Get Booked: A Photography Marketing Podcast

Alison Bell, Melissa Arlena
  • 5.0 (20)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Stop posting and praying. Start booking. Get Booked is the podcast for photographers who want real marketing, SEO, and business strategies—not another guru telling you to "just be consistent." Your hosts? Alison Bell and Melissa Arlena—two photographers and military spouses with 27+ combined years in the industry. Melissa is an SEO educator who runs Picture Perfect Rankings, teaching photographers how to get found on Google. Alison is a business mentor who's successfully moved her photography business across the country (multiple times) and knows how to book clients fast in any market. Each week, they break down what's actually working: SEO that gets you on page one, marketing funnels that convert, email strategies that book sessions, and the business foundations you need to grow sustainably. It's why thousands of photographers have made this a top 25% podcast. This is the business education photography school skipped.

  1. 2D AGO

    93: Tax Deductions You Might Be Missing

    DISCLAIMER: We are not CPAs or financial advisors. This is provided for informational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified tax professional about your own specific tax situation, including local and state tax laws that may apply to your photography business. Tax laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. A certified public accountant or tax attorney should review your business expenses and tax strategy.   If you've been wondering which photography business tax deductions you're actually allowed to take — and which ones are slipping through the cracks — this episode is for you. We're getting into the deductions photographers miss most, what to watch out for with 1099s, and why your accountant might not catch everything unless you bring it up first. Grab the full download of possible tax deductions right here On this episode: 📚 The tax deductions photographers overlook most — from home office and mileage to payment processing fees and continuing education ⚠️ The 1099 double-income trap and how to make sure you're not paying taxes on money you never actually received 👥 How to vet, hire, and build a great relationship with an accountant who actually knows your business Ready to go deeper? Alison has put together an eight-page guide to potential deductions and expenses specifically for photographers — grab the link in the show notes.   Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Build a blogging strategy that BOOKS April 23 Alison is hosting her next LIVE workshop Blog To Book: Build a 12 Month Blogging Plan that Books. She'll cover the strategy for ranking, optimizing content, and getting found. Alisonbell.co Ready to streamline your content? Melissa's got you covered with her 35+ Blog Post Topics freebie—grab them now.   Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify 5 SEO Mistakes Killing Your Photography Business Webinar Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients Get Melissa's Free Blog Post Topics Find Alison on IG @getbookedpodcast Find Melissa on IG @‌pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!

    24 min

  2. MAR 30

    92: Local Lead Magnets for Photographers (That Build Your List)

    We're digging into one of the most misunderstood tools in a photographer's marketing kit — the local lead magnet for photographers. If your freebie is attracting followers from across the country (or across the ocean) instead of clients in your city, this episode is the fix. On this episode: Why generic lead magnets fill your list with the wrong people — and how to make yours hyper-local Lead magnet ideas by genre: destination, newborn, family, senior, wedding, branding, and pet photography How to repurpose your existing blog content into a powerful, city-specific freebie without starting from scratch Get Alison's Local Lead Magnet Playbook   Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Thinking about a pivot or transition in your photography business? Book a free 15 minute discovery call with Alison to talk through your next move. Ready to streamline your content? Melissa's got you covered with her 35+ Blog Post Topics freebie—grab them now. Looking for your next clients? Grab Alison's list of 39 FREE ways to get more bookings—no ads required. Links: Local Lead Magnet Playbook Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify Find Alison on IG @‌alisonbellphotog Find Melissa on IG @‌pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!

    20 min

  3. MAR 23

    91: How to Build a Marketing Plan for Mini Sessions

    If you've been wondering how to market mini sessions for photographers the right way — not the last-minute, panic-post-and-pray way — this episode is your step-by-step blueprint. We're walking through exactly how to build a repeatable marketing plan that fills your mini session calendar, creates real FOMO, and gets clients booking before you've even finished your morning coffee. On this episode: Why starting 3–4 months out is the difference between booked out and crickets The 4-phase marketing timeline: lock the details, tease & build, launch, sustain & close How to use your email list, blog content, FOMO tactics, and ads to fill every spot Map Out a YEAR of Marketing with Alison- a full hour of how to plan your marketing no matter what type of photography you do. Ready to map out your marketing for every season, not just minis? Melissa has 35 Blog Post Topics ready to help you create content that keeps working for your photography business all year long. Not sure where to start with your photography business? Book a free 15 minute discovery call with Alison to figure out your next best move.   Links: Alison's shop - past workshops, downloads & more Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients Live Workshop coming in April! Get the details in your inbox Map Out a YEAR of Marketing Find Alison on IG @‌getbookedpodcast Find Melissa on IG @‌pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!

