Portrait Session: The Photography Podcast for Portrait Photographers

This is episode 6, of our season dedicated to talking about different specialties in portrait photography. In todays episode Erica and Connor sit down with Makenzie Hollar to discuss her incredible approach to senior rep programs and the challenges of senior portrait photography. Website: www.makenziephoto.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makenziephotography/

Instagram: @makenziephotography

3-4 sentence photography bio:

Makenzie Photography is a wedding and senior portrait photographer based out of Bakersfield, CA specializing in reminding young women how beautiful and powerful they truly are through senior rep programs and intentional encouragement. Makenzie began her business at the age of sixteen and established herself as one of the leading creative photographers in her area by age twenty. Makenzie is best known for her bright, vibrant, colorful work!

2 random fun facts about you:

Orange is my favorite color!

My husband and I had a surprise wedding where our guests showed up to an engagement party and then found out it was a wedding.

Any courses or workshops you’d like to advertise?

No photography courses, but I do have a conference I’m hosting in the spring for high school girls that is connected to my senior rep program!

Tell us about your photography background. When did you start, are you self-taught, did you go to college for photography, etc.?

What made you focus on senior photography, rather than other forms of photography?

We commonly get questions about senior rep programs and one reason I wanted to interview you is because of your awesome approach to these programs. Can you first tell listeners what a senior rep program is, then describe your approach?

We talk a lot about the importance of an extraordinary client experience. Do you do anything other than that epic senior rep program to really elevate your client’s experience.

What are your thoughts on in-person sales?

What do you find to be the two most valuable marketing/advertising tools for your senior photography business? Have you tried anything that was a flop?

Do you have tips for cues, etc. when working with and directing clients?

What gear (non-lighting) do you prefer to use for seniors?

Let’s talk lighting. What’s your favorite lighting equipment and set ups?

What do you think is the most important tip for someone considering being a senior photographer?

What one thing can you not live without when it comes to running your business?

This is episode 5, of our season dedicated to talking about different specialties in portrait photography. In todays episode Erica and Connor sit down with Rafal Wegiel to discuss unique and artistic approaches to headshot photography.

Website: https://www.rafalwegiel.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rafalwegielphotography/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rafalwegiel/

Other social: https://twitter.com/rafalwegiel http://www.youtube.com/c/RafalWegiel https://anchor.fm/rafal-wegiel-podcast

This is another episode with a solid long first segment, and as such we don’t have a sticking points this week.

In episode 4 of our season discussing various specialties in portrait photography, Erica and Connor sit down with Sharon McMahon, a total boss and dominating force in the world of newborn portraiture. Even listeners who think they are not interested in doing newborn work will find a wealth of incredible advice and information from this incredible business person and photographer.

A message from Connor:

Hey guys! Between an absolutely hectic month with work, and the fact that I am out of town filming some educational content in Ireland this week. As such, I just had no way of getting around to editing an episode of the show this week. I apologize for that. We have set a standard for ourselves to release episodes on a regular basis, and do not like to not keep to that standard at this point, but I just couldn’t make the sacrifices I would need to to get an episode out in time. Needless to say, we will get back on a regular schedule ASAP. Thanks for understanding. I love you all and sincerely hope that you are having an incredible week! Connor H

This is episode 3, of our season dedicated to talking about different specialties in portrait photography. In todays episode Erica and Connor sit down with Jonny Edward to discuss his experiences as a fashion photographer.

Then, on sticking points, Connor sits down with Andy Bird to talk about building worth to meet his desired price point

This is episode 2, of our season dedicated to talking about different specialties in portrait photography. In todays episode Erica and Connor sit down with Seth from Seth and Beth Photography to discuss specializing in wedding photography as a career.

Then, on sticking points, Connor sits down with Julie Richardson and talk about whether she should draw a line in the sand and specialize in just one of her two photographic passions.

Erica and Connor spend the entirety of todays episode answering listener's additional questions that have come up throughout this season as well as tying up other loose ends from the season. 

We are both sincerely so thankful for all of the love and support you have shown us in transitioning back to our individual podcast feed and for following along with us as we develop a new format for the show. 

We will be back in a few short weeks with the start of Season 2 of the Portrait Session Podcast. 

Season 1 Listener Q&A's

Phil Roccuzzo 1) In the order of operations when setting up your business... do you need to create your business checking account first or do you create the business (llc)first?

2) Regarding insurance... is it best to form your LLC (if that’s your intention) first and then get the insurance under the company name ... OR can you get the insurance prior to forming the llc and update the name after?

3) In your experience from a marketing point of view .. does adding LLc to the name have any impact in clients hiring you ? (ie more confidence in your business... it is ‘legitimate’.. etc)

Wendy Miller Thank you Erica and Connor for a wonderful Season 1. It has been chock full of information. My question is about blogs. I would like to start one on my webpage. Do I start with current photos/events, or go back to the beginning of the year

Boden Eanes 1. As someone just starting, what’s your advice on contracts. As starting we don’t often have the client base to cover costs of lawyers fees to write one or should that just be a personal investment into ur business. General contract advice

2. When setting up a styled shoot to build/add to your portfolio, what’s the expected cost for a beginner? Personally I am willing to invest some money to get my business off the ground, which is required in some areas, but should this be something we try at the beginning or should this be something once business is up and can support the costs?

3. At what point should I set up a website? I don’t have a client base yet so I don’t know if I should try to get my portfolio built more and after I have clients set it up, or set it up right from the start, or somewhere in between?

4. If you do in person sales and not a shoot/burn style - do you still deliver digitals or are you a shoot/burn photographer who also does in person sales to deliver more product? I understand this could vary a little bit depending on wedding vs portrait photography.

Steven Morrow When starting to transition from just taking photos as a hobby, to starting the business; should I have paying clients first, a web presence, or business license? When tackling task by task what order would you rank the 3?

Nelson Tapias Advice for starting/running a “side hustle” business while you still keep your full-time job.

In todays episode Erica and Connor give you tips for managing life as you transition into your job as a portrait photographer.

Then, on sticking points, Connor sits down with Frank Gallagher to discuss techniques for bringing out a person’s authentic personality in their portrait.

Step 10 Finding Success: How to manage a transition to a job as a photographer

You do not have to say yes to everything. Set boundaries.

Set aside management/administrative time in your schedule

Management tools

17 Hats or similar programs

Fundy or designer programs

Canva

Later

accounting

Established workflows

Clients

Editing & delivery

Products

Business crap

In todays episode we talk about additional marketing strategies to help you grow your business.

Then, on sticking points, Connor sits down with Pete Lagregor to discuss ways he can convert traffic coming to his website into actual bookings. Developing additional marketing strategies

Will you operate on word of mouth? If so, is there a way you can encourage that further?

Referral programs

Clear expectations for tagging/photo credit on social media

Relationships with other businesses

Facebook has become a marketing monster

Social media as marketing

Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest ads

Facebook groups

Hashtags and tagging

Plan things ahead of time. When Creating advertisements don’t just ask what it is doing, but how it is doing it and how that will encourage others to follow through on their end.

Think creatively about what needs your ideal client has that only you can fill or that you can fulfill in an easier, cheaper, faster, or better quality than others in your market.

PEOPLE WILL NOT COME TO YOU, YOU HAVE TO GO TO THEM

In todays episode we talk about building an organic web presence to allow people to find your business on the web without you having to pay for advertising. This can be done through the channels of social media, google business/pages, and strengthened through your blogging capabilities on your website.

Then, on sticking points, Connor sits down with Ken Breivik to discuss building the confidence to fearlessly price your business where it needs to be priced for sustainable longevity.