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Damon Pijlman of www.studiodamon.com photographs weddings, portraits, families and commercial work. His Instagram bio says he's a Visual Storyteller who Documents inspiring couples worldwide.
His wedding photography was voted best in the Netherlands – 2014, 2015 and 2016.
He has countless awards – take one look at the images that earnt them, and I promise, you will be blown away. His work is fantastic.
It was his artist and painter father who taught him to observe carefully. But it was following the Foundation Workshop in 2013 where Ben Chrisman and David Murray changed everything about wedding photography for him.
I read in an interview where he was asked, what's the stupidest thing you've ever agreed to do? His reply… Setting up a Groupon beach portraits package … After 500 sessions, he says he was ready to kill himself.
In this interview, Damon shares how to survive and thrive with your photography business during the pandemic.
Here's some more of what we cover in the interview:
How the Groupon beach portrait package worked and almost killed DamonWhat Damon would do differently if given the chance to start over againWhy Damon was fired from his previous photography jobOvercoming self-doubt after losing his job as a photographerHow Damon found his photography nicheThe big advantages of attending photography workshopsWhy Damon takes 10,000 photos on average at most weddingsWhere Damon is right now with his photography businessShifting to a new photography niche to cope with the pandemicHow to be successful as a portrait photographerDamon's average sales from clients in different genresMust take steps after attending workshops and watching educational videosWhat to say on the phone when calling potential clientsThe best way to market new photography products without sounding too pushyHow to listen and have clients share their needs to guarantee salesWhy you should call family members and the full wedding entourage before shooting weddingsHow to become a better storyteller through your lensHow Damon's gift vouchers workUsing vouchers as a reason to call clientsCalling clients 3-4x when they don't pick up the phone – staying persistentScheduling portrait sessions are a must to generate clientsWhat to say when clients say they need to consult with their family members before scheduling shootsWhen should you mentioning pricing and how much clients might spendThe need to refine the language to deliver the right message to clientsDealing with booked wedding sessions during the pandemicHolding contests to generate more leadsWhat people win with Damon's contestsHow Damon's contests work – in detailWhy Damon likes photographing portraits more than weddingsWhat Damon does daily that makes a massive difference in his lifeWhat’s on Offer for Premium Members
If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this interview – the full length and more revealing version where you hear the absolute best tips and advice from every guest.
If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.
Plus special member-only interviews.
All you need to do is listen on the call, and just make them excited. – Damon Pijlman
You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. There are also FB live video tutorials, role-play interviews and special live interviews happening in the group. You will not find more friendly, more motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.
Seriously, that's not all.
In addition to everything above, you'll get access to and instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable and build friendships with other pro photographers with similar motives to you – to build a more successful photography business.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything away from what Damon shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below, let me know what your takeaways were, what you plan to implement in your business as a result of what you heard in today's episode.
It really was surprising that this happened. But the couples I didn't connect with very well, I still send them a voucher, and are one of our best couples. – Damon Pijlman
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Damon or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.
iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs
Each week I check for any new iTunes reviews and it's always a buzz to receive these… for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they really are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!
Secondly, iTunes is the biggest search engine when it comes to podcasts and it's your reviews and ratings that help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and ultimately a better show.
If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes and you can leave some honest feedback and a rating which will help both me and the show and I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.
Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast and email me your keywords or keyword phrase and where you'd like me to link to.
Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has made a difference to you and your photography business.
Here is the latest review…
★★★★★ The very best podcast if you’re looking to explore options for growing your photography business.
In Apple Podcasts by rgwest from the United States on February 5th, 2021
What differentiates this podcast from nearly all other photo business podcasts is its diversity of photo professionals.
I’ve been to too many conferences where the business advice is either to enter a boutique market for the wealthy or shoot volume gigs for everyone else.
Guests on most of the photography podcasts are the rare, extremely successful photographers- which is why they’re on- and why we’ll likely never achieve their wealth and celebrity.
Photobiz X is for the rest of us- for those of us who aren’t looking to hear keynote speakers at conferences brag about their destination wedding jobs and celebrity portraits. Guests range greatly in their level of business savvy and path to their own version of success- you’ll easily find people who you identify with. And not every guest is promoting the questionable ethics of high-pressure print sales and quite literally conning people into purchasing more than they need. Many are transitioning from enthusiast to part-time or full-time pro and share the personal, professional, financial and motivational challenges that they seek to overcome.
Host Andrew Hellmich is simply charming in his laid-back, comfortable style of interviewing. His guests open up to him with not only their successes but also their struggles- there is no glossing over the hurdles. Andrew is curious, open-minded, and welcoming to all guests regardless of their place on their road to success. Each of his guests is listened to with sincere interest and must leave their interview feeling supported and respected.
I have learned from each and every episode, even when the business models differ greatly from my own. A most enthusiastic thumbs-up for this superb podcast.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Damon Pijlman on Instagram
Damon Pijlman on Facebook
Damon Pijlman on Fearless Photographers
The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life by Robin Sharma
Episode 293: Ben Chrisman – How to Build a Successful Studio Portrait Photography Business
Episode 348: Steve Saporito – How to excite and delight your portrait clients to better sales
Thank you!
Thanks again for listening and thanks to Damon for coming on to share his thoughts and experiences on how to pivot, survive and thrive with your photography business during the pandemic – whether you photograph weddings, portraits, pets or commercial work.
You need to schedule because if you do not schedule, they will not go to the portrait shoot. They key is to make them so excited about the portrait shoot. – Damon Pijlman
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!
That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!
The post 401: Damon Pijlman – Survive and thrive with your photography business during the pandemic appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.
