LEVEL UP: A Wedding Photography + Videography Podcast

Taylor Petrinovich & Kelley Gilster | The Level Up Co.

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. 5D AGO

    Must Haves for Wedding Photographers and Filmmakers

    In this episode, we’re back in the car for another Car Chats… which means it’s a little unfiltered, slightly chaotic, and honestly just feels like you’re sitting in on one of our real-life conversations. And today, we’re talking about the things we genuinely can’t live without as wedding creatives. Not the obvious gear… but the small, often overlooked things that make your days smoother, your client experience stronger, and your business more sustainable long term. We’re sharing everything from what we keep in our bags on a wedding day, to the tiny touches that helped us build referrals early on, to the mindset shift around being fully self-sufficient… and why that matters more than you think. We also get into travel essentials, tools that have made our workflows faster, and the simple upgrades that have made a big difference in how we show up… both professionally and personally. Because the truth is, it’s rarely one big thing that changes your business. It’s the accumulation of small decisions, small details, and small ways you choose to go above and beyond… over and over again. This episode is part practical, part mindset, and part a reminder that the little things? They’re actually the big things. This episode was sponsored by Wanderlust Videos, use LEVELUP100 for $100 off your first edit at https://www.wanderlust-videos.com/ And thank you to VidFlow for sponsoring today's episode. Level up your delivery experience at https://vidflow.co/thelevelupco Timestamps: 00:00 - 01:17 | Editing Bottlenecks & Outsourcing 01:17 - 05:02 | Car Chat Intro & Road Trip Setup 05:03 - 10:15 | Wedding Day Must-Haves & Client Experience 10:16 - 18:10 | Self-Sufficiency & Vendor Meal Mindset 18:11 - 30:21 | Travel Tips, Tools & Stories 30:22 - 36:20 | Appearance & Professional Presentation 36:21 - 42:08 | Productivity & Working Smarter 42:09 - 47:06 | Tech, Workflow & Final Thoughts The next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Spring 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 8 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/

    47 min
  2. MAR 24

    The Brutal Truth About Why You’re Not Growing Faster

    In this episode, we’re doing something a little different. We’re recording together from the car for episode two of our Car Chats series… slightly unhinged, a little all over the place, but still packed with the kind of conversations we know you actually need to hear. And today, we’re diving into a concept that has shaped so much of our growth over the years… the idea of “overpaying” in your business. Not just financially, but with your time, your energy, your willingness to go further than what feels normal. We’re sharing real stories from the early days… shooting weddings for next to nothing just to build experience, saying yes to everything, investing in education, and the moments where we overpaid without a strategy and saw nothing from it. Because here’s the truth… overpaying only works when it’s intentional. We also get into what this actually looks like in practice. The small details that elevate your work. The opportunities most people pass on. The difference between playing the short game versus building something long-term. And the honest conversation around what we would do differently if we were starting again. This episode is part mindset shift, part reality check, and part encouragement to stop doing what’s normal… and start doing what actually moves the needle. Because the people at the top? They didn’t get there by doing the bare minimum. This episode was sponsored by Wanderlust Videos, use LEVELUP100 for $100 off your first edit at https://www.wanderlust-videos.com/ And thank you to VidFlow for sponsoring today's episode. Level up your delivery experience at https://vidflow.co/thelevelupco Timestamps: 00:00 - 01:13 | Car Chat Intro: Road Trip Episodes & Casual Format 01:14 - 05:22 | The Concept of Overpaying: Time vs Money in Business Growth 05:23 - 08:32 | Overdelivering Early: Using Time to Elevate Your Work 08:33 - 13:09 | Building Experience Fast: Volume vs Perfection Mindset 13:10 - 17:58 | Strategic vs Unstrategic Overpaying: Missed Opportunities 17:59 - 22:03 | Investing for Growth: Education, Networking & Long-Term ROI 22:04 - 26:41 | Working On vs In Your Business: Time Allocation & Vision 26:42 - 29:13 | Motivation, Dopamine & Reaching the Next Level 29:14 - 33:49 | Final Thoughts: Going the Extra Mile & Embracing Discomfort The next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Spring 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 8 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/

    37 min
  3. MAR 17

    One Risky Text Message Changed Everything

    In this episode, we’re doing something a little different. We’re recording together from the car for the very first time as we kick off a brand new series on the podcast: Car Chats. And to start things off, we’re sharing the story that so many people in our community have asked us about… how Level Up actually began. The truth? It didn’t start with a big strategy session or a perfectly mapped out business plan. It started with a single text message in January of 2023. You’ll also hear how our very different personalities and skill sets became one of the biggest strengths of our partnership. One of us loves the behind-the-scenes strategy, systems, and launches. The other thrives in community building, mentorship, and the student experience. Together, we built something neither of us could have created alone. This episode is the full origin story of how Level Up began — and why sometimes the best things start with simply deciding to go for it. This episode was sponsored by Wanderlust Videos, use LEVELUP100 for $100 off your first edit at https://www.wanderlust-videos.com/ And thank you to VidFlow for sponsoring today's episode. Level up your delivery experience at https://vidflow.co/thelevelupco Timestamps: 00:00 - 01:16 | Editing Backlogs & The Power of Outsourcing 01:17 - 02:50 | Introducing the Car Chats Series & Episode Setup 02:51 - 06:00 | The Early Days of The Level Up Podcast 06:01 - 09:33 | How Taylor & Kelley First Connected During the Pandemic 09:34 - 13:39 | The Text Message That Started Their Partnership 13:40 - 18:05 | Building The Luxury Framework & Defining Their Brand Vision 18:06 - 22:07 | Complementary Strengths & Division of Roles in Business 22:08 - 25:49 | Growing Level Up & Navigating an Unconventional Partnership 25:50 - 28:42 | Impact of Education, Mentorship & Looking Ahead The next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Spring 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 8 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/

