When you’re buried in work during busy season, it’s easy to fall into survival mode: shoot, edit, deliver, repeat. And while that might get you through the week, it’s not what sets you up for long-term success.

In this episode, I’m sharing simple, sustainable ways to keep your client experience strong and your marketing consistent, even when you’re racing at full speed. From small personal touches that make clients feel cared for, to rebooking incentives and referral strategies, these are shifts that help you leverage your momentum now so it carries you well into the next season.

Being busy is a gift in business, but it doesn’t have to leave you exhausted or starting from scratch when things slow down. Take a quick pit stop with me today and learn how to turn your busiest months into fuel for future growth.

LINKS:

• Need some help keeping up with your marketing? Join the Consistency Club and let us take marketing off your to-do list 

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

For a lot of photographers, the idea of public speaking is a… ✋ hard pass. Maybe you’re not interested in getting on a big stage (maybe you’re not interested in teaching at all!) but in this episode, you'll hear why showing up and speaking - whether that’s at a local PTA meeting, a community fundraiser, or on your Instagram stories - can be one of the most powerful ways to build trust, authority, and connection with your ideal clients.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Laylee Emadi - speaker, educator, and founder of The Creative Educator Conference. With a background in both teaching and photography, Laylee knows firsthand how many opportunities can open up when you use your voice well. 

We dig into why speaking isn’t just for educators, how it can grow your photography business, and what to do if you are curious about stepping into the education space.

What you'll learn:

 🎤 Speaking isn’t limited to big stages or big names

 🌱 Everyday opportunities that can grow your business

 💬 Your voice builds trust faster than polished posts

 ⚡ Where photographers get stuck (and how to avoid it)

 🌈 First steps to practice speaking with confidence

In this era of AI, there's no better time to stop hiding behind your work and  use your voice to connect, build authority, and open doors you didn’t even know were there.

LINKS:

• Follow Laylee on Instagram 
•  Visit Laylee’s website 
•  Listen to The Laylee Emadi Podcast 

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

Some years, we roll into busy season with a calendar full of sessions… and other years, not so much. It can feel a little scary to stare at a mostly empty fall calendar, especially after all the work you’ve put into filling that calendar.

If you’re in that spot right now, take a deep breath: a slow season doesn’t  mean you're failing. What it means is one of two things: either you have a visibility issue (not enough people know you’re available) or a conversion issue (people are inquiring but not booking).

In this episode, I’ll walk you through how to tell which problem you’re facing, and then share both quick wins and bigger-picture strategies to help you address those problems and turn things around. From using email and social posts more effectively to tightening up your inquiry process, there are so many ways to keep your calendar from gathering dust.

The truth is, a slower season can be a powerful opportunity to refine your systems and reconnect with your clients. So before you panic or slash your prices, press play and let’s walk through the steps together.

LINKS:

• Struggling with visibility? Join the Consistency Club - that's what we help photographers with! 

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

There are two kinds of marketing strategies most photographers think about: the kind that happens online, and the kind that - well - doesn’t happen at all. But there’s a third option, and it might just be the fastest, most effective way to build trust, get referrals, and create buzz around your business (without spending a dime on ads or fighting the algorithm).

I’m talking about in-person events - IRL. Real people. Same room.

Hold up now! Before you introverts scroll on by, hear me out... These don’t have to be fancy conferences or big productions. Today’s guest, Michelle Franzetti, is a boudoir photographer and self-described introvert who’s built a thriving word-of-mouth marketing engine through small, creative, low-pressure gatherings that consistently fill her calendar. 

With her background in Parks & Rec (yes, just like the show), she knows how powerful “the gathering effect” can be, and she’s here to share her playbook for making it work in your business.

What you’ll learn:

🎉 Why casual gatherings can be your best marketing strategy

 👯‍♀️ How events create trust and connection (even if you’re an introvert)

 💡 Creative, low-cost event ideas that attract the right clients

 🤝 Ways to partner with other businesses for win-win events

 📅 Why putting a date on the calendar is the hardest (and most important) step

Michelle is sharing everything you need to add this new tool to your marketing toolbox… one that gets you off the algorithm treadmill and into real connections that actually last.

LINKS:

• Follow Michelle on Instagram 
•  Join her Facebook community  
• Grab Michelle's free guide with 30 in-person event ideas 

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

Search algorithms are changing fast, but for once, the shift is in our favor. With Google rolling out AI summaries and clients turning to Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest for answers to their questions, the playing field is leveling in a way that creates huge opportunities for photographers.

If you’ve ever wished the SEO game felt more fair - or that you didn’t have to post on social media quite so much - your wishes are coming true... but you have to understand the new rules in order to play the game.

Dayna’s back to talk us through what’s changing, why this moment is a once-in-a-career opportunity for photographers, and how small tweaks to your workflow now can pay off in a big way.

What you’ll learn:

🔎 Why AI summaries are changing Google results

 📱 How people now search social for answers instead of Google

 🛡️ What E-E-A-T means and how it impacts your SEO

 📝 Why updated, helpful blogs beat old portfolio posts

 ♻️ How one researched blog can fuel your email, reels, and carousels for weeks

Now is the moment to get ahead of the curve: create content that’s genuinely useful, let it work harder for you, and free yourself up to spend more time behind the camera.

