Hair of the Dog Podcast

233 - Today’s episode of the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast is an episode that will resonate with photographers across all specialties. 

In this enlightening conversation, I sit down with Karen Bartos, a boudoir photographer whose journey from landscape and high school senior photography to the intimate world of boudoir is a narrative of transformation and self-discovery that every photographer can learn from.

What to Listen For:

• A Journey of Transformation: Karen shares her captivating transition from landscape to high school senior photography, and ultimately to the empowering field of boudoir photography. 
• The Power of Pivoting: Learn about the pivotal moments that prompted Karen to shift her focus entirely to boudoir photography, embracing the challenges and triumphs of making such a significant change in her career.
• Embracing Change and Overcoming Burnout: Karen opens up about the signs of burnout and the courage it took to step away from a successful senior photography business to pursue a path more aligned with her core values and passions.
• The Art of Connection: Find out how Karen fosters deep connections with her clients, transforming their self-perception and celebrating their unique beauty through her lens.
• Mastering Your Mind Circus: Karen introduces us to the concept of the 'Mind Circus' – navigating the tumultuous thoughts and emotions that come with entrepreneurship and learning to become the ringmaster of your own mental landscape for success.
• Gratitude and Growth: Discover the role of gratitude in Karen's journey, how looking back at your achievements can fuel your forward momentum, and the importance of aligning your business with your personal values and lifestyle.

This episode is a testament to the transformative power of photography, not just in the realm of high school senior or boudoir photography, but across all forms of this art. 

Whether you're capturing landscapes, weddings, pets, or portraits, Karen's story highlights the universal themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the art of turning life's challenges into stepping stones for growth.

For those inspired by Karen's story and eager to learn more about her work and insights, she has her own podcast, "The Mind Circus," where she'll delve deeper into the intricacies of our mental landscapes and how they shape our lives and careers.

Connect with Karen: 

• Website
• Podcast
• Instagram

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

• Korina's Productivity: Not only is Korina juggling motherhood and her business, but she manages in schedule to still allow for slow mornings and walks in the woods with her dog each day.  #goals
• Goal Setting and Smashing: Korina didn't just set ambitious revenue goals; she obliterated them in record time. Discover her secrets to setting and achieving lofty targets.
• The Power of Community: Korina emphasizes the importance of building strong connections in the photography world and beyond. Learn how her network became her secret weapon for success.
• Embracing Rejection: Facing rejection is a part of any business, but Korina shares how she turned potential setbacks into powerful motivators.
• Creative Marketing Strategies: Peek behind the curtain at some of Korina's most effective marketing tactics that helped her business flourish.

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

231 - Ryan Erickson takes us through his transformative journey from wedding photography to launching his mobile dog portrait studio, Fetch Photo Truck. 

The pandemic prompted him to reassess his career path and follow his true passion for dog photography – a move that has certainly paid off!

 Ryan dives into the ups and downs of managing a mobile business and stresses the need for setting clear boundaries to keep a healthy balance between work and personal life. He also shares his marketing tactics. 

However, a crucial ingredient to his remarkable success, which led to over $200,000 in revenue in just his first year as a pet photographer, is his unwavering belief in himself and his venture. 

Throughout this conversation, Ryan unpacks the hurdles he encountered, the valuable lessons he picked up along the way, and his aspirations for the future. 

He highlights the significance of self-confidence, generating leads, forging personal connections, and the art of making offers as fundamental pillars for entrepreneurial success.

What to Listen For:

• A Leap of Faith: Ryan's transition from capturing couples' special moments to focusing on the joy of pet photography.
• The Mobile Advantage: Discover the freedom and challenges that come with taking your photography business on the road.
• Setting Boundaries: Learn how Ryan maintains a healthy balance between his work and personal life, ensuring he doesn't get lost in the hustle.
• Marketing Magic: Ryan's creative strategies for attracting clients, from market events to engaging social media contests.
• -Believe to Achieve: The power of self-belief and the pivotal role it played in Ryan's success, pushing his revenue beyond the $200k mark in just his first full year.

This episode isn't just a story; it's a beacon for anyone looking to pivot their career path, especially in the photography realm. Ryan's insights into the nuts and bolts of establishing and growing a mobile photography business are invaluable.

So, if you're curious about how to turn your photography passion into a mobile success story or simply love hearing about people following their dreams, this episode is for you. Tune in and let Ryan's journey inspire your next move.

