Freedom Focus Photography

209 - Annemie Tonken had to take a break once and get back to business. Guys, we're talking about a "major surgery and three months on crutches" kind of break. That's when she came up with her idea to get her family photography clients into a membership service. Newly divorced, she needed to stabilize her income and make her business more resilient. One day, UPS dropped off her recurring shipment of air failters and it was an aha moment like she's never had! She realized people often forget to schedule their annual family photography sessions. Why not get them signed up to a subscription so they never forget? Brilliant! Annemie joins me on the Hair of the Dog podcast this week to give us all the details – and FWIW, this doesn’t just work for family photographers. We have an Elevate member making this work with her pet photography business. What to listen for 9:38 Why Annemie shifted her perspective on running a photography business 12:40 How she launched her membership program to her clients 17:18 The pros and cons of her subscription model 23:25 How to set your membership up for success 32:27 Why it's important to know your numbers before you start  Interested in learning more about how to create a membership model? Listen to this podcast episode and then get registered for this year’s Hair of the Dog Summit, going down Sept. 26-27 and Annemie is sharing all the important deets.  Have you signed up yet? Grab your ticket now! Where to find Annemie This Can't Be That Hard Facebook Group Instagram: @thiscantbethathard_ Megapixie Photography The Family Narrative 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.

208 - What is stopping you from reaching your goals? What are your thoughts behind "I can't"? You know, those thoughts that can paralyze you into inaction -- not only in your pet photography business but also in your life. Both Monica Adalsteinsson of Pup + Me Photo and Christi Baker of Christi Baker Photography get challenged by their thoughts, and each has different fears and anxiety behind those thoughts. Monica and Christi are back for this week's episode of the Hair of the Dog podcast, The Coaching Journals, Part 5. Monica and Christi are sharing their Elevate journey with business and mindset coach extraordinaire Heather Lahtinen. This month, Heather walks them through planning for their pet photography businesses and how it can bring consistency and stability to their businesses and their lives. Monica finds herself limited by the fear of returning to Corporate America (ugh!) while Christi struggles with maintaining an excellent customer experience while taking maternity leave. What to listen for6:13 Monica's anxious thoughts about not hitting her August goals9:56 The clarity she found by creating a 12-month marketing calendar17:13 How more intentional thoughts can wipe away fear and anxiety27:52 Christi's motivation to keep tweaking her customer experience30:35 Her move to a hybrid IPS process with online galleries38:01 How to reframe "tweaking" as "experimenting" The thoughts you're having that are limiting you, that are leading to stress and anxiety … can you plan your way out of them? You bet you can! You know what else happens when you plan? You open time and space in your life to be more creative and inspired, and nothing about that sounds wrong.Connect with HeatherFlourish AcademyFlourish Academy on IGFlourish Academy on FBConnect with  ChristiChristi Baker PhotographyChristi Baker Photography on IGConnect with MonicaPup + Me PhotoPup + Me Photo 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.

207 - The idea of work-life balance is a myth. We don't ever really balance the many facets of our lives: our businesses, our families, our health, our free time, etc. We give enough attention to each one just to keep going every day. That, my friend, is not balance. That is just surviving. Instead of looking for balance, my friend Lucy Baum says, we should be looking for consistency and steadiness. Lucy, the head cheese at ShineSparkL, a marketing and business education platform for photographers, joins me on the Hair of the Dog podcast this week to chat mindset, intuition and intention to help you approach your business from a perspective that integrates all aspects of your life.  What to listen for 7:42 Why we shouldn't take it personally when someone says "no" to us 10:03 How Lucy's five-pillar approach to marketing aligns with the five koshas 18:29 The power of listening to your intuition 31:55 How to turn fear into something positive 46:58 What is stopping you from advancing in your business Lucy is a champion for recognizing that everything we do – whether it's work-related or personal – contributes to our life's work. Rather than seeking "balance," we should create a steadfast approach where all aspects of our life support each other. That's when we can really feel good about our pet photography businesses and see our pet photography businesses take off!  Where to find Lucy ShineSparkL Facebook Instagram 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.

