Big thanks to Courtney for coming on the show and sharing so openly. It’s been incredible to see what she’s built — especially from such a small town, on her terms. I hope this episode sparked a few lightbulb moments and left you with ideas you can run with in your own photography business.
PhotoBizX The Ultimate Wedding and Portrait Photography Business Podcast 619: Courtney Bryson – How to Sell Albums and Artwork Without In-Person Consults
Jun 1, 2025
45:34
Premium Members, click here to access this interview in the premium area
Courtney Bryson of www.cmbryson.com is a US-based pet photographer who lives in a rural community of only 800 people.
However, she has an average sale of $6000!
It was this email from PBX Premium Member Laurie Elmer that prompted me to request this interview. She wrote…
My good friend and amazing pet photographer, Courtney Bryson, has developed an innovative hybrid process for in-person sales, out of necessity due to her location relative to her clients.
She has managed to combine all the personal touches that make IPS so successful, delivering them via pre-recorded video, including album and wall art mock-ups. I bet listeners would love to learn more about her process.
That was enough for me!
Still… In addition to that email, I took a look at her easy-to-navigate website. I saw beautiful albums, stunning wall art, terrific photography and clear navigation to get in touch and book a session for your dog or horse.
Requesting this interview was a no-brainer!
In this interview, Courtney shares how to sell albums and artwork without in-person consults (either in person or via Zoom). This is the perfect sales strategy for introvert photographers.
Here's some more of what we covered in the interview:
- Why Courtney’s happy to drive 3 hours to a shoot — and how it pays off
- The small-town marketing approach that brings in big-city bookings
- How she ranks #1 for “Atlanta pet photographer” — and stays there
- The simple referral line that brings in her best clients
- How a six-email sequence turns leads into high-paying bookings
- Why charity sessions are a win for her calendar and her bank account
- What happens when you tell clients: “10 summers, not 18”
- Why she only markets to dog-obsessed professionals — and ignores the rest
- How talking price early makes everything easier later
- Charging £1,000 to book? Here’s how that filters for serious clients
- Why albums, wall art and emotion are the real close — not the pitch
- The 20-minute video that replaced her in-person consults
- No Zoom. No pressure. Just a hybrid sales system that works
- Why she doesn’t sell files — and how artwork leads to bigger sales
- How outsourcing and drop-shipping helped her earn more by doing less
- The business model behind earning a full-time income with 35 clients a year
- “I’m a business owner first” — the mindset shift that changed everything
- How her introvert-friendly system sells while she walks the dogs
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.
I want all of my clients to have one image like that, so it's like one big statement image where your dog looks like an art piece. And then I want them to have a small gallery wall of images that are a little more intimate… That would be kind of the ideal sale for me. And then an album, because everybody gets an album. – Courtney Bryson
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 love getting to work with just the clients that I want to work with, the ones that are obsessed with their dogs. Those are the people that I want to work with. – Courtney Bryson
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 Courtney 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.
My middle collection is a 20 image album and $1,000 towards wall art… which gets you a very small piece of framed artwork…Most people do choose that middle collection, but when we add on the wall art and the actual size that they need, that's where we get to six [thousand]. – Courtney Bryson
If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Courtney, or a way to 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've gotten to be a better salesperson. Prices have gone up a little, but not significantly. But I think I get to be better, then they're buying more. – Courtney Bryson
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.
I think it's really about the way that I see their dog, and then showing them that in the pictures, they get to see their dog almost like a fairy tale. It's their dog, but on their very best day. – Courtney Bryson
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.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
CloudSpot – Online Gallery
FrameSuite – custom wall art shop
I'm really kind of trying to educate them about why you should pick a pet photographer, why you should pick me, and why it's expensive. – Courtney Bryson
Thank you!
My goal is, great images, great service, a great final product. And then I ask them if they know anyone else who would want this too. – Courtney Bryson
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 619: Courtney Bryson – How to Sell Albums and Artwork Without In-Person Consults appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.