634: Kirstie McConnell – From Pets to Premium Portraits, Reinventing a Photography Business

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Kirstie McConnell of www.classicoportraits.com and www.classicoportraits.com.au will be well known amongst pet photographers and long-term listeners to the podcast.

Originally based in Adelaide, where she was South Australia's first specialist pet photographer before cofounding The Pet Photographers Club with equally talented photographer, Caitlin McColl.

She has appeared on the podcast multiple times, where she presented two separate Masterclasses on how to Set up for Success as a Pet Photographer and How to Successfully Move into Pet Photography.

Since then, she met, fell in love with and married a handsome Italian gentleman and moved to Italy, where she started a brand new business — Classico Portraits.

It hasn't been plain sailing, but she's built the photography business into something special, where she averages $5000 for her tourist portrait sessions.

Now… she’s relocating back to Australia and planning to hit the ground running as she starts over, again, with her new photography business as a Gippsland & Mornington Peninsula photographer where she'll be focusing on families, couples and pets on adventures.

In this interview, Kirstie shares exactly how she moved from pets to premium portraits and reinvented her photography business.

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

• How a move to Italy reset Kirstie’s creativity and sharpened her positioning
• Why she pivoted from pets to luxury family portraits—and what changed in her sales
• The “start from zero” plan: building a client base in a new country without a network
• Turning tourism partners into a pipeline: hotels and operators with €400+/night guests
• SEO as the quiet workhorse: ranking in multiple Italian cities for high-spend enquiries
• From pets to people: what transfers, what doesn’t, and how to price for the jump
• Cold outreach that compounds: 380+ targeted emails, and why she doesn’t follow up
• Same-day sales, poolside viewings, and the buyer experience that lifts average order value (AOV)
• Marketing across cultures: what landed in Italy and how she’ll adapt for Australia
• The relaunch plan back home: blending family and pet sessions under one brand
• Scaling with help: when an associate photographer makes sense (and when it doesn’t)
• The mindset that carried her through the messy middle—moves, marriage, and starting over

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 just reached out to, like, everybody and anybody that I thought would be a good business partner for me, which, you know, in Tuscany in the tourism industry, is like everybody. — Kirstie McConnell

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.

The long-term one that definitely works best was focusing on SEO. I wanted to rank high in Google so if someone was searching for a photographer in X, Y or Z city in Italy—and ready to spend—they’d only have me to choose from. — Kirstie McConnell

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 Kirstie 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’ve sent around 380 emails now—hotels, experiences, any business serving clients spending €500 a day. If they’re interested, they email back. I’m better off keeping the outreach rolling than chasing. — Kirstie McConnell

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

When an enquiry comes via Google, there’s a 90% chance they’ll book—and they’re my highest spenders by far. — Kirstie McConnell

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 business wise, if you can make money as a pet photographer, especially like when I started, when there wasn't really a niche, then I think you can make money doing any kind of photography. — Kirstie McConnell

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 are the latest reviews…

★★★★★ Hands down my favourite podcast

Via Google reviews by Sydney pet photographer, Gabriela Pupovac, in Australia on September 12th, 2025.

I’m so glad I found Photobiz X when I did. It’s hands down my favourite podcast, and the only one I pay for. I have learnt so much, I literally learn something every episode.

Andrew is so positive and his guests are so open and giving with their information.

I just purchased the Facebook Ads course and encountered a technical difficulty. Andrew helped me straight away, even though I didn’t expect him to, as it was a Sunday.

I’ve been a guest on another dog photographer's podcast. Now my goal is to be a guest on Photobiz X, to talk about my Lifestyle Pet Photography Portrait business.

Thank you, Andrew, for all the amazing work you do.

★★★★★ This podcast is packed with value and insight!

Via Google reviews by Lausanne wedding and family photographer Michael Thompson, in Switzerland on September 1st, 2025.

Andrew is incredible! His podcast is packed with value and insight.

He has a rare gift for asking the exact questions we’re all thinking but might be too embarrassed or unsure to ask.

Every episode feels natural, engaging, and full of “aha” moments.

What truly sets him apart is how personal and accessible he is. Despite the size of the PhotoBizX community, Andrew goes above and beyond to connect with members and offer real support—it feels like a family.

If you want to truly understand the business side of photography, this is one of the very best podcasts out there. I couldn’t recommend it more!

The post 634: Kirstie McConnell – From Pets to Premium Portraits, Reinventing a Photography Business appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.