Wisdom in the Tangents Photography Podcast

James and Jess Wittmayer are a husband a wife luxury wedding photography duo based out of Santa Barbara, CA. They are educators with a passion to help creatives and photographers thrive in life and in business.Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you don’t know something. It’ll save you from years of doing things the wrong way, or with missing pieces. You don’t need to do everything on your own. When you bring in others to help you, you allow yourself the space to serve your clients the best you can.If you don’t know yourself well enough and how you’ll work with others, it’s virtually impossible to lead yourself anywhere.Map out your client’s total experience from first touch point to the last connection. At 3-5 touch points with your clients along the journey, add some gifts, some added personal touches to elevate their experience and create a raving fan for your business.Ideas without action are worthless.Your clients deserve more than just a digital experience with their photos. Albums and prints will serve them far longer.No doesn’t mean no, it means convince me. If your clients don’t want albums, then you probably haven’t educated them and shared the value in those albums.People cannot buy what they do not exist.Workshop on adding Albums to your packages - jamesandjess.com/lightanddarkThis episode is sponsored by Freedom Edits. Get 30% off your first order by going to lightdarkco.com/freedomFind James and Jess atjamesandjess.cominstagram.com/jessfairchildinstagram.com/jameswittyThrive Photography Conferenceyoutube.com/jamesandjessWhat Are We Loving?What James is loving:House Plants and gardening(John’s referral - Bloom and Grow Podcast)What Jess is loving:New Espresso MachineWhat John is loving:Tv Show - Fringe (Prime Video)We record each episode LIVE in our Facebook group and we would love to connect with you there. You can join at Light + Dark Photography Podcast Group on Facebook.Follow us at www.instagram.com/lightdarkcowww.instagram.com/allheartphoto

Angie is a wedding and proposal photographer based in Maui, Hawai’i. She runs a team of photographers at Engaged on Maui. Along with her business partner Dave Moss, she helps photographers run a kickass business so they can live the life they want to live through her educational business, Business as an Adventure. Today we’re talking about how delegating will save your life, and she shares how to identify and work on those areas in your business and personal life that need delegating.This episode is sponsored by Freedom Edits. Get 30% off your first order by going to lightdarkco.com/freedomIf you believe that you are the only person who can do everything in your business, you are making a mistake.What are the things that you Hate doing? These are the things that you can outsource and it will help your mental wellbeing. The time you save by delegating is worth more than the money you spend to delegate that work out.Set up automations through your CRM to save time and effort. Ways you can delegate in your photography business:Child CarePlanning and posting to Social MediaEditingHouse CleaningLaundryBlogs / CopywritingGrocery ShoppingMeals (Doordash and Hello Fresh)Photoshop and touch upsFind Angie atangelanelsonphoto.cominstagram.com/angelanelsonphotoinstagram.com/engagedonmauiinstagram.com/businessasanadventureBusiness as an Adventure Facebook GroupWhat Are We Loving?What Angie is loving:Burrito BowlsWhat John is loving:TikTok Accounts@leigh_mcnasty - Middle School Teacher@_jen_hamilton - Will It Swaddle?@alexfsands - 2020s SeinfeldWe record each episode LIVE in our Facebook group and we would love to connect with you there. You can join at Light + Dark Photography Podcast Group on Facebook.Follow us at www.instagram.com/lightdarkcowww.instagram.com/allheartphoto

