Get a "Heck Yes" with Carissa Woo Wedding Photographer and Coach

Carissa Woo

Welcome to "Get a Heck Yes" with Carissa Woo. Carissa has been a Los Angeles wedding photographer for over a decade. She's traveled the world, built her team, and seen it all! Carissa Woo Photography won best wedding photographer by California Wedding Day 2 years in a row. She now coaches wedding photographers hit 10K a month and builds a thriving business. In this podcast, Carissa will deep dive into how top wedding creatives get that heck yes from their dream clients. She is not holding back on the struggles of the business and how to push through the noise. Some healthy hustle, mindset shifts, up-leveling your money story, time hacks because she's a mom of 2, a little bit of woo woo, and most important, self-love and confidence are just a few of the many things we will talk about. See you all soon Connect with Carissa Coaching IG: @Carissawoo Photography IG: @carissawoophotography Download a free guide on how to become a lead generating machine HERE

  1. 11/19/2025

    204- ChatGPT for Photographers with Brooke Jefferson

    EPISODE SHOW NOTES: ChatGPT for Photographers with Brooke JeffersonIn today’s episode of Get a Heck Yes, Carissa sits down with the incredible Brooke Jefferson — wife, mom of two, Oklahoma family photographer, photography business coach, and host of the Book More Photography Clients podcast. Brooke is sharing her ultimate guide to using ChatGPT for photographers, and the strategies in this episode will help you market smarter, streamline your business, and get back more time in your life. What We Cover in This Episode: 1. Content Creation Made Easy How photographers can use ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas, write captions, plan posts, and keep content consistent without spending hours online. 2. SEO for Photographers Brooke breaks down how ChatGPT can help with: Keyword research Blog outlines SEO-rich website copy Alt-text for images Location-based SEO for attracting dream clients 3. Improving Client Communication How to use ChatGPT to: Create questionnaires Build workflows Write emails Speed up your entire booking process 4. Admin + Business Support Using ChatGPT as your virtual assistant for: Refining your pricing and packages Doing competitor analysis Templates that save you HOURS 5. Realistic Goal-Planning Brooke shares how to use ChatGPT to map out achievable goals, build action plans, and stay on track as a business owner and photographer. Why You’ll Love This EpisodeIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by marketing, content, communication, or admin — Brooke’s systems and ChatGPT strategies will make your photography business feel lighter, easier, and more aligned. This episode is packed with practical steps you can implement TODAY.

    50 min
  2. 11/12/2025

    Episode 204 - SEO for Socials with Catalina Jean — Book Out Without Chasing Algorithms

    Guest: Catalina Jean — SEO & Marketing Strategist for Creative Beings Host: Carissa Woo (@carissawoophotography) https://instagram.com/carissawoo Episode Theme: Turning your socials into client-booking machines (without burnout) 💡 Episode SnapshotIf you’ve ever felt tired of dancing on Reels, chasing every Instagram trend, or wondering why the algorithm hates you — this episode is your permission slip to stop the hustle and start building assets that actually bring you clients. Catalina Jean helps photographers and wedding pros book out their calendars with SEO + Socials — a simple, sustainable, and scalable approach to marketing that doesn’t require daily posting or algorithm prayers. In this episode, we dive deep into: 🌿 The truth about SEO for socials — what it actually means and why it’s your secret weapon for consistent inquiries 📈 How to create content that compounds (instead of disappears in 24 hours) 💬 Why your captions, hashtags, and website copy all matter for discoverability 🧩 The balance between long-form SEO content and short-form social strategy 🕊️ How to market without burnout and still book 30–80+ inquiries a month🔥 Heck Yes Moments“We don’t chase algorithms — we build assets.” – Catalina Jean“SEO isn’t scary. It’s the most freeing marketing system for creatives.” – Carissa Woo💻 Connect with Catalina Jean Website: catalinajeaneducation.com Instagram: @catalinajean Free Resources & Trainings for Wedding Pros on her site💕 Connect with Carissa Woo IG: @carissawoophotography Podcast: Get a Heck Yes (new episodes every Woo Wednesday) Join the 10-Day Challenge to build your own passive-income digital product → link in bio!

