Flourish Academy Podcast

Heather Lahtinen
  • 4.9 (52)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Our purpose at the Flourish Academy is to leave people better than we found them. We hope to inspire and motivate you to reframe your thinking in a way that serves you. Our hope is that you will reply with, "wow, I never thought of it that way."

  1. 23h ago

    Podcast Ep 436 - The Sales Prediction That's Costing You Money

    Stop trying to guess what your photography clients are going to spend. You might be costing yourself sales before the conversation even begins. Have you ever looked at a potential client and decided they probably won't invest in your larger package, or convinced yourself someone is going to make a huge purchase before they've even seen their photos? In this episode, Heather explores how assumptions about clients' spending habits can affect your confidence, sales approach, and revenue. Learn why sales confidence isn't about predicting what someone will buy; it's about presenting your offers confidently, creating an excellent client experience, and letting your clients decide for themselves. Key Takeaways: Stop trying to predict what clients will spend. Your assumptions aren't reliable financial information, even when they feel convincing. Don't emotionally spend a sale before it happens. Counting imaginary revenue toward your goals can make a perfectly reasonable purchase feel like a failure. Your clients aren't responsible for your expectations. They haven't agreed to the story you've created in your head about what they should buy. Stay out of other people's pocketbooks. You cannot accurately determine what someone values or can afford based on their appearance, car, neighborhood, or profession. Don't decide for your clients. If you assume someone won't purchase your premium collection, you may never give them the opportunity to choose it. Present every option with confidence. Show your larger collections, albums, wall art, and other offers with the same enthusiasm, regardless of what you think a client will spend. Neutrality isn't pessimism. You can believe in your work, set ambitious revenue goals, and still acknowledge that you don't know what one particular client will buy. Your job is to create the opportunity for the sale. Provide an excellent experience, make clear offers, explain the possibilities, and help clients make informed decisions. Sales confidence means being comfortable with uncertainty. You don't need to know whether a client will spend $500 or $5,000 to sell well. Pay attention to what your predictions are doing for you. Are you trying to protect yourself from disappointment, create excitement, or decide how much effort a client deserves? Let your clients surprise you. Loosen your attachment to predictions and give people the opportunity to say yes. Work on the thinking beneath your strategy. Even the best sales process won't help if your assumptions quietly convince you not to use it. What if the biggest thing standing between you and your next big sale is an assumption you've already made about your client? What if you're losing opportunities—not because people won't spend, but because you've decided what they'll buy before you even make the offer? Discover how to stop predicting, stop holding back, and start selling with confidence—even when you have no idea what the outcome will be. Press play and learn the sales mindset shift that could change the way you approach every client, every offer, and every opportunity to grow your revenue. How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  2. Oct 13

