Profitable Photographer Podcast

This episode is a “BUFFET” of ideas and quotes about the power of attraction, the importance of visualizing, and why positivity is one of our most important tools for success in business. I can’t

possibly cover everything about any one of these tools in 25 minutes, so I decided to share a handful of teachers and quotes that have helped me in my life and career.

As a professional photographer for over 40 years, and along the way, I’ve discovered something amazing: these tools don’t just make business sense—it can feel downright magical.

 I’m referencing ancient wisdom from the Bible, Buddhist teachings, and Jewish texts, alongside lessons from modern teachers like Wayne Dyer, Esther Hicks, and Napoleon Hill—all of whom have guided me to manifest incredible opportunities, clients, and experiences.

We talk about:

•       How a positive mindset can attract your ideal clients and unexpected opportunities.

•       Why being crystal clear on what you want is a total game-changer.

•       Ways to focus your energy so it actually works for you, not against you.

•       How to turn visualizations and intentions into real, booked sessions (yes, it really works—I’ve seen it happen time and time again!).

This episode is packed with practical advice, mindset tools, and a bit of storytelling from my four decades in photography. If you’re ready to see how positivity, vision, and focus can open doors you didn’t even know existed—while having some fun along the way—this episode is for you!

PS…if you would like a complimentary “Create the Business of Your Dreams” Strategy session,

go to www.lucidumascoaching.com and send an email or book a 20-minute call

Sending you all kinds of positive thoughts for your continuing success! Luci

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.

Okay, let’s face it. Creatives have special challenges when it comes to being organized and keeping track of our stuff.

The reasons can vary. There might be issues with all the things we use that “norm-ies” don’t need, like a list of things needed as a photographer, including cords, lenses, batteries, cameras, chargers, props, and so on.

Or the reason can be that we have many different projects going at the same time.

Or that…like me…we are more interested in the next creative activity and don’t notice the “wake” left behind from the last one.

My amazing guest, Lee Silber, offers hope and practical tips that are contrary to traditional organizing teachings.

He is the award-winning author of 26 books, including the popular Creative Person series. Lee is a master at helping right-brained creatives like us find simple, effective ways to organize and run our businesses without killing our spark.

One AHA moment for me is how organizing itself can be viewed as an art form, and how leaning into our creative tendencies makes us more successful. Lee shared some wonderfully practical strategies for organization, productivity, and confidence—designed for the way our brains actually work.

Here are a few of the highlights from our conversation:

• Create right-brain friendly organizing systems: color-coding, index cards, and piles that make sense.
• Why perfectionism is the illusion that keeps us stuck, and how to move forward anyway.
• “Action is the antidote for anxiety”—just start with one small step.
• A point-based to-do list that turns productivity into a game.

Lee also has a brand-new book, We Got This, all about building confidence, and he’s offering a free one-sheet gift called Quiet Confidence at leesilber.com/bonus-freebies.

If you’ve ever felt like typical business advice doesn’t quite fit how your brain works, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.

He has a freebie for us about developing confidence Leesilber.com/bonus-freebies

And would love to connect with you at lucidumascoaching.com

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.

Welcome to a super informative episode of The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas!

This week, I’m joined by longtime friends, industry icons, and master photographers Bert and Cindy Behnke — and oh, what a fun and insightful conversation we had!

Bert and Cindy ran a 68-year-old, three-generation portrait business in the Chicago suburbs until they passed the torch in 2024. Specializing in fine portraiture and corporate work (with a big love for photographing families and women!), they’ve impacted countless lives — not just through their lens, but through their warmth, wisdom, and connection.

Now they’re jet-setting across the globe, leading international photo workshops in dreamy destinations like Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Mexico, and Croatia. And you can join them!

In this episode, we dive into:

• The power of connection and relationship-building in portrait photography
• Why making clients feel seen, heard, and truly cared for is at the core of a thriving business
• How asking the right questions unlocks emotional impact and deeper client engagement
• A reminder that craftsmanship matters — solid skills + solid relationships = magic
• And so much more!

