Photographers In Focus

Ever felt like the photography industry is changing faster than you can keep up? Or maybe you’re wondering if personal brand photography is really a sustainable path, especially when everyone’s talking about AI, economic downturns, and “the death of photography”? I get it—these are the questions that keep us up at night, especially when you’re trying to build a business that feels both creative and secure.

In this episode, I chat with the wonderful Sarah Morgan, a portrait and brand photographer from San Diego who’s seen it all—from shooting weddings on film in the 80s to navigating the digital revolution and now thriving in the world of personal branding. We dig into the real challenges of shifting genres, pricing your work with confidence, and how to create an experience that clients rave about (even when things go sideways on shoot day). Sarah shares her honest journey, including the moments she was sweating bricks and the lessons she’s learned about rolling with the punches and building trust with clients.

If you’ve ever wondered how to weather industry storms, find your niche, or just want to hear how another photographer has made personal branding work for her lifestyle (hello, no more schlepping gear to the beach at sunset!), this episode is for you. We also talk about the power of automation, why ongoing learning matters, and how to create a collaborative, creative process that lights you up.

Main topics covered:

- Navigating industry changes and economic downturns

- Transitioning from weddings/families to personal brand photography

- Building client trust and handling shoot-day curveballs

- Pricing strategies and confidence

- The impact of automation and ongoing education

Feeling a little behind?

Like you’ve been working hard behind the scenes… but not showing up as much as you “should”?

Same. And you’re not alone.

This episode is a soft, honest reminder that your value isn’t measured by how visible you are.

If you’ve been building quietly, holding everything together, or just doing your best with what you’ve got — this one’s for you.

Learn More in PBE Academy - CLICK HERE

 Have you ever lowered your prices in an attempt to stay competitive?

 While this may seem like the right move, it can actually be detrimental to your business. Too often, photographers undercharge due to fear or self-doubt, but this can damage your professional reputation.

In this episode, I dive into:

• Why charging too little can make your business seem unprofessional
• How underpricing impacts your brand image
• The common pitfalls of low pricing and how to avoid them
• How to confidently price your work to reflect its true value

Pricing is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a photographer, yet it's also the most challenging.  So if you've ever felt like you're not charging enough for your photography, or if you're worried about pricing yourself out of the market, this episode is for you. 

LINKS : 

Learn more about learning inside of Academy HERE 

Wanna get a one-on-one FREE strategy call with moi? Book HERE

“I wish I found you before I bought that course,” 

It’s a shame when I hear this from others in my industry but it can be the downside of cookie-cutter coaching programs—those well-meaning, step-by-step systems that ignore your personality, learning style, or life context—and how that can leave you feeling stuck or overwhelmed.

This episode is for any photographer who's ever bought the course, downloaded the templates, and followed the steps… only to feel like something just didn’t click. I’ll show you why that’s not your fault.

🎯 You’ll learn:

• Why business coaching should never be “one size fits all”
• How the right guide can nurture your growth, even when you resist at first
• Why it’s okay to skip the parts of a system that don’t suit you

LEARN PERSONAL BRAND PHOTOGRAPHY WITH PAULA & GET THE WHOLE BUSINESS SYSTEM BUILT OUT FOR YOU

This week I chatted with my VIP client and friend, Katie Lawrence, a salon owner who has booked multiple shoots with me over the years—and who’s proof that branding photos aren’t just a luxury—they’re a necessity for any business that wants to grow and evolve.

Katie runs a successful salon and has booked multiple branding shoots over the years as her business expanded. She shares how each session has reflected a new stage in her journey, from launching her business to building a team and refining her high-end brand identity. 

We also talk about how showing up consistently in polished, professional images has made her business feel cohesive—and how that’s translated into more bookings and brand trust.

And Katie opens up about a major social media setback that would have crushed most businesses—but thanks to a strong brand presence (and a killer image bank), she was able to bounce back stronger than ever.

If you want to learn how to educate clients on the long-term value of branding photography, this episode is packed with insights that will help you shift their (and shift your) mindset!

