Photography Xperiment Podcast

Andrew Hellmich
  • 5.0 (17)
  • MANAGEMENT

Photography business and marketing success with strategies from the pros

  1. 17/09/2021

    TPX30: Michelle Szpak – The business of motorcycle and automotive photography

    Michelle Szpak of www.szpak.co.uk has been shooting for over 15 years and specialises in motorcycle and automotive photography. Not the classifieds type of car and bike phots, what Michelle creates are special, incredibly lit art pieces for her clients. Her byline reads... Unique, passion-fuelled professional Automotive photography of your pride and joy. Creating Artwork for your Walls that last a lifetime. But it hasn't always been all about incredible images of beautiful motorcycles and fancy cars! Michelle started with the idea of being a landscape and animal photographer before moving on to portraits - that was 12 years ago. Then in 2013, she photographed her first motorcycle, and automotive photography has been the focus since. The images our guest creates are works of art that require a fantastic imagination, expert lighting skills and an understanding of composition any photographer would die for. You might be surprised at the lighting she uses to showcase the cars and bikes (examples below). Michelle shares techniques and more, including the business and sales side of her photography, in this interview.  Big thanks to ImagenAI for sponsoring and making this episode possible. If you'd love to have your post-processing after every shoot done for you – in minutes and at super affordable costs (around 5c/image) you need to take a look at ImagenAI. Here’s some of what we cover: Who are Michelle's clients How clients find Michelle's work How the lockdowns affected Michelle's business What are automotive exhibitions and why are they so good for attracting clients Why automotive photography works well in the motorcycle industry What happens during motorcycle exhibitions that make them client attraction days Generating new photos to build your portfolio Being confident and upfront when talking about your photography pricing Michelle's booking process Scouting photoshoot locations for cars and bikes Michelle's lighting process Average client spend on wall art What equipment to use for automotive photography Michelle's shooting and editing process How long it takes to photograph cars and bikes The difference between photographing cars and bikes Using Photoshop and Bridge for post-processing images Michelle's reveal process Payment process Why Michelle limits her bookings to 20-30 sessions a year Dealing with burnout when running a photography business How long it takes to edit automative photos Do you need to hide number plates when posting on social media How the pandemic became an eye-opener for Michelle Can wedding and portrait photographers with the skills charge their usual rates for automotive photography What Michelle teaches in her photography course The importance of having the right mindset for a successful business What is your big takeaway? Following this interview, I’d love to read your feedback and comments. Was there something from this interview that struck a chord, inspired or motivated you? Will you take any kind of action after hearing what Michelle had to share? I've learned to be very confident with how much I charge for this because it's a very heavy process so I'm not scared of saying the price. - Michelle Szpak Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Michelle or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below too. I look at a vehicle a bit like a boudoir photographer would look a female body. - Michelle Szpak If you understand light, you can create anything you want. - Michelle Szpak Covid forced me to realize that if I take a day off the world does not fall apart. - Michelle Szpak Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: Michelle Szpak Website Michelle Szpak on Instagram

    59 min

  2. 19/08/2021

    TPX29: Ashley Jones – Love not lost through meaningful photography

    Ashley Jones is the driving force behind Love Not Lost - an organisation supporting people in grief and helping people heal by connecting portrait photographers with families facing a terminal diagnosis. Ashley, through Love Not Lost, is on a mission to revolutionise the way we heal in grief by preserving memories for those they love - at no cost to them. Ashley and her husband have endured this same grief when they lost their beautiful daughter, Skylar. Their friends gifted them a portrait session to help preserve her memories. At the time, Ashley didn't realise how powerful these photos would become. They gave her a way to hold onto her baby girl. Big thanks to ImagenAI for sponsoring and making this episode possible. If you'd love to have your post-processing after every shoot done for you - in minutes and at super affordable costs (around 5c/image) you need to take a look at ImagenAI. Photo by Sarah Harms Here’s some of what we cover: What is Love Not Lost Misconceptions about grief How Ashley coped with the grief of losing her daughter How Ashley started her photography business How to start a non-profit organization Sourcing funds to run the non-profit Bridging the gap between people who wanted to help and the people who are suffering Finding photographers to volunteer for Love Not Lost Things to consider before sending off photographers to families The training each photographer goes through before photographing terminally ill clients The booking process Post-processing Discussing copyright Using pain to support other people Loving people better through employing diverse photographers What is your big takeaway? Following this interview, I’d love to read your feedback and comments. Was there something from this interview that struck a chord, inspired or motivated you? Will you take any kind of action after hearing what Ashley had to share? As we experience losses throughout our lives, we want people to feel loved and supported. - Ashley Jones Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Ashley or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below too. My hope with Love Not Lost is that we can kind of combat the pain cycle in the world by stepping in and really loving people even in the midst of their suffering. - Ashley Jones When we can step in and love people, that's when the healing happens. - Ashley Jones Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: Love Not Lost Website How Can I Love You Better Website Love Not Lost on Facebook Love Not Lost on Instagram Love Not Lost on Twitter Stefanie Finnemore ImagenAI - artificial intelligent photo editing for professional photographers ShootProof WPPI Expo Photo by Tessa Marie Thank you! Thanks again for listening and thanks to Ashley for coming on and experimenting with a new and different format for this photography podcast and for sharing her thoughts, expertise, views and ideas. The thing about grief is that it's just love in another form. - Ashley Jones Also, big thanks to ImagenAI for sponsoring this episode of the podcast! If you're looking for the easiest, cheapest, fastest way to replicate yourself in regards to editing your photography, you need to try this service for yourself! The real beauty of this Artificial Intelligent way of editing is it really does learn your editing style and apply it to your files - in literally seconds! It continues to learn as you develop your style, it's a fraction of the cost of outsourcing to an image editing company or training a VA from any country to do your editing. You need to try this to believe it. When I first heard about ImagenAI, I didn't think it was going to work. After the free trial, I was blown away.

