The Pet Photographers Club

If you've been reading my emails, you'll already know that The Pet Photographers Club is coming to a close. But this final episode isn't just a repeat of that news — it's something a little more personal.I'm sharing the story behind the decision, what the Club has meant to me over the years, and a few parting thoughts I hope will stay with you. Plus, there's one last gift before the doors close for good.In this final episode, you'll hear:Why now felt like the right time to step awayA few incredible photographers I recommend learning fromOne piece of advice I hope you'll carry with youWhat's next for me The All Access Lifetime Pass - your chance to access the archives foreverThanks for being part of this journey. p.s.

Today's guest isn't a specialist pet photographer, but she is running a successful marketing campaign that we could all take inspiration from. I invited her on the show thinking that her Heart Horses project would be the focus of the episode and while we did dive into that, she also shared so much more.I'm talking about Bethany Quinn who got super honest about burnout, trying new things, and what's worked (and what hasn't) in her business over the last 10+ years and how she is consistently booking clients who spend anywhere from $3500 to 10k.There's a ton of good stuff in this one—let's get into it! In this episode:From volunteering at fun horse shows to running a profitable photography businessHow the “Heart Horses” project helped Bethany find her nicheWhat self-care looks like when launching a creative projectWhy she charges for project participation—and how that changes the client dynamicThe moment that sparked the idea for her campaignHow introducing horse photography changed her businessIn the members-only extended episode:Marketing to a brand new genre (and getting it right)Posting about campaigns inside Facebook Groups (without being spammy)Special project pricing strategiesWhat Bethany includes in her average saleHow she handles hair and makeup pricingThe role mentors have played in her business growth

Five years ago, today's guest was completing a university degree, trying to decide if she'd join the Air Force, continue studying to become a vet, or- if she'd turn her love for photographing pets into a business.She chose the third and has grown a very profitable business that allows her to travel throughout the country.I'm talking about Australian pet photographer Courtney Bennet and in today's episode, you'll hear where her clients find her, how she started with commercial photography and what she's changing to avoid burnout to ensure her business is sustainable. WE COVEREDCourtney's road into pet photography Is there anything wrong with being a hobbyist pet photographerHow long each client takes CourtneyRecoginising burn out and what she'll changeE-commerce - how does that work90 minute sessions Travelling around Australia IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEAre the travel shoots worth it?How much does each client spend How do e-commerce clients find youHow do private clients find youSenior special products - Lasting memories Deciding on productsClient response to “no DM replies” and no travel LINKSwww.courtraitsphotography.comwww.instagram.com/courtraits www.facebook.com/courtraits

A few episodes back, I had Emily Allen on the show, and as we wrapped up, she gave me a hot tip—"You need to check out Sarah Lane!"Curious, I did a quick search, and it was immediately clear why Emily recommended her. Sarah has built a thriving photography business by diversifying her income in countless ways. Even in the early stages of her journey, she's already hitting six figures—thanks to her relentless dedication (and, as you'll hear, a serious lack of sleep!).If you're just starting out, Sarah's story will be both inspiring and relatable, as she openly shares the challenges of building a business from the ground up. And for long-time listeners, you won't want to miss the second half of the episode, where we dive into a fresh marketing strategy that's brand new to the show—exclusively for members. If you haven't joined yet, now's the perfect time!WE COVEREDHow work in the equine industry led to professional photography Private Photo Tours & WorkshopsJuggling everythingHow free shoots have helped Sarah growIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEOffering horse shoots for non-horse people How one offer lifted Sarah's confidence The importance of safety and liability What Sarah's clients are buying Shownotes here: http://thepetphotographersclub.com/1710

Today's guest lost her soul dog a couple of years ago. Through sharing her story, she ended up connecting with many pet parents and now 70% of her clients are senior and end of life sessions. I'm talking about Darlene Woodward and if you've ever felt guilty about charging for end of life sessions- this episode is for you. Darlene shared how she worked through the guilt of charging for end of life sessions and we also went into the process of working with a copywriter to help share the appropriate message with your audience. If you're a member, you'll also learn what Darlene's clients are buying, how much their spending and what her plan is to increase that average sale next year- as well as how she has the time to provide such a great service to her clients.WE COVERED00:00 Introduction to Darlene Woodward's Journey01:10 Welcome to the Pet Photographers Club02:04 Darlene's Best Year Ever03:18 The Importance of Senior and End-of-Life Sessions08:41 Marketing Strategies and Client Acquisition09:57 Dealing with Guilt and Justifying Charges13:32 Revamping Website Copy for Better Client ConnectionIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE23:10 The Importance of Your About Page24:12 Conversion Rates and Inquiries24:47 Handling Pricing and Client Expectations28:11 Highlighting Unique Selling Points29:41 Sales Goals and Strategies39:10 Outsourcing for Efficiency43:26 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsLINKShttps://pantthetown.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pantthetown https://www.instagram.com/pantthetownphotography/

If you've ever heard photographers talking about partnering with other businesses but the idea of introducing yourself seems way too scary- today's episode is for you. Before becoming a pet photographer, today's guest, Monique Eckes worked in vet clinics for 15 years. She used her insider knowledge and just her genuinely lovely personality to be honest, to create her approach which has been wildly successful and she shares exactly what that looks like, with you.We also discussed Monique's weekly newsletter- yes weekly- including what she writes and if it's worth the time.The second half of the interview really dived into the in's and out's of surrounding yourself with the right supports from coaches to networking groups. And we touched on her plans for B2B for pet photographers too. WE COVEREDFrom managing a vet practise to pet photography How volunteering led to Monique's business, and why she kept doing it for so many yearsWhat goes into Monique's weekly newsletter and is it worth the timeHow Monique has built her email listHow to get involved in local dog related events How Monique approaches other businesses Monique's tips for making it easier to approach businessesIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEHow personal growth leads to business growthBusiness before and after coaches Taking the step to move into a bigger studio spaceWorking with a business coach who isn't a photographer but a consumer of photographers What's the difference between a business coach and a life coach- and which do I need?B2B for pet photographersMonique's income breakdown Choosing networking groups to join and how to make the most of it How much does a networking groups costAre the fees worth it for networking groups

Today's guest gives back to her community and the result is huge- she even has her photos on beers cans! But until a couple of year ago she was shooting too much for too little and so she engaged a business coach to help her increase her annual profit. As part of that process, she as encouraged to dig deep into her why- and what she discovered lead her to implementing an incredibly beautiful and profitable project. I'm talking about Emily Allen who has increased her average sale four fold by following the advice of Karinda K. We discussed all that in members half of this interview- but in the first half, among other things, you'll hear how and why Emily made the move into a shares studio space and how she keeps paying rent year round even though she doesn't go in summer. As you can tell, we covered a lot in this interview, so no matter what stage of your business you're in, there's sure to be a take away for you. WE COVEREDWhat is Emily's area like How sharing a studio works and why Emily opted to go that routeManaging client expectations when changing their booked outdoor session to in-studio due to weatherHow Emily's clients find out about her How Emily's photos ended up on beer cans- and how it helps her business!Justifying pricing IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEHow and why Emily increased her prices when her average was already $750 Working with a coachThe impact of increasing her sale by 4xWhat people buy, and what the cost of goods are Changes to Emily's website to avoid phone calls - and if it's helpedStorytelling: A Dog's Life, A Woman's StoryLinks in the show notes: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1707

