The Studio Takeover Podcast

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My mentor has always said "You will learn more about who you are as a person when you start and learn to run a business (successful and unsuccessful)." And today we are talking with Angie Whitten who leans INTO that motto to grow and scale her portrait business and who she is as a person.
She shares her journey from the auto industry and how her husband encouraged her to move into the photo space and she has taken that as an opportunity to serve her community in Washington state, travel the world, and live her life on her terms.
Angie Whitten is this beautiful person who is always looking to improve in her craft as a Photographer by exploring who she is and she infuses every day with laughter and joy. I am regularly inspired by Angie and I know you will be too.

Connect with Angie here:

• Website: https://myharmonyphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myharmonyphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myharmonyphotography

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ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES

Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career.

She didn't.

She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience.

She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have.

She disagrees. Loudly.

Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it.

The question was never whether you're ready.

You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

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Ashanta Staten from But a Moment Photography in the Raleigh area of North Carolina is building her business while working in a full time position outside of photo to maintain her security as she grows her business sustainably.
She began as many of us do in weddings and quickly discovered that weddings were not where she wanted to focus. During the Covid pandemic she pivoted into newborns and through her own search for business sustainability through platforms like CreativeLive, YouTube, The Portrait System which is where she then found permission to direct her energies into portrait.
Ashanta has since expanded into continuing education with The Studio Takeover and is creating 5 figure months regularly working part time in her business.
As her mentor I find myself with a giant grin at her results week after week, month after month because even with skepticism, she trusts the process and those results speak for themselves.
You can find Ashanta and connect here:

• Website: https://butamomentphotography.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/butamoment/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butamomentphotography 

Support the show

ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES

Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career.

She didn't.

She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience.

She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have.

She disagrees. Loudly.

Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it.

The question was never whether you're ready.

You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Send us Fan Mail

"Why do I tie my identity to the economic value of my business?" 

Separating yourSELF from your business and trusting that the body knows. Asking curious questions instead of feeding into your fears to uncover your own leadership as an entrepreneur.
Teri shares her journey and evolution of her own self awareness through entrepreneurship as a photographer and educator and addresses how she responded to issues in her business because of fear and how those choices were not sustainable nor did they serve her overall purpose.
Reacting to futuristic anxieties (things that had not yet occurred) instead of preparing for business and promotions in a way that serves tactical growth. Teri discovered that she had to learn to address her own nervous system response and care for herself in order to tame the burnout, which then allowed her to follow the breadcrumbs to evolve her business from only being a photographer to a body image expert and world class educator who is changing the narrative of patriarchal beauty standards worldwide through body acceptance and celebration.
Teri's  approach to shifting that narrative isn't quite what you might expect. She isn't only changing that narrative through how she photographs people, but in teaching photographers how they can address their own limiting beliefs, dig deeper into their own purpose as photographers, and in how they see themselves because it is in that transformation that we as photographers can hold space for our clients, create art with those clients in a meaningful way which allows everyone to feel incredible in themselves exactly as they are in a world that has always said "You aren't worthy..."



Find Teri here:

• instagram.com/terihofford
• facebook.com/terihoffordsheher
• www.terihofford.com
• instagram.com/bodyimagebootcamp
• bibcgonewild.com

• Join Teri Hofford and Kara Marie for their Fine Art Boudoir Workshop at the Graphi Castle in Italy this June:  https://www.graphistudio.com/en/graphistudio-workshop-2024/ 

Support the show

ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES

Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career.

She didn't.

She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience.

She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have.

She disagrees. Loudly.

Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it.

The question was never whether you're ready.

You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Send us Fan Mail

Shift the obsession to YOUR own self care from the addiction of your ambition (#attacked)
Kara Marie, yes, is an amazing fine art nude and boudoir photographer, an ex-pat American (with her family) living in Italy and a powerful speaker and educator; not only in the space of photo but in burn out. Her story is fascinating and her openness refreshing.
Join us as we deep dive into the cycle of burnout; recognizing your patterns in your practice of self awareness to get a REAL handle on the reigns of where you are believing your self sacrifice will somehow serve you or the world.
La Dolce Vita: Value life over work

The full conversation also available in video (in the black and white glory) on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z8GxqDCCKHQ

• Kara's Website: https://kara-marie.com/
  • Austin, TX Sister Studio: https://karamariecollective.com/

• Join Kara Marie and Teri Hofford for their Fine Art Boudoir Workshop at the Graphi Castle in Italy this June:  https://www.graphistudio.com/en/graphistudio-workshop-2024/ 

Support the show

ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES

Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career.

She didn't.

She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience.

She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have.

She disagrees. Loudly.

Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it.

The question was never whether you're ready.

You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Send us Fan Mail

I first met Bethany in a workshop with Sue Bryce just outside of Versailles in France (NBD right?) and have watched her grow her business year after year. Join us as we talk through how she shifted her perspective around campaigns to showcase her 40 Over 40 safely during a pandemic and discovered how that connection with the women in her community was sorely needed and she watched it explode her business.
She breaks down cross promotion, staffing these events (now that they are annual), how to network effectively in ANY room based off of what energizes you, and how she has grown her business from the $200 shoot and burn space and discovering her VALUE in the portrait business space for the women she photographs.