  3. 22/02/2021

    401: Damon Pijlman – Survive and thrive with your photography business during the pandemic

    Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area. Damon Pijlman of www.studiodamon.com photographs weddings, portraits, families and commercial work. His Instagram bio says he's a Visual Storyteller who Documents inspiring couples worldwide. His wedding photography was voted best in the Netherlands - 2014, 2015 and 2016. He has countless awards - take one look at the images that earnt them, and I promise, you will be blown away. His work is fantastic. It was his artist and painter father who taught him to observe carefully. But it was following the Foundation Workshop in 2013 where Ben Chrisman and David Murray changed everything about wedding photography for him. I read in an interview where he was asked, what's the stupidest thing you've ever agreed to do? His reply... Setting up a Groupon beach portraits package ... After 500 sessions, he says he was ready to kill himself. In this interview, Damon shares how to survive and thrive with your photography business during the pandemic. Here's some more of what we cover in the interview: How the Groupon beach portrait package worked and almost killed Damon What Damon would do differently if given the chance to start over again Why Damon was fired from his previous photography job Overcoming self-doubt after losing his job as a photographer How Damon found his photography niche The big advantages of attending photography workshops Why Damon takes 10,000 photos on average at most weddings Where Damon is right now with his photography business Shifting to a new photography niche to cope with the pandemic How to be successful as a portrait photographer Damon's average sales from clients in different genres Must take steps after attending workshops and watching educational videos What to say on the phone when calling potential clients The best way to market new photography products without sounding too pushy How to listen and have clients share their needs to guarantee sales Why you should call family members and the full wedding entourage before shooting weddings How to become a better storyteller through your lens How Damon's gift vouchers work Using vouchers as a reason to call clients Calling clients 3-4x when they don't pick up the phone - staying persistent Scheduling portrait sessions are a must to generate clients What to say when clients say they need to consult with their family members before scheduling shoots When should you mentioning pricing and how much clients might spend The need to refine the language to deliver the right message to clients Dealing with booked wedding sessions during the pandemic Holding contests to generate more leads What people win with Damon's contests How Damon's contests work - in detail Why Damon likes photographing portraits more than weddings What Damon does daily that makes a massive difference in his life What’s on Offer for Premium Members If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this interview – the full length and more revealing version where you hear the absolute best tips and advice from every guest. If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet. Plus special member-only interviews. All you need to do is listen on the call, and just make them excited. - Damon Pijlman You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. There are also FB live video tutorials, role-play interviews and special live interviews happening in the group...

