Today’s guest gives back to her community and the result is huge- she even has her photos on beers cans! But until a couple of year ago she was shooting too much for too little and so she engaged a business coach to help her increase her annual profit. As part of that process, she as encouraged to dig deep into her why- and what she discovered lead her to implementing an incredibly beautiful and profitable project. 

I’m talking about Emily Allen who has increased her average sale four fold by following the advice of Karinda K. 

We discussed all that in members half of this interview- but in the first half, among other things, you’ll hear how and why Emily made the move into a shares studio space and how she keeps paying rent year round even though she doesn’t go in summer. As you can tell, we covered a lot in this interview, so no matter what stage of your business you’re in, there’s sure to be a take away for you. 

WE COVERED

• What is Emily’s area like 
• How sharing a studio works and why Emily opted to go that route
• Managing client expectations when changing their booked outdoor session to in-studio due to weather
• How Emily’s clients find out about her 
• How Emily’s photos ended up on beer cans- and how it helps her business!
• Justifying pricing

IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE

• How and why Emily increased her prices when her average was already $750 
• Working with a coach
• The impact of increasing her sale by 4x
• What people buy, and what the cost of goods are 
• Changes to Emily’s website to avoid phone calls - and if it’s helped
• Storytelling: A Dog's Life, A Woman's Story

Links in the show notes: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1707

Today’s guest fell into an incredible opportunity that she intelligently took full advantage of and has since replicated that with other partners.

I’m talking about part-time pet photographer Lisa Olsen who sets up a photobooth at events held by other businesses, especially to gift their clients a free photo of their dogs- and, the businesses pay her to be there!

While she’s there she’s made sure her process encourages the participants to book a full photoshoot with her, and from these events alone she is booking 80+ shoots a year and doesn’t need to do any other marketing to hit her goals.

She shared the in’s and out’s for the members, as well as her pricing strategy, but in the free half you’ll catch a few tips about these events, as well as Lisa’s other photo types and join our discussion about mental health.

WE COVERED

• Put them to work - pet parents 
• Your website clearly defines the types of sessions you offer: Dog portraits, Puppy Portraits, Puppy Cakesmash, Mommy and me, Family Photos, Celebration of life and Holiday Theme! - Other than being listed on your website, are you actively advertising all these types of shoots at once?
• Which session type is bringing in the most clients, and importantly most revenue? 
• What happens with the Mommy and me sessions
• One of the best ways I’ve gotten client referrals in 2024 has been doing Events with Pets. A business will hire me to be the dog photographer at their event. The business (such as dog groomers, pet sitter, dog trainers, realtors, vets…..) will do all the marketing to their current clients and potential clients to come to their event and receive one free photo from me. I’m usually the main attraction at the events so it’s been great for brand recognition and client  referrals, plus the business is paying me. This has also lead to doing business portraits with pet for those in the pet industry. 
• How long Lisa is spending with her clients 
• How Lisa ensures the dog is ready for the studio session with desensitization 
• How photography helps Lisa’s mental health and how she balances that with running a profitable business
• Making lollipops as props 

IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE

• Events with Pets 
• How Lisa got started with offering events for pets 
• Package prices for the business
• How many dogs Lisa photographs at these events and how they work on the day
• Which industry makes the best business partners for events for pets
• How much help does Lisa give the partners for marketing the events 
• Why Lisa doesn’t take or sell additional photos at the events for the clients 
• Your packages are digital based with a set number of images in each, and a small amount of print credit. With this structure, are you relying also on print sales, or is it more a bit of a bonus for you if they purchase something in print?
• What percentage of clients are using the print credit?
• How much extra do most people spend beyond their package?

Today’s guest has been in business for 12 years and tried a lot during that time. Last year she decided the risk was worth it and gave up her old business name along with the decade plus of brand recognition that came with it, and rebranded to better align her business with her personality and shooting style.

I’m talking about Lindsay Baca who credits defining her style to great coaches at an international workshop. We chatted all about that, her journey in business including her recent rebrand. And for members, there’s a discussion about commercial work in there for you too.

WE COVERED

• Lindsay’s journey over 12 years from make-up artist to full time pet photographer and everything in between
• The impact of running multiple brands 
• When Lindsay realised something needed to change for her business
• Working with coaches to find her style

IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE

• How Lindsay felt about losing her brand recognition when she rebranded 
• The process of getting the new logo designed
• Do magazine ad’s bring clients 
• The average spend of Lindsay’s private clients
• How many clients Lindsay has per month
• Why Lindsay is happy to refer out clients
• The type of commercial clients Lindsay works with and how they find her
• The benefits of a model search database

Shownotes here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1705

There’s something for everyone in this interview with Australian equine photographer, Brooklyn Coverdale.

