Have you ever donated a photo session to a charity event… and wondered if it was actually worth it?
If you want to know how to get booked solid without competing in the online world, you will want to listen and take notes. Today, I’m sharing how I used charity auctions and giveaways to attract ideal clients who invest well and helped my photography business thrive—without discounting my value or feeling salesy. All while supporting causes I truly care about.
Back during the 2009–2010 recession, this approach helped me stay visible, attract ideal clients, and generate thousands of dollars in business. I’m breaking down exactly what worked, what didn’t, and how to make charity marketing feel intentional instead of exhausting.
This episode is full of practical ideas, mindset shifts, and little details that can make a huge difference if you want charity events to actually support your business instead of draining it.
In This Episode
• How I used charity events to attract ideal portrait clients
• Why the right event matters more than doing lots of events
• My strategy for gift certificates, refundable deposits, and pre-qualifying clients
• Simple display ideas that make your booth or auction table look high-end
• Why every charity client deserves the same amazing experience as a full-paying client
A Few Big Takeaways
• Charity marketing works best when your ideal clients are already attending the event
• A beautiful presentation and strong branding matter more than giving away “more stuff”
• Sometimes one great charity partnership is worth more than ten random events
• The goal isn’t just exposure — it’s connection, trust, and creating future clients
Memorable Reminder
Supporting a cause and building a profitable business do not have to be opposites. When done thoughtfully, charity events can create genuine relationships, beautiful experiences, and real income for your business at the same time.
If this episode sparks ideas for you, I’d love to hear about it.
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.
In this episode of The Profitable Photographer, I had such a delightful conversation with Karen Wood about the art and business of newborn photography….and the business of photography for any specialty.
Karen Wood is an award-winning newborn photographer, educator, and speaker based in Dallas. She has photographed everything from sports and weddings to family portraits, but her passion today is newborn and maternity photography. Karen is also an associate with the Professional Newborn Photographers International and loves helping photographers improve their technical skills, safety practices, and client experience.
What I especially appreciated was Karen’s calm, thoughtful approach. She has such a deep understanding of both the technical side of photography and the emotional side of serving families. Her wisdom around creating custom sessions and learning to truly “see” light was incredibly inspiring.
In This Episode
• How to safely soothe and pose newborns during sessions
• Why custom, personalized experiences lead to higher sales
• Common lighting mistakes photographers make (and how to fix them)
• Why continuing education can dramatically improve your photography business
Karen generously offered a complimentary 15-minute image critique/coaching session for a limited number of photographers. Just reach out to her through her website
Memorable Takeaway
Karen reminded us that success in photography often comes from slowing down, mastering the fundamentals, and creating a personalized experience that clients truly value. Whether you photograph newborns or any kind of portrait, learning to connect with people and refine your craft is what helps you stand out.
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.
I had such a great conversation with Marcin Rafalowicz in this episode of The Profitable Photographer. He’s incredibly smart, thoughtful, and inspiring, and we talked about so much more than photography.
We dove into mindset shifts, perfectionism, confidence, AI, automation, networking, and what it really takes to build a profitable business without trying to do everything alone.
One of my favorite takeaways: “Perfectionism keeps photographers stuck. Progress and consistency are what actually build businesses.”
In This Episode: • Letting go of perfectionism • Using AI and automation to save time • Why mindset matters in business growth • The power of networking and relationships • Learning through failure instead of fearing it
About Marcin Rafalowicz Marcin is a photographer, branding specialist, and business coach with 17 years of experience in weddings, portraits, fashion, and corporate photography. His work has appeared in publications including Vogue and Cosmopolitan through collaborative editorial projects. Today, he helps photographers build profitable businesses through mindset coaching, branding, marketing, automation, and AI systems.
Special Free Gift Marcin is offering listeners a free business scoreboard assessment at ProImageAcademy.com/start to help photographers identify their strengths, biggest bottlenecks, and areas for growth.
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.
On The Profitable Photographer with Luci Dumas, I’m joined by the wonderful Kimberly Olker for a conversation about pivoting, community, creativity, and building a photography business that can evolve with you over time.
Kimberly has been a professional photographer for more than 20 years, specializing in Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, and portraiture. She’s also a Master Photographer, Photographic Craftsman, educator, and recent winner of the top landscape image award at Imaging USA’s International Photographic Competition.
We talk about: • What photographers need to know about photographing Bar and Bat Mitzvahs • Why community and referrals are everything in this niche • How Kimberly pivoted during the pandemic to continue serving families • Transitioning into fine art and landscape photography later in your career • Financial wisdom for photographers planning long-term success • Why creativity and adaptability matter so much as entrepreneurs
Kimberly also shares beautiful insights about mentorship, service, and creating a business that supports both your life and your joy.
One of my favorite takeaways from this episode: “Look for something beautiful… and even better, create it.”
If you’ve ever wondered about photographing Bar Mitzvahs, transitioning into a new genre, or creating a business that gives you more freedom over time, this episode is full of wisdom and heart.
You can find Kimberly at Olker Photography and learn more about her teaching, mentoring, and photography work there.
And as always, I’d love for you to subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform, leave a review, and connect with me at Luci Dumas Coaching.
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.
In this solo episode, I’m talking about something so many photographers and creatives struggle with: learning to separate our work from our worth.
It’s easy to believe that if clients love our images, we are lovable… and if they don’t book, buy, or question our pricing, somehow we’re not enough.
The truth is: your value is inherent. It is not determined by sales, praise, bookings, or outside validation.
In this episode, I share personal stories—from selling bouquets made from my neighbors’ flowers as a kid (oops!) to my journey as a recovering perfectionist—and how those experiences shaped my need for approval.
We cover:
• Why photographers confuse their product with their identity • The 4 kinds of potential clients—and why “no” isn’t personal • How fear of criticism holds us back • How to learn from mistakes without spiraling • Why growth matters more than perfection
This episode is a reminder that you are worthy and valuable—whether someone books you or not.
As always, I’m cheering you on.
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.
