PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast

603: Vanessa German – How to build a small town thriving photography business

Feb 10, 2025

49:57

Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area

Vanessa German of www.vannfineart.com and her photography business was a bit of an enigma to me. I was excited to dive in and learn more about what I believe is an incredibly successful business… but I just wasn't sure.

Here's some background…

The photography on her website is exquisite.

It's studio-based and classic in how her subjects have been lit, posed, and framed.

Her clients all look happy, mostly looking down the lens and smiling. I'd also describe them as looking wealthy, like they can afford to invest in a luxury experience.

Her Instagram and Facebook accounts appear to take a back seat with few posts, the last one on Facebook being over four months ago and Instagram a month ago.

I can't see any current ads running.

I know she's had sales over the $10,000 mark. Whenever I read her comments or posts in the PhotoBizX Members Facebook Group, they scream business savvy, intelligent and realistic business operator to me.

In this interview, Vanessa shares how living in a small town doesn't exclude you from big profits and how to build a thriving photography business, no matter where you're based.

Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:

How to grow beyond your local market – Struggling to find clients in a small town? Learn how to attract bookings from outside your immediate area.
Why profitability isn’t about high-income clients – Vanessa shares how she built a thriving business by focusing on middle-class families who truly value photography.
The secret to managing client expectations – Offering a mix of formal and casual portraits. Here’s how to guide your clients to make the best choices for stunning results.
Why studio sessions are a game-changer – Higher efficiency, better profit margins, and less time spent editing—Vanessa reveals why studio photography is a smart business move.
Silent auctions done right – A marketing tool that brings in new clients… but only if you do it properly. Learn how to set minimum bids and ensure gift certificates actually get used!
Transforming your sales process – Discover how an effective consultation, projection software, and the right messaging can significantly boost your print sales.
Time is money: How to simplify your workflow – Drop shipping, outsourcing, and smarter systems—how to free up your time while keeping profit margins high.
Adapting when business shifts – Market trends change—are you keeping up? Learn how to test, pivot, and drop what’s not working.
Finding the balance between creativity and business – Mastering your craft is one thing, but building a sustainable business requires a different mindset. Vanessa shares how to shift gears.
The fastest way to grow: Learning from those who’ve done it – Why mentorship and proven strategies are the real shortcuts to success.

What’s on Offer for Premium Members

If you’re on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the FULL interviews each week, a fantastic back catalogue of interviews, and have ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your phone or tablet.

Plus, special member-only interviews.

My focus is on being a six figure salary studio, not a six figure revenue studio. – Vanessa German

You'll also receive access to the members-only Secret Facebook Group, where you can connect with other Premium Members and interview guests to help, support and motivate you to take ideas you hear in each episode and put them into action. The group also has FB live video tutorials, role-play, and special live interviews. You will not find more friendly, motivated, caring and sharing photographers online.

Seriously, that's not all.

I would rather be one woman show and outsource as much as I can and run really lean and efficient because that's just so much less stress for me. – Vanessa German

In addition to everything above, you'll get access to instructions on forming or joining a MasterMind Group with other premium members. These groups are super motivating, make you accountable, and build friendships with other pro photographers with motives similar to yours – to build a more successful photography business.

What is your big takeaway?

Following this interview, I’d love to know if you're taking anything from what Vanessa shared. Is there something you heard that excited or motivated you to the point where you thought, yeah, I'm going to do that! If so, leave your thoughts in the comments below; let me know your takeaways and what you plan to implement in your business based on what you heard in today's episode.

I do find that the auction system, I call it, or the Golden Circle of giving. I do find that to be one of my most successful marketing plans, because it is one way that I can bring people to my studio that don't live near me. So I can bring them from a farther distance to me. – Vanessa German

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Vanessa or want to say thank you for coming on the show, feel free to add them in the comments area below.

iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs

I check for any new iTunes or Google reviews each week, and it's always a buzz to receive these… for several reasons.

Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!

Secondly, iTunes and Google are the most significant podcast search engines, and your reviews and ratings help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners mean more interviews and, ultimately, a better show.

I found as my children grew and my personal life changed, my focus shifted also, what I felt was more important changed over that time. – Vanessa German

If you have left a review in the past, thank you! If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes or https://photobizx.com/google. You can leave some honest feedback and a rating, which will help me and the show. I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL of your website and your name.

Alternatively, if you've left a review for PhotoBizX and are looking for more backlinks to help your SEO, leave a review for the new Photography Xperiment Podcast. Email me your keywords or phrases and where you'd like me to link them.

My client avatar is someone who values what I do. So that can look like a lot of different things. – Vanessa German

Another great way to get a backlink to your site is to send a video testimonial. It doesn't need to be fancy, and your phone will be perfect. Click record and tell me how PhotoBizX has impacted you and your photography business.

Thank you!

Thanks for listening! Huge thanks to Vanessa for sharing her game-changing insights on building a profitable photography business. From attracting the right clients to running a smarter, more efficient studio, she’s proof that success isn’t just about talent—it’s about making smart business moves.

To be successful no matter where you are, at some point you have to transition from being the artist to being a business person. If you don't make that transition, you'll just continue to chase your art. – Vanessa German.

That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!

Thanks, and speak soon
Andrew

The post 603: Vanessa German – How to build a small town thriving photography business appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.