Ever wonder what separates a $500 sale from an $8,000 sale? In this episode, Heather sits down with three Elevate photographers, Marcie Fry, Katie Carmickle, and Jessica Wasik, who each closed an $8K sale in the same week. You’ll hear their journeys, the marketing that worked, and what ACTUALLY made this sale possible. Spoiler alert, it wasn’t a specific pricing strategy.What to Listen ForHow three different photographers each closed $8K+ sales in one weekThe early struggles—charging $25, $100, or $150—and how they grew from thereWhat allowed them to move from “I can’t charge that” to confident $8K+ salesHow giveaways, referrals, and in-person connections led to big-ticket clientsKatie’s $23K sale story and what she learned about letting clients decide without discountingJess’s transition from free pet Santa photos to multi-six-figure salesMarcy’s strategy of tailoring packages around client budgets while keeping profit in mindWhat to say instead of “anything else?” in a sales session to keep momentum goingWhy your photography skills alone aren’t the deciding factor in hitting big numbersBig sales aren’t reserved for a lucky few, they’re possible for you too. This episode is breaking it all down. Tune in to hear how these photographers did it and how you can too. Listen for the outreach, the follow-up, and the offer that sealed the deal.👉 Don’t forget to subscribe to the show for more strategies, or check out Elevate to get the coaching and community that makes sales like this possible.Important LinksElevate: www.flourish.academy/elevateHair of the Dog Academy: www.hairofthedogacademy.comFreedom Focus Formula: www.freedomfocusformula.comCommercial Pet Photography Academy: www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercialTired of slow inquires? Don't let anything impact your bookings or your success any longer. This free challenge will help you take control of your bookings so that you never feel stuck again. Register here.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.
--------
1:02:24
--------
1:02:24
Why Bookings Feel Hard with Heather Lahtinen
306 - If you’ve ever wondered why inquiries go silent or potential clients disappear, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: the real reason isn’t your pricing, your competition, or even the economy. In this week’s episode, Heather breaks down the surprising truth behind why clients aren’t booking—and how you can turn it around starting today.What to Listen For:The simple reason clients don’t book (and why it’s not your pricing).How to take action daily and build unstoppable momentum.The difference between hoping for clients vs. actively creating them.What Heather means by “failure gold” and why failing more often can accelerate your growth.How to build belief before you have results (and why this is a game-changer).The mindset shift that turns rejection into confidence.Why your first $1,000–$10,000 sale can feel exciting AND easy.A challenge you can do today to start proving to yourself that clients are out there waiting for you.Booking clients isn’t about fancy contests or a secret strategy—it’s about uncovering the real reason behind the “no’s” and shifting into action that works. Heather’s insights will surprise you, but once you see it, you can’t unsee it.👉 Don’t miss the rest of the 4 Clients in 4 Weeks Challenge—replays are available now, and you can still join us live for the final two calls.Additional ResourcesMaster the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.comStop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistent $2,000+ sales in the Freedom Focus Formula – www.freedomfocusformula.comCrack the code to booking more clients inside Elevate – www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevateDiscover the world of commercial pet photography in the Commercial Pet Photography Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercialJoin the 4 Clients in 4 Weeks Challenge – www.hairofthedogacademy.com/4c4wTired of slow inquires? Don't let anything impact your bookings or your success any longer. This free challenge will help you take control of your bookings so that you never feel stuck again. Register here.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.
--------
1:41:36
--------
1:41:36
Stop Playing it Safe!
305 - You might think you’re avoiding certain business moves because they’re “not the right time” or “too complicated.” But what if the real reason is that you’re avoiding a feeling? In this conversation, Heather shares her own breakthrough about risk, safety, and the emotions we’re unwilling to feel — and how that awareness can change everything.What to Listen For:How your self-concept influences your willingness to take risksThe connection between “safety” values and growth plateausWhy avoiding certain feelings leads to hesitation and missed opportunitiesHow to identify the emotions you’re most unwilling to feelWhy “incompetence” isn’t failure — and how to reframe itUsing your values (and their opposites) to uncover hidden fearsHow small risk-acceptance shifts can unlock bigger movesThe role of capacity work in expanding your tolerance for riskWhy the only real risk is how you’ll feelPractical ways to step into the next-level version of yourselfGrowth always comes with some risk — but most of the time, the “danger” is just how you think you’ll feel if something doesn’t work out. When you expand your capacity to feel those emotions, you stop hesitating and start taking aligned, confident action. Listen now to learn how to shift your self-concept, stretch your risk tolerance, and step into the identity of the photographer — and business owner — you want to become.Resources Master the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.comStop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistent $2,000+ sales in the Freedom Focus Formula – www.freedomfocusformula.comCrack the code to booking more clients inside Elevate – www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevateDiscover the world of commercial pet photography in the Commercial Pet Photography Academy – www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercialJoin the 4 Clients in 4 Weeks Challenge – www.hairofthedogacademy.com/4c4wTired of slow inquires? Don't let anything impact your bookings or your success any longer. This free challenge will help you take control of your bookings so that you never feel stuck again. Register here.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.