    22 min

  4. MAR 16

    90: Citations, Backlinks & Domain Authority, Oh My!

    If you've ever wondered how to build local SEO for photographers without playing the exhausting game of chasing magazine features, this episode is for you. We're breaking down citations, backlinks, and domain authority — why they matter more than ever now that AI is recommending local businesses, and exactly what you can do about it today.   On this episode: What citations vs. backlinks actually are — and why both matter for getting found Domain authority: the credit score for your website (and why changing your domain is like closing all your credit cards) How to audit, fix, and build your off-page SEO without losing your mind Backlinko Link Checker Melissa's Citation Service Citations & Backlink Self Audit freebie Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Thinking about a pivot or transition in your photography business? Book a free 15 minute discovery call with Alison to talk through your next move. Ready to streamline your content? Melissa's got you covered with her 35+ Blog Post Topics freebie—grab them now. Looking for your next clients? Grab Alison's list of 39 FREE ways to get more bookings—no ads required. Links: Get on Alison's Workshop Waitlist here Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify Find Alison on IG @‌alisonbellphotog Find Melissa on IG @‌pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!

    18 min

  5. MAR 9

    89: The Policy Episode Nobody Wants To Have

    We're tackling the episode nobody wants to have — but every photographer needs. In Episode 89, we are breaking down the photography business policies that protect your time, your income, and your sanity before a difficult client situation forces you to figure it out the hard way. On this episode: Weather, sickness, and reschedule policies Model release policies and how to navigate pushback Late client policies — and how communication is your secret weapon The Contract Club - Alison's favorite contract lawyer Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Thinking about a pivot or transition in your photography business? Book a free 15 minute discovery call with Alison to talk through your next move. Ready to streamline your content? Melissa's got you covered with her 35+ Blog Post Topics freebie—grab them now. Looking for your next clients? Grab Alison's list of 39 FREE ways to get more bookings—no ads required. Links: Get on the Waitlist for Alison's next LIVE Workshop Braden Drake's  Contract Club Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify Find Alison on IG @‌alisonbellphotog Find Melissa on IG @‌pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!

    23 min

  6. MAR 2

    88: Mini Mentoring with Christian Grant Moving from TN to GA

    We're looking for photographers to be featured on future Mini Mentoring episodes! Click this link to throw your name in the hat!  Mini Mentoring is a series where Alison & Melissa get the low down on a real life business owner in need of more business. Whether that's because they've relocated, or pivoted niches we're walking through their business can giving them our recommendations to get booked.   Relocating your photography business doesn't have to feel like driving off a cliff without knowing where you'll land. We sat down with Christian Grant, a family photographer moving from Chattanooga to the Atlanta area this summer, and walked through exactly how to transition smoothly without losing momentum—or clients—in either location. On this episode: Strategic SEO keyword planning when moving to a new market Maximizing bookings and creating scarcity before a big move Leveraging free sessions and collaborations to establish yourself in a new city Running a photography business in two locations at once might sound overwhelming, but with the right game plan, you can maintain your current client base while building traction in your new market. Whether you're switching up your blog posts, timing your big announcement, or figuring out how to juggle both locations, this episode breaks down the exact steps to make your transition work.   Looking for fresh content ideas to boost your SEO? Grab our 35 Blog Post Topics to keep your content calendar full while you're managing the chaos of a move. Ready to strategize your own business transition? Book a free 15 minute discovery call and let's map out your next steps together. Join Alison's LIVE workshops tackling client communication, pricing, blogging and more. Get on the waitlist to get the details first! Links: Join Alison's LIVE workshops Get on the email list Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify @alisonbellphotog @‌pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!