Connect with Ryan

• Website
• Instagram 
• Facebook

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

230 - We're diving deep into the heart of in-person marketing with our special series, "The Offline Photographer." Hosted by Heather Lahtinen, today's episode is all about the art of the pivot. Chatting with Laura Wombwell from Laura Wombwell Photography in Ontario, Canada, we're unpacking the big question: When is it right to shift gears in your business? 

From unexpected teaching opportunities to the delicate dance of balancing multiple roles, Laura's journey is a testament to the twists and turns of entrepreneurial life. Grab your notebook, because this episode is packed with real-life lessons on navigating change, seizing opportunities, and the power of saying "yes" even when it scares you.

What to Listen For

• Unexpected Turns: Hear how Laura's quiet holiday plans turned into a whirlwind of opportunity and what it taught her about staying open to change.
• The Art of Saying Yes: Discover the fine line between seizing opportunities and staying true to your business goals, and how to know when to dive in.
• Balancing Acts: Learn how Laura manages her dual roles as a photographer and educator, and the surprising benefits this blend brings to her business.
• Facing Fears and Doubts: Laura opens up about the internal battles entrepreneurs face when new paths emerge, from imposter syndrome to the fear of overcommitting.
• Community and Growth: The importance of community in both teaching and photography, and how engaging with others can lead to unexpected growth and learning.

This episode isn't just a conversation; it's a roadmap for any photographer facing crossroads in their business. Whether you're contemplating a new venture, juggling multiple passions, or just looking to inject some old-school, in-person magic into your marketing, Laura's story is a beacon of inspiration.

Eager to learn more about mastering the offline marketing game and maybe even discovering your own pivot points? Tune in to this episode and join us as we explore the power of personal connections in growing your photography business.  

Looking for even more support?  This is the type of coaching that happens inside of Elevate - the place to be if you want to grow your photography business. Discover Elevate here.

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

229 - Buckle up for an action-packed adventure with Nicole Begley and Heather Lahtinen, where we dive into the superhero transformation of everyday photographers into unstoppable business heroes, all thanks to theProgress Lab! This episode is like opening a comic book where the characters leap off the page, each with their own tale of bravery and triumph over the business villains of doubt and fear.

What to Listen For:

• The Leap of Faith: Discover why most of our students were almost too scared to sign up!
• Facing the Giants: Learn how overcoming fear and embracing action lead to growth for our photographers - in business AND personal life!
• The Mindset Makeover: Uncover what these students did to create a massive mindset makeover.
• Dual Identity: Uncover the art of balancing the creative genius of photography with the savvy strategist of business, mastering the dual identity like a true superhero.
• Belief Battles: Be inspired by tales of how our heroes shattered the chains of limiting beliefs, unlocking their full potential.

This episode is not just a chat; it's a call to the hero within every photographer, proving that with the right support and a dash of courage, anyone can reveal their inner business superhero. Ready to don your cape and join the ranks of business avengers? Tune in, and let's turn those business dreams into reality!

Ready to don your own cape and join the ranks of business avengers?  Start by tuning in, but even better than that is joining us at the next Progress Lab April 23-25 in Charlotte, NC. Details at - www.hairofthedogacademy.com/progress

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

228 - In this innovative episode of the Freedom Focus Photography podcast, Nicole Begley introduces a compelling new series titled "The Creative Freedom Rebellion," featuring regular guest J.Nichole Smith. This series is dedicated to emphasizing the importance of defining personal freedom and success on one's own terms. 

In today’s episode Nicole and Nic delve into various aspects of commercial pet photography, offering insights and strategies to help photographers navigate this exciting but evolving landscape.

What to Listen for

1. What Business Model is Best for You: Explore different business models from boutique models focused on products and high sales, to high volume and low cost sessions, or even mini-sessions as your main offering.  

2. The Four Levels of Commercial Photography: Discover the various levels of commercial photography, starting with accessible local market opportunities and scaling up to high-end projects.

3. Setting Realistic Expectations: Learn to set achievable goals and understand the real-world benefits and challenges in different photography business models.

4. Strategic Branding and Market Positioning: Understand the critical role of strong brand identity and effective market positioning in the competitive photography market.

5. Real-Life Success Stories: Be inspired by photographers who have made a successful leap into commercial pet photography, and learn from their experiences, including both their challenges and triumphs.

If you’ve been curious about how commercial photography could work into your current photography business - this is a must-listen episode.

