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

242 - Welcome back to the latest episode of the Freedom Focus Photography podcast! In this session, we dive deep into some intriguing personal revelations with Heather, who unexpectedly found herself discussing ME with her business coach! 😳 Talk about our mind jumping to conclusions!  Imagine what I was thinking when I found this out! 


In this episode, you’ll discover what I did to trigger her (sidenote, it might have something to do with my Monday boards).  Plus, we tackle the ever-present habit of comparing ourselves to others, revealing the emotional challenges it brings and sharing tips to rise above it. Stay tuned as we delve into the importance of recognizing and embracing your "zone of genius," steering clear of the nagging 'Should Monster,' and learning to honor your unique path to success.


What To Listen For:
Heather's Unexpected Coaching Session: Discover why Heather felt the need to discuss ME with her coach!The Power of Assumptions: Explore how jumping to negative conclusions can shake up both our friendships and work relationships.Comparison and Self-Worth: Understand the deep-rooted tendencies of comparing ourselves to others and the emotional toll it can take, as well as strategies to overcome these feelings.Zone of Genius: We discuss staying true to one's "zone of genius." Listen for advice on focusing on what you excel at and letting go of the pressure to be good at everything.Dealing with the 'Should Monster': The internal pressure to conform to others' paths to success. Learn how to challenge these "should" thoughts and embrace your unique journey.

Resources From This Episode:
Hair of the Dog Academy Elevate Coaching ProgramFreedom Focus Formula

Connect with Heather
Flourish AcademyFlourish Academy on FBFlourish Academy on IG

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

241 - Welcome to our final episode of The Offline Photographer! Throughout this series, we've explored the art of in-person marketing, empowering photographers to step away from screens and cultivate genuine, face-to-face connections in their local communities. 

By focusing on offline engagement, we've helped photographers find innovative ways to build relationships and grow their businesses.
In this episode, host Heather Lahtinen and Laura Wombwell tackle the challenges of being an introverted photographer in an industry that thrives on social interaction. 

They also explore the mindset blocks surrounding discussions of money and pricing. Laura candidly shares her journey of overcoming these barriers, while Heather offers advice on reframing client interactions to be more about education and less about pressure.


What To Listen For:

Navigating Social Barriers as an Introvert: Laura Wombwell shares her journey of overcoming social challenges as an introverted photographer, highlighting the mental hurdles she faces while interacting with potential clients.
Addressing Money Mindset Issues: The conversation touches on overcoming negative beliefs around discussing money, such as associating it with being "gross" or feeling like a "used car salesman."
Reframing the Narrative: Heather encourages Laura to rethink her approach, emphasizing that providing people with information about her photography services is about educating, not pressuring.
Imagining a Different Role: Laura introduces the idea of stepping into a more confident version of herself, using the concept of a "Super Laura" to connect more comfortably with potential clients.
Bridging Conversations to Business: Laura discusses strategies for transitioning casual conversations into opportunities to share about her pet photography services.

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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


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

What To Listen For:


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

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

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

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

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

What To Listen For:


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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


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

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