    42 min

  4. 08/11/2019

    TPX26: Scott & Erick – no more third party platforms to sell your photography

    Erick Danzer and Scott Wyden Kivowitz of www.imagely.com are two of the guys behind a new automated lab fulfilment for photographers with Wordpress websites. I asked both guys onto the podcast after reading about what could be a game-changing service for photographers who want to sell directly from their Wordpress websites. My first thought was - is this the end of services like Pixieset, Pic-time and Shoot-proof? Erick Danzer is the man behind-the-scenes at Imagely. His focus is on ensuring Imagely gives back to the photography community through the Imagely Fund and other initiatives. Scott Wyden Kivowitz who was interviewed for episode 274 of the PhotoBizX Podcast and is the Chief Community Officer at Imagely, a father, blogger, photographer and educator. He's the author of multiple photography books, and often educates photographers about WordPress via blogging and YouTube. If the idea of doing away with a third-party print and file selling solution like Pic-Time, Smugmug, Photoshelter, Zenfolio, Shootproof, Cloudspot or Pixiset sounds attractive... it'll be worth listening to what Erick and Scott have to share. Here’s some of what we cover: How automated print fulfilment works with Wordpress Images are stored by the photographer using their hosting service The importance of considering hosting storage when using Imagely Why Automated Print Fulfilment in Wordpress will not slow your website speeds How NextGEN Pro is the fastest gallery plugin for Wordpress Will hosting your own photos for sale boost your SEO? URL's to give to clients when hosting photos on your site Tracking client visits via Google Analytics or plugins Does Imagely work best for online sales or in-person sales? The capability of using different price lists and price structures with Imagely How Imagely's e-commerce system works to benefit photographers How to set up the Imagely plugin on Wordpress Using the NextGen Gallery plugin to upload and sell photos in Wordpress Modes of payments accepted when selling photos using the NextGen Pro plugin NextGen Gallery as a free Wordpress plugin Imagely pricing What are turnkey websites and who are they for? Will switching from Squarespace to Wordpress affect your onsite SEO? The challenges of migrating from Squarespace to Wordpress Why Imagely preconfigures Wordpress plugins like Yoast The need to have product excellence and good marketing to succeed today Is it more important for success to have an excellent product or a different product? Choosing between being different or being better Social media as a tool to connect with your target audience The need to semi-automate your social media posting How to semi-automate your social networking Social media as part of your lead generation process How and why to differentiate your branding What is your big takeaway? Following this interview, I’d love to read your feedback and comments. Was there something from this interview that struck a chord, inspired or motivated you? Will you take any kind of action after hearing what Scott & Erick had to share? I often think of businesses being very simple but not always easy. - Erick Danzer Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Scott & Erick or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below too. Be excellent at whatever you're doing. - Scott Wyden Kivowitz Without product excellence, you don't get off the ground. - Erick Danzer If you want to succeed, you really need just two things. You need product excellence or service excellence... then you need good marketing. - Erick Danzer Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: NextGEN Pro Pricing Comparison - compare NextGen to other photography e-commerce solutions available wit...

    1 hr

  5. 15/03/2019

    TPX25: Angie Connell – Creative photography is alive and well

    Angie Connell of www.angieconnellphotography.com.au is arguably the most creative photographer I've interviewed for the podcast. It's rare in the world of photography today to see something unique or to see a photographer creating something different from the norm. In a social media run world where we are over saturated by imagery, it feels like an impossible task to be different, to find your specialty and stand out from the crowd. At the same time, we're told to find what moves us as a person, as a photographer, an artist and focus on that. And if we do, if we let our unique voice come to the surface and shine through in our work, we will find we have no competition. We're told, do this and we'll connect with our perfect clients who will be drawn to our vision and life as a successful creator will be assured. The problem is... finding and recognising that unique voice and translating it to our work is tough. Today's guest has done exactly this. I've always tried to produce work that speaks to me and speaks to the subject and sort of infuse my humour in it. - Angie Connell Her photography is unique, it's captivating, thought-provoking, inspiring, funny, quirky and just damn good. She shoots conceptual pet photography for the quirky pet lovers in this world. She's becoming more and more recognised within the industry by her peers and I have a feeling, she will become known around the world if she continues to produce the work she has been. I'm talking about Angie Connell and I'm rapt to have her with us now. Angie, welcome! A big thanks to The Image Salon for sponsoring this episode of the podcast and making the show possible. If outsourcing your editing is something you're currently doing or considering, please put the guys at The Image Salon to the test… I think you'll be blown away! They service some of the biggest names in the industry including Fer Juaristi, Two Mann Studios, Gabe McClintock and Edwina Robertson to name a few.   Here’s some of what we cover: How Angie describes her niche to people Using digital reworking to capture quirky images of pets Angie's thought process when conceptualizing her pet photo sessions Does Angie consider herself an artist or a photographer? How Angie measures failure or success in her personal work Angie and her struggles with perfectionism on the images she creates How Angie deals with people who don't appreciate her work Angie's driving force behind the images she produces Angie's clientele and how she sells her work Is Angie making a living shooting her style of photography? Discovering the balance to sustain your regular job while doing your photography Why becoming a full-time photographer is not necessary if you only want to be seen The stigma associated with part-time and full-time photographers What clients get from Angie's $495 creative fee pet portraits session Angie's workflow when booking a shoot with her clients How much Angie charges for editing The most common size clients order for their walls Handing out questionnaires to clients when coming up with a photo shoot concept How long it takes for Angie to finish the final artwork Pricing and the add-ons that clients receive When does Angie do the price reveal? How Angie's peers reacted to her photography style and the feedback she got How Angie accidentally stumbled upon her niche How Angie dealt with the negative response when choosing photography over nursing Why pet photography is a viable business Where Angie gets her inspiration to come up with unique concepts What Angie does first when working on a new shoot The difference with doing commissioned work for a client vs creating your own art Why Angie stresses the importance of getting her commissioned works right and communicating that story Does Angie feel she is a success? What is your big takeaway?