She built a successful business in a short period by niching down in western event coverage and portraits- a speciality that wasn’t really being serviced by other photographers. Since moving to a small rural town, Brooklyn began diversifying her local offerings all while staying within her style and the western/farming world.  

We dived into the ins and outs of all that in part one and for the members, you’ll hear how she uses ambassadors and why Brooklyn has stopped offering content creation even though it pays well- and what she’s doing instead. 

WE COVERED

• Niching down as a strategic decision 
• Western coverage & western portraits & ram and bull sales 
• Diversifying genres changing location
• How ambassadors helped Brooklyn grow her audience 

IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE

• Ambassador search
• The big red flag when looking for ambassadors
• The agreement between photographer and ambassador 
• How to know when to dissolve an agreement 
• The bonus of working with ambassadors for your creativity 
• Content Creation & Social Media Management 
• How Brooklyn booked those first content creation jobs 
• Breakdown of income 

Show notes can be found at: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1704

I initially had just one question prepared for today’s guest, Belinda Richards, and it wasn’t anything to do with PR. Yet we just spent over half of this interview diving into why Belinda is putting most of her marketing energy into getting newspaper articles, blog posts and even a radio show segment! And let me tell you- the information she shared will make you go back to your client avatar, look at where they go for information and find a way to feature there.

In the member’s half Belinda shared her top tips for getting free publicity and then we moved on to her approach for successful expos- which really had little to do with being there on the day. I took us well over time but I know you’ll be glad because the episode is full of so many great take aways, oh and eventually I did get to my one question- how and why Frog Dog studios is charging for pre-shoot consults?

WE COVERED

• Why Belinda began entering awards and the impact on her business
• Client trust- how do you make sure that your audience knows about the awards
• Why Belinda doesn’t work with a PR Agent 
• SEO impact from the backlinks of the online publications 
• Client demographic that comes from printed media 
• Who is the client Belinda wants to work with now
• How far Frog Dog Studio’s clients travel for to work with Belinda

IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE

• Belinda’s top tips for getting PR - who to contact, how and what to say
• The marketing strategy that Belinda has pivoted away from, and why
• How Belinda approached expo’s
• A decision doesn’t have to be forever 
• The story behind the studio shop front
• Charging for pre-shoot consultations
• Belinda’s conversion rate from consultation to booking

Links in the show notes: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1703

Today’s guest has been in business for a long time- and you can tell. She is thinking outside the box with her marketing while also ensuring she has a layered approach to fill her calendar. I’m talking about Lisa Asp who beyond that, is heavily involved with PPA and ISAP so after chatting marketing she answered your questions about joining a photography association and the different awards and competitions that are out there.

WE COVERED

• Lisa’s journey from the dream of being a painting major to shifting gears into photography 
• How a rescue encouraged Lisa’s business to transition into pets from general portraits
• How Lisa uses social media
• Marketing a specialised studio versus a general portrait studio 
• Thinking outside the box with passive marketing by partnering with a cafe
• How putting yourself out there can lead to new clients and marketing partnerships
• What is a professional photography association and why would you join

IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE

• How to find an association to join for professional photographers
• What's the deal with competitions and awards, and which should you enter
• Headshots for hounds
• Knowing when to say no to fundraisers

Show notes can be found here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1702

Do you groan every time you hear another coach or podcast guest talk about the importance of phone calls or pre-shoot consultations? Then this interview will be a breath of fresh air for you! Today’s guest, Jessica Wasik, is on track to hit a quarter of a million dollars in annual revenue- without phone calls for most of her 80+ bookings a year!

She shared what she does instead and the importance of systems along with a whole lot of other insights. And if you’re a member, you’ll even hear my of my recent rookie mistake!

WE COVERED

• Where Jessica’s clients come from each year
• How much are Jessica’s gift certificates
• Client communication to ensure gift voucher clients spend 
• Jessica’s booking fee, how much her clients spend and what they’re purchasing

IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE

• Booked out for the next two months - what does that mean
• Number of sessions per month
• Goal for next year 
• How knowing your numbers helps mindset for assuming the sale
• The real reason people don’t book 
• Boundaries and policies that have made the biggest difference 
• Kirstie’s recent rookie mistake
• Marketing and selling vouchers 
• What Jessica’s Black Friday sale includes and how she promotes it
• Rainbow sessions 
• Pre-purchase credit 

Mentioned links can be found here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1701

I initially reached out to today's guest to chat all about her Facebook group for pet parents, and we did get into the details of that but we also covered much more because today’s guest was a complete open book! 

