Take It Personally

Maddie Peschong
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  • Marketing
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Take It Personally, hosted by professional brand photographer Maddie Peschong, shares advice to help you grow your personal brand to stand out from the noise and thrive, even in the most saturated markets. Episodes feature business and marketing advice, branding expertise, and real stories and inspiration from creative professionals all over the world.

  1. 21 hrs ago

    What No One Tells You About Being a Brand Photographer

    At the risk of sounding incredibly cheesy... brand photography is truly my dream. I genuinely can't imagine doing anything else. But here's the thing: there are a lot of parts of building a profitable brand photography business that nobody really talks about. In this episode, I'm sharing the lessons I wish someone would've told me sooner. Because being a talented photographer and running a profitable business are two completely different skill sets. We'll talk about why the camera is actually a small part of your job, what really creates clients who rebook and refer, and why your systems matter so much more than being "naturally talented." If you've ever felt like the business side is harder than the photography side, this one's for you. We're talking: Why being a great photographer isn't enough to build a profitable businessThe strategy before the shoot (and the delivery after) that clients actually rememberTeaching clients the value of brand photographyWhy pricing isn't based on your gear or hoursTurning your delivery process into a marketing momentBuilding repeatable systems that create referrals and rebookings Links & Resources: 📸 Behind the Shot is 50% off! Learn how to price, plan, shoot, and deliver portfolio-building brand sessions, plus get access to Portfolio Payday (new!), Summer School live coaching calls, and a $500 credit toward Rebrand if you join that program in the fall. Sign up by July 2 to get the bonuses and BTS for under $500: maddiepeschong.com/behindtheshot💬 Questions or episode ideas? DM me on Instagram!📝 Blog: More tips and tools to grow your personal brand photography business Let's Connect: Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschong If you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear.🎙️✨

    20 min

  2. 22 hrs ago

    The Difference Between a Pretty Shoot and a Profitable One

    Before I started shooting brand photography, I had this really idealistic picture in my mind of what it could look like. Beautiful sessions, incredible clients, and helping businesses grow. And while all of that is true... nobody tells you that creating beautiful photos and running a profitable brand photography business are two completely different skills. In this episode, we're talking about everything that happens outside of clicking the shutter. From pricing and client education to portfolio strategy and delivering galleries that actually lead to referrals, this is the side of brand photography that can completely change your business. If you've ever felt like you're creating great work but still struggling to build consistent momentum, this episode is for you. We’re talking: Why the actual photoshoot is only about 20% of the jobPricing for outcomes instead of hours or gearTeaching clients the value of brand photographyTurning gallery delivery into marketing momentumBuilding a portfolio that attracts the work you actually wantWhy profitable photographers rely on systems—not talent Links & Resources: 📸 Join Behind The Shot: learn to price, plan, shoot, and deliver brand sessions that build your portfolio and grow your business. During this launch, you'll also get 50% off, access to the new Portfolio Payday mini-training, and live Summer Sprint coaching calls! Learn more at maddiepeschong.com/behindtheshot💬 Questions or episode ideas? DM me on Instagram!📝 Blog: More tips and tools to grow your personal brand photography business Let's Connect: Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschong If you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear.🎙️✨