    29 min
  4. MAR 10

    255: Become the 2.0 Version of Your Brand

    Many wedding photographers and filmmakers hit a frustrating ceiling in their business. Your work is strong. Your clients love you. But somehow… your pricing, bookings, and growth feel stuck. In this episode, we sit down with Chicago wedding filmmaker Kyrie Copeland to talk about the mindset shifts, branding changes, and business strategies that helped her raise her average booking from around $3,500 to $6,500 in less than a year. We dive into breaking into the luxury wedding market, raising your prices with confidence, attracting better clients, and building relationships with planners that lead to higher-end bookings. If you’re a wedding photographer or filmmaker who wants to grow your business, book higher-paying clients, and step into the luxury market, this episode is for you. This episode was sponsored by Wanderlust Videos, use LEVELUP100 for $100 off your first edit at https://www.wanderlust-videos.com/ And thank you to VidFlow for sponsoring today's episode. Level up your delivery experience at https://vidflow.co/thelevelupco Timestamps: 00:00 - 01:15 | Editing Backlogs & The Case for Outsourcing Video Editing 01:16 - 03:09 | Podcast Introduction & Luxury Mastermind Success Story 03:10 - 10:00 | Finding the Right Market: Pivoting to Chicago Weddings 10:01 - 18:00 | Branding, Niching Down & Communicating Like a Luxury Vendor 18:01 - 28:00 | Inside the Mastermind: Systems, Client Experience & Raising Prices 28:01 - 36:00 | Luxury Market Sales: Booking Faster with Clear Communication 36:01 - 43:54 | Pricing Confidence, Demand Strategy & Long-Term Business Goals 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 next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Spring 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 8 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/

    44 min
  5. MAR 3

    254: From $7.5K to $15K What Changed Their Wedding Photography Business

    So many wedding photographers and filmmakers believe there’s a ceiling on their income. That $7,500 packages are “just how it is.” That planners are gatekeepers. That luxury clients aren’t for them. In this episode, we sit down with Alyssa and Matt, a husband-and-wife photography team who shattered that belief. They went from hoping for a $7,500 booking to landing a $15,000 wedding before Mastermind was even over. But the real shift wasn’t just pricing. It was mindset. They moved from scarcity to abundance. From skepticism to confidence. From playing small to thinking bigger. We talk about raising your wedding photography prices, building genuine planner relationships, creating a high-touch client experience, and redefining what it means to be “local” in today’s luxury wedding market. Here’s the truth: you can only win if you decide to GO FOR IT. There is no ceiling. You are more capable than you think. The question is… are you ready to move? 🚀 This episode was sponsored by Wanderlust Videos, use LEVELUP100 for $100 off your first edit at https://www.wanderlust-videos.com/ And thank you to VidFlow for sponsoring today's episode. Level up your delivery experience at https://vidflow.co/thelevelupco Timestamps: 00:00 - 01:09 | Outsourcing for Growth: Wanderlust Ad & Reclaiming Time 01:09 - 02:18 | Podcast Introduction & Meet Alyssa and Matt 02:18 - 06:05 | From Competition to Collaboration: Building a Husband-Wife Photography Brand 06:05 - 10:13 | Crafting a Light, Timeless Style & Elevating the Client Experience 10:13 - 15:20 | Defining the Ideal Client & Embracing Travel as a Growth Strategy 15:20 - 19:57 | From Skepticism to Abundance: A Transformational Mastermind Journey 19:57 - 26:13 | Breaking Income Ceilings: Pricing Confidence & Strategic Implementation 26:13 - 33:41 | Planner Relationships, Long-Term Strategy & Redefining “Local” 33:41 - 40:25 | Collaboration Over Competition & Operating from Abundance Follow Alyssa + Matt: https://www.instagram.com/alyssamattphotography/ https://alyssamattphotography.com/ The next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Spring 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 8 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/

