It’s hard to believe this is the 200th episode of The Profitable Photographer Podcast. But you know what they say… time flies when you’re having fun!
And believe me, when I say, this episode was so much fun to record! To celebrate our 200th episode, the interview tables were turned and I was interviewed by a good friend, coaching client, and fellow podcast colleague, Kathleen Kent of Kathleen Kent Photography and The Household Six Podcast.
Honestly, it was a little nerve-wracking turning the interviewer’s microphone over to Kathleen. After all, what do you ask a podcast host that’s hosted 200 photography business episodes?
Well, as I’m sure you can guess, I shouldn’t have worried at all. Kathleen was an amazing host and brought some very insightful questions to our time together. Not only did we take a trip down memory lane to chat about how I got started as a photographer, but she also asked me about the choices I made in my early days of business, and if any of those still stand the test of time. (Spoiler alert, they most definitely did!)
Listen in as we talk about:
How being involved in the photography community has impacted my business
The moment I knew that I wanted to be a photography coach
The pieces of advice I give to my photography coaching clients over and over again
My strategy for building a personal brand
Why you should just go for it when it comes to hiring a photography business coach
And finally, why I started The Profitable Photography podcast.
I might be biased, but this episode is jam-packed with so much goodness, and Kathleen and I had such a fun time chatting together!
Also, don’t forget, you can watch my interview with Kathleen on The Profitable Photographer Podcast Youtube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!
Interested in connecting with Kathleen? You can find her here:
When you hang out with people that are where you want to be, you grow to be like them. That is just one of the topics I cover in this recording.
Today’s episode is a solo show with yours truly, Luci Dumas, where I share my thoughts and stories about the importance of “Live and In Person” education.
As a lifelong learner, I have always taken the opportunity to attend workshops, seminars, conventions, meetings locally and at a state and national level that are teaching everything from lighting, cameras, retreats, business, mindset, business, and such.
I know I own my over 40 years of full-time success partly to my participation in education IRL… “In The Real”. Of course, virtual classes, podcasts, books, and other remote way to learn and grow is great (especially podcasts and videos) But there is nothing quite like spending time with educators and students in rooms, and on location, and over lunch.
There are soooooo many reasons I believe that showing up physically is essential
to our success. In this solo episode, I will share about
The value of hanging out with photographers
Why I learn more in person from the speakers
Many opportunities for in-person education, especially from The Professional Photography of America
I also discuss why getting involved and serving our industry by being on boards, teaching, judging, and such grows us and our success exponentially.
Hey…thanks by the way for subscribing to the show on my YouTube channel and the podcast platform you love the most.
Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:
Guest Teshorn Jackson and I have been Facebook friends and finally got to meet in person at WPPI in March. I immediately decided that we needed to do a podcast episode together, and here we are!
If you’re not familiar with Teshorn, he is a man of many hats (and he always has a fascinating hat on). Not only is he an award-winning wedding photographer, but he is also an educator that has traveled as far as Kenya and Cuba to teach. Teshorn also created an online community for Black Wedding Photographers across the globe to help establish, nurture, and educate members of the community.
Fun fact: Teshorn studied architecture, and only picked up a camera because he was able to negotiate the seller down in price (just to try out his negotiating skills). And just look where he is now.
We had a wonderful conversation! We talked about everything from using architecture in photos, to the pros and cons of being an introvert that needs to sell, and even chatted about how utilizing systems as an entrepreneur can help you ensure that you can run any type of business.
For instance, Teshorn shares that for wedding photographers, using these three things in your systems will help make your couples want to work with you more, so you have to sell to them less.
The key to selling starts with listening and asking both relevant and non-relevant questions.
Use psychology: fear of loss, the desire of gain.
Have a System! Create a written process and edit it on a regular basis to make sure it still works for you.
Teshorn’s final thoughts for us: Things that become ordinary to you, could be extraordinary to someone else later on. The value of education is priceless. Take care of your clients, they matter. Even if you don’t have all the answers it’s okay to just jump.
Not only did Teshorn share all of this valuable information (and so much more!) with us, but he’s also offering $250 off registration to The Resolve Workshop, which will be held next January in Mexico City. Just mention my name for the discount. What a gift! Register here: www.resolveworkshop.com
Interested in learning more from Teshorn? Connect with him here:
This week on The Profitable Photographer Podcast I’m so excited to welcome John DeMato, a visual storytelling expert that photographs speakers, authors, trainers and consultants to create world-class, image assets that position them as an authority In their space of expertise.
By using collaboration, strategy and execution, he sets clients up for success beyond the photo sessions by educating them on how to leverage their portraits, book images, virtual and live event photos across their online presence.
And what a fascinating conversation John and I had all about empowering, and creating a magical experience for those he serves!
With 22 years of experience behind the camera as a former television producer, John knows exactly how important it is to create a valuable experience for his clients. This experience is built on using strategy to create consistent results for each client, capturing a visual variety of images during a session, and, surprisingly, thinking more like a marketer than a photographer.
But, John didn’t start his business intending to make headshots his specialty, he just happened to be doing them on the side. In fact, it took him a while to build his business. He built his business by focusing on 2 things: being intentional through communication and building relationships. In addition to focusing on communication, John is also very active in his social media world.
John’s strategy for creating consistent results starts with having a strategy call with each client. During that call, he focuses on 4 things:
Getting to who they are
Finding out where the resources are
Getting to know their personality
Building rapport so the client feels comfortable with him.
His end goal for each session is always the same: to think like a marketer more than a photographer, to serve his clients, and to be a collaborator with them.
John’s final words for us? It is a gift to make a living in photography and it is something that needs to be earned. Believe in yourself
Want to connect with John for more inspiration? You can find him here:
This episode is a “Whopper” and worth taking the time to listen to every minute!
One of my first mentors and the person I call “The King of Wall Portraits,” Charles Lewis, and his son Todd Lewis and I have an incredible conversation about selling wall portraits. We cover both why helping our clients select their portraits in “appropriate sizes” in person using a projector is best for our businesses and our clients, and how to structure the sale that is fun and highly profitable.
Okay…I do “Fan Girl” a lot in this conversation because I owe so much of my business success to this week’s guest.
Charles opened his studio 50 years ago in Grand Rapids, MI where he specialized in family, children, and senior portraits as well as wedding photography. He shares how he almost lost his family because he was overworking in order to provide financially for his family. Everything changed when he started selling wall portraits and setting office hours so he could be home with his family in the evenings.
He and Todd (and I) give you lots of concrete tips on the sales process. The three of us are super passionate about giving our clients full service and making sure they have finished art as decor that will give them joy every day. I am sure you will hear that enthusiasm as we share everything we can to help motivate you to provide this as well.
Be sure to listen for thoughts about:
Why putting pricing online is not ideal
How testimonials impact our business success
Reasons for becoming a Wall Portrait Specialist
The importance of finding our target market and how to reach them
Setting up our sales room
Why you must have an organized system
Please…listen to the entire episode and then listen again. There is so much inspiration and great content that is one of the cores of my success over the last 40 years.
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.
