609: Brooke Jefferson – How a Small-Town Photographer Built a Booked-Out Business

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

Brooke Jefferson of www.brookejefferson.com/photography was first featured in the Coaches Predictions episode that kicked off in 2025, where she said that Behind The Scenes Content (BTS) will be a game changer for photographers this year.

She knows exactly what it takes to turn a passion for photography into a thriving business. She is a photographer, business coach, and Book More Clients Photography podcast host.

She first picked up a camera in 2014, with a baby on her hip and a borrowed camera, hoping to earn extra income for her family. What started as a side hustle quickly turned into a full-time career, and by 2018, she left her job as a teacher to go all in with photography.

One of her coaching clients, Loretta, says…

“Best investments I've made for my business. I've tried a couple of other photography coaches, and while they shared some valuable information, Brooke is 100% the secret sauce.”

With over a decade behind the camera and six years as a coach, Brooke is walking the walk, not just talking the talk.

In this interview, Brooke shares how living in a small town doesn't mean you can't have a booked-out photography business.

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

• From borrowed camera to booked out – Brooke went full-time with her photography
• Small town, big growth – marketing works anywhere when you know what you’re doing
• Clients come from community – Google, referrals, Facebook groups… Brooke uses them all
• Style that stops the scroll – your signature look matters more than you think
• Shoot what you love, attract who you want – personal work brings the right clients
• Studio smarts – Brooke turns her studio into a year-round money-maker
• Right clients, right growth – niche down, stand out, stay booked
• Collab > competition – peers can be your best referral partners
• Inspired, not imitating – stay true to your style and still stand out
• Coaching that moves the needle – refine your strategy, raise your prices, grow
• Map it before you make it – goals first, bookings second
• Want to go full time? Set the target – Brooke helps photographers define what “full-time” actually means
• Profit starts with pricing – charge your worth with confidence
• Goodbye pricing panic – shift the fear and raise your rates
• Be consistent, be booked – clear style and messaging = magnet for dream clients
• Raise your prices without losing your people – it’s about scaling with intention
• Post your prices, get better leads – no more fluff inquiries
• Moving locations? You’re not starting over – rebuild fast with SEO, networking and local marketing
• Social growth that books – tagging and sharing is more than just engagement
• Don’t post everything – curate a feed that converts
• Show the work and the work-in-progress – BTS builds connection and trust
• Get found on Google, not just Insta – local SEO = leads that stick
• Network like a human, book like a pro – in-person wins every time
• Need clients fast? Use this strategy – Brooke’s go-to for quick bookings
• The “Book More Photography Clients” Podcast – weekly marketing & biz advice that works
• Learn while you listen – coaching, interviews, real talk on building your biz
• No matter your niche – weddings, families, newborns… there’s something here for you

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 dream session is when a client reaches out and they want me to photograph them on their own property, whether that's their ranch or their farm. And the best part is when we can't drive to the location. We have to ride the ATVs. That is my favourite thing to do. So we get a little bit of fun and adventure. – Brooke Jefferson

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 have to know your booking goal. I have to know your revenue goal. That is the very first place I start. From there, I dig into what you already have. And typically where people want me to start is their pricing and packages. So that's the very next place I'll go. – Brooke Jefferson

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 Brooke 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.

Networking, networking, networking. The things that photographers don't want to do, because it is so easy to type up a social media post, cross your fingers and hope you get bookings, it is so much harder to leave your house and actually go and talk to real humans and get your name out there, your business cards, things like that. But it can be done. – Brooke Jefferson

If you have any questions I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Brooke, 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 am heavily relying on happy clients to keep my name going in the community. – Brooke Jefferson

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.

Something that I am passionate about teaching, that works really well for me, is getting very involved in my community. I'm trying to make it to local events, partnering with business owners, things like that. So I try to market my business in a variety of ways so that the leads are always coming in. – Brooke Jefferson

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.​

The post 609: Brooke Jefferson – How a Small-Town Photographer Built a Booked-Out Business appeared first on Photography Business Xposed - Photography Podcast - how to build and market your portrait and wedding photography business.