In this episode of the Photo Diaries podcast, host Grace Costa, a seasoned commercial photographer, discusses the importance of taking charge of your own photography business.  She shares insights and tips on how to control the direction and feel of your business, urging photographers to embrace leadership, make decisive choices, and set the right fee structures. 

Grace highlights the importance of aligning work with personal values and the power of confident decision-making in driving business success. She also extends an invitation for a free clarity call and offers additional resources for support. The episode concludes with a call for listeners to leave reviews and ratings for the podcast.

https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

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00:00 Introduction to the Photo Diaries Podcast

00:33 Welcome Back and Social Media Detox

01:48 The Importance of Business Control for Photographers

03:21 Envisioning Your Business for the Next 12 Months

06:25 Empowerment and Leadership in Your Photography Business

11:53 The Value of Photography in the Digital Age

15:38 Conclusion and Call to Action

Support the show

Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/

DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

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

Resources for photographers https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

In this episode of The Photo Diaries Podcast, Grace Costa asks one powerful question:

What are you going to wish you started sooner?

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your photography business riding the highs and lows, unsure when to ask for help, or telling yourself “it’ll work itself out”this episode is for you.

Grace shares her honest perspective on coaching, mentoring, and why trying to figure everything out on your own is often the long road to success. Drawing from her own experience investing heavily in coaching and masterminds over the past six years, she breaks down why support isn’t an expense — it’s a strategy.

You’ll hear:

• Why waiting until things feel dire is the wrong time to seek help
• The hidden cost of piecing together advice from podcasts, YouTube, and Instagram
• Why paying more can actually create better results (and deeper commitment)
• How trust, focus, and strategy change when you invest properly
• The mindset shift required to take your photography business seriously

This episode is a permission slip for photographers who know they want more — more stability, more confidence, more income — and are ready to stop taking the long route.

If you’re ready to invest in yourself, get support, and build a business that actually works, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

Ready for support?

You can work with Grace inside her Established Studio Mentorship, a six-month mentoring container designed for photographers with grit and commitment to make their business better than they ever imagined. 

Find out more about Business mentoring with Grace https://www.gracecosta.com/photography-mentoring/

Support the show

Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/

DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

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

Resources for photographers https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

In this episode of The Photo Diaries, Grace Costa explores the true value of photography and why photographers often need to be reminded of the impact their work truly has.

Using a clear business branding example, Grace breaks down how photography goes far beyond “just taking photos” and plays a critical role in shaping perception, trust, and connection. She reflects on why so many photographers undercharge — often believing they’re simply having fun — and how this mindset causes them to overlook the long-term value their images bring to a business or an individual.

Throughout the episode, Grace guides photographers to shift their focus from deliverables to transformation, helping them understand how to communicate the outcomes and influence of their work with confidence and clarity.

If you’ve ever struggled to explain your pricing, articulate your value, or felt unsure about charging what you’re worth, this episode will help you reframe photography as the powerful asset it truly is — and step into your role as a professional with confidence.

Support the show

Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/

DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

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

Resources for photographers https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

If the slow season in your business sees you catching up on Netflix or having long lunches with friends, this episode will inspire you to work on your business with purpose on the most important things. This episode will get you taking action.

• Fix broken bits
• set up templates
• Create content
• Update stuff
• Decluttering shit
• Pre book clients for the coming months
• Portfolio building time

Studio Ninja was mentioned in this episode if you would like my discount code for Studio Ninja - 
Referral promo code: BYQR429X04F3X3

Support the show

Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/

DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

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

Resources for photographers https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

In this episode of The Photo Diaries, Grace unpacks one of the most powerful yet often avoided topics in the photography world: money mindset.
If you’ve ever struggled to raise your rates, felt guilty about charging your worth, or carried family or cultural beliefs about money into your business… this episode is going to shift something big for you.

Grace shares her own upbringing, the money stories she inherited, and the mindset rewiring that helped her build a thriving commercial photography business.
 You’ll learn practical affirmations, examples, and real-life stories that will help you earn, receive, enjoy, and manage money with confidence as a professional photographer.

 • Why photographers MUST unlearn old money stories
 • How the media and childhood messaging shaped your beliefs around wealth
 • The new wave of positive, shame-free money thinking
• How Grace raised her rates confidently with long-term clients
• Why it’s okay to be “expensive”
• How to decline low-budget jobs without fear
• Healthy money habits that attract more income
• Affirmations from Denise Duffield-Thomas for a prosperous business
• The Japanese concept of “Happy Money” by Ken Honda
• Why gratitude for money amplifies your earning potential 

Support the show

Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/

DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

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

Resources for photographers https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

If you’re a commercial photographer heading into the holiday season and wondering how to use the quieter weeks in your business wisely this episode is for you.

In this podcast, I’m sharing why updating your existing blog posts is one of the smartest, lowest-effort marketing moves you can make over the Christmas break and how it can directly support better visibility, stronger authority, and more aligned client enquiries in the year ahead.

You don’t need to write more content.
 You need to make the content you already have work harder.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why updating old blogs often performs better than writing new ones
• Which blog posts commercial photographers should prioritise first
• Simple blog updates that improve SEO, clarity, and conversions
• How to optimise your blog for Google and AI search
• Easy ways to turn one blog update into a week of marketing content
• A realistic holiday-season blog audit you can complete in a few hours

This episode is ideal for:
 ✔ Commercial photographers
 ✔ Brand, headshot, corporate & event photographers
 ✔ Photographers who want sustainable visibility without burnout

follow grace https://www.instagram.com/stories/gracecostaphotographer/

Support the show

Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/

DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

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

Resources for photographers https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

In this episode Grace shares the importance of how to start using Google reviews in your client workflow in your photography business to build trust and credibilty overtime. 

• How to get started on google business listing
• When to ask for the review
• What to say in the email requesting the review. 

Sign up to Grace's email newsletter for more tips like this

Support the show

Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/

DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

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

Resources for photographers https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

Grace discussed her experiences with pricing strategies and working with not-for-profit organizations, sharing examples of when to offer discounts and maintaining professional rates. She emphasized the importance of charging full rates for high-end events while maintaining respect for not-for-profit organizations, noting that photographers should feel empowered to offer discounts if they personally connect with the organization. Grace stressed the significance of building a strong professional reputation through a solid online presence and industry expertise, which allows photographers to confidently stand firm on pricing.

Support the show

Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/

DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

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

Resources for photographers https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

JOIN-  MARKETING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS WORKSHOP- LIVE 3/10/2025 AT 12PM (AEST)

https://www.gracecosta.com/marketing-made-for-you-live-workshop/

In this episode, Grace Costa takes you back to her PHOTO DIARY, where it all began, working in other people's photography studios. She breaks down the important lessons learned from each role over the first 15 years of her professional photographer career.

From working in a glamour portrait studio, to her amazing role as staff photographer for the Department of Defence, let's dive in! 

Support the show

Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/

DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

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

Resources for photographers https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

Join the Marketing for Photographers Workshop 3rd October 2025

3rd October 2025 from 12pm AEST ONLINE head to the link above to find out more. 

Support the show

Find Grace at www.gracecosta.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ONLY NEWSLETTER https://www.gracecosta.com/subscribe/

DOWNLOAD THE FREEBIES https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/

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

Resources for photographers https://www.gracecosta.com/resources/