Profitable Photographer Podcast

Some people come into your lives and change everything. Today's episode is a conversation with one of the most inspiring and magnetic people I have been lucky enough to know. She was my coach, mentor, friend, guest, and client. She passed away last week, and I hope that revisiting this conversation will inspire you as much as she inspired everyone who knew her.

About this interview...

I think it’s safe to say that at some point we’ve all felt a little bit stuck…in our comfort zones, in our photography businesses, and in our lives. I know that I have. The person that helped me get over that “stuck” feeling? This week’s The Profitable Photographer Podcast guest and my long-time coach and friend, Ursula Mentjes. I couldn’t be more excited for you to meet her!

Ursula is a leading expert on success and business growth and a USA Today bestselling author of UpLevel NOW. She is a business strategist and coach who works with entrepreneurs ( like me!) to double their monthly revenue in as little as 30 days while working less. Ursula is also a keynote speaker and certified as an NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Coach through the NLP Institute of California. She specializes in helping her clients release the limiting beliefs and blocks that hold them back from their greatest success.

As self-employed business owners, it’s easy to stay stuck in our comfort zone. But staying where we are will never allow us to reach the goals we truly desire. Today, Ursula is here to teach us how to break through to the next level and get unstuck!

Listen in as the life-changing, entertaining Ursula shares with us:

·     How to change limiting beliefs

·     Steps to double your sales

·     How to get unstuck and leave your comfort zone

Ursula’s final takeaway for us? It’s not too late to build the business of your dreams.

If you want to learn more from Ursula, you can still find her books and podcast on her website

• Website: https://www.ursulainc.co/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MySalesCoachNow

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: 

• Website 
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram 
• Facebook
• YouTube

New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.

Sooooo….I have often called The Baby Whisperer OR Every Kids’ Aunt Luci. I happen to be and an award-winning Master Craftsman photographer, but my favorite award (or reward) is capturing the delight a child brings in a photograph and sharing with my clients

After 10 years photographing weddings, I pivoted to my first love, children. For the next 20 plus years I photographed newborns, toddlers, children and families. People would comment about how patient I am and yes, it is true. But I also have learned and invented many many ways to make photographing them easy and fun. Ways to bring out natural expressions and poses. Ways to plan a session for the most success.

And I am sharing not just 10 tips and tricks, but the different stages of childhood and the 8 basic needs and how to address them to get the most out of our time with the wee ones.

In this episode, I share:

• My 10 hot tips for photographing children with more ease and confidence
• How to adapt your approach for newborns, toddlers, preschoolers, and teens
• Creative ways to connect with little ones (without relying on bribery)
• The importance of reading the room — and meeting children where they are
• Why your own energy, preparation, and mindset are just as important as your camera settings

Whether you’re brand new to photographing children or have been doing it for years, this episode is packed with practical advice, mindset shifts, and tried-and-true techniques to help you create portraits families will treasure forever.

Thanks for listening, and if you found this helpful, I’d love for you to subscribe and share it with your photography friends.

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: 

• Website 
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram 
• Facebook
• YouTube

New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.

What a fun conversation I had with my friend Rachel Sorbet! Rachel specializes in branding and executive portraits for businesswomen, and she shared so many gems about creating a successful photography business that feels authentic and rewarding.

I have watched her go from “imposter syndrome” to a super-successful Boss Babe (aka a very successful photographer) in just 8 years.

We chatted about the power of positive thinking and believing that if you have a dream, you really can build it. Rachel shares how she attracts clients, revealing that most of her bookings come from Google Ads, combined with consistently showing up through networking and social media.

We also dive into one of my favorite topics—building relationships. Rachel explains her strategy for creating "channel partners," businesses that actively support and refer one another. She shares how simple connections, clear expectations, and genuine relationships over coffee can grow into a steady stream of ideal clients.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• The power of mindset and believing in your dreams.
• How Rachel gets 90% of her branding clients through Google Ads.
• The difference between referral partners and channel partners.
• How to recognize the super-networkers who can help grow your business.
• Why authentic relationships are still one of the best marketing strategies.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Thanks so much for listening and for sharing The Profitable Photographer with your photography friends!

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: 

• Website 
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram 
• Facebook
• YouTube

New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.

My conversation with family photographer and business coach Jill C. Smith is a deep dive into pricing, marketing, client experience, and building a photography business that fits your life.

If you know me at all, you know how I am always on my soapbox about selling printed wall art and albums. So you might be surprised by our conversation about why Jill is a huge fan of selling digital files only. She opened my eyes to the reality that this can be highly profitable when done correctly. And she helped me understand why it is perfect for some people as long as it is financially rewarding and fits their lifestyle.