You can find Bethany here:

• Websites: www.fargoportraits.com, www.fargoboudoir.com
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fargoboudoirvip
  IG: https://www.instagram.com/artbybethany/
  Coaching: https://www.facebook.com/groups/creativecampaigns
  Master Retoucher: www.masterretoucher.com

Support the show

ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES

Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career.

She didn't.

She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience.

She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have.

She disagrees. Loudly.

Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it.

The question was never whether you're ready.

You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Send us Fan Mail

Deciding at the age of 8 Donnamaria decided her life's mission was "To Serve" and in this conversation has allowed herself to evolve that mission at 60 to CREATE. After not one, but two military careers, and a divorce did she finally choose photography to be a vehicle for her to fill her own cup.
It's time to "stop with the good girl shit" and live her life on her terms; with her business and what she creates and for whom. You can find more of Donnamaria's work:

• Website: https://www.circalifeimages.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/circalifeimages/

Support the show

ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES

Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career.

She didn't.

She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience.

She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have.

She disagrees. Loudly.

Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it.

The question was never whether you're ready.

You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome Ashleigh Taylor! A portrait photographer from Santa Barbara, CA and during this discussion we touched on all things burn-out, cultivating inspiration for your sessions, clients, and life, advertising for your studio, awards, and so much more.
Ash has been winning silvers and even gold awards in print competition and awards with The Portrait Masters, PPA, SWPP, and has been named in the top ten of fashion photographers worldwide with the One Eyeland competition. Needless to say, she is on FIRE.
Ashleigh is a WONDERFUL human and we share a love of travel, food, and art and it definitely comes through! 
You can find Ash:

• website: https://ashleightaylorportrait.com/
• instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleightaylorportrait/
• and if you are interested in her Spain retreat reach out through her website and tell her Cat sent you ;-)

Support the show

ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES

Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career.

She didn't.

She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience.

She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have.

She disagrees. Loudly.

Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it.

The question was never whether you're ready.

You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Send us Fan Mail

Starting a portrait business you can journey through a wealth of the unknown; pricing, customer journey and experience, choosing products, learning marketing and sales. Alena has been in the photo world for some time and has made it a priority that even before she starts HER business off on the right foot, that she stays IN photo related careers while she lays the foundation of her success in her business.
Join us here where she shares not only the successes she has found so far along her journey, but is transparent about having a photo-related career to support her as she lays the successful foundation in  setting her systems and processes correctly at the front of her journey so she can avoid the pitfalls and mistakes many find when they run ramshot into a business blindly.

Be sure to follow Alena's journey on social because she will be thriving and making art she and her clients can be proud of.
Website: https://www.alenalauren.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alenalaurenphoto/

Resources:
Connect with Bri Oro for Hair: https://www.briorohair.com/contact
Graphi Studio for Top Line Artwork (Professionals only): https://www.graphistudio.com/

Support the show

ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES

Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career.

She didn't.

She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience.

She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have.

She disagrees. Loudly.

Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it.

The question was never whether you're ready.

You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Send us Fan Mail

"The way is always through and through is rarely comfortable"
- Jonny Edward
Join Cat Ford-Coates as she and Jonny Edward dive down the rabbit hole of self doubt, creative development, and discovering not only WHY we create but HOW we show up to be in connection with self AND the person/people we are photographing in addition to the photographers that we educate in the realm of photography.
During this conversation we bridge the gap between the "math" of lighting, posing, and the systems of professional portrait photography and learning to trust your intuition to guide how you serve during the session, in retouching practices, and in your customer service journey.
Jonny is a skilled and brilliant artist and educator and you can find him here: https://www.jonnyedward.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonnycreative/
And to watch the full conversation on YoutTube here: 

Support the show

ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES

Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career.

She didn't.

She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience.

She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have.

She disagrees. Loudly.

Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it.

The question was never whether you're ready.

You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.

Send us Fan Mail

Navigating the business of boudoir and portrait as an empath with St Louis award-winning photographer Shannon K Dougherty.
How does she approach her process, hold boundaries with potential clients to ensure she can meet her customer service standards, and stay in integrity with herself as an empath? She shares what those boundaries are and why they are important to her, and how she prioritizes her own self care while creating amazing art with her clients in a thriving boudoir portrait business.

You can find Shannon online:

• Website: https://www.shannonkdougherty.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannon_k_dougherty/

Support the show

ABOUT CAT FORD-COATES

Cat Ford-Coates has been told to soften her whole career.

She didn't.

She built a multi-six-figure business teaching photographers that the thing keeping them stuck was never the market, the portfolio, or the pricing. It was the voice. The one that sounds like wisdom. The one that keeps moving the goalpost and calling it patience.

She's spent over a decade in rooms with photographers who are extraordinarily talented and somehow still convinced they should be grateful for what they have.

She disagrees. Loudly.

Cat serves photographers who already know what they want. Who know what they're capable of. Who have known for a while, actually, and have spent years finding sophisticated reasons not to claim it.

The question was never whether you're ready.

You already know you are. Stop pretending that you don't.