies to your own photography business.

What to listen for:

The Power of One Tweak: Hear how a single change in Michaela's pricing strategy more than doubled her next sale.

Albums vs. Wall Art: Understand why albums were selling well for Michaela and why she aimed to increase wall art sales.

Selling Techniques: Learn how to effectively promote both albums and wall art to clients.

Pricing Structures: Gain insights into the pros and cons of a la carte pricing versus collections.

Client Incentives: Discover the bonus strategy Nicole suggested to entice clients to purchase both albums and wall art.

Connect with Michaela: 

• Website: https://bmacpetphotography.com/
• Instagram: @bmacpetphotography 

Resources From This Episode:

• Hair of the Dog Academy 
• Elevate Coaching Program
• 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.

247 - In today's episode of the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, we're diving into the art of raising your prices in your portrait photography business without losing your clients. 

Whether you're just starting out with a low-cost all-inclusive model or you're already seeing high sales and aiming to break into an even more luxurious market, we’ve got you covered. 

Join us to explore the journey through different business levels, the importance of transitioning to product sales, and how to introduce signature products to elevate your offerings. 

What to listen for:

• The 4 Levels of Business: From low-cost, all-inclusive models to high-end boutique services - we’re breaking down all the options.

• Is it ok to be Low-Cost All-Inclusive: Feeling a little shade from the industry?  Not here - although this pricing option is more a stepping stone and than a long-term strategy.

• Transitioning to Product Sales: How and why photographers should start introducing products into their offerings to build a sustainable business - meaning - a business that actually makes a profit!

• When you Need Signature Products: Once you get to level 3, this is critical!

• Navigating Pricing Increases: Want to raise your prices but not alienate your past clients?  I’ve got you…

Resources From This Episode:

• Hair of the Dog Academy 
• Elevate Coaching Program
• 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.

246 - In today’s Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, join Nicole Begley as she chats with financial expert Mel Abraham to break down the ins and outs of financial planning for creatives. 

In this episode, Mel demystifies the process of building your own "money machine"—a system designed to cultivate financial independence and long-term security. 

This conversation dives into why it's crucial for photographers and other creatives to start the habit of saving early, even if the amounts are small at first. Mel provides practical advice on how to manage money effectively, plan for the future, and use smart financial strategies to build wealth over time. 

Tune in to transform your financial fears into a foundation for freedom!

What To Listen For:

The Concept of a Money Machine: Learn what a money machine is and why every individual, especially entrepreneurs, needs one to ensure financial independence and security.

Personal Finance Management: Strategies for photographers and creative professionals to manage their finances more effectively, focusing on investment and savings habits.

Transition from Earning to Building Wealth: Mel explains the shift from relying solely on income from work to creating systems that generate enduring wealth.

The Psychological Aspect of Money: Understanding the emotional relationship with money and how to make financial decisions that align with personal and professional goals.

Long-term Financial Planning: How to approach financial planning with a long-term perspective, ensuring that decisions made today positively impact future financial stability.

Resources From This Episode:

• Mel's Book -  YourMoneyMachineBook.com
• MelAbraham.com
• Mel's Instagram 
• Mel's YouTube Channel
• Hair of the Dog Academy 
• Elevate Coaching Program
• 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.

245 - Welcome back to the latest episode of the Freedom Focus Photography podcast! 

Ever had one of those moments where you think, “Is this actually happening?”.

I had one of those moments early in my photography business that I’ll never forget. 

Picture this: I'm standing in the bank, clutching my first check for $105 and change, ready to open my shiny new business account. 

The minimum to open was $100, and I was ready to bootstrap my little business to profitability.

That was until the bank employee went to deposit my check, showed his colleague the check and laughed. 😳

Now, for some people, that might have been the end of the road. 

But for me? It was just the beginning. 

I walked out of that bank more determined than ever to make my business a success. 

Because, honestly, the thought of going back to a 9-to-5 was way more terrifying than any snickering bank teller.

In the latest episode of the Freedom Focus Photography podcast, I sit down with Heather Lahtinen, our resident mindset ninja, and we dive into the power of belief and perseverance. We share some of our own cringeworthy early business moments and how we used those experiences to fuel our drive.

What To Listen For:

Overcoming Early Doubts: Nicole shares her experience of being laughed at by a bank employee when she opened her business account with $105.

Navigating Setbacks: Heather recounts her experience with veteran photographers who dismissed her ideas early in her career and how she overcame their negativity.

The Importance of Belief: Heather and Nicole discuss the critical role of believing in your own success and how it can influence your business journey.

The Belief Ladder: A detailed explanation of the belief ladder and how it can be used to gradually build confidence and achieve business goals.

Actionable Takeaways: Practical advice and steps for listeners to implement self-coaching and belief-building strategies in their own lives and businesses.


Resources From This Episode:

• Heather’s 2005-era Blogspot
• Hair of the Dog Academy 
• Elevate Coaching Program
• 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.

244 - Welcome back to the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast! I'm your host, Nicole Begley, and today we have a very special guest, Daniel Usenko, the creative force behind Pixellu, developers of my favorite album design software, Smart Albums.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting to explore the possibility of adding albums to your services, this episode is packed with insights that will inspire you to not only streamline your workflow, but also potentially utilize albums in your marketing. Daniel will share how Smart Albums can transform the tedious task of album creation into a swift, enjoyable process, enhancing both your product offering and client experience. So, buckle up as we uncover the potential for offering gorgeous albums to your clients.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:

The Value of Print:

Daniel discusses the importance of printed albums in today's digital age and how they can distinguish your services from others, providing a tangible product that clients treasure.

Advice for Incorporating Albums into Your Business:

   Daniel gives practical advice on how photographers can seamlessly integrate album sales into their offerings, enhancing client satisfaction and boosting their bottom line.

