In this episode, Mike Cassidy discusses three mistakes people make when starting their boudoir photography business. The first mistake is starting a business without having any photography skills. Cassidy emphasizes the importance of learning and practicing photography before venturing into a business. The second mistake is the overuse of the 'fixer' mentality in women's photography, where photographers claim to heal and fix their clients. Cassidy argues that this approach is unnecessary and can be off-putting. The third mistake is the misconception that all women are broken and need healing, which Cassidy finds to be a common theme in women's photography websites. In this part of the conversation, Mike Cassidy discusses three common mistakes that new boudoir photographers make. First, he advises against starting a boudoir business without any photography skills or experience. Second, he cautions against adopting a 'fixer' mentality and trying to position oneself as a healer or therapist through photography. Third, he warns against over-positioning oneself in the market as a luxury photographer without the necessary experience or branding. Cassidy emphasizes the importance of being genuine, honest, and aligned with one's actual skills and experience when starting a boudoir photography business.

Keywords

boudoir photography, starting a business, photography skills, fixer mentality, healing, women's photography, boudoir photography, mistakes, new photographers, fixer mentality, over-positioning, branding

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

06:08 Mistake #1: Starting a Boudoir Photography Business Without Photography Skills

23:25 Mistake #2: Going Way Overboard on the "Fixer Mentality"

43:25 Mistake #3: Over-Positioning Themselves in the Market

55:37 Wrap Up

Where You Can Find Me:

Listen on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michael-cassidy15

Watch This Episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeCassidyPhotographyPro

Visit my website: https://www.mikecassidyphotography.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelcassidy/

Listen on Spotify:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michael-cassidy15

Where you can find me:

Watch This Episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeCassidyPhotographyPro

Visit my website: https://www.mikecassidyphotography.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelcassidy/

In this eye-opening episode, Mike Cassidy pulls back the curtain on the alluring yet misleading world of high-priced photography courses promising quick success. Drawing from his rich experience in boudoir photography, Mike critically examines the "glittering promises" of instant riches and fame that many new photographers fall victim to. With a blend of personal anecdotes and hard-earned wisdom, he reveals the harsh reality behind these courses, the true cost of chasing shortcuts, and what genuine success in the photography industry really looks like. Through candid discussions, Mike underscores the importance of dedication, authentic growth, and the value of community and mentorship over any supposed "secret formula" to success. Whether you're a budding photographer enticed by these promises or a seasoned professional, this episode offers invaluable insights into building a sustainable and fulfilling career in photography, rooted in passion, hard work, and continuous learning.

Links/Products In This Episode:

Listen on Spotify:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michael-cassidy15

Where you can find me:

Watch This Episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeCassidyPhotographyPro

Visit my website: https://www.mikecassidyphotography.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelcassidy/

This episode of The Mike Cassidy Photography Podcast is another "Mini" episode answering listener questions from the previous show-- The Boudoir Q&A show.   

Just a quick solo episode to answer some listener submitted questions from the last episode with Christora. Enjoy!

Listen on Spotify:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michael-cassidy15

Where you can find me:

Watch This Episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MikeCassidyPhotographyPro

Visit my website: https://www.mikecassidyphotography.com/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelcassidy/

On this episode of The Mike Cassidy Photography Podcast I have a conversation with Christora Osters of Green Apple Photography. Christora is a Louisville, KY based wedding photographer and podcast host.

A few months ago I met Christora when I was a guest on the podcast she hosts with Tom Russo called The Capture Crew. Christora is an established wedding photographer who has been looking to add boudoir photography to her business. We thought it would be a fun idea to have a boudoir Q&A episode and to dig into some questions about getting started in boudoir.

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

Links/Products In This Episode:

SpyderCheckr

Warm Welcome Video Email Promo Code: REF2897

Where To Find Christora Osters:

Website: Green Apple Weddings

Instagram: Green Apple Weddings

TikTok: Green Apple Weddings

Podcast Website: The Capture Crew Podcast

On this episode of The Mike Cassidy Photography Podcast I have a conversation with Kirstie Jones of Kirstie Marie Photography and the Learn With Kirstie Marie educational and business training website. Kirstie is a Dallas, TX based equine portrait photographer and educator.

Kirstie Jones is an equine portrait photographer and educator located in Dallas, Texas. She founded Kirstie Marie Photography in 2013, and since then her work has been published in dozens of equine publications in advertising, editorial and cover spots. She conducts more than 50 private portrait session each year, obtaining an average of over $3,000 per client. She’s also worked with more than a dozen corporate clients, including SmartPak, Hobby Horse and Ride TV. 

