Freedom Focus Photography

258 - In this episode of the Freedom Focused Photography Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome back Jeff Brown, The Photographer's Mentor, for an insightful conversation on how to elevate your photography business by harnessing the power of positivity, gratitude, and strategic visibility. Jeff shares his unique journey from military photographer to renowned photography mentor, along with practical tips for transforming your mindset and daily habits.We dive deep into the importance of curating your environment—both online and offline—to foster positivity, how to use gratitude as a powerful tool for personal and professional growth, and why visibility is key to establishing credibility in your industry. Jeff also shares his daily routines that keep him focused, energized, and on track to achieve his goals. Whether you're looking to boost your business, improve your mindset, or simply find new ways to stay motivated, this episode is packed with actionable insights.Here’s a sneak peek at what we’re covering:Embrace Positivity in Social Media: Jeff highlights the importance of curating your social media feed to eliminate negativity and focus on positive, inspiring content. This can drastically improve your mindset and productivity.The Power of Gratitude: Jeff explains how starting each day by writing down three things you're grateful for—focusing on a person, a possession, and an experience—can set a positive tone and energize your day.Visualization Techniques: Jeff discusses the importance of visualizing your ideal future in detail, writing it down as if it’s already happening, and listening to it regularly to reinforce your goals and ambitions.The Importance of Visibility: "Visibility is credibility." Jeff emphasizes that being consistently visible online, whether through social media or contributing to publications, builds credibility and opens doors to new opportunities.Anchoring New Habits: To build new habits, Jeff suggests attaching them to existing routines. For example, replacing your morning news with a gratitude practice while enjoying your coffee.Resources From This Episode:Jeff Brown's websiteGet Jeff Brown's books The Photographer's Mentor on Facebook The Photographers' Mentor on LinkedInThe Secrets to Business Success with Jeff BrownHair of the Dog Academy Freedom Focus FormulaElevate 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.

256 - In this episode of the Freedom Focus Photography podcast, we're diving into one of the most powerful tools in business: storytelling. If you’ve ever struggled to connect with your clients or wondered how to make your website work harder for you, this episode is a must-listen. I’m joined by Karen Bartos, a certified StoryBrand Guide, who’s here to help us unravel the secrets of crafting a compelling business narrative.We’ll explore how to position your clients as the heroes of their own stories, how to identify and solve their problems, and how to guide them to success using clear, actionable steps. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your brand message, these insights could be the game-changer you’ve been looking for.Here's what you'll learn in this episode:Understanding the Power of Story: Discover why storytelling is crucial for connecting with potential clients and how it can transform your business messaging.Defining Your Client's Character: Find out how to identify what your clients really want and how to position them as the hero in your business story.Positioning Yourself as the Guide: Learn how to position yourself as the trusted guide in your client's journey, helping them achieve their goals through your services.Highlighting Success vs. Failure: Find out how to effectively communicate the stakes—what clients gain by working with you versus what they risk losing if they don’t.Real-Life Examples: Hear real-world applications of the StoryBrand framework, including how pet photographers can address the sensitive topic of capturing memories of pets that won’t be around forever.Resources From This Episode:Get a Free Website Audit from Karen (use the 'Book a Call' button!) Hair of the Dog Academy Freedom Focus FormulaElevate 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.

256 - In this episode of the Freedom Focus Photography podcast, join me as we welcome back Kerry Jordan.  She bravely opens up about a major block that’s been affecting her work for decades - a feeling of being disingenuous selling luxury artwork to private clients and being particularly uncomfortable with the sales process around upselling products after the session.  She knew that this was rooted in a belief of some kind - but after working with previous coaches, taking numerous classes, and trying what felt like everything - Heather Lahtinen gets to the heart of the issue in this 40 minute conversation. Do not miss this one.  This episode is packed with insights, breakthroughs, and actionable advice that could transform the way you approach your business.What to listen for:The Major Belief Shift: Kerry uncovered a 40-year-old belief about money and luxury that was holding her back from fully embracing her portrait photography business.The "Outsider" Syndrome: Kerry realized she felt like an outsider when dealing with wealthy private clients, a feeling rooted in her childhood experiences with money.Shifting from Discomfort to Empowerment: By acknowledging and understanding her discomfort, Kerry found a way to embrace it and transform her approach to sales.Curiosity as a Tool: Kerry's commitment to curiosity allowed her to explore the deeper reasons behind her discomfort with selling to private clients, leading to significant breakthroughs.The Importance of Alignment: The episode highlights how feeling aligned with your work can make all the difference in your business success.Resources From This Episode:Kerry's website Commercial Pet Photography AcademyElevate Coaching ProgramHair of the Dog Academy Freedom Focus FormulaJOIN 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.

