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!

Pricing might just be the hardest piece of the business puzzle, and not because most of us don't love math. Sure, you need to know your numbers, but there's so much psychology involved in pricing, too: it's one of the most powerful ways you communicate your value, your brand, and your confidence.

In this episode, I’m walking you through the five key building blocks of a strategic pricing system - the pieces that take your rates from guesswork to a rock-solid reflection of what you really offer. We’ll talk about how to reverse-engineer your pricing based on your financial goals and ideal client, why undercharging can actually lead to burnout, and how to make sure your price tells the right story about your work.

If you’ve ever second-guessed your rates (or felt that dreaded pricing wobble in your gut), this one’s for you.

LINKS:

• Watch the free Simple Sales Masterclass 
• Learn the Simple Sales Blueprint 
• Follow us 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!

What if your next senior session didn’t just capture once-in-a-lifetime memories… but created them as well?

In this episode, I’m joined by Kellie Llewellyn, a North Dakota-based photographer who has carved out a unique (and wildly appealing) niche in her business: destination senior sessions. Kellie has traveled with seniors, their best friends, and even their families to locations like Joshua Tree, the Oregon coast, and beyond, turning traditional photo sessions into unforgettable experiences.

We talk about the creative spark that comes with new locations, the logistical and financial realities behind these trips, and how she’s grown this part of her business from passion project to profitable offering. From pricing and contracts to behind-the-scenes strategy, Kellie is a total open book. If you’ve ever dreamed about mixing business with a little adventure, this will inspire you to get started!

LINKS:

•  Follow Kellie on Instagram 
• Visit Kellie’s Website 

Join us for the Future of Marketing Summit on August 6th. Click HERE to get your free ticket!

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 you're deep in the thick of running a business, it’s easy to feel like you should be further along. But just because you haven’t “made it” yet (whatever that means) doesn’t mean you’re not making real, meaningful progress.

In this episode, I’m sharing three often-overlooked signs that you’re doing better than it may feel like you're doing. We’ll talk about how to recognize sustainable growth, why rest isn’t a setback, and how efficiency quietly signals your evolution as a business owner.

This is your reminder to pause, look back, and take in the view. Because chances are... you’ve come farther than you think!

Join us for the Future of Marketing Summit on August 6th. Click HERE to get your free ticket!

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!

Ever wonder what makes some photographers get tons of referrals and repeat business while others struggle to generate that kind of buzz? Hint: it's probably not the quality of their images.

In this episode, I’m talking with wedding and commercial photographer Miles Witt Boyer about what it looks like to be the most valuable person in the room, and why that matters more than ever in today's competitive landscape. 

This is a conversation about client experience, pricing, creative fulfillment, and marketing that doesn’t feel like marketing. We discuss why value differs from worth, what it means to create genuine connections (as opposed to staged content), and how to surpass the “minimum standard” in your niche without burning yourself out. 

Links:

• Follow Miles Witt Boyer on Instagram 
•  Learn more about The Photographic Collective 
•  Explore Imagine AI Editing
•  Want to edit like Miles? Buy his profile here

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!

We all know that small, consistent actions pay off over time… but when it comes to marketing our photography businesses, too many of us are still chasing quick wins and big bursts of effort that - let’s be honest - often lead to burnout and disappointment.

When things slow down, it’s easy to fall into the trap of panic marketing… throwing out a flurry of posts, sending a couple of emails after months of silence, maybe even dreaming up a last-minute sale to get the calendar moving again.

But that kind of all-or-nothing energy? It’s like buying a lottery ticket and hoping it will solve everything.

If you’ve been feeling the pressure to “make something happen” with your marketing, this episode is your invitation to take a breath… and take a slower, steadier approach that actually gets results (even if it feels boring at first).

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!

Just because something works doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it.

Today, I’m joined once again by my brilliant friend Sabrina Gebhardt for a conversation that’s all about letting go... of offers, expectations, even identities that no longer serve you. 

Sabrina shares three major decisions she made in 2024 to release things that were still generating revenue (and still “made sense” on paper), but that no longer felt aligned. We talk about the fear of quitting, the mental weight of dragging something behind you, and how releasing what no longer fits can make space for what’s next (sometimes sooner than you think!)

As creative entrepreneurs, our interests shift. What lights us up in one season might feel heavy or out of sync in another. That’s not failure - it’s growth. In fact, giving yourself permission to change might just be the smartest business move you make all year.

Join us for the Future of Marketing Summit on August 6th. Click HERE to get your free ticket!

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’s this idea floating around that unless you’re all-in on your photography business—fully booked, full-time, aiming for six figures and beyond—what you're doing doesn't really count. 

But over the years, I’ve worked with countless photographers who are intentionally building part-time businesses, whether that's because they’re just getting started, running a household, or working another job that they can't or don't want to give up. And in many cases, those "limitations" lead to more clarity, more intention, and a stronger business.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from supporting photographers who are growing their businesses in the margins - starting with why that "constraint" might just turn out to be your biggest strength. We’ll talk about how to build your business on purpose so you can make the most of your time and energy, no matter how limited it might feel.

Join us for the Future of Marketing Summit on August 6th. Click HERE to get your free ticket!

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!

You don’t have to dance, lip sync, or post every day to make Instagram work for your photography business, but you do need a strategy.

This week, I’m joined by food photographer, educator, and author Kimberly Espinel who literally wrote the book on Instagram strategy. We're diving into what’s actually working on Instagram in 2025, whether you’re trying to attract more clients, stay top-of-mind, or stop second-guessing your content. 

With her refreshing approach, Kimberly highlights three simple strategies that any photographer can use to grow and connect without burning out; consistency, personal presence, and storytelling.

Kimberly’s advice is practical, generous, and surprisingly doable. If Instagram has felt like a time-sucking mystery lately, this episode will help you reset.

Links:

• Follow Kimberly on Instagram 
•  Get her book, How to Make Your Food Famous, anywhere books are sold.
• Listen to her podcast Eat Capture Share 

Join us for the Future of Marketing Summit on August 6th. Click HERE to get your free ticket!

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!

Most photographers build their businesses around one signature offer—and that’s a great place to start. But if that’s the only offer on your menu, your business may be more fragile than you think.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the three types of offers every photography business should have: your core offer (aka your bread and butter), an entry offer (for those not quite ready to go all-in), and an expansion offer (for the people who already love you and want more). When these three work together, you create a flexible, sustainable system that supports both your income and your clients.

If you’ve been stuck in a one-offer cycle, this episode will help you expand your offer suite in a way that’s aligned, strategic, and surprisingly simple.

Join us for the Future of Marketing Summit on August 6th. Click HERE to get your free ticket!

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!