There is so much value in listening to photographers with decades of success. And this episode is a big, beautiful reminder that our greatest success comes when people know, like, and trust us. I know you are going to feel this way about Bert and Cindy

More about Bert & Cindy Behnke

Website: behnkephoto.com

Connect with Luci Dumas:

Want to chat about your photography business or learn how coaching can support you? Visit lucidumascoaching.com — there’s a link to book a free 20-minute call (promise, it’s not hard to find!).

Thanks for tuning in, beautiful humans! Your support means the world to me. Until next time, sending you a big heart full of love — and as always, keep doing what you love, loving what you do, and making this world a better place one portrait at a time.

With gratitude,

Luci Dumas

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 week I get to hang out with Jeff Rojas—a mellow, super talented commercial photographer and former Adobe rep who’s been in the photography game for 14 years. His story started with something really personal…photographing a classic car with his grandfather…and it grew into a career that’s full of lessons for all of us.

Jeff and I cover a lot of ground in this episode, including the business of photography, the future of creative entrepreneurship, and how to thrive in commercial photography today. Here are just a few of the gems you’ll hear:

• How wealth doesn’t really change people—it just turns up the volume on who they already are
• Why working with clients who truly value quality is the key to a thriving business (money or no money)
• Jeff’s approach to pricing: not fixed rates, but real value
• What he learned as Adobe’s go-to-market manager and how that ties into the future of creative entrepreneurship
• His refreshing take on AI—it’s not here to replace us, but to multiply what we can do
• And my favorite: his “jawbone of a donkey” analogy—why you should use the skill you’re most afraid to use, the one you already have, instead of waiting for the perfect tool

Jeff also opens up about taking a much-needed break during 2020 to recover from burnout, and how he found his balance again. It’s an honest, inspiring conversation about creativity, business, and the courage to make the most of what you’ve been given.

Here is how to check out what Jeff is up to and get in his orbit:

·     facebook.com/sajorffej

·     instagram.com/sajorffej

·     linkedin.com/in/sajorffej

·     sajorffej.com

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 week on The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas, it’s just me, spilling some of my favorite secrets for running a thriving photography business.

Think of it as coffee with a friend who’s been at this for decades—and is ready to save you a few headaches.

Here’s a taste of what I share:

      •     Why three bank accounts might just be your new best friends

      •     The rookie mistake most wedding photographers make (and how to avoid it)

      •     How to get clients without living on social media

      •     My favorite “wow” factor for in-person sales that almost guarantees bigger orders

      •     It’s part business, part photography, and all real-world tips to help you grow, profit, and actually enjoy the ride.

PS…if you want support, you can pop over to www.lucidumascoaching.com and book a quick chat or send an email.

AND…be sure to grab my marketing freebies while you are there.

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.

It was fun to chat with another California photographer, Jeff Galinovsky, all about the business side of photography. He has been at it since 1988 (yep, with a Minolta Maxxum 7000!) and now runs a thriving business in high-volume sports, senior and family portraits, corporate branding, and events. He’s a CPP, Master of Photography, President of the Professional Photographers of Sacramento Valley, and an instructor with McKay Photography Academy.

His recent trip with McKay was to Mongolia, and you really want to see the amazing photos on his Facebook page!

Jeff and I dig into what it really takes to go full-time in photography—spoiler: it’s not about quitting on a whim. He shares how he prepared, got mentoring, leaned on professional organizations, and built a foundation that allowed him to succeed long-term.

We also cover:

• Planning ahead and thinking big-picture for your business
• Multiple streams of income vs. specializing (and why both can work)
• Business basics: legal setup, customer service, target market, marketing, and pricing
• Why mentors, community, and continuous learning are game-changers

If you want to grow a photography business that lasts for decades, this conversation will give you a roadmap.

Find Jeff here:

Website: jeffgalinovskyphotography.com

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Jeff Galinovsky

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 week on The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas, I’m so excited to bring you a conversation that’s both fun and super practical—especially if you’ve been curious (or intimidated!) about using video to grow your photography business.

My guest is Shayna Lloyd—photographer, videographer, storyteller, and an all-around inspiring human. Shayna shared how she accidentally built a business by simply sharing videos before she even had a business to promote. Her story is the perfect example of the magic that happens when you take action, even when you're not fully ready.

We chatted about the power of short-form and long-form video content, how to get started with just your iPhone, and why being willing to fail is part of the journey to success.

