))
You love photography, but running a business? That's a different story. If you've ever thrown up your hands trying to figure it out yourself and said "This CAN'T be that hard!!!" you've come to the right place. Host Annemie Tonken's secret superpower is cutting through the confusion to give you actionable, step-by-step strategies and systems that will help you build a business that reflects your values, serves your needs, and thrills your clients. Tune in to find out why thousands of photogr ...
…
continue reading
This here is what it is until it's not.
…
continue reading
When life throws you curveballsâa health crisis, a financial downturn, or a global pandemicâhow does your business hold up? In this weekâs episode of This Canât Be That Hard, Iâm kicking off the Sustainability Series, a four-part exploration of why planning for longevity in your business is so important. I start this series with a story about challâŠ
…
continue reading
Ah, the sweet smell of a brand-new plannerâthereâs just something about it, right? That fresh-start feeling gets me every time, and as it turns out, my guest Brittnie Sturm feels the same way. Brittnie is a family photographer, mom of three, and a fellow systems enthusiast đ€ whoâs learned firsthand how powerful organization can be in running a bettâŠ
…
continue reading
Weâve all been there: the to-do list feels endless, the deadlines are piling up, and the thought of getting it all done is just... laughable. Maddie Peschong knows the feeling, too. As a brand photographer, educator, and mom, Maddie has weathered her fair share of stressful seasons, and in this episode, sheâs sharing how she finds her way back to bâŠ
…
continue reading
Iâve taken my fair share of personality tests over the years, but none have resonated with me quite like the Enneagram. If youâre an Enneagram enthusiast, you might not be surprised to hear that Iâm a Type 3 (The Achiever), and when I first read that description, I felt seen in a way that was almost embarrassing! In todayâs episode, I sit down withâŠ
…
continue reading
Being a photographer can sometimes feel isolating, especially when youâre working solo day in and day out. But knowing you have a supportive network of fellow creatives? That changes everything. This week, I got to chat with Kim Box, the founder of The Motherhood Anthology. Kim has built a community that truly embodies the spirit of connection and âŠ
…
continue reading
Have you ever made the mistake of going to the grocery store without a listâor at least a plan? We've all been there, right? And while we might manage to wing it in the produce section or snack aisle, we almost always end up forgetting something essential. In the early days of my photography business, I actually ran things a bit like those haphazarâŠ
…
continue reading
A few weeks back, I put out the call for your photography-related horror stories... from silly mistakes to dealing with nightmarish clients, to just plain bad luck. We've all been there. When you're a small business owner, things are bound to go wrong sometimes, and as much as we take our jobs seriously, there's also value in acknowledging the crinâŠ
…
continue reading
In the never-ending battle to stand out from other photographers in your niche, you may have tried many different tacks - whether in your editing style, your locations, or your business model. But have you ever considered that the thing that could push you to the top of your ideal client's list might already be living in their home? Over 66% of US âŠ
…
continue reading
Iâm all about sharing the mistakes I made in my business to help you avoid making the same onesâŠ. and one of the biggest, most costly mistakes I've ever made was not bothering to create a sale at the holidays for the first 8 years of my business. When I do the math, I estimate that one mistake cost me north of $50K (it still hurts to write that numâŠ
…
continue reading
Leah O'Connell has been a family photographer for over a decade, and her success has been a slow crescendo. In this era of streaming movies and Amazon Prime, we often expect everything to happen quickly, but most businesses - perhaps especially photography businesses - take a while to reach the point of sustainability... which is simply a part of tâŠ
…
continue reading
This week's episode is a bit of a departure, but I promise itâs worth the ride: Iâm sharing the story of a new business venture my husband and I launched at the beginning of this year. Think you might be able to guess what it is? I'd be pretty shocked if you did... this new enterprise is about as different from our work as photographers, Airbnb ownâŠ
…
continue reading
As photographers, we walk a fine line when it comes to client privacy. On one hand, we rely on being able to share session photos for marketing and growing our businesses. But on the other hand, a ever-growing number of clients are uncomfortable with their images being shared publicly. It's a tricky line to walk. For years, I offered some baseline âŠ
…
continue reading
Failure is an inescapable fact of life and business, but how we respond to it is what defines the experience. Whether failure happens in your art, your business, or your personal life, learning how to navigate setbacks with grit and grace is a major stepping stone on the way to success. This week's guest is Alison Hatch, who is sharing the difficulâŠ
…
continue reading
Starting a photography business was one of the biggest bets I ever made on myself â until I did it again post-divorce. Both of those crossroads were both terrifying and a bit exhilarating. Today my conversation is with another photographer who has bet on herself in similar ways. Rebecca Honeycutt, is a lifestyle children's and family photographer iâŠ
…
continue reading
I frequently hear from photographers who are thinking of reducing their prices as a way of attracting more clients. While I understand their logic, my advice is always to proceed with caution: the (potential) short-term gain always has to be weighed against the (potential) hit to their business' long-term sustainability. In todayâs episode, I'm shaâŠ
…
continue reading
In this episode, I'm diving in on the artistry of photography - a topic I don't often cover on this podcast... but not to worry: it doubles a business conversation, too! Ashley Kaplan is my guest, talking about how creating truly unique and memorable photographs can be a huge part of your business and marketing plans if you know how to position andâŠ
…
continue reading
As creatives, I think we tend to overcomplicate things (right!?), but I'm all about making it simple for you to run a profitable photography business, and sometimes the simplest way to do that is to make sure you are squeezing every last drop of value out of what you're already offering. In that vein, today I'm sharing some strategic ways to maximiâŠ
…
continue reading
When I met Tiffany Crenshaw earlier this year, I knew I wanted to bring her on the podcast... and when she suggested a chat about not only the importance of showing diversity in your portfolio but also how exactly to go about making that a reality, I knew this episode was going to be a powerful one. Tiffany is a lifestyle photographer in Alabama, aâŠ
…
continue reading
I used to think I had a "black thumb" when it came to gardening, but back in 2020 when I had time to pay attention to my yard for the first time ever, I was surprised to discover that I had a bit more of a knack for it than I realized! Maybe that's less surprising now that I look back and see all the parallels between growing a garden and running aâŠ
…
continue reading
Every photographer reaches a point in their business where they're ready for the floodgates to open. You flip the switch on the virtual "open for business" sign, take a deep breath, and hope that the clients rush in. More often than not, though, we spend a good chunk of our businesses' early years (and sometimes later years) trying to find our peopâŠ
…
continue reading
There's a lot of talk in the photo community these days about inquiries being down, which inevitably leads to talk (and a whole lot of insecurity) about pricing. The truth is, pricing may be a factor in the decreased inquiry equation... but it's only one factor. And the truth is that changing your prices without taking the time to evaluate the broaâŠ
…
continue reading
It's often when I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place I come up with my most brilliant ideas... and I know I'm not the only one. Pressure has a way of forcing us to think outside the box and get creative about solutions we might not have otherwise considered. Paula Brennan, my guest today, likewise found a creative solution in a time of need, aâŠ
…
continue reading
Pricing is probably one of the hottest topics in the photography education space. As someone who feels so strongly about helping photographers price themselves profitably that I've made it a cornerstone of my education business, I am always excited to bring you a fresh take on pricing... and today's show is exactly that. This episode features a gueâŠ
…
continue reading
When I first started in this business, branding and online presence were not my strong suits. Over the years, though, I've come to realize how important it is to represent yourself well online... and after going through a massive website overhaul, I am even more attuned to how much work it takes to do that on a website! Enter KP and Jessie from InkâŠ
…
continue reading
I consider myself a systems and workflow fanatic. Whether it's a system or a piece of tech, I geek out about tools that help us optimizing and streamline our workflows, not just because I've experienced firsthand how those tools can make or break you in business, but because it genuinely brings me joy to watch people get hours (days! weeks!!!) of tâŠ
…
continue reading
This week, I'm branching out a bit from the strictly business talk to dive into the topic of unconscious programming. Specifically, how the thought patterns and beliefs we form as children can impact our creativity and businesses as adults, particularly around things like money and worthiness. Renee Bowen is a photographer and mindset coach for creâŠ
…
continue reading
Simple Sales turned four years old at the beginning of the year, and since it first landed on the scene back in 2020, thousands of portrait photographers have used it to run more profitable, sustainable businesses. Today's episode is an interview with one such student, Mackenzie Romagni. MacKenzie signed up for the Simple Sales Blueprint last year âŠ
…
continue reading
Everyone's journey as a photographer is different, and learning to trust the ride can be really difficult... especially in this age of social media, where comparisonitis runs rampant. Today's guest is my long time friend Jessica Arden (I even shot her wedding!), who lovingly describes herself as a "hot mess success." Jessica's journey as a photograâŠ
…
continue reading
I recently read a quote by Seth Godin where he distinguished between long work and hard work, describing long work as routine, consistent effort without risk that most everyone makes, and hard work as the innovative, risky, and potentially transformative efforts that some people are willing to make. Both have their place, but there is a point at whâŠ
…
continue reading
Almost every photographer I know has a love/hate relationship with Instagram. On one hand, it provides a free and relatively easy way for us to showcase our work and reach new clients. On the other hand, the amount of time it takes to create enough content to stay on top of trends and the algorithm can be enough to send you over the deep end. But wâŠ
…
continue reading
I wish I could wave a wand and help every photographer see their superpower - that one thing they do better than anyone else - so that they could use it to own their place in the market. Since I'm (sadly) not a fairy godmother, I'm doing the next best thing by bringing on Casey Fatchett of The Nerdy Photographer. Casey and I geek out on marketing, âŠ
…
continue reading
Remember that feeling of first love? That intoxicating, overwhelming feeling of being completely obsessed with that person, to the point where they were all you could think about day and night? Finding photography can be a lot like falling in love (and starting a business is like that first big commitment)... but after that initial spark fades, wheâŠ
…
continue reading
In the realm of marketing tools, your website reigns supreme, but navigating the sea of advice on its design can be daunting, to say the least. That's why I'm thrilled to welcome Kelsey Christine, a web designer who focuses on serving photographers. Today, Kelsey will guide us through the dos, don'ts, and latest trends in website design for photogrâŠ
…
