Freedom Focus Photography - previously the Hair of the Dog Podcast Nicole Begley

240 - In today's episode, we're diving into the realm of marketing automation and its incredible benefits for photographers. Whether you're juggling multiple roles in your business or looking for effective ways to streamline your marketing efforts, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice.
Joining us is special guest Dayna Schaaf, a marketing guru from "This Can't Be That Hard," who brings a wealth of knowledge on using tools like ManyChat to enhance client interaction without losing that personal touch for our social media. 

We’ll discuss the indispensable power of having an email list, provide simple steps to keep your marketing efforts consistent and effective, and share tailored advice for introverts who want to maximize their social media impact without stepping out of their comfort zone.

Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, these insights will help you attract and retain clients more efficiently while keeping your marketing game strong and stress-free. Get ready to transform the way you engage with your audience and set your photography business up for success!


What To Listen For:
The Power of an Email List: Discover why having an email list is crucial for photographers and how it can be more reliable than social media platforms.Simple Steps to Effective Marketing: Uncover practical tips for photographers to manage their marketing efforts without feeling overwhelmed, focusing on key actions that bring results.Leveraging Social Media: Insights on how to use social media effectively to attract and retain a photography clientele, even for introverts who prefer minimal social interaction.Marketing for Introverts: Tailored advice for photographers who are introverts, emphasizing how to handle social media and client interactions comfortably.Utilizing MiniChat for Client Interaction: Explore how MiniChat can be used to automate and personalize client interactions without making it feel robotic or impersonal.

Connect with Dayna Schaaf:
Free ManyChat Training for PhotographersInstagramConsistency ClubThis Can't Be That Hard Website 

Resources From This Episode:
ManyChat TrainingHair of the Dog Academy Elevate Coaching Program

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

239 - Welcome back to the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast! As emerging photographers, many of you might be grappling with the question: "Am I ready to start charging for my services?" 


It's a hurdle that every new photographer faces at some point. You might feel like your skills aren't polished enough or your portfolio isn't vast enough to justify setting a price. Perhaps there's a lingering doubt whether your business structure is comprehensive enough to start accepting payments. 


Today, we're diving deep into these insecurities. We'll debunk the myth that you need to be perfect to start charging, explore how to recognize the value you already offer, and discuss how to gauge market response to your pricing. Our goal is to equip you with the confidence to move past self-doubt and start building a profitable photography business, step by step.

What To Listen For:


The Myth of 'Not Good Enough': How to challenge the common fear that your skills or portfolio aren't ready for the market.Recognizing Your Value: Understanding that charging for your work isn't about perfection, but about the value you're providing right now.Market Response: Discovering that market acceptance is a more accurate indicator of readiness to charge than personal doubt.Setting Initial Prices: Insights into setting your initial pricing based on your current skill level and market standards.Overcoming Self-Doubt: Strategies for moving past the feeling that you're not experienced enough to start charging for your services.

Resources From This Episode:
Hair of the Dog Academy Elevate Coaching ProgramJOIN THE PARTY:
Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

238 - Welcome back to the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast! In this episode, we're continuing our exploration of the common excuses photographers make that stall their progress. 

Heather Lahtinen joins us once again as we call BS on these all-too-familiar myths. Whether it’s the size of your audience, your personal skills in sales, or misconceptions about what clients value, we’re here to break down these barriers. 

Join us as we tackle more of these limiting beliefs, empowering you to push past the excuses and thrive in your photography business. Let’s dive in and debunk these myths together!

What To Listen For:


1. I need a bigger audience first: Debunking the myth that success is solely dependent on having a large following or email list before you can effectively market your services.

2. I'm not good at sales and marketing: Challenging the belief that you are inherently bad at sales or marketing, emphasizing that these are skills that can be learned and improved with practice and education.

3. Clients only care about digital files, not prints or albums: Addressing the misconception that clients are only interested in digital products and showing how diverse client preferences can be, including a demand for physical products like prints and albums.

4. I just need to find the right marketing trick: Dispelling the notion that there is a single, magical marketing trick that will solve all business challenges, encouraging a more holistic and consistent approach to marketing strategies.

5. I need to perfect my skills before I can charge more (or at all): Overcoming the belief that you need to reach a level of perfection in your skills before you can justify charging appropriately for your services. This myth will be discussed in more detail in the next episode.


Resources From This Episode:
Hair of the Dog Academy Elevate Coaching ProgramConnect with Heather
Flourish AcademyFlourish Academy on FBFlourish Academy on IGJOIN THE PARTY:
Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

237 - Welcome back to the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of running a successful photography business! 

Today, Nicole Begley and our mostly-co-host, Heather Lahtinen, tackle the tricky terrain of photography pricing and those stubborn beliefs that just might be holding your business back.

