Freedom Focus Photography

022 - Social media. For most of us, it's a big, overwhelming "should" that hangs over our business like a cloud. We know we should be posting regularly, but we either avoid the whole thing or fly by the seat of our pants, posting frequently but without any big-picture plan.Enter Deb Laflamme, owner of For the Love of Your Biz and this week's podcast guest. In this episode, Deb shares her simple, brilliant system for creating social content that connects deeply with your audience. The way she breaks it down into actionable steps takes the stress out of content planning and creation, and provides a valuable roadmap for growing your business through social media.  What To Listen For: The four pillars of content you should be sharing regularlyA three-step strategic process that's easy on your brain and your business  When to create social content - and when you absolutely shouldn't! Simple ways to increase your audience engagementLoads of ideas for creating shareable contentWant even more juicy ideas? Each month Deb delivers a FREE social post calendar full of prompts, holidays (National Ice Cream Day, anyone?) and themes you can use to help shape your content and keep it timely. Just head on over to Facebook and join her group, Social Post Ideas with Deb Laflamme - link in the resource section below!Resources From This Episode: For the Love of Your BizSocial Post Ideas Facebook groupPlanoly social post schedulerPost Planner social media toolHair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook group 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.

021 - This week my San Diego-based soul sister, Terran Bayer of Westway Studio, joins me to talk about how disgusting fruit is and other important topics—most of which are related to pet photography! Now, not all of us are lucky dogs like Terran, who has an 800-acre family ranch at her disposal for special, all-inclusive overnight pet photography packages. But in this episode, we brainstorm ways to add a high-end package to your own list of offerings and discuss the benefits that brings your business. Join us as we talk consumer psychology, brand-building, and where to find the best butter cake on the planet.What To Listen For: The key to building your product selectionWhat you must do with your pricing list to generate better salesHow to use your website's portfolio to communicate your brandThe critical importance of price anchoringA small homework assignment with a potentially big payoffIn addition to being a crazy-talented pet photographer with mad graphic design skills, Terran also co-produces educational videos through a partnership called Professional Pooch. The videos cover topics from showcasing your business at local events to conducting in-person sales sessions (you'll get to watch two actual session, as they unfold) and everything in between. And right now, my fantastic fruit-hating friend Terran is offering you a whopping 40% off any Professional Pooch video with the code HOD40. Go check 'em out through the link below! Resources From This Episode: Westway StudioTerran on InstagramWestway's Facebook pageProfessional Pooch educational videosWhiteWall acrylic printsWPPI ExpoGO HERE to find that butter cake!Hair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupJOIN 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.

020 - It's hard to believe we've already torn off half the pages from our 2020 calendars. Torn them off, fed 'em through the shredder and invited them to never come back. Or maybe that's just me.  Anyway. This week's episode features Pittsburgh pet photographer Jessica Wasik, who's mastered the art of running successful calendar contests. She shares her favorite tips on how to find a charity partner, promote and profit from a pet photography calendar project of your own. It’s a great way to build awareness of your brand while benefiting a local non-profit. Done well, calendar contests also grow your stable of cash-dropping private clients.  What To Listen For: How Jessica more than quadrupled her donations in only 4 yearsThe magic (and potential pitfalls) of setting audacious goalsHow to collaborate with other local businesses so that everybody winsStress-busting advice for handling contest proceedsClient-management tips to maintain your sanity during a calendar projectIf the idea resonates with you, it's not too late to orchestrate a calendar contest in your market before the holiday gift-giving season! Set yourself up for success with Jessica's Creating Profitable Pet Calendar Contests program. It's usually $197, but for you, my dear Hair of the Dog listeners? You'll get $50 off through July 7th...and an even better deal if you're an HOD Academy member (check out Jessica'a guest instructor class inside the Academy for deets).Resources From This Episode: Bark and Gold PhotographyGoGo Photo ContestMoJo Insta Story Editor appCreatePhotoCalendars.comBark and Gold on InstagramBark and Gold's Facebook pageHair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook group 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.

019 - The day I sat down to record this episode was a momentous one in the life of today's podcast guest. Richmond, Virginia-based Kristen Murray had just given notice that she'd be leaving her full-time job to focus on her rapidly growing pet photography business!As Dolly Parton sings in her classic hit "9 To 5," "There's a better life, and you dream about it, don't you?" In this episode, Kristen shares how she's making her dreams a reality, and the role that the Hair of the Dog Elevate program played in her readiness to make the transition to full-time pet photographer.  What To Listen For: Why other people weren't taking her pet photography seriouslyWhat finally helped Kristen recognize and overcome her fearsWhy it's okay—even beneficial—to be nervous about making changesHow Elevate allowed her to stop asking permission, and to start trusting herselfThe crazy-fun niche that Kristen's carved out in her marketIf you have your own dreams of making pet photography more than a hobby, this is a great episode to listen to. I know you're trying to avoid infectious things right now, but I promise Kristen's contagious enthusiasm will make you feel better, not worse!  Resources From This Episode: Kristen Murray PhotographyKristen's InstagramKristen Murray Photography on FacebookHair of the Dog Elevate program (open for enrollment through 6/25)Hair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupJOIN 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.

018 - Today's episode brings back Elevate coach and personal development superstar Heather Lahtinen, who you might remember from our convo a few months ago about gaining confidence. Hooooboy, that one must've touched a nerve, because it's our most popular podcast episode to date!This week's discussion is even juicier, I dare say. Heather and I go deep into living from a place of action instead of reaction, the power of the subconscious mind, how to live a life of purpose and positive impact, and all sorts of fantastic life hacks to help you unleash your potential—even in chaotic times. The "woo-woo" factor in this episode is high, which is a sorry/not sorry sort of thing. Buckle up! What To Listen For: What it means to work from the inside out, rather than the outside inHow to ask yourself questions that empower rather than self-sabotageHow the Law of Believability affects our sense of what's possibleThree habits to build into your life to maximize your potentialThe twist that makes daily affirmations an even more powerful practiceFor anyone feeling distracted or out of sorts lately, or like you aren't yet living your best life (I think that covers all of us?), tune in and try out some of the suggestions from this meaty episode! Resources From This Episode: Episode 4: Gaining Confidence with Heather LahtinenHair of the Dog Elevate groupFlourish Academy Facebook GroupNews Feed Eradicator - Chrome extensionVisualize Your Business - James Wedmore podcast, episode 370Ten Percent Happier podcastMastery & Ascension meditation membershipAtomic Habits Hair of the Dog Academy Hair of the Dog Facebook groupJOIN 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.

017 - If you've been in the pet photography world for any length of time, you're no doubt familiar with the amazing Charlotte Reeves, an award-winning dog photographer and educator based in sunny Brisbane, Australia.A master of working with natural light, Charlotte joins me in this week's episode to talk about choosing session locations, making the most out of them, and why we'll all want to move to Queensland after listening to this episode. (Kidding! You won't need to, cause you'll learn to uncover amazing locations right in your own backyard.) What To Listen For: How where you live affects your shooting styleTips for discovering awesome new photography locations in your marketThe importance of a location guide in helping clients understand what to expectHow much variety you need in a location, and how to make the most of what's thereAn exercise to stretch your creative muscles and work on shooting more varietyEpisode bonus: Through the end of June, Charlotte's fantastic Working with Natural Light foundation course is available for Hair of the Dog listeners at half price! Use the code HODpodcast to save yourself fifty bucks, and learn the fundamentals of light that will elevate your work and guide your session flow.   Resources From This Episode: Charlotte Reeves PhotographyLearn Pet Photography (home of RealShoots, the daily tip series and so much more)Working With Natural Light course (don't forget the HODpodcast code!)Toggl, Harvest and Sunseeker appsHair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupJOIN 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.

016 - In this episode, I'm diving into my *all-time favorite* way to build a pet photography business: charitable marketing. Partnering with a local charity is a feel-good, everybody-wins approach to finding new clients. Play it right and you'll walk away with goodwill toward your business, increased brand awareness and beaucoup bucks from the sales you'll make—not to mention a happy partner organization and delighted clients. Winner winner, chicken dinner! What To Listen For: An awesome time-sensitive announcement (right there in the first 3 minutes)!!The pros and cons of involving a for-profit business in your marketing effortTips for creating an irresistible offer to bring in new clientsA common point of confusion for potential customers—and how to avoid itHow to make it super easy for your partners to promote your campaignWith the recent economic shutdown affecting non-profits' typical fundraising cycle, now's a great time to get the ball rolling on a strategic charity partnership promotion. Go get after it! Resources From This Episode: Hair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupJOIN 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.

015 - One soft, squishy golden retriever pup was all it took for Kim Hartz to abandon a promising career start as a food and general portrait photographer. Fast-forward ten years and Kim not only specializes in pets, but she's also the educator behind the much-loved Pet Photography EDU, a technical course nested within the Hair of the Dog Academy. In today's episode, Kim joins me to talk about client inquiries, branding, and how to reliably turn leads into sales. What To Listen For: The $18,000 mistake Kim made when first starting her businessThe value in having a sounding board outside the photography industryWhy you should require a phone number from every new leadA common error pet photographers make in thinking about their target marketAccording to gazillionaire Jeff Bezos, "Your brand is what other people say about you when you're not in the room." Kim's advice in this episode might not lead to Bezos-style bucks, but it will help ensure that your every client interaction reinforces the positive branding message you need to make it big! Resources From This Episode: Kim Hartz PhotographyKim Hartz ConsultingHair of the Dog Academy FREE pricing masterclassHair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupJOIN 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.

014 - International award-winning photographer Craig Turner-Bullock is a bit dubious about calling himself an award-winning photographer. Find out why, and pocket some sage advice on developing your own creative style from the masterful New Zealand artist, teacher and mentor behind Furtography.  What To Listen For: What it is that truly defines your style (in other words, what's your "glitter"?)The worst place you can look for inspiration as a pet photographerWhy Craig doesn't publish images with people in themHow personal projects can actually help generate revenueThe importance of entering print competitions—even if you're intimidated! Hear how to curate your portfolio, embrace your passion, sell clients on H-U-G-E prints (Craig specializes in stupid-beautiful panoramics) and more in this fun episode! Resources From This Episode: FurtographyFurtography AcademyFind Your Style online course (enrollment closes May 31st!)  Craig's Instagram and FacebookHair of the Dog Academy FREE intro editing courseHair of the Dog Academy panoramic image tutorial (free to members)Hair of the Dog AcademyHair of the Dog Facebook groupJOIN 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.

013 - Across the country and throughout the world, things are slowly starting to re-open. What happens now with your business? This episode is a short and sweet check-in, to get you thinking about how to handle your business in these next few months once Peak COVID-19 has passed. Yes, there's uncertainty, but the reality is that as entrepreneurs, we have more control over our careers than most people do. And that's a wonderful thing! What To Listen For: The empowering questions you should be asking yourselfWhy potential clients are in the perfect state of mind to say 'yes' to your servicesWhat fear is, and why it isn't worth getting sucked intoPrecautions and practical changes I'll make as I start to reschedule sessionsIt's always a good time to pause and examine your mindset, but perhaps right now it's more important than ever. Join me in this mini dachshund-size episode as we contemplate what lies ahead.  Resources From This Episode: Hair of the Dog Academy Hair of the Dog Facebook groupDownload a PDF transcript for this episode: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.