    12 min

  3. 18 June

    Your Beautiful Photos Aren't Booking Clients

    What if I told you your brand photos can be genuinely beautiful, stunning photos that you're proud of... and still completely fail your client? I know. That's a rough open. 😅 But it's also one of the biggest mistakes I see photographers make. Because pretty photos aren't actually what clients are buying. They're buying outcomes and transformation. And when a gallery is full of beautiful images that don't help move a business forward, everyone loses. The client doesn't get the ROI they hoped for, and you miss out on referrals, repeat bookings, and the kind of reputation that keeps your calendar full. In this episode, we're talking about the difference between photos that are simply pretty and photos that are profitable. I'll share the mindset shift that completely changed the way I approach brand sessions, why strategy matters more than ever in 2026, and how to create images that actually get used long after the gallery is delivered. We're talking: Why pretty photos are the bare minimum in brand photographyThe real reason clients invest in a brand sessionSigns your galleries aren't creating ROIHow to make sure every image has a job to doThe conversation that completely changed my businessWhy strategy is the new premium differentiator Links & Resources 💻 Join my free Sessions That Sell masterclass on June 25th at noon Central: maddiepeschong.com/masterclass💻 Get coached inside Rebrand, my program for photographers who want to build a more strategic, profitable brand photography business💬 Questions or episode ideas? DM me on Instagram!📝 Blog: More tips and tools to grow your personal brand photography business Let's Connect: Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschong If you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear.🎙️✨

    17 min

  4. 11 June

    The Brand Photography Client You’re Probably Avoiding

    If you've ever had a potential client tell you, “I don't even know what we would shoot,” because they sit at a computer all day, this episode is for you. It's also for the photographers who secretly aren't sure what they'd do with a lawyer, accountant, banker, or coach on their calendar. The truth is, these are some of the most overlooked brand photography clients out there, and they often need brand photography more than anyone! In this episode, I'm sharing why photographers are sleeping on these businesses, how to stop relying on laptops and headshots, and what it really takes to create strategic brand sessions for clients whose work lives mostly inside their brain. We're talking: • Why “boring” businesses are actually incredible brand photography clients • The huge mistake photographers make when marketing their services • Moving beyond headshots, laptops, and office photos • How to uncover visual storytelling ideas through discovery calls • Translating abstract concepts like growth, communication, and leadership into imagery • Becoming a strategic partner instead of “just” a photographer Links & Resources 💻 Join my free Sessions That Sell masterclass on June 25th at noon Central: maddiepeschong.com/masterclass💬 Questions or episode ideas? DM me on Instagram!📝 Blog: More tips and tools to grow your personal brand photography business Let's Connect: Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschong If you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear.🎙️✨

    16 min

  5. 4 June

    The Questions That Make Clients Choose You

    What if I told you that the reason a client chooses you over another photographer has nothing to do with your portfolio, and everything to do with the questions you ask? In this episode, we're diving into one of the most underrated tools in your brand photography business: the discovery call. Most photographers treat it like a quick formality before booking, but I see it as one of the most powerful sales and positioning tools you have.The inquiry process isn't separate from the client experience—it is the client experience! When done well, a discovery call builds trust, uncovers what your client actually needs, and makes it a whole lot easier for them to say yes. We're talking: • Why the discovery call is part of the client experience • Questions that shift you from photographer to strategic partner • Helping clients clarify goals before they invest • Identifying marketing gaps and creating stronger ROI • Red flags to watch for before a client books • How asking better questions can increase your booking rate Links & Resources 💻 Join my free Sessions That Sell masterclass on June 25th at noon Central: maddiepeschong.com/masterclass💬 Questions or episode ideas? DM me on Instagram!📝 Blog: More tips and tools to grow your personal brand photography business Let's Connect: Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschong If you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear.🎙️✨

    19 min

  6. 28 May

    The Best Marketing You're Overlooking

    Everybody wants to talk about how to get more clients. Hi, same. But what if your biggest growth lever actually isn’t your marketing? What if the thing you’re overlooking is what happens after someone books you? In this episode, I’m talking about why your client experience might actually be your best marketing strategy — and why the clients currently in front of your lens are probably the reason your next clients will book you. Because yes, your branding and marketing matter. But if your process isn’t creating raving fans, referrals, reviews, and return clients… you’re pouring into a leaky bucket. We’re diving into how to create a brand photography experience people genuinely cannot stop talking about — from inquiry to delivery — and how small, strategic shifts can completely change the way clients see you (and sell you to everyone they know). We’re talking: Why referrals + return clients are still your best leadsStrategic discovery call questions that instantly position you as the expertTurning “non-visual” businesses into purposeful brand imageryCreating an on-set experience clients rave about later at happy hourWhy client comfort matters just as much as the photosUnderpromising, overdelivering, and building repeat business naturally Links & Resources 💻 Join my free Sessions That Sell masterclass on June 25th at noon Central: maddiepeschong.com/masterclass💬 Questions or episode ideas? DM me on Instagram!📝 Blog: More tips and tools to grow your personal brand photography business Let's Connect: Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschong If you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear.🎙️✨

