by admin | Mar 11, 2025 | Podcast
We made it to Episode 300! I am beyond grateful for every listener who has joined me on this journey. With 70 solo episodes, 220 guest interviews, and listeners from over 100 countries, this podcast has grown into an incredible community of passionate photographers. Thank you for your support, engagement, and commitment to growing your photography businesses with me!
In this milestone episode, I reflect on my 42 year journey—from my background in wedding and family photography to coaching and producing this podcast. I highlight some of my most popular of 70 solo episodes with insights on in-person sales, overcoming fears, setting boundaries, and the power of positive thinking. Plus, I touch on key marketing strategies like networking and targeted promotions to help you grow your business.
Here are the episodes I invite you to revisit. Scroll to the bottom for my entire list of topics I shared over the last almost 6 years.
- Episodes 294 & 296: In-Person Sales – My #1 topic! Learn how to sell wall art and albums while serving your clients at the highest level.
- Episode 7: Selling Psychology – Key sales tips from my days selling makeup—use the right words, sell results, and get the sale in the moment.
- Episode 117: Are You Good Enough? – Taming those inner critiques
- Episode 137: Making the Phone Your Best Friend – How to book clients with confidence and talk about pricing the right way.
- Episode 179: Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway – Why fear holds us back and how to push through it.
- Episodes 105, 109 & 212: The Four Agreements in Business – Game-changing mindset shifts for business success.
- Episode 273: Setting Boundaries – Teaching clients how to treat us and knowing when to walk away.
- Episode 290: Abracadabra-Using the power of attraction and focus in business
- Marketing tips on how to move away from social media and get out into the community
That’s a wrap on Episode 300! I’m so grateful for all of you who listen, share your feedback, and support this podcast. As long as I keep getting great guests and amazing responses, I’ll keep this going—it’s my way of giving back to our industry and helping you thrive.
If you want to make the most of these episodes, check out the transcripts (on Apple Podcasts, you can even copy and highlight key insights!). And of course, be sure to explore my solo episodes and guest interviews for more valuable lessons.
Thanks again for being part of this journey. Episode 301 is coming next week, and it’s a good one! Wishing you an amazing spring—or whatever season it is when you’re listening. See you next time!
Your pal, Luci
Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:
PS…Here is a list of my solo episode topics:
- 290 Abracadabra…positive thinking
- 285 Psychology of Motivation
- 282 transforming limiting beliefs into success
- 278…resistance…
- 277 purse shopping and luxury
- 273…setting boundaries
- 269 handling objections
- 261 263 265…10 big marketing ideas
- 257…communicating values…6 ps
- 256 doing your best
- 252…getting natural expressions from kids
- 246 the power of specializing
- 243 taming your fears and unfolding more joy
- 241 posing strategies and planning portrait sessions
- 236…wedding day success
- 230…money tips and strategies
- 228…hot leads from business partners
- 214 216 218 220 222 224 7 steps to attract ideal clients
- 212 the 4 agreements in business
- 210 starting your business!
- 207…honoring the history and importance of portraiture
- 204 no more starving artist
- 199 speaking live to grow your business
- 194…magic to manifest ideal clients
- 190 best year yet success plan
- 179…feel the fear and do it anyway
- 174…luci tells her success story
- 170 go, wait or stop…when to make changes
- 162…photo business success secret at events
- 156 5 love languages in business
- 152…secrets to selling wall portraits
- 148…gathering economic storms
- 0. affiliate marketing
- 137…making the telephone our best friend
- 133…marketing from the inside out…success starts from inside
- 127 framing tips
- 122…starting your business…
- 117…are you good enough?
- 113…getting organized
- 105 109 four agreements
- 97… Luxury
- 93 …natural light
- 80…money mistakes gopher hole
- 76 personal grown and business
- 73 website tips
- 69 no more starving artist
- 63 value of contests and competitions
- 59 challenges all new photography business face
- 54 getting stuff done
- 48 self motivation and self discipline
- 44 serving and thriving…
- 12/31/2019…branding
- 12/3/19…resistance (replay above)
- 10/15/19…10 ways to ruin a great sale
- 17 IP
8/6/19…seven dollar donut
- 7/2/19 12 tips from selling makeup
- 6/11/19 your to-do list
by admin | Mar 4, 2025 | Podcast
I’m thrilled to welcome back Jeffrey Shaw—one of my most popular guests! This is his third time on the show, and for good reason. I first heard him speak at PPA’s Imaging USA, and he completely blew me away. Now, five years later, he is just releasing “Sell To The Rich”, and he shares so many great insights from this book. He also has 2 other amazing books in case you want more Jeffrey.
From humble beginnings, Jeffrey became one of the top portrait photographers in the U.S., with work featured on Oprah, CBS News, People Magazine, and displayed at Harvard University. He’s a speaker, author, business coach, TEDx presenter, and founder of The Self-Employed Business Institute.
So guess what? Luxury sales is not just about raising prices, having a fancy website, or advertising to wealthy people.