    46 min
  3. 11/05/2025

    Ep. 203 - How to Build Powerful Vendor Relationships with Melissa Buffaloe of Blue Moon Events

    Today on Get a Heck Yes, we’re diving into one of the most underrated secrets behind a thriving wedding business — strong vendor relationships. Our guest, Melissa Buffaloe, is the creative force behind Blue Moon Events, known for transforming venues into magical, moody, and unforgettable spaces. With years of experience collaborating with top-tier wedding pros — from photographers and florists to DJs and caterers — Melissa has mastered the art of partnership. In this conversation, Melissa opens up about her early mistakes investing in the wrong things, and how shifting her focus toward community over competition completely changed her business. She shares tangible insights on:✨ Building trust and reputation through collaboration💡 How to become the vendor everyone wants to work with🤝 Turning networking events into long-term relationships🌸 Why being “easy to work with” is a major business asset Melissa reminds us that success in this industry isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about people, energy, and integrity. 🔑 Key Takeaways “I stopped chasing leads online and started investing in real connections.” “When you show up, do great work, and support others — referrals naturally follow.” “Vendor relationships are the backbone of every successful event.”💕 Connect with MelissaBlue Moon Events📸 Instagram: @bluemoon.events🌐 Website: https://www.bluemooneventplanning.com/ Joined the 10 day challenge https://course.digitalwealthyhypegirl.com/ https://www.instagram.com/carissawoo

    44 min
  4. 10/29/2025

    Ep. 202 - Embracing Sober and Wellness-Centered Celebrations - Jaz the planner

    🎉 Happy Woo Wednesdays, friends! Welcome to Episode 202 of Get a Heck Yes — the podcast that helps you attract your dream clients and build a business that feels like a heck yes! Today, I’m so excited to welcome Jaz the Planner into the Heck Yes House! 🎊 Jazmene Thomas is an incredible LA-based wedding planner and founder of J. Moton Event Elements (JMEE). Her events are gorgeous, her energy is magnetic, and she’s all about creating experiences that clients will remember for a lifetime. In this episode, we dive into a topic that’s fresh but so important:👉 Embracing Sober and Wellness-Centered Celebrations. Jaz opens up about her sobriety journey and how it’s influenced the way she curates events. Together, we share ideas on how to craft meaningful, mindful celebrations where everyone feels present, joyful, and connected. 💫 What you’ll hear: How Jaz transitioned from funeral director to full-time planner Why she founded JMEE and what drives her passion for stress-free event planning Tips for designing wellness-centered weddings and celebrations How embracing sobriety can transform your business and client experience🎧 Tune in, take notes, and get inspired to create events that feel intentional, elevated, and full of heck yes energy. Connect with Jaz:Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jaz_the_plannerWebsite → jmottoneventelements.com Connect with me (Carissa Woo):Instagram → @carissawooJoin the 10-Day Digital Product Challenge → https://course.digitalwealthyhypegirl.com/ If you loved this episode, share it on your stories and tag us! 💖

    50 min
  5. 10/14/2025

    Ep. 200 -From Loss to Light: Finding Purpose Through Scent with Rachel of Bodi Botanica

    🎙️ Get a HECK YES — Episode 200✨ From Loss to Light: Finding Purpose Through Scent with Rachel of Bodi Botanica 🎉 Happy Woo Wednesday, friends! We’ve officially hit 201 episodes — how wild is that?! Thank you for tuning in, sharing, and growing with me over the years. If you’ve been loving the “Heck Yes” vibes, it would mean the world if you left a quick review on Apple Podcasts. That’s how we keep the heck yes energy going! 💖 💡 Sponsor Spotlight: 17hatsBig shoutout to 17hats for sponsoring this episode!They recently hosted a workshop where we learned how to build a client quote — with upsells, contracts, and invoices — all automated. I realized I’d been leaving so much money on the table! If you’re ready to simplify and automate your business, head to 17hats.com and use code HECKYES to save! 🌿 Episode OverviewToday’s guest is Rachel, the amazing founder of Bodi Botanica. I met her at an event at the Natural History Museum — and she’s the kind of person who skips small talk and dives deep right away (in the best possible way). Rachel creates fun, sensory perfume workshops that are truly one-of-a-kind experiences. Her journey is incredible — from a major life revelation during the pandemic that transformed her marriage and perspective, to losing everything in the Eaton fires and rebuilding her life from scratch. Through her story, Rachel discovered her true purpose — blending creativity, healing, and play into a business that helps others reconnect with their senses and their most authentic selves. You’ll walk away from this episode inspired to find more play and purpose in your own life. 📸 Connect with RachelFollow her journey and check out her upcoming workshops:👉 @bodibotanica 💬 Let’s Connect!Share your favorite takeaway from this episode on Instagram and tag me @carissawoo! 💖 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts so we can keep the Heck Yes energy going strong.

