Profitability includes having your “legal ducks” in a row.
Rachel Brenke is the head attorney behind TheLawTog®, a resource for photographers that need help with contracts and legal challenges that might come up. We have a rich discussion on the business of photography and so much more.
In this episode, Luci and Rachel discuss:
The top legal concerns that all photopreneurs need to address now.
Protecting yourself and your business from the beginning.
Contracts, trademarks, copyright, and marketing legalities.
Key Takeaways:
Don’t ignore potential problems. It costs more resources to clean up a problem than to prevent it at the beginning (such as with a contract).
Talk to a CPA and a Lawyer to find out what structure of business is right for you.
Contracts are not a barrier between you and your client – they are a form of customer service and professionalism. They are a way to build up buyers’ confidence and fill your bucket of professionalism.
“Contracts are the foundation of everything in your photography business. It’s going to protect, it’s going to communicate, it’s going to allow you to offer customer service.” — Rachel Brenke
Marnie Clagett, CPP, operates a studio in historic Downtown Elizabethtown, KY, where she and her husband focus on contemporary fine art portraiture for their clients.
Marnie primarily photographs families and high school seniors,
In this episode, Luci and Marnie discuss:
Having a successful home studio.
Practical ways to make a small space work for your business.
Presenting a professional front in all aspects of your business.
Key Takeaways:
Home studio spaces are still professional spaces, even if it’s in the middle of your home.
Set apart your business by language – “pics” and “portraits” give off a different vibe to the clients.
Have your finances in order before setting up an out of home studio.
“It is all about how you approach your studio space and how you make that work.”— Marnie Clagett
The rigors of volume photography, and more specifically, sports team photography.
Tips and tricks for networking and growing your contacts.
The items people need to think about before trying volume photography.
Key Takeaways:
Utilize social media to find the groups, teams, and people that you want to work with.
Don’t give up! A “no” is not necessarily forever. Stay top of mind, be present, and somewhere along the way, someone will say “yes.”
Be organized on the day – not only with crowd control and your equipment but with keeping track of who is being photographed.
“In volume photography, time is money. You have to get it all right in the camera, on photo day…It’s all about not touching every individual photo multiple times.” — David Grupa
Jeff and Lori Poole own Indigo Silver Studio in Wilmington NC, offering boutique boudoir portraiture and wedding photography. They also own and operate The Shoot Space, their educational outreach for photographers.
In this episode, Luci, Jeff, and Lori discuss:
How to sell wedding albums and a system to create a story with your client.
How they balance their relationship and their business.
How to utilize lead magnets in your marketing to keep yourself top of mind.
Key Takeaways:
Designing the album that tells the story together with the client gives them a sense of ownership of the album.
Creating a sense of urgency gives the client a reason to make a decision in a timely manner, serving both your business and your clients better.
Be creative – you don’t have to use the business model that somebody else is just because it is being used. There are many ways to accomplish the same thing.
“Instead of focusing on individual images, we’re focusing on stories, so rather than picking images, we’re picking stories and working backward.” — Lori Poole
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.
