LEVEL UP: A Wedding Photography + Videography Podcast

Taylor Petrinovich & Kelley Gilster | The Level Up Co.
  • 4.9 (93)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

Ready to take your wedding photography or filmmaking business from mainstream to luxury? We are on a mission to equip YOU with the information and resources you need to scale your business into the premiere and luxury markets, where you can successfully 2-3x your prices.Every Tuesday we invite you to tune in on conversations with Kelley and Taylor, luxury wedding cinematographers and business coaches, as we teach you what we have learned over 22+ years of combined experience in the wedding industry.Learn the ins and outs of the luxury market, how to align your brand within it, and become fully prepared to take your business from mainstream to luxury. In a nutshell: this is the wedding filmmaking + photography podcast for creatives striving for MORE in their businesses.The wedding industry can be a challenging place to build a career, and we are here to help.https://thelevelupco.com/

  1. 6d ago

    284: In 18 months I went from barely booking to thriving. Here’s what I changed.

    What happens when a business that has been successful for YEARS suddenly… slows down? A year ago, Kelley was staring at an almost empty wedding calendar. After 15+ years in business and hundreds of weddings, 618 Studios had lost momentum. Somewhere along the way, the business had slipped into autopilot. So Kelley decided to become the student again. She went back through the exact strategies we teach inside The Luxury Mastermind. Branding. Positioning. Marketing. Planner relationships. Getting in the room. Saying YES again. And 18 months later? The momentum is WILD. 🚀 618 Studios is already 80% booked for 2027, couples are increasing their budgets to work with her, planner referrals are coming in, and demand is at a level she hasn’t experienced in years. In this episode, we’re talking about what changed, why even an established wedding photography or videography business can’t stay on autopilot forever, when it actually makes sense to raise your prices, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your business is get hungry again. Because sometimes the opportunity that looks “too small” is the one that changes everything. If business has felt a little slower than you’d like lately, this conversation is for you. Timestamps: 00:00 - 04:50 | The End of an Era: Retiring The Luxury Mastermind 04:51 - 08:08 | Going All In: Student Success & Building a Sustainable Business 08:09 - 12:09 | From Booking Drought to High Demand: Rebuilding 618 Studios 12:10 - 16:49 | Why Business Momentum Slows & the Work It Takes to Get It Back 16:50 - 20:27 | Raising Your Prices: When the Market Is Actually Ready 20:28 - 25:15 | Saying Yes Again: Networking, Opportunities & Getting Back in the Room 25:16 - 29:36 | Staying Hungry, Investing in Support & What’s Next for Level Up The FINAL round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Fall 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 10 week program. Learn more + save your seat here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind 📲 Love this episode? Screenshot and share it on social media! Tag us on Instagram at @TheLevelUpCo and let us know your biggest takeaway. The Level Up Co. Resources: - Wedding Planner Email Templates: https://thelevelupco.com/planner-email-template-bundle - Elevated Client Experience Bundle: https://thelevelupco.com/client-experience-bundle - Elevated Shot List: https://thelevelupco.com/elevated-shot-list - The Luxury Framework Course: https://thelevelupco.com/theluxuryframework - The Luxury Pricing Mini Course: https://thelevelupco.com/reset Connect with Taylor , Kelley + The Level Up Co.: 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelevelupco/ 🔗Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpetrinovich/ 🔗Kelley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/618studios/ 💻Website: https://thelevelupco.com/