    51 min
  6. 10/07/2025

    Ep. 199 - How to Make the Family Feel Comfortable at a Wedding Guest: Brittany Janice Renault

    ✨ Episode OverviewWeddings are so much more than two people saying “I do.” They’re about the blending of families, generations coming together, and creating an environment where everyone — from grandma to the flower girl — feels included, comfortable, and cared for. In this heartfelt and insightful episode, I sit down with Brittany Janice Renault, a talented Big Island–based photographer known for her warm energy, natural connection with clients, and ability to capture intimate, joy-filled moments. Brittany shares her expert tips on how couples (and photographers!) can make the entire family feel relaxed and at ease on the wedding day — because when the family feels good, the photos feel magical. 💡 What We Talk About: 🌿 Energy matters: How Brittany uses her calm, positive presence to set the tone for family portraits and group interactions. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Inclusive planning: Ways couples can communicate and plan ahead to ensure family members feel considered and appreciated. 📸 Creating comfort on camera: Tricks for helping even the most camera-shy relatives feel natural and confident during portraits. 💍 Blending generations: Navigating sensitive family dynamics with empathy so that the day remains joyful for everyone. ❤️ Going beyond the shot: Why connection and trust often lead to the most authentic, emotional wedding imagery.📸 About Brittany Janice RenaultBrittany is a Hawaii-based photographer who specializes in capturing the heart and soul of families, couples, and weddings. Known for her vibrant personality and exceptional eye for storytelling, Brittany doesn’t just take photos — she creates experiences that clients rave about. ⭐️ “Brittany is a phenomenal, exceptional, spectacular photographer. Most importantly, she has great energy! … We LOVED EVERY SINGLE IMAGE! I can’t wait to visit the Big Island again just to work with Brittany!” — Beryl, 2021Her thoughtful approach to every session — from planning to delivery — ensures each client feels seen, celebrated, and deeply connected to their images. 🎧 Tune In If You Want To: Learn how to make family dynamics work for you, not against you, on the wedding day Pick up strategies to guide and support relatives who might feel out of place or nervous Discover why emotional comfort is just as important as the perfect timeline or shot list📍 Connect with Brittany: www.bigislandhawaiiphotographer.com📸 Follow her for more stunning work and behind-the-scenes stories from paradise. Connect with Carissa Woo https://www.instagram.com/carissawoo

    49 min
  7. 10/01/2025

    Ep. 198 - Making Marriage Work in the Wedding Industry with DJ Kevro + Chevonna

    Episode Summary:In this heartfelt and high-energy episode of Get Ahead Guests, Carissa sits down with DJ Kevro and wife Chevonna — the powerhouse behind Musical Phunktions, a multi-DJ company that’s brought unforgettable energy to over 10,000 events across Southern California. But today, we’re not just talking playlists and packed dance floors — we’re going deeper. Alongside his wife Chevonna, a therapist and mother of their four children, Kevro shares the real story behind building both a thriving business and a lasting marriage in one of the most demanding industries out there. From the pressures of wedding weekends to learning how to truly support each other’s dreams, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical wisdom for any couple trying to balance love, family, and entrepreneurship. In This Episode, We Talk About:💍 How Kevro and Chevonna built a strong marriage while growing a successful wedding business🎧 The story behind Musical Phunktions and how it’s evolved into a multi-DJ empire🧠 The role therapy, communication, and mutual respect play in sustaining love under pressure👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What raising four kids while running a business really looks like — and how they make it work💡 Tips for creative couples on building a business without burning out or growing apart Whether you’re a wedding pro, an entrepreneur couple, or just curious about how love and business can truly coexist, this conversation will leave you inspired — and ready to dance through both the highs and lows of building a life together. https://www.instagram.com/djkevrothecurator https://instagram.com/carissawoo

    46 min
4.9
out of 5
46 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Get a Heck Yes" with Carissa Woo. Carissa has been a Los Angeles wedding photographer for over a decade. She's traveled the world, built her team, and seen it all! Carissa Woo Photography won best wedding photographer by California Wedding Day 2 years in a row. She now coaches wedding photographers hit 10K a month and builds a thriving business. In this podcast, Carissa will deep dive into how top wedding creatives get that heck yes from their dream clients. She is not holding back on the struggles of the business and how to push through the noise. Some healthy hustle, mindset shifts, up-leveling your money story, time hacks because she's a mom of 2, a little bit of woo woo, and most important, self-love and confidence are just a few of the many things we will talk about. See you all soon Connect with Carissa Coaching IG: @Carissawoo Photography IG: @carissawoophotography Download a free guide on how to become a lead generating machine HERE