Photography Breakthrough System

Matthew Jordan Smith

Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast, the place where burnt out photographers come back to life. Where fear gets replaced with confidence and where your gift finally starts working for you, not against you.

  1. 5日前

    Episode 28 - The Real Reason You're Undercharging (And Why Clients Feel It)

    The Real Reason You’re Undercharging (And Why Clients Feel It) Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. Today's episode is going to hit home for a lot of photographers. Why do I say this? Because I hear about this issue all the time. I actually see it all the time and every time I do, my heart sinks. Today we're going to dive deep. You are not charging enough for your photography. And clients, they feel it first and foremost. Undercharging is not being generous. It's confusing. And clients can feel it. They know you paid a lot for your camera and your lights and your gear. In their head, they're adding everything up and it just doesn't add up. Now pricing. It's not math, it's emotional truth. You see, when you undercharge, you are quietly saying. Please, please don't expect too much from me and clients hear that loud and clear. So here's. Here's what's really happening. You don't fully trust the impact of your work. Not yet anyway, so you soften your price to reduce the risk of being seen. But clients, they don't want cheap reassurance. They want confident containment. There just needs to be one shift instead. Of justifying your price, anchor your price to outcome. Say something like this. This experience is designed so you never feel awkward, rushed, or unsure of how you look. That's not you being arrogant as a photographer. That's clarity for your client. When you are confident, clients feel that as well. Maybe you are wondering what that looks like when a client feels confident and you feel confident. I had one client who's passed away, but she was very confident from the start. I'm talking about Aretha Franklin. The soul singer with the voice that we will all remember forever. Aretha Franklin was a very confident woman and she only wanted confident photographers working with her. My price, it showed confidence. And it showed her that this is the person for me. If you want to see that for yourself, not just see the pictures, but look deeper on the client side and the photographer side and see what that does for you. You can get your signed copy of Aretha Cool right now by going to arethacool.com. That's the only place where you can get a signed copy of the book. When you get your copy, take a deep look deeper into the pictures, deeper into the images, so you can see what embodied confidence actually looks like in creative work. That confidence carried us through for 13 years up until the time she passed away, but she's not the only one. For over 30 years, I've been shooting clients in a confident way and charging a price to match, and you can do the same. When you're confident about your price, your clients feel it. But it starts first with you. Stop giving your work away. Undercharging is not being generous. Every shoot you do is wear and tear on your gear. Eventually, you'll have to upgrade. How can you do that when you give your work away for pennies? It doesn't add up. Stay with me, we're gonna work to improve your confidence. So you can charge what you are worth. And when you do, your clients will see it. And yes, they'll pay what you are worth. If this reframed pricing for you, do me a favor and leave a five star review. And then send it to your friends who you know, who are also undercharging. It is time to thrive and charge what you're worth. All right, everyone. Have a wonderful rest of your day or evening. I look forward to seeing you again this time next week on the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. I'm your host, Matthew Jordan Smith. Bye for now.