Kirstie earned a BBA in finance from the Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University, where she also rode as a scholarship athlete for the TCU Equestrian Team. Prior to launching her full-time photography business, Kirstie worked in sales for a software company and in finance as an investor relations associate for an asset management firm.

Photos Discussed In This Episode:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEzfphhHbv9/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB8uXTan18G/

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBojRWfHmbS/ 

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

Links/Products In This Episode:

-None

Where To Find Arnica Rae:

Website: Kirstie Marie Photography

Education: Learn With Kirstie Marie

Instagram: Kirstie Marie Photography

On this episode of The Mike Cassidy Photography Podcast I continue the conversation with Arnica Rae of Arnica Spring Photography and The Natural Light Portrait Studio. Arnica is a Montana based boudoir, glamour & commercial photographer and educator.

Arnica started her path into professional photography as a mere coincidence-- with an opportunity to earn a few extra dollars taking photos of guests at a ranch. She quickly realized there was an opportunity to make more money in photography than there was from her regular job at that time. So, the inspiration hit her to grow and develop her photography business-- and she took action.

After spending some time in the wedding business, and a chance encounter with a Sue Bryce seminar, she knew the direction where she wanted her business to go-- to become a high end glamour and boudoir photography entity.

Now Arnica shares her knowledge and experience with others who want to grow their photography businesses with The Natural Light Portrait Studio website.

Photos Discussed In This Episode:

https://instagram.com/p/B7AN6a4npIp/

https://instagram.com/p/Bz_l2gxjKPQ

https://instagram.com/p/B4gFythnUvS 

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

Links/Products In This Episode:

Download Arnica's 5 Phases Business Planner

Where To Find Arnica Rae:

Website: The Natural Light Portrait Studio

Instagram: Arnica Spring Portrait

On this episode of The Mike Cassidy Photography Podcast I have a conversation with Arnica Rae of Arnica Spring Photography and The Natural Light Portrait Studio. Arnica is a Montana based boudoir, glamour & commercial photographer and educator.

Arnica started her path into professional photography as a mere coincidence-- with an opportunity to earn a few extra dollars taking photos of guests at a ranch. She quickly realized there was an opportunity to make more money in photography than there was from her regular job at that time. So, the inspiration hit her to grow and develop her photography business-- and she took action.

After spending some time in the wedding business, and a chance encounter with a Sue Bryce seminar, she knew the direction where she wanted her business to go-- to become a high end glamour and boudoir photography entity.

Now Arnica shares her knowledge and experience with others who want to grow their photography businesses with The Natural Light Portrait Studio website.

Photos Discussed In This Episode:

https://instagram.com/p/B7AN6a4npIp/

https://instagram.com/p/Bz_l2gxjKPQ

https://instagram.com/p/B4gFythnUvS 

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

Links/Products In This Episode:

Download Arnica's 5 Phases Business Planner

Where To Find Arnica Rae:

Website: The Natural Light Portrait Studio

Instagram: Arnica Spring Portrait

On this episode of The Mike Cassidy Photography Podcast I have a conversation with is Trevor Sherwin of Provocateur Images in Toronto, Canada. Trevor has been a professional boudoir photographer for eight years, and been involved in the business of photography for even longer.

I wanted to have a chat with Trevor about camera gear, and making smart decisions about what to buy. Additionally, I talk a bit about my new purchase, and we answer a few listener questions from the mail bag.

Argh! I'm so sorry, I somehow screwed up my audio levels while recording and my audio sounds baaaadddd. I tried to fix it as best I could... but it's still pretty horrible. Sorry! 😥

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

Links/Products In This Episode:

Where To Find Trevor Sherwin:

Provocateur Images Website - https://provocateurimages.ca/

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

On this episode of The Mike Cassidy Photography Podcast I have a conversation with Tori Kelner of Tori Kelner Photography. Tori is a wedding photographer and photography mentor.

Tori's love of photography started when she was in middle school, and her passion to learn has carried her to where she is today-- a thriving wedding photographer. Tori's path to becoming a professional wedding photographer may have been influenced by sending a single email... Curious?

In this episode we learn about how taking a chance can pay off, and not only that-- can change your career path, and help build an unexpected relationships that can last a lifetime.

Topics Discussed In This Episode:

Links/Products In This Episode:

Flickr

Jennifer Larsen Photography

Where To Find Tori Kelner:

Website: Tori Kelner Photographer

Instagram: Tori Kelner