PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast 645: Stacey Brown Randall – The Referral System Every Photography Business Needs
Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area
Stacey Brown Randall at www.staceybrownrandall.com is the undisputed expert in generating referrals for a photography business.
You probably already know, one of the best feelings in business is when a new client gets in touch and says,
“My friend told me I had to book you.”
That’s gold.
You didn’t have to run an ad, discount your work, or chase anyone — they just showed up, already trusting you.
The issue is… even photographers doing incredible work don’t always get those kinds of referrals as often as they should.
It’s not because the photos aren’t good enough… It’s because the experience they're giving their clients isn’t designed to be referable.
Stacey has made it her mission to fix that.
She’s recently published a new book… The Referable Client Experience — A Proven Method to Generate Referrals Without Asking, and she’s built an entire system to help small business owners generate referrals.
In this interview, Stacey shares exactly what makes a photography client talk about you, return to you, and refer you — and why most photographers unknowingly miss the moments that matter most. Follow what Stacey shares to create a referral system every photography business needs.
Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:
- The mindset shift that helps photographers see referrals not as “luck” but as an evergreen, relationship-driven system — one that works in any market, even as AI changes how clients find us
- Why most photographers struggle with consistent referrals despite rave reviews — and how a truly referable client experience bridges the gap between happy clients and clients who actually talk about you
- How Stacey identifies “referral hot zones” in the client journey — and why spotting these moments can dramatically increase word-of-mouth without awkward asks or incentives
- The power of small, thoughtful touch points — like handwritten notes and personal gestures — and why they make clients feel valued in a way that automation simply can’t
- Why the new → active → alumni client-experience structure matters — and how managing client feelings at each stage builds loyalty, repeat work, and long-term trust
- How subtle “referral seeds” outperform direct requests — and how to weave these naturally into conversations without sounding salesy or desperate
- The smart way to respond when a client says they’ll refer you — and how to use that moment later to reinforce trust and strengthen your referral pipeline
- How tracking referral patterns helps you identify your true referral sources — so you can double down on the relationships that reliably grow your photography business
- Why personalised communication still beats automated messages — even with the best CRM — when it comes to creating a client experience worth talking about
- How playing the long game with client relationships leads to a photography business built on repeat clients and reliable, consistent referrals
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.
Your client experience is happening whether you design it or not. The question is: is it referable? — Stacey Brown Randall
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.
When a client says, ‘All my friends need you,’ don’t pounce. Note it, plant the seed, and play the long game. — Stacey Brown Randall
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 help you 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 Stacey 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.
Your clients may love you, but that doesn’t mean they’ll refer you. There’s a gap — and you have to bridge it. — Stacey Brown Randall
If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Stacey, or a way to thank her 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.
Doing great work does not equal referrals. If it did, we’d all be drowning in referrals. — Stacey Brown Randall
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.
Stop looking for the easy button. If you want to impact people emotionally, you have to show up differently. — Stacey Brown Randall
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.
This week's shoutouts go to…
★★★★★ His superpower is asking probing, direct questions
Via email from Sonoma Boudoir photographer Jason Guy, in the USA on November 30th, 2025.
I recently had the pleasure of talking with Andrew on his podcast. Andrew is truly a wealth of knowledge, and I’m not sure who learned more from our conversation. What stands out even more, though, is that Andrew is an authentic and genuinely kind person, both on and off the microphone.
I stopped listening to photography podcasts a long time ago because most of them felt like extended infomercials from photographers trying to sell me something. I never get that vibe with PhotoBizX. Andrew is a curious interviewer whose superpower is asking probing, direct questions that uncover the unique angles and strategies photographers use in their businesses, so he can become a better marketer himself.
After this experience, PhotoBizX is a podcast I definitely plan to keep in my regular rotation.
If you really want to tap into his deep well of knowledge, I highly recommend joining his premium membership and, in particular, reading his eBook “Book Even More Portraits.” I read it cover to cover, and even as someone who’s been in business for 10 years, I still found fresh angles and valuable nuggets I’m excited to apply to my own business.
Thank you, Andrew!
★★★★★ The premium set-up is worth every penny
Via email from Brighton headshot, fashion and dance photographer, Jaideep, in the UK on November 31st, 2025.