  2. Sep 22

    283: Why Starting Over and Who You Surround Yourself With Changes Everything

    We are keeping the party going with these reruns and today's is such a good one. We loved hearing Tayler's story in October 2025 and it has been so fun to watch her growth since then! Every photographer and filmmaker hits that moment when they realize something has to change. The work is there, the passion is there, but the business side feels heavy. The pricing conversations, the boundaries, the burnout, the self-doubt. You start to wonder if you are really capable of building the kind of brand that commands respect, trust, and luxury-level bookings. In this episode, we sat down with Taylor, a talented creative who made the bold decision to reinvent her business from the inside out. From raising her prices with confidence to navigating the leap into the luxury market, she shares what it truly takes to grow beyond comfort and into clarity. The truth is, your next level is not waiting on a viral post, a new camera, or a perfect moment. It is waiting on your decision to finally step forward. You are capable of building a brand that attracts high-end clients, of creating work that feels both meaningful and profitable, and of running a business that supports your life, not the other way around. Doors to the Luxury Mastermind are now open. This is your opportunity to step into the next level of your business with strategy, clarity, and community that will support your growth every step of the way. 👉 Learn more at thelevelupco.com/workshop Timestamps: 00:00 – 03:00 | Mastermind Announcement and Episode Introduction 03:00 – 10:30 | Taylor’s Journey from Planner to Photographer 10:30 – 17:00 | Pricing Growth and Shifting Toward Luxury Clients 17:00 – 23:00 | Social Media Boundaries and Professionalism in Business 23:00 – 32:00 | Networking, FAM Trips, and Building Industry Relationships 32:00 – 48:46 | Overcoming Fear, Elevating the Client Experience, and Mastermind Invitation The FINAL round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Fall 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 10 week program. Learn more + save your seat here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind 📲 Love this episode? Screenshot and share it on social media! Tag us on Instagram at @TheLevelUpCo and let us know your biggest takeaway. The Level Up Co. Resources: - Wedding Planner Email Templates: https://thelevelupco.com/planner-email-template-bundle - Elevated Client Experience Bundle: https://thelevelupco.com/client-experience-bundle - Elevated Shot List: https://thelevelupco.com/elevated-shot-list - The Luxury Framework Course: https://thelevelupco.com/theluxuryframework - The Luxury Pricing Mini Course: https://thelevelupco.com/reset Connect with Taylor , Kelley + The Level Up Co.: 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelevelupco/ 🔗Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpetrinovich/ 🔗Kelley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/618studios/ 💻Website: https://thelevelupco.com/

  3. Sep 15

    282: Building Your Brand Beyond Your Local Market

    We have another rerun for you today and this one is a good one!! In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Taylor Petrinovich and Kelley Gilster sit down with Skylar Ball to share the exact strategies that helped him break through pricing plateaus and start booking luxury weddings. If you've ever felt stuck at the $5,000 mark or struggled to make the leap to five-figure bookings, this episode is for you. Skylar opens up about his journey from starting during COVID to landing high-end clients—proving that mindset shifts, strategic networking, and the right business moves can make all the difference. We’re diving into how to: - Stop playing small with your pricing and own your worth. - Build relationships that position you as a premium vendor. - Maintain work-life balance while scaling your business. - Tap into new markets and make your brand irresistible to luxury clients. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting to think about leveling up, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you book higher-paying clients without burning out. 🎉 You’re more capable than you think—and sometimes, all it takes is shifting your mindset and getting in the right rooms. 💪 Tune in and get inspired to GO FOR IT! 🏃‍♀️ Timestamps: [00:00 – 05:45] Starting and Scaling a Profitable Wedding Business [05:46 – 10:12] Breaking Through Pricing Plateaus [10:13 – 15:00] The Role of Education and Mindset in Growth [15:01 – 25:30] Building a Sustainable Business and Expanding to New Markets [25:31 – 30:30] Creating Exceptional Experiences That Lead to Referrals [30:31 – End] Growth Mindset, Final Takeaways, and Networking Tips Connect with Skylar: 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skylarball_/ 💻Website: https://skylarball.com/ The FINAL round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Fall 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 10 week program. Learn more + save your seat here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind 📲 Love this episode? Screenshot and share it on social media! Tag us on Instagram at @TheLevelUpCo and let us know your biggest takeaway. The Level Up Co. Resources: - Wedding Planner Email Templates: https://thelevelupco.com/planner-email-template-bundle - Elevated Client Experience Bundle: https://thelevelupco.com/client-experience-bundle - Elevated Shot List: https://thelevelupco.com/elevated-shot-list - The Luxury Framework Course: https://thelevelupco.com/theluxuryframework - The Luxury Pricing Mini Course: https://thelevelupco.com/reset Connect with Taylor , Kelley + The Level Up Co.: 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelevelupco/ 🔗Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpetrinovich/ 🔗Kelley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/618studios/ 💻Website: https://thelevelupco.com/