Ryan is a former wedding photographer and current co-founder of photo and video editing service, Freedom Edits. They are based in the UK and provide editing services worldwide.Today Ryan and I chat about how outsourcing can give you more freedom in your life to spend the time the way you want.Ryan helped set up Freedom Edits to give people more freedom in their lives by providing a consistent and high quality editing service.When looking into outsourcing editing, people often say “No one can edit like me.” And yes, that’s true. You can give the same photo to 10 different people and you’ll most likely get 10 different images back. Offering feedback on what matches your style and what does not, allows the editor to get as close as possible to what you’d edit.Outsourcing editing is like building a relationship, the more you put into it, the better it gets.Unless the problem is nipped in the bud, then you’ll continue to have the same problem.Keep a notepad or notes app on your phone, and write down everything that you do for your work. Then once a month, go through and mark the things you don’t like doing. Once you have those marked, you’ll know what things are best to outsource to someone else.Video Recording Software: LumeGet a discounted rate on Editing from Freedom Edits by emailing contact@freedomedits.comor go to Sponsor: TáveReceive an extended 60 day free trial of Táve at Lightdarkco.com/taveFind Ryan atfreedomedits.cominstagram.com/freedomeditsinstagram.com/ryanwelchweddingsWhat Are We Loving?What Ryan is loving:Tv Show - Euphoria (HBOmax)What John is loving:Movie - Fractured (Hulu)We record each episode LIVE in our Facebook group and we would love to connect with you there. You can join at Light + Dark Photography Podcast Group on Facebook.Follow us at www.instagram.com/lightdarkcowww.instagram.com/allheartphoto

Erica and Jon Hayes are a husband a wife branding photography duo based out of Phoenix, AZ. They work with big brands, small brands, and personal brands by creating brand content that represents them and their ideal clients well.When planning for a branding session, you need to know not only your client (the brand) but also your client’s client. By identifying their ideal client, you can then create photos that will resonate with them and bring more value to Your client.In order to take pictures that will sell for your branding clients, you need to understand what common misconceptions their potential clients have about their brand.Preparing for your branding session by understanding the brand, their goals for the photos, how they will be used, and creating a shot list will make the shoot much smoother and streamlined. Not to mention, positioning yourself as a professional.Having a shot list set before the session will allow you to step completely into the creative space instead of constantly thinking about the next shot.Entrepreneurship is rollercoaster. The only ones who get hurt are the ones that try to get off the ride. The ups and downs of business can be scary, but if you hold on and push forward during the ride down, the odds are you’ll be going up another hill soon.Sponsor: TáveReceive an extended 60 day free trial of Táve at Lightdarkco.com/taveFind Erica and Jon atericaandjon.cominstagram.com/ericaandjonPlanning and Styling Course - Get 30% off at ericaandjon.com/lightdarkWhat Are We Loving?What Jon is loving:New Espresso MachineWhat Erica is loving:Books - Awakening Wonder by Sally ClarksonWhat John is loving:Tv Show - Ozark Season 4 (Netflix)We record each episode LIVE in our Facebook group and we would love to connect with you there. You can join at Light + Dark Photography Podcast Group on Facebook.Follow us at www.instagram.com/lightdarkcowww.instagram.com/allheartphoto

Tanya is a wedding and destination photographer based out of Santa Monica, CA. She's also part of the team behind Elevate Photo Awards. In episode #78 she and the Elevate team joined me to talk about elevating our client experience. Definitely another great conversation to queue up after this one.Today Tanya and I talk about how to navigate parenthood, business ownership, and how we've learned a lot about each aspect of life from the other. We often find our identity in the stage of life we’re in. Business owner, life partner, parent. Our attributes can show up mirrored in our children and this can show you areas you might need to re-learn in your own life.Parenthood definitely helps prime you for the controlled ciaos of a wedding day with make-up running behind, family members not arriving on time, and all the other factors that might pop up on a wedding day. You are better equipped to roll with it in a calm manner.You have to be present in each area of your time. During family time, be present with them and don’t try and fit work in during family time. And during your work time, know that you may be missing time with your family, but the designated time you will have during family time will be much more meaningful.Learn from other parents and business owners who have been through what you’re currently going through. Their puzzle piece won’t always fit your puzzle exactly, but you can at least learn some aspects from them and implement them into your life.Ask yourself and/or your partner what you want life to look like, create healthy habits to creating the life that you want, and automate your life as much as you can. Those area great ways to balance your life and continue to build a more sustainable setting.This episode is sponsored by Freedom Edits. Get 30% off your first order by going to lightdarkco.com/freedomFind Tanya atparadastudio.cominstagram.com/paradastudioWhat Are We Loving?What Tanya is loving:Books - Atomic Habits by (James Clear)Rich Dad, Poor Dad by (Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter)To Have and To Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma by (Molly Millwood)What John is loving:Books - Built to Belong by (Natalie Franke)We record each episode LIVE in our Facebook group and we would love to connect with you there. You can join at Light + Dark Photography Podcast Group on Facebook.Follow us at www.instagram.com/lightdarkcowww.instagram.com/allheartphoto

