210: Coach Luci on Starting Your Business For Big Success

This episode is a replay and one of the most popular. I share all about how to get started selling your work.

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

I share with you why the first step 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, and 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 share about the value of

-education of all types…including coaching and courses

-practice practice practice your photography skills, sales, and more

PS…I am starting a group program in the fall and would love to help you learn my “secret sauce” and everything else that helps me and my coaching clients sell multiple wall portraits and albums consistently.

Just message me on Facebook or email me to set up a quick call about The Profitable Photographer Sales Academy Live, or anything else you want support with.

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:

209: Meredith Ryncarz – Why Film is Making a Comeback

209: Meredith Ryncarz – Why Film is Making a Comeback

It is such a joy to welcome one of my favorite guests back to The Profitable Photographer Podcast this week. You may remember Meredith Ryncarz from an episode last year, and if you don’t remember her you are sure in for a treat! Meredith was recently named a top photographer in the South by South magazine. You can find her work in Forbes, The New York Times, and Southern Living. 

209 - Meredith Ryncarz - Why Film is Making a Comeback - Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas

Meredith is a former college art professor turned destination wedding photographer. She also happens to be a military spouse and has built her business so she can be completely mobile. In fact, she’s restarted her business so many times over the past decade that she’s developed a system for relocating photography businesses called The Restart Specialist. 

Join Meredith and me for a captivating conversation where we discuss how she relocates her business, and the importance of in-person sales. 

But, my favorite part of our conversation has to do with film photography, and why it’s making a comeback. As a photographer that spent most of my time shooting on film, I absolutely loved this part of our conversation. 

Listen in as Meredith shares with us how shooting on film has:

  • made her a better photographer
  • increased her profits
  • set her apart from the crowd. 

But, that’s not all! Meredith is sharing her free wedding e-book with The Profitable Photographer Podcast listeners as well! Visit resources.therestartspecialist.com to get your hands on the book, as well as a myriad of other resources from Meredith and her speaking sponsors. 

Interested in connecting with Meredith? Visit therestartspecialist.com to find links to all of her favorite social media platforms and her Youtube channel.

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:

208: Ron Nichols: In-Person Sales and ProSelect Secrets (Encore By Request)

208: Ron Nichols: In-Person Sales and ProSelect Secrets (Encore By Request)

This episode is one of the most listened to in 2021 so I decided to do an encore as this week’s episode. Enjoy and thanks Ron for such helpful info!

I’m joined by ProSelect Guru Ron Nichols this week. He has mastered the art of sales and has some great advice to help others do the same.

Ron Nichols has excelled at In-person sales long before the term IPS was coined. Since graduating from college with an art degree, Ron has owned a studio where he perfected studio sales from both the psychological and technical aspects. He has worked closely with many software companies in creating applications that optimize sales efficiency while capitalizing on emotion and enabling back-end workflows.

Ron has worked for many of the country’s top image-makers in developing sales processes and workflow schemes to increase studio profitability. His work now is exclusive as CEO of Pro Studio Software, Inc, since the acquisition of ProSelect. Ron’s photographic work and industry service have garnered awards from around the world. He has taught throughout the globe and is a PPA International Juror, Jury Chairman, and past PPA President. He is a member of the elite group, the Society of XXV.

Ron has some great tips about in-person sales and workflow, making this an episode you won’t want to miss.

You won’t want to miss:

  • All about his workflow.
  • The red flags you need to be on the lookout for.
  • His top sales tips.
  • What it’s like to be a CEO.

Ron’s knowledge is top-of-the-line. Be sure to tune it!

Connect with Ron

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:

207: Luci Dumas – Honoring the History of Portraiture and Our Place in it as Photographers

207: Luci Dumas – Honoring the History of Portraiture and Our Place in it as Photographers

This solo episode with me, Luci Dumas, was inspired by a visit to an art museum in Indianapolis. There was an exhibit called “Portraiture and Identity”, celebrating the history of portraiture since the beginning of time. 

I was moved to tears realizing that my/our profession has been a part of something so big and valuable. So important both in history, art, and to people personally.

I felt so much pride being a part of this legacy!

I felt humble knowing I was following in the footsteps of the world’s greatest painters, photographers, and sculptors!

And I felt so grateful to have been creating photographic art of people for over 41 years, as well as teaching and mentoring others in this profession, and producing objects that are treasures for so many people!

During this one-way conversation (from me to you) I…

  1. explore the rich tradition of portrait artists throughout history and how contemporary portrait photographers continue to be an integral part of this legacy…how modern portrait photographers are heirs to this long-standing tradition and draw inspiration from the masters who came before them. 
  2. talk about 6 reasons why portraits are valuable 
  3. and attempt to convey and celebrate the medium and our place in it as photographers.

After recording this episode, I thought of about a zillion other things I might have mentioned on this topic because it is such a big subject. But my main goal is just to connect the dots from the first humans to create a likeness of a person to today, and how photographers are just as important as any portrait artist using a variety of mediums. And to celebrate our contributions to the world!

Get in touch at luci@lucidumas.com

Check out my website and grab a free eBook at www.lucidumascoaching.com

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:

206: Tony Corbell: Mastering Light to Increase Success (Encore By Request)

206: Tony Corbell: Mastering Light to Increase Success (Encore By Request)

Back by popular demand…this replay of one of my earliest podcast interviews deserves to be shared again, in case you missed it or because it it time to listen again.

What a treat! My good friend Tony Corbell and I have a rich discussion about lighting, the importance of quality for the profitable photographer, and much more. He has photographed or taught photographic technical skills over 700 times in more than 20 countries and world capitals as well as in all fifty US states. In his more than 40 years in photography, he has photographed some of the most recognized faces including three US presidents, world leaders at the United Nations, fashion models, celebrities, NASA astronauts, and he has so much wisdom to share.

In this episode, Luci and Tony discuss:

Tony’s career journey from never owning a camera to now photographing prominent leaders and celebrities.

Tips and takeaways on light in photography.

The importance of having a light meter, even with all of the new technologies that we have today.

Key Takeaways:

Keep your notes clean and keep the trust of your clients. You may earn a couple bucks by selling the photos, but you won’t keep the trust of those you photograph.

Understanding how the size of your light source factors into each and every shoot you do is key.

People are always watching, make sure you look and act professional in all aspects during the entire photography session.

“The size of a light source is directly relative to its distance from the sun.” — Tony Corbell

Connect with Tony Corbell:

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info: