Whether you are looking to take your business to the next level, you're wanting to grow as an artist, or you’re just a busy mom photographer needing to make more time in her day - you are in the right place. Here, we will take an honest look at how to turn the creative chaos into a streamlined process to help support you as a photographer and even grow your business.I'm Lori! A Click Community Mentor, Click Pro Elite, and Family, Senior and Portrait Photographer from Parkersburg, WV with over 13 years in the trade. I'm also a mom of 3, I love Film Photography, Video, and Jesus, and I am a total database geek through and through.I know how much time, effort, and heart is put into growing your photography business and skill. I'm here to share with you easy and actionable strategies and processes, along with tools, tips, and tricks and must-have resources that have helped me grow as a photographer and scale my business. I'm also sharing my secrets on how to create more time so you can focus on the important things in life - for me, it is being a mom to my kiddos.In my opinion, the keys to success are meant to share - not to be kept a secret! So grab your coffee (or your favorite drink), get comfy, and let me help you reach your photography goals!
In today's episode, Lori discusses recognizing the right time to expand and how to navigate the process of outsourcing and hiring, including finding the right fit for virtual assistants, editors, and other roles to alleviate workload and improve efficiency. Topics covered include identifying signs of needing help, such as overbooking, quality slipping, and burnout, as well as practical steps for outsourcing tasks like social media management, bookkeeping, and website maintenance. Lori shares personal experiences and tips on finding and collaborating with freelancers and assistants, emphasizing the importance of communication, trial periods, and investing in training to ensure a good fit. Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
Today, Lori is diving into the world of SEO – specifically, a concept called domain authority (DA). Many photographers and small business owners hear this term thrown around, but what exactly is it, and why should you care? There's no magic bullet, but Lori shares some key strategies in today's episode!Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
Today's episode is all about maximizing your spring season as a busy photographer! It helps me keep a big-picture focus on not only what's urgent, but what matters. And the time spent on this reflection is always time well spent. (Specifically, it helps me celebrate my wins and feel gratitude for the impact I've made. But it forces me to prioritize what's on my plate so I don't overbook myself.) I know it's going to help you, too!Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In today's episode, we dive deep into the practice of conducting a time audit and its undeniable benefits for creative entrepreneurs. We explore the nuances of how to take charge of our most precious asset - time - and offer tangible strategies to go from feeling scattered to streamlined. By tracking and adjusting how we allocate our time, we pinpoint time wasters, boost productivity, regain control of our schedules, and strive for that ever-elusive work-life balance. I share personal anecdotes and practical tips, from choosing the right tracking method to categorizing tasks and analyzing data to find gaps in our schedules. Whether you opt for an app, a notebook, or a digital calendar, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you prioritize efficiently and use every moment purposefully!Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In today's episode, we're going to talk about three common branding mistakes that photographers often make and how you can fix them - or avoid them in the first place. Your brand is more than just a fancy logo or a sleek website. It's the essence of who you are as a photographer, the experience you offer, and the emotions you evoke in your clients.Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In today's episode, Lori explores how Atomic Habits can help you break down those goals into manageable habits and transform your photography business. Lori talks about merging two powerful forces: the art of photography and the science of habit formation with tips from the bestselling book, Atomic Habits by James Clear. Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
Today's episode is a comprehensive guide to film photography, including reasons for choosing film over digital, choosing a camera, understanding exposure, selecting film types, purchasing film, developing film, and editing film scans. Lori emphasizes the creative possibilities and challenges of film photography and encourages aspiring photographers to explore this fascinating medium.Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In today's episode, Lori dives into the top three updates every photographer and creative business owner needs to make in the new year to keep your site up to date, fresh from an SEO perspective, make sure it's attracting new clients and ensuring it works properly.Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In today's episode, Lori talks about the different options for studio spaces, including having a studio at home, renting a space, or having a dedicated space outside the home. She also covers topics such as location, lighting, backdrops, props, and furniture. She shares her own experiences with all three scenarios and offers advice on planning and budgeting for a studio. Ready for a comprehensive guide for turning a passion for photography into a reality by setting up a professional studio?! Let's dive in!Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In this episode, Lori explores the power of shifting from year-long goals to twelve-week goals for faster and more consistent progress. She uncovers the significance of setting no more than three main goals per quarter and the flexibility to reset goals based on life changes. She also shares her personal experiences and strategies for effective goal setting, including the importance of reflecting on the previous year and creating a vision for the upcoming year. Join in as we unpack the challenges and triumphs of achieving goals in the world of photography and gain valuable insights into powerful goal-setting strategies!Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In this episode, Lori provides helpful tips and insights for photographers and small business owners to make tax season easier. I share practical advice on tracking expenses and deductions, setting up separate bank accounts, using a business credit card, utilizing digital capabilities for record-keeping, and consulting tax professionals for personalized advice. The goal is to reduce stress, keep detailed records, and set oneself up for success in future tax seasons!Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In today's episode, we're focusing on Taylor Swift's career as a business mastermind and extracting actionable tips and quotes from her that can be applied to photographers and small business owners. It's no secret that I'm a Swifty, and I also personal anecdotes and apply Taylor Swift's principles to the photography industry.Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In this episode, Lori discusses the importance of setting priorities and taking action to be successful and shares personal experiences and advice on overcoming perfectionism and seeking growth. Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In this episode, I discuss three weekly routines that help keep my digital and office life organized and running smoothly. This routine involves cleaning out the downloads folder, checking backups for new photos and videos, and cleaning off the physical desktop. I share the benefits of these routines and offer suggestions for incorporating them into a weekly schedule! It's a must-listen!Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In today's episode, I provide tips and methods to reduce distractions and stay focused. I cover various strategies such as turning off notifications, setting specific times for checking emails and responding to comments, minimizing temptation by hiding certain apps, utilizing the phone's built-in limitation features, and planning out the day or week to prioritize important tasks. Let's dive in!Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In today's episode, I cover various tips and tricks for getting smiles and cooperation from kids in a quick timeframe during photography sessions. I share techniques such as matching the energy of the kids, giving them specific instructions for hand placement, simplifying words and rephrasing instructions, removing helpful distractions, avoiding clenched poses or smiles, and making a genuine connection with the kids!Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In this episode, we chat about different types of data storage strategies for photo backups. We dig into redundant storage, offsite storage, and cloud storage as three different types of data storage and explain why using a combination of all three is recommended. I also share my own experience and recommendations for each type of storage.Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In today's episode, I discuss the use of constraints to strengthen creativity in photography. I talk about different ideas for creative constraints, such as limiting gear choices, creating faceless images, focusing on a specific subject matter, trying different shooting mediums, and shooting in the same location but with different perspectives and storytelling approaches. Creative constraints can actually set you free in your photography and I encourage you to try implementing these constraints in your own work!Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
In today's episode, I dive into the concept of the "Daily Big Three," which is a method to improve focus and productivity. I break down how to prioritize these three important tasks each day and provide tips for implementing this system. I also talk about my personal experience and suggest different ways to keep track of the daily big three.Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
Welcome to the Photo Goals Podcast! I'm Lori Pickens, a photographer and online photo educator, who will share my journey and expertise in automating businesses, workflows, systems, and strategy on this podcast! It's my goal to help photographers become profitable and productive while achieving their goals and dreams & that is exactly what we'll cover here!Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens
Whether you are looking to take your business to the next level, you're wanting to grow as an artist, or you're just a busy mom photographer needing to make more time in her day - you are in the right place. Here, we will take an honest look at how to turn the creative chaos into a streamlined process to help support you as a photographer and even grow your business.I'm Lori! A Click Community Mentor, Click Pro Elite, and Family, Senior and Portrait Photographer from Parkersburg, WV with over 13 years in the trade. I'm also a mom of 3, I love Film Photography, Video, and Jesus, and I am a total database geek through and through.I know how much time, effort, and heart is put into growing your photography business and skill. I'm here to share with you easy and actionable strategies and processes, along with tools, tips, and tricks and must-have resources that have helped me grow as a photographer and scale my business. I'm also sharing my secrets on how to create more time so you can focus on the important things in life - for me, it is being a mom to my kiddos.In my opinion, the keys to success are meant to share - not to be kept a secret! So grab your coffee (or your favorite drink), get comfy, and let me help you reach your photography goals!Be sure to follow this podcast to be notified when new episodes are available and leave a rating and review! Connect with Lori: Website: www.loripickens.comIG: @loripickens