    Podcast Ep 435 - The Proudly Disorganized Six-Figure Photographer

    You don't have to be organized, fearless, or have everything figured out to build a successful photography business. In this episode, Heather interviews Sarah DeRemer, a Los Angeles-based dog photographer who has built a thriving business by leaning into what she loves most: photographing dogs and connecting with the people who love them. Sarah shares how passion, word of mouth, social media, self-trust, and the courage to raise her prices have shaped her success—even as a proudly disorganized creative. If you're a photographer who struggles with overthinking, comparison, pricing fears, or feeling like you're doing business "wrong," this episode will remind you that you can build a profitable photography business without becoming someone you're not. You can explore Sarah's incredible work on her website or connect with her on Instagram. Key Takeaways:  You don't have to be like everyone else to succeed. Build a business around your personality, strengths, and priorities instead of copying someone else's approach. Passion is a business asset. Sarah's genuine love of dogs helps her connect with clients, create meaningful work, and build lasting relationships.  Personal relationships matter. Networking, word of mouth, and authentic interactions can be powerful drivers of photography bookings.  Show people what working with you looks like. Sharing your work, behind-the-scenes content, and enthusiasm helps potential clients get to know you before they book.  Outsource strategically. You don't need to excel at every task. Hiring help with emails and reminders has allowed Sarah to focus more of her energy on photography.  Raising your prices can be scary—and worthwhile. Sarah moved from a $500 session to packages reaching $2,950, despite fears that clients wouldn't pay more.  Not everyone is your client, and that's okay. You can price your work according to the value you provide without trying to accommodate every budget.  Stop holding on to someone else's opinion. One person's belief about what clients will pay doesn't determine what your ideal clients are willing to invest.  Choose opportunities that align with your goals. Sarah has become more intentional about the events and clients she pursues, focusing on the relationships most likely to support her business.  You don't need to do everything at once. Focus on the actions that matter most now rather than trying to fix every part of your business simultaneously.  Self-trust develops through action. You can experience doubt and still make a decision, test an idea, and learn from the outcome.  Reconnect with your joy when you're overwhelmed. Taking a breath, stepping outside, or returning to the work you love can help you regain clarity.  Build a business that supports your life. Success isn't just about revenue; it's also about creating a career you genuinely enjoy. What if you could build a successful photography business without becoming the perfectly organized, endlessly confident person you think you need to be? What if your passion, your personality, and the things that make you different are actually your greatest business advantages?  Discover how one dog photographer overcame pricing fears, trusted herself, and built a thriving business by doing more of what she loves. Press play and learn why you don't need to become someone else to create the photography business—and the life—you really want. How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  3. Oct 6

    Podcast Ep 434 - Before You Say "I Need More Inquiries," Do This

    What if your next photography client is already closer than you think? In this episode, Heather shares a simple way to find potential revenue without constantly chasing new followers, inquiries, or strangers online. She breaks revenue opportunities into three powerful buckets: existing opportunities, past relationships, and new opportunities, and explains why photographers often overlook the first two. If you've been wondering how to get more photography clients or make more money in your photography business, this episode will help you see the opportunities that may already be sitting right in front of you.  Key Takeaways: Your next client doesn't necessarily have to be a stranger. Existing opportunities are often the fastest place to start. Follow up with open inquiries and unanswered proposals. Look for additional sales opportunities with current clients. Past clients and old leads are still valuable relationships. Someone who wasn't ready before may be ready now. Referral partners and vendors can become powerful sources of business. New opportunities still matter—but don't overlook the first two buckets. You don't need to constantly chase more followers to create revenue. Change the question from "Where will I find clients?" to "Where are the opportunities?" A scarcity question creates scarcity; a possibility question makes you look for options. Before deciding there are no clients or opportunities, make sure you've actually looked.  What if your next client isn't waiting to discover you, you've already met them? What if you're searching for new leads while money is sitting inside relationships you've already built? There may be far more opportunities around you than you're currently seeing. Press play, find your three buckets, and discover where your next sale could already be hiding. How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  4. Sep 29

