Freedom Focus Photography

228 - In this innovative episode of the Freedom Focus Photography podcast, Nicole Begley introduces a compelling new series titled "The Creative Freedom Rebellion," featuring regular guest J.Nichole Smith. This series is dedicated to emphasizing the importance of defining personal freedom and success on one's own terms. In today’s episode Nicole and Nic delve into various aspects of commercial pet photography, offering insights and strategies to help photographers navigate this exciting but evolving landscape.What to Listen for1. What Business Model is Best for You: Explore different business models from boutique models focused on products and high sales, to high volume and low cost sessions, or even mini-sessions as your main offering.  2. The Four Levels of Commercial Photography: Discover the various levels of commercial photography, starting with accessible local market opportunities and scaling up to high-end projects.3. Setting Realistic Expectations: Learn to set achievable goals and understand the real-world benefits and challenges in different photography business models.4. Strategic Branding and Market Positioning: Understand the critical role of strong brand identity and effective market positioning in the competitive photography market.5. Real-Life Success Stories: Be inspired by photographers who have made a successful leap into commercial pet photography, and learn from their experiences, including both their challenges and triumphs.If you’ve been curious about how commercial photography could work into your current photography business - this is a must-listen episode.We’ll be hosting more commercial pet photography training in April - jump on the waitlist now to sign up for the free training!   JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

227 - In this pivotal episode, Nicole Begley announces a significant change: the podcast is now the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast! This rebranding comes with exciting new directions and offerings, particularly the Freedom Focus Formula course, designed to radically transform the businesses of photographers through pricing, sales, and messaging strategies. Nicole delves into the nuances of building a photography business, discussing the critical transitions and strategies for growth. She also outlines the upcoming changes to the Hair of the Dog Academy, highlighting the enhanced value and focus of the membership options.What to listen for:Why the podcast has a new name!How the Freedom Focus Formula can radically shift your photography business.Details about the four levels that every photography business travels through.  Is it really possible to be profitable selling only digital files?What the next evolution is for Hair of the Dog Academy - and why you won’t be able to get access to the business training after February 15th.Join Nicole in this episode as she navigates through these transformative changes, offering a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for photographers at all stages of their career. It's a celebration of growth, learning, and the exciting journey ahead in the world of photography.JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

226 - In this insightful episode of the Hair of the Dog podcast, Heather Lahtinen is taking over the mic for our 2nd episode of ‘The Offline Photographer’.  This series is all about getting you out from behind your computer and actually INTO your market so that you can meet an connect with marketing partners and/or potential clients.  This is the tried and true way to market and grow your business.  In today’s episode, we’re talking with Laura Wombwell, who shares her experience in building a valuable partnership with a local veterinary clinic.  You’ll discover a deeper understanding of the importance of in-person engagement and learn strategies to cultivate relationships that can significantly benefit your photography businesses.WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:Developing Local Partnerships: Insights on connecting with local businesses, such as veterinary clinics, to enhance in-person marketing efforts.Setting Clear Goals and Expectations: The importance of defining objectives and establishing mutual understanding in professional relationships.The Value of Personal Connection: How forming authentic connections can lead to meaningful business opportunities and client referrals.Strategies for Effective Communication: Tips for initiating and maintaining open and productive dialogues with business partners.Balancing Professionalism and Personal Touch: Finding the right balance between being professional and personable in business interactions.This episode is all about the practical aspects of growing a photography business by nurturing local connections. This episode is a must-listen for photographers looking to expand their reach and impact in their communities.Enjoying this conversation?  This is the type of coaching that happens inside of Elevate - the place to be if you want to grow your photography business. Discover Elevate here.Connect with HeatherWebsiteFacebookInstagramJOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