In this episode, we cover:

• Why brand aesthetics are more than just "pretty pictures"
• How Katie used photography to elevate her business and attract premium clients
• The different types of shoots she’s done and how they’ve evolved with her brand
• The hidden power of professional imagery in social media and marketing
• How to help your clients understand the value of personal branding photography

After years of coaching photographers through big career pivots, I've seen the priceless joy that comes when someone finally finds their niche.

I brought Brooke Cerny on to share how she transitioned her photography skills into a niche that provides freedom, creative input, and fulfilling client relationships... You guessed it... Branding!

(And this is one of those conversations that just brings me pure joy to bring to you)

You'll hear how she tackled the uncertainty of letting go of steady wedding bookings and built a consistent brand photography business—something many dream of but hey it can be scary, so many just don't try to do.

If you've been searching for a more chill approach to photography that still keeps the lights on (and then some), Brooke's journey might just be what you need to hear today.

In this episode Brooke Shared : 

* Confronting "safe" wedding work vs. new opportunities

* Building genuine client connections in branding

* The opportunities, conversations and rooms your camera can get you into

* Letting go of fear to pursue a calmer photography life

LEARN MORE ABOUT ACADEMY HERE

Check out Brooke at Magnolia Studios HERE

BOOK STRATEGY CALL WITH PAULA

What if one decision could completely change the course of your photography journey? 

They say big changes usually start as small ideas, but this one caught me by surprise and grew faster than I ever expected. 

In this episode, I reveal the unexpected turn I never saw coming and why it’s had such a massive impact on me—breathing new life into my photography work. 

If you’ve been feeling like you’re on the edge of something new, this might be the spark you’ve been waiting for. 

No spoilers here—you’ll have to listen to find out exactly what happened and why I’m so excited for what’s next.

BOOK STRATEGY CALL WITH PAULA

Are you feeling the pinch in your bank balance after the holiday season?

It’s easy to live large on your credit card in December & land in January with a big bill to pay (we’ve all done it)

That’s why I thought to kickstart the new year I'd share three practical strategies to help you tap into areas of your business today, where you might be able to uncover some quick wins.

I share my personal strategies for discovering hidden revenue opportunities lurking in your archives and inbox. 

And shedding light on these untapped areas of your photography business that can bring in immediate revenue.

My aim is to help you rediscover the gems already in your business, and show you how a few small tweaks can have a surprisingly big impact on your bottom line. 

AND… you don’t need flashy tactics—just a willingness to revisit old contacts and a fresh approach to creating irresistible offers.

In this Episode, I share

• Where to look for hidden revenue
• How to re engage old leads
• Sparking momentum in an otherwise slow season
• Genuine connection vs fancy marketing

LEARN WITH PAULA INSIDE OF ACADEMY

LEARN WITH PAULA

Are you unsure how to find clients who value your work or how to focus your services in a way that feels both profitable and sustainable? It’s easy to feel like you have to say yes to everything just to make ends meet, but that’s not the only way forward.

In this episode, I sit down with Lizzy Jacobs, a photographer who’s found her sweet spot in personal branding. Lizzy shares her journey of starting her business with a “say yes to everything” mindset and how she eventually transitioned into a focused, consistent, and highly successful branding photography business. We also dig into her biggest game-changer: networking.

Lizzy explains how she made networking work for her—without it feeling salesy or overwhelming—and how those connections have fueled her growth. If you’re ready to take control of your photography business, this conversation will leave you inspired and motivated.

Topics Covered:

• Why networking is one of the most powerful tools for photographers.
• The practical steps Lizzie took to build a steady stream of clients.
• How to simplify your business for more focus and better results.

Check out Lizzy's website here

Get Free Guide - 50 Dream Clients for Personal Brand Photography HERE

Have you ever wondered if the market for personal brand photography is already saturated? Are you struggling to find clients who truly appreciate the value you bring to their businesses?

There is no shortage of awesome people doing really cool things who need YOUR help right now. In this snapshot I share just 10 pretty awesome clients from really diverse spaces so you can get inspired to think outside the box when it comes to discovering your future clients.

Listen to the full episode here…

Apple

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/behind-the-lens-celebrating-50-cool-personal-branding/id1619889445?i=1000621450874

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6RLZ0t9iumaN6TpDUUFE2e

Watch the full episode on YouTube

https://www.paulabrennaneducation.com/podcasts/50