John shares 5 things that would have been amazing to know in his first 5 years of business.Sponsor: TáveReceive an extended 60 day free trial of Táve at Lightdarkco.com/taveNumber 1. I am not my ideal client.I definitely used to be my ideal client when I first began, charging $500 for an 8 hour wedding or $50 for an hour portrait session. That was the budget that 24 year old John would have had to hire to someone.As your style and client experience evolves with you, your ideal client does too. The experience you provide for a luxury wedding client is much different than what you’d provide for a lower budget craigslist couple.Continuing to market to myself (who I thought my client was) I was undervaluing my services and it held my prices, my portfolio, and my growth back until I realized that I was not my ideal client.Number 2. Serve your clients. Don’t sell to your clients.Full episode on this in Episode #47 (listen here)Trying to sell and upsell once they’ve booked felt sleezy to me and I didn’t like it, so I rarely sold.Instead of talking about all the things I can do for them (selling), I began to talk about their pain points, how they can overcome them, and how I can help as their photographer.Allowing them to see the value they place on my service and booking them, instead of telling them what value they should place on my services and selling to them.Number 3. OutsourcingKnow that the people who specialize in the areas you plan to outsource are actually really amazing at those services and probably really love doing it.When I outsourced my editing, it was hard at first, but now they do such an amazing job and I have full trust in them to match my editing style well.Number 4. Be humble and open to learnWhen I realized I didn’t have to learn it all myself in a hands-on way, trial and error, but instead I could learn from someone else’s trails and errors, that opened myself up to a fast track of learning and growth in my business.Don’t be afraid to ask what you may think are “dumb” questions. They aren’t. And the sooner you ask, the sooner you’ll learn and grow as a person and business owner.Number 5. Set up automationsI have certain emails set up to automatically send at specific points in the client journey. Certain tasks that pop up after the previous is completed, and contracts, invoices and reminders that automatically are sent to my clients.My CRM, Tave, is a huge part of those automations. I highly recommend you get a CRM (client relationship manager) to manage your clients, set up automations, and give you more time back in your hands.Here is a link to receive an extended 60 day free trial of Táve to see if you like it. Lightdarkco.com/taveFind John atallheartphoto.cominstagram.com/allheartphotoallheartphoto.com/educationWhat am I loving?Movie - Mother/Android (Hulu)We record each episode LIVE in our Facebook group and we would love to connect with you there. You can join at Light + Dark Photography Podcast Group on Facebook.Follow us at www.instagram.com/lightdarkcowww.instagram.com/allheartphoto

Ashley Holstein is a wedding and family photographer based out of Nashville, Tennessee with a very wholistic and lifetime-focused approach to her client's photography experience.Today she's sharing with us some of the aspects of how she cultivates an amazing experience for her clients and how pricing your services is more than just figuring out your cost of doing business.This episode is sponsored by Freedom Edits. Get 30% off your first order by going to lightdarkco.com/freedomYou should always give options to your clients to allow them to easily say yes. Offer the things that you value and have passion for. This allows people to feel the passion behind what you are offering and gives them a greater value received when they hire you.Sometimes we focus on the amount we want to charge for our services without looking at the wholistic view of your life. Family, Time off, Vacations, 9-5 Job, Kids, Spouse, all the things that make up the time in our days.As your clientele changes to those with more money, they are also going to have different needs and different pain points in the client journey.A great way to exceed your client’s expectations is gift giving. Ash talks about the gifts she brings to family sessions and also the gifts for wedding clients. Think of an experience that you would want and that matches your brand, and then share it with them.Think about what would make your client comfortable and ready to say “yes" and then share that on social media, showcase that on your website and have client testimonials.There is a big difference between price gouging and up-charging everything, Set up your pricing structure to allow for an “easy yes” from your clients. Breaking up the payments and services will help reduce sticker shock.Don’t limit your clients by assuming they would say “no” to your prices and services.There is room at the table for you, so raise your prices.Look at your local market and see what people are spending on your services.Then look at how much do you need to be sustainable, and then how much profit you need to make the salary you desire.Find Ash atashleyholstein.cominstagram.com/ashleyholsteinCourse on Offering Prints - Promo CodeWhat Are We Loving?What Ash is loving:Book - Time Magazine Book on PhotojournalismTV Show - Station 11 ( HBOmax )What John is loving:TV Show - The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window (Netflix)

