Photography Breakthrough System

Matthew Jordan Smith
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Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast, the place where burnt out photographers come back to life. Where fear gets replaced with confidence and where your gift finally starts working for you, not against you.

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode 22 - This Is the Year Everything Changes

    Photography Breakthrough Workshop Kickoff 2026 Happy New Year. Welcome back. It's Matthew Jordan Smith, and this is the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. It's a brand new year, and I have a feeling you are here right now because you're ready for something different, not just a new calendar, not just another resolution you'll forget by February, but real change, deep lasting, powerful change in your photography, in your business, with your confidence and with your life. So let's start here. This is your moment and I want to tell you something you may not have heard enough.You don't have to keep doing it the hard way. You don't have to keep guessing.You don't have to keep asking yourself, why is this working for others, but not for me? Because the truth is, it's not your fault.You just haven't had the right guidance. Until now. That's why this January. We're kicking off the year with a three day photography breakthrough workshop, and it starts soon. I made it just for you because you are tired of wondering where your next client is coming from. Because you know your work is worth it, but you're not sure how to charge more without losing people Because you've done everything they said to do and it still doesn't feel like it's working. I created this workshop because I've been where you are. I've had those nights staring at the ceiling, wondering how I'll make it through another month, wondering if I need to quit wondering if my dream was just too big. But I didn't quit and neither will you. Because you were called to this work for a reason. Because photography isn't just what you do. It's who you are. And you know it deep in your soul. You know you are meant to make people feel something when they stand in front of your camera. So now let me help you build a business, a photography business around your gift. In this workshop, I'm going to show you the exact steps I use in my own career, not just in the past, but right now, today. Not theory, not guesswork, real tools, real strategy, real results. Because you deserve to have consistent, happy clients who tell everyone about you. You deserve to charge what your work is really worth and feel good about it. You deserve to create a business that gives you freedom, not burnout. And you don't have to do it alone. You've been there. And you know where that's taken you. It is time to change going forward. I'll be with you every step, but you have to decide now to sign up and dedicate this year to being the year that changes everything because time moves fast because another year can fly by. Because the only way this year looks different is if you make a different choice. So take a deep breath. Then go sign up right now for the three day Photography breakthrough workshop. It's completely free and it's waiting for you. The link is here in the show notes, and you can also find it on my Instagram. Go there now and sign up. We start soon, and I want you to be there because you know you're ready. Let's make 2026 the year you stop struggling and start thriving in your photography. Let's build a photography business that you love. Let's do it together. I'll see you inside the workshop. It starts very soon, so sign up now. All right. I've got a lot of work to do before we get started, so make sure you sign up right now and I'll see you in the workshop. Oh, and if you were on the last workshop. There's a lot that's new. Number one. After each and every workshop, I want you to join me on the special Facebook page so we can ask the questions about that specific day. And prepare yourself for the next workshop. This time, I want to hear from you. Sign up right now. I'll see you in the workshop. Until next time. Bye for now.

    12 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Episode 21 - The Final Frame- Closing 2025 with Vision

    Photography Breakthrough: Year-End Encouragement and Free Workshop Hey there, it's Matthew, and welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. This episode is a little different. It's just you and me today, and I want to speak straight to your heart. Because as this year comes to a close, I know you're probably feeling a lot. Hope, pressure, maybe some fear, maybe even some doubt. So before we go any further, I want to say this. . I see you. You've shown up, you've worked hard, you've tried, even when it felt like no one noticed, kept going, and that alone is worth honoring. Today is December 29th. Just days away from a brand new year, and as we close out 2025, I want you to take this moment for yourself, not for your clients, not for your family, not for social media, just you. Because if you are like many photographers, I know you've been carrying a lot this year. Maybe you've been trying to figure out how to get more work.Maybe you are tired of wondering if you'll ever be able to raise your prices and have clients who truly value what you do.Maybe you're questioning whether this dream of being a photographer is even still possible for you. I want to tell you something todayand I want you to hear this fully. . You are not the problem.You don't need to work harder. You don't need to hustle more.You don't need to become someone. You are not. You need a better system. You need better support.You need to know how to create a photography business that lets you breathe and thrive. That's why I created this podcast this year. And that's why I'm inviting you to something special in January. But before I get into that, let me share something personal. At the beginning of 2025, I asked myself, what legacy do I want to leave? Not just through my photos, but through the impact I can make in the lives of other photographers for photographers like you. Because even with all the career highlights I've had, I remember very well how hard it can be. It was a year ago. This time when I was struggling One year ago. I had nights when I could not sleep. Leap. I know that struggle. The worry . The doubt that creeps in. It doesn't matter how talented you are, these struggles are real. Not the highlight reel, the real story, not what you see on Instagram, but real life. This year I shared my struggles and how to break through those struggles.I shared that because you may be struggling.And I know you have talent. It's not your talent that's holding you back. You see when you learn how to make your clients feel powerful, beautiful, and truly seen, you stop chasing bookings and start attracting them. And not just once, but again and again. Don't you want that? This year I watched photographers take what I taught and completely shift their lives. They stopped waiting. They stopped wondering. They raised their prices, booked more clients, and finally felt in control again, and now it's your turn.My dream for you is to have a business that supports your life, not one that drains it. I want you to feel proud when you talk about your work. I want you to fall in love with photography again and have the freedom to do it your way. So let me ask you something. Are you ready to create consistent, meaningful work in 2026? , Are you ready to attract clients who pay well and love the experience you give them? Are you ready to stop feeling like you are behind and start building real momentum?. If you said yes to any of that, then join me for my free three day workshop starting this January.This workshop is designed specifically for photographers like you who are amazing at what they do, but want more consistency, confidence, more clients, and charging more. In January, I'm gonna give you an opportunity to attract the right clients without chasing. I'm going to give you the opportunity to raise your prices without the fear. I know the moment you think about raising your prices, that fear takes over. We're going to get over that.And help you build a photography brand that connects emotionally, you're going to discover and experience that leads to repeat business, not just in 2026, but every year after this. You see my friend, everything I teach, I live every single day.It's the same approach that led a new client to fly me to Kenya this month to photograph seven women on Safari. Yes, it really works. I want to help you make it work for you. All you have to do is take that first step. Now is the time for you to sign up. Go and sign up for the January workshop right now. The link is in the show notes and on my Instagram. This workshop. It's completely free. I'm going to be honest with you. At the end of this workshop, you'll have the opportunity to work with me, but even if you don't want to go that far, there's something for you to help you get past your struggles. Again, this three day workshop is completely free, And the link, once again, it's in the show notes and the link is on my Instagram. My Instagram is under my name. Matthew Jordan Smith. This could be your turning point, the one you've been waiting for. Let 2026 be the year you stop struggling and start thriving. Let it be the year you step fully into your purpose with your camera, your vision, and your voice. You deserve that. You are ready for that. I want to thank you for spending this year with me. And thank you for choosing to believe in yourself. Just a little more each and every day. I can't wait to see what you create in 2026. Until next time, have a peaceful new year. I'll see you in January. Stay inspired, stay courageous and keep going. You don't have to do this by yourself. Until then, bye for now and Happy New Year.