    Podcast Ep 433 - The Five Reasons Photographers Aren't Booking

    You don't need more clients. You need to know why the clients you want aren't booking. In this episode, Heather breaks down the five most common places where movement can stop in a photography business: audience, offer, invitation, follow-up, and conversion. If you've been saying "I need more clients," "nobody is booking," or "my marketing isn't working," Heather will help you turn those vague frustrations into specific, actionable problems you can actually solve. This episode is about replacing business drama with clarity—and finally knowing what to do next.  Key Takeaways "I need more clients" isn't a diagnosis. It's a description of what you want—not an explanation of what's preventing you from getting it. Find where movement has stopped. Your problem is likely happening somewhere within your audience, offer, invitation, follow-up, or conversion. You may already have an audience. Past clients, old inquiries, email subscribers, referral partners, local businesses, and community connections can all be potential sources of business. More leads aren't always the answer. If you already have warm leads, your real opportunity may be reconnecting with the people who already know you. A clear offer makes buying easier. Your potential client should understand who the offer is for, what they're receiving, why they want it, what it costs, what to do next, and why they might act now. Posting isn't the same as making an offer. Beautiful images and visibility matter, but people also need a clear invitation to take the next step. Follow-up isn't bothering people. Someone not responding isn't necessarily a "no." Following up gives them another opportunity to make a decision. Clicks are information. If someone has clicked your offer, they've shown some level of interest. Don't dismiss that data. Don't immediately blame pricing. If people aren't buying, examine clarity, value, trust, timing, audience, messaging, and price before randomly changing your numbers. Too many priorities can kill momentum. You don't need to choose one thing forever—you need to decide what gets your attention right now. "I've tried everything" is probably not accurate. You may have tried several things, but perhaps not consistently, with the right audience, with clear messaging, or with enough follow-up. Turn passive problems into actionable problems. "Nobody is booking" becomes "I'm not having enough booking conversations." Now you have something you can measure and change. Choose one reasonable next action. You don't need a massive 90-day strategy. Take one action, gather information, and use the result to decide what comes next. What if you don't need more clients—you need to know why the clients you want aren't moving forward? What if the problem isn't your entire business, but one place where movement has stopped? Once you can diagnose the real problem, you can stop guessing and finally know what to do next. Press play and discover the five places your photography business could be stuck—and the simple shift that can get it moving again.  How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  5. Sep 22

    Podcast Ep 432 - You know what to do, why aren't you doing it?

    In this episode, Heather explores why we get distracted when a task feels uncomfortable and how avoidance often has less to do with discipline and more to do with our desire to escape discomfort. From editing thousands of images to marketing, sales, and bookkeeping, Heather breaks down how to identify the real reason you're avoiding something and create practical systems that work with your brain, energy, and business. Discover how replacing "I should" with "I could" can reduce shame, increase choice, and help you build a business you can actually trust yourself to run.    Key Takeaways: Distraction is often an attempt to avoid discomfort. Your brain may be seeking relief from tasks that feel boring, complicated, uncertain, or emotionally risky. Distraction doesn't automatically mean you're lazy. Understanding the discomfort underneath your behavior helps you respond more effectively. False productivity can disguise avoidance. Completing comfortable tasks may feel productive while allowing you to avoid the work that matters most. Get curious instead of judgmental. Ask yourself, "What am I thinking and feeling right now?" when you notice yourself trying to escape a task. Identify the specific discomfort. Is the task too big, confusing, boring, uncertain, or demanding for your current energy? Make the work less painful. Break tasks into smaller sections, create finish lines, add rewards, schedule breaks, or ask for support. Replace "should" with "could." "I should do this" creates pressure, while "I could do this" introduces choice. You can want the result without enjoying the task. It's possible to value the outcome while disliking the work required to achieve it. Stop designing systems for an imaginary version of yourself. Build strategies around your real energy, responsibilities, and working style. You don't need the universally perfect productivity system. You need a system that works for your brain and your business. Experimentation builds self-trust. When you find a process that works, you spend less time negotiating with yourself. Your goal isn't to love every task. Your goal is to create systems that make the work manageable and sustainable. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-694501d9-f4b4-8322-b538-25cb090990b0-0" data-turn-id-container= "request-694501d9-f4b4-8322-b538-25cb090990b0-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-turn="assistant"> What if the task isn't the problem—the way you're asking yourself to do it is? What if you could stop fighting yourself and finally create a system your brain can trust? The solution to your productivity struggles may not be more discipline, but a completely different approach. Press play and discover how to make the work less painful, stop the avoidance cycle, and build a business that works for YOU. How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  6. Sep 15