Today's guest fell into an incredible opportunity that she intelligently took full advantage of and has since replicated that with other partners.I'm talking about part-time pet photographer Lisa Olsen who sets up a photobooth at events held by other businesses, especially to gift their clients a free photo of their dogs- and, the businesses pay her to be there!While she's there she's made sure her process encourages the participants to book a full photoshoot with her, and from these events alone she is booking 80+ shoots a year and doesn't need to do any other marketing to hit her goals.She shared the in's and out's for the members, as well as her pricing strategy, but in the free half you'll catch a few tips about these events, as well as Lisa's other photo types and join our discussion about mental health. WE COVEREDPut them to work - pet parents Your website clearly defines the types of sessions you offer: Dog portraits, Puppy Portraits, Puppy Cakesmash, Mommy and me, Family Photos, Celebration of life and Holiday Theme! - Other than being listed on your website, are you actively advertising all these types of shoots at once?Which session type is bringing in the most clients, and importantly most revenue? What happens with the Mommy and me sessionsOne of the best ways I've gotten client referrals in 2024 has been doing Events with Pets. A business will hire me to be the dog photographer at their event. The business (such as dog groomers, pet sitter, dog trainers, realtors, vets…..) will do all the marketing to their current clients and potential clients to come to their event and receive one free photo from me. I'm usually the main attraction at the events so it's been great for brand recognition and client referrals, plus the business is paying me. This has also lead to doing business portraits with pet for those in the pet industry. How long Lisa is spending with her clients How Lisa ensures the dog is ready for the studio session with desensitization How photography helps Lisa's mental health and how she balances that with running a profitable businessMaking lollipops as props IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEEvents with Pets How Lisa got started with offering events for pets Package prices for the businessHow many dogs Lisa photographs at these events and how they work on the dayWhich industry makes the best business partners for events for petsHow much help does Lisa give the partners for marketing the events Why Lisa doesn't take or sell additional photos at the events for the clients Your packages are digital based with a set number of images in each, and a small amount of print credit. With this structure, are you relying also on print sales, or is it more a bit of a bonus for you if they purchase something in print?What percentage of clients are using the print credit?How much extra do most people spend beyond their package?

Today's guest has been in business for 12 years and tried a lot during that time. Last year she decided the risk was worth it and gave up her old business name along with the decade plus of brand recognition that came with it, and rebranded to better align her business with her personality and shooting style.I'm talking about Lindsay Baca who credits defining her style to great coaches at an international workshop. We chatted all about that, her journey in business including her recent rebrand. And for members, there's a discussion about commercial work in there for you too.WE COVEREDLindsay's journey over 12 years from make-up artist to full time pet photographer and everything in betweenThe impact of running multiple brands When Lindsay realised something needed to change for her businessWorking with coaches to find her styleIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEHow Lindsay felt about losing her brand recognition when she rebranded The process of getting the new logo designedDo magazine ad's bring clients The average spend of Lindsay's private clientsHow many clients Lindsay has per monthWhy Lindsay is happy to refer out clientsThe type of commercial clients Lindsay works with and how they find herThe benefits of a model search databaseShownotes here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1705

There's something for everyone in this interview with Australian equine photographer, Brooklyn Coverdale.She built a successful business in a short period by niching down in western event coverage and portraits- a speciality that wasn't really being serviced by other photographers. Since moving to a small rural town, Brooklyn began diversifying her local offerings all while staying within her style and the western/farming world. We dived into the ins and outs of all that in part one and for the members, you'll hear how she uses ambassadors and why Brooklyn has stopped offering content creation even though it pays well- and what she's doing instead. WE COVEREDNiching down as a strategic decision Western coverage & western portraits & ram and bull sales Diversifying genres changing locationHow ambassadors helped Brooklyn grow her audience IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEAmbassador searchThe big red flag when looking for ambassadorsThe agreement between photographer and ambassador How to know when to dissolve an agreement The bonus of working with ambassadors for your creativity Content Creation & Social Media Management How Brooklyn booked those first content creation jobs Breakdown of income Show notes can be found at: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1704

I initially had just one question prepared for today's guest, Belinda Richards, and it wasn't anything to do with PR. Yet we just spent over half of this interview diving into why Belinda is putting most of her marketing energy into getting newspaper articles, blog posts and even a radio show segment! And let me tell you- the information she shared will make you go back to your client avatar, look at where they go for information and find a way to feature there.In the member's half Belinda shared her top tips for getting free publicity and then we moved on to her approach for successful expos- which really had little to do with being there on the day. I took us well over time but I know you'll be glad because the episode is full of so many great take aways, oh and eventually I did get to my one question- how and why Frog Dog studios is charging for pre-shoot consults?WE COVEREDWhy Belinda began entering awards and the impact on her businessClient trust- how do you make sure that your audience knows about the awardsWhy Belinda doesn't work with a PR Agent SEO impact from the backlinks of the online publications Client demographic that comes from printed media Who is the client Belinda wants to work with nowHow far Frog Dog Studio's clients travel for to work with Belinda IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEBelinda's top tips for getting PR - who to contact, how and what to sayThe marketing strategy that Belinda has pivoted away from, and whyHow Belinda approached expo'sA decision doesn't have to be forever The story behind the studio shop frontCharging for pre-shoot consultationsBelinda's conversion rate from consultation to booking Links in the show notes: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1703

Today's guest has been in business for a long time- and you can tell. She is thinking outside the box with her marketing while also ensuring she has a layered approach to fill her calendar. I'm talking about Lisa Asp who beyond that, is heavily involved with PPA and ISAP so after chatting marketing she answered your questions about joining a photography association and the different awards and competitions that are out there.WE COVEREDLisa's journey from the dream of being a painting major to shifting gears into photography How a rescue encouraged Lisa's business to transition into pets from general portraitsHow Lisa uses social mediaMarketing a specialised studio versus a general portrait studio Thinking outside the box with passive marketing by partnering with a cafeHow putting yourself out there can lead to new clients and marketing partnershipsWhat is a professional photography association and why would you joinIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEHow to find an association to join for professional photographersWhat's the deal with competitions and awards, and which should you enterHeadshots for houndsKnowing when to say no to fundraisersShow notes can be found here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1702

Do you groan every time you hear another coach or podcast guest talk about the importance of phone calls or pre-shoot consultations? Then this interview will be a breath of fresh air for you! Today's guest, Jessica Wasik, is on track to hit a quarter of a million dollars in annual revenue- without phone calls for most of her 80+ bookings a year!She shared what she does instead and the importance of systems along with a whole lot of other insights. And if you're a member, you'll even hear my of my recent rookie mistake!WE COVEREDWhere Jessica's clients come from each yearHow much are Jessica's gift certificatesClient communication to ensure gift voucher clients spend Jessica's booking fee, how much her clients spend and what they're purchasingIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEBooked out for the next two months - what does that meanNumber of sessions per monthGoal for next year How knowing your numbers helps mindset for assuming the saleThe real reason people don't book Boundaries and policies that have made the biggest difference Kirstie's recent rookie mistakeMarketing and selling vouchers What Jessica's Black Friday sale includes and how she promotes itRainbow sessions Pre-purchase credit Mentioned links can be found here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1701

I initially reached out to today's guest to chat all about her Facebook group for pet parents, and we did get into the details of that but we also covered much more because today's guest was a complete open book! I'm talking about Allira Fontana and if you're considering offering event photography for horse shows, the first part will certainly be of interest to you. Then we switched gears and chatted about that Facebook group- why she started it, how it grew and why Allira isn't worried about losing clients with it. If you're a member- you're really in for a treat, and maybe even a bit of a wake-up call. Allira shared the importance of understanding animal behaviour as a pet and equine photographer- and how she went about learning that, and then we got into her marketing strategies. If you're looking at an empty calendar, hearing Allira list off her upcoming marketing calendar will be quite the eye-opener! I don't think I've ever had an interview with such variety so no matter what stage of business you're in- be sure to tune in.We Covered:From Horse Events to Private Sessions Burnout from Horse EventsFulfillment from private sessionsHow Horse Events work financiallyRecognising what makes you happy and following thatRecognising burnout, taking a break and re-assessing Pricing for horse showsThe ultimate training ground for learning dog behaviourRelaunching the change in business model Why start a Facebook group with photo tips for pet-parentsDiversifying income For members-only:The goal of the Facebook groupAre you losing your clients by teaching them?Certificate in animal behaviourWorking with a coachHow clients find Allira Fontana Photography todayWhat are people buying Mentioned links can be found in the show notes: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1612********DIRECTORY UPDATEThe new and improved Pet Photographers Directory is now live! You can claim your free listing, or upgrade to a premium listing for extra backlinks to tell Google that you're a trusted site so they improve your ranking.Find out more at https://www.petphotographersdirectory.com/

We've heard it before, business is not for the faint-hearted and today's guest agrees.I'm talking about Alex Cearns who's been in business for 15 years and has worked with pet photographers from all corners of the globe. We covered many topics including the usual business structures, marketing and products, but the common theme throughout was not to let fear hold you back in business. If you've caught yourself getting down after comparing your average sales to other photographers, or beating yourself up over the peaks and troughs of business, Alex's message is sure to hit home.In the members second-half, Alex shared how she's booking 250 clients a year, what they're buying, why they don't ask for digitals and her thoughts on social media for marketing.There's great takeaways from this episode no matter what stage you're at in business, so tune in!We covered:The business structure of Houndstooth StudioCharacteristics to be successfulBusiness is not lineaFake it ‘til you make itGet in front of people and talk passionately about what you doHow to appreciate where you're currently at with your sales when you see your friends making 5 figuresIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:Organic bookings are all but dead, so how is Alex booking 250 shoots a year?What clients are buyingSocial media expectationsWhat one thing has the biggest impact on a successful businessMentioned links can be found in the show notes here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1611

Over the last few years I've seen how trends have changed and pet photographers around the world have introduced new business models and pricing structures.But today's guest is the exception. She found what works for her early on, and she's sticking to it. By pricing herself this way she is consistently hitting her averages, and attracting the type of client she wants- all by word of mouth! I'm talking about Jane Thomson whose work is pure art and just gorgeous, and I am stoked to have her on the show today.We covered:Jane's journey from $350 shoots to the structure she uses todayWhat gives Jane the confidence to ask for the money upfrontHow clients respond when they're told about the minimum collection IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:What Jane's clients are buying The client experienceHow Jane sells products, without In Person Sales!How Jane's clients find herAll about the charity project and why Jane took it onMentioned links are in the show notes found here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1610***CLUB CHANGESFor the first time since the launch of The Pet Photographers Club six years ago, a price rise is coming.That price rise is because the new membership structure will include over $150 worth of bonus content for monthly members and even more for annual members. Of course, there is also 16 seasons of interviews in the archives of the podcast! That's a lot of valuable content collected over the years!Don't worry existing members- your payments won't change. The new price is only for new sign-ups from 1st October 2024.Not yet a member? You can lock in the current low price. Sign up now.

We often hear educators saying that you can find clients anywhere. I know I say it, and I believe it because we really need so few clients per year that we can find enough no matter where we live- well almost.Today's guest agrees, but she also pointed out that some markets are easier than others which is why she happily travels two hours to her client shoots back in Boston, instead of trying to find clients in her new hometown.By making this decision, she also realised she had to make more money per client. So two years ago, Blue Amrich re-designed her business model to meet that new required average sale. In today's episode, she shared what Beyond the Fence looked like then and the biggest change she made to ensure that drive is worth it.We covered:Moving into pets because "dogs are better than brides"What happened when Blue stopped selling digitals Conversion rate from enquiry to selling Why Blue didn't move her business when she moved her homeIt's a numbers game Knowing your client IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:Most people haven't thought about the final result Blue's initial client callPricing and products and profitsWhy Blue is happy to be working seasonallyHow clients are finding Beyond the Fence Why do personal projectsShow notes can be found here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1609

Today's guest is absolutely no stranger in this industry. She has been setting standards for pet photographers for a decade or so, but today she's here not to talk about education, but her own journey as a pet photographer and the changes she's made throughout the years in order to meet her business goals. I'm talking about none other than Nicole Begley and I'm wrapped to have her joining us today.WE COVERED:The push for Nicole to start a business back in 2010 and her first goalThe wake-up call to switch from $175 all-inclusive sessionsThe impact of attending a conference Nicole's first sale from making that switch, and her average from then onHow Nicole's marketing approach changed to align with her new pricing came in Why Nicole stopped photographing families and went "all in" with photographing petsIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:The confidence boost from a great saleThe mark up Nicole puts on her products to be profitable Money blocks The three different pricing structures Nicole has trialled: Collections, Create your own collection, (including digitals), Al A carte Why Nicole uses digitals as an incentive, and howNicole's golden first question for enquiriesNicole's booking process and how she utilises the pre-booking phone callWhy offer a bonus even for clients that have an unlimited budgetFind the show notes here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1608