    9 min

  3. 12/21/2025

    Episode 20 - Proof It Works- The Steps I Taught… and Lived

    Photography Breakthrough: Holiday Episode Recap & Workshop Invite Merry Christmas to everyone around the world. Who's tuning in today? I'm Matthew Jordan Smith, and this is the Photography Breakthrough Podcast where we explore the art and business of photography. Specifically how to build a thriving photography career, doing what you love, photographing people in a way that changes lives, including your own. But what if you are struggling to do that? Struggling to find clients, struggling to raise your prices so you can sleep well at night, struggling to make photography work for you. Well, that my friend is why we are here. To help you get over your struggles, and that is the theme of the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. If you are new to the show, welcome. I'm so glad you're here, and if you've been listening for a while, thank you. I truly appreciate your support, your messages, your energy, and your commitment to growing as an artist and a business owner. Maybe photography is just a thing you do on the side, or you're just beginning. Either way, you are in the right place. This is where you learn how to thrive as a photographer. Now in last week's podcast, I shared a story. But a lot has happened since our last episode, and I can't wait to catch you up. Let me begin by recapping what we talked about last week. I shared one of my favorite client stories. How the legendary Aretha Franklin became my client for 13 years, right up until her passing in 2018. , And while some of you may think that was, then times are different. Now, let me tell you, the world may evolve, but the principles of building meaningful client relationships, those never go out of style. That's what this podcast is all about, helping photographers move beyond the daily struggle, because let me be honest, too many talented photographers , are out there feeling stuck. Maybe that's you. You are not alone. If you are struggling to get steady, clients feel like you're undercharging or constantly chasing that next big gig, that's exhausting. And. It's not sustainable. This podcast is here to show you another way, a path toward consistent, fulfilling work with clients who come back again and again because they love how they feel when they work with you. Last week I shared the story of how I first met Aretha Franklin and how I worked on that relationship. To help her become a consistent long-term client. But that's not just with Aretha Franklin, that's with every client I've had this year. Those same strategies work today. This past November, we took a huge step forward. I launched a brand new three day workshop to help photographers like you overcome these exact challenges. In the workshop, I shared the same strategies I've used to build a decades long career photographing some of the most incredible people in the world, from celebrities to entrepreneurs, to everyday people who just want to feel powerful in front of the camera. At the end of that workshop in November. I offered photographers the opportunity to go deeper, To work with me more closely and start transforming not just their photography, but their client experience and business model. But many of you needed more time. You had questions, you reached out via email and dm's that I want you to know. I heard you, that's why I'm excited to announce we're bringing back the workshop in January so you can begin your new year. The right way, bigger, better. We've enhanced the workshop. The last time we did the workshop, many people may have been traveling. It was the holiday season, beginning of the holiday season. And there were many distractions. January is the time to start things new. And we've revised the workshop and built it to give you clarity and confidence so you can finally build the business you've been dreaming of. But before I share more about that, I want to tell you a story, one that happened just a few weeks ago after the workshop. This story shows you that what I teach is not theory. It's what I live. Every step I outlined in the November workshop, I follow them in my own business every single day. So here's what happened. In the first week of December, 2025, I got hired for one of the most exciting assignments of my year. I was flown to Kenya, Africa to photograph a group of seven women from Japan all going on safari together. These women weren't models or celebrities. They were real people, each with their own story embarking on a once in a lifetime adventure, and I had the honor of documenting it. Now, here's the part I want you to pay attention to. This client. She was referred to me by another client. This was a first time client. Let me say that again. This job going to Africa to Kenya on Safari came from a first time client. Who was referred to me by another client. In November. I talked about this a lot, how you get consistent clients, how you get more work, and a big part of that is from referrals. I talked about how you get referrals, but maybe some of you were thinking. Well, that's just you. That won't work for me. I'd like to invite you to the January workshop because this will work for you. You just have to follow the steps. I know taking those steps can be scary, but it doesn't have to be. Now, this first time client who found me. Based on a referral from another client, I didn't have to pitch. I didn't have to chase. I showed up consistently. Shared stories and positioned myself in a way that made her say, you are the one I want. What I want you to understand is when your positioning and your process are dialed in, opportunities come to you. Instead of you chasing every single day, the assignment in Kenya, it wasn't just a job, it was a deeply fulfilling experience. That reminded me why I do what I do, and since returning. It is already led to new opportunities, new inquiries, and new doors opening for 2026. Even a chance to go back to Kenya sometime in 2026. That's the power of building a business that's rooted in transformation, not just pretty pictures. When your work makes people feel something, they talk about it, they come back, they refer others. I can't say this loud enough. You don't have to struggle. There's another way. And that's what we'll go deeper into this January. In our upcoming training. I'm gonna break down the exact steps to attract high quality clients who value your work. Clients that see your value and allow you to charge what you're worth. We're gonna talk about that client experience. That leaves people changed and loyal for life. We are going to discuss a system that brings bookings month after month, if that sounds good to you. Make sure you're at the workshop. Now for those who were in the workshop in November. How many jobs have you done since that workshop. Since the workshop ended, I've done four. I went to Kenya, photographed brand new clients. Came back 20 hour trip and the day I arrived, a client wanted to shoot on that same day, two days later did another shoot. Two days after that, another shoot. Four jobs within the first two weeks of December. That's not just me. That can be you. Now, how many jobs do you have lined up for January? The training I'm talking about will help you have work consistently, not just. Next week, but next month and the month after that in the workshop, we'll talk about a system. If you've been on the fence wondering if this kind of business is even possible for you, please know this, it. Is, I've taught it. I live it, and I want to help you do the same. But for now, take a breath. It's the holiday season. Be present. Then come back in January, ready to grow. Because what I have planned could be the turning point you've been looking for. To everyone who's reached out, I'm designing this next chapter just for you. Thank you for being part of this community. Thank you for showing up for yourself. Have a joyful, safe and loved filled holiday season. Stay inspired and happy holidays.