LINKS:

• Learn more about Consistency Club and try the new Blog Builder 

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

In a world where we can market our businesses from behind a screen, it’s easy to believe that in-person networking is optional. But the truth is, nothing replaces the connections you make face-to-face. Meeting someone in real life makes you stand out in a way no post or DM ever could. People remember your energy, your personality, and the genuine conversation you shared. And those moments can turn into opportunities you’d never find online.

In this episode, photographer, business coach, and all-around connection-builder Angelica Pompy is sharing three practical ways to network like a pro, even if you’re an introvert. These are strategies you can start using right away to stand out, meet the right people, and turn conversations into opportunities.

Here’s what we cover:

•  How to set your intention before you walk in
•  Breaking the ice with the shyest person in the room
•  Asking open-ended questions that spark conversation
•  Using a QR code to connect instantly
•  Following up in a unique way so they remember you

Angelica also shares the story of how one event she almost walked away from turned into nearly six figures in revenue… proof that showing up can pay off in a big way!

LINKS:

• Follow Angelica on Instagram 
•  Grab Angelica’s free workbook 
•  Learn more about Simple Sales 

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

Have you ever looked up from your inbox and wondered how the whole day slipped away? When you're a one-woman show, it’s easy to get buried in admin work, replying to leads, and coordinating schedules instead of doing the more meaningful work that lights you up.

In this episode, I’m joined by Melissa Rich, a former wedding photographer turned systems and workflow consultant, to talk about automation strategies that save hours each week without making your business feel robotic. Melissa shares her top three “quick win” automations that photographers can set up in an afternoon to make client communication smoother, scheduling easier, and booking faster - all while keeping things warm and personal.

We cover:

•  The first automation every photographer should set up 
•  How a simple pre-session email can improve client satisfaction
•  Why a scheduling tool is one of the easiest ways to reduce friction 
•  How to audit your current systems so you know what’s not working

Whether your business systems need a total overhaul or just a few strategic upgrades, Melissa’s advice will help you get more done with less stress.

LINKS:

•  Follow Melissa on Instagram 
•  Get Melissa’s Quick Win Automation Guide 
•  Learn more about Simple Sales 

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

When it comes to running a profitable, sustainable business, it’s not just about booking more sessions… it’s about building more value into the ones you already have.

In this episode, I’m sharing four creative, (semi) low-lift ways to do exactly that, layering thoughtful, high-impact offers into your existing workflow. These aren’t gimmicky upsells or pushy pitches. They’re smart, strategic solutions that solve real problems for your clients... sometimes before they even know they have them.

From headshots and pet portraits to photo clean-up services, family yearbooks, and legacy storytelling, these ideas are designed to increase your sales average and your client loyalty. They're not just about boosting revenue... they're about elevating the experience you provide and positioning yourself as more than a photographer.

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

When AI first came on the scene, I was skeptical, and my early interactions confirmed my suspicions: when it came to content, AI's attempts were generic and easy to spot.

But AI has evolved, and so have my opinions. I’ve come to believe that when used well, AI doesn’t take over your voice... it helps you amplify it. It doesn’t steal your creativity... it gives you time to actually use it.

In this episode, I’m talking with Kinsey Soderberg of Authentic AI about how creatives (even skeptical ones!) can use AI in a way that feels aligned, ethical, and actually helpful. We’re breaking down:

• Why creatives and women especially need to be shaping how AI evolves
• What it means to take a human-first approach to AI
• And how we co-created a brand new AI-powered blogging tool for Consistency Club that helps photographers write better blog posts faster... without losing their voice or uniqueness in the process

If you’ve been curious about AI but don’t want to sound like a bro-y robot, this episode is a refreshing, no-pressure look at what’s possible when strategy and soul work together.

LINKS:

• Follow Kinsey on Instagram 
•  Visit Kinsey’s website 
•  Register for the Summit (and get your workbook!) 
• Join Consistency Club 

• Monthly Marketing Magic for Photographers: Get your first month of The Consistency Club for just $1

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!

What happens when someone who's spent 15 years hiring photographers for brands like Netflix, Masterclass, and AARP writes a book about how the photo industry really works?

You get The Photo Hustle, a straight-talking, wildly helpful roadmap to booking clients, getting paid, and actually making a viable career out of commercial photography. In this episode, I’m chatting with author, photo editor, and creative director Karen Williams about what she’s learned on the inside of the brand and editorial world, along with what photographers at every level can take away from it.

We talk about pricing, licensing, reputation, portfolio building, imposter syndrome, and the truth behind that elusive “six-figure” dream. Karen doesn’t hold back… and her insights will stick with you long after the episode ends.

LINKS:

• Grab Karen’s book The Photo Hustle 
• Follow Karen on Instagram 

Resources:

• New to the podcast? Go to thiscantbethathard.com/welcome to get access to 3 of Annemie's best free resources.
• Join our community! We'd love to welcome you into our supportive, business-focused private Facebook group. Go to facebook.com/groups/thiscantbethathard to request access.
• Long-time listener? Leave a review!