Improving Photographer Efficiency:

 Discover how Smart Albums can drastically reduce the time spent on album designs, enabling photographers to pre-design albums for sales sessions and increase their profitability.

The Origins of Smart Albums:

   Daniel shares the journey from the early days of album design, which required days of work using Photoshop or InDesign, to the development of Smart Albums, which now allows photographers to design beautiful albums in less than 10 minutes.

Utilizing Albums for Marketing:

   Explore innovative ways to use albums as a marketing tool, whether it’s showcasing your work at events or creating bespoke client albums that drive new business.

Resources From This Episode:

• Ready to save 15% on your first year of SmartAlbums?  Use the code: FREEDOMFOCUS
• Watch Nicole create photography albums FAST with SmartAlbums
• Hair of the Dog Academy 
• Elevate Coaching Program
• 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.

243 - Welcome to this exciting episode of the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast! 

Today, we're diving into a unique and impactful marketing strategy with our guest, Michaela Trujillo from BMAC Pet Photography in San Diego, CA.  She’s masterfully combined art, community engagement, and philanthropy through her innovative Gallery Wall Contest - creating a powerful trifecta of collaboration.

In our conversation, Michaela shares her journey from conceptualizing the idea to executing a successful gallery wall in a local pet store. She explains how this approach has significantly benefited her photography business, offering insights into the operational logistics, building strategic partnerships, and the lasting impact on client engagement compared to other marketing strategies.

Tune in to learn how you can implement similar strategies in your business and foster meaningful connections within your community.

What To Listen For:

• Unique Wall Art Contest: Michaela explains the what a gallery wall contest is and how it benefits her business.
• Trifecta Partners: The contest brings together the trifecta of marketing partners, your business, a for-profit business, and a local charity.
• Marketing Comparison: Michaela contrasts the effectiveness of this gallery wall contest with other marketing strategies she has used, noting the lasting impact and client engagement it offers.
• Building Relationships: Michaela built a relationship with the pet store owner by offering value first, which eventually led to mutual support and the launch of the contest.
• Operational Details: Discussion on the logistics of setting up the contest, from choosing the wall space and determining the size and number of prints to selecting the charity and managing the financial aspects.

Resources From This Episode:

• Michaela’s Gallery Wall Contest blog
• Gallery Wall How-To Guide
• Bmac Pet Photography Website
• Hair of the Dog Academy 
• Elevate Coaching Program
• 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.

242 - Welcome back to the latest episode of the Freedom Focus Photography podcast! In this session, we dive deep into some intriguing personal revelations with Heather, who unexpectedly found herself discussing ME with her business coach! 😳 Talk about our mind jumping to conclusions!  Imagine what I was thinking when I found this out! 

In this episode, you’ll discover what I did to trigger her (sidenote, it might have something to do with my Monday boards).  Plus, we tackle the ever-present habit of comparing ourselves to others, revealing the emotional challenges it brings and sharing tips to rise above it. Stay tuned as we delve into the importance of recognizing and embracing your "zone of genius," steering clear of the nagging 'Should Monster,' and learning to honor your unique path to success.

What To Listen For:

• Heather's Unexpected Coaching Session: Discover why Heather felt the need to discuss ME with her coach!
• The Power of Assumptions: Explore how jumping to negative conclusions can shake up both our friendships and work relationships.
• Comparison and Self-Worth: Understand the deep-rooted tendencies of comparing ourselves to others and the emotional toll it can take, as well as strategies to overcome these feelings.
• Zone of Genius: We discuss staying true to one's "zone of genius." Listen for advice on focusing on what you excel at and letting go of the pressure to be good at everything.
• Dealing with the 'Should Monster': The internal pressure to conform to others' paths to success. Learn how to challenge these "should" thoughts and embrace your unique journey.

Resources From This Episode:

• Hair of the Dog Academy 
• Elevate Coaching Program
• Freedom Focus Formula

Connect with Heather

• Flourish Academy
• Flourish Academy on FB
• Flourish Academy on IG

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.

241 - Welcome to our final episode of The Offline Photographer! Throughout this series, we've explored the art of in-person marketing, empowering photographers to step away from screens and cultivate genuine, face-to-face connections in their local communities. 

By focusing on offline engagement, we've helped photographers find innovative ways to build relationships and grow their businesses.

In this episode, host Heather Lahtinen and Laura Wombwell tackle the challenges of being an introverted photographer in an industry that thrives on social interaction. 

They also explore the mindset blocks surrounding discussions of money and pricing. Laura candidly shares her journey of overcoming these barriers, while Heather offers advice on reframing client interactions to be more about education and less about pressure.

What To Listen For:

Navigating Social Barriers as an Introvert: Laura Wombwell shares her journey of overcoming social challenges as an introverted photographer, highlighting the mental hurdles she faces while interacting with potential clients.

Addressing Money Mindset Issues: The conversation touches on overcoming negative beliefs around discussing money, such as associating it with being "gross" or feeling like a "used car salesman."

Reframing the Narrative: Heather encourages Laura to rethink her approach, emphasizing that providing people with information about her photography services is about educating, not pressuring.

Imagining a Different Role: Laura introduces the idea of stepping into a more confident version of herself, using the concept of a "Super Laura" to connect more comfortably with potential clients.

Bridging Conversations to Business: Laura discusses strategies for transitioning casual conversations into opportunities to share about her pet photography services.

Connect with Heather

• Flourish Academy
• Flourish Academy on FB
• Flourish Academy on IG

Connect with Laura

• Laura Wombwell Photography 
• Laura Wombwell Photography on IG 
• Laura Wombwell Photography on FB

Resources From This Episode:

• Hair of the Dog Academy 
• Elevate Coaching Program
• 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.