You're doing everything: editing late at night, juggling clients, parenting, pricing. Yet your bank account doesn't reflect the hustle. Why? Because more clients at the wrong price doesn't mean more profit. It means burnout. If you're ready to earn more without losing yourself, this episode is your wake-up call.

This week, Sarah shares 7 portrait pricing secrets photographers aren't being told. These aren't theories. They're hard-won lessons from going broke at $75 sessions to building a profitable studio that lets her show up for life, not just work. If your schedule is full but your wallet is empty, this one's for you.

● Why more sessions = more stress, not more money (and how to flip that equation) ● The subtle pricing shift that makes clients expect to spend more ● How to stop negotiating with yourself and finally price with confidence

You don't need more clients. You need the right clients, the right system, and the courage to believe your work is worth more. Let this episode be the turning point.

RESOURCES:

Photography Business Tools to Get Started

37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin

INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are.

https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty

FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals

YOUTUBE:

Check out my latest how to videos:

https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute

LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

You've built a business, then stepped away—maybe for kids, for a move, or to support someone else's dream. But what happens when it's your turn again? In this heartfelt episode, Amanda Cole shares how she's rebuilding her photography business from scratch after years away, and what's surprising her most along the way.

• How Amanda made 3 "Julies" from her martial arts school email list • Why trusting the process (even when it feels messy) can lead to big wins • The mindset shift that helped her finally let go of judgment and raise her prices

If you've ever wondered whether it's too late—or too complicated—to begin again, Amanda's story is the hope-filled push you need.

RESOURCES:

Photography Business Tools to Get Started

37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin

INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are.

https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty

FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals

YOUTUBE:

Check out my latest how to videos:

https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute

LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

You love photography, but let's be honest—you didn't start this to be broke, burnt out, and missing your kids' bedtime. If you've ever questioned whether this dream is even worth it, this episode is your wake-up call.

In this week's Joycast, Sarah lays out 8 brutally honest truths that helped her go from overworked mom to profitable boutique photographer. This isn't fluff. It's a clear, courageous path to freedom, income, and the joy you thought you'd find when you picked up a camera.

● Why working harder isn't the answer—and what actually changes everything ● The mindset shift that stopped Sarah from projecting her money fears onto clients ● How to stop hoping people buy and start guiding them to say yes

If you've been spinning your wheels or second-guessing your worth, press play. This episode doesn't just inspire—it equips you with the truth to finally break through.

RESOURCES:

Photography Business Tools to Get Started

37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin

INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are.

https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty

FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals

YOUTUBE:

Check out my latest how to videos:

https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute

LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

You don't need more followers or fancier gear—you need clients who value what you do. If you're tired of posting and praying, Sarah's sharing the 13 marketing moves that actually bring in premium clients. These strategies built her $3M business—and they're working for 32,000+ photographers today.

In this solo episode, Sarah breaks down the exact approaches that took her from overwhelmed mom to one of America's most profitable photographers. These aren't fluff tips. They're tried-and-true strategies you can start using now, no matter your experience level.

● How to turn silent auctions into high-ROI lead machines ● The "dog whistle" marketing piece that makes right-fit clients say, "I need you!" ● Why friends and family may be your most untapped marketing goldmine

If your business feels stuck—or you're ready to level up with more joy and fewer discounts—this episode is your roadmap. Take notes, take action, and start attracting clients who say yes with their hearts and wallets.

RESOURCES:

Photography Business Tools to Get Started

37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin

INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are.

https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty

FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals

YOUTUBE:

Check out my latest how to videos:

https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute

LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

What if everything you thought was holding you back—language barriers, hearing loss, no studio space—was actually setting the stage for your breakthrough? In this episode, meet Olga Filatova, a Las Vegas photographer who went from terrified to talk to clients to making $2,995 with her very first boutique order.

• How Olga overcame the fear of selling, even with hearing loss • The moment that changed her belief in her value—for good • The exact mindset shift that took her from discounts to $9K in four clients

If you've ever questioned whether this could work for you, let Olga's story be your answer. Her courage will remind you what's possible. RESOURCES:

Photography Business Tools to Get Started

37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin

INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are.

https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty

FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals

YOUTUBE:

Check out my latest how to videos:

https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute

LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

Still selling digital files? It's costing you more than just income—it's costing your clients the heirlooms they deserve. In this episode, Sarah reveals why the digital-only model is broken, how it sets you up to lose against AI, and what to do instead if you want a business that's profitable, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling.