    13 min

  4. 12/14/2025

    Episode 19 - How To Turn A Stranger Into A Client For Life

    From Stranger to Client for Life Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. I'm your host, Matthew Jordan Smith. Since this podcast began, I've shared tips to help you overcome your biggest photography challenges, how to raise your prices, how to make more money, how to build a client base. But one of the most important and overlooked keys to long-term success is this, how to create consistent, lasting clients. Today, I want to do something different. I want to tell you a story. A story about a single shoot that turned into a 13 year client relationship and a friendship that changed my life. But more than that, this story is packed with lessons about connection, about care, about how we as photographers can create transformation, not just through images, but through the experience we offer. Let me take you back. Years ago, I got a call from someone who wanted to work with me. But before I ever met her, I'd already heard the stories. She's hard to work with. She doesn't like anybody. Are you sure you wanna go down that road? I bet you've had something similar happen. When someone's reputation gets in your head, before you ever have the chance to form your own impression, you've heard those voices from others giving you their opinion. And if you're not careful, it will become your opinion. So here's the first lesson. Always enter into every opportunity with a clear head and an open heart. Other people's experiences are not your truth. Other people's experience is based on them. It has nothing to do with you find your own truth. So every new opportunity go in with a clear head and an open heart. So this client, she was famous, very famous, and like many celebrity shoots, I was communicating through managers and assistants. But before the shoot, I did something different. Before I ever met her, I did my research. I found out what she loved and based on that research I sent her yellow roses. That one gesture changed everything. She called me personally and said, no photographer has ever sent me flowers before. And just like that, we had a connection. We still hadn't met face to face, but we had a connection. I could feel it. We started talking about photography sure. But also about food, about music, about life. We bonded before we ever met face to face. This is part of what I teach all my students. It doesn't matter if the client is famous or not, this works on everybody. But back to the story. When I flew to Detroit to do our first shoot, I brought music curated just for her. The shoot went well at the end. I gave her, at the time, my brand new book, which was my first book ever. She looked at the book and said, why am I not in this book? She wasn't joking. I promised her right then and there. When I do another book, I promise you, you will be in it. She smiled, looked at me, and then handed me a piece of paper and said, this is my personal number. If you ever need anything, call me. I stood there, shocked. And I held onto that paper all the way back to New York, staring at it on the flight wondering, is this really happening? I mean, this is the Queen of Soul who gave me her number. Months later I heard she was going to be performing at Madison Square Garden. I didn't have an assignment. I wasn't being paid, but I want to capture her story. I called the number. Expecting a manager or agent to pick up, but no, she answered the phone. I told her my idea. I said, Mrs. Franklin, I'd love to follow you around for three days. I told her exactly what I want to do and my ideas for doing it. The next thing I know, I'm backstage. I'm in the car, I'm in rehearsals. I'm in the dressing room now. There's no paycheck involved in this shoot. It was my idea just to build a bond to build trust. That right there is how you turn a stranger into a long-term client over the next 13 years. I, I photographed Aretha Franklin countless times. We talked about everything, TV shows, recipes, life when she passed. We were planning on our next shoot. She was even sending me text messages from the hospital talking about ideas about the next shoot. You see, she wasn't just a client, she was a friend. This is my dream for you not to chase new clients every single week, every single month, constantly scrambling for the next gig. That's exhausting and it's not necessary. Instead, build bonds. Give your clients an experience that makes them feel seen, special, valued. It doesn't matter who it is. Maybe you're thinking Matthew, oh yeah, that's a celebrity. That doesn't matter. Making somebody feel seen and special and valued. That works for everybody. Who do you know who doesn't want to feel seen, feel special? Many people are not doing this and this is why they're struggling. But this is how you create consistent clients who come back time and time again, and who tell others about you. Aretha's story and our journey together is what inspired my latest book, Aretha Cool is not just a photo book, it's the story from our very first shoot to her last official photo session. It's a visual journey of trust, transformation, and yeah, legacy. And today I want you to experience it in a deeper way. I want you to get the book, Aretha. Cool. I've put the book on sale on Amazon. Over 40% off. To make it easy for you to get this book, because there are a few things I want you to do. Number one, order the book. It's on Amazon, but don't just flip through the photos. Look between the lines, see the bond, feel the relationship. Start by going to page 40. Now I want you to see this through the eyes of a photographer who knows the full story. I want you to go to page 40. The page is not numbered, but the page after is, so you can find it pretty easily. Look at that image as a photographer. Is that the image that a client gives to a photographer they've hired, or is that the image a friend gives to another friend. Take a look at that. You are a photographer. You know what that moment feels like when it's just a moment, and you also know what that feels like when a friend is saying goodbye to you. It's a real moment. That's a bond, that's a friendship. Now go to page 52 and let me share a story that most don't know. This was an unexpected moment. It was the first time seeing her after not seeing her for a few months. And she gets out the car this way to surprise me. Everybody's laughing. I'm laughing. She's laughing. All the bodyguards are laughing. It was a special moment between friends. Look closely at that smile. I want you to understand what it looks like as a photographer when you're photographing a client who becomes a friend, because this is what I want for you. Stop looking at your clients as a client. Create a friendship, create a bond, because when you do moments like this happen organically. This was not a planned moment. I had no idea this was gonna happen. I had no clue. And when it did, it shocked me, and that's the beauty of it. Now look at page 93. Don't laugh. That's a real moment and instant. And I'm sure you have experienced this moment with some of your friends. You are out and about and you bump into a friend. You see them, you recognize them, and that's the expression, right? I think you're starting to get it. You're creating something special that lasts far longer than the paycheck. Now, let's go a little deeper. I told you earlier that I started creating a playlist for every shoot. Now on that first shoot, I made a playlist, and at the time I didn't know her, but after that first meeting, I learned that she loved her own music. So I put a playlist together of my favorite Aretha Franklin music, and I played it for her on every single shoot after that. So every time we were in studio shooting, I played that playlist. Well, guess what? I made a playlist on Spotify and I put all those songs that I made for Aretha Franklin into that Spotify playlist. The playlist is called Aretha. Cool. I want you to play that playlist as you look through the book. This way, you'll hear the same music I played for the Queen of Soul. As you are looking through the book, it's a very different experience. That playlist is the exact playlist I used on every single studio shoot for her. Music sets the tone. As a photographer, you already know this. It creates the mood. It also deepens the connection. It, I just don't do this for celebrities. I do this on every single shoot. The reason why I'm asking you to buy the book. is so you can experience what she experienced, feel what we felt, whether you're just starting out or you've been shooting for years. This story, this book is a roadmap to building not just a career, but a legacy. So here's your mission. Get the book Aretha. Cool. It's on Amazon in the US or you can order@arethacool.com. If you're international, listen to the playlist on Spotify as you look through the book. Number three, start seeing your clients differently. Stop thinking transaction. Start thinking transformation. And if you are one of my students, let's go deeper. Let's talk about how to apply this to your own work. Now, if you're listening to this podcast and you're not a photographer, give it to a friend who is. But first, tell them the story and have them listen to this podcast episode. Help them see what's possible. We don't just take pictures, we create moments. We build trust. We give people the experience of truly being seen. That my friend is how we create clients for life. I'm Matthew Jordan Smith, and this is Photography Breakthrough Podcast. Until next time, stay inspired, stay intentional, and remember, your lens has the power to change lives. Happy holidays.I'M READY

    14 min

  5. 12/08/2025

    Special Episode - How To Double Your Photography Income

    Photography Breakthrough System Pitch EpisodeHello, friends, and welcome back to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast, the show where we stopped chasing. Stop guessing and undercharging and start building businesses that actually support the life and freedom we all want as photographers. Today's episode, How to Double Your Photography Income. Today is a big day, not just because we're talking about real, tangible income growth, but because. If you listen to this podcast, you know, today is the second day of our launch. That's just for people who will listen to this podcast. Today is the second day. And the last day of this very special offer to join Photography Breakthrough System, my live training experience that shows you how to get booked more often, how to increase your prices, and how to build loyal clients that come back to you and refer their friends. So stick with me because this might be the most important episode you've listened to yet. Before we go any further, I want you to do something bold. Write down the exact amount of money you made in photography over the past year. Now I know you might be in your car driving at the gym, the grocery store, chasing your toddler. So if you can't do this right now, make a promise to yourself and when you get home today, before you scroll. Or begin cooking or collapse on the couch. Take out a piece of paper and write down that number. It's okay if you don't know the exact number, but write down the amount of money you think you've made this year. As a photographer. Now, when you see this number right in front of you, really look at it. No judgment, no shame, just honesty. That number, it tells a story. Now, here's the next question. How are you planning to double that number next year? Not, wouldn't it be nice? Not if I get lucky, not if Instagram picks up, but how? What's the plan? Do you have one or are you hoping that just doing more of what you've been doing somehow leads to more income? Let's be real. If you tried to grow in the past , but didn't have a structure, a system, a guide, you probably hit a wall over and over. And that doesn't mean you're not good enough. It means you've been trying to hike a mountain without a map. You are working hard but not making progress. Let me give you a quick analogy. Imagine someone says, I want to get in shape. I want to feel strong. I want to lose weight and feel good in my body, so they start working out, but instead of really working out, they spend the time in the gym, scrolling on their phone, they guess what to eat. They show up inconsistently, they try one thing, then quit, then try another, and after six months, nothing's really changed. Now imagine that same person hires a personal trainer.The trainer gives them a plan. They work out together so the trainer can see exactly what they're doing and point out what they can't see. The trainer helps their form, nutrition, accountability, and in a few months, boom. Progress confidence results. Was the trainer magic? No, but the structured system accountability. And real time feedback made all the difference. That's exactly what I've built into the photography breakthrough system. This is not a course, it's live training. A live training experience with me coaching you in real time, showing you exactly how to create a photography business. That books consistently helps you charge more and build client relationships that lasts. Turns strangers into longtime loyal clients, who refer their friends. Do you really want to double your income? It takes a system. The Photography Breakthrough System, it's your personal trainer for your business. Photographers message me all the time saying things like, I just want to make this work. I'm tired of not getting clients. I know my work is good. But nobody wants to pay my rates. Listen, I get it. I've been there where your camera feels like a gift. And a curse where you want to keep doing what you love, but you're burning out where you start questioning if you should just give up on being a photographer. But here's the truth, you can't double your income with hope. You do it with a system. A system that shows your clients your value. Before you ever talk about price, a system that builds trust and connection before you ever meet your clients. A system that gives you confidence. So you stop overthinking and shrinking about your worth, you know you are worth it. How do you show your clients? That's what I'm giving you inside photography breakthrough system. As you are listening to this, we are in the final hours to join after today. The doors close because all the time will go to helping those who really want to double their income. After today. The doors close. I don't know when we'll offer this again. But here's the important part. I made a special link just for my podcast listeners. This is only for people who listen to this podcast and that's you. This special link. It's in the show notes. It's also on my Instagram until midnight tonight, east Coast time. It simply says, I'm ready. If you go to my Instagram, click on my bio link. You'll see a link that says, I'm ready. That's your special link. Click that to join. Again, that special link simply says, I'm ready, because if you are, you already know it. Click the link. Say yes to your growth. Say yes to finally having a system that works with your creativity, not against it. I created the photography breakthrough system because I know what it feels like to struggle. This is for the photographer who is wildly talented but tired of struggling for the photographer who wants clients to say yes with confidence even at a higher price for the photographer who knows in their gut. I can't keep doing this alone. If that's you, this is your moment. Click the I'm Ready link in the show notes or on my Instagram, you'll find me under Matthew Jordan Smith. Click the link in my bio that says, I'm ready. Let's double your income on purpose with a plan and with support. I want to thank you for listening today to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast and this episode, How To Double Your Income is Made just for you. Now, don't forget when you get home, the first thing you should do is write down that number. The number you believe you made in photography this year. As you're on your way home, ask yourself how will you double your income ? And if you're ready for the real answer, you know where to find it. Until next time, let's build a business that finally works. After tonight, we close the doors, and then I become your sensei, your trainer to help you see what you can't see by yourself. Alright. Until next time, happy holidays. Bye for now. I'M READY

    10 min

  6. 12/07/2025

    Episode 18 - Are You Teachable... or Do You Just Want To Keep Hoping

