I had so much fun talking with Javon Longieliere. From the moment we started, it felt like I was chatting with an old friend. We laughed, shared stories from our careers, and explored something I’m passionate about—creating photography experiences that are just as meaningful as the finished portraits. Javon reminded me that our greatest gift as photographers isn’t just taking beautiful pictures; it’s helping people feel seen, comfortable, and connected. Those are the moments that become family legacies. We also talked about how building genuine relationships with our clients not only changes their experience but also creates a more rewarding and profitable business.
In This Episode
Creating unforgettable client experiences
Building trust through connection
Capturing genuine emotion
Why in-person reveals matter
Creating photographs that become family legacies
About My Guest
Javon Longieliere is an award-winning portrait photographer from Valdosta, Georgia, and a Master Photographer, Master Wedding Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, and Certified Professional Photographer (CPP). He is known for creating meaningful client experiences that result in authentic, story-filled portraits and lasting relationships.
New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.
This conversation with Zoe Martin touched my heart in such a deep way. Zoe is the founder of Moments by Zoe Martin, where she creates luxury legacy storytelling experiences that preserve not just faces, but voices, stories, and emotional inheritance for generations to come.
After losing her sister to breast cancer, Zoe was inspired to turn her grief into something meaningful—helping families capture the people and stories they never want to lose. This episode is a beautiful reminder that legacy isn’t just about what we leave behind… It’s about what we share right now.
In this episode, we talk about:
How Zoe combines family portraits, video storytelling, and oral histories to create lasting family treasures
Why recording voices, stories, and everyday moments can be even more powerful than photographs alone
The importance of multi-generational portraits and preserving emotional inheritance before it’s too late
How Zoe has built a meaningful business through nonprofit partnerships, senior communities, and legacy experiences
This one really made me think about my own family memories—the voices, the laughter, the stories I’m so grateful I still have. It’s such a good reminder that documenting our lives isn’t something to put off for “someday.”
Because someday has a way of showing up faster than we think.
New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.
Some people come into your lives and change everything. Today’s episode is a conversation with one of the most inspiring and magnetic people I have been lucky enough to know. She was my coach, mentor, friend, guest, and client. She passed away last week, and I hope that revisiting this conversation will inspire you as much as she inspired everyone who knew her.
About this interview…
I think it’s safe to say that at some point we’ve all felt a little bit stuck…in our comfort zones, in our photography businesses, and in our lives. I know that I have. The person that helped me get over that “stuck” feeling? This week’s The Profitable Photographer Podcast guest and my long-time coach and friend, Ursula Mentjes. I couldn’t be more excited for you to meet her!
Ursula is a leading expert on success and business growth and a USA Today bestselling author of UpLevel NOW. She is a business strategist and coach who works with entrepreneurs ( like me!) to double their monthly revenue in as little as 30 days while working less. Ursula is also a keynote speaker and certified as an NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Coach through the NLP Institute of California. She specializes in helping her clients release the limiting beliefs and blocks that hold them back from their greatest success.
As self-employed business owners, it’s easy to stay stuck in our comfort zone. But staying where we are will never allow us to reach the goals we truly desire. Today, Ursula is here to teach us how to break through to the next level and get unstuck!
Listen in as the life-changing, entertaining Ursula shares with us:
How to change limiting beliefs
Steps to double your sales
How to get unstuck and leave your comfort zone
Ursula’s final takeaway for us? It’s not too late to build the business of your dreams.
If you want to learn more from Ursula, you can still find her books and podcast on her website
New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.
Sooooo….I have often called The Baby Whisperer OR Every Kids’ Aunt Luci. I happen to be and an award-winning Master Craftsman photographer, but my favorite award (or reward) is capturing the delight a child brings in a photograph and sharing with my clients
After 10 years photographing weddings, I pivoted to my first love, children. For the next 20 plus years I photographed newborns, toddlers, children and families. People would comment about how patient I am and yes, it is true. But I also have learned and invented many many ways to make photographing them easy and fun. Ways to bring out natural expressions and poses. Ways to plan a session for the most success.
And I am sharing not just 10 tips and tricks, but the different stages of childhood and the 8 basic needs and how to address them to get the most out of our time with the wee ones.
In this episode, I share:
My 10 hot tips for photographing children with more ease and confidence
How to adapt your approach for newborns, toddlers, preschoolers, and teens
Creative ways to connect with little ones (without relying on bribery)
The importance of reading the room — and meeting children where they are
Why your own energy, preparation, and mindset are just as important as your camera settings
Whether you’re brand new to photographing children or have been doing it for years, this episode is packed with practical advice, mindset shifts, and tried-and-true techniques to help you create portraits families will treasure forever.
Thanks for listening, and if you found this helpful, I’d love for you to subscribe and share it with your photography friends.
Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:
New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.
What a fun conversation I had with my friend Rachel Sorbet! Rachel specializes in branding and executive portraits for businesswomen, and she shared so many gems about creating a successful photography business that feels authentic and rewarding.
I have watched her go from “imposter syndrome” to a super-successful Boss Babe (aka a very successful photographer) in just 8 years.
We chatted about the power of positive thinking and believing that if you have a dream, you really can build it. Rachel shares how she attracts clients, revealing that most of her bookings come from Google Ads, combined with consistently showing up through networking and social media.
We also dive into one of my favorite topics—building relationships. Rachel explains her strategy for creating “channel partners,” businesses that actively support and refer one another. She shares how simple connections, clear expectations, and genuine relationships over coffee can grow into a steady stream of ideal clients.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
• The power of mindset and believing in your dreams.
• How Rachel gets 90% of her branding clients through Google Ads.
• The difference between referral partners and channel partners.
• How to recognize the super-networkers who can help grow your business.
• Why authentic relationships are still one of the best marketing strategies.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Thanks so much for listening and for sharing The Profitable Photographer with your photography friends!
Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:
New episodes drop every week — make sure to subscribe so you never miss an inspiring guest or a powerful solo episode designed to help you grow your photography business.
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.
