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187: Luci Dumas – Starting Your Successful Photography Business (replay)

Happy 2023! This episode is a replay about how to get started selling your work.

It is one of my most popular and I thought is was a good one to start 2023 as we set new dreams and goals. 

I know it can be overwhelming and confusing so I thought I would

187 - Luci Dumas - Starting Your Successful Photography Business (replay) Luci Dumas Profitable Photographer Podcast

give as much info about what to do and think about as I could squeeze out of my brain. This is in no way everything, but it is a good foundation for success.

In this podcast, I share with you why the first step to creating a profitable photography business is to have a clear vision, a dream that is specific as well as a bit of fantasy, a simple business plan, and a defined goal.

I cover the importance of “Pricing for Profit” and how to do it, making the telephone your best friend. And how the right conversations set up the entire system. I share a few thoughts on why selling in person is best for your clients and you if you want a profitable business selling lifetime treasures (in my opinion of course).

And I also share about the value of

  • education of all types…including coaching and courses
  • practice practice practice your photography skills, sales, and more.

Let me know your intentions for 2023 and what sparked your imagination from this episode….and enjoy!

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:

186: Luc Boulet – Copyright Changes for Photographers and Artist

Did you know your right to photograph is protected under the constitutional right to freedom of speech? Well, it is! It’s a little more complex than that, though, which is why we are so glad to have our guest with us today to explain all things legal photography! 

The Professional Photographers of America worked for 10 years to get Congress to pass a bill that allows photographers and artists to sue in Small Claims Court. 

Luc Boulet - Copyright Changes for Photographers and Artist The Profitable Photographer Luci Dumas

My guest, Luc Boulet is the man with the answers about all things legal when it comes to photography.

He is currently the Government Affairs Manager for Professional Photographers of America and represents their interests across the country in state legislatures, federal agencies, and on Capitol Hill.

Paying attention to the legal stuff can be overwhelming for many creative-types… that’s why we are so happy to have Luc on the show to help break it down! 

On this episode he’ll cover:

  • The legal right to photograph in National Parks
  • Our rights as photographers 
  • What to do if your photographs are used without your permission
  • The importance of registering your work

Don’t sweat the legal stuff…we’ve gotcha covered.

Listen now.

And connect with Luc at:

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:

185: Amina Mohamed – Cameras for Girls Program and the Joy of Volunteering

Is it time for you to give back? Is your heart calling you to use your talents to help others?

Our guest, Amina Mohamed, is here to talk about her non-profit called “Cameras for Girls” and her efforts to bring the art of photography and photojournalism to young women across Africa who likely would not otherwise have had the opportunity to explore it. 

185 - Amina Mohamed - Cameras for Girls Program and the Joy of Volunteering - Luci Dumas

In 2018, she started an initiative with a mission to teach photography and business skills to marginalized females across Africa who endeavor to become journalists. She gives each of them a camera and has taught 47 young women in Uganda and 10 women online in South Africa– 65% now have full-time jobs. Truly amazing.

In addition to her volunteer efforts, Amina has spent fifteen years exploring her passion for photography while working in film and television as a producer and production manager on numerous movies and documentaries. 

Amina is here today to speak to all photographers about how to proceed when you are called to give back and make the world a better place using your photography. 

Here are some of her tips for getting started: 

  • Figure out what you are talented at
  • And which segment of society you want to help
  • Don’t worry about registering for any “official” programs
  • Look for places to volunteer (but be careful about “voluntourism”)

Listen now to hear Amina’s amazing story and find out more about tapping into your inner volunteer!

And connect with Amina at:

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:

184: Carly Sullens – Digital Artistry and New Renaissance for Photographers

This week on The Profitable Photographer Podcast we are thinkin’ OUTSIDE THE BOX with multi-talented artist and photographer, Carly Sullens. She helps us understand how to use the new tools in the current Creative Renaissance to create digital photographic art limited only by our imaginations.

Carly is an award-winning photographer, artist, digital painter, and educator. 

With a master’s degree in art therapy, Carly studied painting, psychology, and art history in both undergraduate and grad school. She added photography to her repertoire several years ago. Eventually, she began to apply her painting training, turning photos into works of art. Her photographs have earned tons of awards, including “Image Excellence.”

Carly combines her painting and photography worlds by exploring how photographs can be deconstructed and transformed into a new reality. 

She says, “The idea behind my work and what I teach is to push the artistic potential of photography and compose a new artistic image. Whether that be through digital painting or composite.”