About My Guest

Jill went from teaching English to refugees to creating a successful photography business in New York's Catskills 12 years ago. Her style is a blend of lifestyle and documentary - focusing on all things warm, honest, and connected. Jill is also a coach and mentor to other photographers, with her main areas of focus being on pricing, marketing, and client experience

And she hosts The Business Focused Photographer podcast. Be sure to listen for the episode where I am her guest.

In This Episode, we explore

• The difference between lifestyle and documentary photography
• Why pricing is often a mindset challenge
• Creative ways to market your photography business
• How to identify and attract your ideal clients

Free Gift

Get Jill's profitability worksheet at: TheBusinessFocusedPhotographer.com/profitable

Thanks for subscribing and sharing my podcast and YouTube channel with your photo friends!

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: 

• Website 
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram 
• Facebook
• YouTube

New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.

This episode is such an encouraging conversation about photography, money, and building a life that actually feels good. I sat down with photographer and business coach Mycah Bain to talk about financial freedom, mindset shifts, creating wealth without guilt, and why getting support in your business can completely change your life.

Mycah shares how she grew her photography business into a multi-six-figure studio with a team of 10 women, all while creating more freedom, more peace, and more opportunity for herself and others. We also dive into money blocks, gratitude, investing, retirement, generosity, and the importance of women feeling empowered to build real wealth.

This conversation felt equal parts practical, inspiring, and deeply honest.

In This Episode

• Why women deserve to build wealth and financial freedom
• The mindset shifts that helped Mycah grow her business
• How hiring help creates more peace, energy, and profit
• Money blocks photographers often struggle with
• Gratitude practices that can change your relationship with money
• Simple ways to start planning for long-term financial freedom
• Why generosity and wealth can beautifully coexist

Free Gift

Mycah created a free money mindset resource for photographers:

 mycahbain.com/money  

She’s also offering complimentary one-on-one chats for a limited number of listeners. Email her and mention Luci. [email protected]



Memorable Takeaway

“One moment of gratitude can completely shift your relationship with money.”

This episode is a beautiful reminder that money doesn’t have to feel scary, selfish, or overwhelming. It can be a tool for freedom, generosity, creativity, and building the life you truly want.

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: 

• Website 
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram 
• Facebook
• YouTube

New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.

Have you ever donated a photo session to a charity event… and wondered if it was actually worth it?

If you want to know how to get booked solid without competing in the online world, you will want to listen and take notes. Today, I’m sharing how I used charity auctions and giveaways to attract ideal clients who invest well and helped my photography business thrive—without discounting my value or feeling salesy. All while supporting causes I truly care about.

Back during the 2009–2010 recession, this approach helped me stay visible, attract ideal clients, and generate thousands of dollars in business. I’m breaking down exactly what worked, what didn’t, and how to make charity marketing feel intentional instead of exhausting.

This episode is full of practical ideas, mindset shifts, and little details that can make a huge difference if you want charity events to actually support your business instead of draining it.

In This Episode

        •       How I used charity events to attract ideal portrait clients

        •       Why the right event matters more than doing lots of events

        •       My strategy for gift certificates, refundable deposits, and pre-qualifying clients

        •       Simple display ideas that make your booth or auction table look high-end

        •       Why every charity client deserves the same amazing experience as a full-paying client

A Few Big Takeaways

        •       Charity marketing works best when your ideal clients are already attending the event

        •       A beautiful presentation and strong branding matter more than giving away “more stuff”

        •       Sometimes one great charity partnership is worth more than ten random events

        •       The goal isn’t just exposure — it’s connection, trust, and creating future clients

Memorable Reminder

Supporting a cause and building a profitable business do not have to be opposites. When done thoughtfully, charity events can create genuine relationships, beautiful experiences, and real income for your business at the same time.

If this episode sparks ideas for you, I’d love to hear about it.

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: 

• Website 
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram 
• Facebook
• YouTube

New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.

In this episode of The Profitable Photographer, I had such a delightful conversation with Karen Wood about the art and business of newborn photography….and the business of photography for any specialty.

Karen Wood is an award-winning newborn photographer, educator, and speaker based in Dallas. She has photographed everything from sports and weddings to family portraits, but her passion today is newborn and maternity photography. Karen is also an associate with the Professional Newborn Photographers International and loves helping photographers improve their technical skills, safety practices, and client experience.