    6分
  2. 2月1日

    Episode 27 - Why Clients Aren't Booking You

    Why Clients Aren't Booking You Hello everyone and welcome back to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. I'm your host, Matthew Jordan Smith. Today we're going to talk about something that hurts, but in a clarifying way. Why clients aren't booking you. Many of you know what that feels like. And I want to say this slowly, because most of you have already decided the wrong answer. It's probably not your photos. If your work is strong, but your calendar is empty, this episode is just for you. And if part of you is wondering, is it me, I want you to stay with me today. Because what's missing is not your talent, it's not your effort. You are working hard. It's not visibility, it's certainty. If you didn't know this, let me be the first to say it. Clients are not hiring images. They're hiring how they expect to feel when they work with you. Yes, your photos made them stop scrolling. If they didn't, they wouldn't even be here. That pause, that's proof. You're talented. So if they paused, if they looked, if they clicked and still didn't book, then the question they were asking wasn't, is this photographer good? They already know you're good. The real question was, will I feel taken care of here by this photographer? And that's where most photographers lose them. We live in a time where good photography is everywhere. Now, that doesn't make your work less valuable, but it does change what clients need in order to choose. When someone lands on your website or your Instagram today, they're not relaxed, they're anxious. They're wondering, will I look awkward? Will I hate my photos? Will I feel exposed in some way? Will this be at all uncomfortable? And here's the part that matters. If your language doesn't answer those fears clearly, then they move on. Not because you failed, but because no one made them feel safe yet. Now let's talk about the way photographers talk, because this is where self trust leaks. If I hear one more photographer say, I just love capturing moments. I'm passionate about people. I offer lifestyle sessions. I already know why clients are hesitating. That language isn't wrong, but it's insider language. It's how photographers talk to other photographers, and yes, it's how we've been taught. You hear it at photo conferences and workshops, but get this. Clients don't book insider language. They book decisive leadership. Vague language, even when it sounds poetic, feels like uncertainty to someone who's already nervous. Here's my coaching moment. When you hide behind general, safe, familiar photography language, you're not being humble. You are avoiding the risk of being specific. Because being specific says, this is what I do, this is who I help. This is the result you expect. And that level of clarity requires self trust on your part. So here's the shift I'd like for you to make starting today. Stop talking about what you love. Start talking about what you solve. That's what clients want to hear. Of course you love photography. We all do. You should, but your client isn't hiring your love. They're hiring relief. Here's an example that changes everything. I help people who hate being photographed finally see themselves with pride. That one sentence does more than ten beautiful images. Why? Because it uses their language, not photo language. I'm telling you all of this from experience. The first time I photographed Samuel L. Jackson, the very first thing he said to me was this, I hate taking pictures. Imagine that. He told me it felt like standing naked in front of lights with no lines to say. Awkward. Exposed. Uncomfortable. Now listen closely. That's not celebrity language. That's human language. Maybe one of your clients has said something similar to you. I hate photos. I feel awkward. I don't know how to pose. I never like pictures of myself. If they're already telling you the problem, why aren't you reflecting it back in your message? You see, when a client reads, I help people who hate being photographed, their nervous system relaxes. They think, oh, this person sees me. They understand me. And once someone feels seen, they're far more willing to trust. This is not louder marketing. It's braver language. Here's a hint most photographers miss. Your clients are telling you how to market to them. Every single session, when you listen deeply and mirror their words back to them, you create alignment. That's how you build long term relationships, long term clients. That's how you get repeat work, and that's how you create careers like the one I had photographing Aretha Franklin for 13 years, Vanessa Williams, Tyra Banks, Samuel L. Jackson, Oprah Winfrey for decades. I didn't guess what any of them needed. I listened and then I led. Stop talking about pretty pictures. Pretty pictures are assumed. That's the baseline. The real question is what do you provide beyond the image? How do you guide people? How do you protect them emotionally? How do you help them feel different when they leave? That's what clients are paying for, even if they don't say it out loud. When I created my last book, Aretha. Cool., the idea wasn't just to make a photography book. It is a record of what happens when you trust. Listening, leadership, and presence come together over time. All the original books on Amazon, they're all gone. There are now only original signed copies left, and you can only find them on ArethaCool.com in the US and in Japan. And yes, you heard me right. Every copy is hand signed because this work deserves intention. Today, let me leave you with this. You are not unbooked because you lack talent. You are unbooked because your message hasn't caught up with your ability yet. And that's good news, because messaging, that can change and change quickly. So listen to your clients. Listen to your potential clients. Use their words, lead with certainty, and stop hiding behind pretty pictures. Your work matters, but your clarity. That's what leads people to choose you. If this episode helps something click for you, leave a five star review. It helps photographers who are stuck find this message sooner. Share this episode with one photographer who keeps blaming the algorithm when what they really need is clearer language. I look forward to seeing you all next week, right back here on the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. Until then, live bravely and trust yourself a little more than you did yesterday. Bye for now.