In addition to art for the sake of beauty and exploration, Carly is also a trained art therapist, helping students tap into their own creative genius. “Art and symbolism speak to all of us in unique ways. To be more creative is to learn to sit with imagery, yours, and others and to listen.” 

If you’re looking for a way to tap into your creative genius, Carly says:

  1. Go within
  2. Notice the patterns that show up over and over
  3. Explore your emotions

And if you’re interested in taking up photo painting:

  1. Choose the right photograph
  2. Be sure the image has good highlights and shadows
  3. Test your digital brushes
  4. How you paint the pixels is up to your artistry
  5. Focus on fundamental principles like perspective, form, and color

It’s never too late to learn a new skill and add to your artistic portfolio. You never know what potential you’ll tap into.

Listen now

AND DON’T FORGET Carly’s free guide to photo-painting at https://paintedcamera.com/5strategieschoosingphoto 

Connect with Carly:

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183: Luci Dumas – Handling Objections

“Salesmanship begins when the customer says no”…today’s quote from a coffee mug by Sandra Bynton

This solo episode by me, Luci, you know…your hostess with the mostest…is all about how to deal with objections from your clients.

No matter how great you are at photography, marketing, attracting ideal clients, or planting seeds for eventual purchasing, you need to know how to handle those inevitable objections. 

How? By having a strategy (and lot of responses in your back pocket) so you will have a great session and order you are really really happy about. 

In this episode, I cover the following topics:

  1. How to“Head um off at the pass”. I.E., anticipating and solving potential issues in advance.
  2. The value of becoming the trusted advisor.
  3. What to do first when someone asks a question or makes a comment that sets you back on your heels, or risks the entire success of the project.
  4. How to use the“Feel, Felt, Found” tool that is like magic.

And I offer several responses to common questions like “can we order more later” or “do you sell digitals?”.

Don’t miss this one. It can make all the difference in the world.

And thanks a zillion for listening! Luci

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:

182: Jeff Dachowski – Up Your Photography Sales Plan

We are amping up our photography sales this week on The Profitable Photographer podcast.

Special guest Jeff Dachowki joins us to spill his secrets to big and meaningful sales.

Jeff Dachowski - Up Your Photography Sales Plan Luci Dumas Profitable Photographer Podcast

Jeff is an award-winning Master Craftsman Photographer. He owns a highly profitable studio with his lovely wife Carolle in New Hampshire which has been on its feet since 2003.

He is also the President of the Professional Photographers of America (or PPA for short), a PPA International Approved Juror, Certification Judge, and a Vatican Approved Photographer. Not only that, he is also a super fun and great human.

What’s Jeff’s number one tip to making big sales? SELL IN PERSON! 

It gives you a better opportunity to connect and collaborate with your clients. 

And always remember that you are valuable and worth it–You are the only place your clients can get what you offer.

Jeff also says to make sure to:

  1. Pick at least one impact piece to focus the conversation on
  2. Let your client know the importance of each piece
  3. Let the client add to their own shopping cart

Photographs are the most talked about piece of furniture in our homes. Your clients WANT to buy from you! 

Listen now!

Connect with Jeff:

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:

181: Hunter Lowder – Avoiding Burn Out and “Firing Up” Our Photographic Goals

Woooah! Slow down there, Nelly. This episode of The Profitable Photographer Podcast is all about avoiding burnout! 

We’ve got special guest Hunter Lowder here to share her expertise on avoiding and healing from burnout. Trust me, photography business owners are no strangers to this topic! 

Hunter is co-owner of Tortoise & The Bear, a business strategy, operations, and mindset coaching company that supports visionaries in bringing their wild and crazy dreams to life. Coupling her past business experience as CEO of a multi-million dollar company with mindful coaching approaches, Hunter helps service-based business owners create and prioritize a strategic plan to grow their impact and move their business forward in a sustainable way.

181: Hunter Lowder - Avoiding Burn Out and "Firing Up" Our Photographic Goals

After suffering severe burnout as a CEO, Hunter is passionate about building a business in alignment with her values.

“Burnout is not afraid of playing the long game. To prevent burnout, we need to play a long game, too.” ― Sally Clarke

You’ve probably been there, you’re a visionary and you have big plans for your business…BUT NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY! You find yourself overworking to make your business grow. You’re exhausted, yet not sleeping. More emotional than usual, maybe overeating or leaning on alcohol. It feels like you are spinning and your business is out of control. 