We’ll be hosting more commercial pet photography training in April - jump on the waitlist now to sign up for the free training!   

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

227 - In this pivotal episode, Nicole Begley announces a significant change: the podcast is now the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast! 

This rebranding comes with exciting new directions and offerings, particularly the Freedom Focus Formula course, designed to radically transform the businesses of photographers through pricing, sales, and messaging strategies. Nicole delves into the nuances of building a photography business, discussing the critical transitions and strategies for growth. She also outlines the upcoming changes to the Hair of the Dog Academy, highlighting the enhanced value and focus of the membership options.

What to listen for:

• Why the podcast has a new name!
• How the Freedom Focus Formula can radically shift your photography business.
• Details about the four levels that every photography business travels through.  
• Is it really possible to be profitable selling only digital files?
• What the next evolution is for Hair of the Dog Academy - and why you won’t be able to get access to the business training after February 15th.

Join Nicole in this episode as she navigates through these transformative changes, offering a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for photographers at all stages of their career. It's a celebration of growth, learning, and the exciting journey ahead in the world of photography.

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

226 - In this insightful episode of the Hair of the Dog podcast, Heather Lahtinen is taking over the mic for our 2nd episode of ‘The Offline Photographer’.  

This series is all about getting you out from behind your computer and actually INTO your market so that you can meet an connect with marketing partners and/or potential clients.  This is the tried and true way to market and grow your business.  

In today’s episode, we’re talking with Laura Wombwell, who shares her experience in building a valuable partnership with a local veterinary clinic.  You’ll discover a deeper understanding of the importance of in-person engagement and learn strategies to cultivate relationships that can significantly benefit your photography businesses.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:

• Developing Local Partnerships: Insights on connecting with local businesses, such as veterinary clinics, to enhance in-person marketing efforts.
• Setting Clear Goals and Expectations: The importance of defining objectives and establishing mutual understanding in professional relationships.
• The Value of Personal Connection: How forming authentic connections can lead to meaningful business opportunities and client referrals.
• Strategies for Effective Communication: Tips for initiating and maintaining open and productive dialogues with business partners.
• Balancing Professionalism and Personal Touch: Finding the right balance between being professional and personable in business interactions.

This episode is all about the practical aspects of growing a photography business by nurturing local connections. This episode is a must-listen for photographers looking to expand their reach and impact in their communities.

Enjoying this conversation?  This is the type of coaching that happens inside of Elevate - the place to be if you want to grow your photography business. Discover Elevate here.

Connect with Heather

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

225 -  In this episode, Nicole Begley shares her insights on what she would do if she were starting her photography business from scratch in 2024. We start with the importance of finding your niche, specifically identifying what you love about that niche and your products. 

Then, the second (often overlooked) step is dialing in your messaging and creating a compelling website, which are crucial steps for attracting your target clients. 

Of course, we also touch on utilizing SEO and blogging to improve your online visibility. 
Building a community, growing an email list, and getting people in front of your lens all create major marketing momentum. 

Last but not least, we can't forget what Nicole believes is the most impactful: connecting with local businesses and charities, which often lead to valuable partnerships.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

• Why niching down even more will actually attract MORE clients.
• How to dial in your messaging to book more clients.
• Why blogging just might give you the most bang for your marketing buck.
• The trifecta of marketing momentum.
• How these strategies can any photographer that wants to grow in 2024.

Previous Related Episodes

• 174 - Content Marketing with Tavia Redbird
• 038 - Moving to a New Market with Allison Shamrell
• 011 - Timeless Marketing Strategies with Luci Dumas
• 043 - Website Copy for the Win with Kim Wishcamper
• 059 - The SEO Mistakes Most Photographers Make with Alex Vita
• 162 - What You Need to Know to Partner with Rescues with Courtney Bryson
• 182 - Zoe Hiljemark - Let’s Get some Press with Zoe Hiljemark

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

224 - Today’s conversation is focusing on marketing our photography businesses, because if there’s one area that frustrates most photographers, it’s the challenges they face in finding new clients.  

In this episode, I’m joined by my friends Heather Lahtinen, Dorie Howell, and Tavia Redburn to have a candid conversation to help photographers unlock the complexities of growing their business.  

This isn’t the only way I’ve teamed up with these ladies lately - we’ve also teamed up to offer the 60-Minute Marketing Conference!  You’ll hear succinct and impactful presentations from 17 leading photographers in the industry about what’s working RIGHT NOW in business. 