I've spent a lot of time increasing my SEO knowledge over the last 12 months and I can tell you first-hand that eventually it all pays off..! Even still, there's always something more to learn, particularly in the ever-changing space of SEO. Today's guest, Claire Lauer helps photographers rank higher on Google to increase organic bookings and in this episode she shared tonnes of actionable tips to help you do the same as well has her favorite SEO tools. Even after this last 12 months of increasing my knowledge around this topic, I also grabbed some great tops and will be implementing a few changes on my own sites thanks to this episode! If you'd love to have more enquiries coming to you from people who are already searching for the exact thing you offer- amazing pet portraits, then be sure to tune in. We covered:What is SEO and why should we spend time on improving itKeywords and tools for researching themHow to use these keywords in blogging and why The importance of image optimisationHow can someone like Claire help us photographers? In the members-only extended episode:What is a Google Business Profile Claiming, optimising and posting on your google business profile Backlinks: where to get them and whyUnderstanding Domain Authority How long do our blog posts need to be and how can we make the most of them for SEOFind all the mentioned links in the show notes: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1607

Today's guest, Gabi Leon of Gavriella Pet Photography, moved to the U.S. 4 years ago. In the lead up to her move she laid as many foundations as possible to be ready to hit the ground running. Since then, she's stayed focused on her goal which is to offer a high-end luxury photography business and build a million dollar business. She isn't quite getting consistent bookings yet, but the ones she does get, spend enough that it doesn't matter- which by the way, is on average between $5-6k. She's gotten creative with her marketing too and in this interview, she shared one strategy that I haven't heard of before and if you're aiming for high sales, you could certainly replicate. We covered:What separates Gabi from her local competitionHow Gabi prepared for her move to the U.S. to set up her business for successWhere Gabi went to become known and how she went about it The connection that led to a great opportunity to make a little money, and get great brand awarenessThe reality of setting up a luxury business, without shortcutsGabi's ultimate financial goal and the income avenues she's planning to use to reach itMembers-only interviewGetting clients through a luxury magazine at a retirement villageGabi's plan to be more consistent The numbers: How often Gabi is photographing, and what the spending clients buy Why offer mini sessions to the agility worldGabi's plan for building a passive incomeLinks to all things mentioned can be found in the show notes at: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1606

Today's guest launched her dog sports photography business in late 2019.. Within months the 25 upcoming events she'd booked had all been canceled due to covid. Having quit her career job, she was forced to pivot and spend most of 2020 learning as much as she could to relaunch as a pet portrait photographer. Implementing everything she learned, her focus became building relationships which now means most of her clients come from referrals. I'm talking about Michelle Crandall of Pets in Focus and you'll want to tune in to hear all about that and her business today.We coveredHow covid forced Michelle to change from dog sports to portraits Why Covid was a blessing in disguise Knowing your values right now Why Michelle hasn't gone back to dog sportsAnxiety around education How Michelle transitioned her name from dog sports to portraits with marketing IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:How managing a Pet Parade helped Michelles business The marketing plan Michelle is focusing onCharitable marketing Partners don't need to be dog related Michelle's process to choosing a product menuMichelle's meat selling product Michelle's processThe biggest time saverThe labs Michelle works with and why the variety

When today's guest moved cities, continuing her landscape photography as her primary income felt impossible without local connections. She considered the contacts she did have and realized they were in the dog world. Combining her love for dogs with her love for nature, Kim Hoshall utilised these contacts to launch a pet photography business. She's tried many different pricing structures and marketing strategies in the last ten years, and in today's episode- we spoke all about them!We coveredFrom a career in dance to professional photographyNo connectionsHow Kim's income is split between landscape photography and pet photographyThe importance of connections How to get started in a new cityKim's best lead source Why offer multiple session types, and is that working?IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEThe attraction to destination adventure sessionsKim's most popular productHow Kim reaches her typical average sale and what she wants to changeStarting a local dog community podcast as a marketing strategy

This week's guest found herself with a quiet start to the year after her biggest lead generator, a local event was cancelled right before she was taking time off for an overseas trip. I'm talking about a returning guest to the show, Ina Jalil who instead of allowing herself to mellow in stress, invested in more coaching and took action. Fast forward four months, she's had a 5 figure sale, her highest to date, and is almost fully booked until Australian winter. Tune in to today's episode to learn how she turned business around and before that, the perhaps surprising impact of her rebrand- which has helped her business mindset!We covered:Ina's journey from side hustle to professional The reason Ina specialises in pets Digging into your why and the impactWhy Ina uses her name as her business name What happens when you rely on one lead sourceHow Ina smashed marketing in a rush IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:The questions Ina asks to help with big sales 10k sale - what they bought and why they booked now Repeating a 5 figure sale SEO, blogging and backlinks Sony advocate Personal projects for creativity and more bookings Mentioned links in the show notes

I initially asked today's guest on the show when I learned about his super successful truck studio and we did talk about it, but he also shared so much else including what gave him the confidence to take out a loan to build this business. I'm talking about Ryan Erickson who last year, in his first year of full time business turned over more than $200,000 from 150 clients spending an average of $1500 each. There's tonnes of really great insights and learnings in the first part of this episode, but if you want to know how he found those clients, and here the benefits of his business plan and what that included, be sure to listen to the members-only half. If you're not yet a member to hear that second half, use the link in the show notes to sign up today with a 14 day free trial.We covered:Ryan's journey from weddings to pet photographyWhy open a truck studio Fundraisers and charitable work Growing a portfolio What gave Ryan the confidence to go all inRyan's backup planIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:Market Research and data, business plans and how that's helped Ryan reach success Photo Truck total set up costRyan's TurnoverHow in person events act as passive marketing for RyanWhy farmers markets In Person Sales and the client processLinks in the shownotes: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1602

How does an $8500 average sale sound to you with a cost of goods of just 5%. That is reality for today's guest who deliberately moved their studio location to be in a town that aligns with their studio brand. I'm talking about Kim of Kimberly Sarah Photography. She joined us back in season five to share all things client experience and I've got her back today to share her insights into achieving consistently high sales. They've also just launched a new business, Hey Winston and if you've ever dreamed of outsourcing your sales- then it is for you!We covered:What is a luxury studio these days Low volume, high price point What is a Dog Art Gallery How to choose a town for your studio spaceKimberly Sarah Photography average sale, and how they reach itWhy they have a studio if they could make the same money without itKim's biggest tips for getting high sales What is Hey Winston! And how can you help photographers and what will it cost IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:Kim's studio sales process Pricing and product options at Kimberley Sarah PhotographyThe key questions Kim asks that lead to higher salesBlogging challenge: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/blogging-challenge Other links in the show notes: https://www.thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1601

