Welcome to 2025! In this first episode of the year, Amanda sets the tone with practical tips, inspiration, and a sneak peek at what’s ahead on The Brand Photographer’s Lounge. Whether you're looking to set meaningful goals, refine your business processes, or explore new ways to grow as a brand photographer, this episode is packed with insights to kickstart your year. Plus, Amanda shares her own 2025 focus areas and invites you to join the conversation about your goals. Tune in for a mix of motivation, community vibes, and exciting plans for the months ahead!

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction and Welcome

01:38 - Setting Intentions for 2025

02:55 - Focus Areas for Amanda in 2025

05:04 - Practical Start-of-Year Tips

06:03 - Visibility and Content Creation

07:19 - Skill Development

08:10 - Sneak Peek of Upcoming Episodes

09:10 - Building a Photographer Community

10:11 - Closing Remarks

As we wrap up the first season of The Brand Photographer’s Lounge, Amanda reflects on the highs and lows of 2024, sharing the lessons she’s learned and the wins worth celebrating. With 2025 on the horizon, this episode is packed with thoughtful insights on balancing growth and well-being, refining services, and setting the tone for a successful new year. Whether you’re looking for inspiration to tackle your own goals or simply want to unwind with a festive chat, this episode is a must-listen for creative business owners ready to thrive.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and reflection on completing the first podcast season.

00:15 - Reflecting on 2024: celebrating wins, challenges, and lessons learned.

02:30 - Celebrating wins: starting the podcast, mentoring clients, and expanding into corporate photography.

05:30 - Lessons learned: enforcing boundaries with clients and updating postponement and payment policies.

07:30 - Evaluating services: reevaluating packages and adapting to client needs.

09:00 - Overcoming overwhelm: using time-blocking to stay organized and productive.

10:30 - Setting intentions for 2025: focusing on business growth, balance, and personal well-being.

12:00 - Using December for rest and strategic planning to start 2025 strong.

13:30 - Encouragement to reflect, plan, and take intentional downtime over the festive season.

14:30 - Conclusion: a look ahead to 2025, gratitude for listeners, and holiday wishes.

Are you ready to hit the ground running in 2025? In this episode, I’m sharing how you can use the quieter weeks of December to set yourself up for success in the new year. From reflecting on what worked in 2024 to creating intentional goals and streamlining your workflows, we’ll cover the key steps to plan for a thriving business.

I’ll also explore the importance of balancing growth with creativity, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and fostering a supportive community as you build your brand photography business. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to help you think bigger and work smarter next year.

Tune in for practical tips and strategies to take your business—and yourself—to the next level!

Join the Brand Photographers Lounge Facebook Group to continue the conversation

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and focus on planning for 2025.

00:15 - Encouragement to use December as a quiet time for strategic planning.

01:00 - Reflecting on 2024: identifying successes, challenges, and insights.

03:00 - Setting SMART goals for 2025 and breaking them into categories: financial, creative, business growth, and work-life balance.

05:30 - Breaking down big goals into smaller, manageable steps with actionable plans.

07:00 - Marketing strategy: consistency, content planning, and diversifying marketing channels.

09:00 - Streamlining business processes: automation, delegation, and efficiency improvements.

11:00 - Establishing standard workflows for client onboarding, shoot planning, and editing.

12:00 - Importance of community and support: fostering relationships and networking.

14:30 - Protecting time for planning and being intentional with goal setting.

16:00 - Conclusion: Amanda’s 11th business anniversary, preview of the next episode, and a call to share the podcast.

In this episode of The Brand Photographer’s Lounge, we dive deep into what it truly means to work on your business rather than just in it. As creatives, it’s easy to get wrapped up in client projects, editing, and day-to-day tasks, but carving out time for strategic planning is essential for growth, avoiding burnout, and setting a foundation for long-term success.

Amanda shares her tried-and-true methods, like dedicated CEO days, marketing days, and even seasonal downtime in December to recalibrate, set new goals, and refocus. Plus, she offers practical tips on accountability, tracking progress, and the importance of celebrating every win—big or small. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights to help you shift from hustling to thriving in your business. Tune in to discover how a few mindful adjustments can propel your brand to the next level!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and episode focus on working on the business vs. in the business.

00:30 - Importance of CEO days for strategic planning and avoiding burnout.

02:00 - Quarterly review with a business buddy: reviewing goals, client feedback, and financials.

04:00 - Setting monthly marketing days for planning and scheduling consistent content.

05:30 - Weekly financial check-in to stay on top of receipts and invoices.