--------
26:27
--------
26:27
Self-Concept = Sales Confidence
304 - The fastest way to change your photography business? Change the way you see yourself. In this episode, Heather and I break down the self-concept shifts that help you introduce yourself confidently, market without second-guessing, and invest in your growth like a CEO. If you’ve ever felt like an imposter, struggled to get results from courses, or shamed yourself for “not doing enough,” this conversation will free you up to start making real progress.What to Listen For:The hidden role your self-concept plays in marketing and sales successWhy “I’m missing one secret thing” thinking holds you backHow to confidently introduce yourself as a photographer without hesitationThe difference between consumer and investor mindsets—and why it mattersWhy you don’t need to watch everything in a course to get huge resultsHow to measure ROI on education and coachingWhy trusting yourself to “figure it out” is an identity game-changerThe danger of relying on social proof instead of self-beliefHow to extract value even from imperfect programsShifting your self-concept from “I’m just a photographer” to “I’m a professional, resourceful business owner” changes everything. When you start thinking like an investor instead of a consumer, every decision becomes about extracting value and creating results—fast. Listen now to discover how to step into your CEO role, trust your ability to figure things out, and start building the business (and life) you actually want.Resources from this episode: Register for 4 Clients in 4 Weeks: www.hairofthedogacademy.com/4c4wMaster the craft of pet photography at the Hair of the Dog Academy - www.hairofthedogacademy.comStop competing on price, sell without feeling pushy, and reach consistently $2,000+ sales in the Freedom Focus Formula - www.freedomfocusformula.comCrack the code to booking more clients inside Elevate - www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevateDiscover the world of commercial pet photography in the Commercial Pet Photography Academy - www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercialTired of slow inquires? Don't let anything impact your bookings or your success any longer. This free challenge will help you take control of your bookings so that you never feel stuck again. Register here.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.
--------
37:15
--------
37:15
Why “Proven” Doesn’t Always Work
303 - When you're stuck between following your gut or trusting a “proven” system, what do you do? In this episode, Nicole and Heather unravel the real question behind the question—and it’s not what you think. We’re talking friction, experimentation, and how to confidently build a business that fits you.What to Listen For:The real question photographers are asking when they’re unsure about pricingWhy friction-free strategies are secretly a myth (and a trap)The key difference between fear and intuition when it comes to your gutNicole’s two simple questions to test if your pricing is workingWhat to do when you’re overwhelmed by all the “expert advice”Why Heather is rethinking how she markets ElevateThe difference between the “right” price and a price you can make rightWhat happens when you copy/paste strategy without doing the workHow to shift your mindset from “plug and play” to “test and refine”Why friction is the fast lane to growth (not the roadblock)What if your business isn't broken—it just wasn’t built for a formula? In this powerful episode of the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, Nicole and Heather explore what happens when a proven strategy doesn’t deliver and how to stop chasing “easy” and start building a plan that actually works for you. We’re diving into the messy middle, where growth lives, and why friction isn’t something to fear—it’s something to follow. Click through and start rewriting the rules.Additional Resources:Join the free challenge: www.hairofthedogacademy.com/4C4WMaster the craft of pet photography: www.hairofthedogacademy.comJoin the Freedom Focus Formula: www.freedomfocusformula.comCrack the code to more clients with Elevate: www.freedomfocusformula.com/elevateLearn commercial pet photography: www.hairofthedogacademy.com/commercialTired of slow inquires? Don't let anything impact your bookings or your success any longer. This free challenge will help you take control of your bookings so that you never feel stuck again. Register here.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.
Welcome to the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast, the essential audio hub for portrait photographers eager to launch and elevate their businesses to achieve their ideal version of success. Hosted by Nicole Begley, a former zoological animal trainer turned accomplished family and then pet/equine photographer, this podcast is your go-to resource for transforming your photographic passion into a thriving business.Since making the leap into photography in 2010 and quickly scaling her business to six figures, Nicole has dedicated herself to guiding photographers like you to transform their businesses from low-profit, high-stress operations into a profitable, sustainable businesses by teaching how to confidently price your services, sell products, and attract higher-paying clients. Join Nicole and a vibrant community of like-minded photographers on the Freedom Focus Photography Podcast. Together, we'll explore the paths to a profitable photography business that supports the life you've always envisioned.
South Africa