Andrew Hellmich has been a successful wedding and portrait photographer for over 20 years. He also has an amazing and popular podcast called Photobizx. Luci has been on his show a few times and he asks surprising questions that get his guests to share motivating and practical tips to help you grow your own business.
Today he and Luci discuss how to find and qualify new clients through Facebook advertising, how to find your perfect client, and how to not waste time or giveaway your services to people who won’t become clients.
In this episode, Luci and Andrew discuss:
Learning from what other successful photographers have done, not just in their shooting style, but also their business acumen
You have to create an experience for your clients, it’s not just about your photos
Find your perfect client and offer them something of value to start to create a relationship
Be transparent and don’t be afraid to scare people off, you don’t want every client
If you hope to make a living with photography, you have to focus on the business, not just the art
If you are offering a giveaway, make sure you are pre-qualifying them before offering your services
With a Facebook ad- The headline and the photo are both equally important, they both need to stop your potential client from scrolling past
Facebook Pixels are an amazing way to track and target potential clients
“Success in business as a photographer is more about the business of marketing than the photography, or being the photographer that stands out among the crowd in regards to having their own style.” — Andrew Hellmich
Managing and protecting your precious your files, using your time wisely when editing, and staying organized is an important part of being profitable as a photographer. If your photographs disappear or become corrupted, there is potential for huge financial losses. Andrew is an expert in this area and has taught thousands of photographers his system for staying safe and streamline at the same time.
In this episode, Luci and Andrew discuss:
Should photographers use a RAID storage system and what are some alternatives?
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) Units (Battery Backups). Why you might want to install one or more in your home or studio, and when you don’t really need them.
What to do to protect your computers and data drives during electrical storms.
Docks and hubs, and an important thing to consider when using them.
Why Apple’s Time Machine can be a lifesaver for your data. Windows has a similar option that comes with Windows 10 and some earlier Windows OS versions called File History, and a popular 3rd party application called “Genie Timeline” can also be used.
A simple system for “syncing” your data from one location to another. Andrew recommends Get Backup Pro (belightsoft.com/products/getbackup).
Online backup systems and specific things to consider when choosing one. Andrew recommends BackBlaze.com and Crashplan.com.
How to manage your smartphone photos and videos.
Tips for optimizing your computer’s performance and reducing the chances of losing data.
What to do if your external drive does not mount.
Media card management: Should you delete photos on your camera?
A simple backup strategy to help avoid losing the photos and videos on your media cards.
A printing tip to speed up your output without sacrificing quality.
“Success in my mind is being able to do what you would like to do, with whom you would like to do it, when you’d like to do it, and also be a good citizen while you do it.” — Andrew Darlow
Networking can be fun and profitable with vendors in your niche
Jennie Edwards is a photographer and videographer who helps entrepreneurs create and share their message online to make a bigger impact in the world. She teaches how to show up confidently and vulnerably, in alignment with their branding and values.
Over the last 12 years, Jennie has run a successful business of empowering her clients to grow their audience, connect authentically, and gain greater clarity of their goals and vision through their video and photographs. She is offering a guided audio recording Design Your Optimal Day to get clarity on and manefest your goals and dreams at www.yourdynamicstory.com/optimalday.
In this episode, Luci and Jennie discuss:
A networking strategy to create endless referrals for your photography business.
Building relationships through self-talk and expanding your comfort zone.
How selflessly serving others leads to joy and opportunities.
At bridal shows, an open booth that allows potential clients to come into your domain is a subtle way of becoming a trusted advisor.
There’s a kind of force that’s grateful when you give to others that open channels for prosperity, profitability, and abundance.
The abundance of love that you share with your family and friends, the contribution that you give back to your community, in turn, helps to create more change in the world like positivity and joy.
“Circle of Friends is a group of all different types of our favorite wedding vendors who gather monthly to share ideas, have a mastermind session and get to know one another on a deeper level so we can collaborate and ultimately work together more often .” – Jennie Edwards
Standing out in a very crowded field is something every photographer needs to do in order to become profitable. Jennifer George did this quickly by creating her own recognizable style, entering and winning local and national print competitions, speaking, and writing photography books. She also uses her passion and personal projects to inspire others and give back.
In this episode, Luci and Jennifer discuss:
How personal projects will build your portfolio and photography business.
Entering (and winning) competitions can be leveraged with high-end clients because people are attracted to award-winning professionals.
In an oversaturated photography market, you can set yourself apart by learning all you can from art classes, social media workshops, and marketing seminars.
Your work will be original and compelling when you find your true authentic self. Jennifer credits Luci as a significant influence on her style from the start.
How high-end photographers are not stagnant and the benefits of honing in on a clientele that is going to grow your business.
Jennifer George has gained a national reputation for her intimate, stylistic portraits. Since 1999, Her soulful images, use of natural lighting and multi-cultural awareness have afforded her the ability to follow her dream. The awards she has earned in just a few short years highlight Jennifer’s skill and passion for photography. Jennifer was recipient of California Photographer of the Year, People’s Choice Award twice, the Grand Premiere Award for Wedding and Portrait Photographer’s International and many more.
In 2014, she began using her photography to tell the stories of abused woman and created the exhibit “Exposing Scars”. This powerful project was exhibited for two months at the Women’s Museum of California and traveled to several venues including colleges.
She has written 3 “How To” books on photography, blogs on life lessons, and inspires others with her journey through life’s challenges and blessings.
While building her photography business, Luci sold skin care and makeup through at home parties to supplement her income. The lessons she learned contributed greatly to the 37 years as a successful photography with $3000 to $10,000 orders and much more. In this episode, she covers the dozen things she learned from selling a luxury item to women.
In this episode, Luci will discuss:
The correlations between selling make-up to women in their home and growing a luxury photography business.
The importance of passion, enthusiasm and descriptive language while selling products to clients.
Learn how to grow your photography business by using these twelve practical tips.
Key Takeaways:
It is important to believe in what you are selling and doing your best to communicate that.
Dress professionally; you want your client’s first impression of you that you are running a business, not a hobby.
To grow your business, you need to engage with clients by following up on leads, placing a reminder call, and expressing gratitude.
“My job is to find the clients want what I am offering and can afford it, but I will never know if I prejudge them.” – Luci Dumas
A big, exciting and maybe a little scary dream to have a successful, profitable and creative photography business doing exactly what you love for wonderful, grateful clients? Or do you want to bring your business to the next level of fun and profit.? If so, then this Podcast is for you.
For over 36 years, I have made a great living as portrait and wedding business, Luci Dumas Fine Photography, with no other source of income. No rich husband or lottery winnings, through the ups and downs of the industry and economy.
Now as a business coach with Insight Training for Photographers, I love love love to support photographers who want to do the same. This podcast is full of practical business info, and insights gained from my years in business, plus interviews with amazing people. My desire is to help you along on your joyful journey to success, however that looks to you.