    Photography Breakthrough: Teachable to Get Booked Welcome back to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast, the place where struggling portrait photographers transform into confident business owners consistently getting booked by clients who value their work and happily pay their rates. I'm your host, Matthew Jordan Smith, and today's episode, episode number 18, is going to cut through the noise. And get right to the heart of something. I know a lot of you are feeling. Or do you just want to keep doing what you've always done? Hoping something changes. As many of you know. I wrapped up a free three day workshop at the end of November. If you were there, thank you. If you showed up, you listened, you took notes, you are already ahead of the curve. We talked about the real reason most photographers aren't getting booked. We talked about what's really happening when a potential client says, I love your work. We talked about how good that feels for us as photographers. You know that feeling. The first moment somebody. Inquires about your work, and they say, I love your pictures. We all know what that feels like in that moment. Somebody sees us, recognizes our work, and then wants to find out how much we charge, then you reply with your rate and then they ghost you. The moment you send your pricing, they disappear. You don't hear from them. We unpacked how giving your price without the right structure behind it is like handing someone an expensive menu before they've even sat down in your restaurant. No context, no emotional connection, no value built. And I showed you how the problem isn't your price. It's the lack of a system around how you present your offer and guide your clients through an experience. But here's what I noticed. Not everyone who heard that message took it seriously enough to act on it. But some of you did. Those who really wanna change the next 12 months of your life, your business, and I am excited to get to work with all of you! Some of you saw the door open to the Photography Breakthrough System, my live training that walks you step by step through building a business that actually gets clients, but some hesitated. Maybe you said I need to think about it, or maybe next time, or I kind of already know this stuff. And if that was you, I want to say this with love, but also with clarity, knowing and doing are not the same thing. Thinking about change is not the same as becoming teachable. Now, being teachable doesn't mean you are a beginner. Let me make that clear. It doesn't mean you are not talented. It means you are ready to stop doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. You've probably heard that quote by Albert Einstein. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. But let's get back to that question. Are you actually teachable? Because when you are, it truly means you're ready to stop doing the same things over and over and expecting those different results. It means you're willing to look at your current process. Honestly, that's not easy. I get it. During the workshop. I asked you to write down how much you've made in the last 12 months and look at that honestly, what got you here won't get you there.This next one is a big one. Let go of pride, let go of fear, and let go of ego so you can actually grow. Until you do those things, nothing's going to change. I think that's very important. So I wanna repeat it so you actually really hear this. Look at your current process, honestly, except what got you here. Won't get you to your future. Let go of the pride, the fear, the ego, so you can actually grow. You see if you keep posting your work and hoping someone books replying with your price and crossing your fingers, waiting for the right time to invest in yourself. Then deep down you are relying on hope instead of strategy, and hope is a terrible business model. I know taking a step forward can be scary. Investing in yourself can be scary. But let's talk about why structure sets you free. Let me tell you, this structure does not limit your creativity. It protects it. Having a system doesn't make you robotic. It makes you consistent. When you have a client journey that builds value, before you talk price, when you know what to say and when to say it. When you know how to guide a client to see themselves in your work and trust your process, you stop getting ghosted. You stop doubting your worth, you stop shrinking your price just to get someone to say yes, and that is what I'm teaching inside the Photography Breakthrough System. Not a bunch of theory, not another surface level course. A framework that helps you get booked more consistently and feel proud of what you charge. Speaking of which, are you happy with what you're charging? Let's be honest. He is the real question. Do you want to grow or do you want to be right? About why it's not working. Do you want results or do you want to keep repeating what feels comfortable? Are you teachable? Or are you just hoping clients will magically start valuing your work someday? I say all this with deep love because I see your potential. But I also see the trap you might be in, and it's this, thinking your current effort should already be working. Instead of realizing it's time to upgrade the way you run your business. Here's the good news. If something inside you is stirring right now. If your chest feels tight, if your mind is racing with, maybe I do need to shift something, then you are teachable. And today for those people who hear this but hesitated. I am going to give another chance to change your future, But this is only for the next 48 hours. Think of this as a gift to yourself. A gift to your future self. Today, we will open the door to photography breakthrough system, but just for a little while, this is your chance to stop winging it and start building a business that actually works, not one that's built on hope. One that's built on clarity, connection, and confidence. This invitation. It is for those who listen to the podcast. If you know you need to take action, today is your day. The link to sign up and change your life is in the show notes. I will also put the link on my Instagram. Go to my Instagram. Right now I'm under Matthew Jordan Smith. When you click the link in my bio. There, you'll find a special link that's just for you. I'm not telling anybody else. This is just for people who will listen to this podcast, who know you need to take action, but you've been afraid, scared to move forward. I get it. I know what that feels like. But this offer is just for you. The special link will say two words. I'm ready. That's it. I'm ready. Click the I'm Ready link. And come and join us. I look forward to seeing you. Thank you for being here for episode 18 of the Photography Breakthrough Podcast. If this hits home today, I'd love to hear from you. DM me if you have questions on Instagram. As I said earlier, I'm under Matthew Jordan Smith. Tell me what you're ready to do differently now. If you are on the fence, do me a favor. On Instagram, send me a message and let me know. Matthew, I'm on the fence because... I'd love to hear from you. But if you're ready to become truly teachable and build the system you business has been missing, check out photography breakthrough system while enrollment is still open. Remember, click the link that says. I'm ready. This is your time. Until next time. Remember, confidence is built, clients are guided, and the breakthrough comes when you're finally willing to do things differently. Thank you for your time today. Thank you for being here. Thank you for showing up because that alone lets me know you care about your future. Now let's do something about it. I look forward to seeing you very soon. Until next time. Bye for now.I'M READY