    11分
  3. 1月25日

    Episode 26 - When You Forget Why You Started, Listen to This

    When You Forget Why You Started, Listen to This Hello my friends and welcome back to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. I’m Matthew, and today’s episode is a little different. It’s not about strategy. It’s not about booking more clients, although everything we’re talking about today will help with that in the long run. Today, it’s for your heart, because I know that being a photographer isn’t just a job for you. It’s not just about making money, although yes, you deserve to be paid well. But somewhere deep down, photography became part of how you understand the world, how you see people, how you feel connected to something bigger. And when the bookings slow down, when the algorithm isn’t your friend, when you’re comparing yourself to everyone else who seems to be doing better, it’s easy to forget why you picked up the camera in the first place. So, let’s get real for a second. Let me ask you something. When was the last time you took pictures just for you? Not for the gram. Not for a paying client. Not for your portfolio. Just because something moved you. Because light hit someone’s face in a way that made your heart skip. Because your gut said, capture this. If it’s been a while, you are not alone. A lot of photographers go through seasons of burnout, creative exhaustion, quiet resentment. We give everything to our clients. We show up with energy. We edit into the wee hours of the night, and slowly we forget to feed the artist inside us. But here’s the truth. You can’t pour magic into your client work if you’re bone dry inside. You have to shoot for your soul. You have to make images for you. Isn’t that why you picked up the camera in the first place? In the very beginning it was for you. So today, I want to help you come back to that spark. Let’s go back to the beginning. Do me a favor, close your eyes, unless you’re driving of course, or in the gym on the treadmill. But if you get a moment, find the time and close your eyes and imagine this. You are holding your very first camera. It’s clunky. You don’t know what you’re doing, but you feel something. The possibility. The idea that you can freeze time. That you can show someone how beautiful they really are. You’re not thinking about pricing or marketing or email funnels or any of the business stuff. You just love photography. You are thinking, wow, I get to do this. That feeling is your anchor. That’s your breakthrough. Not just as a photography business owner, but as an artist. You didn’t choose photography just to pay the bills. You chose it because something in you knew this is how I show love to the world. That feeling needs to be protected. I want you to understand something. The soul work is the real work. What if I told you that the most profitable thing you can do this week was to plan a shoot just for you? No rules. No pressure. Just art. Maybe it’s photographing your aging parents. Maybe it’s photographing your siblings. Maybe it’s photographing you doing something you do every day, but you’ve never taken a picture of that moment, like drinking your first glass of water or brushing your teeth. A self-portrait of you doing what you do every single day, but make it fun, just for you. Maybe it’s capturing a picture of a friend the way you see them. Not for them, but for you. Or maybe it’s really just a real self-portrait, yes, even if that terrifies you. Or maybe it’s a stranger on the street, or a dancer, a poet, a farmer, whoever lights you up. Now, there are some rules to this. Don’t shoot this for social media. Shoot it just for your spirit. Because when you feel, your work feels. And when your work feels, it connects. That’s what builds word of mouth. That’s what clients remember. That’s what sets you apart. So what does that look like? Recently, at the end of the month last year, I was on a trip. It was my first trip ever to Africa, to Kenya. It’s the end of the day. We’re out on the savannah and the sun is setting. I’ve seen a million beautiful sunsets in my life, but my first sunset in Africa, in Kenya, was the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen in my life. I am not kidding. I have never seen a sunset quite like this. I was frozen. It spoke to my soul. Moments like that are just for you, and they remind you why you picked up the camera in the first place. Those moments connect with your soul. Your soul work is what builds word of mouth. That’s what clients remember. That’s what sets you apart. So please don’t think shooting for yourself, shooting for your soul, is selfish. It’s essential maintenance. It is essential maintenance for a photographer who wants longevity. If you are in a rough season right now, I want you to know this is not the end of your story. You are not behind. You are not failing. You are becoming. Every great artist I’ve ever known has had seasons where the flame burned low. But it always came back when they made space for themselves again. So here’s your invitation. Create something this week that has no purpose except to bring you back to life. And if you need that permission, you just got it. Here’s what I’ve seen happen over and over. When photographers return to the soul of their work, new ideas start to flow. Inspiration finds you unexpectedly. Clients start showing up out of nowhere. You remember what you have to say through your lens and the world feels it. And best of all, you fall back in love with your gift. And that’s not just good for your mental health, that’s good for your business, because when your work carries meaning, your marketing becomes magnetism. People can feel when you are lit up inside, and that is what they are drawn to. So today, instead of pushing harder, give yourself the gift of coming back. Back to why you started. Back to what moves you. Back to the joy, the freedom, the awe of being a photographer. Your breakthrough isn’t just in strategy. It is in remembering that you are an artist and that the world needs what only you can see. Today is your reset, and everybody needs time to reset. This has been the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. I’m Matthew. I’m proud of you. I believe in your gift. Go make something just for you this week and let your soul breathe. I’ll see you next time. Until then, bye for now.