    40 min
  6. FEB 24

    253: If Your Wedding Business Isn’t Growing, It’s Time to Prune

    We can shoot more. We can post more. We can work harder. But if we never refine what we’re building, growth eventually stalls. A rose garden doesn’t flourish just because it gets sunlight and water. It flourishes because it’s pruned with intention. The same is true for your wedding photography or filmmaking business. In this episode, we’re talking about what it actually takes to elevate: archiving old work, refreshing your portfolio, upgrading your client experience, and letting go of habits that no longer reflect the level you’re stepping into. Most creatives think the answer is adding more. More marketing. More weddings. More hustle. But real momentum comes from knowing what to remove. You can only bloom if you’re willing to prune 🌿 This episode was sponsored by Wanderlust Videos, use LEVELUP100 for $100 off your first edit at https://www.wanderlust-videos.com/ And thank you to VidFlow for sponsoring today's episode. Level up your delivery experience at https://vidflow.co/thelevelupco Timestamps: 00:00 - 10:30 | From Backlog to Bloom: Outsourcing, Hybrid Conference & The Rose Garden Analogy 10:31 - 20:30 | Water, Sunlight & Fertilizer: The Basics of Marketing, Visibility & Showpiece Work 20:31 - 26:30 | The Power of Pruning: Archiving, Refining & Letting Go to Elevate Your Brand 26:31 - 29:30 | Quarterly Refresh Cycles & Intentional Business Maintenance 29:31 - 30:23 | Mastermind Invitation & Community Momentum The next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Spring 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 8 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/

    31 min
  7. FEB 17

    252: Community Matters More Than You Think

    We can work hard. We can set big goals. We can stay consistent. But if we’re constantly sharing those goals with people who doubt us, downplay them, or don’t understand them, it slowly chips away at our confidence. We are the product of the energy around us. In this episode, we talk about building a business village that pushes us forward instead of pulling us back. Because wedding photographers and filmmakers often work in isolation, and isolation can stunt momentum. We’ve seen it over and over again. When creatives step into rooms filled with growth-minded entrepreneurs, their confidence rises, their pricing increases, and their businesses expand. We all start at the same starting line. The difference is who we allow to influence us along the way. You can only win if you decide to GO FOR IT 🏃‍♀️ And it’s a whole lot easier to go for it when you’re surrounded by people doing the same. This episode was sponsored by Wanderlust Videos, use LEVELUP100 for $100 off your first edit at https://www.wanderlust-videos.com/ And thank you to VidFlow for sponsoring today's episode. Level up your delivery experience at https://vidflow.co/thelevelupco Timestamps: 00:00 - 05:30 | Life Updates & Industry Events: Hybrid, Family, and Real-Life Seasons 05:31 - 12:00 | The Power of Your Circle: Business Village & Influence 12:01 - 16:00 | Energy Is Contagious: Leadership at Home and in Business 16:01 - 20:30 | Community Over Isolation: Mastermind & Collective Growth 20:31 - 24:30 | Auditing Your Inner Circle: Who’s Fueling or Draining Your Growth 24:31 - 30:06 | Taking Control of Your Environment & Raising the Standard The next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Spring 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 8 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/

    30 min
  8. FEB 10

    251: Why You’re Stuck (Hint: You’re Playing Too Small)

    So many creatives set goals that feel safe. Goals that won’t rock the boat. Goals that guarantee you won’t fail… but also won’t grow. In this conversation, we’re unpacking how playing small quietly limits your income, your opportunities, and your confidence—and what actually happens when you decide to aim higher. We talk through real examples of saying yes before you feel ready, making strategic moves that don’t pay off immediately but compound over time, and why momentum only shows up after you take action. Growth doesn’t come from waiting until fear disappears. It comes from moving forward despite it. This episode is for you if you’ve ever thought, “I’m not ready yet,” “That works for other people, not me,” or “I’ll do it once things slow down.” We’re breaking down why those thoughts keep you stuck, how successful creatives push past them, and what it looks like to build confidence through action instead of perfection. You are more capable than you think. You don’t need permission, a perfect plan, or another year of overthinking. You just need to get started. If fear has been holding you back from raising your prices, expanding your income, or stepping into bigger opportunities, this episode will challenge you to move differently—and remind you that growth is available when you decide to go for it. Momentum is waiting. The next level is closer than it feels. This episode was sponsored by Wanderlust Videos, use LEVELUP100 for $100 off your first edit at https://www.wanderlust-videos.com/ And thank you to VidFlow for sponsoring today's episode. Level up your delivery experience at https://vidflow.co/thelevelupco Timestamps: 00:00 - 03:30 | Listener Question: Charging vs Complimentary Work for Planners 03:31 - 07:45 | Strategic Decision-Making: Evaluating ROI, Market Fit, and Relationships 07:46 - 11:30 | Calculated Risks: Industry Awareness and Portfolio Positioning 11:31 - 15:10 | Momentum & Visibility: Getting Out of Stagnation 15:11 - 18:40 | Letting Go of Old Habits: Adapting to New Seasons of Business 18:41 - 22:10 | Evolving Client Expectations & Industry Standards 22:11 - 25:45 | Mindset Shifts: Knowing Your Worth Without Blocking Growth 25:46 - 29:45 | Saying Yes Strategically: Long-Term Growth Through Openness The next round of The Luxury Mastermind will start in Spring 2026! We are thrilled to welcome you inside our signature 8 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/

    30 min
4.9
out of 5
86 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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