255 - If you’ve been feeling the weight of a slow season or just need a little boost in your business (and mindset), this episode of the Freedom Focus Photography podcast is for you. I’ve got Johl Dunn back on the podcast, and we’re diving deep into some game-changing strategies that can help you navigate tough times, overcome stress, and shift your mindset to keep your creativity and business thriving. Trust me, this is one conversation you don’t want to miss!Here’s a sneak peek at what we’re covering:Navigating Tough Times: Are you feeling the pinch this year? Find out why some photographers are struggling while others are thriving, and what you can do to shift your situation.Overcoming Stress Cycles: Get insights into how stress can hijack your productivity and creativity, and how to reset your state to get back on track.The Power of Active Marketing: Passive marketing not delivering results? Joel Dunn explains why active marketing strategies are essential in today’s environment.How to Shift Your State: Feeling stuck or overwhelmed? Learn simple actions you can take to move from stress to progress.Building Resilience: Find out how to strengthen your resilience against stress and anxiety with practical tips and mindset shifts.Connect with JohlThe Mindset CoachFacebookLinkedInInstagamMore ResourcesHair of the Dog Academy Elevate Coaching ProgramFreedom Focus FormulaJOIN 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.

254 - In this episode of the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, your host Nicole Begley dives into the exciting world of high school senior photography with special guest Dan Frievalt from Frievalt Photography. Whether you’re interested in photographing high school seniors or not - this episode is still full of applicable tips for ANY genre!Dan shares his journey of niching down, the challenges of working in a seasonal market, and his strategies for telling each senior’s unique story through their photos. He also reveals his top marketing techniques, discusses the products that resonate most with seniors, and explains how to balance work and personal life during the busy season.This episode is packed with actionable takeaways that can benefit photographers of any genre, especially those looking to refine their approach or add a profitable new stream to their business. Tune in to learn how to elevate your senior photography game, attract more clients, and achieve higher sales with confidence.Here's what you'll learn in this episode:Overcoming Seasonal Challenges: Discover how Dan navigates the challenges of a short shooting season in Wisconsin, and how he maximizes his business during the limited months of good weather.Product Offerings and Pricing: Get insights into the popular products among high school seniors, such as albums and digital files, and learn how Dan structures his pricing to maximize profits.Marketing Strategies for Senior Photography: Explore Dan’s successful marketing techniques, including the use of influencers, ambassador programs, and the power of referrals.The Importance of Pre-Qualifying Clients: Understand the value of pre-qualifying clients to ensure they are the right fit for your business and to increase booking rates.Balancing Work and Personal Life: Hear how Dan structures his work schedule to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially during the busy season.Resources From This Episode:Frievalt PhotographyDramatic Skies freebieElevate Coaching ProgramFreedom Focus FormulaJOIN 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.

253 - In this episode of the Freedom Focus Photography podcast, we welcome Kerry Jordan from Fur and Fables Photography. Kerry shares her incredible journey of pivoting from private client photography to a thriving commercial pet photography business.Discover the challenges and rewards Kerry faced during this transition and gain valuable insights into the psychological barriers that often come with sales. Learn how she overcame these hurdles and found a niche that perfectly suited her strengths and passions.Kerry also discusses the importance of building a community around your photography, leveraging personal storytelling on social media, and overcoming limiting beliefs about money and value. Plus, get practical tips for aspiring commercial photographers on how to court potential clients and structure shoots differently for commercial success.Finally, explore the untapped potential of LinkedIn for pet photographers and how Kerry uses it to grow her business. Tune in to get inspired and take your photography business to the next level!Here's what you'll learn in this episode:Commercial Photography Pivot: Learn why Kerry decided to pivot from private clients to commercial pet photography and how it transformed her business.Sales Psychology: Dive into the discussion about the psychological barriers Kerry faced in upselling to private clients versus selling to commercial clients.Building a Community: Explore how Kerry successfully built an engaged community around her photography through social media and personal storytelling.Leveraging LinkedIn: Discover the potential of LinkedIn for pet photographers and commercial photography, and how Kerry uses it for her business.Advice for Aspiring Commercial Photographers: Get practical tips from Kerry on how to transition into commercial photography, including courting potential clients and structuring shoots differently.Resources From This Episode:Booking your first commercial clientKerry's websiteHair of the Dog Academy Elevate Coaching ProgramFreedom Focus FormulaJOIN 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.