07:00 - December downtime for year-end reflection, system improvements, and projects.

09:00 - Starting small with “on the business” work, treating tasks as appointments.

11:00 - Accountability and progress tracking with partners.

12:30 - Celebrating wins and sharing achievements with peers.

14:00 - Final thoughts and call to action: share business tips, leave reviews, and join the next episode.

In this episode of "The Brand Photographer's Lounge," Amanda delves into the similarities and differences between brand photography and wedding photography. Reflecting on her own transition from weddings to brand work, she discusses how both types of photography require building trust, capturing authentic moments, and telling compelling stories. Amanda shares insights on the detailed planning involved in each, from pre-shoot calls and questionnaires to creating mood boards and shoot plans. She also explores how wedding photographers can leverage their skills to enhance their brand photography services, adding a unique touch to each client's story.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction Amanda introduces the episode and the topic of comparing wedding photography to brand photography.

[00:45] Transitioning from Weddings to Brand Photography Reflecting on her decision to step away from wedding photography and how recent wedding shoots for friends sparked insights.

[02:30] Key Differences: Flexibility and Creative Control Amanda discusses how brand photography offers more creative freedom compared to the time constraints of wedding days.

[04:15] The Collaborative Nature of Brand Photography How working closely with clients to bring their brand vision to life differs from documenting a wedding.

[06:00] Building Trust in Both Fields Why establishing trust is essential for making clients feel at ease, whether they’re couples or business owners.

[07:30] Authenticity in Brand vs. Wedding Photography The role of capturing genuine moments to convey a story in both types of photography.

[09:00] The Detailed Planning Process Comparing the preparation stages for weddings and brand shoots, including calls, questionnaires, and shoot plans.

[11:15] Storytelling Across Photography Genres How storytelling elements carry over from weddings to branding, with examples from client shoots.

[13:00] Attention to Detail: From Weddings to Brands The significance of detail-oriented shooting, whether it’s a wedding heirloom or a brand prop.

[15:00] Advice for Wedding Photographers Exploring Brand Work Tips for those considering a shift or addition to brand photography.

[17:00] Closing Thoughts and Invitation to Join the Community Encouragement to share insights, join the Facebook group, and engage with fellow photographers.

Join the Brand Photographers Lounge Facebook Group and follow on Instagram

Today, I’m so excited to introduce you to the amazing Charlotte Wibberley, an Evergreen, Launch & Funnel Strategist. In this episode, we dive deep into how photographers—and other service-based business owners—can set up evergreen systems that keep your business growing without burning out. We all know that being the bottleneck in our businesses is real, especially when we’re constantly behind the camera.

Charlotte explains the magic behind funnels, how they work to consistently attract and nurture clients, and why setting up an evergreen ecosystem could be a game-changer for scaling your photography business. We talk about everything from creating lead magnets to setting up funnels that do the heavy lifting, and Charlotte even shares some of the biggest mistakes people make when setting these up (so you can avoid them!).

Whether you’re brand new to the idea of evergreen marketing or looking for tips to optimize what you’ve already got, this episode is packed with insights that can help you bring in more clients while freeing up your time. Plus, I share a little about my own journey with evergreen marketing and how it's become a focus for me next year.

If you're ready to make your business work for you (instead of the other way around), this episode is one you don’t want to miss!

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to the episode and guest, Charlotte Wibberley 01:35 – Charlotte’s background in Evergreen strategies, launching, and funnels 05:15 – What is an Evergreen ecosystem and how it can benefit photographers 10:45 – Funnels explained: What they are and how they work for businesses 15:30 – Amanda’s experience with evergreen marketing and how it’s helping her business 20:10 – Common mistakes to avoid when setting up a funnel or evergreen system 26:45 – How photographers can start creating their first funnel and lead magnet 31:30 – The importance of data in optimizing funnels and evergreen systems 36:15 – Why sales calls can help photographers build personal connections and increase bookings 42:20 – Final tips from Charlotte on getting started with funnels and evergreen marketing 45:10 – Wrap-up and key takeaways from the episode

To follow Charlotte

Website - https://www.charlottewibberley.co.uk/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/charlottewibberleystrategist/

Freebies and useful links - https://www.charlottewibberley.co.uk/links

In this episode of The Brand Photographer’s Lounge, Amanda sits down with email marketing strategist Kirsty Bartholomew to dive into the power of email marketing for photographers. Kirsty shares her journey from travel blogger to email expert and explains why every photographer should have an email list.