    Podcast Ep 431 - The Burnout You Don't See Coming

    What if you're not burned out because you're doing too much, but because of the way you're thinking about everything you have to do? In this episode, Heather and Nicole Begley unpack the difference between being tired, overwhelmed, and truly burned out. They explore how resistance, self-judgment, and the pressure to get everything done can turn ordinary stress into suffering. Heather shares a simple question that has helped her navigate some of her most overwhelming seasons: "What do I want to pay attention to right now?" You'll also hear why movement, rather than simply resting, can be the reset some entrepreneurs and ADHD brains actually need.  And there's even more coming. Heather reveals that she's creating a new, quick, bingeable mini-course all about burnout, designed specifically to help photographers understand what's happening when overwhelm starts taking over, and what they can actually do about it. This is especially timely as photographers head into one of the busiest seasons of the year. If you're anticipating a packed fall, you're already feeling stretched thin, or you've experienced that familiar cycle of overwhelm → exhaustion → guilt → more overwhelm, this is something you'll want to keep an eye out for. And if you're an Elevate member, there's an extra bonus: members receive complimentary access to the courses Heather creates. It's another example of how Elevate isn't just about calls and coaching, it's an evolving library of resources designed to support you through the real challenges of running a photography business.  Key Takeaways: Being exhausted doesn't automatically mean you're burned out. You can be physically exhausted from meaningful, purposeful work without experiencing burnout. Burnout and overwhelm are different. Overwhelm may come and go; burnout can feel like you've reached a constant "redline." Resistance can turn pain into suffering. Fighting reality and judging yourself for what you're experiencing often adds another layer of stress. Acceptance creates space for wisdom. You don't have to love the situation to accept that it's where you are right now. Ask yourself: "Where have I fallen out of belief in my capability?" Overwhelm can be a signal that you're questioning whether you're capable of handling what's in front of you. You don't have to finish everything right now. The entire list can exist without demanding your attention simultaneously. "What do I want to pay attention to right now?" is a powerful reset. Bringing your attention back to the present can quiet the mental noise of everything else. Your brain may need movement, not just rest. Walking, riding, paddleboarding, or getting outside can help move some of that stress and energy through your body. Know what works for your brain. Traditional advice like "just sit down and relax" doesn't work equally well for everyone. Stop judging yourself for how you function. Understanding your brain and responding to what it needs can be far more productive than constantly asking what's wrong with you. You don't have to solve your entire life today. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is focus on what's happening now. Burnout is worth understanding before you reach the breaking point. Learning to recognize the signs early can help you make different choices before overwhelm becomes your baseline.  What if you're not failing; you're simply carrying more than your brain can hold all at once? What if one question could pull you out of the spiral and bring you back to what matters right now? Before another busy season pushes you toward burnout, you need to hear this. Press play and discover the mindset shift that could change the way you handle overwhelm, stress, and the busiest seasons of your business.  How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  7. Sep 8