    11分
  4. 1月18日

    Episode 25 - Your Life Could Look Completely Different by This Time Next Year

    Your Life Could Look Completely Different by This Time Next Year Welcome back to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. I'm Matthew, and if you are listening to this right now, maybe while editing or on a walk, or even between shoots, I want you to pause for a second and imagine something with me. Imagine it's January 19th, 2027, one year from today. You are waking up and you have a full calendar of ideal clients. People who see your value, respect your time, and love the experience you give them. You are not chasing leads. You are not stressed, you are not worried. You are choosing who to work with. You are not wondering when the next booking is going to come. You are turning people away or you are raising your prices. Your income has doubled from what it was back in 2026. Or maybe more than that, you feel different, steady, respected, confident, and free. That future is not a fantasy. It is not reserved for the lucky ones or the influencers with 50,000 followers. It can be your future, but it starts with a decision and a new way of showing up in your business. Today I want to talk about exactly how you can create that breakthrough year, and what happens if you don't, because nothing actually stays the same. It either gets better or it gets worse. Let's discuss the illusion of staying where you are. Let's talk about something tough but true. Most photographers tell themselves, “If I just keep going, eventually things will pick up,” but here's the truth: waiting is not a growth strategy. You are either building momentum, or you're slowly slipping further behind. Every month you don't have a way to bring in clients, your confidence takes a hit. You start to question your talent. Maybe you've been doing that already. You lower your prices. You take on those shoots that you know drain you even before you do them. And yes, you consider giving up. That's not stability. That's slow erosion. And the worst part, it feels like you're trying. You are posting, you are shooting, you are busy, but you are not moving forward. That's why I created my new training, the Photography Breakthrough System, because you don't need to hustle harder. You need a new approach that actually works. The Photography Breakthrough System is for photographers who photograph people and want real steady clients. For those of you who have been in my workshop, you know right now the doors are open but not much longer. The window to join and be a part of Photography Breakthrough System is about to close. We're closing the doors in a few days because we begin working right away next week with the students who said yes. So what actually happens once you become a member of Photography Breakthrough System? Let's flip the script and go a week ahead. You just logged off from your first session inside the Photography Breakthrough System, and you knew exactly how to start getting new bookings right away, right in your first week. I am not talking about some vague marketing advice. I'm talking about a step-by-step process custom built for people like you, photographers who work with human beings, not products. In that first session, I walk you through the core shift in how you position your photography experience so clients are excited to book you — not just any photographer, but you. The very first week, I give you a simple strategy to use right away this first month of the year so you can start booking clients right away, clients who value what you offer. I've seen photographers go from crickets to consistent clients in just a few weeks because they finally had the clarity, confidence, and a plan that works. Now yes, you didn't get here overnight, and I'm not saying you can fix everything overnight. That's just not true. But in the first week, you're going to know if this is right for you or not. Here's something no one likes to admit. Most photographers are just barely holding on. They're exhausted. They're second-guessing themselves. And they're terrified that if things don't change soon, they have to give up the dream of doing what they love. If that's you, I want you to hear me. There is nothing wrong with you. You are not lazy, you are not untalented. You've just never been shown a path that helps you turn your gift into a business that supports your life. And that's why I'm inviting you into the Photography Breakthrough System right now. Because if you wait another year, how much money are you going to leave on the table? How much of your confidence will erode in the next year? How many almost-bookings will slip away? Or you could be waking up one year from today with your calendar full, your income doubled, and a reputation for delivering a life-changing photo experience. It starts next week. That first session could be the moment everything changes. Your training is live. Will you be there? Inside Photography Breakthrough System, I'm guiding you through every step: how to attract aligned clients, how to deliver a photo experience that transforms how they feel about themselves, and how to build a business where clients come to you and refer you like crazy. As a matter of fact, in the very first week, I'm going to teach you exactly how to do that — a way for clients to come to you and refer you like crazy. This is your turning point, but only if you say yes. We make it very easy for you to join. There are two options. Pick the one that's right for you. The link to join is right here in the show notes. It is also on my Instagram page in the bio. My Instagram page is under Matthew Jordan Smith, and the link to join and change your life is in my bio. Go there and click the link. Sign up today. The only thing is you need to do it in the next few days before the deadline ends. Spots are filling up and we kick off soon. If you've waited long enough, this is your moment. Let's come back to that image. One year from today, you're waking up, coffee in hand, reviewing a calendar full of dream clients. Your bank account reflects the work you put in. Your clients rave about how powerful and beautiful they felt in front of your lens. You feel proud, steady, lit up. That's what I want for you, but nothing changes until you do, and nothing gets better by waiting. So choose your breakthrough. Join us now, and I'll see you inside the first session next week at Photography Breakthrough System. Once again, the link to join is in the show notes or go to my Instagram page, go to my bio, and click the link there. I'm Matthew, and thank you for spending your time with me today. I can't wait to see what you create when you finally step into the business and life you've been dreaming of. Until next week, bye for now.