225 -  In this episode, Nicole Begley shares her insights on what she would do if she were starting her photography business from scratch in 2024. We start with the importance of finding your niche, specifically identifying what you love about that niche and your products. Then, the second (often overlooked) step is dialing in your messaging and creating a compelling website, which are crucial steps for attracting your target clients. Of course, we also touch on utilizing SEO and blogging to improve your online visibility. Building a community, growing an email list, and getting people in front of your lens all create major marketing momentum. Last but not least, we can't forget what Nicole believes is the most impactful: connecting with local businesses and charities, which often lead to valuable partnerships.WHAT TO LISTEN FORWhy niching down even more will actually attract MORE clients.How to dial in your messaging to book more clients.Why blogging just might give you the most bang for your marketing buck.The trifecta of marketing momentum.How these strategies can any photographer that wants to grow in 2024.Previous Related Episodes174 - Content Marketing with Tavia Redbird038 - Moving to a New Market with Allison Shamrell011 - Timeless Marketing Strategies with Luci Dumas043 - Website Copy for the Win with Kim Wishcamper059 - The SEO Mistakes Most Photographers Make with Alex Vita162 - What You Need to Know to Partner with Rescues with Courtney Bryson182 - Zoe Hiljemark - Let’s Get some Press with Zoe HiljemarkJOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

224 - Today’s conversation is focusing on marketing our photography businesses, because if there’s one area that frustrates most photographers, it’s the challenges they face in finding new clients.  In this episode, I’m joined by my friends Heather Lahtinen, Dorie Howell, and Tavia Redburn to have a candid conversation to help photographers unlock the complexities of growing their business.  This isn’t the only way I’ve teamed up with these ladies lately - we’ve also teamed up to offer the 60-Minute Marketing Conference!  You’ll hear succinct and impactful presentations from 17 leading photographers in the industry about what’s working RIGHT NOW in business. What to listen for:Discover how providing a valuable service to clients can transform your photography business.Uncover the secrets to building a professional online presence that captivates potential clients.Learn the art of networking and making connections to establish authority in the photography industry.Explore how AI tools like ChatGPT can revolutionize your marketing strategies and enhance client communication.Find out how charitable marketing can not only expand your client base but also make a positive impact on the community.We’re highlighting the tried and true marketing strategies - but also digging into the new opportunities that exist such as ManyChat and ChatGPT.  Take a listen to this episode and then grab your free ticket to the 60-Minute Marketing Conference!Important Links:60-Minute Marketing ConferenceElevateConnect with our GuestsHeather Lahtinen - Flourish AcademyTavia Redburn - Beauty in BirthDorie Howell - Harmony HangoutJOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

223 - In this episode of the Hair of the Dog podcast, Nicole and Heather discuss the power of thoughts and how they can shape our lives and businesses. They share their most influential thoughts from 2023 and the thoughts they plan to carry into 2024. By changing our thoughts, we can change our outcomes.Nicole and Heather introduce a model that shows how thoughts lead to feelings, actions, and results. They give examples of how certain thoughts can limit us, while changing our thoughts can lead to success and personal growth.Both hosts stress the importance of choosing thoughts that serve us and align with our goals. They introduce the concept of "letting it be easy," which involves simplifying tasks, delegating responsibilities, and relinquishing control. By adopting this mindset, individuals can experience greater ease and flow in their lives and businesses.Nicole and Heather encourage listeners to explore different thoughts and see which ones resonate with them. They also share thoughts from Elevate members, including ideas about attracting clients, expanding capacity, and embracing simplicity.What to listen for:How our thoughts are responsible for our successes and challenges.Discover how to use the model to create new outcomes.Nicole’s biggest thought breakthrough from 2023.The best thoughts from our most successful Elevate studentsHow thoughts allowed Nicole to bend a spoon - into 4 loops.Ready to Elevate?  www.hairofthedogacademy.com/elevateConnect with our guests on Instagram!Heather Lahtinen on IG Monica Adalsteinsson's Pup and Me PhotoJessica Wasik's Bark and Gold PhotographyAmy Hodson's Wander Pet Photography- Diane Gollowitzer's Dog in Focus Photography- Ina J's Ina J PhotographyJOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