    Podcast Ep 430 - What a $200K Photographer Would Do If She Had to Start Over

    What if building a $100K photography business could actually be fun and easy? In this episode, Heather sits down with Jessica Wasik, owner of Bark and Gold Photography, founding member of Elevate, and now a head coach inside the program. Jess has built a photography business generating around $200,000 per year, but there was no magic formula behind it. Instead, her success came from experimenting, meeting people, staying visible, investing in education, and refusing to make every obstacle mean something had gone wrong. Heather and Jess unpack the clues behind her success and why you don't need more clients, more stress, or more hours to build a profitable photography business.  You can check Jessica's incredible work here: https://barkandgoldphotography.com/  This episode is also a powerful example of what makes Elevate different. Jess didn't simply learn from Heather; she became part of the community, grew her own business, and now helps other photographers do the same as a head coach. Being surrounded by photographers who are actively creating the results you want gives you something incredibly valuable: evidence that it's possible. Key Takeaways: Success leaves clues. Instead of searching for one magic formula, study how successful photographers think, act, experiment, and respond when things don't work. Experimentation is a powerful marketing strategy. Jess is constantly testing new ideas rather than waiting for someone to tell her exactly what will work. Not every experiment needs to succeed. If something doesn't work, you can simply let it fade away and try something else. Meet people instead of waiting to be discovered. Jess recognizes that if people don't know she exists, they can't book her. Being an introvert doesn't mean you can't market yourself. You don't need to become an outgoing, extroverted salesperson. You can simply connect with people in a way that feels authentic to you. Stop worrying about things your clients aren't worried about. Photographers can spend enormous amounts of energy analyzing things that their clients don't even notice or care about. Learn to turn down the volume on your thoughts. Jess's "overthinkatorium" is a great reminder that you don't have to listen to every thought your brain produces. Look outside your industry for inspiration. Other businesses can provide fresh ideas when everyone in your own industry seems to be doing the same thing. Education can have a tremendous return. Investing in learning can give you skills, ideas, confidence, and strategies that continue paying off long after the initial investment. Don't chase every shiny object. Take what is useful from education and leave what doesn't fit your business or personality. You don't need more clients to reach six figures. You may simply need fewer, more aligned clients who are willing to invest more. You don't have to work yourself into the ground. Profitability and quality of life can coexist. Put yourself in proximity to people creating the results you want. Seeing other photographers succeed can provide evidence that your own goals are possible. Make business fun instead of miserable. There will always be challenges, but you don't have to build a business you hate running. What if six figures doesn't require more clients, more hours, or more stress? What if the photographers already doing it could show you exactly what you're missing? Jess's story proves that success can be built through experiments, education, visibility, and a willingness to keep going. Press play and discover the clues behind a $200K photography business, and what you can start doing differently today. How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

  8. Aug 31

    Podcast Ep 429 - Stop Telling Yourself You Can't Get Clients

    What if your brain is already working hard to prove you right? In this episode, Heather explores how confirmation bias, attention, and identity influence the way photographers see their businesses. If you keep telling yourself there aren't enough clients, people won't pay, or you're bad at marketing, your brain becomes remarkably good at finding evidence to support those beliefs. Heather explains how to interrupt that cycle, choose more useful thoughts, and intentionally train your brain to notice opportunities, solutions, and possibilities you may have been overlooking. Key Takeaways: Your brain looks for evidence that supports what you already believe. Your beliefs influence what you notice, how you interpret experiences, and what opportunities you recognize. "I don't know how to get clients" is not a permanent fact. It may simply mean you don't currently know how to get your next client. One experience doesn't prove a universal truth. A ghosted inquiry or a price objection doesn't mean nobody wants your work. Your brain can build either a positive or negative case. The thoughts you repeatedly practice become the evidence your brain searches for. Identity changes behavior. When you see yourself as someone who can figure things out, your actions begin to reflect that belief. "I'm an athlete" becomes a useful identity. Heather shares how this thought changed the choices she naturally made around movement, food, and health. You don't need to lie to yourself. Choose thoughts that are believable and useful, such as "There are people who would love what I offer." Marketing opportunities may already be around you. When you believe opportunities exist, you become more likely to notice people, conversations, and connections that could lead somewhere. Don't use mindset work against yourself. Noticing an unhelpful thought isn't another reason to criticize yourself. It's simply information. Ask: "What am I training my brain to prove?" This question can help you recognize the story you're building and consciously choose a different one. What if your brain has been proving your limiting beliefs right this entire time? What if the clients, opportunities, and possibilities aren't missing—you've simply stopped noticing them? The story you repeat becomes the evidence you see, the actions you take, and the results you create. Press play and discover what you're training your brain to prove—and how to start building a completely different case. How to Support the Podcast: Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please like, share, and leave a review. If you like the content, please share with your friends by posting on social media so that we can reach and impact more people. Join our next free coaching workshop: www.getcoachedbyheather.com Connect: Heather Lahtinen: Website, Facebook, Instagram

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4.9
out of 5
52 Ratings

About

Our purpose at the Flourish Academy is to leave people better than we found them. We hope to inspire and motivate you to reframe your thinking in a way that serves you. Our hope is that you will reply with, "wow, I never thought of it that way."

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