    11分
  5. 1月11日

    Episode 24 - If You Missed This… It Could Cost You Half Your Income

    If You Missed This… It Could Cost You Half Your Income I’ve got a confession. I was scared of numbers. I was scared of the scale all of last year. I did not step on the scale, but it's a new year and I said I had to face the truth, whatever it was. So I jumped on the scale thinking that, oh, I've stayed the same now, I haven't been on the scale. I haven't weighed myself since 2024, all of 25. I never jumped on the scale, but I knew nothing changed. I look in the mirror every day. We all do, right? Nothing changed. Well, this January I jumped on the scale to learn the truth, and I've got to tell you, I was a bit shocked. But the funny thing is, when you don't know, you just go around blind thinking that nothing has changed. The same happens with photographers. We hide from the truth. We know things have not stayed the same. Usually they get worse until you face the truth and look at the numbers. I want to welcome you back to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. I'm your host, Matthew Jordan Smith, and today we're diving into something that could quite literally mean the difference between struggling and soaring this year. I don't say that lightly because the truth is missing what happened in day one and day two of the Photography Breakthrough Workshop could cost you 50% of your income this year. Now let that land. Half your income gone, not because you are not talented enough, not because you're not working hard enough, but because you are missing a few hidden pieces that are quietly sabotaging your results without even realizing it. But the good news, it's not too late. The workshop, by the way, is going on right now. It's a three-day workshop, but you can still catch up. So let's talk about what you might have missed. Day one of the Photography Breakthrough Workshop was on fire. Photographers who joined are already messaging me and saying, “Matthew, I finally see what I've been missing.” And another said, “I've never felt more clear.” Here's why it hits so hard. First, we uncovered the hidden reasons you are losing clients and, like hiding from the numbers, you just don't know what you don't know. These are patterns that most photographers never see, like the subtle ways we unintentionally repel clients, or the way we position ourselves that creates confusion instead of desire. If you've ever felt like people love your work but still don't book you, this workshop is for you. If you were there, you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you missed it, this episode is just for you. Let's talk about what else you are missing out on. Another part of the workshop that everyone's talking about is the workbook. Everyone gets access to the Photography Breakthrough Workbook. We've been using it on day one and day two. Now, this isn't fluff. This is the tool you return to again and again throughout the year long after the workshop is over. The workbook is relevant for you for a long time because every day of this workshop builds on it, helping you rewrite the way you attract, the way you serve, and retain clients. This workbook is designed to make lasting change, not some temporary hype. When you sign up for the workshop, you get access to the workbook, which you are definitely going to need right away. And there's another third part. And the funny thing about the third part of the workshop is it actually happens after the workshop is over. We open the doors to a private Facebook group. Now this group is only active for the workshop. After the workshop, it goes away. Think of it as a popup workshop Facebook group. And let me tell you, this community is alive. It's full of photographers who get it, people who are committed to building something real, not just surviving. If you've ever felt alone in your photography business, that changes the second you step inside. Now let's talk about why missing this workshop could cost you big. Yes, this is the uncomfortable part. When I say missing day one and two could cost you 50% of your income this year, I mean that, because what we revealed isn't just tips and tricks, it's the foundational gaps that quietly bleed your time, your energy, and yes, your money. Here's the truth. Most photographers are working so hard, but unknowingly doing things that block their own growth. That could mean booking the wrong clients who don't value your work, wasting hours on marketing the old-fashioned way that doesn't convert, undervaluing your time. It is the only thing we can't make more of. Everybody on the planet gets the same amount of time every single day. Are you undervaluing your time? And then they're staying in the feast-or-famine cycle with no idea how to get out. These aren't just annoyances, they're income leaks, and yes, you could be leaking 50% of the income you could make. Left unchecked year after year, it will suck you dry. But you don't have to worry about that because we can fix that. When you learn how to make the breakthrough happen, that's when income stabilizes. That's when word of mouth starts to kick in. That's when you start choosing your clients instead of begging for bookings. Like the story I told you at the beginning of this podcast: nothing stays the same. I know we think it does, but nothing stays the same. Here's what I want you to really hear today. You are not maintaining your business right now. It either gets better or it's slowly declining. When things change slowly, you don't see it. That's why you lose weight or gain weight and you have no clue. We just don't see it. So every day you delay stepping into a better system, one built around consistency, value, and transformation, is a day your confidence erodes, your momentum weakens, and your dream slips a little further out of reach. That doesn't mean you're failing. It just means it's time to choose a new path. Now, here's the good news. You can still watch day one and day two right now. You can still register for the Photography Breakthrough Workshop and get access to everything, the replays from day one and two, the workbook (which you absolutely need), and yes, access to the Facebook group, all of it. But you've got to move fast. This is only a three-day workshop. We're two days in. If you've missed it, where have you been? Day three is coming up quickly, and it builds directly on what we covered in day one and day two. If you wait any longer, you're going to fall behind or miss the window altogether. So if you've been waiting for a sign, this is it. Go register right now. Watch the replays, download the workbook, do the work as you watch the replay of day one and day two, and catch up. And then be ready for day three. The link to register is right here in the show notes, or go to Instagram and follow me there. I'm under Matthew with two T's, Matthew Jordan Smith. In my Instagram bio you'll see the link to sign up right away. Click the link, register, download your workbook right then and there, and watch day one and day two. Now, let's zoom out a little bit and look into the future. By this time next year, your entire photography business, whether you're doing it full-time or you're doing it on the weekends as a side hustle, either way, this could transform your entire photography business. You could be booked months in advance, attracting aligned clients who rave about their experience working with you. You could be earning more, working less, and feeling really in control of your life, feeling confident in how you show up, how you price, and how you serve your clients. But that future doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by making one choice: to stop tolerating what's not working and step into a better way. So let this be your turning point. Don't let another year go by hoping things will change. Be the person who makes them change. Now you've got this, and I look forward to seeing you in day three of the workshop. But first, go catch up and then make sure you are there live for day three. This has been the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. I'm Matthew Jordan Smith, and I'll see you on day three of the workshop. And then join me here again next week for another episode of the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. Go register now. Let's build the business you've been dreaming of. Until next week, bye for now.

