591: Aurelie Graillot – Balancing Creativity, Business, and Life: Lessons from a master commercial photographer

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

Aurelie Graillot of www.aureliegraillot.com appeared on my radar after interviewing Steve Tepp from Rights Click, where we talked about all things copyright in episode 583.

After the email introduction, I looked at her website and was blown away! This French-born, American-raised photographer describes herself as a still-life photographer, but I don't feel that description goes far enough.

I would say commercial, advertising, beauty and cosmetics photographer who is an absolute master of photography, light, colour, composition and style.

If you suffer from imposter syndrome as a photographer… do not visit Aurelie's website… her work is truly incredible.

Aurelie’s insights are a goldmine for commercial, advertising, and branding photographers looking to build a sustainable, authentic career. Whether you're just starting out or already established, this interview offers real-world advice on everything from brand-building to adapting to a tech-driven world while balancing creativity, business, and life lessons from this super-talented commercial photographer.

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

• Find Your Unique Style: Aurelie talks about overcoming imposter syndrome by focusing on her distinct style rather than comparing herself to others—key for personal and career growth.
• Define Your Brand: Knowing her strengths helped Aurelie build a brand that resonates authentically with clients.
• Starting Out: Aurelie began as a photography assistant, gaining foundational lighting and studio setup skills, which were crucial for her growth.
• Breakthrough Moment: An introduction from a creative director led to her first major commercial shoot, changing her career trajectory.
• Managing Early Finances: Aurelie shares her experience of balancing multiple jobs and initially accepting low rates, a familiar reality for new photographers.
• Build a Strong Portfolio: Aurelie emphasises the importance of showcasing high-quality work through personal projects and e-commerce shoots to attract clients.
• The Power of Networking: Connections with creative directors and industry professionals opened doors to new opportunities.
• Safeguard Your Work: Copyrighting images and negotiating usage rights to protect against unlicensed use.
• Embracing AI: With AI changing the photography landscape, Aurelie shares how she integrates AI-generated elements to expand her creative toolkit.
• Stay Competitive: Continuous learning—through courses, test shoots, or social media—helps photographers keep up with industry shifts.
• Balance Career and Life: After becoming a mother, Aurelie scaled back her studio operations to create a balance for her family and business.
• Developing Client Relationships: Building a good working relationship with clients and creative directors has been key to her project success.
• Present a Strong Online Presence: Aurelie highlights the need for a compelling online portfolio and active social media engagement to build credibility.

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.

Low-balling your own rate is not necessarily a good business strategy… You’re devaluing yourself if you bring down your rate just to try to get a job. – Aurelie Graillot

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.

You have to ask yourself, in the commercial world, what is the message that my client is trying to send out to the world, and I need to make sure that’s set or shown. – Aurelie Graillot

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 Aurelie 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.

Regarding AI and photography, it's our ideas that we're putting together, and if you can make it work in a really elegant way, then it works. If it looks cheap, that's what cheapens it. – Aurelie Graillot

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Aurelie 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.

Some of it is experimentation. Doing test shoots. You learn a lot that way. You know, if you're trying to accomplish a certain look and feel, then you need to take the time to light in as many different ways, or test out different things. – Aurelie Graillot

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 both 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.

Everything is based on usage, and every client has a different usage need, so it's all negotiated… You have to navigate the rate world based on what the usage request is. – Aurelie Graillot

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.​

Here is the latest review…

★★★★★ My favourite photography business podcast!

Via Google Reviews by Carlsbad family photographer HeatherMoreau, in the USA on November 7th, 2024.

This is hands-down my favourite photography business podcast!

Each episode is an incredible resource packed with valuable insights that truly blow me away.

As a small business owner, it makes me feel connected to a larger, inspiring community of professional photographers.

I highly recommend this podcast to any professional photographer—get ready to binge-listen because you won’t be able to get enough. Enjoy!

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What You’ll Learn

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What’s Included

• Live training on Zoom with a Q&A session so you can get answers tailored to your needs.
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The post 591: Aurelie Graillot – Balancing Creativity, Business, and Life: Lessons from a master commercial photographer appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.