Here are a few of Shayna’s golden nuggets:

• Start simple:
• Think like a storyteller
• Create a story by piecing together clips.
• Once you’re comfortable, explore the video features on your camera

Shayna’s approach is all about ease, authenticity, and creativity. And honestly, I was so inspired that I might just go film a little story walk around my neighborhood after this!

Heads up: If you're listening in August, Shayna is hosting an amazing in-person event September 8–11 in a beautiful cabin in Montana. It includes styled shoots and tons of learning and connection. If I were still in growth mode, I’d absolutely go! You can find the details at heythriver.com.

I'm sure you’ll find Shayna as delightful and motivating as I did.

Enjoy the episode!

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 week on The Profitable Photographer, I’m joined by the talented and super-fun Jenny Gegg—classically trained photographer, Certified Professional Photographer, Craftsman, and wedding specialist with over 26 years of experience.

Jenny LOVES photographing weddings (her words: “It’s literally the best day of their life, and I get to witness it!”), and she’s built her business around creating an amazing experience for couples. Because as she says, people may forget the exact shots you took, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel.

We dive into Jenny’s top tips for making wedding photography easy, fun, and stress-free—for both you and your clients: Here are a few of her many many tips…

           •          Build extra time into the wedding day timeline

           •          Keep calm even if things run late—don’t let them see you sweat

           •          Make people laugh, especially the groomsmen, and remind the women they’re beautiful

           •          Consider bringing an assistant to help everything run smoothly

           •          Keep portraits private—no extra onlookers for first looks or couple portraits

           •          Be attentive to your couple’s needs (like grabbing them a drink or helping at the buffet)

Jenny also shares how she got into weddings, why learning the parents’ names matters, and why she sometimes prefers photographing people in their homes over the usual park session.

She’s a joy to listen to—and I know you’ll love her energy and practical tips!

Connect with Jenny:

• Website: www.jennygegg.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: Jenny Gegg

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.

Are you tired of the old myth that being an artist means being broke?

In this solo episode, I take on the “starving artist” mindset that holds so many talented photographers back—and gives you fresh ways to flip the script.

Whether you’re struggling to charge what you’re worth, feel crushed by rejection, or stuck believing you need to be “perfect” to make money, this episode is for you.

Questions to Ask Yourself from This Episode:

• What if you could see your photography as a product—not a reflection of your soul?
• Could rejection actually have nothing to do with you or your art?
• Are you pricing your time like someone who values it?
• What if “good enough” really is good enough to succeed?
• Is your style actually as important as you think—or is it more important to create what clients love?
• Are your technical skills strong and repeatable enough to inspire confidence and joy in your clients?
• And most importantly…what would change if you believed that you deserve to thrive?

I dig deep to offer you encouragement, challenge yourself and your past ideas about success, and practical mindset shifts to help you stop undervaluing yourself and start building a business that supports both your creativity and your bank account.

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 am so excited to share my conversation with the dynamic duo—Gregory and Lesa Daniel—about the beauty and strategy behind commissioned mixed-media portraits, working as a couple, and building a business with heart, intention, and excellence.

Gregory and Lesa are internationally celebrated for their artistry and business success. Gregory is one of the most awarded photographers in the U.S., holding the titles of Master of Photography and ASP Fellow, and was one of the youngest inductees into the Cameracraftsmen of America. He’s also a founding member of ISPA and a Past President of Professional Photographers of America.

Lesa is the brilliance behind the business, managing the operations of their two portrait galleries in Florida, and playing an essential role in their continued success as both a leader and visionary. There is something so powerful about a couple that runs a successful photography business together, and they share how they manage to make this work so well.

Here are just a few golden nuggets we touched on:

• The importance of being product-focused over selling just an experience
• How specializing in what you love can elevate your brand and profitability
• Why "context is everything" when it comes to the final art and how it's used

One of my favorite parts? Their take on intentional branding and creating a sustainable business around only the products they love—and that truly serve their clients. Yes, please.

I’m so inspired by their teamwork, artistry, and wisdom. I hope you are too.

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Connect with Gregory and Lesa at https://www.gregorydanielportraits.com/

Visit me at www.lucidumascoaching.com for coaching, encouragement, and creative business 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.