206 - Commitment is a four-letter word to some people I know. And when we talk about social media and the commitment it takes to keep your feeds updated and interesting, they unleash a string of four-letter words. It can get stressful when you feel like you're dancing like a puppet to the algorithms pulling our strings. But we are here to break it down and simplify it for you. Deb LaFlamme, content coach and top dog at For the Love of Your Business, joins me on the Hair of the Dog podcast this week to talk about how to deliver content that will make your followers say "yes" to you. She fills us in how to stand out in the crowd, why you should create a content strategy and why video needs to be a big player in your social media game.   What to listen for 9:22 Why it isn't really the algorithm's fault 17:30 How to make it easier for your dream client to choose you 21:48 What content sets you apart from the competition 30:04 Why you need to stop hiding behind your gear 32:45 What clients need to learn about you Our social media feeds can't just be filled with amazing photos of pets. They need to educate your dream client on why they should pick you.  What do you need to change in your social media posts to start climbing your relationship ladder?  Where to find Deb For the Love of Your Business Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube 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.

205 - Let's talk inquiries this week.  How are you getting them? Where are they coming from? How many become paying clients?  It is so incredibly important that you are clear on the answers to these questions because this data will help you streamline your process and focus your energies on what works for your pet photography business.  Heather Lahtinen of Flourish Academy and our head guru at Elevate brings us this month's installment of The Coaching Journals for this week's Hair of the Dog podcast episode. Heather talks through inquiries with Monica Adalsteinsson of Pup and Me Photo and Christi Baker of Christi Baker Photography.  Monica is wondering whether she can get more clients through the door with discounts and special offers, while Christi needs to manage clients and prepare for maternity leave.  What to listen for 7:00 How Monica used the gap and the gain process when she missed June's revenue goal 12:00 Why August's inquiry numbers are making her feel stuck 14:31 The thoughts that are keeping Monica from offering special promos 35:01 How Christi can scale up her business while taking time off 21:17 The data Christi needs to know to make it all come together 49:01 Heather's trick for getting previous clients to work with you again  If you're just doing shoots and taking but not tracking your numbers, you're not effectively working toward growing your pet photography business.  No matter what your vision of success is -- and that looks different for everybody -- it's crucial to know where you are and how got here so you can take steps forward! Connect with HeatherFlourish AcademyFlourish Academy on IGFlourish Academy on FBConnect with  ChristiChristi Baker PhotographyChristi Baker Photography on IGConnect with MonicaPup + Me PhotoPup + Me Photo 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.

204 - Have you ever sent an email and felt immediately deflated when a couple of people hit that ol' unsubscribe button?Have you ever had a little panic attack and thought, "I'm bothering these people and I suck at this."Let's take a deep breath right now and remember that when people say "no" to you, it's about them and their story, not about you and your story.Aaaaaaand let's also consider those people who didn't unsubscribe. They are actual humans who WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.On this week's episode of the Hair of the Dog podcast, Heather Lahtinen and I tackle the subject of email marketing and why you need to start a list and connect with it.What to listen for2:08 The power of your email marketing7:24 How to create value with your email content12:11 What holds many pet photographers back from emailing their list18:15 Why people unsubscribe from your list28:20 How to connect with your potential clients via emailStarting an email list and keeping those potential clients engaged is a marketing non-negotiable for your photography business.Don't let fear hold you back. Eat the frog and get to emailing your people!Comment on the 'Gram and let me know what's holding you back.Connect with HeatherFlourish AcademyFlourish Academy on IGFlourish Academy on FBJOIN 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.

203 - Budgets and financial planning are fascinating subjects, aren't they?I mean, who doesn't want to get lost in a world of numbers and spreadsheets and interest rates and taxes?Now that you're on the edge of your seat …Haha! Oh my friend, I get it. Talking about financial health seems so dry and it's easy to tune out but bear with me for a few minutes. Or 40 minutes. That's all you'll need to listen to this week's episode of the Hair of the Dog podcast during which I sit down with Colleen Patel, a financial coach who works with busy women to master their financial health one small step at a time.What to listen for8:00 Why we need to take more interest in our finances12:00 Take your first step toward financial health15:08 A few simple ways to start your monthly budget22:47 How to shine a light on where your money is going25:22 Why you need to pay yourself first (and save for the tax man!)35:03 How to let go of the emotional baggage we attach to moneyColleen reminds us that it's A-OK to treat ourselves occasionally and I am here for it. Anyone else hear chocolate martinis or a trip to the Bahamas calling?Is budgeting a four-letter word for you? Comment on the 'Gram and let me know.Connect with Colleen:Colleen PatelColleen's *Prescription for Financial Health* (Facebook Group)Colleen Patel on IG 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.