    20 min

  7. 21 May

    You’re Not Losing to AI. You’re Losing to Boring Marketing

    AI is getting better. Like…a lot better. If you’ve been side-eyeing AI headshots lately wondering what this means for photographers, you’re definitely not alone. In this episode, I’m sharing why I don’t actually think photographers are losing to AI - I think they’re losing to boring marketing. Here’s the thing: if all you’re selling is a gallery of images, yes, that’s going to become easier to replace. But brand photography was never just about the photos. It’s about the confidence shift, the visibility, the experience, the strategy, and the way your clients feel when they finally see themselves as the expert they already are. We’re talking: Why “book a headshot session” marketing isn’t working anymoreThe difference between selling deliverables vs. transformationWhat AI can replicate - and what it absolutely cannotWhy client experience matters more than everHow to create marketing that feels like you’re “inside your client’s head”Why case studies and behind-the-scenes content are more powerful than photo dumps Links & Resources 💫 Join the waitlist for my upcoming summer offer focused on building strategic brand sessions and stronger client transformation💻 Get coached in Rebrand, my 12 month program for photographers ready to book more brand photography clients (and get access to Rebecca - a customGPT to help with content!)📝 Blog: More tips and tools to grow your personal brand photography business🔄 Learn about the Vicious Visibility Cycle (Apple podcast; blog)💬 Questions or episode ideas? DM me on Instagram! Let's Connect: Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschong If you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear.🎙️✨

    16 min

  8. 14 May

    Ghosted by Clients: Fix Your Process Now

    Getting ghosted by potential clients? I’m here to tell you what you likely don’t want to hear: it’s (probably) not your pricing. 👀 In this episode, I’m breaking down why photographers immediately blame their rates when inquiries go cold, and why the real issue is usually hiding somewhere in your process instead. From slow inquiry responses to confusing proposals to discovery calls with zero direction, we walk through the exact spots where clients are quietly dropping off (and how to fix them). If you’ve ever spiraled after a client disappeared, convinced yourself your prices are “too expensive,” or felt personally victimized by a no-response email…this one’s for you. Getting ghosted is frustrating, but it’s also fixable. We’re talking: • Why pricing usually isn’t the real problem • “Speed equals sales” and what that actually means • The biggest mistakes photographers make in inquiry emails • Why vibes are not a closing strategy 😅 • How to lead discovery calls like an expert • The problem with “Cheesecake Factory menu” pricing guides Links & Resources ✨Join Behind the Shot - my self-paced course for brand photographers who want to confidently plan, shoot, and deliver brand sessions that get results—for their clients and for their business. Learn more here!📸 Session Guide: plug-and-play system to plan scroll-stopping sessions that actually get your client results (customizable Canva doc!)📝 Blog: Discover more branding tips and marketing tools to grow your brand photography business💬 Episode ideas?! Connect with me on Instagram! Let’s Connect: Website: maddiepeschong.comInstagram: @maddiepeschong If you loved this episode, leave a review! It helps other photographers find the show and keeps us creating content you actually want to hear. 🎙️✨

    18 min
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About

Take It Personally, hosted by professional brand photographer Maddie Peschong, shares advice to help you grow your personal brand to stand out from the noise and thrive, even in the most saturated markets. Episodes feature business and marketing advice, branding expertise, and real stories and inspiration from creative professionals all over the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Maddie Peschong
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    222
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Maddie Peschong
  • Show Website
    Take It Personally

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