continue reading
It's no secret that I've automated and outsourced everything but the absolute necessities in my photography business, but it wasn't always that way. For the first 7 years of my business I did it ALL myself... and it nearly killed me. When necessity forced me to change my approach, I hoped it wouldn't destroy the personal, high-touch brand I'd workeâŠ
…
continue reading
I have long believed that the intersection of your (multiple) talents is where the magic for your business lies. So many of us have skills that we could bring to the table, but often don't because we think they have nothing to do with photography - or that they will somehow water down our photography business. Amanda Dudzik turns that notion on itsâŠ
…
continue reading
Every photographer has had the experience of dealing with an unhappy client (and if you haven't yet, you will at some point!). There's no two ways about it: that situation sucks, and will probably have you second-guessing yourself and your business. Today I am talking with Rachel Utain-Evans about how to handle difficult conversations with unhappy âŠ
…
continue reading
Today I'm sharing a story I find pretty mortifying. As a professional photographer, I have dedicated countless hours to not only organizing my clients' photos, but also preaching the importance of good backups and organization... ...and yet the shameful truth is that my own family's photos are mostly a jumbled, unedited mess. Suffice it to say whenâŠ
…
continue reading
When I find a way to work smarter, up-level my client experience, and stand out from the crowd - especially when the strategy is so easy to implement - the first place I want to share it is right here on the show! Dayna's joining me to nerd out about not one but two new pieces of affordable tech that we've been using and loving, and that we think hâŠ
…
continue reading
It's often hard for clients to have a clear vision about how they can or should display their photographs in their homes, so getting them to purchase products and larger print collections can be challenging. Family photographer Sharisse Rohan is using customized digital wall mockups to overcome that hurdle with her clients and it's working brillianâŠ
…
continue reading
Right about now, a lot of portrait photographers are crawling out of their slow-season dens and gearing up for the inquiries, sessions, editing, etc. that come with the change in weather. Most of us spent the slower months optimizing our businesses behind the scenes - which is great! - but the transition from learning and planning to actually impleâŠ
…
continue reading
One of the main things that can set you apart from your competition is the customer experience you provide. This isn't limited to how you handle issues when they arise, but includes the way your clients feel when they work with you - from the moment they reach out to inquire with you until the moment they write a review and each step in between. CuâŠ
…
continue reading
An estimated 1 in 5 people fall on the neurodivergent spectrum, which means that you have probably worked with a client who is on that spectrum⊠even if you didn't know it at the time. As we all strive to give our clients an elevated experience, taking stock of how we can better accommodate all of our clientsâ needs should be at the forefront of thâŠ
…
continue reading
Most portrait photographers are accidental entrepreneurs - they're talented artists who wake up one day and think, "hey... maybe I could actually make some money doing this thing I love!" Fast forward a few years and the vast majority of those artists have closed up shop, not because they didn't have the talent, but because running a business - no âŠ
…
continue reading
For a long time in my career, I shied away from the idea of affiliate marketing⊠and that's a decision I kick myself for now! Most of us make recommendations every day without even thinking about it (read this book, check out this show, I love this shampoo, etc). Combine that with the fact that in creative businesses, we face inevitable ebbs and flâŠ
…
continue reading
A photography business comes with a lot of flexibility; we can choose the hours or days we want to work, who we want to work with, and when or where we shoot. But one thing that we don't always have control over is change... and when a massive change occurs, it's basically like starting all over again. Like it or not, many photographers face some aâŠ
…
continue reading
Raise your hand if youâre the kind of person who agonizes over decisions. If you write long pro/con lists or take months to decide on the next move, Iâm looking at you! While that kind of thoughtful, contemplative approach is to be commended in many areas of life, in others, there's potential for getting stuck in analysis paralysis⊠and that can beâŠ
…
continue reading
1
248 - Designing the Life (and Business) You Want with Kristin Sweeting with Kristin Sweeting
31:03
As wrap up the first month of the new year, it's the perfect time to dream big about our goals and aspirations. But how do we actually achieve those dreams? Today I'm talking with Kristin Sweeting about her proven process for life and business design that has helped so many creatives go from dreaming to achieving. If you've ever found yourself sayiâŠ
…
continue reading
If you've ever felt intimidated by (or even mistrustful of) using flash during a portrait session, then this episode is for you. My guest this week is Kim Hildebrand, a family photographer from Seattle who swears by using flash in her in-home shoots. We dive into the differences between flash and strobes, how to get started with flash on a budget, âŠ
…
continue reading
It's the time of year when we all have stars in our eyes and big visions for the year ahead, but how to we take those visions and make them a reality? Today I'm sharing my favorite method for actually achieving goals - first by identifying what you need to do to make daily progress and then by committing to taking small action every day. I know youâŠ
…
continue reading
The people you choose to surround yourself with have a profound impact on you - how you think, how you act, and ultimately, the results you get. The same is true in our businesses. Success in business requires not just strength of craft but strength of mind, and if we want to achieve that success, one of the best things we can do is surround ourselâŠ
…
continue reading
