This Can't Be That Hard

We all love the idea of a business that grows effortlessly through word of mouth....but that kind of growth doesn’t come from luck—it comes from delivering a client experience that’s SO good, people can’t stop talking about it.

In this episode, I’m joined by photographer and educator Natasha Sewell, who’s built a thriving, referral-based business by getting super intentional about how she connects with clients—before, during, and after the session. 

Natasha's strategies go way beyond what most people consider good customer service without sliding into weird or expensive territory. In our conversation she shares specific, creative, and totally doable ways to improve your client journey, from captivating redirect pages and offbeat session prep ideas to ongoing relationship-building long after the photos have been delivered. 

Whether your calendar is full or you’re trying to attract more of the right people, this episode will help you take your client experience to the next level—and build a business people rave about.

LINKS:

• Natasha’s Client Experience Freebie 
• Learn more about The Client Experience Blueprint  
• Follow Natasha 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!

Marketing isn’t just about getting seen—it’s about building trust. And building trust, as it turns out, is a lot like building your credit score....

Clients are constantly (and often unconsciously) evaluating whether they trust you enough to book with you. It’s not exactly a number they can look up, but the signals you’re sending through your website, social media, pricing, and consistency are all part of the equation.

Think of it like a business version of a credit score. It builds slowly, gets stronger over time, and—when done right—makes everything in your business easier.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through the five key areas that shape your “trust score" ... I'll give you tools to build deeper confidence with every interaction, plus teach you how to recognize where things might be slipping, and what you can do to boost that score in simple, consistent ways. 

LINK:

• Learn more about The Consistency Club 

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 interviews go exactly where you expect… and others take a beautiful turn into even better territory. That’s exactly what happened in this conversation with photographer, systems wizard, and community builder Stacey Rolfe.

What started as a conversation about client experience ended up touching on everything from burnout recovery and flexible business models to the power of taking imperfect action and letting go of people-pleasing in your business. Stacey shares the evolution of her career—from corporate law to newborn photography to building a service-based business that helps photographers create systems that actually support their lives.

Whether you’re feeling stuck in perfectionism, overwhelmed by admin, or just curious how to run your business with more ease and intention, Stacey’s story is packed with wisdom and practical reminders you don’t want to miss.

•  Learn more about Stacey’s work and CRM setup services 
•  Follow Stacey on Instagram  
• Check out Stacey Rolfe Photography 

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 things slow down or feel uncertain in your business, it’s easy to think you need to overhaul everything or spend your time hunting down new leads. But more often than not, the best opportunities are already sitting in front of you—specifically, in the form of your happiest clients.

In this episode, I’m sharing four tried-and-true strategies for turning one great client into more. These are simple, relationship-focused ways to bring people back in, get them talking about you, and build more consistency and sustainability into your schedule and revenue—without adding a bunch of marketing overwhelm to your plate.

We’ll cover:

• How to re-engage past clients with new or expanded offers
• A smart way to use client stories and testimonials that builds trust and drives bookings
• What it looks like to partner with clients to grow your network
• The membership model that keeps your best clients coming back, year after year

LINKS:

• Learn more about my course, Revenue on Repeat  
• Explore all TCBTH resources 

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!

If you've ever felt a sinking feeling as you send in your taxes, wondering if you're missing something (or have just signed and avoided the numbers altogether), you're not alone. 

That’s why I brought in Danielle Hayden, founder of Kickstart Accounting, to break down exactly what photographers should be doing year-round to stay on top of their numbers, avoid surprises, and maximize their tax deductions. The truth is, that managing your business finances doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, when you do it right, it actually helps you make more money. 

And don’t worry—this isn’t a dry, accountant-speak episode. Danielle makes it practical, actionable, and yes, even empowering.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why bookkeeping is NOT your job (and what your actual role should be as a business owner)
• The top tax deductions photographers miss (that could save you real money)
• How to avoid common QuickBooks mistakes that can cost you thousands
• What an accountable plan is and how it lowers your tax bill
• The biggest tax season myths and what really matters when it comes to financial health

I know taxes aren’t exactly fun, but this conversation will help you sleep better at night—not just during tax season, but all year long.

• Get Danielle’s Free Guide – Top 10 Tax Deductions for Photographers 
• Listen to Danielle’s Podcast: Business By The Books 
• Follow Danielle 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!

AI is everywhere right now, but let’s be real—most of us don’t have time to sort through all the noise to figure out which tools actually help photographers run their businesses better.