I’m talking about Allira Fontana and if you’re considering offering event photography for horse shows, the first part will certainly be of interest to you. Then we switched gears and chatted about that Facebook group- why she started it, how it grew and why Allira isn’t worried about losing clients with it. 

If you’re a member- you’re really in for a treat, and maybe even a bit of a wake-up call. Allira shared the importance of understanding animal behaviour as a pet and equine photographer- and how she went about learning that, and then we got into her marketing strategies. If you’re looking at an empty calendar, hearing Allira list off her upcoming marketing calendar will be quite the eye-opener! 

I don’t think I’ve ever had an interview with such variety so no matter what stage of business you’re in- be sure to tune in.

We Covered:

• From Horse Events to Private Sessions 
• Burnout from Horse Events
• Fulfillment from private sessions
• How Horse Events work financially
• Recognising what makes you happy and following that
• Recognising burnout, taking a break and re-assessing 
• Pricing for horse shows
• The ultimate training ground for learning dog behaviour
• Relaunching the change in business model 
• Why start a Facebook group with photo tips for pet-parents
• Diversifying income 

For members-only:

• The goal of the Facebook group
• Are you losing your clients by teaching them?
• Certificate in animal behaviour
• Working with a coach
• How clients find Allira Fontana Photography today
• What are people buying 

Mentioned links can be found in the show notes: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1612

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DIRECTORY UPDATE

The new and improved Pet Photographers Directory is now live! 

You can claim your free listing, or upgrade to a premium listing for extra backlinks to tell Google that you’re a trusted site so they improve your ranking.

Find out more at https://www.petphotographersdirectory.com/ 

We’ve heard it before, business is not for the faint-hearted and today’s guest agrees.

I’m talking about Alex Cearns who’s been in business for 15 years and has worked with pet photographers from all corners of the globe. 

We covered many topics including the usual business structures, marketing and products, but the common theme throughout was not to let fear hold you back in business. 

If you’ve caught yourself getting down after comparing your average sales to other photographers, or beating yourself up over the peaks and troughs of business, Alex’s message is sure to hit home.

In the members second-half, Alex shared how she’s booking 250 clients a year, what they’re buying, why they don’t ask for digitals and her thoughts on social media for marketing.

There’s great takeaways from this episode no matter what stage you’re at in business, so tune in!

We covered:

• The business structure of Houndstooth Studio
• Characteristics to be successful
• Business is not linea
• Fake it ‘til you make it
• Get in front of people and talk passionately about what you do
• How to appreciate where you’re currently at with your sales when you see your friends making 5 figures

IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:

• Organic bookings are all but dead, so how is Alex booking 250 shoots a year?
• What clients are buying
• Social media expectations
• What one thing has the biggest impact on a successful business

Mentioned links can be found in the show notes here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1611

Over the last few years I’ve seen how trends have changed and pet photographers around the world have introduced new business models and pricing structures.

But today’s guest is the exception. 

She found what works for her early on, and she’s sticking to it. By pricing herself this way she is consistently hitting her averages, and attracting the type of client she wants- all by word of mouth! 

I’m talking about Jane Thomson whose work is pure art and just gorgeous, and I am stoked to have her on the show today.

We covered:

• Jane’s journey from $350 shoots to the structure she uses today
• What gives Jane the confidence to ask for the money upfront
• How clients respond when they’re told about the minimum collection 

IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:

• What Jane’s clients are buying 
• The client experience
• How Jane sells products, without In Person Sales!
• How Jane’s clients find her
• All about the charity project and why Jane took it on

Mentioned links are in the show notes found here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1610

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For the first time since the launch of The Pet Photographers Club six years ago, a price rise is coming.

That price rise is because the new membership structure will include over $150 worth of bonus content for monthly members and even more for annual members. Of course, there is also 16 seasons of interviews in the archives of the podcast! That's a lot of valuable content collected over the years!

Don't worry existing members- your payments won't change. The new price is only for new sign-ups from 1st October 2024.

Not yet a member? You can lock in the current low price. Sign up now.