Hunter says it’s important to come back to ourselves and our bodies by:

  1. Journal and meditate
  2. Let your values guide you
  3. Ask for help

And, hey, if burnout has got you down, it’s not the end of the world!

Here are some tips for recovery:

  1. Get to know yourself through personality assessments to better understand what led to this moment.
  2. Let go of the “shoulds”
  3. Celebrate! 

Like Hunter says, there are no rules and “shoulds” when it comes to developing your business. So let that pressure go and move forward with you in mind!

Take the first step to valuing your needs and listen now! 

And grab Hunter’s FREE customer journey audit – a personalized video to get you on the right path to creating a customer journey for consistent leads and sales.

Connect with Hunter at :

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:

180: Deevo – The Value of Stories for Marketing Photography

This week on The Profitable Photographer Podcast, we welcome guest Deevo to share his insight on the value of storytelling in your photography business marketing!

(Read till the end to grab his free gift!)

Starting off with a camera at 12 years old, Deevo has always had the spirit of an entrepreneur. Today, he leads a full life as a Thought-Leader, Photographer, Videographer, Blogger, serial entrepreneur, single father, and Strategy Consultant and Speaker. WOWZA! 

180: Deevo - The Value of Stories for Marketing Photography

He is an expert in creating digital architecture that helps small businesses and entrepreneurs market their services. And that is what he’s here to talk about today! 

Digital Architecture? YES! 

Deevo says the most effective way to communicate your brand is by intentionally structuring a story for your audience. 

Storytelling is the epicenter of humanity. It is the common ground between strangers. If we can tap into storytelling, we can connect directly with our audience.

How can your photography business use storytelling on social media?

  • Be clear on your purpose and develop a strategy around it
  • Pick one channel
  • Plan it all in advance and schedule your posts!
  • Have aesthetic appeal
  • Be consistent

So, what’s your story? Listen to the episode now! 

And look out for Deevo’s retreat coming at ya next summer!

Connect with Deevo at:

@Fusionphotog on Instagram

Fusionphotographystudio.com

Check out his podcast “A Little Impolite Podcast” 

And listen to his keynote speech by clicking here.

DON’T FORGET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD from Deevo “All of the Tools You Need for a Healthy Relationship with Social Media.”

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:

179: Luci Dumas – Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway!

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” ― Frank Herbert, Dune

Okay, gang…this episode is on the topic of Fear and how we can not let it hold us back from our greatness. As a solo episode, I dive into the topic and take a look at why we need to “Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway” (which is the name of my favorite book by the way on the subject)

I share with you some of my journey, starting with a core thought that I used to have all the time is that I would end up losing everything and becoming a ‘bag lady”…and how I changed that thought and am able to take big risks with confidence.

I look at what we are afraid of and how most times it is one of these things:

  • Loss
  • Someone else’s reaction, like judgment or disappointment
  • Physical consequence/ pain
  • Embarrassment 
  • Self Criticism

And I share a tool where you can do a deep dive into your fears and get to the heart of it, and take the power away from it. I discuss the benefits of taking risks like hiring a coach, opening a studio, buying equipment, and how whatever we do will have benefits from it even if it doesn’t go the way we hope.

So…don’t let fear sabotage your success! Take the risks! You are going to be fine, always.

To connect about coaching or any other question feel free to

Email or message me on Facebook.

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:

178: Ben Tyndell – The Value of Luxury Packaging

What are YOU doing to position yourself as a luxury photography service? 

Today’s episode of The Profitable Photographer is all about upping your business game by enhancing the presentation of your photo products.

Our guest is Ben Tyndell, Owner and Operator of Tyndell Photographic, a full-service photo-packaging supply company and manufacturer of high-quality, custom-branded photo packaging products. Since 1978, this family-owned company has been making photography businesses look lavish!

178: Ben Tyndell - The Value of Luxury Packaging

Imagine sharing your client’s purchases in beautiful fabric bags, folders, boxes and more…Talk about a high-end experience! Ben is here to tell us how investing in packaging can enhance your business and client experience.

I have personally been using his family’s services for years, presenting my photos in a beautiful, customized bag instead of the shipping boxes, and boy, does it make a difference! 

He’s talkin’:

  • Which packaging has the most value
  • How to appeal to clients visually 
  • Why spending more money is worth it in the long run

Learn how to provide a luxury experience and listen to the episode now!

AND ENTER TO WIN A PACKAGING STARTER KIT from Ben on Facebook @TyndellPhotographic: https://www.facebook.com/Tyndell.Photographic/

Connect with Ben at:

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