202 - To ask for tips or not to ask for tips?  That is not the question. Of course it isn't. It's never that obvious with Heather Lahtinen.    Do you leave a spot on your invoices for clients to tip you? I don't.   And I'm going to tell you why in this week's episode of the Hair of the Dog podcast but – and this is a big but – it's never as simple as what’s “right or wrong.” It's about the thoughts and emotions you're attaching to the idea of asking your clients for tips. Our mindset is such an important part of our business strategy and Heather invites us to explore our thoughts around why we make certain decisions, like asking for tips.     What to Listen For  6:12 Why we might feel threatened when a client is upset  10:44 The assumptions I make in deciding not to ask for tips  16:26 When it's OK for me to accept gifts from clients  20:04 The importance of aligning pricing with your customer experience  26:11 What we need to believe to be comfortable with our decisions  Comment on the 'Gram and let me know if you ask your clients for tips or if there are any decisions you've made that have left you feeling a little icky. Connect with HeatherFlourish AcademyFlourish Academy on IGFlourish Academy on FBJOIN 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.

201 - Are you taking action every day? There's so much happening in The Coaching Journals with our friend Heather Lahtinen this month. We're on Month 3 of our chance to listen in on Heather's coaching sessions with Monica Adalsteinsson of Pup + Me Photo in Phoenix and Christi Baker of Christi Baker Photography in Atlanta.  Monica is super excited (and we are thrilled for her too!) that she's hitting all the goals she's set for this year and she believes the actions she takes every day are pushing her business forward. Her art gallery project didn't get as many applicants as she wanted, though, and she and Heather talk through ways to improve the process and strategies for future projects.  Christi, on the other hand, oh boy. Christi has some huge news to share. She and Heather discuss how life and her business will change with this news.  What is the news, you ask? Oh, I'm not giving that away. You're just going to have to listen to this week's episode of the Hair of the Dog Podcast.  What to listen for 2:28 Heather and Monica celebrate Monica's recent wins 11:14 How you can add value to get an easy "yes" 15:28 What thoughts are keeping Monica from setting deadlines for clients 24:31 What life changes Christi is facing 29:05 How she can create her life schedule with this new chapter in her life 33:51 Why Christi needs to protect her boundaries now more than ever  Oh man, it is so much fun to watch these two pet photographers take action, strategize and move their businesses forward. I just know there are bits and pieces we can all identify with.  Comment on the 'Gram and let me know what your takeaways are from this episode of The Coaching Journals.  Connect with HeatherFlourish AcademyFlourish Academy on IGFlourish Academy on FBConnect with  ChristiChristi Baker Photography Christi Baker Photography on IGConnect with Monica Pup + Me PhotoPup + Me Photo 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.

200 - If you've been reading these emails or listening to the Hair of the Dog podcast for a while, you know there are two things that I look for every day:WinsGratitudeMy friend, today, I am celebrating episode No. 200 of the Hair of the Dog podcast and I am incredibly grateful that you are along for the ride.Can I get a WOOHOO? Now hang on … if I'm being absolutely truthful, I get bored doing the same thing over and over again, so hitting 200 episodes is a particular milestone for me. With the podcast, though, I get to talk to so many different people about so many different things that it doesn't get repetitive. And I have the systems in place to make it all come together smoothly. But now I'm starting to give away what this week's episode is all about!  You know I love taking lessons from everything and applying that learning to how we operate our pet photography businesses. After publishing 199 podcast episodes up to this one, I've come up with seven lessons that we can apply to our entrepreneurial lives. What to listen for2:08 What's coming up in the Hair of the Dog Academy9:54 Why systems are essential for running your business12:08 How to look for tasks to outsource17:56 Your business is nothing without you and your personality20:39 Why you have to have fun at what you're doing22:43 Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprintJOIN 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.