What to listen for:

• Discover how providing a valuable service to clients can transform your photography business.
• Uncover the secrets to building a professional online presence that captivates potential clients.
• Learn the art of networking and making connections to establish authority in the photography industry.
• Explore how AI tools like ChatGPT can revolutionize your marketing strategies and enhance client communication.
• Find out how charitable marketing can not only expand your client base but also make a positive impact on the community.

We’re highlighting the tried and true marketing strategies - but also digging into the new opportunities that exist such as ManyChat and ChatGPT.  Take a listen to this episode and then grab your free ticket to the 60-Minute Marketing Conference!

Important Links:

• 60-Minute Marketing Conference
• Elevate
  
  
  

Connect with our Guests

• Heather Lahtinen - Flourish Academy
• Tavia Redburn - Beauty in Birth
• Dorie Howell - Harmony Hangout

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

223 - In this episode of the Hair of the Dog podcast, Nicole and Heather discuss the power of thoughts and how they can shape our lives and businesses. They share their most influential thoughts from 2023 and the thoughts they plan to carry into 2024. 

By changing our thoughts, we can change our outcomes.

Nicole and Heather introduce a model that shows how thoughts lead to feelings, actions, and results. They give examples of how certain thoughts can limit us, while changing our thoughts can lead to success and personal growth.

Both hosts stress the importance of choosing thoughts that serve us and align with our goals. They introduce the concept of "letting it be easy," which involves simplifying tasks, delegating responsibilities, and relinquishing control. By adopting this mindset, individuals can experience greater ease and flow in their lives and businesses.

Nicole and Heather encourage listeners to explore different thoughts and see which ones resonate with them. They also share thoughts from Elevate members, including ideas about attracting clients, expanding capacity, and embracing simplicity.

What to listen for:

• How our thoughts are responsible for our successes and challenges.
• Discover how to use the model to create new outcomes.
• Nicole’s biggest thought breakthrough from 2023.
• The best thoughts from our most successful Elevate students
• How thoughts allowed Nicole to bend a spoon - into 4 loops.

Ready to Elevate?  www.hairofthedogacademy.com/elevate

Connect with our guests on Instagram!

• Heather Lahtinen on IG 
• Monica Adalsteinsson's Pup and Me Photo
• Jessica Wasik's Bark and Gold Photography
• Amy Hodson's Wander Pet Photography- 
• Diane Gollowitzer's Dog in Focus Photography- 
• Ina J's Ina J Photography

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

222 - As the year wraps up, it's the perfect time to get your photography business prepped and polished for the new year! Join me, Nicole Begley, as I dive into the essential year-end action items to help you put a bow on 2023 and prepare for success in 2024!

What to listen for:

• Get practical tips on handling finances, from tracking expenses to prepping for tax season.
• Conduct an expense analysis to find savings and smart investment opportunities.
• Review a four-part process for reflecting on your year and preparing for 2024.
• Discover how to focus on thoughts and hidden blocks that might be hindering your success.
• How to listen to the best business and craft podcast episodes of the year that you might have missed!

I love the year end - and especially the new year.  It feels so expansive and full of possibility.  Especially when you approach it with intention. So, grab a cup of your favorite holiday beverage, and let's see what we can make possible for 2024!

IMPORTANT LINKS

• BEST OF 2023 - Access our curated list of the BEST conversations from 2023! It's free! 
• Save $200 off your first month in Elevate and lifetime access to the previous Elevate retreats - use the code BF23

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

221 - Get ready to dive deep into a world where confidence reigns supreme! Join Nicole Begley and Heather Lahtinen as they uncover the secret sauce to building unshakeable confidence in your photography biz. This isn’t just any chat – it’s a journey through the ups and downs of self-trust, topped off with a surprising twist about... chocolate muffins?

What To Listen For:

• Discover why self-trust is key to growing your confidence.
• Learn how focusing on competence leads to increased confidence.
• Uncover the impact of small actions and self-affirmations.
• Nicole’s candid confession about guilt, shame, and... baked goods?
• Flipping the script on self-commitment flops.

This episode is a must for any photographer looking to boost their confidence and take their business to new heights. Remember, it's all about trusting yourself!

Resources From This Episode:

• Hair of the Dog Academy 
• Elevate Coaching Program

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

220 - Rejection is part of being a business owner. No … no, wait … rejection is part of being human! 