    13分
  6. 1月4日

    Episode 23 - The Day Before Everything Changes

    The Day Before Everything Changes Hello, it's Matthew Jordan Smith, and today I wanna speak directly to you. You're listening to this podcast, on the day it comes out, today is January 5th, 2026, and if you've been listening to this podcast for a while. You already know something big is coming. Tomorrow. January 6th, we begin the photography breakthrough three day live workshop. This workshop is for you if people have seen your work and inquire about hiring you, but you lose them the minute you tell them your price. This workshop is for you if you feel stuck. In any way in your photography, maybe you are afraid to raise your prices because you think if you do, you'll lose the clients you have, or maybe you think no one will pay your price.This workshop is for you if you've been working hard, but income is inconsistent. You see, I know the frustration that comes from all of that. You are talented. I know you care. I know your work has value. But somehow it still feels like people don't see it. Well, my friend, that ends tomorrow because this workshop is designed to help you finally break through the fear that's been holding you back from raising your prices and getting consistent paying clients month after month. You've been guessing and second guessing, but you don't need to anymore. You don't need to keep waiting, and you definitely don't need to lower your value just so you can get booked to do what you love. You just need the right tools, the right system, and the right support, and that's exactly what you wanna get starting tomorrow. So if you haven't signed up yet, do it now This is your last chance to reserve your spot and be there on the first day of this three day workshop. It starts online tomorrow. It is live. Go to the link right now and register. Make sure you are there on time. Do me a favor, grab a pin pencil and something to write with. You're gonna need that throughout this workshop because here's what's waiting for you inside the workshop. A clear path to a system to raise your prices with confidence. A way to show value to your clients so they can say yes. Even at your higher rate.What you'll also find inside this workshop is a clear path to consistent income. As you do the work that lights you up. Every session is live. Every session is practical, and every session is designed to move you forward. Now, here's what's new. After each live session, I'll be heading over to our private Facebook workshop group. Think of it as a popup Facebook group that's just for the workshop. As soon as you sign up, the link to the Facebook group is right there. So join the Facebook group right away.There you can ask questions. I'll be there to engage with you and help you apply what you've learned that day. So don't go on this journey alone. Don't just listen. Take action. Because the truth is, nothing changes unless you change something. And this workshop, it could be the moment that changes everything. You deserve to start your year right. You deserve to feel confident talking about your prices. You deserve clients who respect your work and pay you well. You deserve to build a photography business that gives you freedom, not fear. So let's make that happen. Sign up now and join me tomorrow. Show up for yourself. And after the session, come hang out with me in the Facebook group. I'll be there, ready to connect with you, answer your questions, and support you in real time. This is your time. Don't let fear win another year. Let's build something stronger together. I'll see you tomorrow. All right, everyone, until tomorrow. Bye for now.