• Why the digital-only model leads to burnout and low profit • The mindset and strategy shift that leads to multi-thousand-dollar orders • How to stop feeling like a "charity" and start running a real business

This isn't just about pricing—it's about purpose. Let this episode give you the permission (and the plan) to change everything.

RESOURCES:

Photography Business Tools to Get Started

37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin

INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are.

https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty

FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals

YOUTUBE:

Check out my latest how to videos:

https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute

LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

What if one event could change everything about how you sell? That's exactly what happened to Jean Lachat. After sitting front row at Sarah's summer camp and making a few small (but mighty) shifts, she walked away and booked $15,300 in a single day. Hear exactly what changed—and how you can apply it to your next session.

• How Jean's mindset around presentation and pricing completely shifted • The "less is more" strategy that made it easy for clients to say yes • Why intentionality—not pressure—is the key to bigger, happier sales

If you've ever doubted your value or second-guessed your sales process, this is your must-listen.

RESOURCES:

Photography Business Tools to Get Started

37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin

INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are.

https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty

FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals

YOUTUBE:

Check out my latest how to videos:

https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute

LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

Tired of handing off digitals for $250 and never hearing from clients again? So was Audrey Tarris. In this episode, she shares how she rebuilt her business—transforming her townhome into a boutique studio and making $10K in two months, including a $3,700 order. This is what happens when you stop winging it and follow a plan that works.

• Why ditching packages led to real profits and real relationships • How she paid off a business loan with just 10 client orders • The mindset shift that helped her stop selling from her wallet

If you've been stuck in the hustle, Audrey's story is proof—you can change your life faster than you think.

RESOURCES:

Photography Business Tools to Get Started

37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin

INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are.

https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty

FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals

YOUTUBE:

Check out my latest how to videos:

https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute

LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

Thinking about going full-time with your photography? Before you leap, listen to this. In this episode, I'm sharing the 7 lessons I wish someone had told me before I traded my 9–5 for the camera. From pricing mistakes to burnout traps, these insights could save you years—and skyrocket your income and joy.

You don't need more hustle. You need more clarity.

• Why "busy" doesn't mean profitable (and what to do instead) • The truth about gear, pricing, and building consistent income • How to ditch digital files and start selling artwork that actually serves your clients

This is the pep talk—and business plan—you've been needing.

RESOURCES:

Photography Business Tools to Get Started

37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin

INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are.

https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty

FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals

YOUTUBE:

Check out my latest how to videos:

https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute

LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756

Thinking about going full-time with your photography? Before you leap, listen to this. In this episode, I'm sharing the 7 lessons I wish someone had told me before I traded my 9–5 for the camera. From pricing mistakes to burnout traps, these insights could save you years—and skyrocket your income and joy.

You don't need more hustle. You need more clarity.

• Why "busy" doesn't mean profitable (and what to do instead) • The truth about gear, pricing, and building consistent income • How to ditch digital files and start selling artwork that actually serves your clients

This is the pep talk—and business plan—you've been needing.

RESOURCES:

Photography Business Tools to Get Started

37 CLIENTS WHO CAN HIRE YOU TODAY https://info.photographybusinessinstitute.com/37-clients-optin

INSTAGRAM – DM me "Conversation Starters" for some genuine ways to strike up a conversation about your photography business wherever you are.

https://www.instagram.com/sarah.petty

FREE COPY: NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/freebook BOUTIQUE BREAKTHROUGH – 8-WEEK WORKSHOP www.photographybusinessinstitute.com/boutiquebreakthrough FREE FACEBOOK GROUP: Join and get my free mini-class: How I earned $1,500 per client working 16 hours a week by becoming a boutique photographer. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ditchthedigitals

YOUTUBE:

Check out my latest how to videos:

https://www.youtube.com/photographybusinessinstitute

LOVE THE SHOW? Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worth-every-penny-joycast/id1513676756