Dear Andrew,
Thank you so much for making me aware of this deal: I love listening to your podcast and think that it's brilliant!
It's so refreshing to hear from you in this way, and a strong contrast to various companies that have taken payment without any notification beforehand for subscriptions I do not even use 
Thank you for providing such quality information in each edition of your podcast: the premium setup is worth every penny.
Best wishes
Jaideep
★★★★★ My car is the Andrewmobile
Via email from Calgary pet and people photographer, Heidi Grace, in Canada on November 31st, 2025.
Dear Andrew,
★★★★★ Huge Thanks!
Via email from South Jersey wedding photographer Gen Palmer, in the USA on October 18th, 2025.
Hi Andrew,
I’ve been meaning to reach out and say a huge thanks for taking time a few weeks ago to connect with me about mentorship & business mastermind groups.
I haven’t taken steps towards forming a mastermind group yet, because since we talked and you asked fantastic probing questions (as you always do 
), I’ve spent time thinking about the direction I want to take my business. And now that I have more of an understanding there, I feel better reaching out to others to get a group going! I will definitely follow up and let you know how that goes.
Separately, I’ve been meaning to thank you for an episode you did a while ago with Stacey Brown Randall (I think it was Episode 492, I had to look it up!). Stacey talked about thanking and following-up with people who refer business, and I realized at that time that I wasn’t doing a good job following up.
After that episode, I implemented a step in my process, based on her recommendation: I send a handwritten thank you card + a $5 coffee gift card for every referral, regardless of whether the client books me.
So many people tell me how special it is to get those cards, especially because nobody else does it. I’ve sent around 40 cards this year, so with postage + the cost of the cards that’s a ~$400 marketing expense. And the payback is tremendous because 85% of my business comes through referrals.
I wanted to write and say thank you – every time I write one of these cards I think about you, Stacey and that episode and send a thank you out into the universe!! I should probably send you both a crate of coffee gift cards as thanks!
Hope you’re having a great week and talk soon!
Gen
P.S…. Here’s a quick photo of the two cards I’m sending out this morning.
Black Friday Sale — Finishes Tomorrow!
There's a big sale on everything PhotoBizX this week!
Details here: https://photobizx.com/blackfriday
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IF YOU ARE ON THE $20 PER MONTH PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP, THE 12-MONTH OPTION IS A NO-BRAINER…
12-Month Premium Membership — 40% off — $120
Sign up for the 12-month option and cancel your $20 payments (or let me know, and I'll cancel for you).
Note: If you paid your monthly membership in November, let me know, and I'll get that refunded for you, too.
Specials are available from now until Tuesday, 2nd December.
Here's the link again: https://photobizx.com/blackfriday
IMPORTANT: No matter what you purchase, if you feel something isn't a good fit, let me know, and I'll happily refund you. Or feel free to ask if you're unsure about something.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Stacey Brown Randall on Facebook
The Referable Client Experience
The Referable Client Experience Free Chapter
Stacey Brown Randall on LinkedIn
Stacey Brown Randall on Instagram
Stacey Brown Randall on YouTube
Episode 259: Stacey Brown Randall – Photography Business Growth by Referrals
Client experience is how your client feels when they work with you. The work matters, but the feelings drive the referrals. — Stacey Brown Randall
Thank you!
Huge thanks to Stacey for being so open and generous in this chat. She is the perfect reminder that referrals aren’t an accident — they’re the natural outcome of a thoughtfully designed client experience.
She’s built an entire body of work around helping small business owners create experiences that feel good for clients… the kind of experiences that quietly drive repeat business and word-of-mouth without scripts, nudges, or awkward asks. It’s not hype or tricks — it’s understanding what your clients are really feeling at each stage, and meeting them with intention.
I’d love to know what stood out for you — what’s one takeaway you plan to implement into your own photography business after hearing this interview?
We don’t pick the name mentioned the most on social media — we pick the name mentioned by someone we trust. — Stacey Brown Randall
That’s it for me this week; I hope everything is going well for you in life and business!
Thanks for listening—speak soon,
Andrew
The post 645: Stacey Brown Randall – The Referral System Every Photography Business Needs appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.