I loved this conversation with Ethan Herrold because he is such a great example of what can happen when you finally stop trying to photograph everything and decide to become known for one thing.
Ethan founded Colorado Maternity Photography in 2019 after years of photographing landscapes, commercial work, and editorial images. Today, he specializes in fine art maternity photography in Denver—and has built a premium business around it.
In our conversation, we talk about:
Why niching down can actually mean more opportunities—and more money
How Ethan uses the built-in urgency of pregnancy to sell premium photography
Why your ideal clients need to fall in love with your work before they worry about price
How he handles being a male photographer in a mostly female industry
The simple change to his inquiry form that increased his booking conversion by 20%
I especially loved talking about the idea that choosing a niche doesn’t mean giving up everything else you love. Sometimes it’s simply about deciding what you want to be known for.
If you’ve been trying to figure out your specialty—or wondering if specializing could help you build a more profitable photography business—I think Ethan’s story will give you a lot to think about.
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 reconnect with master photographer and educator Courtney Ranck-Copher to explore why so many photographers resist selling wall art and how to move through that fear.
Courtney shares her journey from acting and the military into photography and education, and how stepping into teaching has pushed her outside her comfort zone. Together, we unpack the biggest roadblocks to wall art sales—intimidation, not knowing what products to offer, confusion around pricing, lack of a sales system, and deep-seated self-doubt—and contrast them with the emotional, financial, and marketing benefits of having printed artwork in clients’ homes.
Courtney also introduces her Art of AI Fusion concept, where AI-generated interiors are built around real product photos to help clients visualize wall art in their own spaces, and we talk about how understanding a bit of interior design can give photographers more confidence and authority when designing and selling custom wall portraits.
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.
This week, Luci speaks with Sean Brown, a high school senior photographer who never thought he would be a photographer. After going to college with the intention of becoming a cardiologist, Sean decided to take a leap and pursue his dreams of working in photography, and he hasn’t looked back. To date, Sean has been named as one of the Top 100 High School Senior Photographers in the nation by Senior Style Guide Magazine and has been asked to speak at conferences around the country about his business endeavors.
In this episode, Sean shares how to overcome fears and pursue your dreams all while becoming successful in your new industry.
Topics Include:
-How to leave the safety of your stable job to pursue a more fulfilling career in photography
-Key tips on how to raise your prices as your experience in photography grows
-Why specializing in a particular market will help you to grow faster and become well known
-The importance of branding and how to introduce yourself to your brand
-How to break into the senior photography market
-What current high school seniors are looking for in a photography session
-The power of social media and how to use it to grow your business organically
-Why betting on yourself to win is the best thing you can do for yourself and your customers
Thanks to Sean, Luci’s listeners can receive a “How to Grow Your Business” starter kit where you can learn how start the photography business you’ve always dreamed of owning:
Just go to lucidumascoaching.com and click on the classes tab for more info and to sign up.
-Luci is starting a small mastermind group called “Your Highest Profit Year” to help YOU hit the ground running and take positive action now and in the future. Contact Luci at luci@lucidumas.com for more info or to schedule a quick call
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.