Even marketing guru Seth Godin has heard the word "no" but he's at least come to understand that the rejection is more about the rejectee than it is about him. Rejectee … I just made that up. 

That doesn't mean the word "no" isn't difficult to hear. It hurts sometimes and Michelle Crandall of Pets in Focus Photography in Michigan has felt that pain.  

And haven't we all? We put so much heart and soul into our work and hearing "no" can paralyze you into not taking any action. 

What has helped Michelle move past her fear and anxiety? Coaching with Heather, of course!  

Heather has the mic again this week, sharing a recent Elevate one-on-one with Michelle. They have a candid conversation about Michelle's struggles … and her breakthroughs. 

What to listen for 

3:40 When Michelle needed to pivot from dog sports to portraits 

8:43 The terror she felt at the thought of calling someone 

14:25 Why imposter syndrome is so damaging 

17:27 How Michelle pushed through the fear and doubt to take action 

31:07 Who the real, confident, smart Michelle is 

38:28 How coaching with Heather changed her life 

I know you can confront your fears, push through the discomfort and reshape not just your business but your entire life too!  

I want to know if this episode resonated with you.  Comment on the 'Gram. 

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

219 - You spoke up and we listened. 

You all loved The Coaching Journals with Heather Lahtinen, Christi Baker and Monica Adalsteinsson that we're bringing them back. 
Ish. 

Christi and Monica are off soaring like eagles after six months of intensive coaching with Heather and the Elevate program. Today, we're introducing a spinoff series, called The Offline Photographer, and it's inspired by the challenges of the same name that Heather is currently holding in Elevate. 

These challenges are designed to make you a networking, marketing boss, getting you out into your community to talk all things pet photography. 

Heather is picking a photographer in the challenges each month to interview and share their journey. This month, we're hearing from Laura Wombwell of Hamilton, Ontario, who's making a name for herself with quirky fantasy composites and dramatic portraits.

What to listen for 

4:24 The genius behind Laura's fundraising event 

9:56 The delicate balance between charity work and business 

21:19 How to overcome the fear of rejection 

26:49 Why we need to retrain our brains and share our passion 

35:23 Heather drops a new challenge on Laura 

Guys, I am super excited to see where Heather takes this new series with her Elevate photographers. I'm confident she is going to get even more members of our community flying! 

What's your takeaway from Laura's coaching? Comment on the 'Gram. 

Connect with Heather

• Flourish Academy
• Flourish Academy on FB
• Flourish Academy on IG

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

218 - I completely get it if you see the word "soup" and here "NO SOUP FOR YOU" in your head.

It means you might be old enough to remember Seinfeld on NBC every Thursday night. Or maybe you've seen that episode on Prime video.

Heather and I are talking about soup on this week's episode of the Hair of the Dog podcast. No, not chicken soup for the soul.

Split pea soup.

More specifically, the split pea soup Heather's daughter made the annual soup cook-off fundraiser at their church.

It was awful. 

And Heather had to find the right way to tell Ella.

Together, we turn it into a mindset shift for you in learning how to take feedback on your photos …

 and equally as important, to whom you should be listening for feedback that will help you grow your craft.

What to listen for

4:38 The ethical dilemma of saying something

11:19 How to serve a "critique" sandwich

16:59 Whose feedback is most valuable to you

26:47 My friend hates my skirt and that's OK

28:39 How to evaluate that feedback and move forward

Feedback and personal growth are so important as a pet photographer and as an entrepreneur but your value as a pet photographer -- heck, as a human -- is not calculated by the opinions of people who don't matter.

See? Your mom was right!

Now do me a favor and give me some feedback on this episode. Comment on the 'Gram.

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

217 - I’m going to take a stab in the dark at something. I’m guessing you’re pretty stoked when you hit a big revenue goal in your pet photography business. 

Who wouldn’t be, right? Cha’ching! 

BUT ...  

What are you making that number mean? ESPECIALLY if you miss a revenue target — or if you were to have your revenue dip?!? 😱 

If you’re human, you might feel like you failed or that your business is broken or you’re going to end up losing it all and living in a van down by the river.  

* Shout out to Chris Farley for the motivational speaker! 

Today on the podcast, we’re talking about goals — but not any goals. We’re talking about NRVs, or non-revenue victories — and how they’re critical for your success. 