    6分
  7. 1月1日

    Episode 22 - This Is the Year Everything Changes

    Photography Breakthrough Workshop Kickoff 2026 Happy New Year. Welcome back. It's Matthew Jordan Smith, and this is the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. It's a brand new year, and I have a feeling you are here right now because you're ready for something different, not just a new calendar, not just another resolution you'll forget by February, but real change, deep lasting, powerful change in your photography, in your business, with your confidence and with your life. So let's start here. This is your moment and I want to tell you something you may not have heard enough.You don't have to keep doing it the hard way. You don't have to keep guessing.You don't have to keep asking yourself, why is this working for others, but not for me? Because the truth is, it's not your fault.You just haven't had the right guidance. Until now. That's why this January. We're kicking off the year with a three day photography breakthrough workshop, and it starts soon. I made it just for you because you are tired of wondering where your next client is coming from. Because you know your work is worth it, but you're not sure how to charge more without losing people Because you've done everything they said to do and it still doesn't feel like it's working. I created this workshop because I've been where you are. I've had those nights staring at the ceiling, wondering how I'll make it through another month, wondering if I need to quit wondering if my dream was just too big. But I didn't quit and neither will you. Because you were called to this work for a reason. Because photography isn't just what you do. It's who you are. And you know it deep in your soul. You know you are meant to make people feel something when they stand in front of your camera. So now let me help you build a business, a photography business around your gift. In this workshop, I'm going to show you the exact steps I use in my own career, not just in the past, but right now, today. Not theory, not guesswork, real tools, real strategy, real results. Because you deserve to have consistent, happy clients who tell everyone about you. You deserve to charge what your work is really worth and feel good about it. You deserve to create a business that gives you freedom, not burnout. And you don't have to do it alone. You've been there. And you know where that's taken you. It is time to change going forward. I'll be with you every step, but you have to decide now to sign up and dedicate this year to being the year that changes everything because time moves fast because another year can fly by. Because the only way this year looks different is if you make a different choice. So take a deep breath. Then go sign up right now for the three day Photography breakthrough workshop. It's completely free and it's waiting for you. The link is here in the show notes, and you can also find it on my Instagram. Go there now and sign up. We start soon, and I want you to be there because you know you're ready. Let's make 2026 the year you stop struggling and start thriving in your photography. Let's build a photography business that you love. Let's do it together. I'll see you inside the workshop. It starts very soon, so sign up now. All right. I've got a lot of work to do before we get started, so make sure you sign up right now and I'll see you in the workshop. Oh, and if you were on the last workshop. There's a lot that's new. Number one. After each and every workshop, I want you to join me on the special Facebook page so we can ask the questions about that specific day. And prepare yourself for the next workshop. This time, I want to hear from you. Sign up right now. I'll see you in the workshop. Until next time. Bye for now.