    12 min

  7. 11/30/2025

    Cyber Monday

    Overcoming Fear: Photography Breakthrough System Has there ever been something that you know you needed to do, but there was fear that was holding you back? A lot of people face this at some point in their life. I think it's part of the journey of being an artist, being a photographer, But succumbing to your fear doesn't keep you safe. It makes things worse. If you are a photographer who's been struggling, struggling to find clients. Struggling to raise your prices when you know you need to. You know, you make good work, great work. You put a lot of time and effort to master your craft to get better, and now you're at the point when you should be paid for your work. But you're scared to raise your prices. You buy expensive cameras, expensive lenses, computers, hard drives. Lights, props, all the things you need to master your craft and make amazing images, but then when it comes to raising your prices, the fear kicks in and this is not new. You've been fighting this for a long time. How do you get past this hurdle? If you've been listening to this podcast, you know, today is the last day to sign up for photography breakthrough system. There are only a few hours left, then that window closes. Let's talk about what happens if you don't decide to join photography Breakthrough system. The system that's gonna change how you go about running your business. The system that's gonna teach you how to raise your prices, make more money in your business, have more clients, and have consistent clients. Not for a week or for a month, but for the rest of your photography journey. If you decide to stay where you are, stay stuck. Continue the struggle. It doesn't stay the same. The struggle gets bigger, the problems get bigger, and it may get to the point where you have to sell all your gear just to get by. Give up on photography, altogether, and go back to doing something you really don't want to do. I am telling you this because I was almost at that point after all these years of being a photographer, I was about to throw in the towel, give up and try to do something else. That's a horrible feeling. It was a horrible place for me to be. It was depressing for me, but then I found a way, the system that changes everything. That's what I created, and now teaching in the photography breakthrough system, a way for you to break free of all those struggles. But today's the last day and there are only a few hours left now. I've heard some objections from people, and I wanna talk about all those objections, the things that's keeping you stuck, giving you fear. The first one I heard was Matthew, I know I need this, but it's a little bit expensive for me. Let me ask you this. What's the long-term effect of you staying where you are doing nothing. How many jobs will you lose over the next six months, over the next 12 months? Because you keep doing exactly what you've been doing. Now imagine all those clients who said no to you in the past saying yes, and not only saying yes, but referring their friends to you because of what you've given to them. That's what I teach you. What do you think that's worth when you think about that? What you're losing by not taking action, you're losing way more than the cost of this course. There are two options for you to join a one-time payment or three payments. It's totally up to you by make it easy for you to make the choice to turn your life around. What's the value of one client? Let's think about that. I told you all earlier, if you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you now know that I had one client that opened the door to 60 other clients this year. And like I told you on the other day, another client brand new is taking me on a trip tonight to a place where I've want to go all my life to Africa, to Nairobi for a week to do a job. But let's talk about you. What are you missing out on? The client who says no to you? Because they didn't see your value, because you didn't know the system that unlocks the door for them to hire you and not only hire you one time, but have a repeat client that tells their friends and colleagues about you. The truth is you can't afford not to do this because not doing it keeps you where you are and where you are doesn't stay the same. It grows and gets worse to the point where you may find yourself giving up on photography altogether. 'cause you're trying to figure it out all on your own. You don't have to. I had another person say to me, Matthew, how long is this course? Well, first and foremost, it's not a course. I want to make that clear. This is not a course, it's live training, it's transformation. Let's talk about that question for a second. How long is the training? It's really not a matter of how long the training is. What's more important is how fast you can get results, how fast you can get into action when you join. There will be a lot of work. I'm going to push you. That's what I'm there to do. I'm gonna give you assignments, homework to do. I know you're busy, but these assignments are going to change everything for you, teach you how to make more money, teach you how to turn a potential client into not only a client, but a long-term client. You've got to do the work. The training is live. So there's accountability also. Sometimes we need that person to hold us to the fire to make sure we do the work. That's my job to make sure you do the work. So about how long is it? It's not a question of how long. This training is about getting you into action as quickly as possible so you can get the results you need as quickly as possible. Another person sent me an email and said, Matthew, everything you're saying is exactly what I need, and I know it, but I'm not ready yet. Let's think about that. When have you ever been ready for anything that happens in life? Were any of us ready for the pandemic when it hit. We didn't even know it was coming. For those of you who have children, were you ready the first time you became a parent? Life does not wait for us to get ready. Saying you are not ready is just giving into your fear. And to be honest, it's not a matter of how ready you are. It's simply how committed you are to changing your life. Because being ready is an illusion. No one's ever ready. You just have to take that step. How many successful people waited until they were ready? You've heard the story. If you're waiting, you'll never be ready. The real question is, how long do you want to wait? 'cause the longer you wait, the more clients you miss, the more opportunities walk by you every day and you stay stuck right where you are. I received another message from a young photographer who said, Matthew, I don't have any clients. I love photography. I want to do this, but I don't have any clients. This probably is not for me because I'm a newbie. Here's the beautiful thing. If you are brand new, just starting this journey, you are exactly in the right place and you are the perfect person to be on this journey. You don't have any bad habits to break. You get to learn from the beginning how to do this the right way. That is exactly where you want to be. Many of us have been doing this for a long time on our own, trying to figure it out, stuck in our head and getting nowhere. If you have one client or no clients, you are absolutely in the right place. To be honest, no matter where you are on your journey as a photographer, it's never too late to change things. And what's beautiful about this system, it meets you where you are shooting for one month, shooting for 50 years. This system will change everything for you, and you'll find out in those first seven weeks. It is gonna change your life and how you do everything forever, but your time is running out. This time tomorrow it'll be too late to sign up. The doors will be closed because all my time will be going into preparing and training all the new students who said yes. Those who want to really change their life and enjoy life as a photographer. Making more money in photography next year than they did this year. Here's the real question. Is that going to be you? The link to sign up is in the show notes. It's also on my Instagram bio. I'm there under Matthew Jordan Smith. Click my bio and it's right there on top. Photography Breakthrough System. This is your time, your day to change your life forever. For those who said yes, I look forward to seeing you in photography Breakthrough system. For those who are still on the fence, let me ask you this. How long are you willing to keep losing clients, letting them pass by and slip through your fingers? How long will you wait? Time is a funny thing. We don't know how much time we have, which means we never have time to waste. Today is your day. Push your fear aside. Click that link to sign up. I look forward to seeing you as a new student in photography breakthrough system. Once you join, you'll have dates for our first meet and greet session. I look forward to seeing you all there. It's time to break past all your fear, past all your struggles that you've been fighting on your own. And start a brand new way of going about your photography life. All right, everyone. Thank you for your time. Thank you for being here. I look forward to meeting you and photography breakthrough system. Until then, bye for now. 👉 Sign up now and save your spot before it fills up!