  4. Sep 8

    281: How to 3X Your Wedding Prices in Just 12 Months

    Today we are running it back with a very special TLM Alumni Myla Li!! This episode was recorded in August of 2024 so make sure you go take a peek at her work to see how much she has grown since then! What if you could scale your wedding photography business from $3K to $10K+ weddings in just one year? That’s exactly what Myla Li did, and she’s sharing her journey in this episode of The Level Up Podcast. From second shooting over 20 weddings in her first year to booking five-figure weddings for 2025, Myla reveals how she used Instagram marketing, strategic branding, and unique offerings like Super 8 film to differentiate herself in the luxury market. She also discusses the mindset shifts that helped her break into high-end weddings and scale her business—while still working full-time as an engineer. If you’re a photographer or filmmaker looking to raise your prices, attract luxury clients, and build a profitable brand, this episode is a must-listen! In this episode, we cover: ✔️ How Myla went from $3K weddings to booking five-figure weddings in one year ✔️ The role of second shooting and portfolio curation in building a luxury brand ✔️ Why branding and Instagram marketing are key to attracting high-end clients ✔️ How adding Super 8 film photography & videography helped her stand out ✔️ The mindset shifts required to confidently increase pricing without pushback ✔️ How The Luxury Mastermind helped Myla scale her business quickly 💬 What’s your biggest challenge in growing your wedding business? DM us on Instagram @TheLevelUpCo or share your thoughts in the comments on YouTube! ⭐ Loved this episode? Subscribe, rate, and review to help more wedding photographers and videographers level up their businesses. Timestamps: 00:00 – 05:00 | Introduction 05:01 – 12:00 | Meet Myla Li: From Engineer to Luxury Wedding Photographer 12:01 – 20:00 | Starting a Wedding Photography Business in 2021 20:01 – 28:00 | Scaling from $3K to $10K+ Weddings in One Year 28:01 – 34:00 | The Power of Branding & Instagram for Growth 34:01 – 39:00 | Final Thoughts Connect with Myla: https://www.instagram.com/mylaliphotos https://mylaliphotos.com/ The Level Up Co. Resources: - Wedding Planner Email Templates: https://thelevelupco.com/planner-email-template-bundle - Elevated Client Experience Bundle: https://thelevelupco.com/client-experience-bundle - Elevated Shot List: https://thelevelupco.com/elevated-shot-list - The Luxury Framework Course: https://thelevelupco.com/theluxuryframework - The Luxury Pricing Mini Course: https://thelevelupco.com/reset Connect with Taylor , Kelley + The Level Up Co.: 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelevelupco/ 🔗Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpetrinovich/ 🔗Kelley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/618studios/ 💻Website: https://thelevelupco.com/ The FINAL round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Fall 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 10 week program. Learn more + save your seat here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind 📲 Love this episode? Screenshot and share it on social media! Tag us on Instagram at @TheLevelUpCo and let us know your biggest takeaway. The Level Up Co. Resources: - Wedding Planner Email Templates: https://thelevelupco.com/planner-email-template-bundle - Elevated Client Experience Bundle: https://thelevelupco.com/client-experience-bundle - Elevated Shot List: https://thelevelupco.com/elevated-shot-list - The Luxury Framework Course: https://thelevelupco.com/theluxuryframework - The Luxury Pricing Mini Course: https://thelevelupco.com/reset Connect with Taylor , Kelley + The Level Up Co.: 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelevelupco/ 🔗Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpetrinovich/ 🔗Kelley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/618studios/ 💻Website: https://thelevelupco.com/