Together, they explore the essentials of building and nurturing an engaged email audience, the common misconceptions photographers have about email marketing, and practical tips for growing your list. Whether you’re just starting out or need to revive your email strategy, Kirsty’s insights will help you create a consistent and authentic connection with your audience. Tune in to learn how to transform your email list into a tool that drives engagement and bookings!

Timestamps

[00:00] – Introduction to Kirsty Bartholomew and her background in email marketing

[06:00] – Why photographers need an email list: Building trust and staying connected

[12:45] – How Kirsty helped Amanda create a successful email marketing strategy that led to international bookings

[17:30] – Where to start: How to get your first subscribers and the importance of freebies

[23:15] – Tools and resources to get started with email marketing on a budget

[29:00] – The importance of consistency in email marketing and how often to send emails

[34:00] – How to nurture your email list and keep subscribers engaged with valuable content

[41:00] – Can you sell in your nurture sequence? Tips for strategically promoting your services

[47:30] – Wrapping up: Kirsty’s freebie and next steps for building a successful email list

Kirsty's Details:

Instagram | Facebook | Website | Free Facebook Group

Freebie: 40 places to share your freebie

And don't forget to join the Brand Photographer's Lounge facebook group to continue the chat

In this episode of The Brand Photographer’s Lounge, I’m sharing my tried-and-tested strategies for managing multi-shoot days without burning out. Whether you're already familiar with back-to-back shoots or just starting to book them, I’ll walk you through how I handle everything from client communication and scheduling breaks to staying hydrated and keeping my energy up. I’ll also talk about the importance of setting realistic client expectations, building in editing time, and even the benefits of having an assistant to help on those extra busy days. If you want to keep enjoying your shoot days and avoid the overwhelm, this episode is for you!

Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction to Multi-Shoot Days

[01:15] Why Multi-Shoot Days Can Be Draining

[03:05] Planning and Scheduling Breaks

[05:10] Communicating Boundaries with Clients

[07:00] Efficient Workflow During Busy Days

[09:00] Pacing Yourself Throughout the Day

[10:45] Staying Hydrated and Energized

[12:20] Managing Editing and Client Expectations

[14:00] Keeping Your Creative Energy High

[16:25] Unwinding After Multi-Shoot Days

Join me on the Brand Photographers Lounge as I explore the diverse roles of brand photographers.

Discover how photographers go beyond just taking photos to become brand strategists, marketing consultants, creative directors, problem solvers, and confidants.

Learn why professional imagery is crucial for business success in areas like social media and websites, even without direct financial attribution.

Hear a powerful testimonial that highlights the significant impact of brand photography on a client's business success and visibility.

Don't miss out on this episode that celebrates the collective influence that you as a photographer has on shaping your client's confidence and success.

Timestamps:

[00:00:03] "Stop saying 'I'm just a photographer'"

[00:01:32] Photographers help clients define brand, storytelling.

[00:03:27] Marketing consultants, brand strategists, creative directors.

[00:05:19] Photographers are more than just photographers.

[00:06:45] Professional imagery crucial for online success.

[00:08:24] Professional photos essential for business success.

[00:10:12] Photographer's impact goes beyond photos.

[00:12:05] Photographer impacts clients' success and beyond.

[00:13:31] Creating impact through photography and teamwork.

[00:15:01] Celebrate wins, share testimonials, cheerlead others.

Have you joined the facebook community?  If not, head here to join us in the Brand Photographer's Lounge

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook and if you want more tailored support with your business check out the mentoring options available

Join Amanda as she interviews Helen Holt from Styled Home Studios. Helen and her friend Tamryn created a platform that connects photographers with curated locations for shoots, focusing on on-brand spaces. They delve into the significance of strategic location choices in brand photography and how their platform offers diverse locations, an hourly booking model, and upcoming features like maps and reviews. Helen also shares how the platform democratizes access to high-quality locations for small businesses.

Find them here:

Website: https://styledhomestudios.co.uk/ 

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

Timestamps:

[00:00:12] Photographers lounge podcast with Helen from Styled Home Studios discussing shoot houses and industry insights.

[00:03:11] Design-led, inspirational spaces curated by friends.

[00:06:03] Professional platform for creative location rentals.

[00:09:23] Choose locations intentionally for brand photography.

[00:12:42] Brand photographer offers amazing service, variety.

[00:16:15] Brand photography industry embracing hourly model.

[00:19:26] Small business shoots in affordable locations.

[00:21:39] Improved dashboards, peer reviews, professional directory.

[00:23:55] Connecting creative professionals with beautiful locations.

[00:26:54] Stylish home studios for photo shoots.