For most of us pet photographers, we have to have a strong, layered marketing plan in order to get consistent bookings. But what if your website did all the heavy lifting for you? For today's guest, Angie Rose, that's exactly the case. Her marketing budget is almost exclusively spent on a her content creator who does all her blogging, which she admits wouldn't get done otherwise. That blogging, combined with the main website is her biggest lead source and then it's through her booking process that those leads are converted into dream clients.If ditching expo's, affiliate programs and Facebook marketing sounds like a dream to you- tune into this episode to hear how Angie runs her business without all that!We covered:What clients book Angie for Angie's booking rate and the process to booking Working with professionals to establish a high converting website How the website helps attract enquiries and convert them to bookingsIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:The benefits of using your name as a business name How people find Angie's website The positive impact of bloggingOutsourcing content creation for newsletters and bloggingHow Angie customises her sessions Why pets with their people?MENTIONED LINKSwww.angierose.comwww.facebook.com/AngieRosePetPhotographywww.instagram.com/angieprosewww.thepetphotographersclub.com/blogging-challenge

Today's guest has over 25 years of experience as a pet photographer. Back when she started, pet photography basically didn't exist. A lot has changed in the photography world since then, but as you'll hear, a lot of things haven't really either. I'm talking about Margaret Bryant of Bryant Dog Photography who started out shooting dog sports on film but quickly realised that wasn't sustainable (for the time) and moved into studio portraits. Since then she's photographed thousands of dogs in her home studio in Texas and even published a couple of books.One of which is helpful for us as fellow pet photographers as it's full of posing tips and other advice. It's called Dog Photography: How to Capture the Love, Fun and Whimsy of Man's Best FriendWe covered a lot in this episode, from Margaret's experiences in the early days of her business, to who our biggest competitor is and how we can book clients anyway. And if you've been thinking about offering puppy packages, definitely tune into the second half to hear exactly what Margaret is offering.We covered:What did pet photography look like in the 90'sPhotographing dog sports, on film! Why Margaret changed business modelsThe reason Margaret opened a home studio What's changed in terms of sales over the last 20 yearsWhere do Margaret's clients come fromMargaret's golden rule to survive unexpected difficult times after making it through the GFC and CovidIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:How to make it easy to book through your websiteHow audience can get to know you and like you for a better client experience The reason a client should choose you (and not their iPhone or AI)What are “in but not in” photosHow being observant can help your client and your bottom lineManaging expectations for a good client experience Puppy first year - what it looks like, pricing, structure and why the client can own the responsibilityDog birthday parties as a pet photographerBiggest tips for someone wanting to do puppy first year The impact of AI for us as pet photographers in business

It's been just over a year since today's guest launched her pet photography business. She spent 2022 learning all about business and hit the ground running in 2023. She's proof that actioning what you learn is the only way to meet your goals. Tune in to today's episode to hear all about the marketing strategies that worked and didn't, to get this pet photography business off the ground for England-based photographer, Diane Gollowitzer of Dogs in Focus Photography.If you are looking to see who has recently walked the path you've just stepped onto- today's episode is for you.We covered:Starting a photography business without knowledge of photography Why Diane quickly realised she needed to re-brand her pet photography businessHow starting a new business is just like dating!Following your passion and aligning your business with your values and desires IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:How Diane filled her first few months in business with paying clientsChristmas Markets and the difference the audience can makeGiveaways as a training groundSelling gift vouchers What Diane would do differently next timeOther marketing avenues Diane has triedCheck the show notes for links!

What if I told you that it's possible to be completely fully booked thanks to past clients either returning or referring? That is the reality for today's guest, who clearly doesn't do things in halves! A quick look at either his Instagram or Website is proof of that with stunning images, useful information and beautiful design so it isn't a surprise to learn that his client experience is also seamless. In today's episode, we broke down exactly what that experience looks to make his clients tell all of their friends!We covered:The reason Carlos is running his business part-timeClient availability for a part-time business offering this style of pet photographyThe marketing campaign that actively seeks out the friends of his clients and turns them into clients tooAn overview of Carlos' client experience and the elements that lead to referralsIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:The role of an assistantWhat a thinking dog first looks likeHow custom sales videos work Selling products with a hands-off approachCarlos' pricing structure Full show notes found here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1511

Despite this interview being with one of the world's best equine photographers, it's not about horse photography at all! Instead, Shelley and I dived deep into the editorial world. If you have your own stock library of images, this might just be a great way to add some passive income to your business. Shelley shared exactly how she finds these clients, what it is they're buying and how her system works to sell images to magazines. In the members half we got into the numbers and then had a little chat about licensing too. Shelley is truly a wealth of knowledge and what she shared in this interview is sure to get your mind ticking with ideas. We Covered:Who is ShelleyWhen and why Shelley stopped working for private clients What Shelley thinks is the best training for photographersThe difference between commercial and editorial photographyWhy would a magazine order commissioned photography over stock imagesCan you make money from editorials What advice Shelley has for someone wanting to do editorials but without a stock library How Shelley got into Commercial photography What is the difference between commercial, branding, and editorial?Offering video as an edition service Where does stock imagery fit into your business modelIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEBecoming a member of publications to attend conferencesConnecting with editors at events - what to askWhat these conferences look like (American horse publications)What will a magazine pay for a stock image and is it worth itSubmitting photo essays and pitching Portfolios Vs Photo EssaysShelley's incomeLicensing Pricing Documentary equine films - passion or commercial projects?Links and show notes can be found at https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1510

The Pet Photographers Club podcast is back for 2024 and if like me, you're taking advantage of this quieter season to update your website and put a blog strategy in place to get you closer to position one on Google, then today's episode couldn't be better timing for you. Late last year I decided to hire a PR consultant for my new photography business. After learning from today's guest, Zoe Hiljemark back in Season 9 and then following her Facebook Group for a while, I knew she was the perfect fit. She's been busy pitching journalists for me over the last few months while also sharing extra advice with me on blogging and SEO. Based on her advice, I made some changes to my website which had an immediate positive impact.I asked Zoe to join me again on the podcast to share some of these insights with you all and you absolutely will not be disappointed.If you're not a Club member yet, this extended episode with Zoe is alone worth the annual fee. We broke down the customer journey, giving you suggestions on what blog topics to cover for each stage. Zoe shared the biggest mistake most photographers make with their blogs, and among everything else also got into backlinks and understanding Domain Authority. WHAT WE COVERED:What is SEO and why should we focus on itWhere do blogs come into itMinimum word count per page and how to make the copy digestible Site structure and submitting sitemaps through Google Search Console The pages we should have on our websiteWhy should we blog IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEBlogging beyond sharing client galleriesCustomer journey and how that impacts blog strategyBlog topic examples for a cold audience, warm audience, hot audienceThe importance of re-engagement content or nurture content How to do keyword researchUnderstanding keywords Breaking down the technical SEO optimisation of blogging: Meta description, Titles, heading tags The biggest mistake photographers make with meta descriptionsHow internal links help SEOWhat are backlinks, why do we want them and how can we get them Guest blogging and how to approach it Understanding Domain Authority LISTENER BONUSTo make it even easier for you to get started with blogging this month, I've put together a blog planner with a table of ideas! Everyone can access it for free until the end of January via the show notes, after that, it will be a bonus for members found only in the portal! Grab yours now!ACCESS THE FREE BLOGGING PLANNER AND IDEASMENTIONED LINKS IN THE SHOWNOTES: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/podcast/1509