    13 min

  8. 11/27/2025

    Black Friday Special Announcement

    Thankful Photography Breakthrough PitchHere we are the day after Thanksgiving, November, 2025. I know this has been a challenging year for a lot of people, but right now I just want you to be thankful. I wanna remind you of all the great things that are still here.You're still breathing. You can hear and see and taste and touch, and that's a blessing. With all that's happening around us all over the world. It is very easy to be caught up in all that's negative. But today I want to remind you to be truly thankful. Whenever I talk to anybody about Thanksgiving, the conversation immediately turns to food. What you're going to have, the Turkey, the ham, the dressing, you know, the conversations. Thanksgiving has become a holiday of just eating and being with friends and family. I must admit, when I lived in the States, it was my favorite holiday. Not so much because of the eating, but just being around friends and family. It can be a beautiful thing. But you are a photographer and maybe you've had a challenging year. So many of us today struggle. Struggle with marketing, struggle with clients, struggle trying to raise our prices, struggle. Just trying to make a living as a photographer. I get it. But today I want to tell you, there's a lot to be thankful about. If we've never met before this year, we've had a chance to connect over this podcast. This year, the creator woke me up and showed me how to make something that can change not only my life. It can change your life no matter where you are in the world. That's a lot to be thankful for. If you're going through any challenges in your photography business, Or maybe you're just trying to get your business up and going get your first clients and not sure how to get past charging a very low amount of money to have anybody hire you. That is a challenge and a lot of new photographers face that at even more established photographers face that same struggle. Doing other things on the side just to make it, or maybe you're doing a regular job and trying to do it on the side in hopes that you can make photography your main thing later on. Wherever you are, and that challenge rollercoaster. I want you to be thankful. That we are here today. Today is a very special day. If you've been with me on these three days of workshops, you know, today is the day when we launch Photography Breakthrough System. Today is the day you have an opportunity to come and join us. To learn what being thankful really is. So next year, this time, your song is very different. Your feeling is very different Next year, this time on Thanksgiving, you'll truly be thankful , for all the creator has done for you. I have to tell you that feeling of having your life change so dramatically brings tears to your eyes. If you are truly struggling doing everything you can and nothing's working. And you find a solution and you watch it change your life. There is nothing like that. I'm telling you this because I went through that. I know what it feels like to be challenged to not know where to turn next. Not to know where to go for help. I know all of those feelings. That is why I created this podcast to help you, to inspire you, to let you know that there is really help out there. I've heard all those struggles. I've talked to so many photographers this year who have been going through it. New photographers who are charging a hundred dollars for a session. Established photographers who are surprised how the industry has changed and are struggling now to figure it all out and everything in between. But I'm here to tell you. This is the dawn of your breakthrough year. The only reason you can stay stuck is if you turn away from what I'm about to tell you. You now have an opportunity to join photography, Breakthrough System. I am so thankful that the creator gave me this idea to share with you.Photography Breakthrough system is not a course. And by that I mean it's not like a course where you go online and you look at videos and, and all of that. It's not that. It's live training. Live training is where you are held accountable. Where you can ask questions, we can talk to each other. That's when things change. If you are left just to watch a video, you know what happens. Life gets in the way and you never get around to doing it. But when it's live, there is no excuse. You show up or you don't, and I can see when you show up. When you make that commitment to yourself and you show up, that's when things change. You already know what happens when you try to do it by yourself. You've been trying to do that all your photography life and you know where that's gotten you. Maybe you're doing pretty good in photography. But you want to do better. This system can take you for wherever you are to double what you're making. If you have no clients whatsoever, the sky is truly the limit. If you are a photographer who made less than a thousand dollars this year in photography, they are out there. I've spoken to them. Maybe you're here right now. You have an opportunity to truly change your life in such a way that you won't believe it. All you have to do is get out of your own way and follow the system. Today is the day the Photography breakthrough