What I especially appreciated was Karen’s calm, thoughtful approach. She has such a deep understanding of both the technical side of photography and the emotional side of serving families. Her wisdom around creating custom sessions and learning to truly “see” light was incredibly inspiring.

In This Episode

        •       How to safely soothe and pose newborns during sessions

        •       Why custom, personalized experiences lead to higher sales

        •       Common lighting mistakes photographers make (and how to fix them)

        •       Why continuing education can dramatically improve your photography business

Connect with Karen

https://www.karen-laine.com/for-photographers

Karen’s Free Gift

Karen generously offered a complimentary 15-minute image critique/coaching session for a limited number of photographers. Just reach out to her through her website

Memorable Takeaway

Karen reminded us that success in photography often comes from slowing down, mastering the fundamentals, and creating a personalized experience that clients truly value. Whether you photograph newborns or any kind of portrait, learning to connect with people and refine your craft is what helps you stand out.

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: 

• Website 
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram 
• Facebook
• YouTube

New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.

I had such a great conversation with Marcin Rafalowicz in this episode of The Profitable Photographer. He’s incredibly smart, thoughtful, and inspiring, and we talked about so much more than photography.

We dove into mindset shifts, perfectionism, confidence, AI, automation, networking, and what it really takes to build a profitable business without trying to do everything alone.

One of my favorite takeaways:

“Perfectionism keeps photographers stuck. Progress and consistency are what actually build businesses.”

In This Episode:

• Letting go of perfectionism

• Using AI and automation to save time

• Why mindset matters in business growth

• The power of networking and relationships

• Learning through failure instead of fearing it

About Marcin Rafalowicz

Marcin is a photographer, branding specialist, and business coach with 17 years of experience in weddings, portraits, fashion, and corporate photography. His work has appeared in publications including Vogue and Cosmopolitan through collaborative editorial projects. Today, he helps photographers build profitable businesses through mindset coaching, branding, marketing, automation, and AI systems.

Connect with Marcin

• ProImageAcademy.com/start



Special Free Gift

Marcin is offering listeners a free business scoreboard assessment at ProImageAcademy.com/start to help photographers identify their strengths, biggest bottlenecks, and areas for growth.

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: 

• Website 
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram 
• Facebook
• YouTube

New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.

On The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas, I’m joined by the wonderful Kimberly Olker for a conversation about pivoting, community, creativity, and building a photography business that can evolve with you over time.

Kimberly has been a professional photographer for more than 20 years, specializing in Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, and portraiture. She’s also a Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, educator, and recent winner of the top landscape image award at Imaging USA’s International Photographic Competition.

We talk about:

• What photographers need to know about photographing Bar and Bat Mitzvahs

• Why community and referrals are everything in this niche

• How Kimberly pivoted during the pandemic to continue serving families

• Transitioning into fine art and landscape photography later in your career

• Financial wisdom for photographers planning long-term success

• Why creativity and adaptability matter so much as entrepreneurs

Kimberly also shares beautiful insights about mentorship, service, and creating a business that supports both your life and your joy.

One of my favorite takeaways from this episode:

“Look for something beautiful… and even better, create it.”

If you’ve ever wondered about photographing Bar Mitzvahs, transitioning into a new genre, or creating a business that gives you more freedom over time, this episode is full of wisdom and heart.

You can find Kimberly at Olker Photography and learn more about her teaching, mentoring, and photography work there.

And as always, I’d love for you to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform, leave a review, and connect with me at Luci Dumas Coaching.

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: 

• Website 
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram 
• Facebook
• YouTube

New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.

In this solo episode, I’m talking about something so many photographers and creatives struggle with: learning to separate our work from our worth.

It’s easy to believe that if clients love our images, we are lovable… and if they don’t book, buy, or question our pricing, somehow we’re not enough.

The truth is: your value is inherent.

It is not determined by sales, praise, bookings, or outside validation.

In this episode, I share personal stories—from selling bouquets made from my neighbors’ flowers as a kid (oops!) to my journey as a recovering perfectionist—and how those experiences shaped my need for approval.

We cover:

• Why photographers confuse their product with their identity

• The 4 kinds of potential clients—and why “no” isn’t personal

• How fear of criticism holds us back

• How to learn from mistakes without spiraling

• Why growth matters more than perfection

This episode is a reminder that you are worthy and valuable—whether someone books you or not.

As always, I’m cheering you on.

Connect with me at LuciDumasCoaching.com or book a free 20-minute chat if this speaks to your heart.

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: 

• Website 
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram 
• Facebook
• YouTube

New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.