252 - In this final installment of our travel hacking series, we're diving into the art of redeeming points. Now that you've accumulated a collection of points and miles, it's time to learn how to use them to unlock unforgettable travel experiences. From booking long-haul flights in business class to scoring luxury hotel stays for free, this episode is packed with tips and strategies to help you maximize the value of your hard-earned points.Here's what you'll learn in this episode:Maximizing Your Miles: Learn how to make the most out of your accumulated points for travel, ensuring you get the best value for your redemptions.Understanding Redemption Rates: Learn how to determine if you're getting a good redemption rate, with benchmarks for evaluating point value.When to Purchase Points: Discover scenarios when it might make sense to purchase points to complete a redemption.When to Transfer Points: Learn when it’s best to transfer points directly to an airline versus booking through a credit card portal for maximum value.Advanced Redemption Strategies: Explore advanced strategies like using mileage upgrade awards and leveraging different airline alliances.Resources From This Episode:Nicole’s Travel Resources  Join Rakuten for freeHair of the Dog Academy Elevate Coaching ProgramFreedom Focus FormulaJOIN 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.

251 - Welcome back to the Freedom Focus Photography podcast! In this second episode of our three-part series on travel hacking, we're diving into the exciting world of earning points. If you love to travel and dream of doing so for free or at a significantly reduced cost, this episode is a must-listen. I'll be sharing my tried-and-true methods for maximizing points through credit card strategies, ensuring you get the most out of your everyday spending.Here's what you'll learn in this episode:Optimizing Earning: We’re breaking down the various ways to earn points and bonuses so you can maximize your earning without needing a plethora of credit cards (but once you get addicted to this habit you might want that plethora).Maximizing Points with Regular Expenses: Discover how to earn points from regular expenses like insurance premiums, utility bills, and even home renovations.Pros and Cons of Extra Fees: When it might be worth paying extra fees to use your credit card and when it might not be.Shopping Portals Explained: An introduction to shopping portals and how they can significantly boost your points earnings.Choosing the Right Credit Cards: A guide to selecting the right credit cards for your needs based on different ecosystems and your travel goals.Resources From This Episode:Nicole’s Travel Resources  Join Rakuten for freeHair of the Dog Academy Elevate Coaching ProgramFreedom Focus FormulaJOIN 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.

250 - Welcome to the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast! In this special episode, we're kicking off a three-part series dedicated to one of the most exciting and requested topics: travel hacking. If you've ever dreamed of traveling for free or at a fraction of the cost, you're in the right place.Today, we'll explore how to leverage credit card points to maximize your travel rewards, whether you’re aiming for luxurious trips or frequent getaways on a budget. Tune in to discover the strategies that can make your travel dreams a reality, and how we have an advantage since we are running a business as well!Here's what you'll learn in this episode:Introduction to Travel Hacking: Learn what travel hacking is and how it can help you travel for free or at a significantly reduced cost.Choosing the Right Credit Cards: Tips on selecting the right credit cards based on your travel goals and spending habits.Security Benefits of Credit Cards: Why credit cards are more secure than debit cards for travel and everyday use.Annual Fees and Credit Scores: Discussion on whether annual fees are worth it and how opening new credit cards affects your credit score.Credit Card Travel Insurance: Real-life examples of how credit card travel insurance can save you money and hassle during unexpected travel issues.Resources From This Episode:Nicole’s Travel Resources Hair of the Dog Academy Elevate Coaching ProgramFreedom Focus FormulaJOIN 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.

249 - In this episode of the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, we’re jumping into our imaginary DeLorean and time traveling to share the ultimate 3-step success formula we wish we had known from the start! Join Heather and me as we reveal how making decisions, taking action, and trusting yourself can transform your photography business. We also share personal stories and insights on overcoming obstacles, learning from the past, and embracing the future with confidence.What To Listen For:Trust Yourself: Emphasize the importance of trusting yourself and your decisions, and how this mindset can transform your business.Past vs. Future Self: Reflect on what advice Nicole and Heather would give to their past selves and how to connect with their future selves for guidance.Intuition vs. Anxiety: Explore how to differentiate between intuition and anxiety when making business decisions.Dealing with Big Sales: Learn techniques on how to handle large sales discussions without feeling anxious or doubtful.3-Steps to Success: Highlight the mantra of making decisions, taking action, and trusting yourself as key to success.Resources From This Episode:Hair of the Dog Academy Elevate Coaching ProgramFreedom Focus FormulaJOIN 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.