system opens up for enrollment. It is Black Friday. I know you're thinking about shopping and getting all these deals and all of this, but what about your future? This is the day where that can change. This will not stay open long, only a few days. Enrollment will end on Monday. It will end on Monday because I'll need to prepare everything that's going to happen going forward for you, for your first class, for your first breakthrough. So lemme just walk you through what's gonna happen once you join photography Breakthrough System. I know it's the holidays and you're wondering what, Matthew, there's so much going on. I'm gonna have a busy December. I don't have time to join the class. I got you. Don't worry when you join today. The first thing that's going to happen is we will have a meet and greet meeting. All the new students together will have a meet and greet session. You'll find out the date of the meet and greet once you join, but trust me. I've got you. I know it's the holidays. We may have two different sessions just because I know we're all busy doing things for the holidays. Maybe you're traveling or whatever. I've got you. Don't worry. The actual training however, will begin in January after the holidays, after all the excuses are gone. Let's talk about the training and how it begins. The first seven weeks are consecutive live training. I want you to be there for each of them if you can make it to each of the live trainings. No worries. As long as you've signed up. They are recorded for you. These seven weeks are your foundation after those first seven weeks of live training, which will be intense, I have to tell you now. But it's gonna take that to break past all you've been going through trying to fix your struggles on your own, it won't be easy, but it'll be much easier than if you do nothing and stay where you are. You know what that feels like. Your first seven weeks. I wanna change how you feel about photography. About the future, about what's possible. I've got your back. Be thankful today because your day, your day to change your life is here. Today is the day to give a gift to yourself. During the holidays, we think about giving gifts to others, which is great. But this gift, this first gift, is for you, gift to yourself. And I'll teach you how to give to others for the rest of your photography career in a manner that's so incredible. It will give to you in ways that you cannot imagine. I know you're thinking about increasing your finances. Yes, we're gonna do that, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. This is the day. When I'm asking you to believe in yourself now when you join, there is a 30 day guarantee, a money back, 30 day guarantee. Now maybe you're thinking, well, Matthew, you know, the first 30 days it'll still be the holiday season. Your 30 day guarantee will begin January 1st because the training begins in January. I am committed to training you in a way that's gonna change your life forever. Don't cheat yourself. Don't hold back. I know you're scared. I was there too. But this is the time for you to surrender so you can grow, surrender your old ways of thinking, which is not easy. I know. Trust me. I fought that myself at times. I still fight that. But that's why every day I start my day by getting up, getting on my knees and thinking the creator for all that he's done for me every single day. Let me just tell you what I pray for every single morning for strength throughout the day, first and foremost. I thank the creative for life for letting me wake up. I don't take that for granted, for letting me see another day, for being able to take another breath, to walk on my own, two feet to taste. The touch, the smell to see, to use my eyes, to use my voice, to be able to speak to you, and then I ask for help. Help in teaching you, training you. And I thank the creator for all he's done for me to turn my life around. If that had never happened, I would not be here talking to you. I thank God every single day for this opportunity to do what I love and do it more abundantly. And I pray for you, even though I've never met you. I pray for you. I pray for the creator to bring the right people to me. Those who really need the help, who are sincere, who are earnest and will act. No matter where you are, the creator sees you, knows your pain, knows your heart, not just what comes out of your mouth, knows your heart, what you're thinking, what you're wishing for, and I'm here to tell you. He hears you. He knows your pain. He's placed you right here to hear this message. This is your call to join Photography Breakthrough System today. This is the day that can change everything. So you now have a choice. The choice is stay where you are. The next time somebody sees

    28 min
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About

Welcome to the Photography Breakthrough Podcast, the place where burnt out photographers come back to life. Where fear gets replaced with confidence and where your gift finally starts working for you, not against you.

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Jordan Smith
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Matthew Jordan Smith Copyright © 2025 All Right Reserved
  • Show Website
    Photography Breakthrough System