Today's guest is the proof that following what makes you happy, can also lead to financial success. She's big on diversifying and multiple income streams, but her main business is helping fellow pet photographers improve their craft, which aligns perfectly with the lifestyle she has. I'm talking about Emily Abrahams of Inspawration Photography and in this episode we covered all of that and in the members half, we got into the details of income options for content creators, particularly breaking down the difference between user generated content vs promotion, and what are media kits. We also chatted all about Social Media strategy which is full of tips for pet photographers.We extended the episode to also discuss teaching and the education realm so if you're thinking you'd like to get into education.. Stay tuned for that part!And to wrap up, we had a little extra chat about AI.Yes, we covered a lot, and absolutely you don't want to miss this episode! WHAT WE COVERED:Emily's journeyWhy Emily went straight to teaching instead of growing a business shooting for clients?What are Emily's income streamsThe importance of diversifying your income IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEContent creators: What is a media kit & what are engagement ratesWhat if you don't have engagementUser generated content Vs promotion on your IG Knowing your audience on Social Media in order to create relatable content Teaching isn't for everyoneEmily's tips for someone who wants to get into educationShould we be using AI for client work

Today's guest has been a working photographer for almost 20 years. She started out in weddings in the UK and switched to portraits when she moved to South Africa. Fast forward to today, she's reworked her pricing structure to ensure her business is profitable with the 150 clients per year she shoots for, 80% of which are pet shoots. I'm talking about Emma O'Brien of Emma O'Brien Photographer. I'm sure you'll be impressed as me to learn that she doesn't do any paid marketing but instead uses a strategic networking approach to ensure her calendar is full so if you're looking for free marketing strategies, but sure to listen to the second half of this episode where we go into those in detail. What we covered:When and why Emma introduce petsStudying photography and is a diploma still necessaryWhy to stop looking at other photographers workHow to avoid creating work that looks just like everyone else'sUsing the move to South Africa from the UK to start fresh Burn outIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODEEmma's change in business model to make more money Working with a coachHow Emma worked out she needed to double her pricesSouth African incomesHow does the that affect your marketingKnowing your ideal client What are business card drops and why do themCollaborations with other brandsHow many clients is Emma photographing per year, and what percentage are for petsEmma' shelter work and the bonus marketing that comes from that

I've asked many photographers what they'd do to start their business if they moved to a new place.. And today's guest has actually done it. She completely transformed her business from shoot and burn family photography in South Africa, to a profitable, full-service specialised pet photographer in New Zealand. She studied and implemented what she learned in order to make that transition successful and now she's consistently booking clients who typically spend $1800. I'm talking about Salome of Yellow Pet Photography.We covered:Moving from South Africa to NZ WebsiteShoots per monthHome studio The impact of working with a coachHow Salome decided which coach would be best for herPrinted reveals and In-Person-SalesWorking with an SEO expertIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:Salome's best marketing strategyIG & Tik Tok Strategy Collaboration marketing and auctions Pricing structureSalome's strategy to sell more to clients, months laterOffering hair and make-upMENTIONED LINKS:Sue Bryce Education: The Portrait Masters Jono's SEO business: https://noursemen.co.nz/Yellow Lab: InstagramYellow Lab: Website

Are you blaming the economy, or the Facebook algorithms for your lack of leads and clients? The tough love in this episode with Johl Dunn is for you. There was lots of real talk, and actionable ideas shared by Johl who ran a photography business for 22 years- pre-Facebook, through the GFC and during Covid too. WE COVERED:What is mindsetExamples of impact of mindset change Why is now so hardAre there still people who can afford photography IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:So how can we get in front of these people What comes first when re-launching your businessThese marketing ideas you mentioned: it's a lot to be doing on the side of another job.. So what do you recommend Fundraisers on steroidsMentioned links:ENTER JOHL'S GIVEAWAYJohl's Instagram

Today's guest started her business just before the Pandemic. She utilised the time through Covid to lay strong foundations for her business and hit the ground running when the world opened back up again. She uses direct marketing with giveaways to book clients year round and from those strategies has an average sale of around $2800 and her highest sale to date is $16k! Remember that she's been in business just a few years! I'm talking about Marie Wulfram, tune in to hear how she achieves all of this. We covered:What Marie did to set solid foundations for her business from the get goHow Marie found and booked her initial clientsWhy her strategy is the opposite of cold callingWhat building a relationship through IG looks likeHow to book free shoots, and what the sales from them can look likeIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:Using text and DM to communicateHow Marie leverages eventsAverage spend and what Marie is doing to achieve consistent high salesGoogle AdsMentioned links:Marie Wulfram PhotographyPhotobizx Podcast

Do you feel like your work isn't good enough, or you have too much competition and you're unsure of how to stand out or why a client should choose you?In today's episode with Karinda Kinsler we discussed the real reason clients book you, and in the members half of the episode we delved deep into how you can truly connect with those clients to grow your sales.Between all of that we also covered the mistake Karinda learned from in her previous businesses and the impact of implementing change based on that when launching her equine business.We covered:Karinda's journey from livestock photography to newborns and weddings, and into equineThe biggest business lesson Karinda facedPeople comprehend in different ways The rule of 8 in salesHow to prepare your clients to spend without a price list How to feel comfortable with big numbers Why would someone choose you? Clients don't care how good your work isIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:People buy your why How to connect with your client and make it about themBuilding trust with clientsAsk your clients questions and truly caring about themClient workflow in order to build a relationship The importance or not of connecting somehow before the first callGo-to questions for the first callMENTIONED LINKSMindset and Money Mastery for Photographers PodcastMaster your Mind & Money Coaching with KarindaFind Your Why by Simon Sinek

As if niching into pet photography isn't a defined enough market, today's guest, Kristen Murray has gone even more specific and has created three sub-niches that she serves; bird hunts, underwater dogs and fall adventures- and it is working! Her clients are spending multiple thousands for wall art and box sets or albums, and better yet, she enjoys these adventures with her clients! For the first half of the episode, I asked Kristen about finding these clients and then we got deep into photographing hunting. The episode comes with a warning, we did discuss what those photoshoots look like, including the details of one form of hunt in particular so if you don't want to hear about that, just fast forward past. I'll put a little warning at the time. In the members' half of the interview, Kristen really was an open book, talking about why she's showing her clients lots of images, and how her process avoids the overwhelm that might otherwise come with that.We also spoke about her pricing structure, popular products and client response.On top of all that, she got into the specifics of how to get started with underwater dog photography, and we spoke about her newest offering, travel sessions! WARNING: We spoke about hunting in detail between minutes 11-15 of the first half. The conversation around photographing hunting dogs continued from a more business perspective after that until minute 22.We covered:Kristen's Journey to get to 6 figures from year oneWho is Kristen's clientPhotographing huntingGetting into the specialty and the most important things to knowIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:Showing 100 photos +Average spend and pricing Underwater dog portraits, the pricing differences and selling Travelling dog photographyMentioned links: www.kristenjmurray.comCoaching with Karinda: Master your mind and money

We've all seen the popularity of video increase through social media over the last couple of years, but what about video for a more permanent solution? Something not only to be viewed once and posted as a Reel or Tik Tok, but to be held onto closely as a beautiful keepsake to refer back to time and time again.That's what today's guest, Andrea Fleury is offering pet parents. Videos that capture the true personalities and the relationships these clients share with their pets. She captures the tiny moments that would otherwise be the strongest memories of these pets- think snuggles on the couch, audio of a pet snoring or a puppy running in slow motion with ears flapping. It starts with an upsell to the client, then comes the storyboarding and of course, shooting and delivering the finished cinematic film- and in today's episode, you'll learn exactly how that all works!We covered:Andrea's journey into pet videosWorking with an assistant How to find and hire an assistant and the costsWho wants video of their pet?IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:Andrea's marketing plan for videoWhat is a storyboard, what goes into planning a video, the questions to askPreparing for a video shootEquipment for video Pricing, video and albumsand more!Mentioned links: https://www.dogtography.ca/https://www.dogtography.ca/videowaitlist

Today's guest is a videographer turned pet photographer after documenting his mum's senior dog for the last 6 months of her life. Fast forward to today, his website is ranking page one of Google in the highly competitive London market, and his layered marketing approach converts super well thanks to a refined enquiry process. I'm talking about Alex Class and if you want to know what building a successful business looks like- tune in!We covered:Wendy's story Transition from video to photographyAlex's Ideal clientHow Alex's clients find him and what they buyIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:Alex's client processWhat is Cinemagraph ProAdding a website lead magnetHow Alex added a website chat botWhat has helped Alex's website rank so highly Mentioned links:https://www.thefullybookedphotographer.com/https://flixel.com/products/mac/cinemagraph-pro/ www.pawscelebre.comhttps://learn.thepetphotographersclub.com/2023-conference

Today's guest studied photography in college but gave it up after a professor convinced her that she lacked creativity. Fast forward a decade or two, and she not only has a successful full-time pet photography business, but she's also embracing all that AI offers as a creative outlet! I'm talking about Carol Arscott and no matter if the world of AI intimidates or excites you, today's episode is sure to inspire not only with her work, but hearing how Carol came back to photography years after putting the camera down. We covered:Carol's experience as a student The impact someone can have on your confidence Assignments as students Vs clients What this AI Series with Moby all about What's the future of Moby's series IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:Mid-Journey Vs PS BetaMid-journey time and costThe industry future in an age of AI What full-time looks like for CarolWorking with rescues Mentioned links:https://www.midjourney.com/www.carolarscott.comhttps://www.instagram.com/carolarscottphotography/

I never quite understood the exact role of a financial planner. I mean, I have an accountant? Don't they basically cover the same thing? Do I also need to pay another finance person? In today's show, that question, among many others were answered.And look, I know finances aren't usually a crowd favourite topic among us creatives, but I did get an amazing guest on the show today who knows exactly how it is for us as creatives to deal with everything in terms of accounting, financial planning, and then also the psychology around money.We went well over time. So you are in for a treat.WE COVERED:Why a pet photographer needs to talk to a financial planner, or notWhen do we need an accountant, and when do we need a financial plannerHow to find the best person for your business finances What does working with a financial planner look likeDo we need a business financial advisor and a separate personal financial advisorAND IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:What falls under the role of “financial planner”The cost of a Financial Planner Investing MENTIONED LINKS:Episode with Anastasia Chomlack: One-to-one gratitude sessions (Giving back project)Minerva Financial Arts

The International Pet Photographer of the Year Awards is the biggest of its kind! It was hosted by us here at The Pet Photographers Club until last year, and it's now under new management with Unleashed Education as the host.They've introduced a few changes which will ensure the competition can continue into the future and so this week I had Craig and Charlotte join me to answer all your questions!Here's what we covered:What are The AwardsThe 2023 Judging PanelWhy there's an entry fee, what does that get you and how much is itChange of categories, scoring and awardsIMPORTANT DATESEntries close June 30th Finalist announced Sept 1Awards ceremony Sept 7Feedback, scores and badges Sept 10MEMBERS BONUSFor members this week, in lieu of the extended episode, I've organised a FREE entry for the first ten of you to request it! Just complete this form ASAP: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/awards-2023

Our guest today, Jeff Brown started his photography career in the defence force which gave him many opportunities. One of which was photographing the queen which of course he used as part of his branding message on his website when he ran his own studio. Today he spends his time helping other photographers grow their business. In today's episode, we dive deep into branding and websites, and if you are a premium member Jeff gave some really practical advice in the second half to help you improve your website conversion, and stay at the top of Google!WE COVERED:Jeff's backgroundHow Jeff spent a £7500 grant to start his photography businessWhat is a “brand”The importance of an easy-to-navigate websiteAND IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:How to know what Google is ranking wellWhat is EEATThe information that keeps people on your site, and actually helps convert themIs blogging still essential in 2023How to drive organise traffic to our siteMENTIONED LINKS:Google's White paperEEATThe Photographers' MentorMembers: Listen to the members extended episode in the portal, or, in your favourite podcast player with the private RSS feed.

You've heard it a thousand times before.. “add personality to your website” but.. What does that even mean other than saying “Hey I'm your wine-loving pet photographer?”.. Well today's interview with Austrian based elopement photographer and copywriter extraordinaire, Mariah Wall has got you covered.WE COVERED:How to get started with improving copyTips for incorporating personality, naturally The benefits of repelling some clientsFinding your own brand voiceBrand ArchetypesAND IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:How to convert your website visitors into bookings, through your pricing pageAnswering objections with great copyMENTIONED LINKShttps://mariaharianna.com/copywriting-for-photographers https://www.instagram.com/mariahariannaphoto/ https://iconicfox.com.au/brand-archetypes/ p.s. Members don't forget to use your private RSS link to listen to the full episode in yoru favourite podcast player!

Do you always here that one of the best marketing avenues is to attend dog-friendly events to get in front of the right audience.. But, there aren't any around you.. Or not enough? Then tune in to today's episode to hear how our guest created her own dog day out, and it wasn't even as overwhelming as that sounds!WE COVERED:Why Kelly got into pet photographyWhat the event was about The logistics of hosting an event of this sizeThe importance, or not, of a business nameAND IN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODE:How the event was brandedMarketing the eventCharging for mini session spotsUpselling digitalsMENTIONED LINKSWww.kschulzphotography.comWww.instagram.com/kschulzphotography

You are in for a real treat with today's episode- John runs not one, but two studios, and over the last couple of years has focused his marketing to become known as an expert pet photographer, despite offering other genres and today, 70% of his million dollar revenue comes from pet photography!It is a not-to-be-missed, long interview so pop your headphones in, take your dog for a stroll and be prepared to stop to jot down notes.We covered:Working with a teamCan you be a specialist and a generalistIncorporating humans w dogs Where John's clients come fromThe importance of educationAnd in the members-only halfHaving employees- is the headache worth it?Can you learn to be a manger How much the business needs to make to pay the bills The number of leads it takes to run a studio with these overheadsConversation rates and average salesJohn's booking funnelMENTIONED LINKS: https://johnglaserphotography.com/https://www.facebook.com/johnglaserphotographyhttps://www.instagram.com/johnglaserphotography/

If the horse world intrigues you.. But you're not quite sure about offering equine portraits, do not miss this episode with two of the world's most respected equine photographers, Emily Hancock and Hannah Freeland of Training Barn. We discussed if and how a pet photographer can also offer horse photography but then we went well and truly beyond that. We chatted about marketing and why shooting competitions was the opposite of helpful for Hannah trying to book equine portraits. We chatted safety and horse behavior. And then in the members half of this interview Emily gave us an insight into the world of creating and selling art in the traditional sense. She also shared her experience working with a marketing firm for both her portraits and her fine art work, as well as how she sells her fine art work to interior designers. Hannah shared exactly how she books great clients through referrals, and why clients would fly her to the other side of the world and pay £30k+ for portraits.WHAT WE COVERED:Can you successfully offer equine photography alongside pet photography or is it it's own niche?Why being an equine competition photographer isn't the type of exposure that helps you grow your businessSafely offering horse portraitsIN THE MEMBERS-ONLY EXTENDED EPISODETransitioning from equine portraits to equine artHiring a marketing teamWorking with an agent for art commissionsHow to find 20k clientsHow Hannah booked overseas clientsWhy clients would pay 30k+ for a photoshootIf you're a member, don't forget to use you private RSS feed to listen in your favourite podcast player. That was emailed to you from "captivate" when you first joined. Instructions here: https://thepetphotographersclub.com/rss-feed

How would you like to have repeat clients, purchasing only digitals, coming back to you multiple times per year? That's what your calendar can look like as a commercial pet photographer.Today's guest, Rowan Williams has a background in high level marketing and brand management- and today uses that knowledge to successfully offer commercial pet photography. She shared what that entails including creating briefs and pricing structures plus in the members extended episode we covered charging for dog models, the impact of Reels and Tik Tok and of course- marketing! WE COVERED:Rowan's marketing backgroundThe charity that introduced Rowan to dog photographyBriefs and getting the information for shot listsRowan's pricing structure and when she collects the fundsEXTENDED MEMBERS-ONLY EPISODE:The difference between Small business Vs Big Business as clientsSourcing and paying dog ModelsImpact of video and ReelsWhere Rowan's small business clients find herHow big business book RowanThe different options that clients needUpcoming workshopSuccessfully launch a profitable commercial pet photography offering!Get into profitable commercial pet photographyRowan is guest instructing a workshop in May to help you launch a commercial pet photography offering.If you'd love to learn step by step how to win big brands as clients, book local small businesses and understand things like usage rights and briefs.. Then this Zoom workshop is for you! Places will be strictly limited for the live workshop to ensure your questions can be answer. JOIN THE WAITLISTOTHER MENTIONED LINKS: Mayhew - The charity Rowan supportsDubsado - For client management and automating contracts / invoicesNarrative Select - For AI assisted cullingImagenAI - For AI assisted lightroom editingLink's to Pooch & Pineapple Dog Photography:Website: poochandpineapple.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/poochandpineappleInstagram: www.instagram.com/poochnpineapple

Todays guest is Chris Miller, one half of the husband-wife team behind MIL Pet Photography in the UK. He photographs 30 clients a year as his version of semi retirement and in todays episode he shared why it's worth setting up LinkedIn for your pet photography, and finding a couple of minutes a day to dedicate to the platform.WE COVERED:Working as a husband and wife teamWhy 60 images is too manyIntro in how LinkedIn is working for MILEXTENDED MEMBERS-ONLY EPISODE:Managing so many social channels How does LinkedIn even work?How Chris has reduced the time spent on Social MediaMENTIONED LINKS: LinkedIn for Photographers courseAndrew's VLOG ChallengeChris' LinkedIn post about the career changeLink's to MIL Pet Photography:Website: https://www.millersimage.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/millersimage/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millersimage/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mil_pet_photography/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MillersImagePinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/mil_pet_photography/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@milpetphotography

Today's guest, Mareike Konrad was one of Europe's first, if not the first, professional pet photographer. She started her business 12 years ago doing what most of you are doing today- selling digital only packages at unsustainable prices. She quickly realized that in order to put food on her table, something had to change. After reaching out to newborn photographers around the world to learn what worked for them, she introduced albums, wall art and other products too- and when she did- her clients thanked her!WE COVERED:Mareike's journey into pet photographyWhat Mareike offered when she first started, and why she changesHow much Mareike's clients spendEXTENDED MEMBERS-ONLY EPISODE:The exact products Mareike sells & which are the most popular Offering digitals and the client response to thatWhere Mareike's clients come fromLINK: https://mareike-konrad.de/LEARN MORE:Mareike is co-hosting an online conference for german pet photographers with Sarah Stangl! More on that here: https://mareike-konrad.de/onlinekonferenz-fuer-tierfotografen/Es wird Zeit, dass sich in der Tierfotografie endlich etwas ändert. Seit Jahren schon beobachten wir den Markt und finden talentierte Fotografen, die sich völlig unter Wert verkaufen. Menschen, die den Spaß an der Tierfotografie verlieren, weil sie sich totarbeiten, um ein geringes Einkommen zu erwirtschaften. Viele, vor allem Frauen, die aus schlechtem Gewissen, ebenso wie aus Unwissenheit viel zu viel verschenken.Gleichzeitig gibt es ein Konkurrenzdenken unter den Tierfotografen, welches es einem schwer macht seinen Traum zu verfolgen.Das soll sich jetzt ändern, dachten Sarah (Abenteuerhunde Fotografie) und Mareike (Mareike Konrad Fotografie) und riefen mit „Mutig voran!“ eine Onlinekonferenz für Tierfotografen ins Leben, in der sie sich dem Thema Preise annehmen, ganz viel Wissen zum Thema vermitteln, Erfahrungswerte einstreuen und dir zeigen, was du sofort ändern kannst, um als Tierfotograf:in faire Preise aufzurufen