    1 hr

  6. 10/11/2018

    Audio Diary 7 – Glasgow Wedding and Portrait Photographer Lawrence Scott

    Lawrence Scott of www.lspix.co.uk agreed to record this interview while driving from Glasgow to Edinburgh to go see the Castle and catch up with a bunch of Scotish photographers in one of their most beautiful cities. On the drive, it was difficult to talk business with so many stories from Lawrence about his early days as a crime photographer - some of which you'll hear in this episode. We did get around to some photography business, life as a photographer based in Scotland, family, bookings, sales and more. I hope you enjoy the conversation/interview as much as I did when recording it. Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: Lawrence's Website Lawrence's Facebook Page Lawrence on Instagram Follow up Questions for Dan Thanks again for listening and big thanks to Dan for allowing me to record this interview at a moments notice and not running up the back of the track while trying to answer my questions with your full attention. If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post! That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business! Thanks and speak soon Andrew

    31 min

  7. 13/10/2018

    Audio Diary 6 – Peterborough Portrait and Wedding Photographer Dan Waters

    Dan Waters of www.danwaterscreative.com and www.getprophotoclub.com agreed to record this interview while driving fr0m Peterborough to Cambridge for me to play tourist for a day and for Dan to reminisce and play tour guide to the university town he grew up in. Once we got past the topic of Bobby, his incredibly loved dog who lives a life better than most children, we moved on to business and life as a photographer in Peterborough. In the conversation, Dan shares his ideals on time management, living a life worth living and how he's been able to achieve such a wonderful balance by not being a slave to the clock and curating his business to fit around his life. Interestingly, Dan was super shy as a youngster and has overcome that - not that you'd ever know listening to him today. Hearing this, it became a topic I focused on, along with wedding and portrait photography business, networking, the laughing club, his man-kind project and what it's like to be the world's most helpful photographer. Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: Dan's Website Dan's Facebook Page Dan on Instagram Dan's interview on PhotoBizX Dan's PREMIUM interview on PhotoBizX Get Pro Photo Club Follow up Questions for Dan Thanks again for listening and big thanks to Dan for allowing me to record this interview at a moments notice and not running up the back of the track while trying to answer my questions with your full attention. If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post! That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business! Thanks and speak soon Andrew

    36 min

  8. 24/09/2018

    Audio Diary 5 – London Documentary Wedding Photographer Mark Seymour

    Mark Seymour of www.markseymourphotography.co.uk hosted an industry dinner that coincided with my time in London and I was lucky enough to be invited along. There were photographers, high-end function coordinators, a photography business coach, an album company representative, a wedding marketing startup sales person and an incredible meal hosted by Mark and Karen at their lovely home. The idea of these dinners/get-togethers (this is the second time Mark has hosted a dinner like this) is to network, make friends and meet other professionals from within the industry on a more personal and relaxed level than something like a conference or workshop. And what a success it was! In this candid interview, recorded the morning after the dinner while walking through Mark's home, admiring his collection of photography, which includes an original Henri Cartier Bresson, and his library of photography books, Mark opens up and shares his thoughts on wedding and street photography, workshops, the dinner, making it as a photographer in today's market, collecting photography, the learning curve and so much more. I hope you get as much from this interview as I did in recording it. My other hope is you come away from this episode with ideas of your own to meet and mingle with other professionals in your area and see what these relaxed gatherings can do to enhance both your life, knowledge, business and love of photography and what you do. Mark with an original book by Henri Cartier Bresson. He also owns the reprinted version which is a fantastic copy but this along with the framed print in his home are the pride and joy. Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode: Mark's Website Mark's Facebook Page Mark on Twitter Mark on Instagram Mark's interview on PhotoBizX Mark's PREMIUM interview on PhotoBizX A taste of Mark's impressive and beautiful print and book collection. Follow up Questions for Mark Thanks again for listening and big thanks to Mark for allowing me to record this short interview at a moments notice. If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post! That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business! Thanks and speak soon Andrew

    54 min
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Photography business and marketing success with strategies from the pros

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew Hellmich
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2021
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    Copyright © Photo Biz Xposed
  • Show Website
    Photography Xperiment Podcast

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