Some people come into your lives and change everything. Today’s episode is a conversation with one of the most inspiring and magnetic people I have been lucky enough to know. She was my coach, mentor, friend, guest, and client. She passed away last week, and I hope that revisiting this conversation will inspire you as much as she inspired everyone who knew her.
About this interview…
I think it’s safe to say that at some point we’ve all felt a little bit stuck…in our comfort zones, in our photography businesses, and in our lives. I know that I have. The person that helped me get over that “stuck” feeling? This week’s The Profitable Photographer Podcast guest and my long-time coach and friend, Ursula Mentjes. I couldn’t be more excited for you to meet her!
Ursula is a leading expert on success and business growth and a USA Today bestselling author of UpLevel NOW. She is a business strategist and coach who works with entrepreneurs ( like me!) to double their monthly revenue in as little as 30 days while working less. Ursula is also a keynote speaker and certified as an NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Coach through the NLP Institute of California. She specializes in helping her clients release the limiting beliefs and blocks that hold them back from their greatest success.
As self-employed business owners, it’s easy to stay stuck in our comfort zone. But staying where we are will never allow us to reach the goals we truly desire. Today, Ursula is here to teach us how to break through to the next level and get unstuck!
Listen in as the life-changing, entertaining Ursula shares with us:
How to change limiting beliefs
Steps to double your sales
How to get unstuck and leave your comfort zone
Ursula’s final takeaway for us? It’s not too late to build the business of your dreams.
If you want to learn more from Ursula, you can still find her books and podcast on her website
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.
What a fun conversation I had with my friend Rachel Sorbet! Rachel specializes in branding and executive portraits for businesswomen, and she shared so many gems about creating a successful photography business that feels authentic and rewarding.
I have watched her go from “imposter syndrome” to a super-successful Boss Babe (aka a very successful photographer) in just 8 years.
We chatted about the power of positive thinking and believing that if you have a dream, you really can build it. Rachel shares how she attracts clients, revealing that most of her bookings come from Google Ads, combined with consistently showing up through networking and social media.
We also dive into one of my favorite topics—building relationships. Rachel explains her strategy for creating “channel partners,” businesses that actively support and refer one another. She shares how simple connections, clear expectations, and genuine relationships over coffee can grow into a steady stream of ideal clients.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
• The power of mindset and believing in your dreams.
• How Rachel gets 90% of her branding clients through Google Ads.
• The difference between referral partners and channel partners.
• How to recognize the super-networkers who can help grow your business.
• Why authentic relationships are still one of the best marketing strategies.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Thanks so much for listening and for sharing The Profitable Photographer with your photography friends!
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.
My conversation with family photographer and business coach Jill C. Smith is a deep dive into pricing, marketing, client experience, and building a photography business that fits your life.
If you know me at all, you know how I am always on my soapbox about selling printed wall art and albums. So you might be surprised by our conversation about why Jill is a huge fan of selling digital files only. She opened my eyes to the reality that this can be highly profitable when done correctly. And she helped me understand why it is perfect for some people as long as it is financially rewarding and fits their lifestyle.
About My Guest
Jill went from teaching English to refugees to creating a successful photography business in New York’s Catskills 12 years ago. Her style is a blend of lifestyle and documentary – focusing on all things warm, honest, and connected. Jill is also a coach and mentor to other photographers, with her main areas of focus being on pricing, marketing, and client experience
And she hosts The Business Focused Photographer podcast. Be sure to listen for the episode where I am her guest.
In This Episode, we explore
• The difference between lifestyle and documentary photography
• Why pricing is often a mindset challenge
• Creative ways to market your photography business
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.
This episode is such an encouraging conversation about photography, money, and building a life that actually feels good. I sat down with photographer and business coach Mycah Bain to talk about financial freedom, mindset shifts, creating wealth without guilt, and why getting support in your business can completely change your life.
Mycah shares how she grew her photography business into a multi-six-figure studio with a team of 10 women, all while creating more freedom, more peace, and more opportunity for herself and others. We also dive into money blocks, gratitude, investing, retirement, generosity, and the importance of women feeling empowered to build real wealth.
This conversation felt equal parts practical, inspiring, and deeply honest.
In This Episode
• Why women deserve to build wealth and financial freedom
• The mindset shifts that helped Mycah grow her business
• How hiring help creates more peace, energy, and profit
• Money blocks photographers often struggle with
• Gratitude practices that can change your relationship with money
• Simple ways to start planning for long-term financial freedom
• Why generosity and wealth can beautifully coexist
Free Gift
Mycah created a free money mindset resource for photographers: mycahbain.com/money
She’s also offering complimentary one-on-one chats for a limited number of listeners. Email her and mention Luci. hello@mycahbain.com
Memorable Takeaway
“One moment of gratitude can completely shift your relationship with money.”
This episode is a beautiful reminder that money doesn’t have to feel scary, selfish, or overwhelming. It can be a tool for freedom, generosity, creativity, and building the life you truly want.
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.
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.
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.