Jeffrey breaks down why selling to the rich is more about mindset than money. He shares why luxury is a way of being, how personal growth plays a role in sales, and why success starts with your own belief in value.
Listen for these key takeaways:
- Luxury isn’t just a price point—it’s an experience.
- Your real competition isn’t other photographers.
- Judgment will cost you sales.
- “Clean energy” is essential. Confidence, clarity, and authenticity are what attract high-end clients.
- You need to embody luxury yourself. To sell the experience, you have to understand what it feels like.
His book is now available for presale early March 2025! Go to his website to be one of the first to get your hands on it jeffreyshaw.com
And thanks for subscribing to my YouTube channel and your favorite podcast platform.
Hugs, Luci
Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:
by admin | Feb 25, 2025 | Podcast
Okay, photographers—real talk. What happens to your business if life throws you a curveball? Whether it’s an unexpected emergency or the day you finally decide to retire to a beach with endless piña coladas, your business needs a plan. I know this isn’t something many of us think about or even want to talk about, right?
This week, I’m chatting with Mike Price, who knows a lot about this. After helping a fellow photographer navigate the process of closing his business after a stroke, Mike made it his mission to bring awareness and practical advice to photographers. Our conversation dives into what to consider and how to start planning, so your business doesn’t just disappear if you ever have to step away.
Mike is a photographer and all-around business prep guru. After spending 20+ years in IT, he built Fairfield Photography, specializing in sports, high school seniors, executive portraits, and commercial architecture. He has also created a detailed workbook, Quit Like a Pro, to help photographers and their families prepare for emergencies or business transitions.
He recommends that we:
• Prepare: Keep track of passwords, accounts, and business assets (no, sticky notes don’t count).
• Practice: Regularly check and update your emergency or business transition plan.
• Execute: Have trusted people in place so your business doesn’t fall apart overnight.
• Communicate: Don’t let your family, clients, or business partners guess what to do next.
Not to worry—this isn’t about quitting. It’s about being smart, protecting your legacy, and keeping your business strong, no matter what happens.
And Mike has a special gift just for my listeners to help you get started! Visit PhotographersToolbox.com/luci.
Connect with Mike at FairfieldPhoto.com or email him at info@FairfieldPhoto.com.
Thanks for listening and sharing! – Luci
Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:
by admin | Feb 4, 2025 | Podcast
I had the most amazing time at PPA’s Imaging Expo and if you are one of my new listeners I met in Dallas…HELLO!!
We have the most incredible industry. We are so fun, dedicated, creative, smart and love to hang out together. I feel soooo blessed ho have had 40 years in this community.
This episode features Debbie McFarland, a photographer with 27 years of experience who’s found her passion in empowering tweens through photography. Tweens, ages 9-12, are at a critical stage of growth and transformation, and Debbie shares how capturing their beauty and confidence has not only impacted her clients but also grown her business.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
• Why tweens are an underserved market and how focusing on them can make a meaningful difference.
• Debbie’s marketing strategies—from partnering with local businesses and therapists to hosting large community events.
• How heart-driven work leads to success, including her global kindness initiative, Sparks of Kindness.
Debbie’s story reminds us that passion, creativity, and connection can transform your business. Tune in for actionable tips and inspiration to incorporate more meaning into your work while thriving financially!
and connect with Deb at
cedarhillstudio@comcast.net
www.cedarhillstudios.com
Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:
by admin | Jan 28, 2025 | Podcast
I thought I would go back to the basics. It has been a while since I shared my step by step “In Person Sales System” so today, and in two weeks, I go deep into the Why and How of showing our work and helping people select art and albums they will treasure from their sessions.
Question 1-Are you ready to transform your photography business and take your sales to the next level? and
2-Do you ever wonder how some photographers consistently generate thousands of dollars in portrait orders, selling multiple wall portraits and albums?
In this and the second episode on IPS, I’ll share how I average 3 to 7 wall portraits per client, and how my coaching clients regularly achieve orders of $2,000 to $4,000—and sometimes even more!
In this solo episode, I reveal 7 reasons why I love IPS and why it’s the ultimate way to:
- Connect with your clients on a deeper level.
- Provide incredible service while building trust.
- Improve your photography and confidence.
- Increase your income and thrive in your business!
From my journey of starting with nothing to building a thriving photography career, I’ll show you how IPS has been a complete game-changer for me and my clients.
Key Highlights:
- Why IPS isn’t just about sales—it’s about serving your clients and creating joy.
- How IPS can improve your craft as a photographer.
- The surprising connection between higher client investments and stronger relationships.
Tune in to hear my story of resilience, the power of standing out in a competitive market, and why being a trusted advisor is the foundation of my sales system.
FREE GIFT: Don’t forget to grab my ebook, “10 Big Ideas for Marketing in the Real World,” at www.lucidumascoaching.com.
If you’re ready to stop competing on price and start thriving, this episode is for you!
Connect with Photography Business Coach Luci Dumas:
