Freedom Focus Photography

062 - It's a rare client who feels fully confident ordering large wall art. More often, clients struggle to visualize how artwork will fit into their home. They're counting on you to be the expert for all phases of their pet photography experience—and that includes the design component. This week, Sally Soricelli of Nestorations Interior Design joins me to help build your confidence around creating and choosing the perfect artwork for your clients' homes. The more you hone your interior design chops, the better the advice you'll be able to give—and the happier your clients will be with their purchase!What To Listen For: Some old-school tools to put your clients' minds at easeThe magic couch-to-artwork ratio, and other numbers you need to knowWhat design conversations to have before you plan your photo sessionsThe 3 pieces that form a visual triangle—and how your products can play a roleDecorating trends to keep in mind for 2021Sally also created a free art-hanging guide to help boost your confidence. Find the link in the resource list below!Resources From This Episode: Sally's (Free) Art-Hanging Guide!Nestorations Interior DesignNestorations on FacebookNestorations on PinterestSally's Instagram accountHair of the Dog Academy (doors opening soon!)Hair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog Elevate 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.

061 - Photographer Michael Puck feels deeply indebted to the dog who saved his life. And his ambitious pay-it-forward plans, combined with decades of experience as a "people scientist," have led to a dramatically different—but wildly successful—pet photography business model. What's more, he's inviting you, dear listener, to try it out for yourself.   What To Listen For: Lessons learned from leading a Human Insights departmentThe incredible social catalyst effect of dogs (the stats are eye-opening!)What it means to pull versus push when making sales How to leverage your existing connections to avoid cold callingThe biggest obstacle standing between you and a $10,000 saleTo get a more in-depth look at how Michael—a self-described "average pet photographer"—has shot and sold massive wall-art installations (and increased his average sale by 400%), be sure to grab his free email course linked below! Resources From This Episode: K9 Photo free eCourseGlobal Dog Art Gallery (beta version)Hair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog Elevate 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.

060 - Even if you're an experienced pet photographer, commercial animal photography is a whole different beast. This week I'm reviving an info-rich Facebook Live conversation from 2018 with Jamie Piper, the OG of commercial animal work.   If you've been curious about shooting for businesses—and doing it the right way—this is a must-listen. Jamie drops plenty of truth bombs (plus a few well-timed swears) learned over her 17 years as a commercial photographer. What To Listen For: How to start building a compelling commercial portfolioWho you need on your team to be successful in the commercial worldThe four elements your image licensing agreements need to defineWhy Jamie chooses WeTransfer over Dropbox for image-file sharingThe trouble with boutique animal-focused stock sitesA money-making opportunity that's still wide openIf our conversation leaves you hungry for more, you'll want to pick up Jamie's comprehensive, no-BS guide to succeeding in the dog-eat-dog world of commercial work. And through April 12th, you'll save 20% with the discount code hod20apr21.Resources From This Episode: The Business of Commercial Photography Facebook groupThe Big Commercial Photography Bundle (20% off through 4/12 - code above!)CowbellyfotoQuoteGetty Image Price CalculatorPhotoFolioBehanceDripbookPond5 stock video siteAmerican Photographic Artists (APA)Hair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog ElevateJOIN 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.

Alex Vita, a website builder for photographers, discusses common SEO mistakes made by photographers and how to avoid them. Topics include the importance of writing for humans, blogging tips, behavior flow, website performance, and the best website platform for photographers.

058 - This week it's another free therapy session podcast episode with the ever-popular Heather Lahtinen. In this episode, we talk about the fear of selling your work and how to overcome it. After validating all your anxieties and fearful thoughts, Heather whips out her sledgehammer and smashes your excuses to bits. I hope they weren't too precious!   Join us as we reframe the idea of sales, work through some possible scenarios, and leave you ready to lift the profit ceiling in your business. What To Listen For: Why keeping the "potato" for yourself is anything but selfishThe common reasons people avoid in-person sales (these might sound familiar!)How your lofty vision as an artist works against youAssessing the energy behind your offer, and why it mattersHow much is a regulated nervous system worth, anyway? 🤔The all-or-nothing thinking you need to banishAnd with this episode, we're at the end of our 3-part series on sales...though I'm sure we'll revisit the topic again down the road. In the meantime, if you haven't already, check out my 3-part video series for more guidance on pet photography sales sessions. Link below! Resources From This Episode: 3-Part Video Series on Sales SessionsHOD Podcast Episode 4: Gaining ConfidenceFlourish Academy websiteFlourish Academy on FacebookFlourish on InstagramBuilding a Storybrand, by Donald MillerNicole's favorite booksHair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog Elevate Program 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.

057 - This week I cover the seven most common obstacles and objections you'll face when selling your work. Not just what they are, obviously—I wouldn't leave you hanging like that!—but also how to address them (or prevent them from arising in the first place). From sizing woes to reluctant spouses, you'll learn how to handle it all in this episode! What To Listen For: The strategic shift that saves you from entering the "crazy-spiral"How a cheap craft-store item can earn you more moneyWhat you should invest in with every sale you makeA strategy to prevent buyers' remorse among your clientsThe non-negotiable step before I ever share an online galleryDon't forget to check out the 3-part video series on pet photography sales sessions. In it, I bust some common myths about in-person sales, walk you through what an actual appointment looks like, and go in-depth about addressing objections (that's in part 3). Link below! Resources From This Episode: 3-Part Video Series on Sales SessionsProSelect - Portrait Studio Software for In-Person SalesProofShare - Shoot & SellSwift Galleries - Photography Sales SoftwareFundy - Design & IPS SoftwareHair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog Elevate  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.

056 - In this week's episode I'm flying solo, taking you through the various steps of a successful sales process.   Think of it like this: You need to plant the seed, water and tend the seed, harvest the fruit and—bonus!—make yummy preserves to enjoy down the road. This analogy, of course, assumes that you think fruit preserves are yummy, when we all know that fruit anything is disgusting!!! (No? Just me??)  Anyway, tune in this week for an eight-part recipe for stronger sales!What To Listen For: What your website needs to sell (hint: it's not photography) One critical question to ask clients during the inquiry processThe magic phrase that taps into our universal human desire Where and when the sale is actually made......and how to avoid awkward sales-session conversationsYou'll also want to watch my juicy 3-part video series on pet photography sales sessions. In it, I bust some common myths about in-person sales, walk you through what an actual appointment looks like, and talk about how to address any objections. Link below! Resources From This Episode: The Pet Photography Sales Session - 3-part free video seriesFollow Up Then - free and easy email remindersHOD Podcast, Episode 45 - Using Video to Book More ClientsHair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog Elevate 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.

055 - Travis Patenaude's "why" is as clear and powerful as that of any pet photographer I've met.  You might know Travis from his striking studio portraits of Spanish Galgos, a hunting breed with a history of maltreatment. It's possible his award-winning image "Saying Goodbye" wrung some tears from your eyes. This week, Travis shares not only what motivates his pet photography work, but also how he went from absolute beginner to masterful artist. Don't be fooled by the gruff Chicago accent; there’s a whole lotta love behind the Stink Eye brand! It's an inspiring episode, and I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.      What To Listen For: The most valuable advice Travis got when he was just starting out A common photography "quicksand area"—and how to avoid itWhat you can learn from Travis's methodical approach to mastering Photoshop How to dodge the burnout bullet in your businessThe one single action that resolved his biggest stylistic issueResources From This Episode: Stink Eye PhotographyStink Eye Photography on FacebookTravis's InstagramTravis's award-winning image "Saying Goodbye"HOD Podcast, Episode 52 - Print Competition Demystified with Lisa AspHair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog Elevate 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.

054 - If you haven't yet gotten the call, you surely will at some point. Someone's beloved pet is nearing the end of his life; maybe they've just received a terminal diagnosis. You agree to a portrait session, hang up the phone...and panic. How on earth will you make it through such an emotionally charged session?  Grief-recovery specialist Wendy Sloneker is my guest on this week's episode. Drawing on her 40 years of experience in the field, Wendy offers sage advice on showing up for your clients during their most difficult hours.  What To Listen For: Questions and listening techniques to connect empathetically with clientsDeep thoughts on accepting money for your end-of-life sessionsHow to handle the sales session if a pet has already passedSpecific products to offer pet parents from these shootsTo further prepare—or help heal your own broken heart—get your hands on Wendy's Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss. She's generously giving away four copies, and you can throw your hat in the ring by following The SugarFace Network on social (links below).   Resources From This Episode:  Heart Healing from LossHeart Healing from Loss on TwitterThe SugarFace Network on TwitterThe SugarFace Network on InstagramHOD Episode 29: Unique Handcrafted Products with Mandi PrattSurviving Death docu-seriesHair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog Elevate 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.

053 - For many of our listeners, it's hibernation season. Cold and dark out. Not so many clients calling. Which is why this time of year is also...conference season! This week, Heather and I dish about the pitfalls of pet photography education, how to avoid getting stuck in the student trap, and what to do with all those amazing notes you've taken. We're also unveiling the SUPER exciting new project I've been working on, designed to help you get more done in four weeks than you have in the entire last year. BOOM!! 💥  What To Listen For: Ideas for striking a balance between consumption and creationWhy we don't believe in right or wrong decisionsThe common habit of the most successful peopleNicole's game-changer, and the reason Heather's kicking herselfThe space you should leave in your notebooks—and how to fill it upWhen it comes to moving your business forward, the only wrong way to do it is not to do it! So tune in for a great conversation about getting into action mode and accelerating your success.  Resources From This Episode: NEW! The Academy Accelerator (doors opening soon!!)90 Seconds to a Life You Love, by Dr. Joan RosenbergProfit First, by Mike MichalowiczFlourish Academy, with Heather LahtinenHair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupHair of the Dog Elevate 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.