    20 min

  7. FEB 23

    87: Running a Photography Business While Homeschooling - Systems That Actually Work

    Managing a homeschool and business from home requires more than just hustle—it requires strategic systems, clear boundaries, and the confidence to prioritize what matters most. We sat down with operations expert and fellow military spouse Mikel Dyer to talk about the real-life strategies that make it possible to be both a present homeschool mom and a thriving business owner. From setting working hours that protect your family time to batching tasks by energy level, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for ambitious moms who refuse to choose between motherhood and entrepreneurship. Mikel Dyer is an Operations Strategist and founder of Adroitly & Co. She helps founders build businesses that support their life, not consume it, through clear frameworks and steady partnership. She's a 2‑time business owner and the creator of Founders At Home, a space dedicated to leaders growing businesses while nurturing family and home.   On This Episode: Setting boundaries and client expectations as a homeschool entrepreneur Systemizing your day to maximize productivity without burnout The "systemize, prioritize, remove" framework for sustainable business growth   Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Join Alison's LIVE workshops tackling client communication, pricing, blogging and more. Get on the waitlist to get the details first! Ready to streamline your content? Melissa's got you covered with her 35+ Blog Post Topics freebie—grab them now. Looking for your next clients? Grab Alison's list of 39 FREE ways to get more bookings—no ads required. Links: Workshop Waitlist with Alison Try WhisperFlow - get a free month with this link Mikel's Treadmill Desk Attachment Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify Find Alison on IG @‌alisonbellphotog Find Melissa on IG @‌pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!

    30 min

  8. FEB 16

    86: 7 Ways to Make Money When Photography Business Is Slow

    How to Generate Income During Photography Slow Season We're diving into creative ways photographers can monetize their downtime and turn their "sawdust"—those byproducts of your primary business—into real revenue streams. Whether you're facing seasonal slumps or looking to diversify your income, there's something here for every photographer. On this episode: Studio rental opportunities and side income ideas Local business partnerships and product photography gigs Associate shooting and volume photography strategies Here's what we cover: The beauty of these income streams? You don't have to advertise them as part of your main brand. Create a sub-brand, keep it quiet, or use your existing client list. Many of these started as temporary fixes and became legitimate revenue sources. From renting your studio or home on peer-to-peer platforms to shooting headshots, Google My Business photos, and volume work—you've got options whether you're fully booked or in a slump. Want to dig deeper into restructuring your business for sustainable income? Grab a free 15 minute discovery call with Alison to talk through what might work for your specific situation.   Get Booked is for ambitious female photographers and service providers who are restructuring, relocating, or scaling their businesses while managing the demands of family life. Real talk, real strategies, real results. Tired of being invisible on Google? Learn the 5 SEO mistakes keeping photographers from getting found (and how to fix them) in Melissa's free masterclass: https://pictureperfectrankings.com/mistakes Ready to streamline your content? Melissa's got you covered with her 35+ Blog Post Topics freebie—grab them now. Looking for your next clients? Grab Alison's list of 39 FREE ways to get more bookings—no ads required. Links: Get on Alison's email Waitlist for Live Workshops Leave a review in Apple or on Spotify 5 SEO Mistakes Killing Your Photography Business Webinar Download 39 FREE Ways to Get More Clients Get Melissa's Free Blog Post Topics Find Alison on IG @‌alisonbellphotog Find Melissa on IG @‌pictureperfectrankings Used #getbookedpodcast on socials!

    20 min
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About

Stop posting and praying. Start booking. Get Booked is the podcast for photographers who want real marketing, SEO, and business strategies—not another guru telling you to "just be consistent." Your hosts? Alison Bell and Melissa Arlena—two photographers and military spouses with 27+ combined years in the industry. Melissa is an SEO educator who runs Picture Perfect Rankings, teaching photographers how to get found on Google. Alison is a business mentor who's successfully moved her photography business across the country (multiple times) and knows how to book clients fast in any market. Each week, they break down what's actually working: SEO that gets you on page one, marketing funnels that convert, email strategies that book sessions, and the business foundations you need to grow sustainably. It's why thousands of photographers have made this a top 25% podcast. This is the business education photography school skipped.

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