LEVEL UP: A Wedding Photography + Videography Podcast

Taylor Petrinovich & Kelley Gilster | The Level Up Co.
  • 4.9 (92)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

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. 4d ago

    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/

  2. 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/

  3. 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/

  4. 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/

  5. 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/

  6. Aug 11

    277: How to Handle Difficult Clients w/ Eric Kelley

    Disappointment is part of running a wedding photography or filmmaking business. No matter how experienced you are, there will be moments where a client is frustrated, expectations get crossed, or something doesn't go according to plan. The good news? Those moments don't have to define your business. In this episode of The Level Up Podcast, Kelley sits down with destination wedding photographer Eric Kelley to have an honest conversation about something we rarely talk about: how to handle difficult client situations with confidence, professionalism, and empathy. We dive into how to set better expectations from the very beginning, communicate proactively throughout the client experience, respond without letting emotions take over, and turn disappointing situations into opportunities to build even more trust. Whether you're a wedding photographer, wedding filmmaker, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation will help you create a stronger client experience, avoid common communication mistakes, and build a business that's known for professionalism just as much as incredible work. If you've ever received a difficult email, worried about disappointing a client, or wondered how seasoned professionals navigate these situations, this episode is for you. Timestamps: 00:00 - 02:23 | Meet Eric Kelley & Why Disappointment Matters 02:24 - 09:53 | Managing Client Expectations & Preventing Miscommunication 09:54 - 17:59 | Responding to Difficult Clients Without Reacting 18:00 - 22:26 | Proactive Communication That Builds Trust 22:27 - 25:15 | Turning Setbacks Into Long-Term Success Connect with Eric: https://www.instagram.com/erickelley https://erickelley.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/

  7. Aug 4

    276: You Don’t Need to be an Influencer to Make Money with Affiliate Marketing

    What if growing your wedding business didn't mean booking more weddings? So many photographers and filmmakers believe the only way to make more money is to raise their prices or fill their calendar. But there are other ways to build a more profitable, sustainable business. In this episode, Kelley sits down with Taylor Nixon from Narrative to talk about the power of diversifying your income through authentic brand partnerships and affiliate marketing. Whether you've ever considered becoming an affiliate or partnering with brands you already use and love, this conversation will challenge the way you think about additional revenue streams. One of the biggest takeaways is that great partnerships aren't built on follower count. They're built on trust. Brands are looking for genuine creators who have real influence within their community, not just the biggest audience. We also dive into one of the biggest mindset shifts creatives need to make. So many opportunities are missed simply because we assume we'll hear "no." But you'll never know what's possible until you're willing to take the first step. If you're a wedding photographer or filmmaker looking to create more stability, more freedom, and more opportunities outside of weddings alone, this episode is for you. Tune in and discover why building multiple streams of income could be one of the smartest business decisions you make. 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. Jul 28

    275: Your Work Isn't the Problem. Your Business Is.

    What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn't your talent... it's your perspective? In this episode, Kelley sits down with wedding photographer Bailey Pianalto to talk about the moments that completely changed the trajectory of her business. From attending her first industry conference to realizing there was a much bigger world outside of her local market, Bailey shares what it really looked like to shift her mindset, refine her brand, and start building a business that aligned with the life she actually wanted. If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed by comparison, or wondered why your growth isn't happening as quickly as you'd hoped, this conversation is for you. Growth doesn't come from copying what everyone else is doing. It comes from getting clear on where you're going, staying consistent with the fundamentals, and trusting the process even when the results take longer than expected. Whether you're a wedding photographer or filmmaker trying to break into the luxury market or simply looking for your next level, this episode will leave you feeling encouraged, challenged, and ready to keep moving forward. Timestamps: 00:00 - 01:15 | Sponsor: Elevating the Client Delivery Experience 01:15 - 04:43 | Meet Bailey Pianalto: From Travel Photography to Wedding Photography 04:43 - 09:18 | Finding Growth Through Networking, Rebranding & Industry Perspective 09:18 - 13:08 | Defining Success Beyond Awards, Lists & Comparison 13:08 - 15:14 | Why Real Business Growth Takes Time and Patience 15:14 - 17:21 | Sponsor: The Luxury Mastermind Program 17:21 - 20:50 | Returning to the Basics and Creating a Better Client Experience 20:50 - 24:42 | Building Planner Relationships, Refining Sales & Attracting Ideal Clients 24:42 - 25:32 | Final Goals, Where to Connect with Bailey & Closing Thoughts 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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4.9
out of 5
92 Ratings

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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