What to listen for 

1:55 How revenue-related goals can lead to unrealistic expectations 

9:17 Why security and stability come from within, not from sales 

20:19 How Heather and I define success and security 

28:56 The non-revenue victories you might look for 

29:57 The connection between NRVs and The Gap and The Gain 

You guys! We can challenge the traditional notion of success and work toward a more fulfilling approach that includes celebrating our personal experiences and the relationships we build in our businesses. 

For me, it's all about freedom and flexibility in my schedule … the freedom to head to the barn and ride my horses, the flexibility to leave my office and take my kids on a trip to South America. 

What does success actually look like to you? What are your NRVs? Comment on the 'Gram. 

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

216 - Let me be quite clear: There are no cats at a Fast CAT event. Not a single feline to be found, I swear! 

Nope, Fast CAT — fast coercing ability test — is all about dogs. Dogs of every size, dogs of every color, dogs of every breed and dogs of every origin.

In fact, FastCAT, which is essentially the 100-metre dash for dogs, might be the most inclusive events on the planet.

So how much fun would it be to travel around the United States photographing Fast CAT competitions?

We get to find out in this week's Hair of the Dog podcast when I sit down with Brian Batista of Brian Batista Photography. Based out of Birmingham, Alabama, Brian left behind a 24-year career in information technology to chase dogs with his camera. 

What to listen for

3:56 Why Brian learned to create a safe space for rescue dogs

9:15 When he got addicted to dog sports and photography

15:05 How to get started in dog sports photography

19:24 The challenges of managing event photography

34:43 If you don't like road trips, this may not be the gig for you

There's so much more than Fast CAT when it comes to dog sports photography. You can get into dock diving, lure coursing, flyball or agility … and all of it brings the biggest grin to Brian's face.

Are you interested in this niche of pet photography? Tell me on the 'Gram.

Where to find Brian

• Brian Batista Photography
• Facebook
• Instagram

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

215 - So many of us are heading into the "offseason" right now, which means it's time to spiff up our websites and plan for 2024.

OK, OK … take a little break after you fulfill all your client orders but then it's time to get down to brass tacks. One of the things you might want to put on your to-do list is working on your SEO.

Search.

Engine.

Optimization.

It isn't as hard you might think. The No. 1 thing you need to focus on is putting your personality, your unique experience and your style on display for your website visitors.
 

For real, you guys! That is what will attract people to your website and keep them there. 

KP and Jessie of Inkpot Creative join me this week on the Hair of the Dog podcast and they stress how your experience and style set you apart from other photographers in your area.

They also run down specific tactics with SEO, like keywords, listicle blog posts (what the heck are they?), image resolution and size, video, and all the things.

What to listen for

6:42 Why you should focus on local SEO

16:16 How to blog your way to SEO success

24:10 How to optimize the images on your website

26:57 Why AI content is OK but you need to personalize it

29:36 How to use call-to-action buttons effectively

37:49 The right way to use video on your website

SEO and websites are an ever-evolving method of reaching our potential clients. I love the way KP and Jessie simplify it all for us.

Do you feel like your website is holding you back? Comment on the 'Gram and let me know.

Connect with Inkpot Creative

• Official Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

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214 - I screwed up. 

You guys, I'm human and I'm not (too) embarrassed to admit that I made a mistake. And I'm baring it all in this week's episode of The Hair of the Dog podcast.

Here's the gist:

I made some pretty serious assumptions about a client I booked last Christmas. I sold him a gift certificate as a gift for his  girlfriend. 

I assumed -- because he is an acquaintance, not a cold sale -- that I didn't have to go through my entire process with him, that I knew what his giftee's budget was and that she would go above and beyond in sales what the gift certificate was worth.

Nuts.

I was staring down a potential $,5000 sale for wall art and an album … and it went over like a fart in church.

Self-doubt hit me hard, and our good friend Heather Lahtinen of Flourish Academy walks me through my thought process and out of my negative space.

What to listen for

• How I dropped the ball on communicating my process
• When self-doubt and worry started to creep in
• The initial thought that snowballed into anxiety
• How to handle a difficult money situation with a client
• The difference between a $500 photographer and a $10K photographer

I share these moments to help you think through not only your communication processes with your client but also the way our thoughts and emotions can lead us to get stuck in unnecessary worry and anxiety.

What's keeping you stuck? Hit reply or comment on the 'Gram and let me know.

JOIN THE PARTY:

• Connect with us on Instagram
• Explore valuable pet photography resources here
• Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers.
• Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that.
• Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.