  5. Sep 1

    280: From $10 to $10k Wedding Bookings

    What if the thing standing between you and your next level isn’t your talent... but believing you’re actually capable of getting there? This week on The Level Up Podcast, we’re sitting down with wedding filmmaker Taylor Nichols, who filmed her first wedding for a whole $10 😅 Fast forward to today and she’s traveling the world filming destination weddings, and after joining The Luxury Mastermind, took her starting price from $3,200 to $6,500 with collections reaching nearly $10K 🤯 Taylor shares the mindset shift that took her from asking, “What do they have that I don’t?” to “Why NOT me?” and the tangible changes that helped her business grow FAST. We’re talking about investing in the right education, elevating your brand, curating your Instagram, showing up differently on wedding days, and paying attention to the small details luxury clients and planners absolutely notice. If you’re a wedding photographer or filmmaker ready to raise your prices, attract higher-end weddings, and stop playing small, this episode is your reminder: Why NOT you? 🚀 Timestamps: 00:00 - 10:13 | From a $10 Wedding to Full-Time Filmmaking 10:14 - 19:56 | Building Confidence, Investing in Education & Finding Community 19:57 - 21:48 | The Luxury Mastermind 21:49 - 25:33 | Doubling Her Prices & Breaking Into Destination Weddings 25:34 - 30:19 | Destination Wedding Filmmaking & Traveling for Work 30:20 - 36:50 | The Brand Shifts That Helped Her Reach $10K Weddings 36:51 - 39:30 | Finding the Right Mentors & Actually Implementing the Advice 39:31 - 40:46 | Final Thoughts & Taylor’s Upcoming Scotland Wedding Connect with Taylor: https://www.instagram.com/taylornicholsfilms/ https://taylornicholsfilms.com/ The FINAL round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Fall 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 10 week program. Learn more + save your seat here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind 📲 Love this episode? Screenshot and share it on social media! Tag us on Instagram at @TheLevelUpCo and let us know your biggest takeaway. The Level Up Co. Resources: - Wedding Planner Email Templates: https://thelevelupco.com/planner-email-template-bundle - Elevated Client Experience Bundle: https://thelevelupco.com/client-experience-bundle - Elevated Shot List: https://thelevelupco.com/elevated-shot-list - The Luxury Framework Course: https://thelevelupco.com/theluxuryframework - The Luxury Pricing Mini Course: https://thelevelupco.com/reset Connect with Taylor , Kelley + The Level Up Co.: 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelevelupco/ 🔗Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpetrinovich/ 🔗Kelley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/618studios/ 💻Website: https://thelevelupco.com/

  6. Aug 28

    The end of an era :(

    After 3.5 years and over 400 students, this chapter is coming to a close. The FINAL round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Fall 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 10 week program. Learn more + save your seat here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind 📲 Love this episode? Screenshot and share it on social media! Tag us on Instagram at @TheLevelUpCo and let us know your biggest takeaway. The Level Up Co. Resources: - Wedding Planner Email Templates: https://thelevelupco.com/planner-email-template-bundle - Elevated Client Experience Bundle: https://thelevelupco.com/client-experience-bundle - Elevated Shot List: https://thelevelupco.com/elevated-shot-list - The Luxury Framework Course: https://thelevelupco.com/theluxuryframework - The Luxury Pricing Mini Course: https://thelevelupco.com/reset Connect with Taylor , Kelley + The Level Up Co.: 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelevelupco/ 🔗Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpetrinovich/ 🔗Kelley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/618studios/ 💻Website: https://thelevelupco.com/

  7. Aug 25

    279: How She Booked Her First $10K+ Wedding

    What if the thing standing between you and your next level isn’t your talent, but the way you’re positioning it? In this episode, we’re sitting down with Southern California wedding photographer Alysha Miller to talk about her 10-year journey in the wedding industry, what finally made her realize she was ready for MORE, and the changes that led to her first five-figure wedding booking. For years, Alysha described her business as a “plastic bag in the wind.” She was talented, experienced, and booking weddings, but her portfolio was all over the place, her brand lacked a clear direction, and she kept finding herself at the same venues and around the same $5,500-$6,000 price point. Eventually, she decided something had to change. We talk about what happened when Alysha raised her prices and was willing to book LESS while she repositioned her business, how she learned to recognize and leverage luxury weddings already within her reach, and why understanding the subtle signals of the luxury market can completely change the way you curate and market your work. We also get into one of our favorite parts of Alysha's story: how YEARS of showing up with integrity as a second photographer eventually resulted in a referral for her first $10,500 wedding. No quick hack. No viral Instagram post. Just relationships, trust, patience, and doing the right thing when no one was watching. If you’re a wedding photographer or filmmaker who feels like you’ve been stuck at the same price point, attracting the same weddings, or wondering why simply raising your prices hasn’t created the growth you expected, this episode is for you. Sometimes getting to the next level isn’t about becoming more talented. It’s about building a brand, client experience, portfolio, and reputation that finally MATCH the level you’re ready to charge for. 🚀 Timestamps: 00:00 - 04:55 | Meet Alysha Miller: Branding, Website Design & Her Business Journey 04:56 - 34:00 | Introduction & Alysha's Photography Origin Story 34:01 - 42:00 | 10 Years in Business: Finding Her Niche in Southern California 42:01 - 48:20 | Using Fashion & Luxury Details to Elevate Your Brand 48:21 - 56:55 | Raising Prices, Booking Less & Breaking Into the Luxury Market 56:56 - 01:05:05 | Why Your Brand & Client Experience Need to Match Your Pricing 01:05:06 - 01:11:45 | How Relationships & Integrity Led to Her First $10K+ Wedding 01:11:46 - 01:12:41 | Final Thoughts & Alysha's Next Chapter Connect with Alysha: https://www.instagram.com/alyshamillerphoto/ https://alyshamiller.com/ The FINAL round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Fall 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 10 week program. Learn more + save your seat here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind 📲 Love this episode? Screenshot and share it on social media! Tag us on Instagram at @TheLevelUpCo and let us know your biggest takeaway. The Level Up Co. Resources: - Wedding Planner Email Templates: https://thelevelupco.com/planner-email-template-bundle - Elevated Client Experience Bundle: https://thelevelupco.com/client-experience-bundle - Elevated Shot List: https://thelevelupco.com/elevated-shot-list - The Luxury Framework Course: https://thelevelupco.com/theluxuryframework - The Luxury Pricing Mini Course: https://thelevelupco.com/reset Connect with Taylor , Kelley + The Level Up Co.: 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelevelupco/ 🔗Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpetrinovich/ 🔗Kelley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/618studios/ 💻Website: https://thelevelupco.com/