That’s why I called in Colie James. She’s a workflow automation expert, a photographer, and someone who has gone much further with AI than most of us (but in a way that makes running a business easier, not more complicated). In this episode, she’s breaking down how she’s using AI to speed up content creation, simplify marketing, and create custom automation that saves hours of time every week.

We’re talking about:

• How AI tools can help photographers streamline their marketing
• The best AI tools for content repurposing, SEO, and automation
• How to create a custom GPT that actually understands your business
• The power of AI-assisted blogging for getting found on Google
• The smart way to use AI without losing your personal voice

If you’ve been wondering how AI can actually work for photographers, this episode is full of actionable, real-world strategies to help you start using it today.

• Try Colie’s Custom GPT Workflow Magician 
•  Follow Colie on Instagram
•  Listen to the Business First Creatives 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!

Photography may seem like a business with low legal risk, but if you don’t cover your bases, one unexpected issue—like a contract dispute, a tax audit, or an independent contractor misclassification—can cause major headaches.

Today, I’m talking with Braden Drake, a lawyer and tax expert who specializes in helping creative entrepreneurs actually understand business compliance, contracts, and financial protection. And trust me, this conversation is anything but boring. Braden makes legal and tax talk fun, digestible, and completely manageable, so you can finally stop avoiding these must-dos in your business.

In this episode, we’re breaking down:

• The five layers of legal protection every photographer should have in place
• What you really need to know about contracts, taxes, and business compliance
• The common legal mistakes photographers make (and how to avoid them)
• Whether your independent contractors should actually be employees
• Why a good contract is worth every penny—and where to get one without breaking the bank

If legal and tax stuff stresses you out, this episode will make you feel clear, confident, and ready to tackle the things that actually protect your business.

• Download Braden’s Free Legal Guide 
•  Join the Contract Club for Rock-Solid Legal Templates 
•  Get Braden’s Book: Unf*ck Your Biz   
• Follow Braden 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!

Most photographers assume that if they don’t shoot in a studio, they don’t need one. But what if a studio space could be so much more than just a backdrop for sessions?

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Michelle McAfee, a photographer who turned her studio into so much more than just a place to shoot. She shares how she transitioned from using her space exclusively for client sessions to creating a studio membership model—one that serves other photographers and small business owners, boosts her marketing, and generates additional revenue.

We talk about:

• Why a studio space is more than just four walls—it’s a business growth tool
• How Michelle transformed her studio into a community hub for creatives
• Smart ways to monetize and maximize a studio beyond client work
• What to consider before renting or buying a studio space
• Creative marketing ideas for leveraging a studio to attract more clients

If you’ve ever considered opening a studio, renting one, or simply using a studio more effectively, this episode will open your eyes to all the possibilities.

• Download Michelle’s Free Guide – 10 Ways to Use a Studio for Brand Growth
• Follow Michelle on Instagram
• Learn More About Michelle’s Photography Business 

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!

If you’ve ever felt like your emails are going out into the void—ignored, unopened, or worse, unsubscribed from—this episode is just for you.

Email marketing doesn’t have to feel awkward or forced. In fact, when done right, it’s one of the most powerful ways to turn casual followers into loyal clients. But what actually makes an email engaging? How do you keep people excited to hear from you instead of clicking delete?

Today, I'm breaking it all down, with a fun analogy (of course!)

• How to get people to subscribe to your email list in the first place
• The secret to subject lines that actually get opened
• How to write emails that feel personal, not pushy
• The simple tweak at the end of every email that makes all the difference

If you want your emails to be the kind people look forward to (instead of ignoring), tune in! 

Links:

• Join The Consistency Club for Done-For-You Email & Marketing Content 

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!

Generating leads for your photography business can feel like a full-time job. You put yourself out there, cross your fingers, and hope the inquiries roll in—but what happens when they don’t? That’s where a smart, strategic approach to lead generation makes all the difference.

This week, I’m talking with photographer, business coach, and Gold Biz Podcast host Rachel Traxler about how she approaches lead generation intentionally—not just throwing things at the wall to see what sticks. Rachel breaks down how different types of buyers make decisions, why understanding that matters, and how to create marketing content that speaks to the right clients at the right time.

In this episode, we cover:

• The three different types of buyers and what actually gets them to book
• Why your leads might be dropping off—and how to fix it
• How to speed up the booking process (without feeling salesy)
• Rachel’s favorite ways to create a steady stream of inquiries

If you want to bring in more predictable leads—and convert more of them into paying clients—this episode is for you!

Links:

• Grab Rachel’s Free Training: 10 FREE Lead Generation Strategies to grow your business effortlessly!
• Follow Rachel on Instagram
• Listen to The Gold Biz 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!