    12分
  8. 2025/12/28

    Episode 21 - The Final Frame- Closing 2025 with Vision

    Photography Breakthrough: Year-End Encouragement and Free Workshop Hey there, it's Matthew, and welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. This episode is a little different. It's just you and me today, and I want to speak straight to your heart. Because as this year comes to a close, I know you're probably feeling a lot. Hope, pressure, maybe some fear, maybe even some doubt. So before we go any further, I want to say this. . I see you. You've shown up, you've worked hard, you've tried, even when it felt like no one noticed, kept going, and that alone is worth honoring. Today is December 29th. Just days away from a brand new year, and as we close out 2025, I want you to take this moment for yourself, not for your clients, not for your family, not for social media, just you. Because if you are like many photographers, I know you've been carrying a lot this year. Maybe you've been trying to figure out how to get more work.Maybe you are tired of wondering if you'll ever be able to raise your prices and have clients who truly value what you do.Maybe you're questioning whether this dream of being a photographer is even still possible for you. I want to tell you something todayand I want you to hear this fully. . You are not the problem.You don't need to work harder. You don't need to hustle more.You don't need to become someone. You are not. You need a better system. You need better support.You need to know how to create a photography business that lets you breathe and thrive. That's why I created this podcast this year. And that's why I'm inviting you to something special in January. But before I get into that, let me share something personal. At the beginning of 2025, I asked myself, what legacy do I want to leave? Not just through my photos, but through the impact I can make in the lives of other photographers for photographers like you. Because even with all the career highlights I've had, I remember very well how hard it can be. It was a year ago. This time when I was struggling One year ago. I had nights when I could not sleep. Leap. I know that struggle. The worry . The doubt that creeps in. It doesn't matter how talented you are, these struggles are real. Not the highlight reel, the real story, not what you see on Instagram, but real life. This year I shared my struggles and how to break through those struggles.I shared that because you may be struggling.And I know you have talent. It's not your talent that's holding you back. You see when you learn how to make your clients feel powerful, beautiful, and truly seen, you stop chasing bookings and start attracting them. And not just once, but again and again. Don't you want that? This year I watched photographers take what I taught and completely shift their lives. They stopped waiting. They stopped wondering. They raised their prices, booked more clients, and finally felt in control again, and now it's your turn.My dream for you is to have a business that supports your life, not one that drains it. I want you to feel proud when you talk about your work. I want you to fall in love with photography again and have the freedom to do it your way. So let me ask you something. Are you ready to create consistent, meaningful work in 2026? , Are you ready to attract clients who pay well and love the experience you give them? Are you ready to stop feeling like you are behind and start building real momentum?. If you said yes to any of that, then join me for my free three day workshop starting this January.This workshop is designed specifically for photographers like you who are amazing at what they do, but want more consistency, confidence, more clients, and charging more. In January, I'm gonna give you an opportunity to attract the right clients without chasing. I'm going to give you the opportunity to raise your prices without the fear. I know the moment you think about raising your prices, that fear takes over. We're going to get over that.And help you build a photography brand that connects emotionally, you're going to discover and experience that leads to repeat business, not just in 2026, but every year after this. You see my friend, everything I teach, I live every single day.It's the same approach that led a new client to fly me to Kenya this month to photograph seven women on Safari. Yes, it really works. I want to help you make it work for you. All you have to do is take that first step. Now is the time for you to sign up. Go and sign up for the January workshop right now. The link is in the show notes and on my Instagram. This workshop. It's completely free. I'm going to be honest with you. At the end of this workshop, you'll have the opportunity to work with me, but even if you don't want to go that far, there's something for you to help you get past your struggles. Again, this three day workshop is completely free, And the link, once again, it's in the show notes and the link is on my Instagram. My Instagram is under my name. Matthew Jordan Smith. This could be your turning point, the one you've been waiting for. Let 2026 be the year you stop struggling and start thriving. Let it be the year you step fully into your purpose with your camera, your vision, and your voice. You deserve that. You are ready for that. I want to thank you for spending this year with me. And thank you for choosing to believe in yourself. Just a little more each and every day. I can't wait to see what you create in 2026. Until next time, have a peaceful new year. I'll see you in January. Stay inspired, stay courageous and keep going. You don't have to do this by yourself. Until then, bye for now and Happy New Year.

    9分

番組について

Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast, the place where burnt out photographers come back to life. Where fear gets replaced with confidence and where your gift finally starts working for you, not against you.