Allison is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based near Cleveland, Ohio who is also a registered yoga teacher.“If we are not at our best, then there is no way that our businesses can be at their best either.”This episode is sponsored by Freedom Edits. Get 30% off your first order by going to lightdarkco.com/freedomWhat is Self-Care?Self-care is something you can do regularly to fill you up and bring you joy. This will look differently for everyone. The 6 Different Types of Self-CareIdentify what your self-care looks like. Ask yourself what feels like you and what will make you feel nothing but happiness and joy.Put your self-care into your planner and calendar and treat it like any other appointment.Limit your excuses. Make your self care a priority.“Sometimes the best form of self-care is saying no to the things that no longer serve you and no longer bring you joy.”Make a list of the things that bring you joy. Pick one from the list and start putting it on your schedule to regularly do that thing.Mentioned in the show: Harvest Yoga and Wellness in Cuyahoga Falls, OHCosmic Yoga for Kids (Youtube)Fake Doctors, Real Friends (Scrubs Podcast)Find Allison atallisonewingphotography.cominstagram.com/allisonewingphotographyWhat Are We Loving?What Allison is loving:Podcast - The Office LadiesWhat John is loving:Cooler weather in Texas, fire places, hot cocoa, s’mores

Tyler is a wedding planner, designer and florist in Santa Barbara, California. He’s also a dad, husband, foster parent, and loves cooking.It’s so important to not only focus on what you do for work, but also what you do in life. Long after your business is gone, you’ll still be You.You have the power over your brand to stand firm on your pricing, tell people what they need to do in order to work with you, and in making decisions in your business.Connecting with people will propel your business.3 Areas of Connection:1- Connection with Clients2- Connection with fellow Vendors3- Connection with your TeamIt doesn’t matter how sought-after you are, or how long you’ve been in the industry, treat people with kindness.Be intentional with the vendors you work with, with your clients, and with your team. Take your clients out for drinks after their engagement session, or bring a coffee to the planner the morning of the wedding, or take your second shooter out for lunch someday.Mentioned in the show: Author: Glennon Doyle MeltonPhotographer: Jose VillaFind Tyler atwww.tylerspeier.cominstagram.com/tylerspeierThis episode is sponsored byTave. Get your free 60 day trial by going to lightdarkco.com/taveWhat Are We Loving?What Tyler is loving:TV Show - Ozark Season 4 (Netflix)What John is loving:TV Show - His Dark Materials (HBO Max)We record each episode LIVE in our Facebook group and we would love to connect with you there. You can join at Light + Dark Photography Podcast Group on Facebook.Follow us at www.instagram.com/lightdarkcowww.instagram.com/allheartphoto

Britney is a business coach and pivot strategist based in Atlanta, GA helping business owners find the areas in which they need to pivot in order to better serve them as well as their clients. Today she’s sharing with us the art of pivoting. How you can move your business to the next level, and how to identify those areas you might need to pivot.This episode is sponsored by Freedom Edits. Get 30% off your first order by going to lightdarkco.com/freedomThe 3 types of Pivots:Micro Pivot: You love what you do, but there are areas in your business that need to pivot.Macro Pivot: You want to stay in your industry, but you want to pivot your roll.Mega Pivot: A complete pivot away from where you are, and starting something new.“You are the Juice. It’s time to serve it up organic and fresh squeezed.”Nobody can do what you do, the way that you do it.How to know when you should pivot? Your gut will tell you, your people will tell you, your business will tell you, and your attitude will tell you.Don’t be afraid to move away from what you know and what you’re known for. If it’s better aligned for you, then do that. Find Britney atwww.britneyjeanine.cominstagram.com/britneyjeanineWhat Are We Loving?What Britney is loving:Resting and going full forceWhat John is loving:TV Show - 20th Anniversary Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts (HBOmax)