  8. Aug 18

    278: Why Gen Z Couples Want Wedding Albums Again

    Wedding albums are making a comeback… but maybe not in the way you think 👀 In this episode, Kelley sits down with Antonia from Dekora Albums to talk about the shift happening with Gen Z couples and why, despite growing up in an incredibly digital world, they’re craving things that feel REAL, tangible, and personal. From scrapbooking and needlepoint to printed invitations and wedding albums, physical keepsakes are having a moment again. And for photographers, this creates a huge opportunity to not only elevate the client experience, but add another meaningful revenue stream to your business. We’re talking about how Gen Z is changing the traditional wedding album, why personalization matters more than ever, and how photographers can sell albums through STORYTELLING rather than treating them like another add-on. Plus, if the thought of designing albums immediately makes you want to run the other direction 😂 we’re talking about ways to simplify the design process, when to introduce albums to your couples, and why an album sale doesn’t necessarily have to happen before the wedding. Whether you already offer wedding albums or have been wondering if your clients even WANT them anymore, this conversation might completely change the way you think about them. Because digital galleries are convenient. But an album? That becomes part of their family’s story. ❤️ Timestamps 00:00 - 02:40 | Why Wedding Albums Still Matter in a Digital World 02:41 - 07:47 | Gen Z’s Return to Tangible, Personalized Keepsakes 07:48 - 11:12 | Selling Albums Through Storytelling & Simplifying the Design Process 11:13 - 13:44 | How to Introduce Albums Into Your Wedding Photography Business 13:45 - 16:52 | The Rise of Editorial Coffee Table Wedding Albums Connect with Dekora Album: https://www.instagram.com/dekoraalbum https://www.dekoraalbum.com/ The FINAL round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Fall 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 10 week program. Learn more + save your seat here >> https://thelevelupco.com/mastermind 📲 Love this episode? Screenshot and share it on social media! Tag us on Instagram at @TheLevelUpCo and let us know your biggest takeaway. The Level Up Co. Resources: - Wedding Planner Email Templates: https://thelevelupco.com/planner-email-template-bundle - Elevated Client Experience Bundle: https://thelevelupco.com/client-experience-bundle - Elevated Shot List: https://thelevelupco.com/elevated-shot-list - The Luxury Framework Course: https://thelevelupco.com/theluxuryframework - The Luxury Pricing Mini Course: https://thelevelupco.com/reset Connect with Taylor , Kelley + The Level Up Co.: 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelevelupco/ 🔗Taylor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpetrinovich/ 🔗Kelley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/618studios/ 💻Website: https://thelevelupco.com/

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About

Ready to take your wedding photography or filmmaking business from mainstream to luxury? We are on a mission to equip YOU with the information and resources you need to scale your business into the premiere and luxury markets, where you can successfully 2-3x your prices.Every Tuesday we invite you to tune in on conversations with Kelley and Taylor, luxury wedding cinematographers and business coaches, as we teach you what we have learned over 22+ years of combined experience in the wedding industry.Learn the ins and outs of the luxury market, how to align your brand within it, and become fully prepared to take your business from mainstream to luxury. In a nutshell: this is the wedding filmmaking + photography podcast for creatives striving for MORE in their businesses.The wedding industry can be a challenging place to build a career, and we are here to help.https://thelevelupco.com/

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