Get Free Tips

Marketing Strategy

Why Your Phone's Operating System Matters for Location-Based Photography Marketing
News

Why Your Phone's Operating System Matters for Location-Based Photography Marketing

I’ve been tracking how different smartphone platforms handle navigation apps, and the results reveal something crucial for photographers who rely on location-based marketing: your clients’ devices create fundamentally different user experiences. The Platform Divide is Real After researching how Google Maps performs across Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay, I discovered that these supposedly universal navigation tools actually function quite differently depending on which ecosystem your potential customers use. This matters far more than most photographers realize.

Stop Chasing Marketing Magic: Why Sustainable Systems Beat Trendy Tactics
News

Stop Chasing Marketing Magic: Why Sustainable Systems Beat Trendy Tactics

I’ve watched countless photographers chase the latest marketing trend, hoping this month’s “magic bullet” will finally fill their booking calendar. Spoiler alert: it won’t. Here’s what I’ve learned after working with photography businesses across every genre—from weddings to commercial work: there’s no secret sauce. But there is a formula, and it’s far more reliable than anything you’ll find in a social media guru’s paid course. The Real Foundation: Systems Over Shortcuts The photographers who consistently book clients aren’t necessarily the most talented or the cheapest.

When Your Audience Speaks Louder Than Your Bottom Line: The $100M Lesson for Creative Businesses
News

When Your Audience Speaks Louder Than Your Bottom Line: The $100M Lesson for Creative Businesses

When Your Audience Speaks Louder Than Your Bottom Line: The $100M Lesson for Creative Businesses I’ve watched a lot of business pivots in my career, but few are as striking as what just happened in Hollywood. A major studio’s decision to write off a project as a loss was completely reversed—not by market research or focus groups, but by passionate fans who refused to let their favorite story die. The result?

Why Nostalgia Marketing Works: Lessons from Anbernic's RG SP Launch Strategy
News

Why Nostalgia Marketing Works: Lessons from Anbernic's RG SP Launch Strategy

The Retro Trend That’s Teaching Us About Smart Marketing I’ve been watching the gaming hardware space closely lately, and Anbernic just dropped something worth paying attention to. Their new RG SP—a modern remake of the classic Game Boy Advance SP—launches August 5th at a $65 entry price point, with early bird pricing available right now. But here’s what caught my eye: this isn’t just about selling devices. It’s about understanding what drives purchasing decisions.

How Rob Woodcox Built a Photography Business by Refusing to Show Certain Work
Video Tutorials

How Rob Woodcox Built a Photography Business by Refusing to Show Certain Work

For years I watched photographers make the same exhausting mistake: they shot whatever paid, posted everything, and then wondered why their inbox kept filling up with inquiries for jobs they didn’t want. I ran my own version of that hamster wheel in my early years before I finally got ruthless about separating what I did for money from what I showed the world. So when I sat down with Watch the full tutorial on YouTube - this Aaron Nace (PHLEARN) interview with photographer Rob Woodcox - I felt like someone had finally said out loud the strategy I’d been fumbling toward on my own.

Beyond the Camera: Why Marketing Skills Matter as Much as Your Portfolio in Newborn Photography
News

Beyond the Camera: Why Marketing Skills Matter as Much as Your Portfolio in Newborn Photography

Beyond the Camera: Why Marketing Skills Matter as Much as Your Portfolio in Newborn Photography Here’s a truth I’ve observed working with photographers across the country: your artistic ability only takes you halfway to success. I’ve seen incredibly talented newborn photographers struggle financially while less skilled competitors thrive. The difference? Marketing. If you’re building a newborn photography business, you need to accept that you’re not just an artist—you’re also an entrepreneur.

Why Subtle Brand Collaborations Matter More Than Ever for Your Photography Business
News

Why Subtle Brand Collaborations Matter More Than Ever for Your Photography Business

I’ve been watching the brand collaboration landscape shift dramatically, and I want to share what I’m seeing—because it directly impacts how we as photographers should approach our own partnerships and positioning. The Quiet Collaboration is Winning Recently, I noticed a major shift in how brands are approaching partnerships. Instead of splashy, in-your-face endorsements, we’re seeing something far more sophisticated: subtle collabs that speak to authenticity rather than volume. These partnerships aren’t screaming for attention—they’re creating genuine value for audiences who actually care.

The Client Lifetime Strategy That Changed How I Think About Every Booking
Video Tutorials

The Client Lifetime Strategy That Changed How I Think About Every Booking

I used to think about bookings in isolation. Someone needs a family session, they book, they pay, they leave. That was the whole transaction in my mind. It wasn’t until my accountant husband sat me down with a spreadsheet that I realized how wrong I was. He had tracked which clients had come back to our studio more than once, and the number was embarrassingly low. I was so focused on finding new clients that I had completely ignored the ones who already trusted me.

How to Reopen Your Photography Business After a Shutdown (Without Underselling Yourself)
Video Tutorials

How to Reopen Your Photography Business After a Shutdown (Without Underselling Yourself)

When my studio went dark for weeks, the silence was loud. No bookings coming in, no shoots on the calendar, and a very patient but increasingly curious husband asking whether I had a plan. What I did have was time, and I used a chunk of it watching every piece of business education I could find. The tutorial that hit hardest was a live coaching session from Sue Bryce through The Portrait System, specifically built for photographers figuring out how to reopen and re-engage without blowing up everything they had built.

Why Your Photography Instagram Isn't Booking Clients (And What to Track Instead)
Marketing

Why Your Photography Instagram Isn't Booking Clients (And What to Track Instead)

Last January, I pulled up my Instagram analytics for the first time in three months and felt genuinely embarrassed. My follower count had climbed by 400 people. My average reel was hitting 8,000 views. And I had booked exactly two clients directly from the platform in 90 days. Two. From a channel I was spending roughly six hours a week maintaining. That math is bad. And if you’re a photographer posting consistently and still wondering why inquiries aren’t coming in, the problem probably isn’t your content quality.

The Client Acquisition Mistake That's Costing Photographers Their Best Opportunities
News

The Client Acquisition Mistake That's Costing Photographers Their Best Opportunities

I’ve watched talented photographers sabotage their own careers by moving too fast. They create a website over a weekend, throw together a portfolio with their best shots, and immediately start cold-calling potential clients. Six months later, they’re frustrated because nobody’s responding to their pitches. Here’s what they’re missing: potential clients rarely give second chances. The Permanence of First Impressions When someone encounters your business for the first time, they’re making snap judgments about your professionalism, your skill level, and whether you’re worth their investment.

The Power of Post-Wedding Gifts: Why Photographers Should Invest in Client Appreciation
News

The Power of Post-Wedding Gifts: Why Photographers Should Invest in Client Appreciation

I’ve watched something interesting happen in the wedding photography industry over the past few years: the photographers pulling in the most referral business aren’t always the ones with the best portfolios. They’re the ones who’ve mastered the art of going beyond the transaction. The Business Case for Client Gifting Here’s the reality—your wedding photography isn’t just a product. It’s the visual documentation of one of the most emotionally significant days in your clients’ lives.