Welcome to a super informative episode of The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas! This week, I’m joined by longtime friends, industry icons, and master photographers Bert and Cindy Behnke — and oh, what a fun and insightful conversation we had!
Bert and Cindy ran a 68-year-old, three-generation portrait business in the Chicago suburbs until they passed the torch in 2024. Specializing in fine portraiture and corporate work (with a big love for photographing families and women!), they’ve impacted countless lives — not just through their lens, but through their warmth, wisdom, and connection.
Now they’re jet-setting across the globe, leading international photo workshops in dreamy destinations like Italy, Scotland, Ireland, Mexico, and Croatia. And you can join them!
In this episode, we dive into:
The power of connection and relationship-building in portrait photography
Why making clients feel seen, heard, and truly cared for is at the core of a thriving business
How asking the right questions unlocks emotional impact and deeper client engagement
A reminder that craftsmanship matters — solid skills + solid relationships = magic
And so much more!
There is so much value in listening to photographers with decades of success. And this episode is a big, beautiful reminder that our greatest success comes when people know, like, and trust us. I know you are going to feel this way about Bert and Cindy
Thanks for tuning in, beautiful humans! Your support means the world to me. Until next time, sending you a big heart full of love — and as always, keep doing what you love, loving what you do, and making this world a better place one portrait at a time.
With gratitude, Luci Dumas
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.
This week I get to hang out with Jeff Rojas—a mellow, super talented commercial photographer and former Adobe rep who’s been in the photography game for 14 years. His story started with something really personal…photographing a classic car with his grandfather…and it grew into a career that’s full of lessons for all of us.
Jeff and I cover a lot of ground in this episode, including the business of photography, the future of creative entrepreneurship, and how to thrive in commercial photography today. Here are just a few of the gems you’ll hear:
How wealth doesn’t really change people—it just turns up the volume on who they already are
Why working with clients who truly value quality is the key to a thriving business (money or no money)
Jeff’s approach to pricing: not fixed rates, but real value
What he learned as Adobe’s go-to-market manager and how that ties into the future of creative entrepreneurship
His refreshing take on AI—it’s not here to replace us, but to multiply what we can do
And my favorite: his “jawbone of a donkey” analogy—why you should use the skill you’re most afraid to use, the one you already have, instead of waiting for the perfect tool
Jeff also opens up about taking a much-needed break during 2020 to recover from burnout, and how he found his balance again. It’s an honest, inspiring conversation about creativity, business, and the courage to make the most of what you’ve been given.
Here is how to check out what Jeff is up to and get in his orbit:
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 week on The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas, it’s just me, spilling some of my favorite secrets for running a thriving photography business.
Think of it as coffee with a friend who’s been at this for decades—and is ready to save you a few headaches.
Here’s a taste of what I share:
• Why three bank accounts might just be your new best friends
• The rookie mistake most wedding photographers make (and how to avoid it)
• How to get clients without living on social media
• My favorite “wow” factor for in-person sales that almost guarantees bigger orders
• It’s part business, part photography, and all real-world tips to help you grow, profit, and actually enjoy the ride.
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.
It was fun to chat with another California photographer, Jeff Galinovsky, all about the business side of photography. He has been at it since 1988 (yep, with a Minolta Maxxum 7000!) and now runs a thriving business in high-volume sports, senior and family portraits, corporate branding, and events. He’s a CPP, Master of Photography, President of the Professional Photographers of Sacramento Valley, and an instructor with McKay Photography Academy.
His recent trip with McKay was to Mongolia, and you really want to see the amazing photos on his Facebook page!
Jeff and I dig into what it really takes to go full-time in photography—spoiler: it’s not about quitting on a whim. He shares how he prepared, got mentoring, leaned on professional organizations, and built a foundation that allowed him to succeed long-term.
We also cover:
Planning ahead and thinking big-picture for your business
Multiple streams of income vs. specializing (and why both can work)
Business basics: legal setup, customer service, target market, marketing, and pricing
Why mentors, community, and continuous learning are game-changers
If you want to grow a photography business that lasts for decades, this conversation will give you a roadmap.
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 week on The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas, I’m so excited to bring you a conversation that’s both fun and super practical—especially if you’ve been curious (or intimidated!) about using video to grow your photography business.
My guest is Shayna Lloyd—photographer, videographer, storyteller, and an all-around inspiring human. Shayna shared how she accidentally built a business by simply sharing videos before she even had a business to promote. Her story is the perfect example of the magic that happens when you take action, even when you’re not fully ready.
We chatted about the power of short-form and long-form video content, how to get started with just your iPhone, and why being willing to fail is part of the journey to success.
Here are a few of Shayna’s golden nuggets:
Start simple:
Think like a storyteller
Create a story by piecing together clips.
Once you’re comfortable, explore the video features on your camera
Shayna’s approach is all about ease, authenticity, and creativity. And honestly, I was so inspired that I might just go film a little story walk around my neighborhood after this!
Heads up: If you’re listening in August, Shayna is hosting an amazing in-person event September 8–11 in a beautiful cabin in Montana. It includes styled shoots and tons of learning and connection. If I were still in growth mode, I’d absolutely go! You can find the details at heythriver.com.
I’m sure you’ll find Shayna as delightful and motivating as I did.
Enjoy the episode!
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.
