289 - What if the secret to building a successful photography business wasn’t more hustle—but more joy?

In this uplifting and radically honest episode, I'm joined by J. Nichole Smith, branding guru and joy-first evangelist, to explore what happens when you choose joy over fear—in both your life and your business.

If you've ever worried about raising your prices, selling to clients, or marketing during uncertain times—this conversation is for you. Nic and I get real about burnout, fear-based selling, joy-fueled branding, and what it actually takes to build a business that not only pays the bills... but feels really good to run.

What to Listen For:

• What “Joy First” actually means—and why it matters in business
• The difference between discomfort and danger (and why one leads to growth)
• The truth about fear-based marketing (and why it’s everywhere)
• How to tell when you’re making decisions from fear instead of alignment
• A reframe for all the “I can’t charge that much” stories in your head
• The myth of the starving artist—and how to walk away from it
• A dead-simple framework for building a brand that feels right
• How psychological consistency in your visuals builds trust and sales
• A surprisingly effective way to spark joy daily (and it’s not just gratitude)

Choosing joy isn't just feel-good fluff—it's a practical, powerful strategy to build a business you love. Whether you're burned out or just stuck in fear-based thinking, this episode will help you reconnect with what lights you up. 🎧 Hit play, and don’t forget to subscribe and share the joy!

Resources from this episode

Future-Proof Your Pet Photography Business: Register here-  hairofthedogacademy.com/futureproof

Master the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy – hairofthedogacademy.com

Stop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistent $2,000+ sales – freedomfocusformula.com

Crack the code to booking more clients inside Elevate – freedomfocusformula.com/elevate

Discover the world of commercial pet photography- hairofthedogacademy.com/commercial

J.Nichole Smith's Website - joyfirstworld.com

Connect with Nic on IG - @jnicholesmith

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JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.