249: Missy Thomas – Remembrance Photography to Bless and Comfort Others

249: Missy Thomas – Remembrance Photography to Bless and Comfort Others

 

 

Welcome to The Profitable Photographer! Today, we’re honored to have Missy Thomas, the Executive Director of “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS)” joining us. This is an organization that trains photographers and sends them to photograph babies and their families that have or will pass away shortly. Since 2015, Missy has dedicated herself to various roles within NILMDTS, driven by compassion and dedication, culminating in her current role as Interim Executive Director.

Missy’s personal connection to NILMDTS stems from the loss of James, the son of close friends, in 2014. Through this experience, she discovered the importance of remembrance photography, igniting her passion to support others on similar journeys.

This organization offers a compassionate service to parents loosing of a child, providing them with beautiful and sensitive professional portraiture as a tangible reminder of their little ones.

In this episode, we explore the essence of volunteering to photograph these precious souls, touching on technical skills, lighting techniques, and the delicate art of interacting with grieving families. We’ll also delve into the transformative power of giving back, emphasizing how it enriches both the giver and the recipient.

In this episode:

  • Introduction to NILMDTS and its compassionate team
  • Becoming a volunteer photographer 
  • Exploring photography techniques, like lighting, for capturing meaningful moments
  • The transformative impact of giving back on volunteers and recipients
  • Interacting with grieving families: finding balance
  • Emotional support available to photographers when the experience becomes emotionally difficult

Join us as we learn more about how we can serve people with our skills, where every click of the camera and every act of kindness holds profound meaning.

Connect with NILMDTS:

Connect with Missy Thomas:

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: 

248: Jerry Ghionis – Photographer’s Guide to Mastering Light, Creativity, and Inspiration

248: Jerry Ghionis – Photographer’s Guide to Mastering Light, Creativity, and Inspiration

     

“What is the truth?…Just by changing the perspective, angle, choice, and compression…the way you crop, you will tell a different truth.” 

MAJOR INTERVIEW ALERT!

Today we have THE ICONIC, world-renowned, one of the best in the biz, Jerry Ghionis!

Widely regarded as one of the top five wedding photographers in the world, Jerry Ghionis’ theatrical and iconic images have redefined modern wedding photography. He is a proud Nikon ambassador and was the first Australian named in Top Ten Wedding Photographers in the World by American Photo magazine. In 2011, Jerry was also named by PDN magazine as one of the top photography workshop instructors in the world. IS THAT IT?! Wow wow WOW. 

Listen as Jerry blows my mind with topics like:

  • How our photography changes “the truth”
  • Having fun with lighting 
  • The importance of reinventing yourself
  • Creating a routine in your photography business
  • Process > Results always always always

There is so much to be learned in this gold-mine of an episode and I’m so grateful to Jerry for letting me pick his brain for an hour. What a treat. 

Get in touch with Jerry at:

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: 

247: Chris Fritchie – Chasing The Magic: Photo Art and the Santa Experience

247: Chris Fritchie – Chasing The Magic: Photo Art and the Santa Experience

   

   

Today, we’re absolutely delighted to welcome Chris Fritchie, a true master in the world of photography! With over 16 years of experience, Chris is not just a photographer; he’s an artist, a photographic craftsman, and a certified professional. His incredible work has graced the pages of over 150 magazines, and he’s the proud owner of Magic Makers Studio, a beloved gem in North Texas. Specializing in the enchanting Magic Santa experience, Chris and his phenomenal team create moments that are nothing short of magical, leaving children and families eagerly anticipating their return year after year.

In this episode, get ready to be inspired as we dive into the importance of following your passions, illuminated by Chris’s own journey of discovering magic in what he loves. First up, Chris shares his extraordinary approach to crafting unforgettable experiences through ‘The Magic of Santa,’ a tradition that keeps customers coming back for more. We’ll also explore Chris’s impressive print competition career and discover how he continuously hones his skills. And that’s not all! Chris’s wonderful wife, Lori, joins the conversation to share invaluable insights into setting yourself up for sales success. From understanding customer preferences to forging genuine connections with clients, they’ll guide us through the keys to nurturing a thriving business where sales flow effortlessly.

But wait, there’s more excitement ahead! We’ll uncover Chris and his colleagues’ latest venture, IPAC, a project dedicated to preserving precious memories for both photographers and their clients in a truly remarkable way. 

In this episode:

  • Building lasting connections through immersive experiences
  • The art of sales, Chris’s superpower
  • How to sell a luxury experience to high-end clients
  • Insights into customer purchasing behaviors
  • Strategies for crafting timeless, classic portraits

Get ready to be inspired and uplifted by the boundless creativity and passion of Chris and his team!

Connect with Chris Fritchie:

Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas: 

246: Luci Dumas Goes Solo – Tap Into the Power of Specializing

246: Luci Dumas Goes Solo – Tap Into the Power of Specializing

     

Can you believe I’ve been part of this amazing community of talented and passionate photographers for over 41 incredible years?!

I started off with just a little bit of cash in my pocket and a whole lot of big dreams. I dabbled in everything under the sun to gain experience and figure out what truly made my heart sing.

After all those adventures behind the camera, I discovered my ultimate passions: weddings and children. Weddings quickly became my first niche. Not only was it a speedy way to get some cash flowing in, but it also opened doors to endless opportunities for growth and connections. Soon, I was renowned as one of San Diego’s top wedding photographers, making a full time living. 12 years, I dove into children’s photography. With rebranding from a wedding to a portrait photographer, I made my mark as the go-to children’s photographer.

Fast forward to today, and my journey has led me to my current passion: sharing my knowledge and insights through teaching and mentoring, culminating in this very podcast aimed at helping fellow photographers build profitable businesses. In this episode, we’re delving into the power of specialization, uncovering six compelling reasons why focusing on a specific niche can supercharge your photography career.

In this episode:

Listen in to unlock the power of specializing in a specific photography niche to boost your business and skyrocket your career!

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info:

245: Bob Coates – Photographing the Glorious Milky Way and Marketing Ideas

245: Bob Coates – Photographing the Glorious Milky Way and Marketing Ideas

       

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Profitable Photographer Podcast! In today’s episode, I am joined by master craftsman photographer, Bob Coates. Bob shares invaluable insights on leveraging our photographic creativity to enhance profitability in our businesses.

Bob has been a professional photographer since March 1995, crossingthrough various photography genres from commercial to wedding photography, and ultimately diving into the realm of creating photographic art. He is so lucky to live in the gorgeous Sedona, Arizona

Bob shares his brilliant marketing strategies to maintain visibility in a competitive market and discusses techniques for creating captivating imagery, especially from self-assignments. Additionally, he explores his passion for night sky photography, revealing unique techniques for capturing the Milky Way. Finally, he reminds us about the nature of inspiration and the necessity of immersing oneself in their work to foster creativity and innovation.

In this episode, Bob shares:

  • How you can effectively market your business
  • What makes self-assignments a powerful tool for honing skills and expanding creative horizons
  • How you can frame conversations to effectively showcase your expertise and creativity
  • Unique techniques for photographing the Milky Way, particularly in the stunning backdrop of Sedona

Join us for an engaging conversation filled with practical tips and inspiration to elevate your photography business to new heights. You are going to love this one!

PS…be sure to check out the dates for his night sky workshops in Sedona!

Connect with Bob Coates:

Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas’ Programs and Contact Info: