Hey listeners, this week I decided (on a suggestion from my editor) to tell some stories from my life that relate to my career choices, both as a photographer in business and a business/success coach and podcast hostess.
From selling flowers to neighbors, babysitting, and writing a “Dear Luci” column for a newsletter, to hot tips on how to have an easier session with children, I am sharing some of my memories, and the clues that helped me choose a career path that was a natural fit for me.
Why? And how does this fit with the idea of being profitable?
I hope to:
Inspire you to think about your own life stories to give you an understanding about your career choice and niche.
Entertain you and let you know a bit more about me.
And share some lessons I learned on my journey from a little girl having a yard sale to an entrepreneur that has had a great career for 40 years.
I would love to hear your stories…over coffee in San Diego, lunch in Nashville at the PPA Imaging Expo in January, or even a phone call or zoom meeting.
By the way…I LOVE COACHING
I want to coach you if you are ready to have a major shift in your photography business.
And I am offering 5 FREE “Business of Your Dreams” Strategy Session to people that reach out in Oct. Just email me
Our guest, Mark Weber, is offering a FREE 16×20 BELLA ART PRINT if you email him before Nov 1, 2022. Who couldn’t use a free print?! And from such an awesome company as this!
Mark is a long-time Master Photographer and Marketing Consultant with Marathon Press. Marathon Press not only offers high-quality, professional photography products, but they also specialize in marketing support which helps photographers gain control of their business and take it to a new level!
And what sets them apart from the other guys? Customizations and customer service!
Mark also holds several Photographer of the Year titles and was recently presented with the PPA National Award, given for outstanding service to the photographic industry. Now that’s a guy you want on your side!
For just a taste of what Mark’s got to offer, he’s sharing his marketing tips on reeling in those ideal clients:
Use a mailing list of 500 names or more. You can even purchase a list if you want!
Create a free gifting opportunity.
NOTHING CAN REPLACE 1-ON-1 CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS! Jump into your community!
So grab your notebook, get inspired, and listen to The Profitable Photographer Podcast now!
AND DON’T FORGET TO EMAIL MARK BY THE END OF OCT
To receive Mark’s FREE 16×20 Museum Quality Bella Arts:
Welcome back to another fun and informative episode of The Profitable Photographer Podcast!
We are so excited to have fellow Photography Business Coach Heather Chesky here to spread her biz wisdom! Heather has some incredibly practical, tangible, and INSPIRING advice for you and your photography business so now’s the time to listen up!
For Heather, it all started over 20 years ago in her high school photography class. While she has always kept photography close to her heart as a hobby, she was skeptical that it could be a “real job.” As a result, she spent far too long at a horrible “real job” (tale as old as time!), until one day, about 10 years ago, she was unexpectedly laid off. Luckily for her (and for us!), this catapulted her into her own successful photography business!
Inspired by the need to support her family and new 8-month-old baby, Heather not only replaced her income, but DOUBLED IT within her first year! Yahoo!! (Hey, her program is called “The Booked Photographer” for a reason!)
Now Heather’s business is still thriving and she loves passing her knowledge on to other Photography Business Owners just like you! We are thrilled to have her here today to expand our business toolbelts with tips on attracting ideal clients with model calls and social media.
One of Heather’s top marketing tools? Model calls!
She shares how putting out a call for volunteer models can lead to long and bountiful client relationships.
When putting out a call always, always, always:
BE SPECIFIC about the ideal client you are trying to attract
“Alongside great systems and routines, habits are key to becoming, and staying, organized” – Chrissy Halton.
A fabulous quote that encapsulates this episode of the Profitable Photographer Podcast–it’s all about getting your business organized using a CRM!
Our host, Master Photographer and Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas, sat down with guest Charlotte Isaac. Charlotte is a Business Operations Consultant who gave up her role as a Corporate Ops Manager so she could serve small business owners one-on-one. She loves working with clients who love their clients, especially photographers!
Through her signature program, Ease Seekers Society, and her DIY Dubsado training, Charlotte helps overwhelmed and overworked Entrepreneurs build customized solutions so they can serve their clients better, automate busywork, and feel confident in their business. Sounds like we could all use a little Charlotte in our busy lives!
We are so excited to blow your mind with all Charlotte’s got to offer! She’ll go over:
What the heck is a CRM ?
When to automate and when to hire
Designing and automating a welcome packet
Personalizing your automated check-ins & planning moments to surprise & delight
The many, many possibilities offered by a CRM
And how do we know it’s time to automate? Charlotte says, if we do something over and over again, it’s a perfect opportunity for automation!
You don’t have to do this whole photography business thing alone! Let Charlotte show you how to make life a little easier.
“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen, again and again, fear must be overcome again and again.” Abraham Maslow
Today is a solo episode with “yours truly”, Luci Dumas, on the topic of how to decide to jump, pause, or walk away…i.e….the challenge of making decisions and taking action in one direction or another. I go deep into what to consider when creating something new, or leaving something you have tried that isn’t serving the big picture anymore.
There are so many decisions we make every single day in our photography businesses, right? Little ones and big ones. So…many…things. I am sure you have had lots of these and will have more
How to market, what to charge, where to spend our time.
Should we hire help and how do we find them?
Is it time to move, quit a job, leave a community of friends, colleagues, a spiritual community, or a relationship? These are often such hard decisions. Even changing camera systems or photo labs or letting someone go that is working for us is not easy.
This podcast episode explores this topic including fun tips when you have a choice in front of you, on how to decide:
the coin toss
the mirror test
the gut check vs. the fear factor
the energy evaluation
I am not suggesting I am a master at this. I often stay too long and miss out on opportunities or just wasted time and energy, with little to show for it. I wish I had left the full-time wedding industry and jumped into baby photography sooner, spent more money and time hiring a coach and getting more help years ago, tried more new ideas, and even found a studio space that was bigger than the one I was in for decades. But…I have made enough great choices in life that have helped me have 40 years of success, travel, fun…and so can you.
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.