222 - As the year wraps up, it's the perfect time to get your photography business prepped and polished for the new year! Join me, Nicole Begley, as I dive into the essential year-end action items to help you put a bow on 2023 and prepare for success in 2024!What to listen for:Get practical tips on handling finances, from tracking expenses to prepping for tax season.Conduct an expense analysis to find savings and smart investment opportunities.Review a four-part process for reflecting on your year and preparing for 2024.Discover how to focus on thoughts and hidden blocks that might be hindering your success.How to listen to the best business and craft podcast episodes of the year that you might have missed!I love the year end - and especially the new year.  It feels so expansive and full of possibility.  Especially when you approach it with intention. So, grab a cup of your favorite holiday beverage, and let's see what we can make possible for 2024!IMPORTANT LINKSBEST OF 2023 - Access our curated list of the BEST conversations from 2023! It's free! Save $200 off your first month in Elevate and lifetime access to the previous Elevate retreats - use the code BF23JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

221 - Get ready to dive deep into a world where confidence reigns supreme! Join Nicole Begley and Heather Lahtinen as they uncover the secret sauce to building unshakeable confidence in your photography biz. This isn’t just any chat – it’s a journey through the ups and downs of self-trust, topped off with a surprising twist about... chocolate muffins?What To Listen For:Discover why self-trust is key to growing your confidence.Learn how focusing on competence leads to increased confidence.Uncover the impact of small actions and self-affirmations.Nicole’s candid confession about guilt, shame, and... baked goods?Flipping the script on self-commitment flops.This episode is a must for any photographer looking to boost their confidence and take their business to new heights. Remember, it's all about trusting yourself!Resources From This Episode:Hair of the Dog Academy Elevate Coaching ProgramJOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

220 - Rejection is part of being a business owner. No … no, wait … rejection is part of being human! Even marketing guru Seth Godin has heard the word "no" but he's at least come to understand that the rejection is more about the rejectee than it is about him. Rejectee … I just made that up. That doesn't mean the word "no" isn't difficult to hear. It hurts sometimes and Michelle Crandall of Pets in Focus Photography in Michigan has felt that pain.  And haven't we all? We put so much heart and soul into our work and hearing "no" can paralyze you into not taking any action. What has helped Michelle move past her fear and anxiety? Coaching with Heather, of course!  Heather has the mic again this week, sharing a recent Elevate one-on-one with Michelle. They have a candid conversation about Michelle's struggles … and her breakthroughs. What to listen for 3:40 When Michelle needed to pivot from dog sports to portraits 8:43 The terror she felt at the thought of calling someone 14:25 Why imposter syndrome is so damaging 17:27 How Michelle pushed through the fear and doubt to take action 31:07 Who the real, confident, smart Michelle is 38:28 How coaching with Heather changed her life I know you can confront your fears, push through the discomfort and reshape not just your business but your entire life too!  I want to know if this episode resonated with you.  Comment on the 'Gram. JOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.

219 - You spoke up and we listened. You all loved The Coaching Journals with Heather Lahtinen, Christi Baker and Monica Adalsteinsson that we're bringing them back. Ish. Christi and Monica are off soaring like eagles after six months of intensive coaching with Heather and the Elevate program. Today, we're introducing a spinoff series, called The Offline Photographer, and it's inspired by the challenges of the same name that Heather is currently holding in Elevate. These challenges are designed to make you a networking, marketing boss, getting you out into your community to talk all things pet photography. Heather is picking a photographer in the challenges each month to interview and share their journey. This month, we're hearing from Laura Wombwell of Hamilton, Ontario, who's making a name for herself with quirky fantasy composites and dramatic portraits. What to listen for 4:24 The genius behind Laura's fundraising event 9:56 The delicate balance between charity work and business 21:19 How to overcome the fear of rejection 26:49 Why we need to retrain our brains and share our passion 35:23 Heather drops a new challenge on Laura Guys, I am super excited to see where Heather takes this new series with her Elevate photographers. I'm confident she is going to get even more members of our community flying! What's your takeaway from Laura's coaching? Comment on the 'Gram. Connect with HeatherFlourish AcademyFlourish Academy on FBFlourish Academy on IGJOIN THE PARTY: Connect with us on Instagram Explore valuable pet photography resources here Discover effective pricing and sales strategies for all portrait photographers. Ready to grow your business? Elevate helps you do just that. Check out our recommended gear and favorite books.