 Ever whispered to yourself, "That strategy won't work for my photography business," or felt your heart race at the thought of adjusting your pricing? You're not alone. 
We're here to challenge those thoughts head-on, from debunking market myths to navigating the anxiety around photography pricing. 

This episode is all about embracing your unique path, standing confidently by your pricing structure, and infusing a bit more joy into your photography business journey. So, settle in and let's unravel these common photography business conundrums together!


What To Listen For:
Redefining Market Boundaries: "That won't work in my market" is a common refrain by photographers and one that we think is absolutely detrimental to your business. 
The Price Perception Puzzle: Ever consider that high prices might actually be attracting clients rather than deterring them?
Embracing Your Unique Path: No matter how crowded the market may seem - there’s always room for your unique and authentic path. 
Navigating the Fear of High Prices: Does the thought of raising your prices give you heart palpatations?  We’ll reveal strategies to help you confidently stand by your pricing structure.
The Power of Reframing Thoughts: Figuring out what thoughts aren’t serving you are only part of the problem - now we need to learn how to reframe them.

Resources From This Episode:
Hair of the Dog Academy Elevate Coaching ProgramWatch the podcast on Youtube!
JOIN THE PARTY:
Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

236 - This episode of the Freedom Focus Photography podcast, hosted by Heather Lahtinen, delves into the "Offline Photographer Challenge" introduced in episode 219. The challenge is part of the Elevate program, designed to help photographers enhance their in-person marketing strategies by engaging with their local community. Heather invites Laura Wombwell to share her experiences and insights on expanding marketing efforts through building relationships with other photographers.


The conversation highlights the formation of the Southwestern Ontario Pet Photographer Group, initiated by Laura during the pandemic. This group aimed to create a supportive community where photographers could share referrals, resources, and knowledge. Laura discusses the benefits of this network, including client referrals, shared educational events, and a collective marketing reach that educates the community about pet photography.


What To Listen For:
Community Over Competition: Discover how Laura's initiative to create a Southwestern Ontario Pet Photographer Group transformed the competitive landscape into a supportive community, promoting growth and collaboration among local photographers.The Referral Ecosystem: Unveil the power of referrals within a photographer network and how it can lead to mutual growth, better client matches, and an enriched photography community.Navigating Client Fit: Examine the strategy of referring clients to fellow photographers when they are not the best fit for you, ensuring client satisfaction and maintaining professional integrity.Setting Standards: Delve into the criteria for group membership, such as requiring business insurance and tax compliance, to maintain professionalism and trust within the community.Avoiding Negativity: Understand the group's approach to maintaining a positive and supportive environment, steering clear of client complaints and industry gossip to foster a healthy community dynamic.
The episode explores the importance of mindset, emphasizing community over competition, and the positive impacts of transparency, diversity, and professionalism within the photographer network. It encourages listeners to take on the challenge of networking with other photographers, not just for referrals and business growth but also for personal development and community building.

Connect with Heather
Flourish AcademyFlourish Academy on FBFlourish Academy on IG
Connect with Laura
Laura Wombwell Photography Laura Wombwell Photography on IG Laura Wombwell Photography on FB

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

235 - Heather Lahtinen has been a regular guest on the Freedom Focus Photography podcast, bringing her insights and experiences to our vibrant community of photographers. 

But today's episode unveils a side of Heather we've never seen before - a side that she used to keep hidden. 

In a candid and transformative conversation, Heather steps into the hot seat not just to share her expertise, but to explore her inner world with the guidance of Michelle Crandall, affectionately known as "The People's Coach” in Elevate. 

Brace yourself for a deep dive into 'Dark Heather' and the enlightening journey towards embracing all facets of one's self.
What To Listen For:


1. The Unveiling of 'Dark Heather': Discover the transformative power of acknowledging and embracing the less polished sides of our personalities.
2. Michelle Crandall's Insightful Coaching: How "The People's Coach" approaches common struggles with self-doubt and negative self-talk, offering a new perspective.
3. A Compliment That Sparks a Journey: A simple interaction at the chiropractor's office leads Heather down a path of self-discovery and reflection on her public versus private self.
4. The Thanksgiving Table of Self: A visualization technique that helps integrate all aspects of one's personality, even those we're tempted to hide.
5. Confronting the Fear of Misjudgment: Tackling the anxiety around how others perceive us and the desire to control those perceptions.
Join us on this enlightening journey as Heather and Michelle delve into the intricacies of personal development and self-acceptance, offering valuable insights not just for photographers, but for anyone that happens to be human.

Connect with Heather 
Flourish AcademyFlourish Academy on IGConnect with Michelle
Pets in FocusPets in Focus on IG Pets in Focus on FB

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